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Sun X, Zhang W, Li W, Yu N, Zhang D, Zou Q, Dong Q, Zhang X, Liu Z, Yuan Z, Gao R. SpaGRA: graph augmentation facilitates domain identification for spatially resolved transcriptomics. J Genet Genomics 2024:S1673-8527(24)00253-4. [PMID: 39362628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) have provided new opportunities for characterizing spatial structures of various tissues. Graph-based geometric deep learning have gained widespread adoption for spatial domain identification tasks. Currently, most methods define adjacency relation between cells or spots by their spatial distance in SRT data, which overlooks key biological interactions like gene expression similarities, and leads to inaccuracies in spatial domain identification. To tackle this challenge, we propose a novel method, SpaGRA (https://github.com/sunxue-yy/SpaGRA), for automatic multi-relationship construction based on graph augmentation. SpaGRA uses spatial distance as prior knowledge and dynamically adjusts edge weights with multi-head graph attention networks (GATs). This helps SpaGRA to uncover diverse node relationships and enhance message passing in geometric contrastive learning. Additionally, SpaGRA uses these multi-view relationships to construct negative samples, addressing sampling bias posed by random selection. Experimental results show that SpaGRA demonstrates superior domain identification performance on multiple datasets generated from different protocols. Using SpaGRA, we analyzed the functional regions in the mouse hypothalamus, identified key genes related to heart development in mouse embryos, and observed cancer-associated fibroblasts enveloping cancer cells in the latest Visium HD data. Overall, SpaGRA can effectively characterize spatial structures across diverse SRT datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Sun
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China
| | - Wenrui Li
- MOE Key Lab of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division of BNRIST, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Na Yu
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China
| | - Daoliang Zhang
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China
| | - Qi Zou
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China
| | - Qiongye Dong
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Xianglin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250033, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China
| | - Zhiyuan Yuan
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Rui Gao
- Center of Intelligent Medicine, School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250061, China.
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Qi X. EP300 promotes tumor stemness via epigenetic activation of CRISP3 leading to lobaplatin resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Hum Cell 2024; 37:1475-1488. [PMID: 38879857 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01091-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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Lobaplatin shows antitumor activity against a wide range of tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and has been linked to cancer stem cell pool. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms behind lobaplatin resistance and stemness in vitro and in vivo. Two chemoresistance-related GEO data sets (GSE70690 and GSE103115) were included to screen out relevant genes. Cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP3) was found to be overexpressed in lobaplatin-resistant TNBC and related to poor diagnosis. CRISP3 expression was significantly correlated with tumor stemness markers in lobaplatin-resistant cells. E1A-associated protein p300 (EP300) regulated CRISP3 expression by affecting the H3K27ac modification of the CRISP3 promoter. In addition, knocking down EP300 curbed the malignant biological behavior of lobaplatin-resistant cells, which was antagonized by CRISP3 overexpression. Collectively, our results highlight the EP300/CRISP3 axis as a key driver of lobaplatin resistance in TNBC and suggest that therapeutic targeting of this axis may be an effective strategy for enhancing platinum sensitivity in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaowei Qi
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Ivanova D, Fakis G, Boukouvala S. Differential expression of NAT1 pharmacogene in hormone receptor positive vs. negative female breast tumors may affect drug treatment. Pharmacogenet Genomics 2024; 34:246-251. [PMID: 38842463 DOI: 10.1097/fpc.0000000000000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Studies have reported overexpression of NAT1 gene for xenobiotic metabolizing arylamine N -acetyltransferase type 1 in estrogen receptor positive breast tumors, and this association has been linked to patient chemoresistance and response to tamoxifen. We probed the expression of NAT1 , using quantitative reverse transcription PCR to screen clinically characterized breast cancer tissue cDNA arrays. Primers detecting all NAT1 alternative transcripts were used, and the protocol and results are reported according to consensus guidelines. The clinical information about 166 tumor samples screened is provided, including tumor stage, estrogen and progesterone receptor status and HER2 expression. NAT1 was found to be significantly ( P < 0.001) upregulated in hormone receptor positive vs. negative tumors. No correlation was apparent between NAT1 and tumor stage or HER2 expression. Our findings demonstrate a strong correlation between the expression of NAT1 and steroid hormone receptors in breast tumors, supporting its possible utility as a pharmacogenetic biomarker or drug target. Of the two polymorphic NAT genes, NAT1 is the one primarily expressed in breast tissue, and is subjected to regulation by two differential promoters and more than one polyadenylation signal. Hormonal factors may enhance NAT1 gene expression at the transcriptional or epigenetic level, and tamoxifen has additionally been shown to inhibit NAT1 enzymatic activity. The outcome of tamoxifen treatment is also more favorable in patients with NAT1 overexpressing tumors. The study adds to the growing body of evidence implicating NAT1 in breast cancer and its pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desislava Ivanova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Friedemann M, Jandeck C, Tautz L, Gutewort K, von Rein L, Sukocheva O, Fuessel S, Menschikowski M. Blood-Based DNA Methylation Analysis by Multiplexed OBBPA-ddPCR to Verify Indications for Prostate Biopsies in Suspected