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Targeting JWA for Cancer Therapy: Functions, Mechanisms and Drug Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194655. [PMID: 36230577 PMCID: PMC9564207 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary JWA has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for several cancers. In this review, we summarize the tumor suppressive functions of the JWA gene and its role in anti-cancer drug development. The focus is on elucidating the key regulatory proteins up and downstream of JWA and their signaling networks. We also discuss current strategies for targeting JWA (JWA peptides, small molecule agonists, and JWA-targeted Pt (IV) prodrugs). Abstract Tumor heterogeneity limits the precision treatment of targeted drugs. It is important to find new tumor targets. JWA, also known as ADP ribosylation factor-like GTPase 6 interacting protein 5 (ARL6IP5, GenBank: AF070523, 1998), is a microtubule-associated protein and an environmental response gene. Substantial evidence shows that JWA is low expressed in a variety of malignancies and is correlated with overall survival. As a tumor suppressor, JWA inhibits tumor progression by suppressing multiple oncogenes or activating tumor suppressor genes. Low levels of JWA expression in tumors have been reported to be associated with multiple aspects of cancer progression, including angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we will discuss the structure and biological functions of JWA in tumors, examine the potential therapeutic strategies for targeting JWA and explore the directions for future investigation.
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Mu X, Li W, Ze X, Li L, Wang G, Hong F, Ze Y. Molecular mechanism of nanoparticulate TiO 2 induction of axonal development inhibition in rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2020; 35:895-905. [PMID: 32329576 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo neurotoxicity of nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2 ), a mass-produced material for a large number of commercial and industrial applications. The mechanism of nano-TiO2 -induced inhibition of axonal development, however, is still unclear. In our study, primary cultured hippocampal neurons of 24-hour-old fetal Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 5, 15, or 30 μg/mL nano-TiO2 for 6, 12, and 24 hours, and the toxic effects of nano-TiO2 exposure on the axons development were detected and its molecular mechanism investigated. Nano-TiO2 accumulated in hippocampal neurons and inhibited the development of axons as nano-TiO2 concentrations increased. Increasing time in culture resulted in decreasing axon length by 32.5%, 36.6%, and 53.8% at 6 hours, by 49.4%, 53.8%, and 69.5% at 12 hours, and by 44.5%, 58.2%, and 63.6% at 24 hours, for 5, 15, and 30 μg/mL nano-TiO2 , respectively. Furthermore, nano-TiO2 downregulated expression of Netrin-1, growth-associated protein-43, and Neuropilin-1, and promoted an increase of semaphorin type 3A and Nogo-A. These studies suggest that nano-TiO2 inhibited axonal development in rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons and this phenomenon is related to changes in the expression of axon growth-related factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Mu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wuyan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiao Ze
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lingjuan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guoqing Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fashui Hong
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, China
| | - Yuguan Ze
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Hong F, Ze Y, Zhou Y, Hong J, Yu X, Sheng L, Wang L. Nanoparticulate TiO 2 -mediated inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway causes dendritic development disorder in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. J Biomed Mater Res A 2017; 105:2139-2149. [PMID: 28371053 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are increasingly used in daily life, in industry, and in environmental clearing, but their potential neurodevelopmental toxicity has been highly debated. In this study, we explored whether TiO2 NPs inhibited development of dendritic morphology and identified possible molecular mechanisms associated with this inhibition in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Results showed that TiO2 NPs decreased neurite length, the number of branches and the spine density, and impaired mitochondrial function in the developing neurons. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs significantly reduced the expression of several proteins involved in canonical Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling including Wnt3a, β-catenin, p-GSK-3β, and CyclinD1 and conversely, elevated GSK-3β expression. In addition to altering expression of proteins involved in canonical Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling, TiO2 NPs decreased expression of proteins invovled in non-canonical Wnt signaling, including, MKLP1, CRMP3, ErbB4, and KIF17. Taken together, these results indicate that suppression of dendritic development caused by TiO2 NPs is associated with inhibition of activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway or non-canonical Wnt pathway-induced expression of microtubule cytoskeletal components in the developing neurons. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2139-2149, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fashui Hong
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Safety and Nutritional Function, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China
| | - Yuguan Ze
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yaoming Zhou
- Food Department, Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceutical Science College, Huaian, 223303, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xiaohon Yu
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Lei Sheng
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Library of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, Suzhou, 215123, China
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Bai J, Zhang J, Wu J, Shen L, Zeng J, Ding J, Wu Y, Gong Z, Li A, Xu S, Zhou J, Li G. JWA regulates melanoma metastasis by integrin alphaVbeta3 signaling. Oncogene 2009; 29:1227-37. [PMID: 19946336 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2009.408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
