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Sanji AS, J M, Gurav MJ, Batra SK, Chachadi VB. Cancer snap-shots: Biochemistry and glycopathology of O-glycans: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129318. [PMID: 38232866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129318] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Cancer pathogenesis is strongly linked to the qualitative and quantitative alteration of the cell surface glycans, that are glycosidically linked to proteins and lipids. Glycans that are covalently linked to the polypeptide backbone of a protein through nitrogen or oxygen, are known as N-glycans or O-glycans, respectively. Although the role of glycans in the expression, physiology, and communication of cells is well documented, the function of these glycans in tumor biology is not fully elucidated. In this context, current review summarizes biosynthesis, modifications and pathological implications of O-glycans The review also highlights illustrative examples of cancer types modulated by aberrant O-glycosylation. Related O-glycans like Thomsen-nouveau (Tn), Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF), Lewisa/x, Lewisb/y, sialyl Lewisa/x and some other O-glycans are discussed in detail. Since, the overexpression of O-glycans are attributed to the aggressiveness and metastatic behavior of cancer cells, the current review attempts to understand the relation between metastasis and O-glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini S Sanji
- P. G. Department of Studies in Biochemistry, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka 580 003, India
| | - Manasa J
- P. G. Department of Studies in Biochemistry, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka 580 003, India
| | - Maruti J Gurav
- P. G. Department of Studies in Biochemistry, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka 580 003, India
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vishwanath B Chachadi
- P. G. Department of Studies in Biochemistry, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka 580 003, India.
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2
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Zhou M, He J, Li Y, Jiang L, Ran J, Wang C, Ju C, Du D, Xu X, Wang X, Li H, He F, Wen H. N 6-methyladenosine modification of REG1α facilitates colorectal cancer progression via β-catenin/MYC/LDHA axis mediated glycolytic reprogramming. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:557. [PMID: 37626036 PMCID: PMC10457312 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06067-6] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic glycolysis has been considered as a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the potential functional regulators of glycolysis in CRC remains to be elucidated. In the current study, we found that Regenerating islet-derived protein 1-alpha (REG1α) was significantly increased in both CRC tissues and serum, and positively associated with CRC patients' lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and unfavorable prognosis. Ectopic expression of REG1α contributed to various tumorigenic properties, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration, invasion, and glycolysis. In contrast, REG1α deficiency in CRC cells attenuated malignant properties and glucose metabolism. Mechanically, REG1α promoted CRC proliferation and metastasis via β-catenin/MYC axis-mediated glycolysis upregulation. Moreover, the malignant behaviors governed by REG1α could be effectively abolished by silencing of Wnt/β-catenin/MYC axis or glycolysis process using specific inhibitors. Besides, REG1α expression was mediated by METTL3 in an m6A-dependent manner. Overall, our work defines a novel regulatory model of the METTL3/REG1α/β-catenin/MYC axis in CRC, which indicates that REG1α could function as a novel biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxia Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingxia Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Libin Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiaxuan Ran
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chenxi Ju
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Dan Du
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinyu Xu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xuexin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hongle Li
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Fucheng He
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Hongtao Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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3
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Xiao S, Yang C, Zhang Y, Lai C. Downregulation of B3GNT6 is a predictor of poor outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2022; 20:110. [PMID: 35387659 PMCID: PMC8988341 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-022-02561-x] [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: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The B3GNT6 protein is a member of the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) family and is responsible for the production of the core 3 structure of O-glycans. It is generally expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; however, its clinical significance in colorectal cancer remains largely unexplored. Methods We obtained mRNA transcriptomic sequencing data from 3 gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE37182, GSE39582, GSE103512) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to compare the B3GNT6 mRNA levels between colorectal cancer and normal tissues and further evaluate its value as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer. We further validated this at the protein level in our cohort using immunohistochemical staining of B3GNT6 as well as the Human Protein Atlas online database. Results B3GNT6 expression was downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues as compared to that in the normal tissues at both mRNA and protein levels. Downregulation of B3GNT6 expression was found to be associated with poor overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer as per the data in GSE39582 and TCGA databases. Low B3GNT6 mRNA levels were significantly associated with chromosome instability (CIN) and KRAS mutations in patients with colorectal cancer. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that low B3GNT6 expression levels in colorectal cancer were associated with increased proteasome activity. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that low expression of B3GNT6 is a potential biomarker for poor outcomes in patients with CRC. Moreover, the low expression of B3GNT6 may indicate more frequent activation of the KRAS/ERK signaling pathway, high CIN, and increased proteasomal activity. These novel findings may prove helpful for molecular diagnosis and provide a new therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02561-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihan Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & Standardization, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & Standardization, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chen Lai
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China. .,International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & Standardization, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.
