Specificity protein 1 regulates fascin expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as the result of the epidermal growth factor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway activation

KAT8/SIRT7-mediated Fascin-K41 acetylation/deacetylation regulates tumor metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (Fascin) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), working as an important oncogenic protein and promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells by bundling F-actin to facilitate the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. However, it is not clear how exactly the function of Fascin is regulated by acetylation in cancer cells. Here, in ESCC cells, the histone acetyltransferase KAT8 catalyzed Fascin lysine 41 (K41) acetylation, to inhibit Fascin-mediated F-actin bundling and the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. Furthermore, NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin (SIRT) 7-mediated deacetylation of Fascin-K41 enhances the formation of filopodia and invadopodia, which promotes the migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Clinically, the analysis of cancer and adjacent tissue samples from patients with ESCC showed that Fascin-K41 acetylation was lower in the cancer tissue of patients with lymph node metastasis than in that of patients without lymph node metastasis, and low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation were associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with ESCC. Importantly, K41 acetylation significantly blocked NP-G2-044, one of the Fascin inhibitors currently being clinically evaluated, suggesting that NP-G2-044 may be more suitable for patients with low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation, but not suitable for patients with high levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Targeting USP10 induces degradation of oncogenic ANLN in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Anillin (ANLN) is a mitosis-related protein that promotes contractile ring formation and cytokinesis, but its cell cycle-dependent degradation mechanisms in cancer cells remain unclear. Here, we show that high expression of ANLN promotes cytokinesis and proliferation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells and is associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Furthermore, the findings of the study showed that the deubiquitinating enzyme USP10 interacts with ANLN and positively regulates ANLN protein levels. USP10 removes the K11- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains of ANLN through its deubiquitinase activity and prevents ANLN ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Importantly, USP10 promotes contractile ring assembly at the cytokinetic furrow as well as cytokinesis by stabilizing ANLN. Interestingly, USP10 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase APC/C co-activator Cdh1 formed a functional complex with ANLN in a non-competitive manner to balance ANLN protein levels. In addition, the macrolide compound FW-04-806 (F806), a natural compound with potential for treating ESCC, inhibited the mitosis of ESCC cells by targeting USP10 and promoting ANLN degradation. F806 selectively targeted USP10 and inhibited its catalytic activity but did not affect the binding of Cdh1 to ANLN and alters the balance of the USP10-Cdh1-ANLN complex. Additionally, USP10 expression was positively correlated with ANLN level and poor prognosis of ESCC patients. Overall, targeting the USP10-ANLN axis can effectively inhibit ESCC cell-cycle progression.

The post-translational modification of Fascin: impact on cell biology and its associations with inhibiting tumor metastasis

The post-translational modifications (PTMs), which are crucial in the regulation of protein functions, have great potential as biomarkers of cancer status. Fascin (Fascin actin-bundling protein 1, FSCN1), a key protein in the formation of filopodia that is structurally based on actin filaments (F-actin), is significantly associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Studies have revealed various regulatory mechanisms of human Fascin, including PTMs. Although a number of Fascin PTM sites have been identified, their exact functions and clinical significance are much less explored. This review explores studies on the functions of Fascin and briefly discusses the regulatory mechanisms of Fascin. Next, to review the role of Fascin PTMs in cell biology and their associations with metastatic disease, we discuss the advances in the characterization of Fascin PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and acetylation, and the main regulatory mechanisms are discussed. Fascin PTMs may be potential targets for therapy for metastatic disease.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the potential biological function of FSCN1 in HeLa cervical cancer cells

Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1), an actin-bundling protein associated with cell migration and invasion, is highly expressed in various tumor tissues. FSCN1 has also been reported to be a marker of increased invasive potential in cervical cancers. However, the functions of FSCN1 are still not fully understood in cervical cancers. Here, the gene expression profile of HeLa cells transfected with FSCN1 shRNA (shFSCN1) was compared with that of cells transfected with empty vector (shCtrl). The results showed that shFSCN1 extensively affected the transcription level of 5,043 genes in HeLa cells. In particular, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that a large number of upregulated genes were annotated with terms including transcription regulation and DNA binding. The downregulated genes were enriched in some cancer pathways, including angiogenesis and cell adhesion. qPCR validation confirmed that FSCN1 knockdown significantly affected the expression of selected genes in HeLa cells either negatively or positively. Expression analysis in TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) revealed that FSCN1 had negative correlations with several transcription factors and a positive correlation with an angiogenic factor (angiopoietin like 4, ANGPTL4) in cervical tumor tissue. In particular, validation by Western blotting showed that FSCN1 knockdown decreased the protein level of ANGPTL4. Our results demonstrated that FSCN1 is not only an actin-binding protein but also a transcriptional regulator and an angiogenic factor in cervical cancer. Thus, our study provides important insights for further study on the regulatory mechanism of FSCN1 in cervical cancer.

Fascin-1: Updated biological functions and therapeutic implications in cancer biology

Filopodia are cellular protrusions that respond to a variety of stimuli. Filopodia are formed when actin is bound to the protein Fascin, which may play a crucial role in cellular interactions and motility during cancer metastasis. Significantly, the noncanonical features of Fascin-1 are gradually being clarified, including the related molecular network contributing to metabolic reprogramming, chemotherapy resistance, stemness ac-tivity, and tumor microenvironment events. However, the relationship between biological characteristics and pathological features to identify effective therapeutic strategies needs to be studied further. The pur-pose of this review article is to provide a broad overview of the latest molecular networks and multiomics research regarding fascins and cancer. It also highlights their direct and indirect effects on available cancer treatments. With this multidisciplinary approach, researchers and clinicians can gain the most relevant in-formation on the function of fascins in cancer progression, which may facilitate clinical applications in the future.

Fascin in Gynecological Cancers: An Update of the Literature

Simple Summary

Fascin, an actin-binding protein, is upregulated in different types of human cancers. It is reportedly responsible for increasing the invasive and metastatic ability of cancer cells by reducing cell–cell adhesions. This review provides a brief overview of fascin and its interactions with other genes and oncoviruses to induce the onset and progression of cancer.

Abstract

Fascin is an actin-binding protein that is encoded by the FSCN1 gene (located on chromosome 7). It triggers membrane projections and stimulates cell motility in cancer cells. Fascin overexpression has been described in different types of human cancers in which its expression correlated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of fascin was found in oncovirus-infected cells, such as human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), disrupting the cell–cell adhesion and enhancing cancer progression. Based on these findings, several studies reported fascin as a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target in various cancers. This review provides a brief overview of the FSCN1 role in various cancers with emphasis on gynecological malignancies. We also discuss fascin interactions with other genes and oncoviruses through which it might induce cancer development and progression.

Emerging Role of Fascin-1 in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Gastrointestinal Cancers

Simple Summary

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. The active involvement of fascin-1 in forming membrane protrusions crucial for cellular movement has been identified as an important molecular mechanism behind the phenotypic switch from the localized to the metastatic tumor. Thus, fascin-1 expression status in the malignant tissue has been utilized as an important component in determining the patient’s clinicopathological outcomes. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation and metastatic progression of GI tract cancers, its involvement in patients’ clinical outcomes, and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. Invasion of primary cancer occurs by the actin cytoskeleton remodeling, including the formation of the filopodia, stereocilia, and other finger-like membrane protrusions. The crucial step of actin remodeling in the malignant cells is mediated by the fascin protein family, with fascin-1 being the most active. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein that cross-links filamentous actin into tightly packed parallel bundles, giving rise to finger-like cell protrusions, thus equipping the cell with the machinery necessary for adhesion, motility, and invasion. Thus, fascin-1 has been noted to be a key component for determining patient diagnosis and treatment plan. Indeed, the overexpression of fascin-1 in GI tract cancers has been associated with a poor clinical prognosis and metastatic progression. Moreover, fascin-1 has received attention as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic GI tract cancers. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation of GI tract cancers, metastatic progression, and patients’ clinical outcomes.

Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 in human cancer: promising biomarker or therapeutic target?

Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) is a highly conserved actin-bundling protein that cross links F-actin microfilaments into tight, parallel bundles. Elevated FSCN1 levels have been reported in many types of human cancers and have been correlated with aggressive clinical progression, poor prognosis, and survival outcomes. The overexpression of FSCN1 in cancer cells has been associated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Currently, FSCN1 is recognized as a candidate biomarker for multiple cancer types and as a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to provide a brief overview of the FSCN1 gene and protein structure and elucidate on its actin-bundling activity and physiological functions. The main focus was on the role of FSCN1 and its upregulatory mechanisms and significance in cancer cells. Up-to-date studies on FSCN1 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for human cancers are reviewed. It is shown that FSCN1 is an unusual biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for cancer.

How does fascin promote cancer metastasis?

Fascin is an F-actin-bundling protein that cross-links individual actin filaments into straight and stiff bundles. Fascin overexpression in cancer is strongly associated with poor prognosis and metastatic progression across different cancer types. It is well established that fascin plays a causative role in promoting metastatic progression. We will review the recent progress in our understanding of mechanisms underlying fascin-mediated cancer metastasis. This review will cover the biochemical basis for fascin-bundling activity, the mechanisms by which cancer cells upregulate fascin expression and the mechanism underlying fascin-mediated cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastatic colonization. We propose that fascin has broad roles in both metastatic dissemination and metastatic colonization. Understanding these mechanisms will be crucial to the development of anti-metastasis therapeutics targeting fascin.

Roles of Fascin mRNA expression in colorectal cancer: Meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis

Fascin (encoded by FSCN1) is a globular actin cross-linking protein that is required for the formation of actin-based cell surface processes, which are critical for cell migration and cell-matrix adhesion. In the present study, a systematic meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis was used to identify clinicopathological or prognostic parameters in patients with colorectal cancer. A total of 17 articles were included in the present study obtained from PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang data, SinoMed and CNKI databases. Odd ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the prognostic significance of Fascin expression in patients with colorectal cancer, and the association between Fascin expression and clinicopathological factors. There was a significant correlation between high Fascin expression and poor overall survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer (OR=0.48; 95% CI, 0.38-0.60; P<0.000001). The meta-analysis showed that the expression of Fascin was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissue compared with the normal mucosa (OR=0.13; 95% CI, 0.10-0.16; P<0.000001) and adenoma (OR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.15-0.34; P<0.000001). Fascin expression was also associated with depth of invasion (OR=0.31; 95% CI, 0.19-0.50; P<0.000001), lymph node metastasis (OR=3.07; 95% CI, 1.72-5.46; P=0.0001), Dukes stage (OR=0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.46; P=0.001), Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage (OR=0.38; 95% CI, 0.21-0.71; P=0.003) and dedifferentiation (OR=0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.94; P=0.04). According to the bioinformatics analyses, FSCN1 mRNA expression levels were higher in colorectal cancer and adenoma tissues compared with the normal tissues (P<0.05). According to TCGA, FSCN1 mRNA expression was associated with a less favorable prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer as an independent factor (P<0.05), and positively correlated with depth of invasion, microsatellite instability and low serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in colorectal cancer. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that Fascin expression is a potential marker of tumorigenesis, aggressiveness and poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.

