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Guo H, Hu Z, Yang X, Yuan Z, Wang M, Chen C, Xie L, Gao Y, Li W, Bai Y, Lin C. Smad4 regulates TGF-β1-mediated hedgehog activation to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells by suppressing Gli1 activity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1189-1200. [PMID: 38525105 PMCID: PMC10957521 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive and metastatic gastrointestinal tumor with a poor prognosis. Persistent activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling induces PC cell (PCC) invasion and infiltration via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Hedgehog signaling is a crucial pathway for the development of PC via the transcription factors Gli1/2/3. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of hedgehog activation in TGF-β1-triggered EMT in PCCs (PANC-1 and BxPc-3). In addition, overexpression and shRNA techniques were used to evaluate the role of Smad4 in TGF-β1-treated PCCs. Our data showed that TGF-β1 promoted PCC invasion and infiltration via Smad2/3-dependent EMT. Hedgehog-Gli signaling axis in PCCs was activated upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Inhibition of hedgehog with cyclopamine effectively antagonized TGF-β1-induced EMT, thereby suggesting that the hedgehog signaling may act as a downstream cascade signaling of TGF-β1. As a key protein that assists the nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, Smad4 was highly expressed in PANC-1 cells, but not in BxPc-3 cells. Conversely, Gli1 expression was low in PANC-1 cells, but high in BxPc-3 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of Smad4 in PANC-1 cells by shRNA inhibited TGF-β1-mediated EMT and collagen deposition. Overexpression of Smad4 did not affect TGF-β1-mediated EMT due to the lack of significant increase in nuclear expression of Smad4. Importantly, Gli1 activity was upregulated by Smad4 knockdown in PANC-1 cells and downregulated by Smad4 overexpression in BxPc-3 cells, indicating that Gli1 may be a negative target protein downstream of Smad4. Thus, Smad4 regulates TGF-β1-mediated hedgehog activation to promote EMT in PCCs by suppressing Gli1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangcheng Guo
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- Sichuan Mianyang 404 Hospital, Mianyang 621000, China
| | - Zujian Hu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xuejia Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ziwei Yuan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Mengsi Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Chaoyue Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Lili Xie
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wangjian Li
- Department of Urology, The Central Hospital Affiliated to Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312030, China
| | - Yongheng Bai
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- National Key Clinical Specialty (General Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chunjing Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Medicine and Health Care Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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2
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Liu R, Yu Y, Wang Q, Zhao Q, Yao Y, Sun M, Zhuang J, Sun C, Qi Y. Interactions between hedgehog signaling pathway and the complex tumor microenvironment in breast cancer: current knowledge and therapeutic promises. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:432. [PMID: 39252010 PMCID: PMC11382420 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01812-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer ranks as one of the most common malignancies among women, with its prognosis and therapeutic efficacy heavily influenced by factors associated with the tumor cell biology, particularly the tumor microenvironment (TME). The diverse elements of the TME are engaged in dynamic bidirectional signaling interactions with various pathways, which together dictate the growth, invasiveness, and metastatic potential of breast cancer. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, first identified in Drosophila, has been established as playing a critical role in human development and disease. Notably, the dysregulation of the Hh pathway is recognized as a major driver in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of breast cancer. Consequently, elucidating the mechanisms by which the Hh pathway interacts with the distinct components of the breast cancer TME is essential for comprehensively evaluating the link between Hh pathway activation and breast cancer risk. This understanding is also imperative for devising novel targeted therapeutic strategies and preventive measures against breast cancer. In this review, we delineate the current understanding of the impact of Hh pathway perturbations on the breast cancer TME, including the intricate and complex network of intersecting signaling cascades. Additionally, we focus on the therapeutic promise and clinical challenges of Hh pathway inhibitors that target the TME, providing insights into their potential clinical utility and the obstacles that must be overcome to harness their full therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Liu
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Qingyang Wang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Qianxiang Zhao
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Yan Yao
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Mengxuan Sun
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China.
| | - Changgang Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China.
| | - Yuanfu Qi
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China.
