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Mathur R, Jha NK, Saini G, Jha SK, Shukla SP, Filipejová Z, Kesari KK, Iqbal D, Nand P, Upadhye VJ, Jha AK, Roychoudhury S, Slama P. Epigenetic factors in breast cancer therapy. Front Genet 2022; 13:886487. [PMID: 36212140 PMCID: PMC9539821 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.886487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are inherited differences in cellular phenotypes, such as cell gene expression alterations, that occur during somatic cell divisions (also, in rare circumstances, in germ line transmission), but no alterations to the DNA sequence are involved. Histone alterations, polycomb/trithorax associated proteins, short non-coding or short RNAs, long non—coding RNAs (lncRNAs), & DNA methylation are just a few biological processes involved in epigenetic events. These various modifications are intricately linked. The transcriptional potential of genes is closely conditioned by epigenetic control, which is crucial in normal growth and development. Epigenetic mechanisms transmit genomic adaptation to an environment, resulting in a specific phenotype. The purpose of this systematic review is to glance at the roles of Estrogen signalling, polycomb/trithorax associated proteins, DNA methylation in breast cancer progression, as well as epigenetic mechanisms in breast cancer therapy, with an emphasis on functionality, regulatory factors, therapeutic value, and future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runjhun Mathur
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
- Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied and Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Gaurav Saini
- Department of Civil Engineering, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Sheo Prasad Shukla
- Department of Civil Engineering, Rajkiya Engineering College, Banda, India
| | - Zita Filipejová
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | | | - Danish Iqbal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majma'ah, Saudi Arabia
- Health and Basic Sciences Research Center, Majmaah University, Al Majma'ah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Parma Nand
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Vijay Jagdish Upadhye
- Center of Research for Development (CR4D), Parul Institute of Applied Sciences (PIAS), Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat
| | - Abhimanyu Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
- *Correspondence: Abhimanyu Kumar Jha, ; Shubhadeep Roychoudhury,
| | - Shubhadeep Roychoudhury
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India
- *Correspondence: Abhimanyu Kumar Jha, ; Shubhadeep Roychoudhury,
| | - Petr Slama
- Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology, and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czechia
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Lin CS, Lin CL, Ying TH, Chiou HL, Hung CH, Liao WS, Hsieh YH, Kao SH. β-Mangostin inhibits the metastatic power of cervical cancer cells attributing to suppression of JNK2/AP-1/Snail cascade. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:8446-8460. [PMID: 32324277 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
β-Mangostin is a natural mangostin with potent anticancer activity against various cancers. In this study, we further explored the anticancer activity of β-mangostin on cervical cancer cells. β-Mangostin did not affect cell viability and cell cycle distribution in HeLa and SiHa cells; however, it dose-dependently inhibited the migration and invasion of both the human cervical cancer cell lines. In addition, we observed that β-mangostin suppressed the expression of integrin αV and β3 and the downstream focal adhesion kinase/Src signaling. We also found that Snail was involved in the β-mangostin inhibited cell migration and invasion of HeLa cell. Then, our findings showed that β-mangostin reduced both nuclear translocation and messenger RNA expression of AP-1 and demonstrated that AP-1 could target to the Snail promoter and induce Snail expression. Kinase cascade analysis and reporter assay showed that JNK2 was involved in the inhibition of AP-1/Snail axis by β-mangostin in HeLa cells. These results indicate that β-mangostin can inhibit the mobility and invasiveness of cervical cancer cells, which may attribute to the suppression of both integrin/Src signaling and JNK2-mediated AP-1/Snail axis. This suggests that β-mangostin has potential antimetastatic potential against cervical cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Shiang Lin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Liang Lin
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ho Ying
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Chiou
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Hung
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Shan Liao
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Hsuan Kao
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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NEDD9 stimulated MMP9 secretion is required for invadopodia formation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25503-25516. [PMID: 29876004 PMCID: PMC5986644 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 9 (NEDD9) is a component of the metastatic signatures of melanoma, breast cancer, glioblastoma, lung cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here we tested the efficacy of NEDD9's domains in stimulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion and invadopodia formation in cells stably expressing various NEDD9 mutants. Replacement of the 13 YxxP motif substrate domain (SD) tyrosines and the C-terminal Y629 with phenylalanines (F14NEDD9) eliminated tyrosine phosphorylation, MMP9 secretion and loss of invadopodia formation. Mutation of the N-terminal SH3 domain Y12 to glutamic acid (Y12ENEDD9) or phenylalanine (Y12FNEDD9) reduced MMP9 secretion and inhibited invadopodia formation. SH3 domain deletion (∆SH3NEDD9) resulted in the loss of MMP9 secretion and a lack of invadopodia formation. The SH3–SD domain (SSNEDD9) construct exhibited tyrosine phosphorylation and stimulated MMP9 secretion, as did ∆CTNEDD9 which lacked the C-terminus (∆C-terminal; ∆CT). E13NEDD9 expression blocked MMP9 secretion and invadopodia formation. MICAL1 (molecule interacting with Cas-L1) silencing with a short hairpin RNA reduced MMP9 secretion, vimentin and E-cadherin levels while increasing N-cadherin and Rab6 levels, consistent with reduced invasive behavior. These findings indicate that NEDD9 SD phosphorylation and SH3 domain interactions are necessary for increasing MMP9 secretion and invadopodia formation.