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4
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Boottanun P, Ino Y, Shimada K, Hiraoka N, Angata K, Narimatsu H. Association between the expression of core 3 synthase and survival outcomes of patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:760. [PMID: 34539864 PMCID: PMC8436361 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly aggressive and metastatic type of malignant carcinoma that is associated with high mortality rates and is difficult to detect at early stages. Core 3 structure is a mucin-type O-glycans synthesized by β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 6 (core 3 synthase), which plays an important role in the digestive system, in particular gastrointestinal goblet cells. It has been reported that core 3 synthase-expressing cells show lower migratory and invasive rates, and lower metastatic activity. A immunohistochemical study also showed that this enzyme was expressed in normal epithelial cells of the colon, but completely disappeared in colorectal cancer cells. The present study aimed to identify biomarkers that could be used to predict the prognosis of patients with CCA. Pathological specimens of 185 CCA tissues were immunohistochemically stained with two antibodies, G8-144 and MECA-79, which recognize core 3 synthase and 6-sulfated N-acetyllactosamine on the extended core-1 O-glycans, respectively. The association between G8-144 or MECA-79 positivity and patient prognosis was statistically analyzed. Positive expression of G8-144 was associated with improved prognosis in patients with distal CCA (dCCA). Patients with dCCA positive for G8-144 showed lower mortality rates than those with negative expression. However, the positive expression of MECA-79 was associated with CCA progression and metastasis, indicating that it is a poor prognostic marker for CCA. In conclusion, as both antibodies resulted in mirror-image staining, the involvement of G8-144 and MECA-79 in O-glycan synthesis could be considered as potential favorable and unfavorable biomarkers, respectively, for CCA prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patcharaporn Boottanun
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Major in Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.,Molecular and Cellular Glycoproteomics Research Group, Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.,Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Ino
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Shimada
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Hiraoka
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Analytical Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kiyohiko Angata
- Molecular and Cellular Glycoproteomics Research Group, Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Hisashi Narimatsu
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Major in Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.,Molecular and Cellular Glycoproteomics Research Group, Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
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5
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Sagar S, Leiphrakpam PD, Thomas D, McAndrews KL, Caffrey TC, Swanson BJ, Clausen H, Wandall HH, Hollingsworth MA, Radhakrishnan P. MUC4 enhances gemcitabine resistance and malignant behaviour in pancreatic cancer cells expressing cancer-associated short O-glycans. Cancer Lett 2021; 503:91-102. [PMID: 33485947 PMCID: PMC7981252 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly lethal. MUC4 (mucin4) is a heavily glycosylated protein aberrantly expressed in PDAC and promotes tumorigenesis via an unknown mechanism. To assess this, we genetically knocked out (KO) MUC4 in PDAC cells that did not express and did express truncated O-glycans (Tn/STn) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We found that MUC4 knockout cells possess less tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo, which was further reduced in PDAC cells that express aberrant overexpression of truncated O-glycans. Also, MUC4KO cells showed a further reduction of epidermal growth factor receptors (ErbB) and their downstream signaling pathways in truncated O-glycan expressing PDAC cells. Tn-MUC4 specific 3B11 antibody inhibited MUC4-induced ErbB receptor and its downstream signaling cascades. MUC4 knockout differentially regulates apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in branched and truncated O-glycan expressing PDAC cells. Additionally, MUC4KO cells were found to be more sensitive to gemcitabine treatment. They possessed the upregulated expression of hENT1 and hCNT3 compared to parental cells, which were further affected in cells with aberrant O-glycosylation. Taken together, our results indicate that MUC4 enhances the malignant properties and gemcitabine resistance in PDAC tumors that aberrantly overexpress truncated O-glycans via altering ErbB/AKT signaling cascades and expression of nucleoside transporters, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Sagar
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Pramila D Leiphrakpam
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Divya Thomas
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kyle L McAndrews
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Thomas C Caffrey
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Benjamin J Swanson
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Henrik Clausen
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Hans H Wandall