HIF-1α Promotes the Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting SP1

Background: In microenvironment of malignant tumors, Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIF), most importantly HIF-1α, play an important role in regulation of adaptive biological response to hypoxia, promoting angiogenesis and metastasis. However, the underlying mechanism that HIF-1α regulates metastasis needs to be further clarified. Methods: The expressions of HIF-1α and SP1 were detected in 182 samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the correlation between the expression levels of HIF-1α and SP1 was analyzed. The expression of HIF-1α in ESCC cell lines TE1 and KYSE30 was then detected using qRT-PCR and western blot. The potential binding sites of HIF-1α on the SP1 promoter were analyzed using UCSC and JASPAR databases, verified by chromosomal immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and qRT-PCR. The effects of HIF-1α and SP1 on ESCC cell migration and invasion were then tested with Transwell and Matrigel experiments. Results: The expression of HIF-1α in cancer tissues is higher than adjacent normal tissues, and is correlated with metastasis, recurrence and poor prognosis. Upon silencing HIF-1α by siRNA, the invasion and migration ability of ESCC cells were significantly inhibited, which could be restored by the overexpression of SP1. Hypoxic conditions significantly increased the expression of HIF-1α and SP1 at both protein and mRNA levels in ESCC cells. HIF-1α enhanced SP1 transcription through binding to the promoter region. The expression of protein and mRNA levels of SP1 was decreased by silencing HIF-1α in cells. In contrast, overexpression of HIF-1α significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of SP1. The expression of SP1 in ESCC was positively correlated with the protein expression of HIF-1α and poor prognosis. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that HIF-1α promotes metastasis of ESCC by targeting SP1 in a hypoxic microenvironment. Further study on this mechanism may elucidate the possibility of HIF-1α and SP1 as new targets for the treatment of ESCC.

Human papilloma virus infection and fascin over-expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is involved in development of almost all cervical cancers, mainly through the subversion of cellular mechanisms of growth control. Fascin plays central role in subsequent cell transformation events. Fascin mediates stabilization of parallel actin bundles where cellular protrusions are formed; this represents primary stages of cell migration and metastasis. Immunohistochemical assays have shown up-regulation of fascin expression in many epithelial and non-epithelial neoplasms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate HPV infection and fascin expression in samples of cervical cancer.

Methods: Of 66 patients with confirmed SCC, formalin-fixed specimens, embedded in paraffin blocks were evaluated for HPV infection with nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (NM-PCR) and for fascin expression with immunohistochemical assays. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and SPSS software. A p<0.05 was considered for statistical significance.

Results: Of 66 samples, 52 (78.7%) were found positive for HPV infection and fascin over-expression was shown in all squamous cell carcinoma samples.

Conclusion: This study showed fascin overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix which might be involved in metastasis of cancers induced by some types of HPV, hypothetically through attenuation of inter-cellular adhesions, and induction of cell motility

SLC52A3 expression is activated by NF-κB p65/Rel-B and serves as a prognostic biomarker in esophageal cancer

The human riboflavin transporter-3 (encoded by SLC52A3) plays a prominent role in riboflavin absorption. Interestingly, abnormal expression patterns of SLC52A3 in multiple types of human cancers have been recently noted. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its dysregulation remain unclear. In this study, we find that SLC52A3 has two transcript variants that differ in the transcriptional start site, and encode different proteins: SLC52A3a and SLC52A3b. Importantly, aberrant expressions of SLC52A3 are associated with stepwise development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as well as the survival rates of ESCC patients. Functionally, SLC52A3a, but not SLC52A3b, strongly promotes the proliferation and colony formation of ESCC cells. Furthermore, SLC52A3 5'-flanking regions contain NF-κB p65/Rel-B-binding sites, which are crucial for mediating SLC52A3 transcriptional activity in ESCC cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay reveal that p65/Rel-B bind to 5'-flanking regions of SLC52A3. Accordingly, NF-κB signaling upregulates SLC52A3 transcription upon TNFα stimulation. Taken together, these results elucidate the mechanisms underlying SLC52A3 overexpression in ESCC. More importantly, our findings identify SLC52A3 as both a predictive and prognostic biomarker for this deadly cancer.

