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Ikari A, Atomi K, Takiguchi A, Yamazaki Y, Miwa M, Sugatani J. Epidermal growth factor increases claudin-4 expression mediated by Sp1 elevation in MDCK cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 384:306-10. [PMID: 19409881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.04.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 04/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) increases claudin-4 expression in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Here we examined what regulatory mechanisms are involved in the EGF-induced claudin-4 elevation. EGF transiently increased claudin-4 mRNA at 3h and persistently increased its protein for 24h without affecting claudin-1 expression. EGF increased p-ERK1/2 levels, which were inhibited by U0126, a MEK inhibitor. The exogenous expression of constitutively activated MEK increased claudin-4 expression. These results indicate that the activation of ERK1/2 is involved in the EGF-induced claudin-4 elevation. EGF increased Sp1 expression within 1h, which was inhibited by U0126. In immunocytochemistry, Sp1 was distributed in nucleus in control and the EGF-treated cells. The EGF-induced claudin-4 elevation was inhibited by mithramycin, a Sp1 inhibitor, and Sp1 small interfering RNA. We suggest that EGF activates a MEK/ERK pathway and increases Sp1 expression, resulting in an elevation of claudin-4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ikari
- Department of Pharmaco-Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan.
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202
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Variant HNF1 modulates epithelial plasticity of normal and transformed ovary cells. Neoplasia 2009; 10:1481-92, 3p following 1492. [PMID: 19048126 DOI: 10.1593/neo.81004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2008] [Revised: 10/13/2008] [Accepted: 10/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma arises from the ovarian surface epithelium, which undergoes phenotypic changes characteristic of müllerian epithelium during the first stages of tumorigenesis. The variant isoform of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (vHNF1) is a transcription factor involved in the development of tissues derived from the müllerian duct. Here, we show that vHNF1 knockdown in two ovarian carcinoma cell lines, SKOV3 and IGROV1, leads to reduced E-cadherin (E-cadh) expression and decreased proliferation rate. Accordingly, SKOV3 cells ectopically expressing a dominant-negative (DN) vHNF1 mutant undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal-like transition, acquiring a spindle-like morphology, loss of E-cadh, and disrupted cell-cell contacts. Gene expression profiling of DNvHNF1 cells on the basis of a newly compiled list of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes revealed a correlation between vHNF1 loss-of-function and acquisition of the mesenchymal phenotype. Indeed, phenotypic changes were associated with increased Slug transcription and functionality. Accordingly, vHNF1-transfected immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells showed down-regulation of Snail and Slug transcripts. In DNvHNF1-transfected SKOV3 cells, growth rate decreased, and in vHNF1-transfected immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells, growth rate increased. By immunohistochemistry, we found a strong association of vHNF1 with E-cadh in clear cell and in a subset of serous carcinomas, data that could potentially contribute in distinguishing different types of ovarian tumors. Our results may help in understanding the biology of ovarian carcinoma, identifying early detection markers, and opening potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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203
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Kojc N, Zidar N, Gale N, Poljak M, Fujs Komlos K, Cardesa A, Höfler H, Becker KF. Transcription factors Snail, Slug, Twist, and SIP1 in spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Virchows Arch 2009; 454:549-55. [PMID: 19381684 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-009-0771-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) is a biphasic tumor composed of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and malignant spindle cells. There is mounting evidence that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SpCC. Transcription repression has recently emerged as a fundamental mechanism triggering EMT in experimental models. Our aim is to analyze the expression of transcription repressors Snail, Slug, Twist, and SIP1 in SpCC of the head and neck in comparison to SCC, matched for location and stage. Thirty cases of SpCC and 30 cases of SCC of the head and neck were included. Snail, Slug, Twist, and SIP1 expression was analyzed on mRNA and protein levels, using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. By RT-PCR, we found upregulation of mRNA for transcription factors Snail, Slug, Twist, and SIP1 in SpCC when compared to SCC. This upregulation was statistically significant for Slug, Twist, and SIP1 but nonsignificant for Snail. Immunohistochemistry was performed for Snail, Slug, and SIP1 and demonstrated a positive reaction for Slug and SIP1 in all cases and for Snail in two thirds of SpCC cases. Our finding of upregulation of all four tested transcription factors supports the hypothesis that EMT plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SpCC of the head and neck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Kojc
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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204
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TGF-beta1-Induced Expression of the Poor Prognosis SERPINE1/PAI-1 Gene Requires EGFR Signaling: A New Target for Anti-EGFR Therapy. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2009; 2009:342391. [PMID: 19365582 PMCID: PMC2667932 DOI: 10.1155/2009/342391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2008] [Accepted: 01/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification accompany the emergence of highly aggressive human carcinomas. Cooperative signaling between these two growth factor/receptor systems promotes cell migration and synthesis of stromal remodeling factors (i.e., proteases, protease inhibitors) that, in turn, regulate tumor invasion, neo-angiogenesis and inflammation. ranscript profiling of transformed human cells revealed that genes encoding wound healing, matrix remodeling and cell cycle proteins (i.e., the “tissue repair” transcriptome) are significantly up-regulated early after growth factor stimulation. The major inhibitor of plasmin generation, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), is among the most highly induced transcripts during the phenotypic transition initiated by TGF-β maximal expression requires EGFR signaling. PAI-1 induction occurs early in the progression of incipient epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and is a significant indicator of poor prognosis in epithelial malignancies. Mouse modeling and molecular genetic analysis of complex systems indicates that PAI-1 regulates the temporal/spatial control of pericellular proteolysis, promotes epithelial plasticity, inhibits capillary regression and facilitates stromal invasion. Defining TGF-β1-initiated signaling events that cooperate with an activated EGFR to impact the protease-protease inhibitor balance in the tumor microenvironment is critical to the development of novel therapies for the clinical management of human cancers.
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205
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Sobrado VR, Moreno-Bueno G, Cubillo E, Holt LJ, Nieto MA, Portillo F, Cano A. The class I bHLH factors E2-2A and E2-2B regulate EMT. J Cell Sci 2009; 122:1014-24. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.028241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional loss of the cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin is an essential event for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that allows cell migration during embryonic development and tumour invasion. In most carcinomas, transcriptional repression has emerged as the main mechanism responsible for E-cadherin downregulation. Here, we report the identification of class I bHLH factor E2-2 (TCF4/ITF2) as a new EMT regulator. Both isoforms of E2-2 (E2-2A and E2-2B) induce a full EMT when overexpressed in MDCK cells but without affecting the tumorigenic properties of parental cells, in contrast to other EMT inducers, such as Snail1 or class I bHLH E47. E-cadherin repression mediated by E2-2 is indirect and independent of proximal E-boxes of the promoter. Knockdown studies indicate that E2-2 expression is dispensable for maintenance of the EMT driven by Snail1 and E47. Comparative gene-profiling analysis reveals that E2-2 factors induce similar, yet distinct, genetic programs to that induced by E47 in MDCK cells. These results, together with the embryonic expression pattern of Tcf4 and E2A (which encodes E12/E47), support a distinct role for E2-2 and suggest an interesting interplay between E-cadherin repressors in the regulation of physiological and pathological EMT processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica R. Sobrado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas `Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Moreno-Bueno
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas `Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Cubillo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas `Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Liam J. Holt
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas `Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Angela Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, CSIC-UMH, 03550 Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Francisco Portillo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas `Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amparo Cano
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas `Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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206
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Xu J, Lamouille S, Derynck R. TGF-beta-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Cell Res 2009; 19:156-72. [PMID: 19153598 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2009.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2039] [Impact Index Per Article: 135.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During development and in the context of different morphogenetic events, epithelial cells undergo a process called epithelial to mesenchymal transition or transdifferentiation (EMT). In this process, the cells lose their epithelial characteristics, including their polarity and specialized cell-cell contacts, and acquire a migratory behavior, allowing them to move away from their epithelial cell community and to integrate into surrounding tissue, even at remote locations. EMT illustrates the differentiation plasticity during development and is complemented by another process, called mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). While being an integral process during development, EMT is also recapitulated under pathological conditions, prominently in fibrosis and in invasion and metastasis of carcinomas. Accordingly, EMT is considered as an important step in tumor progression. TGF-beta signaling has been shown to play an important role in EMT. In fact, adding TGF-beta to epithelial cells in culture is a convenient way to induce EMT in various epithelial cells. Although much less characterized, epithelial plasticity can also be regulated by TGF-beta-related bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and BMPs have been shown to induce EMT or MET depending on the developmental context. In this review, we will discuss the induction of EMT in response to TGF-beta, and focus on the underlying signaling and transcription mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xu
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, Programs in Cell Biology and Developmental Biology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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207
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Sarrió D, Palacios J, Hergueta-Redondo M, Gómez-López G, Cano A, Moreno-Bueno G. Functional characterization of E- and P-cadherin in invasive breast cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:74. [PMID: 19257890 PMCID: PMC2656544 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2008] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations in the cadherin-catenin adhesion complexes are involved in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. However, the functional implication of distinct cadherin types in breast cancer biology is still poorly understood. Methods To compare the functional role of E-cadherin and P-cadherin in invasive breast cancer, we stably transfected these molecules into the MDA-MB-231 cell line, and investigated their effects on motility, invasion and gene expression regulation. Results Expression of either E- and P-cadherin significantly increased cell aggregation and induced a switch from fibroblastic to epithelial morphology. Although expression of these cadherins did not completely reverse the mesenchymal phenotype of MDA-MB-231 cells, both E- and P-cadherin decreased fibroblast-like migration and invasion through extracellular matrix in a similar way. Moreover, microarray gene expression analysis of MDA-MB-231 cells after expression of E- and P-cadherins revealed that these molecules can activate signaling pathways leading to significant changes in gene expression. Although the expression patterns induced by E- and P-cadherin showed more similarities than differences, 40 genes were differentially modified by the expression of either cadherin type. Conclusion E- and P-cadherin have similar functional consequences on the phenotype and invasive behavior of MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time that these cadherins can induce both common and specific gene expression programs on invasive breast cancer cells. Importantly, these identified genes are potential targets for future studies on the functional consequences of altered cadherin expression in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sarrió
- Department of Biochemistry UAM, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain.