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Prakash Radhakrishnan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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6
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Brockhausen I, Melamed J. Mucins as anti-cancer targets: perspectives of the glycobiologist. Glycoconj J 2021; 38:459-474. [PMID: 33704667 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-021-09986-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mucins are highly O-glycosylated glycoproteins that carry a heterogenous variety of O-glycan structures. Tumor cells tend to overexpress specific mucins, such as the cell surface mucins MUC1 and MUC4 that are engaged in signaling and cell growth, and exhibit abnormal glycosylation. In particular, the Tn and T antigens and their sialylated forms are common in cancer mucins. We review herein methods chosen to use cancer-associated glycans and mucins as targets for the design of anti-cancer immunotherapies. Mucin peptides from the glycosylated and transmembrane domains have been combined with immune-stimulating adjuvants in a wide variety of approaches to produce anti-tumor antibodies and vaccines. These mucin conjugates have been tested on cancer cells in vitro and in mice with significant successes in stimulating anti-tumor responses. The clinical trials in humans, however, have shown limited success in extending survival. It seems critical that the individual-specific epitope expression of cancer mucins is considered in future therapies to result in lasting anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inka Brockhausen
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, 18 Stuart St, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
| | - Jacob Melamed
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, 18 Stuart St, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
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7
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Thomas D, Sagar S, Liu X, Lee HR, Grunkemeyer JA, Grandgenett PM, Caffrey T, O'Connell KA, Swanson B, Marcos-Silva L, Steentoft C, Wandall HH, Maurer HC, Peng XL, Yeh JJ, Qiu F, Yu F, Madiyalakan R, Olive KP, Mandel U, Clausen H, Hollingsworth MA, Radhakrishnan P. Isoforms of MUC16 activate oncogenic signaling through EGF receptors to enhance the progression of pancreatic cancer. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1557-1571. [PMID: 33359791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of CA125/MUC16 is associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression and metastasis. However, knowledge of the contribution of MUC16 to pancreatic tumorigenesis is limited. Here, we show that MUC16 expression is associated with disease progression, basal-like and squamous tumor subtypes, increased tumor metastasis, and short-term survival of PDAC patients. MUC16 enhanced tumor malignancy through the activation of AKT and GSK3β oncogenic signaling pathways. Activation of these oncogenic signaling pathways resulted in part from increased interactions between MUC16 and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-type receptors, which were enhanced for aberrant glycoforms of MUC16. Treatment of PDAC cells with monoclonal antibody (mAb) AR9.6 significantly reduced MUC16-induced oncogenic signaling. mAb AR9.6 binds to a unique conformational epitope on MUC16, which is influenced by O-glycosylation. Additionally, treatment of PDAC tumor-bearing mice with either mAb AR9.6 alone or in combination with gemcitabine significantly reduced tumor growth and metastasis. We conclude that the aberrant expression of MUC16 enhances PDAC progression to an aggressive phenotype by modulating oncogenic signaling through ErbB receptors. Anti-MUC16 mAb AR9.6 blocks oncogenic activities and tumor growth and could be a novel immunotherapeutic agent against MUC16-mediated PDAC tumor malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Thomas
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Satish Sagar
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Xiang Liu
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Hye-Rim Lee
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - James A Grunkemeyer
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Paul M Grandgenett
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Thomas Caffrey
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Kelly A O'Connell
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Benjamin Swanson
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Lara Marcos-Silva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catharina Steentoft
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Hans H Wandall
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Hans Carlo Maurer
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology & Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Xianlu Laura Peng
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jen Jen Yeh
- Departments of Surgery and Pharmacology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Fang Qiu
- College of Public Health, Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Fang Yu
- College of Public Health, Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Kenneth P Olive
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology & Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Ulla Mandel
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Henrik Clausen
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA
| | - Prakash Radhakrishnan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA.