JWA, a newly identified novel microtubule-associated protein (MAP), was recently demonstrated to be indispensable for the rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton and activation of MAPK cascades induced by arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) and phorbol ester (PMA). JWA depletion blocked the inhibitory effect of As(2)O(3) on HeLa cell migration, but enhanced cell migration after PMA treatment. As cancer cell migration is a hallmark of tumor metastasis and the functional role of JWA in cancer metastasis is not understood, here we show that JWA has an important role in melanoma metastasis. Our data demonstrated that JWA knockdown increased the adhesion and invasion abilities of melanoma cells. Furthermore, JWA knockdown in B16-F10 and A375 melanoma cells significantly promoted the formation and growth of metastatic colonies in vivo. Moreover, in the tumor biopsies from human melanoma patients, JWA expression was significantly decreased in malignant melanoma compared with normal nevi. In addition, we found that JWA knockdown could intensify tumor integrin alpha(V)beta(3) signaling by regulating nuclear factor Sp1. These findings suggest that JWA suppresses melanoma metastasis and may serve a potential therapeutic target for human melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Cancer Center, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Li C, Zhao X, Cao X, Chu D, Chen J, Zhou J. The Drosophila Homolog of jwa is Required for Ethanol Tolerance. Alcohol Alcohol 2008; 43:529-36. [DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agn045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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JWA is required for arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis in HeLa and MCF-7 cells via reactive oxygen species and mitochondria linked signal pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2008; 230:33-40. [PMID: 18387645 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2008.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2007] [Revised: 01/08/2008] [Accepted: 01/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide, emerging as a standard therapy for refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia, induces apoptosis in a variety of malignant cell lines. JWA, a novel retinoic acid-inducible gene, is known to be involved in apoptosis induced by various agents, for example, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, N-4-hydroxy-phenyl-retinamide and arsenic trioxide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying how JWA gene is functionally involved in apoptosis remain largely unknown. Herein, our studies demonstrated that treatment of arsenic trioxide produced apoptosis in HeLa and MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner and paralleled with increased JWA expression. JWA expression was dependent upon generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species induced by arsenic trioxide. Knockdown of JWA attenuated arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis, and was accompanied by significantly reduced activity of caspase-9, enhanced Bad phosphorylation and inhibited MEK1/2, ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylations. Arsenic trioxide induced loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential was JWA-dependent. These findings suggest that JWA may serve as a pro-apoptotic molecule to mediate arsenic trioxide triggered apoptosis via a reactive oxygen species and mitochondria-associated signal pathway.
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Cao XJ, Chen R, Li AP, Zhou JW. JWA gene is involved in cadmium-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in HEK-293T cells. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2007; 70:931-7. [PMID: 17479408 DOI: 10.1080/15287390701290212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is widely dispersed in the environment due to occupational and personal (cigarette) emissions. Exposure of human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK-293T) cells to CdCl2 resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that JWA, a novel retinoic acid-inducible and cytoskeleton-associated gene, is a potential environmental-responsive gene with increased expression attributed to oxidative and heat-shock stresses. In the present study, JWA was also found to be responsive to Cd exposure. After treatment with 20 microM CdCl2 for 12 h, the expression level of JWA was increased with accompanied growth inhibition and apoptosis. In addition, knock-down JWA protein expression by using transient transfecting of HEK-293T cells with antisense JWA express vector showed a protective effect against Cd-induced apoptosis. To determine whether the upregulation of JWA by Cd involved regulation by transcriptional mechanisms, further reporter gene assays were employed, which demonstrated a marked increase in JWA promoter activity. In addition, elevated intracellular levels of ROS components (O2-* and H2O2) and activation of JNK, ERK, and MAPK were found with corresponding upregulation of JWA protein expression. These results suggest that Cd-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis may involve ROS generation and subsequent affect on MAPK signal pathway. JWA responsiveness to CdCl2 might be through both transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jiang Cao
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Tang WY, Wang L, Li C, Hu ZB, Chen R, Zhu YJ, Shen HB, Wei QY, Zhou JW. Identification and functional characterization of JWA polymorphisms and their association with risk of gastric cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2007; 70:885-94. [PMID: 17479402 DOI: 10.1080/15287390701285915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter of the JWA gene (-76G --> C) was identified that may alter the transcription activity and thus play a role in increased risk of bladder cancer. In this study, a screen for more novel variants in the JWA exons was undertaken by using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) followed by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and evaluating the functions of newl identified JWA -76G --> C using the reporter gene assay. In addition to the -76G --> C polymorphism, another novel SNP (723T --> G) in exon 3 of JWA was identified. In a case-control study of these two SNPs in 413 gastric cancer and 250 esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and 814 cancer-free controls in a Chinese population, data showed that both SNPs were associated with enhanced risk of these cancers. The reporter gene assay showed that the -76C variant allele lost its response to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) exposure, compared to the -76G allele. In addition, the JWA -76C allele was found to be associated with increased gastric and esophageal cancer risks in this study population. Further studies are needed to substantiate the biological significance and related mechanisms underlying the associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yan Tang