Prostate Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1324. [PMID: 38611002 PMCID: PMC11010987 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Current prostate carcinoma (PCa) biomarkers, including total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), have unsatisfactory diagnostic sensitivity and specificity resulting in overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Previously, we described an optimised bias-based preamplification-digital droplet PCR (OBBPA-ddPCR) technique, which detects tumour DNA in blood-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of cancer patients. The current study investigated the performance of newly developed OBBPA-ddPCR-based biomarkers. Blood plasma samples from healthy individuals (n = 90, controls) and PCa (n = 39) and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients (BPH, n = 40) were analysed. PCa and BPH patients had tPSA values within a diagnostic grey area of 2-15 ng/mL, for whom further diagnostic validation is most crucial. Methylation levels of biomarkers RASSF1A, MIR129-2, NRIP3, and SOX8 were found significantly increased in PCa patients compared to controls. By combining classical PCa risk factors (percentage of free PSA compared to tPSA (QfPSA) and patient's age) with cfDNA-based biomarkers, we developed PCa risk scores with improved sensitivity and specificity compared to established tPSA and QfPSA single-marker analyses. The diagnostic specificity was increased to 70% with 100% sensitivity for clinically significant PCa patients. Thus, prostate biopsies could be avoided for 28 out of 40 BPH patients. In conclusion, the newly developed risk scores may help to confirm the clinical decision and prevent unnecessary prostate biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Friedemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.J.); (K.G.); (L.v.R.)
| | - Carsten Jandeck
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.J.); (K.G.); (L.v.R.)
| | - Lars Tautz
- Joint Practice of Urology “Am Blauen Wunder”, Schillerplatz 2, 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Gutewort
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.J.); (K.G.); (L.v.R.)
| | - Lisa von Rein
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.J.); (K.G.); (L.v.R.)
| | - Olga Sukocheva
- Department of Hepatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Port Rd., Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Susanne Fuessel
- Clinic of Urology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Mario Menschikowski
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (C.J.); (K.G.); (L.v.R.)
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Li S, Chen X, Chen J, Wu B, Liu J, Guo Y, Li M, Pu X. Multi-omics integration analysis of GPCRs in pan-cancer to uncover inter-omics relationships and potential driver genes. Comput Biol Med 2023; 161:106988. [PMID: 37201441 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest drug target family. Unfortunately, applications of GPCRs in cancer therapy are scarce due to very limited knowledge regarding their correlations with cancers. Multi-omics data enables systematic investigations of GPCRs, yet their effective integration remains a challenge due to the complexity of the data. Here, we adopt two types of integration strategies, multi-staged and meta-dimensional approaches, to fully characterize somatic mutations, somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs), DNA methylations, and mRNA expressions of GPCRs in 33 cancers. Results from the multi-staged integration reveal that GPCR mutations cannot well predict expression dysregulation. The correlations between expressions and SCNAs are primarily positive, while correlations of the methylations with expressions and SCNAs are bimodal with negative correlations predominating. Based on these correlations, 32 and 144 potential cancer-related GPCRs driven by aberrant SCNA and methylation are identified, respectively. In addition, the meta-dimensional integration analysis is carried out by using deep learning models, which predict more than one hundred GPCRs as potential oncogenes. When comparing results between the two integration strategies, 165 cancer-related GPCRs are common in both, suggesting that they should be prioritized in future studies. However, 172 GPCRs emerge in only one, indicating that the two integration strategies should be considered concurrently to complement the information missed by the other such that obtain a more comprehensive understanding. Finally, correlation analysis further reveals that GPCRs, in particular for the class A and adhesion receptors, are generally immune-related. In a whole, the work is for the first time to reveal the associations between different omics layers and highlight the necessity of combing the two strategies in identifying cancer-related GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Li
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Jianfang Chen
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Binjian Wu
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Yanzhi Guo
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Menglong Li
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
| | - Xuemei Pu
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
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Belpaire M, Taminiau A, Geerts D, Rezsohazy R. HOXA1, a breast cancer oncogene. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188747. [PMID: 35675857 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
More than 25 years ago, the first literature records mentioned HOXA1 expression in human breast cancer. A few years later, HOXA1 was confirmed as a proper oncogene in mammary tissue. In the following two decades, molecular data about the mode of action of the HOXA1 protein, the factors contributing to activate and maintain HOXA1 gene expression and the identity of its target genes have accumulated and provide a wider view on the association of this transcription factor to breast oncogenesis. Large-scale transcriptomic data gathered from wide cohorts of patients further allowed refining the relationship between breast cancer type and HOXA1 expression. Several recent reports have reviewed the connection between cancer hallmarks and the biology of HOX genes in general. Here we take HOXA1 as a paradigm and propose an extensive overview of the molecular data centered on this oncoprotein, from what its expression modulators, to the interactors contributing to its oncogenic activities, and to the pathways and genes it controls. The data converge to an intricate picture that answers questions on the multi-modality of its oncogene activities, point towards better understanding of breast cancer aetiology and thereby provides an appraisal for treatment opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Belpaire
- Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Group (AMCB), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Taminiau
- Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Group (AMCB), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Dirk Geerts
- Heart Failure Research Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center (AMC), Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - René Rezsohazy
- Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Group (AMCB), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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7
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Gonzalez SN, Sulzyk V, Weigel Muñoz M, Cuasnicu PS. Cysteine-Rich Secretory Proteins (CRISP) are Key Players in Mammalian Fertilization and Fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:800351. [PMID: 34970552 PMCID: PMC8712725 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.800351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization is a complex process involving a series of successive sperm-egg interaction steps mediated by different molecules and mechanisms. Studies carried out during the past 30 years, using a group of proteins named CRISP (Cysteine-RIch Secretory Proteins), have significantly contributed to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian gamete interaction. The CRISP family is composed of four members (i.e., CRISP1-4) in mammals, mainly expressed in the male tract, present in spermatozoa and exhibiting Ca2+ channel regulatory abilities. Biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches show that each CRISP protein participates in more than one stage of gamete interaction (i.e., cumulus penetration, sperm-ZP binding, ZP penetration, gamete fusion) by either ligand-receptor interactions or the regulation of several capacitation-associated events (i.e., protein tyrosine phosphorylation, acrosome reaction, hyperactivation, etc.) likely through their ability to regulate different sperm ion channels. Moreover, deletion of different numbers and combination of Crisp genes leading to the generation of single, double, triple and quadruple knockout mice showed that CRISP proteins are essential for male fertility and are involved not only in gamete interaction but also in previous and subsequent steps such as sperm transport within the female tract and early embryo development. Collectively, these observations reveal that CRISP have evolved to perform redundant as well as specialized functions and are organized in functional modules within the family that work through independent pathways and contribute distinctly to fertility success. Redundancy and compensation mechanisms within protein families are particularly important for spermatozoa which are transcriptionally and translationally inactive cells carrying numerous protein families, emphasizing the importance of generating multiple knockout models to unmask the true functional relevance of family proteins. Considering the high sequence and functional homology between rodent and human CRISP proteins, these observations will contribute to a better understanding and diagnosis of human infertility as well as the development of new contraceptive options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patricia S. Cuasnicu
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Khan S, Hussain A, Attar F, Bloukh SH, Edis Z, Sharifi M, Balali E, Nemati F, Derakhshankhah H, Zeinabad HA, Nabi F, Khan RH, Hao X, Lin Y, Hua L, Ten Hagen TLM, Falahati M. A review of the berberine natural polysaccharide nanostructures as potential anticancer and antibacterial agents. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112531. [PMID: 34906771 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the promising medicinal properties, berberine (BBR), due to its relatively poor solubility in plasma, low bio-stability and limited bioavailability is not used broadly in clinical stages. Due to these drawbacks, drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on nanoscale natural polysaccharides, are applied to address these concerns. Natural polymers are biodegradable, non-immunogenic, biocompatible, and non-toxic agents that are capable of trapping large amounts of hydrophobic compounds in relatively small volumes. The use of nanoscale natural polysaccharide improves the stability and pharmacokinetics of the small molecules and, consequently, increases the therapeutic effects and reduces the side effects of the small molecules. Therefore, this paper presents an overview of the different methods used for increasing the BBR solubility and bioavailability. Afterwards, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic of BBR nanostructures were discussed followed by the introduction of natural polysaccharides of plant (cyclodextrines, glucomannan), the shells of crustaceans (chitosan), and the cell wall of brown marine algae (alginate)-based origins used to improve the dissolution rate of poorly soluble BBR and their anticancer and antibacterial properties. Finally, the anticancer and antibacterial mechanisms of free BBR and BBR nanostructures were surveyed. In conclusion, this review may pave the way for providing some useful data in the development of BBR-based platforms for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suliman Khan
- Advanced Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farnoosh Attar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Food Industry & Agriculture, Standard Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Samir Haj Bloukh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, PO Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zehra Edis
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, PO Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Majid Sharifi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Balali
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Nemati
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Derakhshankhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hojjat Alizadeh Zeinabad
- Apoptosis Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; Institute of Pathology, Univesity of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Faisal Nabi
- Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, India
| | | | - Xiao Hao
- Advanced Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Yueting Lin
- High Level Talent Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Linlin Hua
- Advanced Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China.