Smad4/Fascin index is highly prognostic in patients with diffuse type EBV-associated gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disorder for which predicting clinical outcomes is challenging, although various biomarkers have been suggested. The Smad4 and Fascin proteins are known prognostic indicators of different types of malignancy. Smad4 primarily functions as a key regulator of tumor suppression, whereas Fascin exhibits oncogenic function by enhancing tumor infiltration. A combined marker based on these opposing roles may improve prognostic accuracy in gastric cancer. Smad4 and Fascin expression was assessed in tissue microarrays obtained from 285 primary gastric adenocarcinoma, 201 normal tissue, and 51 metastatic adenocarcinoma samples. A Smad4/Fascin index based on the relative expression of each protein was divided into low- and high-expression groups using receiver operating characteristic curves. We compared normal tissue, primary adenocarcinoma, and metastatic adenocarcinoma in Smad4 and Fascin expression and the differences in clinicopathological findings between low Smad4/Fascin and high Smad4/Fascin expression in gastric adenocarcinoma. High Smad4/Fascin expression was significantly associated with worse outcomes, such as old age, advanced T and N category, large tumor size, high histological grade, lymphatic and vascular invasion, and presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (all p < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significant relationship between disease-free or overall survival and Smad4/Fascin index in diffuse-type or EBV-associated gastric cancer (all p < 0.05). A dual marker system using Smad4 and Fascin may be a reliable indicator for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with diffuse-type or EBV-associated gastric cancer.

Microarray expression profile analysis of aberrant long non-coding RNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Increasing evidence indicates that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs are still unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). To address this challenge, we screened lncRNAs expression profiles in 3 pairs of ESCC and matched non-cancerous tissues by microarray assay and identified the relationship between lncRNAs expression in ESCC tissue and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with ESCC. We found 182 lncRNAs that were significantly differently expressed in ESCC tissues versus the matched non-cancerous tissues. Gene ontology and pathway analysis results suggested that the primary biological processes of these genes were involved in extracellular matrix, immune responses, cell differentiation and cell proliferation. Through cis and trans analyzing, we found 4 lncRNAs (ENST00000480669, NONHSAT104436, NONHSAT126998 and NONHSAT112918) may play important roles in tumorigenesis of ESCC. The four lncRNAs were checked in 73 patients with ESCC. The results showed that they mainly related to tumor metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of NONHSAT104436, NONHSAT126998 and low expression of ENST00000480669 were related to poor 3-year overall survival (P=0.003, 0.032 and 0.040, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that NONHSAT104436 was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.017). Thus we concluded that, lncRNAs showed differently expression patterns in ESCC versus matched non-cancerous tissues, and aberrantly expressed lncRNA may play important roles in ESCC development and progression. Interestingly, the overexpression of NONHSAT104436 was tightly correlated with distant metastasis and, poor survival rate, which might indicate that NONHSAT104436 might play a very important part in ESCC tumor progression.

TGF-β1-induced Fascin1 promotes cell invasion and metastasis of human 786-0 renal carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on the expression of Fascin1 protein and its impact on cell invasion and metastasis in human renal carcinoma.

METHODS

Renal tissue slices of 52 cases when undergoing radical nephrectomy were collected to be the observation group, and the normal renal tissues of 23 cases when undergoing nephrectomy due to trauma were collected to be the control group. The expressions of TGF-β1 and Fascin1 were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Human renal carcinoma 786-0 cell line was selected as the study subject. The cells were divided into six groups including NT (no transfection), si-NC (transfection with pGenesil-1-con) si-Fascin1 (transfection with pGen-1-FSCN1) groups, and three corresponding groups: NT, si-NC and si-Fascin1 groups treated with TGF-β1. RT-qPCR, Western-Blot, Transwell, and flow cytometry method were used in this study.

RESULTS

The expressions of TGF-β1 and Fascin1 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The expression of TGF-β1 was positively correlated with that of Fascin1. After 24 and 48h of treatment with TGF-β1 (10ng/mL), the invasive and metastatic abilities of the 786-0 cells in the NT and si-NC groups were higher than those before the treatment (P<0.05). Comparing the three groups before TGF-β1 treatment, the invasive and metastatic ability of 786-0 cells in the si-Fascin1 were significantly lower than those in the NT group and si-NC group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

TGF-β1 could induce the expressions of 786-0 Fascin1 mRNA and protein and thus improve the invasive and metastatic ability of human 786-0 renal carcinoma cell.

