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Chen J, Huang X, Zhang S, Zhu X. ATF4 inhibits tumor development and mediates p-GCN2/ASNS upregulation in colon cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13042. [PMID: 38844625 PMCID: PMC11156644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63895-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer (CC) is a highly malignant tumor with a high incidence and poor prognosis. This study aimed to explore the function and molecular mechanisms of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in CC. The expression levels of ATF4, GCN2, and ASNS in CC tissues were measured using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), clone formation, transwell, and flow cytometry assays were conducted to assess cell viability, clonogenicity, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis, respectively, in the ATF4 knockdown and overexpression SW480 cell lines. The effect of ATF4 on the expression of GCN2 and ASNS was detected using RT-qPCR, Chip-qPCR, and western blotting. ATF4, GCN2, and ASNS were expressed at low levels in CC tissues, and all had a significant negative correlation with tumor diameter. ATF4 knockdown promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and S-phase cell cycle and inhibited apoptosis in SW480 cells. In contrast, ATF4 overexpression had the opposite effect. Furthermore, ATF4 overexpression enhanced ATF4 binding to the ASNS promoter region. ATF4 knockdown significantly inhibited the expression of p-GCN2 and ASNS, whereas ATF4 overexpression significantly upregulated their expression. ATF4 inhibited CC cell viability, clone formation ability, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis, possibly by regulating the expression of p-GCN2 and ASNS. Our study provides a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 71 Hedi Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
| | - Xiaodong Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 71 Hedi Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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Yang L, Xiao Y, Deng S, Yan D, Li Z, Wang Y, Lei C. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 4-Induced Up-Regulated LINC01278 Enhances Proliferation and Invasion of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells via the MicroRNA-877-5p/Activating Transcription Factor 4 Axis. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2024; 21:595-608. [PMID: 38466361 PMCID: PMC11087432 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-024-00625-5] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific effects of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4)-induced long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 1278 (LINC01278) on the growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells involved in the microRNA (miR)-877-5p/activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4) axis. METHODS NSCLC tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue were collected. Human normal lung epithelial cell BEAS-2B and human NSCLC cell lines (H1299, H1975, A549, H2228) were collected. The expression levels of STAT4, LINC01278, miR-877-5p, and ATF4 were detected. A549 cells were screened for subsequent experiments. The proliferation ability of cells was detected by colony formation experiment. Cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry. Scratch test and transwell assay were used to detect the migration and invasion ability of cells. Biological function of LINC01278 in NSCLC was confirmed by xenograft experiments. RESULTS Low expression miR-877-5p and high expression of STAT4, LINC01278 and ATF4 were detected in NSCLC. Silenced LINC01278 in A549 cell depressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but facilitated cell apoptosis. LINC01278 was positively correlated with STAT4 and could directly bind to miR-877-5p. Upregulating miR-877-5p suppressed NSCLC cell progression, while downregulating miR-877-5p had the opposite effect. Upregulating miR-877-5p abrogated the effects of silenced LINC01278 on NSCLC cell progression. MiR-877-5p targeted ATF4. ATF4 upregulation could partly restore the carcinogenic effect of LINC01278 in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION Our data supports that STAT4-induced upregulation of LINC01278 promotes NSCLC progression by modulating the miR-877-5p/ATF4 axis, suggesting a novel direction for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- LinZhu Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, KunMing City, 650032, YunNan Province, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- First Department of Pumonary and Critical Care Medicline, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, KunMing City, 650051, YunNan Province, China
| | - ShouJun Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 245 East Renmin Road, Panlong District, KunMing City, 650051, YunNan Province, China
| | - DaiLing Yan
- First Department of Pumonary and Critical Care Medicline, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, KunMing City, 650051, YunNan Province, China
| | - ZhenHua Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 245 East Renmin Road, Panlong District, KunMing City, 650051, YunNan Province, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 245 East Renmin Road, Panlong District, KunMing City, 650051, YunNan Province, China.
| | - ChangCheng Lei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, KunMing City, 650032, YunNan Province, China.
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Chen M, Liu Y, Yang Y, Qiu Y, Wang Z, Li X, Zhang W. Emerging roles of activating transcription factor (ATF) family members in tumourigenesis and immunity: Implications in cancer immunotherapy. Genes Dis 2022; 9:981-999. [PMID: 35685455 PMCID: PMC9170601 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factors, ATFs, are a group of bZIP transcription factors that act as homodimers or heterodimers with a range of other bZIP factors. In general, ATFs respond to extracellular signals, indicating their important roles in maintaining homeostasis. The ATF family includes ATF1, ATF2, ATF3, ATF4, ATF5, ATF6, and ATF7. Consistent with the diversity of cellular processes reported to be regulated by ATFs, the functions of ATFs are also diverse. ATFs play an important role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and inflammation-related pathological processes. The expression and phosphorylation status of ATFs are also related to neurodegenerative diseases and polycystic kidney disease. Various miRNAs target ATFs to regulate cancer proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, sensitivity and resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, ATFs are necessary to maintain cell redox homeostasis. Therefore, deepening our understanding of the regulation and function of ATFs will provide insights into the basic regulatory mechanisms that influence how cells integrate extracellular and intracellular signals into genomic responses through transcription factors. Under pathological conditions, especially in cancer biology and response to treatment, the characterization of ATF dysfunction is important for understanding how to therapeutically utilize ATF2 or other pathways controlled by transcription factors. In this review, we will demonstrate how ATF1, ATF2, ATF3, ATF4, ATF5, ATF6, and ATF7 function in promoting or suppressing cancer development and identify their roles in tumour immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wenling Zhang
- Corresponding author. Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Tongzipo Road 172, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan 410013, PR China.
