101
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Egbuna C, Patrick‐Iwuanyanwu KC, Onyeike EN, Uche CZ, Ogoke UP, Riaz M, Ibezim EN, Khan J, Adedokun KA, Imodoye SO, Bello IO, Awuchi CG. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitors, glycyrrhizic acid, solanine, polyphyllin I, crocin, hypericin, tubeimoside-1, diosmin, and rutin in medicinal plants have better binding affinities and anticancer properties: Molecular docking and ADMET study. Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:4155-4169. [PMID: 37457177 PMCID: PMC10345731 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a role in cancer development, organogenesis, and embryogenesis. The abnormal activation promotes cancer stem cell renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. In the present study, molecular docking simulation and ADMET studies were carried out on selected bioactive compounds in search of β-catenin protein inhibitors for drug discovery against cancer. Blind docking simulation was performed using PyRx software on Autodock Vina. β-catenin protein (PDB ID: 1jdh) and 313 bioactive compounds (from PubChem database) with selected standard anticancer drugs were used for molecular docking. The ADMET properties of the best-performing compounds were calculated using SwissADME and pkCMS web servers. The results obtained from the molecular docking study showed that glycyrrhizic acid, solanine, polyphyllin I, crocin, hypericin, tubeimoside-1, diosmin, and rutin had the best binding interactions with β-catenin protein based on their binding affinities. Glycyrrhizic acid and solanine had the same and lowest binding energy of -8.5 kcal/mol. This was followed by polyphyllin I with -8.4 kcal/mol, and crocin, hypericin, and tubeimoside-1 which all had a binding energy of 8.1 kcal/mol. Other top-performing compounds include diosmin and rutin with binding energy of -8.0 kcal/mol. The ADMET study revealed that the following compounds glycyrrhizic acid, solanine, polyphyllin I, crocin, hypericin, tubeimoside-1, diosmin, rutin, and baicalin all violated Lipinski's rule of 5 which implies poor oral bioavailability. However, based on the binding energy score, it was suggested that these pharmacologically active compounds are potential molecules to be tested against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuebuka Egbuna
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE‐PUTOR)University of Port‐HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural SciencesChukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityUliNigeria
| | - Kingsley C. Patrick‐Iwuanyanwu
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE‐PUTOR)University of Port‐HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
| | - Eugene N. Onyeike
- Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE‐PUTOR)University of Port‐HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
| | - Chukwuemelie Zedech Uche
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical SciencesUniversity of NigeriaNsukkaNigeria
| | - Uchenna Petronilla Ogoke
- Biostatistics and Computation Unit, Department of Mathematics and StatisticsUniversity of Port HarcourtPort HarcourtNigeria
| | - Muhammad Riaz
- Department of Allied Health SciencesUniversity of SargodhaSargodhaPakistan
| | - Ebube Nnamdi Ibezim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural SciencesChukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu UniversityUliNigeria
| | - Johra Khan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical SciencesMajmaah UniversityAl MajmaahSaudi Arabia
- Health and Basic Sciences Research CenterMajmaah UniversityAl MajmaahSaudi Arabia
| | - Kamoru A. Adedokun
- Department of ImmunologyRoswell Park Comprehensive Cancer CenterBuffaloNew YorkUSA
| | - Sikiru O. Imodoye
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer InstituteUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Ibrahim O. Bello
- Department of Biological SciencesSouthern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsvilleIllinoisUSA
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102
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Wang Y, Han W, Yun S, Han J. Identification of protein phosphatase 4 catalytic subunit as a Wnt promoting factor in pan-cancer and Xenopus early embryogenesis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10240. [PMID: 37353511 PMCID: PMC10290155 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35719-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein Phosphatase 4 Catalytic Subunit (PPP4C) is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in multiple biological and pathological events, including embryogenesis, organogenesis, cellular homeostasis, and oncogenesis. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying these processes remain largely unknown. Thus, we investigated the potential correlation between PPP4C and biological processes (BPs) and canonical Wnt signaling using pan-cancer analysis and Xenopus laevis (X. laevis) embryo model. Our results indicate that PPP4C is a potential biomarker for specific cancer types due to its high diagnostic accuracy and significant prognostic correlation. Furthermore, in multiple cancer types, PPP4C-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in pattern specification, morphogenesis, and canonical Wnt activation. Consistently, perturbation of Ppp4c in X. laevis embryos interfered with normal embryogenesis and canonical Wnt responses. Moreover, biochemical analysis of X. laevis embryos demonstrated that both endogenous and exogenous Ppp4c negatively regulated AXIN1 (Wnt inhibitor) abundance. This study provides novel insights into PPP4C roles in pattern specification and Wnt activation. The similarities in BPs and Wnt signaling regulation regarding PPP4C support the intrinsic link between tumorigenesis and early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- YiLi Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea
| | - WonHee Han
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea
- Department of Neurology, F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - SeokMin Yun
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea
| | - JinKwan Han
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea.
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103
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Zhang N, Shen H, Chen B, Hu H, Liu C, Chen Y, Cong W. The recent progress of peptide regulators for the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1164656. [PMID: 37396899 PMCID: PMC10311566 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1164656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays an important role in many biological processes such as stem cell self-renewal, cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The β-catenin-dependent signaling pathway mainly regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. In the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the Wnt family ligands transduce signals through LRP5/6 and Frizzled receptors to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascades. Wnt-targeted therapy has garnered extensive attention. The most commonly used approach in targeted therapy is small-molecule regulators. However, it is difficult for small-molecule regulators to make great progress due to their inherent defects. Therapeutic peptide regulators targeting the Wnt signaling pathway have become an alternative therapy, promising to fill the gaps in the clinical application of small-molecule regulators. In this review, we describe recent advances in peptide regulators for Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- School of Medicine or Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaxing Shen
- School of Medicine or Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baobao Chen
- School of Medicine or Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Honggang Hu
- School of Medicine or Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Medicine or Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Supplies Center of People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Cong
- School of Medicine or Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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104
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Tang J, Long G, Xiao L, Zhou L. USP8 positively regulates hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and confers ferroptosis resistance through β-catenin stabilization. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:360. [PMID: 37311739 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05747-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary hepatic carcinoma, which is a growing public health problem worldwide. One of the main genetic alterations in HCC is the deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, activation of β-catenin is associated with the progression of HCC. In the present study, we aimed to identify novel modulators in controlling β-catenin ubiquitination and stability. USP8 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and correlated with β-catenin protein level. High expression of USP8 indicated poor prognosis of HCC patients. USP8 depletion significantly decreased β-catenin protein level, β-catenin target genes expression and TOP-luciferase activity in HCC cells. Further mechanistic study revealed that the USP domain of USP8 interacted with the ARM domain of β-catenin. USP8 stabilized β-catenin protein via inhibiting K48-specific poly-ubiquitination process on β-catenin protein. In addition, USP8 depletion inhibited the proliferation, invasion and stemness of HCC cells and conferred ferroptosis resistance, which effects could be further rescued by β-catenin overexpression. In addition, the USP8 inhibitor DUB-IN-3 inhibited the aggressive phenotype and promoted ferroptosis of HCC cells through degradation of β-catenin. Thus, our study demonstrated that USP8 activated the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling through a post-translational mechanism of β-catenin. High expression of USP8 promoted the progression and inhibited ferroptosis of HCC. Targeting the USP8 may serve as a promising strategy for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Tang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Guo Long
- Department of Liver Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Liang Xiao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Ledu Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
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105
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Hou XN, Tang C. The pros and cons of ubiquitination on the formation of protein condensates. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1084-1098. [PMID: 37294105 PMCID: PMC10423694 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification that attaches one or more ubiquitin (Ub) molecules to another protein, plays a crucial role in the phase-separation processes. Ubiquitination can modulate the formation of membrane-less organelles in two ways. First, a scaffold protein drives phase separation, and Ub is recruited to the condensates. Second, Ub actively phase-separates through the interactions with other proteins. Thus, the role of ubiquitination and the resulting polyUb chains ranges from bystanders to active participants in phase separation. Moreover, long polyUb chains may be the primary driving force for phase separation. We further discuss that the different roles can be determined by the lengths and linkages of polyUb chains which provide preorganized and multivalent binding platforms for other client proteins. Together, ubiquitination adds a new layer of regulation for the flow of material and information upon cellular compartmentalization of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ni Hou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Chun Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
- Center for Quantitate BiologyPKU-Tsinghua Center for Life ScienceAcademy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
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106
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Li M, Zheng J, Luo D, Xu K, Sheng R, MacDonald BT, He X, Zhang X. Frizzled receptors facilitate Tiki inhibition of Wnt signaling at the cell surface. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e55873. [PMID: 36994853 PMCID: PMC10240186 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane-tethered protease Tiki antagonizes Wnt3a signaling by cleaving and inactivating Wnt3a in Wnt-producing cells. Tiki also functions in Wnt-receiving cells to antagonize Wnt signaling by an unknown mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that Tiki inhibition of Wnt signaling at the cell surface requires Frizzled (FZD) receptors. Tiki associates with the Wnt-FZD complex and cleaves the N-terminus of Wnt3a or Wnt5a, preventing the Wnt-FZD complex from recruiting and activating the coreceptor LRP6 or ROR1/2 without affecting Wnt-FZD complex stability. Intriguingly, we demonstrate that the N-terminus of Wnt3a is required for Wnt3a binding to LRP6 and activating β-catenin signaling, while the N-terminus of Wnt5a is dispensable for recruiting and phosphorylating ROR1/2. Both Tiki enzymatic activity and its association with the Wnt-FZD complex contribute to its inhibitory function on Wnt5a. Our study uncovers the mechanism by which Tiki antagonizes Wnt signaling at the cell surface and reveals a negative role of FZDs in Wnt signaling by acting as Tiki cofactors. Our findings also reveal an unexpected role of the Wnt3a N-terminus in the engagement of the coreceptor LRP6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyi Li
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Jing Zheng
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Dong Luo
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Ren Sheng
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
| | | | - Xi He
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology CenterBoston Children's HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Xinjun Zhang
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026)Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalChengduChina
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107
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Zhu M, Xu M, Zhang J, Zheng C. The role of Hippo pathway in ovarian development. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1198873. [PMID: 37334049 PMCID: PMC10275494 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1198873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The follicle is the functional unit of the ovary, whereby ovarian development is largely dependent on the development of the follicles themselves. The activation, growth, and progression of follicles are modulated by a diverse range of factors, including reproductive endocrine system and multiple signaling pathways. The Hippo pathway exhibits a high degree of evolutionary conservation between both Drosophila and mammalian systems, and is recognized for its pivotal role in regulating cellular proliferation, control of organ size, and embryonic development. During the process of follicle development, the components of the Hippo pathway show temporal and spatial variations. Recent clinical studies have shown that ovarian fragmentation can activate follicles. The mechanism is that the mechanical signal of cutting triggers actin polymerization. This process leads to the disruption of the Hippo pathway and subsequently induces the upregulation of downstream CCN and apoptosis inhibitors, thereby promoting follicle development. Thus, the Hippo pathway plays a crucial role in both the activation and development of follicles. In this article, we focused on the development and atresia of follicles and the function of Hippo pathway in these processes. Additionally, the physiological effects of Hippo pathway in follicle activation are also explored.