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, China
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Li CP, Zhu YJ, Chen R, Wu W, Li AP, Liu J, Liu QZ, Wei QY, Zhang ZD, Zhou JW. Functional polymorphisms of JWA gene are associated with risk of bladder cancer. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2007; 70:876-84. [PMID: 17479401 DOI: 10.1080/15287390701285824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The JWA gene is a novel cell differentiation-related gene thought to be a responsive gene in response to DNA damage and repair induced by environmental stressors. Recently, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in the promoter of the JWA gene (-76GC) that may alter the transcription activity and thus play a role in increased risk of bladder cancer. Further, studies were conducted to screen for more novel variants in the JWA exons by using PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism) followed by PCR-RFLP (PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism) methods. Finally, the functional relevance of the newly identified genetic variants in a hospital-based case-control study of 215 bladder cancer patients and 250 cancer-free controls was evaluated. In addition to the -76GC polymorphism, another novel SNP (454CA in exon2 and 723TG in exon 3) of JWA was identified. The -76GC allele and genotype frequencies were found to vary in different ethnic groups. The -76C allele and 454A allele were both associated with significantly increased risk of bladder cancer. In contrast, the 723GG genotype was associated with a decreased risk of bladder cancer. Furthermore, -76C and 454A together increased the risk of bladder caner using haplotype and stratification analysis. In conclusion, the three novel functional genetic polymorphisms of JWA gene, -76GC, 454CA, and 723TG, appear to contribute to the etiology of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ping Li
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, China
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Chen H, Bai J, Ye J, Liu Z, Chen R, Mao W, Li A, Zhou J. JWA as a functional molecule to regulate cancer cells migration via MAPK cascades and F-actin cytoskeleton. Cell Signal 2007; 19:1315-27. [PMID: 17336041 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2007.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2006] [Revised: 01/07/2007] [Accepted: 01/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are thought to mediate diverse biological functions such as cell growth, differentiation and migration. Activated MAPK may affect microtubule (MT) which is essential for cellular polarity, differentiation and motility. Data in this study show that JWA, a newly identified novel microtubule-associated protein (MAP) was essential for the rearrangement of F-actin cytoskeleton and activation of MAPK cascades induced by arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and phorbol ester (PMA). Over-expression of JWA alone in HeLa, B16 and HCCLM3 cancer cells effectively inhibited cellular migration; whereas, cellular migration was significantly accelerated when cells were deficient in JWA expression. The mechanism underlying these phenomena might be due to JWA affected F-actin rearrangement. Furthermore, JWA deficiency blocked anti-migratory effect produced by As2O3 but enhanced the migratory effect initiated by PMA in HeLa cells. JWA SDR-SLR motifs are not only critical for the MAPK cascades activation, but also for cell migration. Further studies found that JWA differentially regulated cell migration via ERK downstream effectors focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Therefore, JWA regulated-tumor cellular migration might involve MAPK cascades activation and F-actin cytoskeleton rearrangement mechanisms. Our data provide an unexpected role for JWA in tumor cell migration behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Chen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
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Huang S, Shen Q, Mao WG, Li AP, Ye J, Liu QZ, Zou CP, Zhou JW. JWA, a novel signaling molecule, involved in the induction of differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 341:440-50. [PMID: 16430862 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.12.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2005] [Accepted: 12/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of hematopoietic cellular differentiation contributes to leukemogenesis. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about how cell differentiation is regulated. JWA (AF070523) is a novel all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) responsible gene that initially isolated from ATRA-treated primary human tracheal bronchial epithelial cells. For the notable performance achieved by ATRA in the differentiation induction therapy, we investigated the role of JWA in the induction of differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells. Our results showed that JWA was not only regulated by ATRA but also by several other differentiation inducers such as phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA), arabinoside (Ara-C), and hemin, involved in the mechanisms of differentiation along different lineages of myeloid leukemia cells arrested at different stages of development. Generally, JWA was up-regulated by these inducers in a time-dependent manner. Inhibition of JWA by RNA interference decreased the induced cellular differentiation. However, in NB4 cells treated with ATRA, dissimilar with others, the expression of JWA was down-regulated, and the induced cellular differentiation could be enhanced by silencing of JWA. Collectively, JWA works as a potential critical molecule, associated with multi-directional differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells. In NB4 cells, JWA may function as a lineage-restricted gene during differentiation along the monocyte/macrophage-like or granulocytic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Huang
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics and Applied Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210029, China
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