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208
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Smith JP, Pozzi A, Dhawan P, Singh AB, Harris RC. Soluble HB-EGF induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in inner medullary collecting duct cells by upregulating Snail-2. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2009; 296:F957-65. [PMID: 19244405 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.90490.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of acute renal injury suggest that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) axis may have a beneficial role in the recovery from acute renal injury, but recent reports describe detrimental effects of EGFR activation in chronic renal injury. Expression of the EGFR ligand heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) increases following renal injury, but the effects of this sustained upregulation have not been well studied. Here, stable overexpression of soluble HB-EGF (sHB-EGF) in mouse inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells led to marked phenotypic changes: sHB-EGF-expressing cells demonstrated a fibroblast-like morphology, did not form epithelial sheets, exhibited cytoplasmic projections, decreased expression of epithelial markers, and increased expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1. They also demonstrated anchorage-independent growth and formed tumors when injected subcutaneously into nude mice. Quantitative RT-PCR and a luciferase reporter assay suggested that sHB-EGF repressed transcription of E-cadherin, and a concomitant TGF-beta-independent upregulation of the E-cadherin repressor Snail-2 was observed. Stable downregulation of Snail-2 in sHB-EGF-overexpressing cells restored epithelial characteristics (E-cadherin and cytokeratin expression) but did not alter their anchorage-independent growth. In summary, sustained exposure to sHB-EGF induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of IMCD cells, in part by upregulating the E-cadherin transcriptional repressor Snail-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Smith
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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209
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Rowe RG, Li XY, Hu Y, Saunders TL, Virtanen I, Garcia de Herreros A, Becker KF, Ingvarsen S, Engelholm LH, Bommer GT, Fearon ER, Weiss SJ. Mesenchymal cells reactivate Snail1 expression to drive three-dimensional invasion programs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 184:399-408. [PMID: 19188491 PMCID: PMC2646556 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200810113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is required for mesodermal differentiation during development. The zinc-finger transcription factor, Snail1, can trigger EMT and is sufficient to transcriptionally reprogram epithelial cells toward a mesenchymal phenotype during neoplasia and fibrosis. Whether Snail1 also regulates the behavior of terminally differentiated mesenchymal cells remains unexplored. Using a Snai1 conditional knockout model, we now identify Snail1 as a regulator of normal mesenchymal cell function. Snail1 expression in normal fibroblasts can be induced by agonists known to promote proliferation and invasion in vivo. When challenged within a tissue-like, three-dimensional extracellular matrix, Snail1-deficient fibroblasts exhibit global alterations in gene expression, which include defects in membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP)-dependent invasive activity. Snail1-deficient fibroblasts explanted atop the live chick chorioallantoic membrane lack tissue-invasive potential and fail to induce angiogenesis. These findings establish key functions for the EMT regulator Snail1 after terminal differentiation of mesenchymal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Grant Rowe
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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210
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Du F, Yang R, Ma HL, Wang QY, Wei SL. Expression of transcriptional repressor Slug gene in mouse endometrium and its effect during embryo implantation. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2009; 157:346-55. [PMID: 19172233 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-008-8521-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2008] [Accepted: 12/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Slug, a member of the Snail family of zinc-finger transcription factors, is involved in regulating embryonic development and tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Slug in mouse endometrium during early pregnancy and its possible role during embryo implantation. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect Slug mRNA and Slug protein expression in endometrium of nonpregnant and early pregnant mice, respectively. The expressions of Slug mRNA and its protein in pregnant group were higher than that in nonpregnant group and gradually increased from pregnancy day 1, reaching its maximum level on day 4 and then declining on days 5, 6, and 7. Immunohistochemistry showed that Slug protein was mainly present in luminal epithelium from pregnancy days 2 to 5 and in glandular epithelium from days 2 to 6 and enhanced significantly in stromal cells on days 4, 5, and 6. The number of embryos implanted was greatly decreased after Slug function in mouse endometrium was blocked by the intrauterine injection with anti-Slug polyclonal antibody on day 3 of pregnancy before implantation. These results suggested that up-regulation of Slug expression may play a key role in the embryo implantation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Du
- Department of the Reproductive Physiology, College of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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211
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Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process in tumour progression providing tumour cells with the ability to escape from the primary tumour, to migrate to distant regions and to invade tissues. EMT requires a loss of cell-cell adhesion and apical-basal polarity, as well as the acquisition of a fibroblastoid motile phenotype. Several transcription factors have emerged in recent years that induce EMT, with important implications for tumour progression. However, their effects on cell polarity remain unclear. Here, we have re-examined the data available related to the effect of EMT related transcription factors on epithelial cell plasticity, focusing on their impact on cell polarity. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms mediated by several inducers of EMT, in particular the ZEB and Snail factors, downregulate the expression and/or functional organization of core polarity complexes. We also summarize data on the expression of cell polarity genes in human tumours and analyse genetic interactions that highlight the existence of complex regulatory networks converging on the regulation of cell polarity by EMT inducers in human breast carcinomas. These recent observations provide new insights into the relationship between alterations in cell polarity components and EMT in cancer, opening new avenues for their potential use as therapeutic targets to prevent tumour progression.