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Cui MY, Yi X, Zhu DX, Wu J. The Role of Lipid Metabolism in Gastric Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:916661. [PMID: 35785165 PMCID: PMC9240397 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.916661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer has been one of the most common cancers worldwide with extensive metastasis and high mortality. Chemotherapy has been found as a main treatment for metastatic gastric cancer, whereas drug resistance limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy and leads to treatment failure. Chemotherapy resistance in gastric cancer has a complex and multifactorial mechanism, among which lipid metabolism plays a vital role. Increased synthesis of new lipids or uptake of exogenous lipids can facilitate the rapid growth of cancer cells and tumor formation. Lipids form the structural basis of biofilms while serving as signal molecules and energy sources. It is noteworthy that lipid metabolism is capable of inducing drug resistance in gastric cancer cells by reshaping the tumor micro-environment. In this study, new mechanisms of lipid metabolism in gastric cancer and the metabolic pathways correlated with chemotherapy resistance are reviewed. In particular, we discuss the effects of lipid metabolism on autophagy, biomarkers treatment and drug resistance in gastric cancer from the perspective of lipid metabolism. In brief, new insights can be gained into the development of promising therapies through an in-depth investigation of the mechanism of lipid metabolism reprogramming and resensitization to chemotherapy in gastric cancer cells, and scientific treatment can be provided by applying lipid-key enzyme inhibitors as cancer chemical sensitizers in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jun Wu
- *Correspondence: Jun Wu, ; Dan-Xia Zhu,
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Du J, Liu H, Mao X, Qin Y, Fan C. ATF4 promotes lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion partially through regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:1442-1448. [PMID: 33628101 PMCID: PMC7893563 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.43167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a member of the cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein family and has been reported to participate in cancer progression; however, its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the function of ATF4 in non-small cell lung cancer and its molecular regulation. We detected cytoplasmic and nuclear ATF4 expression in lung cancer A549, H1299, and LK2 cells, and the total expression of ATF4 was higher than that in HBE cells (p < 0.05). Higher nuclear ATF4 expression was detected in all these cells compared to cytoplasmic ATF4 expression (p < 0.05). Overexpression of ATF4 in A549 cells significantly promoted cancer cell growth and invasion (p < 0.05). Expression of Wnt signaling molecules, including β-catenin, MMP7, and cyclin D1, and the activity of canonical Wnt signaling were also significantly promoted by ATF4 (p < 0.05). ICG001, a canonical Wnt signaling inhibitor that selectively inhibits β-catenin/ cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CBP) interaction, significantly inhibited cancer cell invasion and Wnt signaling. The function of ATF4 was also significantly inhibited by ICG001 (p < 0.05). However, compared to treatment with ICG001, the invasion ability of cancer cells treated with both ICG001 and ATF4 cDNA significantly increased (p < 0.05), which indicates that the function of ATF4 was not dependent only on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The function of ATF4 in the regulation of β-catenin expression was not significantly affected by ICG001 (p > 0.05). The function of ATF4 to promote the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer cells was abolished by treatment with ICG001 (p > 0.05). These results indicate that ATF4 may contribute to lung cancer progression at least partly by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Du
- Department of Pathology, First affiliated hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Department of Pathology, First affiliated hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyun Mao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Unit of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanan Qin
- Department of Pathology, First affiliated hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuifeng Fan
- Department of Pathology, First affiliated hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, 110001, Shenyang, China
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Pontini L, Marinozzi M. Shedding light on the roles of liver X receptors in cancer by using chemical probes. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 178:3261-3276. [PMID: 32673401 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, liver X receptor-α (LXRα; NR1H3) and liver X receptor-β (LXRβ; NR1H2), are considered master regulators of lipid homeostasis. During the last couple of decades, their pivotal roles in several physiological and pathological processes ranging from energy supply, immunity, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer have been highlighted. In this review, the main results achieved during more recent years about our understanding of the LXR involvement in cancer has been mainly obtained using small-molecule chemical probes. Remarkably, all these probes, albeit having different structure and biological properties, have a well demonstrated anti-tumoral activity arising from LXR modulation, indicating a high potential of LXR targeting for the treatment of cancer. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Pontini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maura Marinozzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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