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Ramesh J, Gopalakrishnan RM, Nguyen THA, Lai SK, Li HY, Kim PS, Kutzner A, Inoue N, Heese K. Deciphering the molecular landscape of the FAM72 gene family: Implications for stem cell biology and cancer. Neurochem Int 2024; 180:105853. [PMID: 39236808 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105853] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Family with sequence similarity 72 (FAM72) is a protein-coding gene family located on chromosome 1 in humans, uniquely featuring four paralogs: FAM72A, FAM72B, FAM72C, and FAM72D. While FAM72's presence as a gene pair with the SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2 (SRGAP2) is intriguing, its functional roles, particularly in neural stem cells, remain incompletely understood. This review explores the distinct characteristics of FAM72, shedding light on its expression patterns, potential roles in cell cycle regulation, stem cell renewal and implications in neurogenesis and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Ramesh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM Postgraduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600-113, India.
| | - Raja Mohan Gopalakrishnan
- Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600-025, India.
| | - Tuan Hoang Anh Nguyen
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soak-Kuan Lai
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637-551, Singapore.
| | - Hoi-Yeung Li
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637-551, Singapore.
| | - Pok-Son Kim
- Department of Information Security, Cryptology, and Mathematics, Kookmin University, Seoul, 136-702, Republic of Korea.
| | - Arne Kutzner
- Department of Information Systems, College of Computer Science, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
| | - Noriko Inoue
- Osaka University Institute for Sports and Global Health, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Klaus Heese
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
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Nicu AT, Ionel IP, Stoica I, Burlibasa L, Jinga V. Recent Advancements in Research on DNA Methylation and Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Unveiling the Intricate Relationship. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1041. [PMID: 38791003 PMCID: PMC11117643 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051041] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common type of testicular cancer, with a particularly high incidence in the 15-45-year age category. Although highly treatable, resistance to therapy sometimes occurs, with devastating consequences for the patients. Additionally, the young age at diagnosis and the treatment itself pose a great threat to patients' fertility. Despite extensive research concerning genetic and environmental risk factors, little is known about TGCT etiology. However, epigenetics has recently come into the spotlight as a major factor in TGCT initiation, progression, and even resistance to treatment. As such, recent studies have been focusing on epigenetic mechanisms, which have revealed their potential in the development of novel, non-invasive biomarkers. As the most studied epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation was the first revelation in this particular field, and it continues to be a main target of investigations as research into its association with TGCT has contributed to a better understanding of this type of cancer and constantly reveals novel aspects that can be exploited through clinical applications. In addition to biomarker development, DNA methylation holds potential for developing novel treatments based on DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) and may even be of interest for fertility management in cancer survivors. This manuscript is structured as a literature review, which comprehensively explores the pivotal role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment resistance of TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina-Teodora Nicu
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-T.N.); (I.S.)
| | - Ileana Paula Ionel
- Department of Specific Disciplines, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ileana Stoica
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-T.N.); (I.S.)
| | - Liliana Burlibasa
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-T.N.); (I.S.)
| | - Viorel Jinga
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
- The Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
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Cicirò Y, Ragusa D, Sala A. Expression of the checkpoint kinase BUB1 is a predictor of response to cancer therapies. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4461. [PMID: 38396175 PMCID: PMC10891059 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55080-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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of clinically-relevant biomarkers is of upmost importance for the management of cancer, from diagnosis to treatment choices. We performed a pan-cancer analysis of the mitotic checkpoint budding uninhibited by benzimidazole 1 gene BUB1, in the attempt to ascertain its diagnostic and prognostic values, specifically in the context of drug response. BUB1 was found to be overexpressed in the majority of cancers, and particularly elevated in clinically aggressive molecular subtypes. Its expression was correlated with clinico-phenotypic features, notably tumour staging, size, invasion, hypoxia, and stemness. In terms of prognostic value, the expression of BUB1 bore differential clinical outcomes depending on the treatment administered in TCGA cancer cohorts, suggesting sensitivity or resistance, depending on the expression levels. We also integrated in vitro drug sensitivity data from public projects based on correlation between drug efficacy and BUB1 expression to produce a list of candidate compounds with differential responses according to BUB1 levels. Gene Ontology enrichment analyses revealed that BUB1 overexpression in cancer is associated with biological processes related to mitosis and chromosome segregation machinery, reflecting the mechanisms of action of drugs with a differential effect based on BUB1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylenia Cicirò
- Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine (CIRTM), Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Denise Ragusa
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Arturo Sala
- Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine (CIRTM), Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
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Zheng J, Tang H, Yang Y, Yang K. Comprehensive analysis of the prognosis and biological significance of ROR β in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:487-508. [PMID: 37278231 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that abnormal expression of the core circadian clock gene, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor β (RORβ ), is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of various malignant tumors. However, the expression and function of RORβ in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. Here, we comprehensively investigated the altered expression, clinical significance, prognostic value, and biological functions of RORβ in HNSC, as well as its correlation with changes in the tumor immune microenvironment. We found that RORβ expression was decreased in HNSC and 19 other cancers. Low RORβ expression was significantly associated with tumor size, clinical stage, and survival time in HNSC patients, indicating that it may have diagnostic and prognostic value in HNSCC. Epigenetic analysis showed that the promoter methylation level of RORβ was significantly higher in HNSCC compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues. Furthermore, RORβ hypermethylation was significantly associated with low expression levels of RORβ and poor prognosis in HNSCC patients (p < 0.05). Enrichment analysis found that RORβ was involved in immune system regulation and T-cell activation, as well as the PI3K/AKT and ECM receptors interaction pathways. In vitro assays revealed that RORβ regulated the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of HNSCC cells. Additionally, we found that RORβ expression was significantly correlated with changes in the tumor immune microenvironment, suggesting it may affect prognosis by regulating immune infiltration in HNSC patients. Therefore, RORβ may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Zheng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yixin Yang
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kai Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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