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3
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Auddy S, Gupta S, Mandi S, Sharma H, Sinha S, Goswami RK. Total Synthesis of Lipopeptide Bacilotetrin C: Discovery of Potent Anticancer Congeners Promoting Autophagy. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:1340-1350. [PMID: 39140062 PMCID: PMC11318098 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
A convergent strategy for the first total synthesis of the lipopeptide bacilotetrin C has been developed. The key features of this synthesis include Crimmins acetate aldol, Steglich esterification, and macrolactamization. Twenty-nine variants of the natural product were prepared following a systematic structure-activity relationship study, where some of the designed analogues showed promising cytotoxic effects against multiple human carcinoma cell lines. The most potent analogue exhibited a ∼37-fold enhancement in cytotoxicity compared to bacilotetrin C in a triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell line at submicromolar doses. The study further revealed that some of the analogues induced autophagy in cancer cells to the point of their demise at doses much lower than those of known autophagy-inducing peptides. The results demonstrated that the chemical synthesis of bacilotetrin C with suitable improvisation plays an important role in the development of novel anticancer chemotherapeutics, which would allow future rational design of novel autophagy inducers on this template.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourya
Shankar Auddy
- School
of Chemical Sciences and School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Shalini Gupta
- School
of Chemical Sciences and School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Subrata Mandi
- School
of Chemical Sciences and School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Himangshu Sharma
- School
of Chemical Sciences and School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Surajit Sinha
- School
of Chemical Sciences and School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
| | - Rajib Kumar Goswami
- School
of Chemical Sciences and School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
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Zhao X, Shao X, Huang X, Dang C, Wang R, Li H. The H2Valdien derivatives regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatoma carcinoma cells through the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20240954. [PMID: 38911252 PMCID: PMC11193360 DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This research delves into the influence of H2Valdien derivatives on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis induction in hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG2, Huh-7, and SMMC-7721), with a specific emphasis on inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through modulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Utilizing the cell counting kit-8 method, flow cytometry, TUNEL assay, wound healing, and transwell assays, we observed a dose-dependent growth arrest and apoptosis induction in HepG2, Huh-7, and SMMC-7721 cells. Notably, H2Valdien derivatives exhibited a capacity to reduce migration and invasion, impacting the expression of EMT-associated proteins such as N-cadherin, vimentin, and E-cadherin. Mechanistically, these derivatives demonstrated the inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway by inactivating Sonic Hh (Shh) and smoothened proteins. This study underscores the robust antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of H2Valdien derivatives on hepatoma carcinoma cells and elucidates their regulatory role in EMT through modulation of the Hh signaling pathway, providing valuable insights for potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 730000, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiangxiang Shao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 730000, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 730000, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Dang
- Department of Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, 730000, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruilin Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 730000, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hongling Li
- Department of Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, 730000, Lanzhou, China
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Ashrafizadeh M, Dai J, Torabian P, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Aljabali AAA, Tambuwala M, Zhu M. Circular RNAs in EMT-driven metastasis regulation: modulation of cancer cell plasticity, tumorigenesis and therapy resistance. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:214. [PMID: 38733529 PMCID: PMC11088560 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05236-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The non-coding RNAs comprise a large part of human genome lack of capacity in encoding functional proteins. Among various members of non-coding RNAs, the circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been of importance in the pathogenesis of human diseases, especially cancer. The circRNAs have a unique closed loop structure and due to their stability, they are potential diagnostic and prognostic factors in cancer. The increasing evidences have highlighted the role of circRNAs in the modulation of proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. On the other hand, metastasis has been responsible for up to 90% of cancer-related deaths in patients, requiring more investigation regarding the underlying mechanisms modulating this mechanism. EMT enhances metastasis and invasion of tumor cells, and can trigger resistance to therapy. The cells demonstrate dynamic changes during EMT including transformation from epithelial phenotype into mesenchymal phenotype and increase in N-cadherin and vimentin levels. The process of EMT is reversible and its reprogramming can disrupt the progression of tumor cells. The aim of current review is to understanding the interaction of circRNAs and EMT in human cancers and such interaction is beyond the regulation of cancer metastasis and can affect the response of tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The onco-suppressor circRNAs inhibit EMT, while the tumor-promoting circRNAs mediate EMT for acceleration of carcinogenesis. Moreover, the EMT-inducing transcription factors can be controlled by circRNAs in different human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250000, China
- Department of General Surgery and Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, China
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingyuan Dai
- School of computer science and information systems, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO, 64468, USA.
| | - Pedram Torabian
- Cumming School of Medicine, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Murtaza Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
- College of Pharmacy, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Minglin Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
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Hashemi M, Arani HZ, Orouei S, Fallah S, Ghorbani A, Khaledabadi M, Kakavand A, Tavakolpournegari A, Saebfar H, Heidari H, Salimimoghadam S, Entezari M, Taheriazam A, Hushmandi K. EMT mechanism in breast cancer metastasis and drug resistance: Revisiting molecular interactions and biological functions. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113774. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Redox-Regulation in Cancer Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102413. [PMID: 36289675 PMCID: PMC9598867 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a small subset of slowly dividing cells with tumor-initiating ability. They can self-renew and differentiate into all the distinct cell populations within a tumor. CSCs are naturally resistant to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CSCs, thus, can repopulate a tumor after therapy and are responsible for recurrence of disease. Stemness manifests itself through, among other things, the expression of stem cell markers, the ability to induce sphere formation and tumor growth in vivo, and resistance to chemotherapeutics and irradiation. Stemness is maintained by keeping levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) low, which is achieved by enhanced activity of antioxidant pathways. Here, cellular sources of ROS, antioxidant pathways employed by CSCs, and underlying mechanisms to overcome resistance are discussed.
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