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8
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Doi N, Ino Y, Angata K, Shimada K, Narimatsu H, Hiraoka N. Clinicopathological significance of core 3 O-glycan synthetic enzyme, β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 6 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242851. [PMID: 33253272 PMCID: PMC7703919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucin-type O-glycans are involved in cancer initiation and progression, although details of their biological and clinicopathological roles remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 6 (β3Gn-T6), an essential enzyme for the synthesis of core 3 O-glycan and several other O-glycans in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We performed immunohistochemical and lectin-histochemical analyses to detect the expression of β3Gn-T6 and several O-glycans in 156 cases of PDAC with pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) and corresponding normal tissue samples. The T antigen, Tn antigen, sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) antigen, and sLeX on core 2 O-glycan were more highly expressed in PDAC cells than in normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells (NPDEs). Conversely, the expression of 6-sulfo N-acetyllactosamine on extended core 1 O-glycan was found in NPDEs and was low in PDAC cells. These glycan expression levels were not associated with patient outcomes. β3Gn-T6 was expressed in ~20% of PDAC cases and 30-40% of PanINs but not in NPDEs. Higher expression of β3Gn-T6 was found in PDAC cells in more differentiated adenocarcinoma cases showing significantly longer disease-free survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, the expression of β3Gn-T6 in PDAC cells and PanINs significantly correlated with the expression of MUC5AC in these cells, suggesting that β3Gn-T6 expression is related to cellular differentiation status of the gastric foveolar phenotype. Thus, it is likely that β3Gn-T6 expression in PDAC cells is a favorable prognostic factor in PDAC patients, and that the expression of β3Gn-T6 correlates with the gastric foveolar phenotype in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma/pathology
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate/genetics
- Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate/immunology
- Antigens, Viral, Tumor/genetics
- Antigens, Viral, Tumor/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics
- Polysaccharides/genetics
- Polysaccharides/immunology
- Sialyl Lewis X Antigen/genetics
- Sialyl Lewis X Antigen/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriteru Doi
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Ino
- Department of Analytical Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyohiko Angata
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, The Glycoscience and Glycotechnology Research Group, Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Shimada
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisashi Narimatsu
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, The Glycoscience and Glycotechnology Research Group, Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Hiraoka
- Division of Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Analytical Pathology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Thomas D, Rathinavel AK, Radhakrishnan P. Altered glycosylation in cancer: A promising target for biomarkers and therapeutics. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1875:188464. [PMID: 33157161 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glycosylation is a well-regulated cell and microenvironment specific post-translational modification. Several glycosyltransferases and glycosidases orchestrate the addition of defined glycan structures on the proteins and lipids. Recent advances and systemic approaches in glycomics have significantly contributed to a better understanding of instrumental roles of glycans in health and diseases. Emerging research evidence recognized aberrantly glycosylated proteins as the modulators of the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. The Cancer Genome Atlas has identified alterations in the expressions of glycosylation-specific genes that are correlated with cancer progression. However, the mechanistic basis remains poorly explored. Recent researches have shown that specific changes in the glycan structures are associated with 'stemness' and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells. Moreover, epigenetic changes in the glycosylation pattern make the tumor cells capable of escaping immunosurveillance mechanisms. The deciphering roles of glycans in cancer emphasize that glycans can serve as a source for the development of novel clinical biomarkers. The ability of glycans in intervening various stages of tumor progression and the biosynthetic pathways involved in glycan structures constitute a promising target for cancer therapy. Advances in the knowledge of innovative strategies for identifying the mechanisms of glycan-binding proteins are hoped to hold great potential in cancer therapy. This review discusses the fundamental role of glycans in regulating tumorigenesis and tumor progression and provides insights into the influence of glycans in the current tactics of targeted therapies in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Thomas
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ashok Kumar Rathinavel
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Prakash Radhakrishnan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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10
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Gupta R, Leon F, Rauth S, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. A Systematic Review on the Implications of O-linked Glycan Branching and Truncating Enzymes on Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Cells 2020; 9:E446. [PMID: 32075174 PMCID: PMC7072808 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is the most commonly occurring post-translational modifications, and is believed to modify over 50% of all proteins. The process of glycan modification is directed by different glycosyltransferases, depending on the cell in which it is expressed. These small carbohydrate molecules consist of multiple glycan families that facilitate cell-cell interactions, protein interactions, and downstream signaling. An alteration of several types of O-glycan core structures have been implicated in multiple cancers, largely due to differential glycosyltransferase expression or activity. Consequently, aberrant O-linked glycosylation has been extensively demonstrated to affect biological function and protein integrity that directly result in cancer growth and progression of several diseases. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of several initiating enzymes involved in the synthesis of O-linked glycosylation that significantly contribute to a number of different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohitesh Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (R.G.); (F.L.); (S.R.)
| | - Frank Leon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (R.G.); (F.L.); (S.R.)
| | - Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (R.G.); (F.L.); (S.R.)