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Abstract
The members of the Cas protein family (p130Cas/BCAR1, Nedd9/HEF1, EFS and CASS4) are scaffold proteins required for the assembly of signal transduction complexes in response to several stimuli, such as growth factors, hormones and extracellular matrix components. Given their ability to integrate and coordinate multiple signalling events, Cas proteins have emerged as crucial players in the control of mammary cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. More importantly, it has been found that alterations of their expression levels result in aberrant signalling cascades, which promote initiation and progression of breast cancer. Based on the increasing data from in vitro, mouse model and clinical studies, in this review we will focus on two Cas proteins, p130Cas/BCAR1 and Nedd9, and their coupled signalling pathways, to examine their role in mammary cell transformation and in the acquirement of invasiveness and drug resistance of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Tornillo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy; European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute and Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
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Wallez Y, Riedl SJ, Pasquale EB. Association of the breast cancer antiestrogen resistance protein 1 (BCAR1) and BCAR3 scaffolding proteins in cell signaling and antiestrogen resistance. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:10431-10444. [PMID: 24584939 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.541839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Most breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive and treated with antiestrogens, but aberrant signaling networks can induce drug resistance. One of these networks involves the scaffolding protein BCAR1/p130CAS, which regulates cell growth and migration/invasion. A less investigated scaffolding protein that also confers antiestrogen resistance is the SH2 domain-containing protein BCAR3. BCAR1 and BCAR3 bind tightly to each other through their C-terminal domains, thus potentially connecting their associated signaling networks. However, recent studies using BCAR1 and BCAR3 interaction mutants concluded that association between the two proteins is not critical for many of their interrelated activities regulating breast cancer malignancy. We report that these previously used BCAR mutations fail to cause adequate loss-of-function of the complex. By using structure-based BCAR1 and BCAR3 mutants that lack the ability to interact, we show that BCAR3-induced antiestrogen resistance in MCF7 breast cancer cells critically depends on its ability to bind BCAR1. Interaction with BCAR3 increases the levels of phosphorylated BCAR1, ultimately potentiating BCAR1-dependent antiestrogen resistance. Furthermore, antiestrogen resistance in cells overexpressing BCAR1/BCAR3 correlates with increased ERK1/2 activity. Inhibiting ERK1/2 through overexpression of the regulatory protein PEA15 negates the resistance, revealing a key role for ERK1/2 in BCAR1/BCAR3-induced antiestrogen resistance. Reverse-phase protein array data show that PEA15 levels in invasive breast cancers correlate with patient survival, suggesting that PEA15 can override ERK1/2 activation by BCAR1/BCAR3 and other upstream regulators. We further uncovered that the BCAR3-related NSP3 can also promote antiestrogen resistance. Thus, strategies to disrupt BCAR1-BCAR3/NSP3 complexes and associated signaling networks could ultimately lead to new breast cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Wallez
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Stefan J Riedl
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Elena B Pasquale
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego California 92093.