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108
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Zhang Y, Black KE, Phung TKN, Thundivalappil SR, Lin T, Wang W, Xu J, Zhang C, Hariri LP, Lapey A, Li H, Lerou PH, Ai X, Que J, Park JA, Hurley BP, Mou H. Human Airway Basal Cells Undergo Reversible Squamous Differentiation and Reshape Innate Immunity. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 68:664-678. [PMID: 36753317 PMCID: PMC10257070 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0299oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Histological and lineage immunofluorescence examination revealed that healthy conducting airways of humans and animals harbor sporadic poorly differentiated epithelial patches mostly in the dorsal noncartilage regions that remarkably manifest squamous differentiation. In vitro analysis demonstrated that this squamous phenotype is not due to intrinsic functional change in underlying airway basal cells. Rather, it is a reversible physiological response to persistent Wnt signaling stimulation during de novo differentiation. Squamous epithelial cells have elevated gene signatures of glucose uptake and cellular glycolysis. Inhibition of glycolysis or a decrease in glucose availability suppresses Wnt-induced squamous epithelial differentiation. Compared with pseudostratified airway epithelial cells, a cascade of mucosal protective functions is impaired in squamous epithelial cells, featuring increased epithelial permeability, spontaneous epithelial unjamming, and enhanced inflammatory responses. Our study raises the possibility that the squamous differentiation naturally occurring in healthy airways identified herein may represent "vulnerable spots" within the airway mucosa that are sensitive to damage and inflammation when confronted by infection or injury. Squamous metaplasia and hyperplasia are hallmarks of many airway diseases, thereby expanding these areas of vulnerability with potential pathological consequences. Thus, investigation of physiological and reversible squamous differentiation from healthy airway basal cells may provide critical knowledge to understand pathogenic squamous remodeling, which is often nonreversible, progressive, and hyperinflammatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Zhang
- The Mucosal Immunology & Biology Research Center
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and
| | | | - Thien-Khoi N. Phung
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Tian Lin
- The Mucosal Immunology & Biology Research Center
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and
| | - Wei Wang
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jie Xu
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Lida P. Hariri
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Allen Lapey
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hu Li
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Paul Hubert Lerou
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xingbin Ai
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jianwen Que
- Columbia Center for Human Development
- Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, and
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bryan P. Hurley
- The Mucosal Immunology & Biology Research Center
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and
| | - Hongmei Mou
- The Mucosal Immunology & Biology Research Center
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, and
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109
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Gallate ZS, D'Erminio DN, Nasser P, Laudier DM, Iatridis JC. Galectin-3 and RAGE differentially control advanced glycation endproduct-induced collagen damage in murine intervertebral disc organ culture. JOR Spine 2023; 6:e1254. [PMID: 37361328 PMCID: PMC10285763 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Back and neck pain are leading causes of global disability that are associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Causes of IVD degeneration are multifactorial, and diet, age, and diabetes have all been linked to IVD degeneration. Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) accumulate in the IVD as a result of aging, diet, and diabetes, and AGE accumulation in the IVD has been shown to induce oxidative stress and catabolic activity that result in collagen damage. An association between AGE accumulation and IVD degeneration is emerging, yet mechanism behind this association remains unclear. The Receptor for AGEs (RAGE) is thought to induce catabolic responses in the IVD, and the AGE receptor Galectin 3 (Gal3) had a protective effect in other tissue systems but has not been evaluated in the IVD. Methods This study used an IVD organ culture model with genetically modified mice to analyze the roles of RAGE and Gal3 in an AGE challenge. Results Gal3 was protective against an AGE challenge in the murine IVD ex vivo, limiting collagen damage and biomechanical property changes. Gal3 receptor levels in the AF significantly decreased upon an AGE challenge. RAGE was necessary for AGE-induced collagen damage in the IVD, and RAGE receptor levels in the AF significantly increased upon AGE challenge. Discussion These findings suggest both RAGE and Gal3 are important in the IVD response to AGEs and highlight Gal3 as an important receptor with protective effects on collagen damage. This research improves understanding the mechanisms of AGE-induced IVD degeneration and suggests Gal3 receptor modulation as a potential target for preventative and therapeutic treatment for IVD degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary S. Gallate
- Leni & Peter W. May Department of OrthopedicsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Danielle N. D'Erminio
- Leni & Peter W. May Department of OrthopedicsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Philip Nasser
- Leni & Peter W. May Department of OrthopedicsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Damien M. Laudier
- Leni & Peter W. May Department of OrthopedicsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - James C. Iatridis
- Leni & Peter W. May Department of OrthopedicsIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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110
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Fleischhauer L, López-Delgado AC, Geurtzen K, Knopf F. Glucocorticoid effects in the regenerating fin reflect tissue homeostasis disturbances in zebrafish by affecting Wnt signaling. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1122351. [PMID: 37334313 PMCID: PMC10273277 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1122351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
As a treatment for various immune-mediated diseases, the use of glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents is common practice. However, their use is severely hampered by the risk of the development of adverse effects such as secondary osteoporosis, skin atrophy, and peptic ulcer formation. The exact molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying those adverse effects, which involve most major organ systems, are not yet fully understood. Therefore, their investigation is of great importance to improve treatment regimens for patients. Here, we investigated the effects of the glucocorticoid prednisolone on cell proliferation and Wnt signaling in homeostatic skin and intestinal tissue and compared them to the anti-regenerative effects in zebrafish fin regeneration. We also investigated a potential recovery from the glucocorticoid treatment and the impact of short-term treatment with prednisolone. We identified a dampening effect of prednisolone on Wnt signaling and proliferation in highly proliferative tissues, namely the skin and intestine, as well as reduced fin regenerate length and Wnt reporter activity in the fin. The presence of the Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf1 was enhanced in prednisolone treated skin tissue. A decreased number of mucous producing goblet cells was observed in the intestine of prednisolone treated zebrafish. Unexpectedly, proliferation in bone forming osteoblasts of the skull, homeostatic scales, as well as the brain was not decreased, opposite to the observed effects in the skin, fin, and intestine. Short-term treatment with prednisolone for a few days did not significantly alter fin regenerate length, skin cell proliferation, intestinal leukocyte number and proliferation of intestinal crypt cells. However, it affected the number of mucous-producing goblet cells in the gut. Likewise, discontinuation of prednisolone treatment for a few days saved the skin and intestine from a significant reduction of skin and intestinal cell proliferation, intestinal leukocyte number and regenerate length, but did not rescue goblet cell number. The suppressive effects of glucocorticoids in highly proliferative tissues may be relevant in the context of their therapeutic applications in patients with inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fleischhauer
- CRTD – Center for Regenerative Therapies, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alejandra Cristina López-Delgado
- CRTD – Center for Regenerative Therapies, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karina Geurtzen
- CRTD – Center for Regenerative Therapies, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Franziska Knopf
- CRTD – Center for Regenerative Therapies, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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111
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Zhang C, Tannous E, Thomas A, Jung N, Ma E, Zheng JJ. Dexamethasone Modulates the Dynamics of Wnt Signaling in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells. Vision (Basel) 2023; 7:43. [PMID: 37368816 DOI: 10.3390/vision7020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue is highly specialized, and its structural integrity is crucial for maintaining homeostatic intraocular pressure (IOP). The administration of glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone (DEX), can perturb the TM structure and significantly increase IOP in susceptible individuals, resulting in ocular diseases such as steroid-induced glaucoma, a form of open-angle glaucoma. Although the exact mechanism involved in steroid-induced glaucoma remains elusive, increasing evidence suggests that DEX may act through various signaling cascades in TM cells. Despite uncertainty surrounding the specific process by which steroid-induced glaucoma occurs, there is growing evidence to indicate that DEX can impact multiple signaling pathways within TM cells. In this study, we examined the impact of DEX treatment on the Wnt signaling pathway in TM cells, given that Wnt signaling has been reported to play a crucial role in regulating extracellular matrix (ECM) levels in the TM. To further elucidate the role of Wnt signaling in the glaucomatous phenotype, we examined mRNA expression patterns between Wnt signaling markers AXIN2 and sFRP1 and DEX-mediated induction of myocilin (MYOC) mRNA and protein levels over 10 days in DEX-treated primary TM cells. We observed a sequential pattern of peak expression between AXIN2, sFRP1, and MYOC. Based on the study, we propose that sFRP1 upregulation could be a result of a negative feedback mechanism generated by stressed TM cells to suppress abnormal Wnt signaling activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The Molecular Biology Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elizabeth Tannous
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The Molecular Biology Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alseena Thomas
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The Molecular Biology Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Natalia Jung
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The Molecular Biology Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Edmond Ma
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The Molecular Biology Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jie J Zheng
- Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The Molecular Biology Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Patil S, Chalkiadaki K, Mergiya TF, Krimbacher K, Amorim IS, Akerkar S, Gkogkas CG, Bramham CR. eIF4E phosphorylation recruits β-catenin to mRNA cap and promotes Wnt pathway translation in dentate gyrus LTP maintenance. iScience 2023; 26:106649. [PMID: 37250335 PMCID: PMC10214474 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The mRNA cap-binding protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), is crucial for translation and regulated by Ser209 phosphorylation. However, the biochemical and physiological role of eIF4E phosphorylation in translational control of long-term synaptic plasticity is unknown. We demonstrate that phospho-ablated Eif4eS209A Knockin mice are profoundly impaired in dentate gyrus LTP maintenance in vivo, whereas basal perforant path-evoked transmission and LTP induction are intact. mRNA cap-pulldown assays show that phosphorylation is required for synaptic activity-induced removal of translational repressors from eIF4E, allowing initiation complex formation. Using ribosome profiling, we identified selective, phospho-eIF4E-dependent translation of the Wnt signaling pathway in LTP. Surprisingly, the canonical Wnt effector, β-catenin, was massively recruited to the eIF4E cap complex following LTP induction in wild-type, but not Eif4eS209A, mice. These results demonstrate a critical role for activity-evoked eIF4E phosphorylation in dentate gyrus LTP maintenance, remodeling of the mRNA cap-binding complex, and specific translation of the Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarshan Patil
- Department of Biomedicine Jonas Lies vei 91, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Kleanthi Chalkiadaki
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Tadiwos F. Mergiya