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (R.G.); (F.L.); (S.R.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 681980-5900, USA
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, UNMC, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA
| | - Moorthy P. Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; (R.G.); (F.L.); (S.R.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 681980-5900, USA
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11
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Peláez R, Pariente A, Pérez-Sala Á, Larrayoz IM. Integrins: Moonlighting Proteins in Invadosome Formation. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050615. [PMID: 31052560 PMCID: PMC6562994 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invadopodia are actin-rich protrusions developed by transformed cells in 2D/3D environments that are implicated in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and degradation. These structures have an undoubted association with cancer invasion and metastasis because invadopodium formation in vivo is a key step for intra/extravasation of tumor cells. Invadopodia are closely related to other actin-rich structures known as podosomes, which are typical structures of normal cells necessary for different physiological processes during development and organogenesis. Invadopodia and podosomes are included in the general term 'invadosomes,' as they both appear as actin puncta on plasma membranes next to extracellular matrix metalloproteinases, although organization, regulation, and function are slightly different. Integrins are transmembrane proteins implicated in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and other important processes such as molecular signaling, mechano-transduction, and cell functions, e.g., adhesion, migration, or invasion. It is noteworthy that integrin expression is altered in many tumors, and other pathologies such as cardiovascular or immune dysfunctions. Over the last few years, growing evidence has suggested a role of integrins in the formation of invadopodia. However, their implication in invadopodia formation and adhesion to the ECM is still not well known. This review focuses on the role of integrins in invadopodium formation and provides a general overview of the involvement of these proteins in the mechanisms of metastasis, taking into account classic research through to the latest and most advanced work in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Peláez
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
| | - Ana Pariente
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
| | - Álvaro Pérez-Sala
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
| | - Ignacio M Larrayoz
- Biomarkers and Molecular Signaling Group, Neurodegenerative Diseases Area Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, CIBIR, c.p., 26006. Logroño, Spain.
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12
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Barkeer S, Chugh S, Karmakar S, Kaushik G, Rauth S, Rachagani S, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Novel role of O-glycosyltransferases GALNT3 and B3GNT3 in the self-renewal of pancreatic cancer stem cells. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:1157. [PMID: 30466404 PMCID: PMC6251200 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-5074-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycosylation plays a critical role in the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer (PC). Emerging evidences indicate significant involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in PC aggressiveness. However, the importance of glycosylation in pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) is yet to be addressed. Hence, we evaluated the potential role of glycosylation in maintenance of stemness of PCSCs. METHODS Effect of glycosylation specific inhibitors on growth and PCSCs of PC cells was assessed by MTT assay and Side Population (SP) analysis. Isolated PCSCs/SP were characterized using molecular and functional assays. Expression of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) was analyzed in PCSCs by western blotting. Effect of tunicamycin on PCSCs was analyzed by tumorsphere, clonogenicity, migration assay and immunoblotting for CSCs markers. The differential expression of glycogenes in PCSCs compared to non-CSCs were determined by RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Co-expression of GALNT3 and B3GNT3 with CD44v6 was assessed in progression stages of KrasG12D; Pdx-1-Cre (KC) and KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) tumors by immunofluorescence. Transient and CRISPR/Cas9 silencing of GALNT3 and B3GNT3 was performed to examine their effect on CSCs maintenance. RESULTS Inhibition of glycosylation decreased growth and CSCs/SP in PC cells. PCSCs overexpressed CSC markers (CD44v6, ESA, SOX2, SOX9 and ABCG2), exhibited global expressional variation of TACAs and showed higher self-renewal potential. Specifically, N-glycosylation inhibition, significantly decreased tumorsphere formation, migration, and clonogenicity of PCSCs, as well as hypo-glycosylated CD44v6 and ESA. Of note, glycosyltransferases (GFs), GALNT3 and B3GNT3, were significantly overexpressed in PCSCs and co-expressed with CD44v6 at advanced PDAC stages in KC and KPC tumors. Further, GALNT3 and B3GNT3 knockdown led to a decrease in the expression of cell surface markers (CD44v6 and ESA) and self-renewal markers (SOX2 and OCT3/4) in PCSCs. Interestingly, CD44v6 was modified with sialyl Lewis a in PCSCs. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated GALNT3 KO significantly decreased self-renewal, clonogenicity, and migratory capacity in PCSCs. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, for the first time, our study showed the importance of glycosylation in mediating growth, stemness, and maintenance of PCSCs. These results indicate that elevated GALNT3 and B3GNT3 expression in PCSCs regulate stemness through modulating CSC markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Barkeer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Seema Chugh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Saswati Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Garima Kaushik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