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Deng B, Sun Z, Jason W, Yang P. Increased BCAR1 predicts poor outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer in multiple-center patients. Ann Surg Oncol 2013; 20 Suppl 3:S701-8. [PMID: 23904007 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-013-3184-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine the prognostic value of BCAR1 expression and its associations with clinical-demographical characteristics in multiple centers of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS Gene expression microarray (mRNA) of 77 adenocarcinomas from Mayo Clinic, RNA-sequencing of 508 NSCLC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and immunohistochemistry stain of BCAR1-protein expression in 150 cases from Daping Hospital were included in the study. The association of mRNA or protein expression with patient clinical characteristics and overall survival was assessed in each dataset. We also predicted microRNAs (miRNA) that target BCAR1 using bioinformatics prediction tools and evaluated miRNA expression patterns with BCAR1 expression in miRNA-sequencing data of 74 lung cancer cases from TCGA dataset. RESULTS In the Mayo Clinic dataset, a higher BCAR1-mRNA level correlated significantly with more advanced tumor-stage and lymphatic metastasis. Similar changes were observed in the TCGA RNA-seq dataset. Additionally, higher BCAR1-mRNA levels predicted poorer survival in adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma from the TCGA dataset. The protein levels in the adenocarcinoma cases with lymphatic metastasis were significantly higher than of those without metastasis. Tumor tissues demonstrated remarkably higher levels of protein compared with matched normal tissues although there was no significant difference in BCAR1-mRNA expression between tumor and matched normal tissues was detected. In miRNAs that were downregulated in the tumors, Let-7f-2 and miR-22 differed the most (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We confirmed that increased BCAR1 expression predicts poorer prognosis in NSCLC. We postulate that mRNA-protein decoupling of BCAR1 may be a result of reduced inhibition of specific miRNAs in tumor tissues, which warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Deng
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
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Baquiran JB, Bradbury P, O'Neill GM. Tyrosine Y189 in the substrate domain of the adhesion docking protein NEDD9 is conserved with p130Cas Y253 and regulates NEDD9-mediated migration and focal adhesion dynamics. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69304. [PMID: 23874939 PMCID: PMC3706375 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The focal adhesion docking protein NEDD9/HEF1/Cas-L regulates cell migration and cancer invasion. NEDD9 is a member of the Cas family of proteins that share conserved overall protein-protein interaction domain structure, including a substrate domain that is characterized by extensive tyrosine (Y) phosphorylation. Previous studies have suggested that phosphorylation of Y253 in the substrate domain of the Cas family protein p130Cas is specifically required for p130Cas function in cell migration. While it is clear that tyrosine phosphorylation of the NEDD9 substrate domain is similarly required for the regulation of cell motility, whether individual NEDD9 tyrosine residues have discrete function in regulating motility has not previously been reported. In the present study we have used a global sequence alignment of Cas family proteins to identify a putative NEDD9 equivalent of p130Cas Y253. We find that NEDD9 Y189 aligns with p130Cas Y253 and that it is conserved among NEDD9 vertebrate orthologues. Expression of NEDD9 in which Y189 is mutated to phenylalanine results in increased rates of cell migration and is correlated with increased disassembly of GFP.NEDD9 focal adhesions. Conversely, mutation to Y189D significantly inhibits cell migration. Our previous data has suggested that NEDD9 stabilizes focal adhesions and the present data therefore suggests that phosphorylation of Y189 NEDD9 is required for this function. These findings indicate that the individual tyrosine residues of the NEDD9 substrate domain may serve discrete functional roles. Given the important role of this protein in promoting cancer invasion, greater understanding of the function of the individual tyrosine residues is important for the future design of approaches to target NEDD9 to arrest cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime B. Baquiran
- Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Peta Bradbury
- Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Geraldine M. O'Neill
- Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Wallez Y, Mace PD, Pasquale EB, Riedl SJ. NSP-CAS Protein Complexes: Emerging Signaling Modules in Cancer. Genes Cancer 2012; 3:382-93. [PMID: 23226576 DOI: 10.1177/1947601912460050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The CAS (CRK-associated substrate) family of adaptor proteins comprises 4 members, which share a conserved modular domain structure that enables multiple protein-protein interactions, leading to the assembly of intracellular signaling platforms. Besides their physiological role in signal transduction downstream of a variety of cell surface receptors, CAS proteins are also critical for oncogenic transformation and cancer cell malignancy through associations with a variety of regulatory proteins and downstream effectors. Among the regulatory partners, the 3 recently identified adaptor proteins constituting the NSP (novel SH2-containing protein) family avidly bind to the conserved carboxy-terminal focal adhesion-targeting (FAT) domain of CAS proteins. NSP proteins use an anomalous nucleotide exchange factor domain that lacks catalytic activity to form NSP-CAS signaling modules. Additionally, the NSP SH2 domain can link NSP-CAS signaling assemblies to tyrosine-phosphorylated cell surface receptors. NSP proteins can potentiate CAS function by affecting key CAS attributes such as expression levels, phosphorylation state, and subcellular localization, leading to effects on cell adhesion, migration, and invasion as well as cell growth. The consequences of these activities are well exemplified by the role that members of both families play in promoting breast cancer cell invasiveness and resistance to antiestrogens. In this review, we discuss the intriguing interplay between the NSP and CAS families, with a particular focus on cancer signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Wallez
