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Liu P, Shi C, Qiu L, Shang D, Lu Z, Tu Z, Liu H. Menin signaling and therapeutic targeting in breast cancer. Curr Probl Cancer 2024; 51:101118. [PMID: 38968834 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2024.101118] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
To date, mounting evidence have shown that patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) may face an increased risk for breast carcinogenesis. The product of the MEN1 gene, menin, was also indicated to be an important regulator in breast cancer signaling network. Menin directly interacts with MLL, EZH2, JunD, NF-κB, PPARγ, VDR, Smad3, β-catenin and ERα to modulate gene transcriptions leading to cell proliferation inhibition. Moreover, interaction of menin-FANCD2 contributes to the enhancement of BRCA1-mediated DNA repair mechanism. Ectopic expression of menin causes Bax-, Bak- and Caspase-8-dependent apoptosis. However, despite numbers of menin inhibitors were exploited in other cancers, data on the usage of menin inhibitors in breast cancer treatment remain limited. In this review, we focused on the menin associated signaling pathways and gene transcription regulations, with the aim of elucidating its molecular mechanisms and of guiding the development of novel menin targeted drugs in breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Chaowen Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Lipeng Qiu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Dongsheng Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Ziwen Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Zhigang Tu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China
| | - Hanqing Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China.
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Massey S, Khan MA, Rab SO, Mustafa S, Khan A, Malik Z, Shaik R, Verma MK, Deo S, Husain SA. Evaluating the role of MEN1 gene expression and its clinical significance in breast cancer patients. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288482. [PMID: 37437063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease which involves number of molecular factors that are critically involved in proliferation of breast cancer cells. MEN1 gene that is traditionally known for its germline mutations in neuroendocrine tumors is associated with high risk of developing breast cancer in females with MEN1 syndrome. However, the paradoxical role of MEN1 is reported in sporadic breast cancer cases. The previous studies indicate the functional significance of MEN1 in regulating breast cells proliferation but its relevance in development and progression of breast cancer is still not known. Our study targets to find the role of MEN1 gene aberration and its clinical significance in breast cancer. METHODS Breast tumor and adjacent normal tissue of 142 sporadic breast cancer patients were collected at the time of surgery. The expression analysis of MEN1 mRNA and protein was done through RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Further to find the genetic and epigenetic alterations, automated sequencing and MS-PCR was performed respectively. Correlation between our findings and clinical parameters was determined using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS MEN1 expression was found to be significantly increased in the breast tumor tissue with its predominant nuclear localization. The elevated expression of MEN1 mRNA (63.38% cases) and protein (60.56% cases) exhibited a significant association with ER status of the patients. Most of the cases had unmethylated (53.52%) MEN1 promoter region, which can be a key factor responsible for dysregulated expression of MEN1 in breast cancer cases. Our findings also revealed the significant association of MEN1 mRNA overexpression with Age and lymph node status of the patients. CONCLUSION Our results indicate upregulated expression of MEN1 in sporadic breast cancer patients and it could be critically associated with development and advancement of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheersh Massey
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Aasif Khan
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Science Center at Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Safia Obaidur Rab
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Mustafa
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Asifa Khan
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Zoya Malik
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Rahimunnisa Shaik
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Verma
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Svs Deo
- Department of Surgical Oncology BRA-IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Akhtar Husain
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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Involvement of the MEN1 Gene in Hormone-Related Cancers: Clues from Molecular Studies, Mouse Models, and Patient Investigations. ENDOCRINES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines1020007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MEN1 mutation predisposes patients to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a genetic syndrome associated with the predominant co-occurrence of endocrine tumors. Intriguingly, recent evidence has suggested that MEN1 could also be involved in the development of breast and prostate cancers, two major hormone-related cancers. The first clues as to its possible role arose from the identification of the physical and functional interactions between the menin protein, encoded by MEN1, and estrogen receptor α and androgen receptor. In parallel, our team observed that aged heterozygous Men1 mutant mice developed cancerous lesions in mammary glands of female and in the prostate of male mutant mice at low frequencies, in addition to endocrine tumors. Finally, observations made both in MEN1 patients and in sporadic breast and prostate cancers further confirmed the role played by menin in these two cancers. In this review, we present the currently available data concerning the complex and multifaceted involvement of MEN1 in these two types of hormone-dependent cancers.