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212
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Podhajcer OL, Benedetti LG, Girotti MR, Prada F, Salvatierra E, Llera AS. The role of the matricellular protein SPARC in the dynamic interaction between the tumor and the host. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2008; 27:691-705. [PMID: 18542844 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-008-9146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor growth is essentially the result of an evolving cross-talk between malignant and surrounding stromal cells (fibroblasts, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells). This heterogeneous mass of extracellular matrix and intermingled cells interact through cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts. Malignant cells also secrete soluble proteins that reach neighbor stromal cells, forcing them to provide the soil on which they will grow and metastasize. Different studies including expression array analysis identified the matricellular protein SPARC as a marker of poor prognosis in different cancer types. Further evidence demonstrated that high SPARC levels are often associated with the most aggressive and highly metastatic tumors. Here we describe the most recent evidence that links SPARC with human cancer progression, the controversy regarding its role in certain human cancers and the physiological processes in which SPARC is involved: epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune surveillance and angiogenesis. Its relevance as a potential target in cancer therapy is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo L Podhajcer
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Fundacion Instituto Leloir, University of Buenos Aires, National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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213
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Fabre-Guillevin E, Malo M, Cartier-Michaud A, Peinado H, Moreno-Bueno G, Vallée B, Lawrence DA, Palacios J, Cano A, Barlovatz-Meimon G, Charrière-Bertrand C. PAI-1 and functional blockade of SNAI1 in breast cancer cell migration. Breast Cancer Res 2008; 10:R100. [PMID: 19055748 PMCID: PMC2656896 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2008] [Revised: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 12/03/2008] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Snail, a family of transcriptional repressors implicated in cell movement, has been correlated with tumour invasion. The Plasminogen Activation (PA) system, including urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor and its inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1(PAI-1), also plays a key role in cancer invasion and metastasis, either through proteolytic degradation or by non-proteolytic modulation of cell adhesion and migration. Thus, Snail and the PA system are both over-expressed in cancer and influence this process. In this study we aimed to determine if the activity of SNAI1 (a member of the Snail family) is correlated with expression of the PA system components and how this correlation can influence tumoural cell migration. Methods We compared the invasive breast cancer cell-line MDA-MB-231 expressing SNAI1 (MDA-mock) with its derived clone expressing a dominant-negative form of SNAI1 (SNAI1-DN). Expression of PA system mRNAs was analysed by cDNA microarrays and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Wound healing assays were used to determine cell migration. PAI-1 distribution was assessed by immunostaining. Results We demonstrated by both cDNA microarrays and real-time quantitative RT-PCR that the functional blockade of SNAI1 induces a significant decrease of PAI-1 and uPA transcripts. After performing an in vitro wound-healing assay, we observed that SNAI1-DN cells migrate more slowly than MDA-mock cells and in a more collective manner. The blockade of SNAI1 activity resulted in the redistribution of PAI-1 in SNAI1-DN cells decorating large lamellipodia, which are commonly found structures in these cells. Conclusions In the absence of functional SNAI1, the expression of PAI-1 transcripts is decreased, although the protein is redistributed at the leading edge of migrating cells in a manner comparable with that seen in normal epithelial cells.
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214
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Roadcap DW, Clemen CS, Bear JE. The role of mammalian coronins in development and disease. Subcell Biochem 2008; 48:124-35. [PMID: 18925377 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-09595-0_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Coronins have maintained a high degree of conservation over the roughly 800 million years of eukaryotic evolution.1,2 From its origins as a single gene in simpler eukaryotes, the mammalian Coronin gene family has expanded to include at least six members (see Chapter 4). Increasing evidence indicates that Coronins play critical roles as regulators of actin dependent processes such as cell motility and vesicle trafficking3,4 (see Chapters 6-9). Considering the importance of these processes, it is not surprising that recent findings have implicated the involvement of Coronins in multiple diseases. This review primarily focuses on Coronin 1C (HGNC symbol: CORO1C, also known as Coronin 3) which is a transcriptionally dynamic gene that is up-regulated in multiple types of clinically aggressive cancer. In addition to reviewing the molecular signals and events that lead to Coronin 1C transcription, we summarize the results of several studies describing the possible functional roles of Coronin 1C in development as well as disease progression. Here, the main focus is on brain development and on the progression of melanoma and glioma. Finally, we will also review the role of other mammalian Coronin genes in clinically relevant processes such as neural regeneration and pathogenic bacterial infections (see Chapter 10).
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Roadcap
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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215
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Podhajcer OL, Benedetti L, Girotti MR, Prada F, Salvatierra E, Llera AS. The role of the matricellular protein SPARC in the dynamic interaction between the tumor and the host. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2008; 27:523-37. [PMID: 18459035 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-008-9135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Tumor growth is essentially the result of an evolving cross-talk between malignant and surrounding stromal cells (fibroblasts, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells). This heterogeneous mass of extracellular matrix and intermingled cells interact through cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts. Malignant cells also secrete soluble proteins that reach neighbor stromal cells, forcing them to provide the soil on which they will grow and metastasize. Different studies including expression array analysis identified the matricellular protein SPARC as a marker of poor prognosis in different cancer types. Further evidence demonstrated that high SPARC levels are often associated with the most aggressive and highly metastatic tumors. Here we describe the most recent evidence that links SPARC with human cancer progression, the controversy regarding its role in certain human cancers and the physiological processes in which SPARC is involved: epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune surveillance and angiogenesis. Its relevance as a potential target in cancer therapy is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo L Podhajcer
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Fundacion Instituto Leloir, University of Buenos Aires, National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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216
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Sabbah M, Emami S, Redeuilh G, Julien S, Prévost G, Zimber A, Ouelaa R, Bracke M, De Wever O, Gespach C. Molecular signature and therapeutic perspective of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions in epithelial cancers. Drug Resist Updat 2008; 11:123-51. [PMID: 18718806 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2008.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2008] [Revised: 06/25/2008] [Accepted: 07/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms involved in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) are integrated in concert with master developmental and oncogenic pathways regulating in tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, as well as the reprogrammation of specific gene repertoires ascribed to both epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Consequently, it is not unexpected that EMT has profound impacts on the neoplastic progression, patient survival, as well as the resistance of cancers to therapeutics (taxol, vincristine, oxaliplatin, EGF-R targeted therapy and radiotherapy), independent of the "classical" resistance mechanisms linked to genotoxic drugs. New therapeutic combinations using genotoxic agents and/or EMT signaling inhibitors are therefore expected to circumvent the chemotherapeutic resistance of cancers characterized by transient or sustained EMT signatures. Thus, targeting critical orchestrators at the convergence of several EMT pathways, such as the transcription pathways NF-kappaB, AKT/mTOR axis, MAPK, beta-catenin, PKC and the AP-1/SMAD factors provide a realistic strategy to control EMT and the progression of human epithelial cancers. Several inhibitors targeting these signaling platforms are already tested in preclinical and clinical oncology. In addition, upstream EMT signaling pathways induced by receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (e.g. EGF-R, IGF-R, VEGF-R, integrins/FAK, Src) and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) constitute practical options under preclinical research, clinical trials or are currently used in the clinic for cancer treatment: e.g. small molecule inhibitors (Iressa: targeting selectively the EGF-R; CP-751,871, AMG479, NVP-AEW541, BMS-536924, PQIP, AG1024: IGF-R; AZD2171, ZD6474: VEGF-R; AZD0530, BMS-354825, SKI606: Src; BIM-46174: GPCR; rapamycin, CCI-779, RAD-001: mTOR) and humanized function blocking antibodies (Herceptin: ErbB2; Avastin: VEGF-A; Erbitux: EGF-R; Abegrin: alphavbeta3 integrins). We can assume that silencing RNA and adenovirus-based gene transfer of therapeutic miR and dominant interferring expression vectors targeting EMT pathways and signaling elements will bring additional ways for the treatment of epithelial cancers. Identification of the factors that initiate, modulate and effectuate EMT signatures and their underlying upstream oncogenic pathways should provide the basis of more efficient strategies to fight cancer progression as well as genetic and epigenetic forms of drug resistance. This goal can be accomplished using global screening of human clinical tumors by EMT-associated cDNA, proteome, miRome, and tissue arrays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Sabbah
- INSERM U673, Molecular and Clinical Oncology of Solid Tumors, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, 75571 Paris Cedex 12, France
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217
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Kusewitt DF, Choi C, Newkirk KM, Leroy P, Li Y, Chavez MG, Hudson LG. Slug/Snai2 is a downstream mediator of epidermal growth factor receptor-stimulated reepithelialization. J Invest Dermatol 2008; 129:491-5. [PMID: 18685621 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2008.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Many peptide growth factors, including EGFR ligands, accelerate wound reepithelialization in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, EGFR expression is transiently increased at wound margins, suggesting an active role for this receptor in wound repair. During reepithelialization of cutaneous wounds, keratinocytes display a phenotypic plasticity resembling aspects of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation. The transcription factor Slug/Snai2 is a regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation during development, and we previously reported that Slug expression is elevated in keratinocytes bordering cutaneous wounds in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro. In this study we provide evidence that Slug expression is necessary for an EGFR-stimulated reepithelialization response. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces Slug expression and the response to EGFR activation is more robust than to other receptor tyrosine kinase ligands. EGFR-stimulated reepithelialization is highly dependent on Slug, as demonstrated by the absence of EGF-stimulated outgrowth in explants derived from Slug null mice. In vitro reepithelialization stimulated by ectopic Slug expression was not impaired by an inhibitor of EGFR catalytic activity, suggesting that Slug is a downstream mediator of this EGFR-stimulated response. Our findings provide evidence that Slug is an essential component of the pathway leading to EGFR-mediated epithelial outgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna F Kusewitt
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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218
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Abstract
We previously reported ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induction of Slug, a Snail family zinc-finger transcription factor, in the epidermis of mice; we now report that Slug-knockout mice are, unexpectedly, more resistant to sunburn than wild-type mice. There was a marked difference between the cutaneous inflammatory response in the skin of Slug-knockout and wild-type mice from 12 h to 1 week following a single exposure to 3 minimal erythemal doses of UVR. Slug-knockout mice showed a much reduced immediate increase in skin thickness and neutrophil infiltration compared to wild-type mice. However, there were as many or more intraepidermal T cells, dermal mast cells, and dermal blood vessels in the UVR-exposed skin of Slug-knockout mice as in the skin of wild-type mice. Differences in cytokine and chemokine expression following UVR appeared to account for at least some differences between the genotypes in cutaneous inflammatory response. Despite the reported antiapoptotic and antiproliferative role for Slug in some cell types, we observed little difference between the genotypes in UVR-induced keratinocyte apoptosis or proliferation. Our findings indicate an unexpected but important role for Slug in the acute cutaneous inflammatory response to UVR.