A molecular prognostic model predicts esophageal squamous cell carcinoma prognosis

BACKGROUND

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has the highest mortality rates in China. The 5-year survival rate of ESCC remains dismal despite improvements in treatments such as surgical resection and adjuvant chemoradiation, and current clinical staging approaches are limited in their ability to effectively stratify patients for treatment options. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to develop an immunohistochemistry-based prognostic model to improve clinical risk assessment for patients with ESCC.

METHODS

We developed a molecular prognostic model based on the combined expression of axis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphorylated Specificity protein 1 (p-Sp1), and Fascin proteins. The presence of this prognostic model and associated clinical outcomes were analyzed for 130 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded esophageal curative resection specimens (generation dataset) and validated using an independent cohort of 185 specimens (validation dataset).

RESULTS

The expression of these three genes at the protein level was used to build a molecular prognostic model that was highly predictive of ESCC survival in both generation and validation datasets (P = 0.001). Regression analysis showed that this molecular prognostic model was strongly and independently predictive of overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.358 [95% CI, 1.391-3.996], P = 0.001 in generation dataset; hazard ratio = 1.990 [95% CI, 1.256-3.154], P = 0.003 in validation dataset). Furthermore, the predictive ability of these 3 biomarkers in combination was more robust than that of each individual biomarker.

CONCLUSIONS

This technically simple immunohistochemistry-based molecular model accurately predicts ESCC patient survival and thus could serve as a complement to current clinical risk stratification approaches.

Overexpression of WRAP53 is associated with development and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive cancer whose underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The natural antisense transcript (NAT) WRAP53 regulates p53 expression and WRAP53 protein is a component of telomerase. NATs play key roles in carcinogenesis, and although WRAP53 is known to increase cancer cell survival, its role in ESCC clinicopathology is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate WRAP53 expression in ESCC and to correlate it with clinicopathological characteristics.

METHODS

WRAP53 mRNA and protein expression was measured by quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively, in 4 ESSC cells lines and in 45 paired ESCC and non-neoplastic esophageal mucosa tissues. To correlate WRAP53 protein expression with clinicopathological characteristics, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 134 ESCC and 85 non-neoplastic esophageal mucosa tissues.

RESULTS

Expression of WRAP53 was detected in all ESCC cell lines and was upregulated in the ESCC tissues compared with the corresponding non-neoplastic tissues (P<0.01). More cells expressed WRAP53 protein in the ESCC tissues than in the non-neoplastic tissues (P<0.01). Overexpression of WRAP53 was significantly correlated with tumor infiltration depth (P = 0.000), clinical stage (P = 0.001), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025). Wrap53 expression was not correlated with age, gender, or tumor differentiation.

CONCLUSION

This report indicates increased expression of WRAP53 in ESCC and that WRAP53 overexpression is correlated with tumor progression. WRAP53 may play a significant role in ESCC; accordingly, WRAP53 could be a useful biomarker for ESCC.

GATA3 transcription factor abrogates Smad4 transcription factor-mediated fascin overexpression, invadopodium formation, and breast cancer cell invasion

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a potent and context-dependent regulator of tumor progression. TGFβ promotes the lung metastasis of basal-like (but not the luminal-like) breast cancer. Here, we demonstrated that fascin, a pro-metastasis actin bundling protein, was a direct target of the canonical TGFβ-Smad4 signaling pathway in basal-like breast cancer cells. TGFβ and Smad4 induced fascin overexpression by directly binding to a Smad binding element on the fascin promoter. We identified GATA3, a transcription factor crucial for mammary gland morphogenesis and luminal differentiation, as a negative regulator of TGFβ- and Smad4-induced fascin overexpression. When ectopically expressed in basal-like breast cancer cells, GATA-3 abrogated TGFβ- and Smad4-mediated overexpression of fascin and other TGFβ response genes, invadopodium formation, cell migration, and invasion, suggesting suppression of the canonical TGFβ-Smad signaling axis. Mechanistically, GATA3 abrogated the canonical TGFβ-Smad signaling by abolishing interactions between Smad4 and its DNA binding elements, potentially through physical interactions between the N-terminal of GATA3 and Smad3/4 proteins. Our findings provide mechanistic insight into how TGFβ-mediated cell motility and invasiveness are differentially regulated in breast cancer.