- Department of Biomedicine Jonas Lies vei 91, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Research Center for the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Konstanze Krimbacher
- Center for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, UK
| | - Inês S. Amorim
- Center for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9XD Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shreeram Akerkar
- Department of Biomedicine Jonas Lies vei 91, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Christos G. Gkogkas
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Clive R. Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine Jonas Lies vei 91, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Research Center for the Brain, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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113
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Caliskan M, Dogan G, Orenay-Boyacioglu S. Relationship between villous atrophy and Wnt pathway gene expressions in pediatric celiac patients. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e20221496. [PMID: 37222325 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20221496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by an abnormal immune response occurring in the small intestine linked to consumption of food containing gluten in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Dysregulation of Wnt signal transduction plays a role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including autoimmune diseases like celiac disease. In this study, the correlation of Wnt pathway gene expressions with each other and the correlation with clinical data were researched in pediatric celiac disease cases grouped according to the Marsh classification. METHODS Gene expression levels of FZD8, DVL2, LRP5, RHOA, CCND2, CXADR, and NFATC1, which are involved in the Wnt pathway, were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 40 celiac disease and 30 healthy individuals. RESULTS All cases with the short height symptom were observed to be in Marsh 3b\3c groups (p=0.03). The gene expressions of DVL2, CCND2, and NFATC1 were high in the Marsh 3b group, and these genes showed positive correlation with each other (p=0.002). LRP5 and CXADR gene expressions were lower in the Marsh 3b group compared to other Marsh groups, and these genes showed a positive correlation with each other (p=0.003). CCND2 gene expression was associated with Marsh 3b group, diarrhea, and vomiting symptoms. DVL2 gene expression was correlated with Marsh 2 group and constipation symptom (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Wnt signaling in the early stages of the disease of Marsh 1-2 involves high expression of LRP5 and CXADR genes, while expression of these two genes reduces, and DVL2, CCND2, and NFATC1 gene expressions clearly increase with a transduction variation observed from Marsh 3a stage when villous atrophy begins to form. It appears that the Wnt pathway may contribute to disease progression through expression changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Caliskan
- Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics - Aydin, Turkey
- Usak University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology - Usak, Turkey
| | - Guzide Dogan
- Haseki Education Research Hopital, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology - İstanbul, Turkey
- Bezmialem Vakif University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology - İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Seda Orenay-Boyacioglu
- Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics - Aydin, Turkey
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114
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Malyla V, Paudel KR, De Rubis G, Hansbro NG, Hansbro PM, Dua K. Cigarette smoking induces lung cancer tumorigenesis via upregulation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. Life Sci 2023; 326:121787. [PMID: 37209867 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate compared to any other cancer worldwide, and cigarette smoking is one of the major etiological factors. How cigarette smoke (CS) induces tumorigenesis in healthy cells is still not completely understood. In this study, we treated healthy human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o) with 1 % cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for one week. The CSE exposed cells showed upregulation of WNT/β-catenin pathway genes like WNT3, DLV3, AXIN and β-catenin, 30 oncology proteins were found to be upregulated after CSE treatment. Further, we explored whether the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) obtained from CSE exposed cells can induce tumorigenesis. We observed that CSE EVs induced migration of healthy 16HBE14o cells by upregulation of various oncology proteins in recipient cells like AXL, EGFR, DKK1, ENG, FGF2, ICAM1, HMOX1, HIF1a, SERPINE1, SNAIL, HGFR, PLAU which are related to WNT signaling, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Inflammation, whereas inflammatory marker, GAL-3 and EMT marker, VIM were downregulated. Moreover, β-catenin RNA was found in CSE EVs, upon treatment of these EVs to healthy cells, the β-catenin gene level was decreased in recipient cells compared to healthy 16HBE14o cells, indicating the utilisation of β-catenin RNA in healthy cells. Overall, our study suggests that CS treatment can induce tumorigenesis of healthy cells by upregulating WNT/β-catenin signaling in vitro and human lung cancer patients. Therefore targeting the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in tumorigenesis inhibition of this pathway could be a potential therapeutic approach for cigarette smoke induced lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vamshikrishna Malyla
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Centre for Inflammation, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Keshav Raj Paudel
- Centre for Inflammation, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Gabriele De Rubis
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Nicole G Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Centre for Inflammation, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
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Kagioka T, Itoh S, Hue MT, Abe M, Hayashi M. Lithium carbonate accelerates the healing of apical periodontitis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7886. [PMID: 37193735 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34700-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Apical periodontitis is a disease caused by bacterial invasions through the root canals. Our previous study reported that lithium chloride (LiCl) had a healing effect on apical periodontitis. The aim of this report is to investigate the healing properties and mechanism of lithium ion (Li+) for apical periodontitis using rat root canal treatment model. 10-week-old male Wistar rat's mandibular first molars with experimentally induced apical periodontitis underwent root canal treatment and were applied lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) containing intracanal medicament. Base material of the medicament was used as a control. Subject teeth were scanned by micro-CT every week and the periapical lesion volume was evaluated. The lesion volume of Li2CO3 group was significantly smaller than that of the control group. Histological analysis showed that in Li2CO3 group, M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells were induced in the periapical lesion. In situ hybridization experiments revealed a greater expression of Col1a1 in Li2CO3 group compared with the control group. At 24 h after application of intracanal medicament, Axin2-positive cells were distributed in Li2CO3 group. In conclusion, Li2CO3 stimulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and accelerate the healing process of apical periodontitis, modulating the immune system and the bone metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Kagioka
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shousaku Itoh
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Mai Thi Hue
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Makoto Abe
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mikako Hayashi
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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Fan X, Zhang W, Guo S, Zhu L, Zhang Y, Zhao H, Gao X, Jiang H, Zhang T, Chen D, Guo R, Niu Q. Expression Profile, Regulatory Network, and Putative Role of microRNAs in the Developmental Process of Asian Honey Bee Larval Guts. INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050469. [PMID: 37233097 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
MiRNAs, as a kind of key regulators in gene expression, play vital roles in numerous life activities from cellular proliferation and differentiation to development and immunity. However, little is known about the regulatory manner of miRNAs in the development of Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) guts. Here, on basis of our previously gained high-quality transcriptome data, transcriptome-wide identification of miRNAs in the larval guts of Apis cerana cerana was conducted, followed by investigation of the miRNAs' differential expression profile during the gut development. In addition to the regulatory network, the potential function of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) was further analyzed. In total, 330, 351, and 321 miRNAs were identified in the 4-, 5-, and 6-day-old larval guts, respectively; among these, 257 miRNAs were shared, while 38, 51, and 36 ones were specifically expressed. Sequences of six miRNAs were confirmed by stem-loop RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Additionally, in the "Ac4 vs. Ac5" comparison group, there were seven up-regulated and eight down-regulated miRNAs; these DEmiRNAs could target 5041 mRNAs, involving a series of GO terms and KEGG pathways associated with growth and development, such as cellular process, cell part, Wnt, and Hippo. Comparatively, four up-regulated and six down-regulated miRNAs detected in the "Ac5 vs. Ac6" comparison group and the targets were associated with diverse development-related terms and pathways, including cell, organelle, Notch and Wnt. Intriguingly, it was noticed that miR-6001-y presented a continuous up-regulation trend across the developmental process of larval guts, implying that miR-6001-y may be a potential essential modulator in the development process of larval guts. Further investigation indicated that 43 targets in the "Ac4 vs. Ac5" comparison group and 31 targets in the "Ac5 vs. Ac6" comparison group were engaged in several crucial development-associated signaling pathways such as Wnt, Hippo, and Notch. Ultimately, the expression trends of five randomly selected DEmiRNAs were verified using RT-qPCR. These results demonstrated that dynamic expression and structural alteration of miRNAs were accompanied by the development of A. c. cerana larval guts, and DEmiRNAs were likely to participate in the modulation of growth as well as development of larval guts by affecting several critical pathways via regulation of the expression of target genes. Our data offer a basis for elucidating the developmental mechanism underlying Asian honey bee larval guts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wende Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Sijia Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Leran Zhu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yiqiong Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Haodong Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xuze Gao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Haibin Jiang
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin 132000, China
| | - Tianze Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Qingsheng Niu
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin Province, Jilin 132000, China
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Qian J, Wang Y, Li X, Lü J. Hydrogel microenvironment contributes to chemical-induced differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells: single-cell infrared microspectroscopy characterization. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023:10.1007/s00216-023-04746-z. [PMID: 37191714 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04746-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell microenvironment plays vital roles in directing cell proliferation and differentiation. Due to the tiny biochemical changes in the early stage of stem cell development, technical challenges to characterize the potential effects of environmental signals remain. In this work, we have introduced synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy to evaluate the synergistic effects of physical and chemical factors on stem cell differentiation at the single-cell level. By using principal component analysis and cell-cell Euclidean distance calculation, the phenotypic heterogeneity changes during stem cell osteogenesis induced by lithium chloride or Wnt5a protein loaded in the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel were characterized in detail. The results demonstrated that PVA hydrogel could lead to the distinct effects between low-concentration lithium and wnt5a on human mesenchymal stem cells, suggesting a vital role of niche signals in Wnt pathway. These findings highlight the importance of microenvironment to the chemical-induced effects on stem cell differentiation and also provide a label-free, noninvasive method to sensitively identify the niche function in stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Qian
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Yadi Wang
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Xueling Li
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Junhong Lü
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China.