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219
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Yang J, Weinberg RA. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: at the crossroads of development and tumor metastasis. Dev Cell 2008; 14:818-29. [PMID: 18539112 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2008.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2277] [Impact Index Per Article: 142.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a highly conserved cellular program that allows polarized, immotile epithelial cells to convert to motile mesenchymal cells. This important process was initially recognized during several critical stages of embryonic development and has more recently been implicated in promoting carcinoma invasion and metastasis. In this review, we summarize and compare major signaling pathways that regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transitions during both development and tumor metastasis. Studies in both fields are critical for our molecular understanding of cell migration and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0636, USA.
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220
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Peinado H, Moreno-Bueno G, Hardisson D, Pérez-Gómez E, Santos V, Mendiola M, de Diego JI, Nistal M, Quintanilla M, Portillo F, Cano A. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 as a new poor prognosis marker of squamous cell carcinomas. Cancer Res 2008; 68:4541-50. [PMID: 18559498 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-6345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (Loxl2) interacts with and stabilizes Snai1 transcription factor, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Either Loxl2 or Snai1 knock-down blocks tumor growth and induces differentiation, but the specific role of each factor in tumor progression is still unknown. Comparison of the gene expression profiles of the squamous cell carcinoma cell line HaCa4 after knocking-down Loxl2 or Snai1 revealed that a subset of epidermal differentiation genes was specifically up-regulated in Loxl2-silenced cells. In agreement, although both Loxl2- and Snai1-knockdown cells showed reduced in vivo invasion, only Loxl2-silenced cells exhibited a skin-like epidermal differentiation program. In addition, we show that expression of Loxl2 and Snai1 correlates with malignant progression in a two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Furthermore, we found that increased expression of both LOXL2 and SNAI1 correlates with local recurrence in a cohort of 256 human laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. We describe for the first time that high levels of LOXL2 are associated with decreased overall and disease-free survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas, lung squamous cell carcinoma, and lymph node-negative (N(0)) breast adenocarcinomas. Altogether, our results show that LOXL2 can be used as a new poor prognosis indicator in human squamous cell carcinomas promoting malignant transformation by both SNAI1-dependent and SNAI1-independent pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Peinado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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221
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Park SH, Cheung LWT, Wong AST, Leung PCK. Estrogen regulates Snail and Slug in the down-regulation of E-cadherin and induces metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cells through estrogen receptor alpha. Mol Endocrinol 2008; 22:2085-98. [PMID: 18550773 DOI: 10.1210/me.2007-0512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a multistep process involving dysregulated cell growth and metastasis. Considerable evidence implicates a mitogenic action of estrogen in early ovarian carcinogenesis. In contrast, its influence in the metastatic cascade of ovarian tumor cells remains obscure. In the present study, we showed that 17beta-estradiol (E2) increased the metastatic potential of human epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines. E2 treatment led to clear morphological changes characteristic of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and an enhanced cell migratory propensity. These morphological and functional alterations were associated with changes in the abundance of EMT-related genes. Upon E2 stimulation, expression and promoter activity of the epithelial marker E-cadherin were strikingly suppressed, whereas EMT-associated transcription factors, Snail and Slug, were significantly up-regulated. This up-regulation was attributed to the increase in gene transcription activated by E2. Depletion of endogenous Snail or Slug using small interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated E2-mediated decrease in E-cadherin. In addition, E2-induced cell migration was also neutralized by the siRNAs, suggesting that both transcription factors are indispensable for the prometastatic actions of E2. More importantly, by using selective estrogen receptor (ER) agonists, forced expression, and siRNA approaches, we identified that E2 triggered the metastatic behaviors exclusively through an ERalpha-dependent pathway. We also showed that ERbeta had an opposing action on ERalpha because the presence of ERbeta completely inhibited the EMT and down-regulation of E-cadherin induced by ERalpha. Collectively, this study provides a compelling argument that estrogen can potentiate tumor progression by EMT induction and highlights the crucial role of ERalpha in ovarian tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Hyung Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, 2H-30, 4490 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3V5
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222
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Hudson LG, Zeineldin R, Stack MS. Phenotypic plasticity of neoplastic ovarian epithelium: unique cadherin profiles in tumor progression. Clin Exp Metastasis 2008; 25:643-55. [PMID: 18398687 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-008-9171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2007] [Accepted: 03/23/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mesodermally derived normal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) displays both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics and exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity during post-ovulatory repair. The majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOC) are derived from the OSE and represent the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies, as most patients (approximately 70%) present at diagnosis with disseminated intra-abdominal metastasis. The predominant pattern of EOC metastasis involves pelvic dissemination rather than lymphatic or hematologic spread, distinguishing EOC from other solid tumors. Acquisition of the metastatic phenotype involves a complex series of interrelated cellular events leading to dissociation (shedding) and dispersal of malignant cells. A key event in this process is disruption of cell-cell contacts via modulation of intercellular junctional components. In contrast to most carcinomas that downregulate E-cadherin expression during tumor progression, a unique feature of primary well-differentiated ovarian cancers is a gain of epithelial features, characterized by an increase in expression of E-cadherin. Subsequent reacquisition of mesenchymal features is observed in more advanced tumors with concomitant loss of E-cadherin expression and/or function during progression to metastasis. The functional consequences of this remarkable phenotypic plasticity are not fully understood, but may play a role in modulation of cell survival in suspension (ascites), chemoresistance, and intraperitoneal anchoring of metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie G Hudson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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223
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Scrideli CA, Carlotti CG, Okamoto OK, Andrade VS, Cortez MAA, Motta FJN, Lucio-Eterovic AK, Neder L, Rosemberg S, Oba-Shinjo SM, Marie SKN, Tone LG. Gene expression profile analysis of primary glioblastomas and non-neoplastic brain tissue: identification of potential target genes by oligonucleotide microarray and real-time quantitative PCR. J Neurooncol 2008; 88:281-91. [PMID: 18398573 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-008-9579-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2007] [Accepted: 03/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis of glioblastomas is still extremely poor and the discovery of novel molecular therapeutic targets can be important to optimize treatment strategies. Gene expression analyses comparing normal and neoplastic tissues have been used to identify genes associated with tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic targets. We have used this approach to identify differentially expressed genes between primary glioblastomas and non-neoplastic brain tissues. We selected 20 overexpressed genes related to cell cycle, cellular movement and growth, proliferation and cell-to-cell signaling and analyzed their expression levels by real time quantitative PCR in cDNA obtained from microdissected fresh tumor tissue from 20 patients with primary glioblastomas and from 10 samples of non-neoplastic white matter tissue. The gene expression levels were significantly higher in glioblastomas than in non-neoplastic white matter in 18 out of 20 genes analyzed: P < 0.00001 for CDKN2C, CKS2, EEF1A1, EMP3, PDPN, BNIP2, CA12, CD34, CDC42EP4, PPIE, SNAI2, GDF15 and MMP23b; and NFIA (P: 0.0001), GPS1 (P: 0.0003), LAMA1 (P: 0.002), STIM1 (P: 0.006), and TASP1 (P: 0.01). Five of these genes are located in contiguous loci at 1p31-36 and 2 at 17q24-25 and 8 of them encode surface membrane proteins. PDPN and CD34 protein expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and they showed concordance with the PCR results. The present results indicate the presence of 18 overexpressed genes in human primary glioblastomas that may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these tumors and that deserve further functional investigation as attractive candidates for new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Scrideli
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
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224