| | - Moorthy P. Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
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13
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Ye J, Wei X, Shang Y, Pan Q, Yang M, Tian Y, He Y, Peng Z, Chen L, Chen W, Wang R. Core 3 mucin-type O-glycan restoration in colorectal cancer cells promotes MUC1/p53/miR-200c-dependent epithelial identity. Oncogene 2017; 36:6391-6407. [PMID: 28745318 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The attachment of cell-surface carbohydrates to proteins mediated by the amino acids serine or threonine (O-glycan) is involved in tumor metastasis; the roles of O-glycans vary depending on their structure, but the detailed mechanisms by which O-glycans trigger signaling to control tumor metastasis are largely unknown. In this study, we found that the reduced expression of core 3 synthase correlated with metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs, resulting in poor prognosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Mechanically, we revealed that mucin-type core 3 O-glycan was synthesized at the membrane-tethered MUC1 N terminus because of core 3 synthase expression in colon cancer cells. This further inhibited the translocation of MUC1-C to the nucleus, initiated p53 gene transcription that was dependent on the inhibition of MUC1-C nucleus translocation, activated p53-mediated miR-200c expression and resulted in mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Inhibition of MUC1 via small interfering RNA (siRNA) in re-expressed core 3 synthase colon cancer cells further inhibited MUC1-C nucleus translocation, increased p53 and miR-200c expression, and enhanced MET. However, inhibition of p53 via siRNA or miR-200c via miR-200c inhibitor in re-expressed core 3 synthase colon cancer cells promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a reversible manner. Core 3 synthase mRNA levels and the p53 mRNA levels or miR-200c levels in the colon cancerous samples were positively correlated. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism linking mucin-type core 3 O-glycan to the EMT-MET plasticity of CRC cells via MUC1/p53/miR-200c-dependent signaling cascade and shed light on therapeutic strategies to treat this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - X Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Shang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Q Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - M Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Z Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - W Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - R Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Rao CV, Janakiram NB, Mohammed A. Molecular Pathways: Mucins and Drug Delivery in Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:1373-1378. [PMID: 28039261 PMCID: PMC6038927 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, clinical and preclinical studies have clearly demonstrated the role of mucins in tumor development. It is well established that mucins form a barrier impeding drug access to target sites, leading to cancer chemoresistance. Recently gained knowledge regarding core enzyme synthesis has opened avenues to explore the possibility of disrupting mucin synthesis to improve drug efficacy. Cancer cells exploit aberrant mucin synthesis to efficiently mask the epithelial cells and ensure survival under hostile tumor microenvironment conditions. However, O-glycan synthesis enzyme core 2 beta 1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GCNT3/C2GnT-2) is overexpressed in Kras-driven mouse and human cancer, and inhibition of GCNT3 has been shown to disrupt mucin synthesis. This previously unrecognized developmental pathway might be responsible for aberrant mucin biosynthesis and chemoresistance. In this Molecular Pathways article, we briefly discuss the potential role of mucin synthesis in cancers, ways to improve drug delivery and disrupt mucin mesh to overcome chemoresistance by targeting mucin synthesis, and the unique opportunity to target the GCNT3 pathway for the prevention and treatment of cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 23(6); 1373-8. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinthalapally V Rao
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Hematology and Oncology Section, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
| | - Naveena B Janakiram
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Hematology and Oncology Section, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Altaf Mohammed
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Hematology and Oncology Section, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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15
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Functional Consequences of Differential O-glycosylation of MUC1, MUC4, and MUC16 (Downstream Effects on Signaling). Biomolecules 2016; 6:biom6030034. [PMID: 27483328 PMCID: PMC5039420 DOI: 10.3390/biom6030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications that occur within the cell. Under normal physiological conditions, O-linked glycosylation of extracellular proteins is critical for both structure and function. During the progression of cancer, however, the expression of aberrant and truncated glycans is commonly observed. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins that contain numerous sites of O-glycosylation within their extracellular domains. Transmembrane mucins also play a functional role in monitoring the surrounding microenvironment and transducing these signals into the cell. In cancer, these mucins often take on an oncogenic role and promote a number of pro-tumorigenic effects, including pro-survival, migratory, and invasive behaviors. Within this review, we highlight both the processes involved in the expression of aberrant glycan structures on mucins, as well as the potential downstream impacts on cellular signaling.