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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118
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Sen P, Ghosh SS. The Intricate Notch Signaling Dynamics in Therapeutic Realms of Cancer. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:651-670. [PMID: 37200816 PMCID: PMC10186364 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The Notch pathway is remarkably simple without the interventions of secondary messengers. It possesses a unique receptor-ligand interaction that imparts signaling upon cleavage of the receptor followed by the nuclear localization of its cleaved intracellular domain. It is found that the transcriptional regulator of the Notch pathway lies at the intersection of multiple signaling pathways that enhance the aggressiveness of cancer. The preclinical and clinical evidence supports the pro-oncogenic function of Notch signaling in various tumor subtypes. Owing to its oncogenic role, the Notch signaling pathway assists in enhanced tumorigenesis by facilitating angiogenesis, drug resistance, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, etc., which is also attributed to the poor outcome in patients. Therefore, it is extremely vital to discover a suitable inhibitor to downregulate the signal-transducing ability of Notch. The Notch inhibitory agents, such as receptor decoys, protease (ADAM and γ-secretase) inhibitors, and monoclonal/bispecific antibodies, are being investigated as candidate therapeutic agents. Studies conducted by our group exemplify the promising results in ablating tumorigenic aggressiveness by inhibiting the constituents of the Notch pathway. This review deals with the detailed mechanism of the Notch pathways and their implications in various malignancies. It also bestows us with the recent therapeutic advances concerning Notch signaling in the context of monotherapy and combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plaboni Sen
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
- Centre
for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of
Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
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119
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Reisqs JB, Moreau A, Sleiman Y, Boutjdir M, Richard S, Chevalier P. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as a myogenic disease: highlights from cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1191965. [PMID: 37250123 PMCID: PMC10210147 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1191965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by the replacement of myocardium by fibro-fatty infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss. ACM predisposes to a high risk for ventricular arrhythmias. ACM has initially been defined as a desmosomal disease because most of the known variants causing the disease concern genes encoding desmosomal proteins. Studying this pathology is complex, in particular because human samples are rare and, when available, reflect the most advanced stages of the disease. Usual cellular and animal models cannot reproduce all the hallmarks of human pathology. In the last decade, human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) have been proposed as an innovative human cellular model. The differentiation of hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) is now well-controlled and widely used in many laboratories. This hiPSC-CM model recapitulates critical features of the pathology and enables a cardiomyocyte-centered comprehensive approach to the disease and the screening of anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) prescribed sometimes empirically to the patient. In this regard, this model provides unique opportunities to explore and develop new therapeutic approaches. The use of hiPSC-CMs will undoubtedly help the development of precision medicine to better cure patients suffering from ACM. This review aims to summarize the recent advances allowing the use of hiPSCs in the ACM context.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. B. Reisqs
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - A. Moreau
- Université de Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PhyMedExp, Montpellier, France
| | - Y. Sleiman
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - M. Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY, United States
| | - S. Richard
- Université de Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PhyMedExp, Montpellier, France
| | - P. Chevalier
- Neuromyogene Institute, Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
- Service de Rythmologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Martins-Neves SR, Sampaio-Ribeiro G, Gomes CMF. Self-Renewal and Pluripotency in Osteosarcoma Stem Cells' Chemoresistance: Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-Catenin Interplay with Embryonic Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098401. [PMID: 37176108 PMCID: PMC10179672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a highly malignant bone tumor derived from mesenchymal cells that contains self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance. Understanding the signaling pathways that regulate CSC self-renewal and survival is crucial for developing effective therapies. The Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-Catenin developmental pathways, which are essential for self-renewal and differentiation of normal stem cells, have been identified as important regulators of osteosarcoma CSCs and also in the resistance to anticancer therapies. Targeting these pathways and their interactions with embryonic markers and the tumor microenvironment may be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance and improve the prognosis for osteosarcoma patients. This review focuses on the role of Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in regulating CSC self-renewal, pluripotency, and chemoresistance, and their potential as targets for anti-cancer therapies. We also discuss the relevance of embryonic markers, including SOX-2, Oct-4, NANOG, and KLF4, in osteosarcoma CSCs and their association with the aforementioned signaling pathways in overcoming drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Martins-Neves
- iCBR-Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Sampaio-Ribeiro
- iCBR-Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CACC-Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia M F Gomes
- iCBR-Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB-Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- CACC-Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
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Shen L, He Y, Chen S, He L, Zhang Y. PTHrP Modulates the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia-Derived BMSCs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087616. [PMID: 37108778 PMCID: PMC10146947 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a skeletal stem cell disease caused by mutations in the guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha-stimulating activity polypeptide (GNAS) gene, which results in the abnormal accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and hyperactivation of downstream signaling pathways. Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is secreted by the osteoblast lineage and is involved in various physiological and pathological activities of bone. However, the association between the abnormal expression of PTHrP and FD, as well as its underlying mechanism, remains unclear. In this study, we discovered that FD patient-derived bone marrow stromal cells (FD BMSCs) expressed significantly higher levels of PTHrP during osteogenic differentiation and exhibited greater proliferation capacity but impaired osteogenic ability compared to normal control patient-derived BMSCs (NC BMSCs). Continuous exogenous PTHrP exposure on the NC BMSCs promoted the FD phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Through the PTHrP/cAMP/PKA axis, PTHrP could partially influence the proliferation and osteogenesis capacity of FD BMSCs via the overactivation of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, PTHrP not only directly modulated cAMP/PKA/CREB transduction but was also demonstrated as a transcriptional target of CREB. This study provides novel insight into the possible pathogenesis involved in the FD phenotype and enhances the understanding of its molecular signaling pathways, offering theoretical evidence for the feasibility of potential therapeutic targets for FD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihang Shen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yang He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Linhai He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- First Clinical Division, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
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Iranmanesh P, Vedaei A, Salehi-Mazandarani S, Nikpour P, Khazaei S, Khademi A, Galler KM, Nekoofar MH, Dummer PMH. MicroRNAs-mediated regulation of the differentiation of dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a systematic review and bioinformatic analysis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:76. [PMID: 37038220 PMCID: PMC10088330 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hDP-MSCs), which include human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs), are promising cell sources for regenerative therapies. Nevertheless, a lack of knowledge relating to the mechanisms regulating their differentiation has limited their clinical application. microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulatory molecules in cellular processes including cell differentiation. This systematic review aims to provide a panel of miRNAs that regulate the differentiation of hDP-MSCs including hDPSCs and SHEDs. Additionally, bioinformatic analyses were conducted to discover target genes, signaling pathways and gene ontologies associated with the identified miRNAs. METHODS A literature search was performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Library. Experimental studies assessing the promotive/suppressive effect of miRNAs on the differentiation of hDP-MSCs and studies evaluating changes to the expression of miRNAs during the differentiation of hDP-MSCs were included. miRNAs involved in odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation were then included in a bioinformatic analysis. A miRNA-mRNA network was constructed, and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was also constructed. RESULTS Of 766 initially identified records through database searching, 42 and 36 studies were included in qualitative synthesis and bioinformatic analyses, respectively. Thirteen miRNAs promoted and 17 suppressed odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation of hDP-MSCs. hsa-miR-140-5p, hsa-miR-218 and hsa-miR-143 were more frequently reported suppressing the odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation of hDP-MSCs. hsa-miR-221 and hsa-miR-124 promoted and hsa-miR-140-5p inhibited neuronal differentiation, hsa-miR-26a-5p promoted and hsa-miR-424 suppressed angiogenic differentiation, and hsa-miR-135 and hsa-miR-143 inhibited differentiation within myogenic lineages. A miRNA-mRNA network including 1890 nodes and 2171 edges was constructed. KEGG pathway analysis revealed MAPK, PI3K-Akt and FoxO as key signaling pathways involved in the odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation of hDP-MSCs. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this systematic review support the potential application of the specific miRNAs to regulate the directed differentiation of hDP-MSCs in the field of regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Iranmanesh
- Dental Research Center, Department of Endodontics, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Vedaei
- Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sadra Salehi-Mazandarani
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Nikpour
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saber Khazaei
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Abbasali Khademi
- Dental Research Center, Department of Endodontics, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Kerstin M Galler
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mohammad-Hossein Nekoofar
- Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Endodontics, Bahçeşehir University School of Dentistry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Paul M H Dummer
- School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Orellana-Guerrero D, Uribe-Salazar JM, El-Sheikh Ali H, Scoggin KE, Ball B, Daels P, Finno CJ, Dini P. Dynamics of the Equine Placental DNA Methylome and Transcriptome from Mid- to Late Gestation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087084. [PMID: 37108254 PMCID: PMC10139181 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary organ that is essential for the survival of the fetus, with a lifelong effect on the health of both the offspring and the dam. The functions of the placenta are controlled by its dynamic gene expression during gestation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the equine placental DNA methylome as one of the fundamental mechanisms that controls the gene expression dynamic. Chorioallantois samples from four (4M), six (6M), and ten (10M) months of gestation were used to map the methylation pattern of the placenta. Globally, methylation levels increased toward the end of gestation. We identified 921 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between 4M and 6M, 1225 DMRs between 4M and 10M, and 1026 DMRs between 6M and 10M. A total of 817 genes carried DMRs comparing 4M and 6M, 978 comparing 4M and 10M, and 804 comparing 6M and 10M. We compared the transcriptomes between the samples and found 1381 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) when comparing 4M and 6M, 1428 DEGs between 4M and 10M, and 741 DEGs between 6M and 10M. Finally, we overlapped the DEGs and genes carrying DMRs (DMRs-DEGs). Genes exhibiting (a) higher expression, low methylation and (b) low expression, high methylation at different time points were identified. The majority of these DMRs-DEGs were located in introns (48.4%), promoters (25.8%), and exons (17.7%) and were involved in changes in the extracellular matrix; regulation of epithelial cell migration; vascularization; and regulation of minerals, glucose, and metabolites, among other factors. Overall, this is the first report highlighting the dynamics in the equine placenta methylome during normal pregnancy. The findings presented serve as a foundation for future studies on the impact of abnormal methylation on the outcomes of equine pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Orellana-Guerrero
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Kirsten E Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Peter Daels
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Liu L, Yang X, Zhang J, Jiang W, Hou T, Zong Y, Bai H, Yang K, Yang X. Long non-coding RNA SNHG11 regulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through rho/ROCK in trabecular meshwork cells. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22873. [PMID: 36929360 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201733rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Trabecular meshwork (TM) cell dysfunction is the leading cause of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 11 (SNHG11) is associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis, but its biological functions and role in glaucoma pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of SNHG11 in TM cells using immortalized human TM and glaucomatous human TM (GTM3 ) cells and an acute ocular hypertension mouse model. SNHG11 expression was depleted using siRNA targeting SNHG11. Transwell assays, quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and CCK-8 assay were used to evaluate cell migration, apoptosis, autophagy, and proliferation. Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity was inferred from qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and luciferase reporter and TOPFlash reporter assays. The expression of Rho kinases (ROCKs) was detected using qRT-PCR and western blotting. SNHG11 was downregulated in GTM3 cells and mice with acute ocular hypertension. In TM cells, SNHG11 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration, activated autophagy, and apoptosis, repressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and activated Rho/ROCK. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity increased in TM cells treated with ROCK inhibitor. SNHG11 regulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling through Rho/ROCK by increasing GSK-3β expression and β-catenin phosphorylation at Ser33/37/Thr41 while decreasing β-catenin phosphorylation at Ser675. We demonstrate that the lncRNA SNHG11 regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling through Rho/ROCK via β-catenin phosphorylation at Ser675 or GSK-3β-mediated phosphorylation at Ser33/37/Thr41, affecting cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and autophagy. Through its effects on Wnt/β-catenin signaling, SNHG11 is implicated in glaucoma pathogenesis and is a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejiao Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenlan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyu Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Zong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiqing Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Yang
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
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Gu S, Liu F, Xie X, Ding M, Wang Z, Xing X, Xiao T, Sun X. β-Sitosterol blocks the LEF-1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin pathway to inhibit proliferation of human colon cancer cells. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110585. [PMID: 36603684 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the LEF-1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin pathway for its biological functions and prognostic value in colon cancer (CC). Furthermore, the potential molecular mechanism of β-sitosterol in CC was investigated in vitro. METHODS Clinical information and gene expression profiles from CC patients were obtained based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. In addition, we applied R software "Limma" package for the differential analysis of LEF-1 between cancer and para-carcinoma tissue samples. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis was adopted for analyzing whether LEF-1 was of prognostic significance. Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was adopted for pathway enrichment analysis and visualization. In addition, CCK8, plate cloning, scratch and high-content screening (HCS) imaging assays were performed to examine the therapeutic efficacy of β-sitosterol in human CC HCT116 cells. siRNA technology was employed to knock down LEF1 expression in HCT116 cells. qRT-PCR and Western-blot (WB) analysis were carried out to analyze the HCT-116 mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. RESULTS LEF-1 was up-regulated within CC and acted as an oncogenic gene. LEF-1 up-regulation predicted the dismal prognostic outcome and activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. β-sitosterol effectively suppressed HCT116 cells proliferation and invasion. For the mechanism underlying β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol was found to significantly down-regulate LEF-1 gene and protein expression and disrupt Wnt/β-catenin pathway transmission in HCT116 cells. After suppressing LEF-1 expression, its downstream targets including C-myc, Survivin and CCND1 were also down-regulated. CONCLUSION According to our results, LEF-1 down-regulation can effectively block Wnt/β-catenin pathway, inhibit CC cell growth and migration. Collectively, β-sitosterol can be used to treat CC, which can provide anti-tumor activity by targeting LEF-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengliang Gu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China; Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fahui Liu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Xueheng Xie
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of efficacy evaluation of Chinese Medicine against Glycolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Meng Ding
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China; Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of efficacy evaluation of Chinese Medicine against Glycolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xing
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of efficacy evaluation of Chinese Medicine against Glycolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Tianbao Xiao
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100193, China; Key Laboratory of efficacy evaluation of Chinese Medicine against Glycolipid Metabolism Disorder Disease, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100193, China.
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miR-503 targets MafK to inhibit subcutaneous preadipocyte adipogenesis causing a decrease of backfat thickness in Guanzhong Black pigs. Meat Sci 2023; 198:109116. [PMID: 36657261 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Reducing backfat thickness (BFT), determined by subcutaneous fat deposition, is vital in Chinese developed pig breeds. The level of miR-503 in the backfat of Guanzhong Black pigs was found to be lower than that in Large White pigs, implying that miR-503 may be related to BFT. However, the effect and mechanism of miR-503 on adipogenic differentiation in subcutaneous preadipocytes remain unknown. Compared with Large White pigs, the BFT and body fat content of Guanzhong Black pigs were greater, but the level of miR-503 was lower in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at 180 days of age. Furthermore, miR-503 promoted preadipocyte proliferation by increasing the proportion of S-phase and EdU-positive cells. However, miR-503 inhibited preadipocyte differentiation by downregulating adipogenic gene expression. Mechanistically, miR-503 directly targeted musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog K (MafK) in both proliferating and differentiating preadipocytes to repress adipogenesis. Our findings provide a novel miRNA biomarker for reducing pig BFT levels to improve carcass quality.
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The Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates inflammation and apoptosis in ventilator-induced lung injury. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232596. [PMID: 36825682 PMCID: PMC10011329 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20222429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) may be caused by incorrect mechanical ventilation (MV), and its progression is mainly related to inflammatory reaction, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway can modulate inflammation and apoptosis; however, its role in VILI is unknown. This research aims to explore the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in VILI. VILI models were established using rats and type II alveolar epithelial (ATII) cells. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), β-catenin, and cyclin D1 were determined using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Apoptosis of lung tissues was evaluated using TUNEL, flow cytometry, Bax, and Bcl2 protein. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lung pathological injury was evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Lung permeability was evaluated by the ratio of dry to wet weight of lung tissue and the total protein level of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The results showed that GSK-3β expression was enhanced and β-catenin expression was diminished in lung tissue under MV. SB216763 increased β-catenin and cyclin D1 expression by inhibiting GSK-3β expression and inhibited the inflammatory response and apoptosis of lung, alleviated pulmonary edema and lung tissue permeability, and significantly mitigated lung injury. However, inhibition of β-catenin expression by MSAB attenuated the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of SB216763 in VILI. Overall, the present study demonstrates that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation in MV may play an anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic role, thereby alleviating lung injury and delaying VILI progression, which may be a key point of intervention in VILI.