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Sarrió D, Rodriguez-Pinilla SM, Hardisson D, Cano A, Moreno-Bueno G, Palacios J. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer relates to the basal-like phenotype. Cancer Res 2008; 68:989-97. [PMID: 18281472 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 803] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined by the loss of epithelial characteristics and the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype. In carcinoma cells, EMT can be associated with increased aggressiveness, and invasive and metastatic potential. To assess the occurrence of EMT in human breast tumors, we conducted a tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical study in 479 invasive breast carcinomas and 12 carcinosarcomas using 28 different markers. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of the tumors and statistical analysis showed that up-regulation of EMT markers (vimentin, smooth-muscle-actin, N-cadherin, and cadherin-11) and overexpression of proteins involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and invasion (SPARC, laminin, and fascin), together with reduction of characteristic epithelial markers (E-cadherin and cytokeratins), preferentially occur in breast tumors with the "basal-like phenotype." Moreover, most breast carcinosarcomas also had a basal-like phenotype and showed expression of mesenchymal markers in their sarcomatous and epithelial components. To assess whether basal-like cells have intrinsic phenotypic plasticity for mesenchymal transition, we performed in vitro studies with the MCF10A cell line. In response to low cell density, MCF10A cells suffer spontaneous morphologic and phenotypic EMT-like changes, including cytoskeleton reorganization, vimentin and Slug up-regulation, cadherin switching, and diffuse cytosolic relocalization of the catenins. Moreover, these phenotypic changes are associated with modifications in the global genetic differentiation program characteristic of the EMT process. In summary, our data indicate that in breast tumors, EMT likely occurs within a specific genetic context, the basal phenotype, and suggests that this proclivity to mesenchymal transition may be related to the high aggressiveness and the characteristic metastatic spread of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sarrió
- Breast and Gynecological Cancer Group, Molecular Pathology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
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225
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Galectin-9 expression links to malignant potential of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2008; 134:899-907. [PMID: 18264727 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-008-0352-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2007] [Accepted: 01/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Galectin-9 (Gal-9) induces adhesion and aggregation of certain cell types and can be a prognostic factor in the patients with melanoma and breast cancer. We assessed the experiments to resolve whether Gal-9 expression in cervical neoplasm links to malignant potential of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. METHODS Gal-9 expression was examined with immunohistochemical techniques in 23 normal cervical squamous epithelia, 17 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 38 cervical SCC compared to E-cadherin. CIN was divided into low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (8 LSIL and 9 HSIL), and SCC was into well-, moderately and poorly differentiated SCC (6 WSCC, 20 MSCC and 12 PSCC). RESULTS Gal-9 and E-cadherin were evidently detected in normal epithelium and endocervical glands, but those in CIN and SCC were significantly faint. Moreover, both the Gal-9 and E-cadherin expressions in HSIL were significant lower than those in LSIL, suggesting their association with malignant transformation. Unexpectedly, Gal-9 and E-cadherin in WSCC were significantly high compared to those in HSIL. Furthermore, those in SCC were inversely correlated with the grade of differentiation (WSCC >> MSCC >> PSCC), implying the possible involvement of Gal-9 and E-cadherin in the differentiation of SCC. In contrast, they were not different among the FIGO stage. Gal-9 expression was well correlated with E-cadherin expression in CIN and SCC but not in normal cervical epithelia. CONCLUSION The present results suggest that decreased Gal-9 expression is inversely associated with malignant potential or differentiation of cervical CIN and SCC as a differentiation biomarker.
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226
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Baum B, Settleman J, Quinlan MP. Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states in development and disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2008; 19:294-308. [PMID: 18343170 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2008.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 02/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ancestors of modern Metazoa were constructed in large part by the foldings and distortions of two-dimensional sheets of epithelial cells. This changed approximately 600 million years ago with the evolution of mesenchymal cells. These cells arise as the result of epithelial cell delamination through a reprogramming process called an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) [Shook D, Keller R. Mechanisms, mechanics and function of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in early development. Mech Dev 2003;120:1351-83; Thiery JP, Sleeman JP. Complex networks orchestrate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2006;7:131-42]. Because mesenchymal cells are free to migrate through the body cavity, the evolution of the mesenchyme opened up new avenues for morphological plasticity, as cells evolved the ability to take up new positions within the embryo and to participate in novel cell-cell interactions; forming new types of internal tissues and organs such as muscle and bone [Thiery JP, Sleeman, JP. Complex networks orchestrate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2006;7:131-42; Hay ED, Zuk A. Transformations between epithelium and mesenchyme: normal, pathological, and experimentally induced. Am J Kidney Dis 1995;26:678-90]. After migrating to a suitable site, mesenchymal cells coalesce and re-polarize to form secondary epithelia, in a so-called mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Such switches between mesenchymal and epithelial states are a frequent feature of Metazoan gastrulation [Hay ED, Zuk A. Transformations between epithelium and mesenchyme: normal, pathological, and experimentally induced. Am J Kidney Dis 1995;26:678-90] and the neural crest lineage [Duband JL, Monier F, Delannet M, Newgreen D. Epitheliu-mmesenchyme transition during neural crest development. Acta Anat 1995;154:63-78]. Significantly, however, when hijacked during the development of cancer, the ability of cells to undergo EMT, to leave the primary tumor and to undergo MET at secondary sites can have devastating consequences on the organism, allowing tumor cells derived from epithelia to invade surrounding tissues and spread through the host [Thiery JP, Sleeman JP. Complex networks orchestrate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2006;7:131-42; Hay ED, Zuk A. Transformations between epithelium and mesenchyme: normal, pathological, and experimentally induced. Am J Kidney Dis 1995;26:678-90]. Thus, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning EMT are both an essential feature of Metazoan development and an important area of biomedical research. In this review, we discuss the common molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in EMT in both cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buzz Baum
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UCL, London, UK
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227
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Olmeda D, Moreno-Bueno G, Flores JM, Fabra A, Portillo F, Cano A. SNAI1 is required for tumor growth and lymph node metastasis of human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells. Cancer Res 2008; 67:11721-31. [PMID: 18089802 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-2318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor, SNAI1 (Snail), has recently been proposed as an important mediator of tumor invasion because of its role in E-cadherin down-regulation and induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In human breast cancer, the expression of SNAI1 and/or the homologous SNAI2 (Slug) has been associated with E-cadherin repression, local or distant metastasis, tumor recurrence, or poor prognosis in different tumor series. However, the specific contribution of either factor to breast tumor progression is still unclear. We have analyzed the role of SNAI1 in human breast cancer by loss of function studies and provide evidence of a major role for SNAI1 in both primary tumor growth and metastasis of human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells. Specific silencing of SNAI1 by short hairpin RNA induces a decrease in mesenchymal and proinvasive markers (MMP9, ID1, SPARC) in MDA-MB-231 cells, concomitant with reduced in vitro invasive behavior. More importantly, stable SNAI1 silencing in MDA-MB-231 cells leads to a dramatic reduction of in vivo tumor incidence and growth rate. Tumors induced by MDA-MB-231-SNAI1-silenced cells show extensive necrotic regions and a significant decrease in invasive and angiogenic markers. Moreover, SNAI1 silencing increases the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to chemotherapeutics relevant in breast cancer treatments, gemcitabine and docetaxel. Remarkably, analysis of cell lines derived from lymph node metastasis indicates that SNAI1 expression is required for metastatic dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Olmeda
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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228
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Hardy RG, Vicente-Dueñas C, González-Herrero I, Anderson C, Flores T, Hughes S, Tselepis C, Ross JA, Sánchez-García I. Snail family transcription factors are implicated in thyroid carcinogenesis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2007; 171:1037-46. [PMID: 17724139 PMCID: PMC1959496 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2007.061211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
E-Cadherin (CDH1) expression is reduced in thyroid carcinomas by primarily unknown mechanisms. In several tissues, SNAIL (SNAI1) and SLUG (SNAI2) induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition by altering target gene transcription, including CDH1 repression, but these transcription factors have not been studied in thyroid carcinoma. Recently, our group has provided direct evidence that ectopic SNAI1 expression induces epithelial and mesenchymal mouse tumors. SNAI1, SNAI2, and CDH1 expression were analyzed in thyroid-derived cell lines and samples of human follicular and papillary thyroid carcinoma by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The effect of SNAI1 expression on CDH1 transcription was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting in ori-3 cells. Thyroid carcinoma development was analyzed in CombitTA-Snail mice, in which SNAI1 levels are up-regulated. SNAI1 and SNAI2 were not expressed in cells derived from normal thyroid tissue, or in normal human thyroid samples, but were highly expressed in cell lines derived from thyroid carcinomas, in human thyroid carcinoma samples, and their metastases. SNAI1 expression in ori-3 cells repressed CDH1 transcription. Combi-TA mice developed papillary thyroid carcinomas, the incidence of which was increased by concomitant radiotherapy. In conclusion, SNAI1 and SNAI2 are ectopically expressed in thyroid carcinomas, and aberrant expression in mice is associated with papillary carcinoma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Hardy
- Tissue Injury and Repair Group, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Division of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, Room FU501, Chancellors Bldg, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.