Comprehensive bioinformation analysis of the mRNA profile of fascin knockdown in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Fascin, an actin-bundling protein forming actin bundles including filopodia and stress fibers, is overexpressed in multiple human epithelial cancers including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Previously we conducted a microarray experiment to analyze fascin knockdown by RNAi in ESCC.

METHOD

In this study, the differentially expressed genes from mRNA expression profilomg of fascin knockdown were analyzed by multiple bioinformatics methods for a comprehensive understanding of the role of fascin.

RESULTS

Gene Ontology enrichment found terms associated with cytoskeleton organization, including cell adhesion, actin filament binding and actin cytoskeleton, which might be related to fascin function. Except GO categories, the differentially expressed genes were annotated by 45 functional categories from the Functional Annotation Chart of DAVID. Subpathway analysis showed thirty-nine pathways were disturbed by the differentially expressed genes, providing more detailed information than traditional pathway enrichment analysis. Two subpathways derivated from regulation of the actin cytoskeleton were shown. Promoter analysis results indicated distinguishing sequence patterns and transcription factors in response to the co-expression of downregulated or upregulated differentially expressed genes. MNB1A, c-ETS, GATA2 and Prrx2 potentially regulate the transcription of the downregulated gene set, while Arnt-Ahr, ZNF42, Ubx and TCF11-MafG might co-regulate the upregulated genes.

CONCLUSIONS

This multiple bioinformatic analysis helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the roles of fascin after its knockdown in ESCC.

Fascin-1 and digestive system carcinomas

Invasion and metastasis are major reasons for poor prognosis of digestive system carcinomas. Motility and migratory capacity are important in contributing to tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Fascin-1 is a globular actin crosslinking protein that can form parallel actin bundles in cell protrusions and is involved in cell adhesion, movement, and signal transduction. In vitro up-regulation of Fascin-1 can increase migration and invasion capacity of cells, while down-regulation of Fascin-1 can decrease migration and invasion capacity of cells. Many studies show that up-regulation of Fascin-1 expression is significantly associated with worse prognosis, poorer differentiation, advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis in patients with digestive system carcinomas. Therefore, Fascin-1 may have prognostic value as an early biomarker for more aggressive digestive system carcinomas and may be a potential therapeutic target for tumor invasion and metastasis.

Transcriptome network analysis reveals potential candidate genes for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Understanding molecular changes in ESCC should improve identification of risk factors with different molecular subtypes and provide potential targets for early detection and therapy. Our study aimed to obtain a molecular signature of ESCC through the regulation network based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We used the GSE23400 series to identify potential genes related to ESCC. Based on bioinformatics we constructed a regulation network. From the results, we could establish that many transcription factors and pathways closely related with ESCC were linked by our method. STAT1 also arose as a hub node in our transcriptome network, along with some transcription factors like CCNB1, TAP1, RARG and IFITM1 proven to be related with ESCC by previous studies. In conclusion, our regulation network provided information on important genes which might be useful in investigating the complex interacting mechanisms underlying the disease.

The tumor marker Fascin is strongly induced by the Tax oncoprotein of HTLV-1 through NF-κB signals

Oncogenic transformation of CD4+ T cells by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is understood as the initial step to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, a process that is mainly initiated by perturbation of cellular signaling by the viral Tax oncoprotein, a potent transcriptional regulator. In search of novel biomarkers with relevance to oncogenesis, we identified the tumor marker and actin-bundling protein Fascin (FSCN1) to be specifically and strongly up-regulated in both HTLV-1–transformed and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma patient-derived CD4+ T cells. Fascin is important for migration and metastasis in various types of cancer. Here we report that a direct link can exist between a single viral oncoprotein and Fascin expression, as the viral oncoprotein Tax was sufficient to induce high levels of Fascin. Nuclear factor-κB signals were important for Tax-mediated transcriptional regulation of Fascin in T cells. This suggests that Fascin up-regulation by Tax contributes to the development of HTLV-1–associated pathogenesis.