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He R, Xu Y, Yu L, Meng N, Wang H, Cui Y, Yam JWP. Extracellular Vesicles Act as Carriers for Cargo Delivery and Regulate Wnt Signaling in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072088. [PMID: 37046749 PMCID: PMC10093647 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
As the primary type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes a large number of deaths every year. Despite extensive research conducted on this disease, the prognosis of HCC remains unclear. Recently, research has largely focused on extracellular vesicles (EVs), and they have been found to participate in various ways in the development of various diseases, including HCC, such as by regulating cell signaling pathways. However, recent studies have reported the mechanisms underlying the regulation of Wnt signaling by EVs in HCC, primarily focusing on the regulation of the canonical pathways. This review summarizes the current literature on the regulation of Wnt signaling by EVs in HCC and their underlying mechanisms. In addition, we also present future research directions in this field. This will deepen the understanding of HCC and provide new ideas for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risheng He
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
- Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361000, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Tumor Targeted Nano Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310063, China
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Pharmacy and Individualized Therapy of Huzhou, Department of Pharmacy, Changxing People’s Hospital, Changxing 313000, China
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Liang Yu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Nanfeng Meng
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Hang Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Yunfu Cui
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Judy Wai Ping Yam
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
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Liu Y, Li X, Lin L. Transcriptome of the pygmy grasshopper Formosatettix qinlingensis (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). PeerJ 2023; 11:e15123. [PMID: 37016680 PMCID: PMC10066883 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Formosatettix qinlingensis (Zheng, 1982) is a tiny grasshopper endemic to Qinling in China. For further study of its transcriptomic features, we obtained RNA-Seq data by Illumina HiSeq X Ten sequencing platform. Firstly, transcriptomic analysis showed that transcriptome read numbers of two female and one male samples were 25,043,314, 24,429,905, and 25,034,457, respectively. We assembled 65,977 unigenes, their average length was 1,072.09 bp, and the length of N50 was 2,031 bp. The average lengths of F. qinlingensis female and male unigenes were 911.30 bp, and 941.82 bp, and the N50 lengths were 1,745 bp and 1,735 bp, respectively. Eight databases were used to annotate the functions of unigenes, and 23,268 functional unigenes were obtained. Besides, we also studied the body color, immunity and insecticide resistance of F. qinlingensis. Thirty-nine pigment-related genes were annotated. Some immunity genes and signaling pathways were found, such as JAK-STAT and Toll-LIKE receptor signaling pathways. There are also some insecticide resistance genes and signal pathways, like nAChR, GST and DDT. Further, some of these genes were differentially expressed in female and male samples, including pigment, immunity and insecticide resistance. The transcriptomic study of F. qinlingensis will provide data reference for gene prediction and molecular expression study of other Tetrigidae species in the future. Differential genetic screening of males and females provides a basis for studying sex and immune balance in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Liu
- Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
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Bartsch D, Kalamkar K, Ahuja G, Lackmann JW, Hescheler J, Weber T, Bazzi H, Clamer M, Mendjan S, Papantonis A, Kurian L. mRNA translational specialization by RBPMS presets the competence for cardiac commitment in hESCs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade1792. [PMID: 36989351 PMCID: PMC10058251 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade1792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The blueprints of developing organs are preset at the early stages of embryogenesis. Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms are proposed to preset developmental trajectories. However, we reveal that the competence for the future cardiac fate of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is preset in pluripotency by a specialized mRNA translation circuit controlled by RBPMS. RBPMS is recruited to active ribosomes in hESCs to control the translation of essential factors needed for cardiac commitment program, including Wingless/Integrated (WNT) signaling. Consequently, RBPMS loss specifically and severely impedes cardiac mesoderm specification, leading to patterning and morphogenetic defects in human cardiac organoids. Mechanistically, RBPMS specializes mRNA translation, selectively via 3'UTR binding and globally by promoting translation initiation. Accordingly, RBPMS loss causes translation initiation defects highlighted by aberrant retention of the EIF3 complex and depletion of EIF5A from mRNAs, thereby abrogating ribosome recruitment. We demonstrate how future fate trajectories are programmed during embryogenesis by specialized mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bartsch
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Kaustubh Kalamkar
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Gaurav Ahuja
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Jan-Wilm Lackmann
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Timm Weber
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Hisham Bazzi
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | | | - Sasha Mendjan
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Argyris Papantonis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Leo Kurian
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
- Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
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131
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Ginsenoside Rh2 suppresses colon cancer growth by targeting the miR-150-3p/SRCIN1/Wnt axis. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:633-648. [PMID: 36916297 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ginsenoside Rh2, which is extracted from ginseng, exerts antitumor activity. Recent studies suggest that Rh2 may suppress the growth of colon cancer (CC) in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we identified the relative levels of miR-150-3p in CC tissues and cells by a comprehensive strategy of data mining, computational biology, and real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments. The regulatory effects of miR-150-3p/SRCIN1 on the proliferative and invasive abilities of CC cells are evaluated by CCK-8, EdU, wound healing, and transwell assays. Cell cycle- and apoptosis-related protein levels are assessed by western blot analysis. An in vivo tumor formation assay was conducted to explore the effects of miR-150-3p on tumor growth. Furthermore, bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assays are applied to determine the functional binding of miRNA to mRNA of the target gene. Finally, the relationship between Rh2 and miR-150-3p was further verified in SW620 and HCT-116 cells. miR-150-3p is downregulated in CC tissues and cell lines. Functional assays indicate that the upregulation of miR-150-3p inhibits tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, SRCIN1 is upregulated in CC and predicts a poor prognosis, and it is the direct target for miR-150-3p. Moreover, the miR-150-3p mimic decreases Topflash/Fopflash-dependent luciferase activity, resulting in the inhibition of Wnt pathway activity. Rh2 can suppress the growth of CC by increasing miR-150-3p expression. Rh2 alleviates the accelerating effect on Wnt pathway activity, cell proliferation/migration, and colony formation caused by miR-150-3p inhibition. Rh2 inhibits the miR-150-3p/SRCIN1/Wnt axis to suppress colon cancer growth.
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132
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Song L, Sun M, Shi J, Tian Z, Song Y, Liu H, Zhao S, Yin H, Ge G. Rational Construction of a Novel Bioluminescent Substrate for Sensing the Tumor-Associated Hydrolase Notum. Anal Chem 2023; 95:5489-5493. [PMID: 36962078 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Notum, one of the key serine hydrolases in mammals, hydrolyzes the palmitoleoyl moieties of many important proteins and modulates multiple signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notum is tightly associated with multiple human diseases, but the reliable and practical tools for sensing Notum activities in complex biological systems are rarely reported. Herein, an efficient strategy was used to rationally construct a specific bioluminescent substrate for Notum. Following computer-aided molecular design and experimental verification, octanoyl luciferin (OL) was selected as the optimum substrate for human Notum, with excellent specificity, high detection sensitivity and high signal-to-noise ratio. Under physiological conditions, OL was readily hydrolyzed by Notum or Notum-containing biological specimens to release d-luciferin that could be easily detected by various fluorescence devices in the presence of luciferase. The applicability of OL for real-time sensing native Notum was examined in living cells, extracellular matrix, and tissue preparations. OL was also used for constructing a high-throughput assay for screening of Notum inhibitors, while a natural compound (bergapten) was newly identified as a potent Notum inhibitor. Collectively, this study devises a reliable and easy-to-use tool for sensing Notum activities in biological systems, which will strongly facilitate hNotum-associated fundamental studies, disease diagnosis, and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilin Song
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrates, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Mengru Sun
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jinhui Shi
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhenhao Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710072, China
| | - Yuqing Song
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huixin Liu
- Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, China
| | - Heng Yin
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbohydrates, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 116023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Guangbo Ge
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
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133
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Brown AD, Cranstone C, Dupré DJ, Langelaan DN. β-Catenin interacts with the TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains of CBP/p300 to activate gene transcription. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 238:124155. [PMID: 36963539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptional co-regulator β-catenin is a critical member of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which plays an important role in regulating cell fate. Deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is characteristic in the development of major types of cancer, where accumulation of β-catenin promotes cancer cell proliferation and renewal. β-catenin gene expression is facilitated through recruitment of co-activators such as histone acetyltransferases CBP/p300; however, the mechanism of their interaction is not fully understood. Here we investigate the interaction between the C-terminal transactivation domain of β-catenin and CBP/p300. Using a combination of pulldown assays, isothermal titration calorimetry, and nuclear resonance spectroscopy we determine the disordered C-terminal region of β-catenin binds promiscuously to the TAZ1 and TAZ2 domains of CBP/p300. We then map the interaction site of the C-terminal β-catenin transactivation domain onto TAZ1 and TAZ2 using chemical-shift perturbation studies. Luciferase-based gene reporter assays indicate Asp750-Leu781 is critical to β-catenin gene activation, and mutagenesis revealed that acidic and hydrophobic residues within this region are necessary to maintain TAZ1 binding. These results outline a mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin gene regulation that underlies cell development and provides a framework to develop methods to block β-catenin dependent signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra D Brown
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Connor Cranstone
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Denis J Dupré
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - David N Langelaan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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134
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Lee S, Cui M, Lee D, Han K, Sun W, Lee D. A rationally designed optochemogenetic switch for activating canonical Wnt signaling. iScience 2023; 26:106233. [PMID: 36915690 PMCID: PMC10006827 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate spatiotemporal control of multicellular self-organization by various signaling pathways is essential for developmental stages. In particular, evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling serves as a major morphogenetic switch to determine the anteroposterior axis of the embryo. Here, we developed a genetically encoded optochemogenetic Wnt switch, named optochemoWnt, by coupling a blue light-inducible CRY2olig and rapamycin-inducible LRP6c clustering. The rationally designed optochemoWnt successfully modulated Wnt signaling with AND-gated patterns and demonstrated an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The dual-triggered switch provides a safeguard to prevent signal leakage resulting from ambient light sources under general laboratory conditions. OptochemoWnt expands the molecular toolbox available for the fields of developmental biology and tissue engineering. In addition, the AND-gated strategy of optochemoWnt may be used for other biomedical applications that integrate user defined switch elements with Boolean logic gates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghwan Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingguang Cui
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghun Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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135
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Ma Q, Yu J, Zhang X, Wu X, Deng G. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-a versatile player in apoptosis and autophagy. Biochimie 2023; 211:57-67. [PMID: 36907502 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a highly conserved pathway that is involved in cell development, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and autophagy. Among these processes, apoptosis and autophagy occur physiologically during host defense and the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis. Mounting evidence suggests that the crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin-regulated apoptosis and autophagy has broad functional significance in various diseases. Herein, we summarize the recent studies in understanding the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in apoptosis and autophagy, and draw the following conclusions: a) For apoptosis, the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin is generally positive. However, a small amount of evidence indicates the presence of a negatively regulated relationship between Wnt/β-catenin and apoptosis; b) Wnt/β-catenin influences the occurrence and development of autophagy by regulating autophagy-related factors, and these factors in turn affect Wnt/β-catenin pathway; c) Wnt/β-catenin always balances the molecular damage caused by the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis in a compensatory manner. Understanding the specific role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway during different stages of autophagy and apoptosis may provide new insights into the progression of related diseases regulated by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinmei Ma
- Key Lab of Ministry of Education for Protection and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China; School of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China.
| | - Jialin Yu
- Key Lab of Ministry of Education for Protection and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China; School of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China.
| | - Xu Zhang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China.
| | - Xiaoling Wu
- Key Lab of Ministry of Education for Protection and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China; School of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China.
| | - Guangcun Deng
- Key Lab of Ministry of Education for Protection and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China; School of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, NingXia, China.