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Bisaro B, Montani M, Konstantinidou G, Marchini C, Pietrella L, Iezzi M, Galiè M, Orso F, Camporeale A, Colombo SM, Di Stefano P, Tornillo G, Camacho-Leal MP, Turco E, Taverna D, Cabodi S, Amici A, Defilippi P. p130Cas/Cyclooxygenase-2 axis in the control of mesenchymal plasticity of breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res 2012; 14:R137. [PMID: 23098208 PMCID: PMC4053116 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Intrinsic plasticity of breast carcinoma cells allows them to undergo a transient and reversible conversion into mesenchymal cells to disseminate into distant organs, where they can re-differentiate to an epithelial-like status to form a cohesive secondary mass. The p130Cas scaffold protein is overexpressed in human ER+ and HER2+ breast cancer where it contributes to cancer progression, invasion and resistance to therapy. However, its role in regulating mesenchymal aggressive breast cancer cells remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular and functional involvement of this adaptor protein in breast cancer cell plasticity. Methods We used silencing strategies and rescue experiments to evaluate phenotypic and biochemical changes from mesenchymal to epithelial traits in breast tumor cell lines. In the mouse A17 cell model previously related to mesenchymal cancer stem cells and basal-like breast cancer, we biochemically dissected the signaling pathways involved and performed functional in vivo tumor growth ability assays. The significance of the signaling platform was assessed in a human setting through the use of specific inhibitors in aggressive MDA-MB-231 subpopulation LM2-4175 cells. To evaluate the clinical relevance of the results, we analyzed publicly available microarray data from the Netherlands Cancer Institute and from the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center. Results We show that p130Cas silencing induces loss of mesenchymal features, by downregulating Vimentin, Snail, Slug and Twist transcriptional factors, resulting in the acquirement of epithelial-like traits. Mechanistically, p130Cas controls Cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional expression, which in turn contributes to p130Cas-dependent maintenance of mesenchymal phenotype. This cascade of events also compromises in vivo tumor growth through inhibition of cell signaling controlling cell cycle progression. c-Src and JNK kinases are sequential players in p130Cas/ Cyclooxygenase-2 axis and their pharmacological inhibition is sufficient to downregulate Cyclooxygenase-2 leading to an epithelial phenotype. Finally, in silico microarray data analysis indicates that p130Cas and Cyclooxygenase-2 concomitant overexpression predicts poor survival and high probability of breast tumor recurrence. Conclusions Overall, these data identify a new p130Cas/Cyclooxygenase-2 axis as a crucial element in the control of breast tumor plasticity, opening new therapeutic strategies leading to inhibition of these pathways in aggressive breast carcinoma.
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van Agthoven T, Godinho MFE, Wulfkuhle JD, Petricoin EF, Dorssers LCJ. Protein pathway activation mapping reveals molecular networks associated with antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer cell lines. Int J Cancer 2012; 131:1998-2007. [PMID: 22328489 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.27489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we have identified a panel of breast cancer antiestrogen resistance (BCAR) genes. Several of these genes have clinical relevance because mRNA or protein levels associate with tamoxifen resistance or tumor aggressiveness. We postulated that changes in activation status of protein signaling networks induced by BCAR genes may provide better insight into the mechanisms underlying antiestrogen resistance. Key signal transduction pathways were analyzed for changes in activation or expression using reverse-phase protein microarrays probed with 78 antibodies against signaling proteins with known roles in tumorigenesis. We used ZR-75-1-derived cell lines transduced with AKT1, AKT2, BCAR1, BCAR3, BCAR4, EGFR, GRB7, HRAS, HRAS(v12) or HEF1 and MCF7-derived cell lines transduced with BCAR3, BCAR4 or EGFR. In the antiestrogen-resistant cell lines, we observed increased phosphorylation of several pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. All tamoxifen-resistant cell lines contained high levels of phosphorylated AKT and its biochemically linked substrates Forkhead box O1/3. The activation of ERBB2, ERBB3 and the downstream modulators focal adhesion kinase and SHC were activated in cells with overexpression of BCAR4. Remarkable differences were observed for the levels of activated AMPK alpha1, cyclins, STAT5, STAT6, ERK1/2 and BCL2. The comparison of the cell signaling networks in estrogen-dependent and -independent cell lines revealed biochemically linked kinase-substrate markers that comprised systemically activated signaling pathways involved in tamoxifen resistance. Our results show that this model provides insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and antiestrogen resistance. This knowledge may help the development of novel targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ton van Agthoven