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Ganakammal SR, Koirala M, Wu B, Alexov E. In-silico analysis to identify the role of MEN1 missense mutations in breast cancer. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219633620410023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: The multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene located on chromosome 11q13 encodes menin protein. Previously reported mutations were thought to result in loss of function of menin protein and that they are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 disorder. However, recently menin has also been characterized as an oncosuppressor protein and it was suggested that mutations in it are associated with various other tumors. Studies indicate that the menin protein stimulates the estrogen receptor (ER) that in turn increases the predisposition for inherited breast cancer. Methods: Here, we used our supervised in-house combinatory in-silico predictor method to investigate the impact of unclassified missense mutations in MEN1 gene found in breast cancer tissue. We also examined the biophysical and biochemical properties to predict the effects of these missense variants on the menin protein stability and interactions. The results are compared with the effects of known pathogenic mutations in menin causing neoplasia. Results: Our analysis indicates that some of the variants found in breast cancer tissue show similar pattern of destabilizing the menin protein and its interactions as the pathogenic variants associated with neoplasia. Taking together with the results of our in-silico consensus predictor, we classify missense mutations in menin protein found in breast cancer tissue into pathogenic and benign, and thus, suggesting as an indicator for early detection of elevated breast cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahesh Koirala
- Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson SC, USA
| | - Bohua Wu
- Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson SC, USA
| | - Emil Alexov
- Department of Healthcare Genetics, School of Nursing, Clemson University, Clemson SC, USA
- Department of Physics, Clemson University, Clemson SC, USA
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Hou R, Yang Z, Wang S, Chu D, Liu Q, Liu J, Jiang L. miR-762 can negatively regulate menin in ovarian cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:2127-2137. [PMID: 28442921 PMCID: PMC5396954 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s127872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer accounts for the major part of the mortality attributable to female reproductive system malignant tumors worldwide. Recently, the incidence of ovarian cancer has been increasing annually, and there remains a lack of suitable treatment methods that can significantly improve the 5-year survival rates of patients. Therefore, it is necessary to identify more effective treatments for ovarian cancer. It is established that microRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer and a specific miRNA, miR-762, can promote the development of a variety of tumors. Menin is encoded by MEN1, a tumor suppressor gene, that is usually downregulated in ovarian cancer. In this study, we evaluated the expression levels of miR-762 and menin in ovarian cancer tissues and demonstrated that they were correlated. In addition, we found that miR-762 can downregulate the expression of menin through a binding site in its 3′-UTR and consequently upregulate the Wnt cell signaling pathway to promote the development of ovarian cancer. These results indicate that miR-762 is a promising potential target for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | | | | | | | - Jia Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | - Luo Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
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Brennan P. Breast cancer risk in MEN1 - a cancer genetics perspective. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2015; 82:327-229. [PMID: 25279812 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The tumour spectrum associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) has been known for many years. New data suggest that females with MEN1 may face an additional, hitherto unrecognized, risk of early-onset breast cancer. The menin protein is certainly known to have a role in regulating oestrogen receptor activity; but how robust are the data linking MEN1 to breast cancer? This article examines the published data from the viewpoint of a cancer geneticist and considers whether there really is a justifiable indication for enhanced breast surveillance in women with MEN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Brennan
- Northern Genetics Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Cierpicki T, Grembecka J. Challenges and opportunities in targeting the menin-MLL interaction. Future Med Chem 2014; 6:447-62. [PMID: 24635524 PMCID: PMC4138051 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Menin is an essential co-factor of oncogenic MLL fusion proteins and the menin-MLL interaction is critical for development of acute leukemia in vivo. Targeting the menin-MLL interaction with small molecules represents an attractive strategy to develop new anticancer agents. Recent developments, including determination of menin crystal structure and development of potent small molecule and peptidomimetic inhibitors, demonstrate the feasibility of targeting the menin-MLL interaction. On the other hand, biochemical and structural studies revealed that MLL binds to menin in a complex bivalent mode engaging two MLL motifs, and therefore inhibition of this protein-protein interaction represents a challenge. This review summarizes the most recent achievements in targeting the menin-MLL interaction as well as discusses potential benefits of blocking menin in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Cierpicki
- Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 734 615 9324, Fax: +1 734 615 0688,
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