Autocrine motility factor-receptor gene expression in lung cancer

Autocrine motility factor receptor promotes the malignancy of glioblastoma by regulating cell migration and invasion

OBJECTIVE

One of the important causes of death in cancer patients is malignant metastasis, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Metastasis is also the most basic physiological characteristics and pathogenesis of various tumors. Previously published studies have suggested that autocrine motor factor receptor (AMFR) is the key regulator of tumor cell migration and invasion. Meanwhile, AMFR is highly expressed in esophageal tumors, gastrointestinal tumors, and bladder cancer, and it is also involved in its pathogenesis. However, the role of AMFR in glioblastoma has not been reported.

METHODS

In order to study the role of AMFR in the cell migration and invasion of glioblastoma, AMFR was silenced using siRNA and overexpressed using cDNA. Immunoblotting analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed to assess the expression of AMFR. We conducted wound healing assay, cell migration assay, and tumorsphere formation assay to detect the invasion and metastatic ability of glioblastoma.

RESULTS

This study found that the level of AMFR expression was significantly correlated with the malignant degree of glioma tissue in clinic samples. AMFR silencing decreased cell migration and invasion of LN229. Overexpression of AMFR significantly increased cell migration and invasion of U251.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that AMFR could be used as a therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of glioblastoma.

Gp78 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase: Essential Functions and Contributions in Proteostasis

As per the requirement of metabolism and fitness, normal cellular functions are controlled by several proteins, and their interactive molecular and signaling events at multiple levels. Protein quality control (PQC) mechanisms ensure the correct folding and proper utilization of these proteins to avoid their misfolding and aggregation. To maintain the optimum environment of complex proteome PQC system employs various E3 ubiquitin ligases for the selective degradation of aberrant proteins. Glycoprotein 78 (Gp78) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that prevents multifactorial deleterious accumulation of different misfolded proteins via endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). However, the precise role of Gp78 under stress conditions to avoid bulk misfolded aggregation is unclear, which can act as a crucial resource to establish the dynamic nature of the proteome. Present article systematically explains the detailed molecular characterization of Gp78 and also addresses its various cellular physiological functions, which could be crucial to achieving protein homeostasis. Here, we comprehensively represent the current findings of Gp78, which shows its PQC roles in different physiological functions and diseases; and thereby propose novel opportunities to better understand the unsolved questions for therapeutic interventions linked with different protein misfolding disorders.

The role and therapeutic implications of RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligases in hepatocellular carcinoma

Increasing evidence indicates that deregulation of RING-finger ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s) involves in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These RING-finger E3s serve as oncoproteins or tumor suppressors in HCC under specific conditions. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about abnormal RING-finger E3s and their clinical significance in the development of HCC, and discuss parts of critical substrates for these RING-finger E3s in detail. Furthermore, in light of success of Bortezomib in treating hematological malignancies, we describe the preclinical and clinical studies of therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant RING-finger E3s in HCC.

Expression of autocrine motility factor mRNA is a poor prognostic factor in high-grade astrocytoma

It has been reported that tumor infiltration is correlated with the expression of autocrine motility factor (AMF) and its receptor 78 kDa glycoprotein (gp78). The purpose of the present study was to detect AMF and gp78 mRNA expression levels and their localization in high-grade astrocytomas (glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma) and to determine whether AMF and gp78 are important prognostic factors. A total of 32 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded glioblastomas and 23 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded anaplastic astrocytomas was used. The expressions of AMF and gp78 mRNA were detected using the highly sensitive in situ hybridization method. The expression of AMF mRNA was detected in 27 of 32 glioblastomas (84.4%) and 11 of 23 anaplastic astrocytomas (47.8%). The positivity of AMF mRNA was significantly higher in glioblastomas than in anaplastic astrocytomas (P = 0.0094), but gp78 mRNA was detected in most cases and no statistical significance was observed. The overall survival of patients with AMF expression was significantly shorter than patients without AMF expression (P = 0.0175). In anaplastic astrocytomas, the overall survival of patients with AMF expression was also significantly shorter than in patients without AMF expression (P = 0.0058). This study demonstrated that AMF is a poor prognostic factor in high-grade astrocytomas.

How will lung cancer be treated in the future?

Lung cancer is still considered the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in industrialized countries. Despite improvements in cancer diagnosis and therapy, the present 5-year survival rate of 14% is only slightly higher than the survival rate of 8% in the early 1960s. At present, a survival plateau has been reached by the current management of lung cancer, including surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy. Although prevention and early diagnosis are undoubtedly important, more innovative treatment approaches and new agents that affect alternate mechanisms in tumor cells are needed. Since molecular targets of tumorigenesis and metastasis are currently the focus of lung cancer research, this review will summarize the most important molecular approaches and clinical trials of novel therapeutics.