- Department of Pathology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Martinez-Outschoorn UE, Goldberg A, Lin Z, Ko YH, Flomenberg N, Wang C, Pavlides S, Pestell RG, Howell A, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP. Anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer is induced by the tumor microenvironment and can be overcome by inhibiting mitochondrial function in epithelial cancer cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2011; 12:924-38. [PMID: 22041887 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.12.10.17780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that tamoxifen resistance is induced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Coculture of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) MCF7 cells with fibroblasts induces tamoxifen and fulvestrant resistance with 4.4 and 2.5-fold reductions, respectively, in apoptosis compared with homotypic MCF7 cell cultures. Treatment of MCF7 cells cultured alone with high-energy mitochondrial "fuels" (L-lactate or ketone bodies) is sufficient to confer tamoxifen resistance, mimicking the effects of coculture with fibroblasts. To further demonstrate that epithelial cancer cell mitochondrial activity is the origin of tamoxifen resistance, we employed complementary pharmacological and genetic approaches. First, we studied the effects of two mitochondrial "poisons," namely metformin and arsenic trioxide (ATO), on fibroblast-induced tamoxifen resistance. We show here that treatment with metformin or ATO overcomes fibroblast-induced tamoxifen resistance in MCF7 cells. Treatment with the combination of tamoxifen plus metformin or ATO leads to increases in glucose uptake in MCF7 cells, reflecting metabolic uncoupling between epithelial cancer cells and fibroblasts. In coculture, tamoxifen induces the upregulation of TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator), a p53 regulated gene that simultaneously inhibits glycolysis, autophagy and apoptosis and reduces ROS generation, thereby promoting oxidative mitochondrial metabolism. To genetically mimic the effects of coculture, we next recombinantly overexpressed TIGAR in MCF7 cells. Remarkably, TIGAR overexpression protects epithelial cancer cells from tamoxifen-induced apoptosis, providing genetic evidence that increased mitochondrial function confers tamoxifen resistance. Finally, CAFs also protect MCF7 cells against apoptosis induced by other anticancer agents, such as the topoisomerase inhibitor doxorubicin (adriamycin) and the PARP-1 inhibitor ABT-888. These results suggest that the tumor microenvironment may be a general mechanism for conferring drug resistance. In summary, we have discovered that mitochondrial activity in epithelial cancer cells drives tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer and that mitochondrial "poisons" are able to re-sensitize these cancer cells to tamoxifen. In this context, TIGAR may be a key "druggable" target for preventing drug resistance in cancer cells, as it protects cancer cells against the onset of stress-induced mitochondrial dys-function and aerobic glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubaldo E Martinez-Outschoorn
- The Jefferson Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Center, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Godinho M, Meijer D, Setyono-Han B, Dorssers LCJ, van Agthoven T. Characterization of BCAR4, a novel oncogene causing endocrine resistance in human breast cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 2011; 226:1741-9. [PMID: 21506106 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to the antiestrogen tamoxifen remains a major problem in the management of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Knowledge on the resistance mechanisms is needed to develop more effective therapies. Breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 4 (BCAR4) was identified in a functional screen for genes involved in tamoxifen resistance. BCAR4 is expressed in 27% of primary breast tumors. In patients treated with tamoxifen for metastized disease high BCAR4 mRNA levels are associated with reduced clinical benefit and progression-free survival. Regarding tumor aggressiveness high BCAR4 mRNA levels are associated with a shorter metastasis free survival and overall survival. In the present study, we investigated the role of BCAR4 in endocrine resistance. Forced expression of BCAR4 in human ZR-75-1 and MCF7 breast cancer cells resulted in cell proliferation in the absence of estrogen and in the presence of various antiestrogens. Inhibition of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA), implied that the BCAR4-induced mechanism of resistance is independent of ESR1. Highly conserved BCAR4 homologues of rhesus monkey, green monkey, and the less conserved common marmoset gene induced tamoxifen-resistant cell proliferation, in contrast to the distant BCAR4 homologues of bovine and rabbit. Injection of BCAR4-expressing ZR-75-1 cells into nude mice resulted in rapidly growing tumors. In silico analysis showed that BCAR4 mRNA is highly expressed in human placenta and oocyte, and absent in other normal tissues. In conclusion, BCAR4 is a strong transforming gene causing estrogen-independent growth and antiestrogen resistance, and induces tumor formation in vivo. Due to its restricted expression, BCAR4 may be a good target for treating antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Godinho
- Department of Pathology, Josephine Nefkens Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Abstract