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229
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Polton GA, Brearley MJ, Green LM, Scase TJ. Expression of E-cadherin in canine anal sac gland carcinoma and its association with survival. Vet Comp Oncol 2007; 5:232-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5829.2007.00131.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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230
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Pre-EMTing metastasis? Recapitulation of morphogenetic processes in cancer. Clin Exp Metastasis 2007; 24:587-97. [PMID: 17978854 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-007-9114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2007] [Accepted: 10/10/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) is a morphogenetic process in which cells loose their epithelial characteristics and gain mesenchymal properties during embryogenesis. Similar processes regulated by similar pathways are recapitulated during tumour progression, endowing cells with invasive properties, thereby contributing to the formation of metastases. In this review, we outline key features of EMT and discuss the evidence for its involvement in the dissemination of tumours. Finally we review the recent literature concerning the mechanisms that regulate EMT in the tumour context, with a particular focus on breast cancer.
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231
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Mejlvang J, Kriajevska M, Vandewalle C, Chernova T, Sayan AE, Berx G, Mellon JK, Tulchinsky E. Direct repression of cyclin D1 by SIP1 attenuates cell cycle progression in cells undergoing an epithelial mesenchymal transition. Mol Biol Cell 2007; 18:4615-24. [PMID: 17855508 PMCID: PMC2043563 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-05-0406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2007] [Revised: 08/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/04/2007] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger transcription factors of the Snail/Slug and ZEB-1/SIP1 families control epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in development in cancer. Here, we studied SIP1-regulated mesenchymal conversion of epidermoid A431 cells. We found that concomitant with inducing invasive phenotype, SIP1 inhibited expression of cyclin D1 and induced hypophosphorylation of the Rb tumor suppressor protein. Repression of cyclin D1 was caused by direct binding of SIP1 to three sequence elements in the cyclin D1 gene promoter. By expressing exogenous cyclin D1 in A431/SIP1 cells and using RNA interference, we demonstrated that the repression of cyclin D1 gene by SIP1 was necessary and sufficient for Rb hypophosphorylation and accumulation of cells in G1 phase. A431 cells expressing SIP1 along with exogenous cyclin D1 were highly invasive, indicating that SIP1-regulated invasion is independent of attenuation of G1/S progression. However, in another epithelial-mesenchymal transition model, gradual mesenchymal conversion of A431 cells induced by a dominant negative mutant of E-cadherin produced no effect on the cell cycle. We suggest that impaired G1/S phase progression is a general feature of cells that have undergone EMT induced by transcription factors of the Snail/Slug and ZEB-1/SIP1 families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Mejlvang
- *Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and
| | | | - Cindy Vandewalle
- Unit of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology-Ghent University, BE-9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Tatyana Chernova
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom; and
| | - A. Emre Sayan
- *Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and
| | - Geert Berx
- Unit of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology-Ghent University, BE-9052 Gent, Belgium
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232
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Newkirk KM, Parent AE, Fossey SL, Choi C, Chandler HL, Rajala-Schultz PJ, Kusewitt DF. Snai2 expression enhances ultraviolet radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2007; 171:1629-39. [PMID: 17916597 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2007.070221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Snai2, encoded by the SNAI2 gene, has been shown to modulate epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), the conversion of sessile epithelial cells attached to adjacent cells and to the basement membrane into dissociated and motile fibroblastic cells. EMT occurs during development, wound healing, and carcinoma progression. Using Snai2-null mice (Snai2(lacZ)), we evaluated the role of Snai2 in UV radiation (UVR)-induced skin carcinogenesis. In chronically UVR-exposed nontumor-bearing skin from Snai2-null mice, inflammation and epidermal proliferation were decreased compared with wild-type (+/+) skin. Snai2-null mice had a consistently lower tumor burden than +/+ mice. In addition, null mice developed fewer aggressive spindle cell tumors, believed to arise from squamous cell carcinomas that have undergone EMT, than +/+ mice; however, the difference in tumor type distribution between the two genotypes was not statistically significant. No metastases were observed in either the +/+ or Snai2-null mice. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, we showed that the spindle cell tumors in the Snai2-null mice demonstrated impaired EMT, as shown by decreased vimentin and increased cadherin 1 expression. This study confirms a role for Snai2 in EMT, but demonstrates that Snai2 expression is not required for the development or progression of UVR-induced skin tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Newkirk
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43235, USA
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233
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Yates B, Zetterberg C, Rajeev V, Reiss M, Rittling SR. Promoter-independent regulation of vimentin expression in mammary epithelial cells by val(12)ras and TGFbeta. Exp Cell Res 2007; 313:3718-28. [PMID: 17719575 PMCID: PMC2097954 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2007] [Revised: 06/20/2007] [Accepted: 07/16/2007] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The 1,029 series of mammary epithelial cell lines (D6, GP+E, r3 and r3T) are progressively more transformed: the latter two by val(12)ras. These cell lines respond to TGFbeta by undergoing early events of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including morphological changes and redistribution of E-cadherin. Tumors formed by r3T cells in the choroid of the eye express vimentin, a late marker of EMT, possibly in response to TGFbeta. In vitro, vimentin expression is induced in all the cell lines by TGFbeta treatment, whereas cytokeratin expression is only slightly affected. Surprisingly, ras transformation results in a 10-fold suppression of vimentin expression. Neither suppression of vimentin by ras transformation nor induction by TGFbeta is mediated by the vimentin promoter in r3T cells. In transient transfection assays, several human vimentin promoter constructs are more active in the low-expressing r3T cell line than in the vimentin-expressing mesenchymal cell line NIH3T3. In the r3T cells, there is no effect of TGFbeta treatment for 9 days on the activity of either promoter. Azacytidine treatment does not affect vimentin expression in either NIH3T3 or r3T, suggesting that promoter methylation is not the mechanism of suppression by ras. Finally, the half-life of the vimentin mRNA is similar in both the r3T cells and NIH3T3 cells. We conclude that the suppression of vimentin expression by ras, and the relief of this suppression by TGFbeta, occurs in a promoter-independent fashion, possibly through sequences in the first or second intron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Yates
- The Forsyth Institute 140 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
| | | | | | | | - Susan R Rittling
- The Forsyth Institute 140 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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234
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Taylor KM, LaBonne C. Modulating the activity of neural crest regulatory factors. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2007; 17:326-31. [PMID: 17651964 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2007.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2007] [Revised: 05/24/2007] [Accepted: 05/31/2007] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Substantial progress has been made in defining the regulatory factors involved in generating multipotent neural crest cells at the neural plate border of vertebrate embryos, controlling the onset of their migratory behavior, and directing their differentiation into one of a diverse array of derivatives. Growing evidence suggests that these factors function as a complex network, in some cases displaying overlapping functions and cross-regulatory interactions. Mechanisms are emerging for how some of these regulatory components are controlled post-translationally and the extent to which their activities are conserved across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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235
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Newkirk KM, MacKenzie DA, Bakaletz AP, Hudson LG, Kusewitt DF. Microarray analysis demonstrates a role for Slug in epidermal homeostasis. J Invest Dermatol 2007; 128:361-9. [PMID: 17637818 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Slug (Snail2) is a member of the Snail family of zinc-finger transcription factors with regulatory functions in development, tissue morphogenesis, and tumor progression. Little is known about Slug in normal adult tissue; however, a role for Slug in the skin was suggested by our previous observations of Slug expression in normal murine keratinocytes and Slug induction at wound margins. To study the impact of Slug in the skin, we compared patterns of gene expression in epidermis from Slug-null and wild-type mice. A total of 139 genes had significantly increased, and 109 genes had significantly decreased expression in Slug knockout epidermis. Altered expression of selected genes in Slug knockout epidermis was validated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Previously reported Slug targets were identified, in addition to novel genes, including cytokeratins, adhesion molecules, and extracellular matrix components. Functional classification of altered gene expression was consistent with a role for Slug in keratinocyte development and differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, motility, as well as angiogenesis and response to environmental stimuli. These results highlight the utility of genetic models to study the in vivo impact of regulatory factors in unperturbed skin and suggest that Slug has significant activities in the adult epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Newkirk