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136
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Yang YC, Zhao CJ, Jin ZF, Zheng J, Ma LT. Targeted therapy based on ubiquitin-specific proteases, signalling pathways and E3 ligases in non-small-cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1120828. [PMID: 36969062 PMCID: PMC10036052 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1120828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide, with the highest mortality rate. Approximately 1.6 million deaths owing to lung cancer are reported annually; of which, 85% of deaths occur owing to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, the conventional treatment methods for NSCLC include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery. However, drug resistance and tumour invasion or metastasis often lead to treatment failure. The ubiquitin–proteasome pathway (UPP) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumours. Upregulation or inhibition of proteins or enzymes involved in UPP can promote or inhibit the occurrence and development of tumours, respectively. As regulators of UPP, ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) primarily inhibit the degradation of target proteins by proteasomes through deubiquitination and hence play a carcinogenic or anticancer role. This review focuses on the role of USPs in the occurrence and development of NSCLC and the potential of corresponding targeted drugs, PROTACs and small-molecule inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Can-Jun Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhao-Feng Jin
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Tian Ma, ; Jin Zheng,
| | - Li-Tian Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Tian Ma, ; Jin Zheng,
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137
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Sher A, Tabassum S, Wallace HM, Khan A, Karim AM, Gul S, Kang SC. In Vitro Analysis of Cytotoxic Activities of Monotheca buxifolia Targeting WNT/ β-Catenin Genes in Breast Cancer Cells. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1147. [PMID: 36904007 PMCID: PMC10005423 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is known to be the most common malignancy among women throughout the world. Plant-derived natural products have been recognized as a great source of anticancer drugs. In this study, the efficacy and anticancer potential of the methanolic extract of Monotheca buxifolia leaves using human breast cancer cells targeting WNT/β-catenin signaling was evaluated. We used methanolic and other (chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous) extracts to discover their potential cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Among these, the methanol showed significant activity in the inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cells because of the presence of bioactive compounds, including phenols and flavonoids, detected by a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic effect of the plant extract on the MCF-7 cells was examined by MTT and acid phosphatase assays. Real-time PCR analysis was performed to measure the mRNA expression of WNT-3a and β-catenin, along with Caspase-1,-3,-7, and -9 in MCF-7 cells. The IC50 value of the extract was found to be 232 μg/mL and 173 μg/mL in the MTT and acid phosphatase assays, respectively. Dose selection (100 and 300 μg/mL) was performed for real-time PCR, Annexin V/PI analysis, and Western blotting using Doxorubicin as a positive control. The extract at 100 μg/mL significantly upregulated caspases and downregulated the WNT-3a and β-catenin gene in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis further confirmed the dysregulations of the WNT signaling component (*** p< 0.0001). The results showed an increase in the number of dead cells in methanolic extract-treated cells in the Annexin V/PI analysis. Our study concludes that M. buxifolia may serve as an effective anticancer mediator through gene modulation that targets WNT/β-catenin signaling, and it can be further characterized using more powerful experimental and computational tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambreen Sher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Tabassum
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | | | - Asifullah Khan
- Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Asad Mustafa Karim
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah Gul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Se Chan Kang
- Department of Oriental Medicine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Republic of Korea
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138
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Mortillo M, Marsit CJ. Select Early-Life Environmental Exposures and DNA Methylation in the Placenta. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:22-34. [PMID: 36469294 PMCID: PMC10152976 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00385-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent literature relating early-life environmental exposures on DNA methylation in the placenta, to identify how variation in placental methylation is regulated in an exposure-specific manner, and to encourage additional work in this area. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies have evaluated associations between prenatal environmental exposures and placental methylation in both gene-specific and epigenome-wide frameworks. Specific exposures lead to unique variability in methylation, and cross-exposure assessments have uncovered certain genes that demonstrate consistency in differential placental methylation. Exposure studies that assess methylation effects in a trimester-specific approach tend to find larger effects during the 1st trimester exposure. Earlier studies have more targeted gene-specific approaches to methylation, while later studies have shifted towards epigenome-wide, array-based approaches. Studies focusing on exposures such as air pollution, maternal smoking, environmental contaminants, and trace metals appear to be more abundant, while studies of socioeconomic adversity and circadian disruption are scarce but demonstrate remarkable effects. Understanding the impacts of early-life environmental exposures on placental methylation is critical to establishing the link between the maternal environment, epigenetic variation, and long-term health. Future studies into this field should incorporate repeated measures of exposure throughout pregnancy, in order to determine the critical windows in which placental methylation is most heavily affected. Additionally, the use of methylation-based scores and sequencing technology could provide important insights into epigenetic gestational age and uncovering more genomic regions where methylation is affected. Studies examining the impact of other exposures on methylation, including pesticides, alcohol, and other chemicals are also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mortillo
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
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139
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Dada LA, Welch LC, Magnani ND, Ren Z, Han H, Brazee PL, Celli D, Flozak AS, Weng A, Herrerias MM, Kryvenko V, Vadász I, Runyan CE, Abdala-Valencia H, Shigemura M, Casalino-Matsuda SM, Misharin AV, Budinger GS, Gottardi CJ, Sznajder JI. Hypercapnia alters stroma-derived Wnt production to limit β-catenin signaling and proliferation in AT2 cells. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e159331. [PMID: 36626234 PMCID: PMC9977495 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.159331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent symptoms and radiographic abnormalities suggestive of failed lung repair are among the most common symptoms in patients with COVID-19 after hospital discharge. In mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, low tidal volumes to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury necessarily elevate blood CO2 levels, often leading to hypercapnia. The role of hypercapnia on lung repair after injury is not completely understood. Here - using a mouse model of hypercapnia exposure, cell lineage tracing, spatial transcriptomics, and 3D cultures - we show that hypercapnia limits β-catenin signaling in alveolar type II (AT2) cells, leading to their reduced proliferative capacity. Hypercapnia alters expression of major Wnts in PDGFRα+ fibroblasts from those maintaining AT2 progenitor activity toward those that antagonize β-catenin signaling, thereby limiting progenitor function. Constitutive activation of β-catenin signaling in AT2 cells or treatment of organoid cultures with recombinant WNT3A protein bypasses the inhibitory effects of hypercapnia. Inhibition of AT2 proliferation in patients with hypercapnia may contribute to impaired lung repair after injury, preventing sealing of the epithelial barrier and increasing lung flooding, ventilator dependency, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Dada
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lynn C. Welch
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Natalia D. Magnani
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ziyou Ren
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hyebin Han
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patricia L. Brazee
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Diego Celli
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Annette S. Flozak
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Anthea Weng
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mariana Maciel Herrerias
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Vitalii Kryvenko
- Justus Liebig University, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Giessen, Germany
- The Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Giessen, Germany
| | - István Vadász
- Justus Liebig University, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Giessen, Germany
- The Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Giessen, Germany
| | - Constance E. Runyan
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hiam Abdala-Valencia
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Masahiko Shigemura
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Alexander V. Misharin
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - G.R. Scott Budinger
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cara J. Gottardi
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jacob I. Sznajder
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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140
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Using Zebrafish Animal Model to Study the Genetic Underpinning and Mechanism of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044106. [PMID: 36835518 PMCID: PMC9966228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is largely an autosomal dominant genetic disorder manifesting fibrofatty infiltration and ventricular arrhythmia with predominantly right ventricular involvement. ACM is one of the major conditions associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, most notably in young individuals and athletes. ACM has strong genetic determinants, and genetic variants in more than 25 genes have been identified to be associated with ACM, accounting for approximately 60% of ACM cases. Genetic studies of ACM in vertebrate animal models such as zebrafish (Danio rerio), which are highly amenable to large-scale genetic and drug screenings, offer unique opportunities to identify and functionally assess new genetic variants associated with ACM and to dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms at the whole-organism level. Here, we summarize key genes implicated in ACM. We discuss the use of zebrafish models, categorized according to gene manipulation approaches, such as gene knockdown, gene knock-out, transgenic overexpression, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in, to study the genetic underpinning and mechanism of ACM. Information gained from genetic and pharmacogenomic studies in such animal models can not only increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of disease progression, but also guide disease diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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141
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Wolf L, Boutros M. The role of Evi/Wntless in exporting Wnt proteins. Development 2023; 150:286996. [PMID: 36763105 PMCID: PMC10112924 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular communication by Wnt proteins governs many essential processes during development, tissue homeostasis and disease in all metazoans. Many context-dependent effects are initiated in the Wnt-producing cells and depend on the export of lipidated Wnt proteins. Although much focus has been on understanding intracellular Wnt signal transduction, the cellular machinery responsible for Wnt secretion became better understood only recently. After lipid modification by the acyl-transferase Porcupine, Wnt proteins bind their dedicated cargo protein Evi/Wntless for transport and secretion. Evi/Wntless and Porcupine are conserved transmembrane proteins, and their 3D structures were recently determined. In this Review, we summarise studies and structural data highlighting how Wnts are transported from the ER to the plasma membrane, and the role of SNX3-retromer during the recycling of its cargo receptor Evi/Wntless. We also describe the regulation of Wnt export through a post-translational mechanism and review the importance of Wnt secretion for organ development and cancer, and as a future biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Wolf
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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142