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16
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Biochemical and functional characterization of glycosylation-associated mutational landscapes in colon cancer. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23642. [PMID: 27004849 PMCID: PMC4804330 DOI: 10.1038/srep23642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of aberrant protein glycosylation, a pathological alteration widespread in colorectal cancers (CRC), and the mechanisms by which it contributes to tumor progression remain largely unknown. We performed targeted re-sequencing of 430 glycosylation-associated genes in a series of patient-derived CRC cell lines (N = 31) and matched primary tumor tissues, identifying 12 new significantly mutated glycosylation-associated genes in colon cancer. In particular, we observed an enrichment of mutations in genes (B3GNT2, B4GALT2, ST6GALNAC2) involved in the biosynthesis of N- and Cores 1–3 O-linked glycans in the colon, accounting for ~16% of the CRCs tested. Analysis of independent large-scale tumor tissue datasets confirmed recurrent mutations within these genes in colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. Systematic biochemical and phenotypic characterization of the candidate wild-type and mutant glycosyltransferases demonstrated these mutations as either markedly altering protein localization, post-translational modification, encoded enzymatic activities and/or the migratory potential of colon carcinoma cells. These findings suggest that functionally deleterious mutations in glycosyltransferase genes in part underlie aberrant glycosylation, and contribute to the pathogenesis of molecular subsets of colon and other gastrointestinal malignancies.
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17
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Ye J, Song L, Liu Y, Pan Q, Zhong X, Li S, Shang Y, Tian Y, He Y, Chen L, Chen W, Peng Z, Wang R. Core 2 Mucin-Type O-Glycan Is Related to EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 Adherence to Human Colon Carcinoma HT-29 Epithelial Cells. Dig Dis Sci 2015; 60:1977-90. [PMID: 25701318 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The roles of host glycosylation in interactions with EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 are largely unclear; this study examined whether O-glycans are involved in EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 adherence to HT-29 cells. METHODS Bacterial adherence to the cultured cells was determined using the direct co-staining of adherent bacteria and host cells, the adherent bacteria plating, and/or the direct fluorescent observation of the adherent GFP-labeled bacteria. RESULTS A comparison of the adherence of EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 to HT-29-Gal and HT-29 cells indicated that the differentiation of HT-29 cells led to a reduction in the adherence of EPEC and EHEC O157:H7. EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 adhesion decreased after the abrogation of O-glycan biosynthesis mediated by benzyl-α-GalNAc treatment. Core 2 O-glycan-deficient HT-29 cells induced by C2GnT2 knockdown had a significant reduction in EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 adhesion in C2GnT2-sh2/HT-29 cells compared with HT-29 and shRNA-Ctr/HT-29 cells. MUC2 expression in benzyl-α-GalNAc-treated HT-29 cells was significantly reduced but unchanged in C2GnT2-deficient HT-29 cells. EPEC or EHEC O157:H7 infection in C2GnT2-deficient HT-29 cells deteriorated the epithelial barrier function. The occludin expression in the shRNA-Ctr/HT-29 and C2GnT2-sh2/HT-29 cells after infection with EPEC or EHEC O157:H7 was pyknic and discontinuous at the cell surface compared with its continuous distribution of control cells. These data indicate that EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 adherence to HT-29 cells is related to mucin-type core 2 O-glycan. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the concepts toward the design of carbohydrate-dependent inhibition of EPEC and EHEC O157:H7 adhesion to human intestinal epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China
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Immature truncated O-glycophenotype of cancer directly induces oncogenic features. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E4066-75. [PMID: 25118277 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1406619111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of immature truncated O-glycans is a characteristic feature observed on virtually all epithelial cancer cells, and a very high frequency is observed in early epithelial premalignant lesions that precede the development of adenocarcinomas. Expression of the truncated O-glycan structures Tn and sialyl-Tn is strongly associated with poor prognosis and overall low survival. The genetic and biosynthetic mechanisms leading to accumulation of truncated O-glycans are not fully understood and include mutation or dysregulation of glycosyltransferases involved in elongation of O-glycans, as well as relocation of glycosyltransferases controlling initiation of O-glycosylation from Golgi to endoplasmic reticulum. Truncated O-glycans have been proposed to play functional roles for cancer-cell invasiveness, but our understanding of the biological functions of aberrant glycosylation in cancer is still highly limited. Here, we used exome sequencing of most glycosyltransferases in a large series of primary and metastatic pancreatic cancers to rule out somatic mutations as a cause of expression of truncated O-glycans. Instead, we found hypermethylation of core 1 β3-Gal-T-specific molecular chaperone, a key chaperone for O-glycan elongation, as the most prevalent cause. We next used gene editing to produce isogenic cell systems with and without homogenous truncated O-glycans that enabled, to our knowledge, the first polyomic and side-by-side evaluation of the cancer O-glycophenotype in an organotypic tissue model and in xenografts. The results strongly suggest that truncation of O-glycans directly induces oncogenic features of cell growth and invasion. The study provides support for targeting cancer-specific truncated O-glycans with immunotherapeutic measures.