| | - Timo L M Ten Hagen
- Laboratory Experimental Oncology, Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, 3015GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Mojtaba Falahati
- Laboratory Experimental Oncology, Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, 3015GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Wang Y, Li M, Zhang L, Chen Y, Zhang S. m6A demethylase FTO induces NELL2 expression by inhibiting E2F1 m6A modification leading to metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 21:367-376. [PMID: 34169146 PMCID: PMC8190133 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents one of the primary causes of cancer-related mortality all over the world. Following our initial finding of the upregulated expression of E2F transcription factor-1 (E2F1) in the NSCLC-related microarray, this study aimed to explore the regulatory role of E2F1 and underlying mechanism in NSCLC development. NSCLC cell viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated utilizing Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU), wound-healing, and Transwell assays. Loss- and gain-function assays were performed to determine the effects of the fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO)/E2F1/neural epidermal growth factor-like 2 (NELL2) axis on NSCLC cell behaviors in vitro and NSCLC tumor growth in vivo. E2F1 was highly expressed in both NSCLC tissues and cells. E2F1 augmented the viability, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells, which was attributable to E2F1 transcriptionally activating NELL2. FTO upregulated the expression of E2F1 by inhibiting the m6A modification of E2F1. The FTO/E2F1/NELL2 axis modulated NSCLC cell viability, migration, and invasion in vitro as well as affected NSCLC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The FTO/E2F1/NELL2 axis may impart pro-tumorigenic effects on the cell behavior of NSCLC cells and thus accelerate NSCLC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning Province, P.R. China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Radiology and Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning Province, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning Province, P.R. China
| | - Yitong Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning Province, P.R. China
| | - Shoudan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning Province, P.R. China
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Acconcia F. The Network of Angiotensin Receptors in Breast Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061336. [PMID: 32471115 PMCID: PMC7349848 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a network of proteins regulating many aspects of human physiology, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, and immune system physiology. The RAS is a complicated network of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) (i.e., AT1R, AT2R, MASR, and MRGD) orchestrating the effects of several hormones (i.e., angiotensin II, angiotensin (1-7), and alamandine) produced by protease-based transmembrane receptors (ACE1 and ACE2). Two signaling axes have been identified in the RAS endocrine system that mediate the proliferative actions of angiotensin II (i.e., the AT1R-based pathway) or the anti-proliferative effects of RAS hormones (i.e., the AT2R-, MAS-, and MRGD-based pathways). Disruption of the balance between these two axes can cause different diseases (e.g., cardiovascular pathologies and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2- (SARS-CoV-2)-based COVID-19 disease). It is now accepted that all the components of the RAS endocrine system are expressed in cancer, including cancer of the breast. Breast cancer (BC) is a multifactorial pathology for which there is a continuous need to identify novel drugs. Here, I reviewed the possible roles of both axes of the RAS endocrine network as potential druggable pathways in BC. Remarkably, the analysis of the current knowledge of the different GPCRs of the RAS molecular system not only confirms that AT1R could be considered a drug target and that its inhibition by losartan and candesartan could be useful in the treatment of BC, but also identifies Mas-related GPCR member D (MRGD) as a druggable protein. Overall, the RAS of GPCRs offers multifaceted opportunities for the development of additional compounds for the treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Technology Section, University Roma TRE, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, I-00146 Rome, Italy
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