The estrogen receptor (ER) pathway plays a pivotal role in breast cancer development and progression. Endocrine therapy to block the ER pathway is highly effective, but its usefulness is limited by common intrinsic and acquired resistance. Multiple mechanisms responsible for endocrine resistance have been proposed and include deregulation of various components of the ER pathway itself, alterations in cell cycle and cell survival signaling molecules, and the activation of escape pathways that can provide tumors with alternative proliferative and survival stimuli. Among these, increased expression or signaling of growth factor receptor pathways, especially the EGFR/HER2 pathway, has been associated with both experimental and clinical endocrine therapy resistance. New treatment combinations targeting both ER and growth factor receptor signaling to block the crosstalk between these pathways and eliminate escape routes have been proven highly effective in preclinical models. Results of recent clinical studies, while partly supporting this approach, also highlight the need to better identify a priori the patients whose tumors are most likely to benefit from these specific cotargeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kent Osborne
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Lester & Sue Smith Breast Center, Departments of Medicine and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM 600, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rachel Schiff
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Lester & Sue Smith Breast Center, Departments of Medicine and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM 600, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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14
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Cabodi S, del Pilar Camacho-Leal M, Di Stefano P, Defilippi P. Integrin signalling adaptors: not only figurants in the cancer story. Nat Rev Cancer 2010; 10:858-70. [PMID: 21102636 DOI: 10.1038/nrc2967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Current evidence highlights the ability of adaptor (or scaffold) proteins to create signalling platforms that drive cellular transformation upon integrin-dependent adhesion and growth factor receptor activation. The understanding of the biological effects that are regulated by these adaptors in tumours might be crucial for the identification of new targets and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for human cancer. In this Review we discuss the relevance of adaptor proteins in signalling that originates from integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion and growth factor stimulation in the context of cell transformation and tumour progression. We specifically underline the contribution of p130 Crk-associated substrate (p130CAS; also known as BCAR1), neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 9 (NEDD9; also known as HEF1), CRK and the integrin-linked kinase (ILK)-pinch-parvin (IPP) complex to cancer, along with the more recently identified p140 Cas-associated protein (p140CAP; also known as SRCIN1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cabodi
- Molecular Biotechnology Centre and Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, Torino 10126, Italy
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15
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Tikhmyanova N, Little JL, Golemis EA. CAS proteins in normal and pathological cell growth control. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:1025-48. [PMID: 19937461 PMCID: PMC2836406 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0213-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2009] [Revised: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the CAS (Crk-associated substrate) family (BCAR1/p130Cas, NEDD9/HEF1/Cas-L, EFS/SIN and CASS4/HEPL) are integral players in normal and pathological cell biology. CAS proteins act as scaffolds to regulate protein complexes controlling migration and chemotaxis, apoptosis, cell cycle, and differentiation, and have more recently been linked to a role in progenitor cell function. Reflecting these complex functions, over-expression of CAS proteins has now been strongly linked to poor prognosis and increased metastasis in cancer, as well as resistance to first-line chemotherapeutics in multiple tumor types including breast and lung cancers, glioblastoma, and melanoma. Further, CAS proteins have also been linked to additional pathological conditions including inflammatory disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as developmental defects. This review will explore the roles of the CAS proteins in normal and pathological states in the context of the many mechanistic insights into CAS protein function that have emerged in the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda Tikhmyanova
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Drexel University Medical School, Philadelphia, PA 19102 USA
| | - Joy L. Little
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
| | - Erica A. Golemis
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
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16
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Abstract
Endocrine therapies targeting oestrogen action (anti-oestrogens, such as tamoxifen, and aromatase inhibitors) decrease mortality from breast cancer, but their efficacy is limited by intrinsic and acquired therapeutic resistance. Candidate molecular biomarkers and gene expression signatures of tamoxifen response emphasize the importance of deregulation of proliferation and survival signalling in endocrine resistance. However, definition of the specific genetic lesions and molecular processes that determine clinical endocrine resistance is incomplete. The development of large-scale computational and genetic approaches offers the promise of identifying the mediators of endocrine resistance that may be exploited as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers of response in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Musgrove
- Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
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