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Liu Q, Novak MK, Pepin RM, Maschhoff KR, Hu W. Different congenital hydrocephalus-associated mutations in Trim71 impair stem cell differentiation via distinct gain-of-function mechanisms. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001947. [PMID: 36757932 PMCID: PMC9910693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital hydrocephalus (CH) is a common neurological disorder affecting many newborns. Imbalanced neurogenesis is a major cause of CH. Multiple CH-associated mutations are within the RNA-binding domain of Trim71, a conserved, stem cell-specific RNA-binding protein. How these mutations alter stem cell fate is unclear. Here, we show that the CH-associated mutations R595H and R783H in Trim71 accelerate differentiation and enhance neural lineage commitment in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), and reduce binding to mRNAs targeted by wild-type Trim71, consistent with previous reports. Unexpectedly, however, each mutant binds an ectopic and distinct repertoire of target mRNAs. R595H-Trim71, but not R783H-Trim71 nor wild-type Trim71, binds the mRNA encoding β-catenin and represses its translation. Increasing β-catenin by overexpression or treatment with a Wnt agonist specifically restores differentiation of R595H-Trim71 mESCs. These results suggest that Trim71 mutations give rise to unique gain-of-function pathological mechanisms in CH. Further, our studies suggest that disruption of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway can be used to stratify disease etiology and develop precision medicine approaches for CH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuying Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Mariah K. Novak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Pepin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Katharine R. Maschhoff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Wenqian Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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143
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Stoletov K, Sanchez S, Gorroño I, Rabano M, Vivanco MDM, Kypta R, Lewis JD. Intravital imaging of Wnt/β-catenin and ATF2-dependent signalling pathways during tumour cell invasion and metastasis. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:286293. [PMID: 36621522 PMCID: PMC10022745 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signalling has been implicated as a driver of tumour cell metastasis, but less is known about which branches of Wnt signalling are involved and when they act in the metastatic cascade. Here, using a unique intravital imaging platform and fluorescent reporters, we visualised β-catenin/TCF-dependent and ATF2-dependent signalling activities during human cancer cell invasion, intravasation and metastatic lesion formation in the chick embryo host. We found that cancer cells readily shifted between states of low and high canonical Wnt activity. Cancer cells that displayed low Wnt canonical activity showed higher invasion and intravasation potential in primary tumours and in metastatic lesions. In contrast, cancer cells showing low ATF2-dependent activity were significantly less invasive both at the front of primary tumours and in metastatic lesions. Simultaneous visualisation of both these reporters using a double-reporter cell line confirmed their complementary activities in primary tumours and metastatic lesions. These findings might inform the development of therapies that target different branches of Wnt signalling at specific stages of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Stoletov
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Saray Sanchez
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Irantzu Gorroño
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Miriam Rabano
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Maria D M Vivanco
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Robert Kypta
- Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain.,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - John D Lewis
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
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144
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Zhu Y, Li X. Advances of Wnt Signalling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030447. [PMID: 36766788 PMCID: PMC9913588 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common cancers worldwide, with a high mortality rate despite the decreasing incidence and new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. CRC arises from both epidemiologic and molecular backgrounds. In addition to hereditary factor and genetic mutations, the strongly varying incidence of CRC is closely linked to chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestine and terrible dietary habits. The Wnt signalling pathway is a complex regulatory network that is implicated in many CRC physiological processes, including cancer occurrence, development, prognosis, invasion, and metastasis. It is currently believed to include classical Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/PCP, and Wnt/Ca2+. In this review, we summarise the recent mechanisms and potential regulators of the three branches of the Wnt signalling pathway in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Zhu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Xia Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
- Shandong Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Binzhou 256600, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0531-8838-2612
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145
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Li M, Li T, Yin J, Xie C, Zhu J. Evaluation of toxicological effects of bisphenol S with an in vitro human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell: Implications for bone health. Toxicology 2023; 484:153408. [PMID: 36565802 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
As the use of bisphenol A (BPA) has been restricted in consumer products, bisphenol S (BPS) is one major alternative to BPA for various materials, leading to growing concerns about its health risks in human beings. However, little is known about the toxic effects of BPS on bone health. We employed human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) for the in vitro assessment of BPS on cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal. Our study revealed that BPS at concentrations of 10-10-10-7 M increased cell viability but induced the morphological changes of hBMSCs. Moreover, BPS decreased ROS generation and increased Nrf2 expression. Furthermore, BPS not only activated ERα/β expression but also increased β-catenin expression and induced the replicative senescence of hBMSCs. Furthermore, we found that the upregulation of β-catenin induced by BPS was mediated, in part, by ER signaling. Overall, our results suggested BPS exposure caused the homeostatic imbalance of hBMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- The Laboratory Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Tenglong Li
- The Laboratory Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Juan Yin
- Department of Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Chunfeng Xie
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Jianyun Zhu
- Department of Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China.
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146
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Di Bartolomeo L, Vaccaro F, Irrera N, Borgia F, Li Pomi F, Squadrito F, Vaccaro M. Wnt Signaling Pathways: From Inflammation to Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021575. [PMID: 36675086 PMCID: PMC9867176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways are involved in cell differentiation and homeostasis, but also in tumorigenesis. In fact, an exaggerated activation of Wnt signaling may promote tumor growth and invasion. We summarize the most intriguing evidence about the role of Wnt signaling in cutaneous carcinogenesis, in particular in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Wnt signaling is involved in several ways in the development of skin tumors: it may modulate the inflammatory tumor microenvironment, synergize with Sonic Hedgehog pathway in the onset of basal cell carcinoma, and contribute to the progression from precancerous to malignant lesions and promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in squamous cell carcinoma. Targeting Wnt pathways may represent an additional efficient approach in the management of patients with NMSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Di Bartolomeo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Federico Vaccaro
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Borgia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Li Pomi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Mario Vaccaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
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147
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Zhang H, Liu C, Zhu D, Zhang Q, Li J. Medicinal Chemistry Strategies for the Development of Inhibitors Disrupting β-Catenin's Interactions with Its Nuclear Partners. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1-31. [PMID: 36583662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is strongly associated with various aspects of cancer, including tumor initiation, proliferation, and metastasis as well as antitumor immunity, and presents a promising opportunity for cancer therapy. Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation increases nuclear dephosphorylated β-catenin levels, resulting in β-catenin binding to TCF and additional cotranscription factors, such as BCL9, CBP, and p300. Therefore, directly disrupting β-catenin's interactions with these nuclear partners holds promise for the effective and selective suppression of the aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Herein, we summarize recent advances in biochemical techniques and medicinal chemistry strategies used to identify potent peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors that directly disrupt β-catenin's interactions with its nuclear binding partners. We discuss the challenges involved in developing drug-like inhibitors that target the interactions of β-catenin and its nuclear binding partner into therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.,Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chenglong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Qingwei Zhang
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianqi Li
- Novel Technology Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
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148
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Senescent cells perturb intestinal stem cell differentiation through Ptk7 induced noncanonical Wnt and YAP signaling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:156. [PMID: 36631445 PMCID: PMC9834240 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35487-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) are implicated in aging and age-related disease, and SASP-related inflammation is thought to contribute to tissue dysfunction in aging and diseased animals. However, whether and how SASP factors influence the regenerative capacity of tissues remains unclear. Here, using intestinal organoids as a model of tissue regeneration, we show that SASP factors released by senescent fibroblasts deregulate stem cell activity and differentiation and ultimately impair crypt formation. We identify the secreted N-terminal domain of Ptk7 as a key component of the SASP that activates non-canonical Wnt / Ca2+ signaling through FZD7 in intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] elicited by Ptk7 promote nuclear translocation of YAP and induce expression of YAP/TEAD target genes, impairing symmetry breaking and stem cell differentiation. Our study discovers secreted Ptk7 as a factor released by senescent cells and provides insight into the mechanism by which cellular senescence contributes to tissue dysfunction in aging and disease.
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149
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Wnt signaling in stem cells during development and cell lineage specification. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:121-143. [PMID: 36967192 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
During embryo development, cell proliferation, cell fate specification and tissue patterning are coordinated and tightly regulated by a handful of evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways activated by secreted growth factor families including fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Nodal/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Hedgehog and Wnt. The spatial and temporal activation of these signaling pathways elicit context-specific cellular responses that ultimately shape the different tissues of the embryo. Extensive efforts have been dedicated to identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying these signaling pathways during embryo development, adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we first describe the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway during early embryo development, axis specification and cell differentiation as a prelude to highlight how this knowledge is being leveraged to manipulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity with small molecules and biologics for the directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into various cell lineages that are physiologically relevant for stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine.
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150
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Alvarez-Rodrigo I, Willnow D, Vincent JP. The logistics of Wnt production and delivery. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:1-60. [PMID: 36967191 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Wnts are secreted proteins that control stem cell maintenance, cell fate decisions, and growth during development and adult homeostasis. Wnts carry a post-translational modification not seen in any other secreted protein: during biosynthesis, they are appended with a palmitoleoyl moiety that is required for signaling but also impairs solubility and hence diffusion in the extracellular space. In some contexts, Wnts act only in a juxtacrine manner but there are also instances of long range action. Several proteins and processes ensure that active Wnts reach the appropriate target cells. Some, like Porcupine, Wntless, and Notum are dedicated to Wnt function; we describe their activities in molecular detail. We also outline how the cell infrastructure (secretory, endocytic, and retromer pathways) contribute to the progression of Wnts from production to delivery. We then address how Wnts spread in the extracellular space and form a signaling gradient despite carrying a hydrophobic moiety. We highlight particularly the role of lipid-binding Wnt interactors and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Finally, we briefly discuss how evolution might have led to the emergence of this unusual signaling pathway.
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