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Liu X, Huang H, Remmers N, Hollingsworth MA. Loss of E-cadherin and epithelial to mesenchymal transition is not required for cell motility in tissues or for metastasis. Tissue Barriers 2014; 2:e969112. [PMID: 25610757 PMCID: PMC4292045 DOI: 10.4161/21688362.2014.969112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of E-cadherin has been long considered to be a major hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and has been reported in various cancers. P120 catenin regulates E-cadherin stability on the cell surface and also plays a role in intracellular signaling by modulating nuclear transcription. We recently characterized the nature of interactions between p120 catenin and Mucin 1 (MUC1) in pancreatic cancer. Expression of different p120 catenin isoforms with and without MUC1 induced distinct morphologies, cell adhesion, and dynamic properties of motility along with different metastatic properties in vivo. Re-expression of p120 catenin isoform 3A in the context of MUC1 expression in a p120 catenin-deficient cell line stabilized expression of E-cadherin. However, orthotopic implantation of tumors using this stable cell line produced large metastatic lesions to the liver, which exceeded the volume of the primary tumor, suggesting down regulation of E-cadherin is not required for tumor metastasis. Here we extend those studies by showing that ectopic expression of E-cadherin does not block in vitro invasion of the pancreatic cancer cells, and instead accelerated the rate of tumor invasion. Furthermore, results from 23 cases of human pancreatic primary tumor specimens revealed that most tumors exhibiting metastatic activity retained epithelial morphology and E-cadherin gene expression. Our results indicate that loss of E-cadherin and EMT are not required for metastasis and that an epithelial morphology can be maintained during the process of tumor cell movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology; Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center; Mayo Clinic ; Jacksonville, FL USA ; Eppley Institute For Research in Cancer and Allied Disease; University of Nebraska Medical Center ; Omaha, NE USA
| | - Huocong Huang
- Department of Biochemisty and Molecular Biology; University of Nebraska Medical Center ; Omaha, NE USA
| | - Neeley Remmers
- Department of General Surgery; Veterans Administration; University of Nebraska Medical Center ; Omaha, NE USA
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- Eppley Institute For Research in Cancer and Allied Disease; University of Nebraska Medical Center ; Omaha, NE USA
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Häuselmann I, Borsig L. Altered tumor-cell glycosylation promotes metastasis. Front Oncol 2014; 4:28. [PMID: 24592356 PMCID: PMC3923139 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant transformation of cells is associated with aberrant glycosylation presented on the cell-surface. Commonly observed changes in glycan structures during malignancy encompass aberrant expression and glycosylation of mucins; abnormal branching of N-glycans; and increased presence of sialic acid on proteins and glycolipids. Accumulating evidence supports the notion that the presence of certain glycan structures correlates with cancer progression by affecting tumor-cell invasiveness, ability to disseminate through the blood circulation and to metastasize in distant organs. During metastasis tumor-cell-derived glycans enable binding to cells in their microenvironment including endothelium and blood constituents through glycan-binding receptors – lectins. In this review, we will discuss current concepts how tumor-cell-derived glycans contribute to metastasis with the focus on three types of lectins: siglecs, galectins, and selectins. Siglecs are present on virtually all hematopoietic cells and usually negatively regulate immune responses. Galectins are mostly expressed by tumor cells and support tumor-cell survival. Selectins are vascular adhesion receptors that promote tumor-cell dissemination. All lectins facilitate interactions within the tumor microenvironment and thereby promote cancer progression. The identification of mechanisms how tumor glycans contribute to metastasis may help to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and aid to develop clinical strategies to prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Häuselmann
- Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Zürich , Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Lubor Borsig
- Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Zürich , Zürich , Switzerland
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