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
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236
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Attanasio M, Uhlenhaut NH, Sousa VH, O'Toole JF, Otto E, Anlag K, Klugmann C, Treier AC, Helou J, Sayer JA, Seelow D, Nürnberg G, Becker C, Chudley AE, Nürnberg P, Hildebrandt F, Treier M. Loss of GLIS2 causes nephronophthisis in humans and mice by increased apoptosis and fibrosis. Nat Genet 2007; 39:1018-24. [PMID: 17618285 DOI: 10.1038/ng2072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2006] [Accepted: 05/17/2007] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Nephronophthisis (NPHP), an autosomal recessive kidney disease, is the most frequent genetic cause of end-stage renal failure in the first three decades of life. Positional cloning of the six known NPHP genes has linked its pathogenesis to primary cilia function. Here we identify mutation of GLIS2 as causing an NPHP-like phenotype in humans and mice, using positional cloning and mouse transgenics, respectively. Kidneys of Glis2 mutant mice show severe renal atrophy and fibrosis starting at 8 weeks of age. Differential gene expression studies on Glis2 mutant kidneys demonstrate that genes promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis are upregulated in the absence of Glis2. Thus, we identify Glis2 as a transcription factor mutated in NPHP and demonstrate its essential role for the maintenance of renal tissue architecture through prevention of apoptosis and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Attanasio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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237
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Shirakihara T, Saitoh M, Miyazono K. Differential regulation of epithelial and mesenchymal markers by deltaEF1 proteins in epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-beta. Mol Biol Cell 2007; 18:3533-44. [PMID: 17615296 PMCID: PMC1951739 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-03-0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial event in cancer progression and embryonic development, is induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in mouse mammary NMuMG epithelial cells. Id proteins have previously been reported to inhibit major features of TGF-beta-induced EMT. In this study, we show that expression of the deltaEF1 family proteins, deltaEF1 (ZEB1) and SIP1, is gradually increased by TGF-beta with expression profiles reciprocal to that of E-cadherin. SIP1 and deltaEF1 each dramatically down-regulated the transcription of E-cadherin in NMuMG cells through direct binding to the E-cadherin promoter. Silencing of the expression of both SIP1 and deltaEF1, but not either alone, completely abolished TGF-beta-induced E-cadherin repression. However, expression of mesenchymal markers, including fibronectin, N-cadherin, and vimentin, was not affected by knockdown of SIP1 and deltaEF1. TGF-beta-induced the expression of Ets1, which in turn activated deltaEF1 promoter activity. Moreover, up-regulation of SIP1 and deltaEF1 expression by TGF-beta was suppressed by knockdown of Ets1 expression. In addition, Id2 suppressed the TGF-beta- and Ets1-induced up-regulation of deltaEF1. Taken together, these findings suggest that the deltaEF1 family proteins, SIP1 and deltaEF1, are necessary, but not sufficient, for TGF-beta-induced EMT and that Ets1 induced by TGF-beta may function as an upstream transcriptional regulator of SIP1 and deltaEF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Shirakihara
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masao Saitoh
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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238
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Chen M, Fu YY, Lin CY, Chen LM, Chai KX. Prostasin induces protease-dependent and independent molecular changes in the human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2007; 1773:1133-40. [PMID: 17532063 PMCID: PMC1950849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2007.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2007] [Revised: 04/19/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Expression of prostasin in the PC-3 human prostate carcinoma cells inhibited in vitro invasion, but the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Wild-type human prostasin or a serine active-site mutant prostasin was expressed in the PC-3 cells. Molecular changes were measured at the mRNA and the protein levels. Cell signaling changes were evaluated by measuring phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk1/2) following epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment of the cells. Protein expression of the EGF receptor (EGFR) was differentially down-regulated by the wild-type and the active-site mutant prostasin. The mRNA expression of EGFR and the transcription repressor SLUG was reduced in cells expressing wild-type prostasin but not the active-site mutant. Phosphorylation of Erk1/2 in response to EGF was greatly reduced by the wild-type prostasin but not by the active-site mutant. The mRNA expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), the uPA receptor (uPAR), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was decreased by the wild-type and the active-site mutant prostasin. The mRNA or protein expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), matriptase, and E-cadherin was greatly increased by the active-site mutant prostasin. In conclusion, prostasin expression elicits both protease-dependent and independent molecular changes in the PC-3 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqian Chen
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Ya-Yuan Fu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology and Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen-Yong Lin
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C
| | - Li-Mei Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
| | - Karl X. Chai
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Dr. Karl X. Chai, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, University of Central Florida, Building 20, Room 323, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32816-2364. Tel: (407) 823-6122, Fax: (407) 823-0956, e-mail:
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239
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Ahmed S, Liu CC, Nawshad A. Mechanisms of palatal epithelial seam disintegration by transforming growth factor (TGF) beta3. Dev Biol 2007; 309:193-207. [PMID: 17698055 PMCID: PMC2084085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2007.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2007] [Revised: 06/18/2007] [Accepted: 06/21/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
TGFbeta3 signaling initiates and completes sequential phases of cellular differentiation that is required for complete disintegration of the palatal medial edge seam, that progresses between 14 and 17 embryonic days in the murine system, which is necessary in establishing confluence of the palatal stroma. Understanding the cellular mechanism of palatal MES disintegration in response to TGFbeta3 signaling will result in new approaches to defining the causes of cleft palate and other facial clefts that may result from failure of seam disintegration. We have isolated MES primary cells to study the details of MES disintegration mechanism by TGFbeta3 during palate development using several biochemical and genetic approaches. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism of MES disintegration where MES, independently yet sequentially, undergoes cell cycle arrest, cell migration and apoptosis to generate immaculate palatal confluency during palatogenesis in response to robust TGFbeta3 signaling. The results contribute to a missing fundamental element to our base knowledge of the diverse roles of TGFbeta3 in functional and morphological changes that MES undergo during palatal seam disintegration. We believe that our findings will lead to more effective treatment of facial clefting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ali Nawshad
- Corresponding author: Tel : 402-472-1378, Fax: 402-472-2551,
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240
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Gu X, Zerbini LF, Otu HH, Bhasin M, Yang Q, Joseph MG, Grall F, Onatunde T, Correa RG, Libermann TA. Reduced PDEF expression increases invasion and expression of mesenchymal genes in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Res 2007; 67:4219-26. [PMID: 17483333 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epithelium-specific Ets transcription factor, PDEF, plays a role in prostate and breast cancer, although its precise function has not been established. In prostate cancer, PDEF is involved in regulating prostate-specific antigen expression via interaction with the androgen receptor and NKX3.1, and down-regulation of PDEF by antiproliferative agents has been associated with reduced PDEF expression. We now report that reduced expression of PDEF leads to a morphologic change, increased migration and invasiveness in prostate cancer cells, reminiscent of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) function and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Indeed, inhibition of PDEF expression triggers a transcriptional program of genes involved in the TGFbeta pathway, migration, invasion, adhesion, and epithelial dedifferentiation. Our results establish PDEF as a critical regulator of genes involved in cell motility, invasion, and adhesion of prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Gu
- BIDMC Genomics Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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241
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Peinado H, Olmeda D, Cano A. Snail, Zeb and bHLH factors in tumour progression: an alliance against the epithelial phenotype? Nat Rev Cancer 2007; 7:415-28. [PMID: 17508028 DOI: 10.1038/nrc2131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2436] [Impact Index Per Article: 143.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms that underlie tumour progression are still poorly understood, but recently our knowledge of particular aspects of some of these processes has increased. Specifically, the identification of Snail, ZEB and some basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors as inducers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potent repressors of E-cadherin expression has opened new avenues of research with potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Peinado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols CSIC-UAM, Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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242
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Jordà M, Vinyals A, Marazuela A, Cubillo E, Olmeda D, Valero E, Cano A, Fabra A. Id-1 is induced in MDCK epithelial cells by activated Erk/MAPK pathway in response to expression of the Snail and E47 transcription factors. Exp Cell Res 2007; 313:2389-403. [PMID: 17490644 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Revised: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 04/01/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Id-1, a member of the helix-loop-helix transcription factor family has been shown to be involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion of many types of human cancers. We have previously shown that stable expression of E47 and Snail repressors of the E-cadherin promoter in MDCK epithelial cell line triggers epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) concomitantly with changes in gene expression. We show here that both factors activate the Id-1 gene promoter and induce Id-1 mRNA and protein. The upregulation of the Id-1 gene occurs through the transactivation of the promoter by the Erk/MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, oncogenic Ras is also able to activate Id-1 promoter in MDCK cells in the absence of both E47 and Snail transcription factors. Several transcriptionally active regulatory elements have been identified in the proximal promoter, including AP-1, Sp1 and four putative E-boxes. By EMSA, we only detected an increased binding to Sp1 and AP-1 elements in E47- and Snail-expressing cells. Binding is affected by the treatment of cells with PD 98059 MEK inhibitor, suggesting that MAPK/Erk contributes to the recruitment or assembly of proteins to Id-1 promoter. Small interfering RNA directed against Sp1 reduced Id-1 expression and the upregulation of the promoter, indicating that Sp1 is required for Id-1 induction in E47- and Snail-expressing cells. Our results provide new insights into how some target genes are activated during and/or as a consequence of the EMT triggered by both E47 and Snail transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Jordà
- IDIBELL-Institut de Recerca Oncològica, Centre d'Oncologia Molecular, Barcelona, Spain
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243
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Aigner K, Dampier B, Descovich L, Mikula M, Sultan A, Schreiber M, Mikulits W, Brabletz T, Strand D, Obrist P, Sommergruber W, Schweifer N, Wernitznig A, Beug H, Foisner R, Eger A. The transcription factor ZEB1 (deltaEF1) promotes tumour cell dedifferentiation by repressing master regulators of epithelial polarity. Oncogene 2007; 26:6979-88. [PMID: 17486063 PMCID: PMC2899859 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 491] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is implicated in the progression of primary tumours towards metastasis and is likely caused by a pathological activation of transcription factors regulating EMT in embryonic development. To analyse EMT-causing pathways in tumourigenesis, we identified transcriptional targets of the E-cadherin repressor ZEB1 in invasive human cancer cells. We show that ZEB1 repressed multiple key determinants of epithelial differentiation and cell-cell adhesion, including the cell polarity genes Crumbs3, HUGL2 and Pals1-associated tight junction protein. ZEB1 associated with their endogenous promoters in vivo, and strongly repressed promotor activities in reporter assays. ZEB1 downregulation in undifferentiated cancer cells by RNA interference was sufficient to upregulate expression of these cell polarity genes on the RNA and protein level, to re-establish epithelial features and to impair cell motility in vitro. In human colorectal cancer, ZEB1 expression was limited to the tumour-host interface and was accompanied by loss of intercellular adhesion and tumour cell invasion. In invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer, upregulation of ZEB1 was stringently coupled to cancer cell dedifferentiation. Our data show that ZEB1 represents a key player in pathologic EMTs associated with tumour progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Aigner
- Max F Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - B Dampier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Descovich
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Mikula
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Sultan
- Max F Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Schreiber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - W Mikulits
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Brabletz
- Department of Visceral and General Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - D Strand
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - P Obrist
- Pathology Laboratories Obrist and Brunhuber OEG, Zams, Austria
| | | | - N Schweifer
- Boehringer-Ingelheim Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - H Beug
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - R Foisner
- Max F Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Eger
- Max F Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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244
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Abstract
When connective tissue undergoes malignant transformation, glioblastomas and sarcomas arise. However, the ancient biochemical mechanisms, which are now operational in sarcomas distorted by mutations and gene fusions in misaligned chromosomes, were originally acquired by those cells that emerged during the Cambrian explosion. Preserved throughout evolution up to the genus Homo, these mechanisms dictate the apoptosis- and senescence-resistant immortality of malignant cells. A 'retroviral paradox' distinguishes human sarcomas from those of the animal world. In contrast to the retrovirally induced sarcomatous transformation of animal (avian, murine, feline and simian) cells, human sarcomas have so far failed to yield a causative retroviral isolate. However, the proto-oncogenes/oncogenes transduced from their host cells by retroviruses of animals are the same that are active in human sarcomas. Since the encoded oncoproteins arise after birth, they are recognized frequently by the immune system of the host. Immune lymphocytes that kill autologous sarcoma cells in vitro commonly fail to do so in vivo. Sarcoma vaccines generate immune T- and natural killer cell reactions; even when vaccinated patients do not show a clinical response, their tumors become more sensitive to chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to lay a solid molecular biological foundation for the conclusion that targeting the sarcoma oncogenes will result in regression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Sinkovics
- Cancer Institute of St. Joseph's Hospital Affiliated with the HL Moffitt Cancer Center, The University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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245
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Zhang C, Carl TF, Trudeau ED, Simmet T, Klymkowsky MW. An NF-kappaB and slug regulatory loop active in early vertebrate mesoderm. PLoS One 2006; 1:e106. [PMID: 17205110 PMCID: PMC1762408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Accepted: 11/23/2006] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In both Drosophila and the mouse, the zinc finger transcription factor Snail is required for mesoderm formation; its vertebrate paralog Slug (Snai2) appears to be required for neural crest formation in the chick and the clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Both Slug and Snail act to induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to suppress apoptosis. Methodology & Principle Findings Morpholino-based loss of function studies indicate that Slug is required for the normal expression of both mesodermal and neural crest markers in X. laevis. Both phenotypes are rescued by injection of RNA encoding the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL; Bcl-xL's effects are dependent upon IκB kinase-mediated activation of the bipartite transcription factor NF-κB. NF-κB, in turn, directly up-regulates levels of Slug and Snail RNAs. Slug indirectly up-regulates levels of RNAs encoding the NF-κB subunit proteins RelA, Rel2, and Rel3, and directly down-regulates levels of the pro-apopotic Caspase-9 RNA. Conclusions/Significance These studies reveal a Slug/Snail–NF-κB regulatory circuit, analogous to that present in the early Drosophila embryo, active during mesodermal formation in Xenopus. This is a regulatory interaction of significance both in development and in the course of inflammatory and metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Timothy F. Carl
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Evan D. Trudeau
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Thomas Simmet
- Institute of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael W. Klymkowsky
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Abstract
Metastasis is the deadly face of epithelial tumors. The studies performed in the last decade have shed considerable light on the processes involved in the metastatic cascade. In particular, much effort has focused on defining the molecular changes that govern the conversion from an epithelial to a mesenchymal cell, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The process of EMT is considered a fundamental event in the metastatic cascade (i.e. during invasion and/or intravasation) and several molecules involved in EMT have been described, including epithelial markers, transcription factors, as well as extracellular proteins and growth factors. In this green series article, we will focus our attention on the new molecules described in the recent years that appear to influence EMT and that are therefore relevant to epithelial carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we will try to explain how these molecules collaborate with the tumor microenvironment to trigger metastasis. Recent advances in our understanding of this process is generating a wide range of molecules that could be potentially considered as new therapeutic targets for drug design to block metastatic spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Peinado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, CSIC-UAM. Madrid. Spain.
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