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Li Y, Wang D, Ge H, Güngör C, Gong X, Chen Y. Cytoskeletal and Cytoskeleton-Associated Proteins: Key Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1369. [PMID: 36355541 PMCID: PMC9698833 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells possessing stemness characteristics that are closely associated with tumor proliferation, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Recent studies have shown that different cytoskeletal components and remodeling processes have a profound impact on the behavior of CSCs. In this review, we outline the different cytoskeletal components regulating the properties of CSCs and discuss current and ongoing therapeutic strategies targeting the cytoskeleton. Given the many challenges currently faced in targeted cancer therapy, a deeper comprehension of the molecular events involved in the interaction of the cytoskeleton and CSCs will help us identify more effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs and ultimately improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heming Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cenap Güngör
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuejun Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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Barik GK, Sahay O, Paul D, Santra MK. Ezrin gone rogue in cancer progression and metastasis: An enticing therapeutic target. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188753. [PMID: 35752404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer as it remains the most complicated, devastating, and enigmatic aspect of cancer. Several decades of extensive research have identified several key players closely associated with metastasis. Among these players, cytoskeletal linker Ezrin (the founding member of the ERM (Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin) family) was identified as a critical promoter of metastasis in pediatric cancers in the early 21st century. Ezrin was discovered 40 years ago as a aminor component of intestinal epithelial microvillus core protein, which is enriched in actin-containing cell surface structures. It controls gastric acid secretion and plays diverse physiological roles including maintaining cell polarity, regulating cell adhesion, cell motility and morphogenesis. Extensive research for more than two decades evinces that Ezrin is frequently dysregulated in several human cancers. Overexpression, altered subcellular localization and/or aberrant activation of Ezrin are closely associated with higher metastatic incidence and patient mortality, thereby justifying Ezrin as a valuable prognostic biomarker in cancer. Ezrin plays multifaceted role in multiple aspects of cancer, with its significant contribution in the complex metastatic cascade, through reorganizing the cytoskeleton and deregulating various cellular signaling pathways. Current preclinical studies using genetic and/or pharmacological approaches reveal that inactivation of Ezrin results in significant inhibition of Ezrin-mediated tumor growth and metastasis as well as increase in the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we discuss the recent advances illuminating the molecular mechanisms responsible for Ezrin dysregulation in cancer and its pleiotropic role in cancer progression and metastasis. We also highlight its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in various cancers. More importantly, we put forward some potential questions, which we strongly believe, will stimulate both basic and translational research to better understand Ezrin-mediated malignancy, ultimately leading to the development of Ezrin-targeted cancer therapy for the betterment of human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Kumar Barik
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Osheen Sahay
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Debasish Paul
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India.
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Yao Q, Pei Y, Zhuo H, Xie B. Influence of ezrin-shRNA in combination with HSP70 on the apoptosis and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:3441-3448. [PMID: 27900018 PMCID: PMC5103965 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin and heat shock protein (HSP)70 have been reported to regulate cell apoptosis and tumor development of osteosarcoma. However, there has not been reported the synergy effect of knocking down ezrin and overexpressing HSP70. In the present study, two vectors, pGFP-V-RS-shRNA and pGFP-V-RS-shRNA-HSP70, were constructed and transfected into LM8 cells [denoted as small hairpin (sh)RNA group and dual group, respectively]. The apoptosis rates in these two transfected groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (empty vector) (P=0.036), while significantly lower proliferation rates were observed in these two groups (P=0.023). The cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity on target LM8 tumor cells in the dual group was significantly higher than in other groups, with cytotoxicity as high as 55.56±2.10%. Further studies revealed that the transfection of ezrin-shRNA/HSP70 also suppressed tumor formation in vivo in nude mice. A lower cluster of differentiation (CD)4/CD8 ratio was detected in the tumor formed by injecting cells in the dual group (P=0.006). Furthermore, the serum level of interleukin-4 in the dual group was significantly decreased, while the serum level of interferon-γ was significantly increased, compared with the other two groups (P=0.004). Simultaneously knocking down ezrin and overexpressing HSP70 promotes cellular apoptosis and suppresses the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro, and enhances the tumor killing effects of HSP70-induced immune killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yao
- Central Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Yihua Pei
- Central Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Huiqin Zhuo
- Central Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Bozhen Xie
- Department of Spine Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
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Lugowska I, Mierzejewska E, Lenarcik M, Klepacka T, Koch I, Michalak E, Szamotulska K. The clinical significance of changes in ezrin expression in osteosarcoma of children and young adults. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:12071-12078. [PMID: 27207343 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5091-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin is a protein that functions as a cross-linker between actin cytoskeleton and plasma membrane. Its clinical role in osteosarcoma is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate, in osteosarcoma, the prognostic value of ezrin expression at biopsy and changes in expression levels after preoperative chemotherapy. Thirty-eight newly diagnosed osteosarcoma patients aged 6-23 years were included. At diagnosis, 20 patients had localized disease, the others had distant metastases. Median follow-up was 75 months (range 13-135). Ezrin expression was assessed immunohistochemically in biopsy tissue and primary tumour specimens resected after chemotherapy. The influence on survival of changes in ezrin expression after chemotherapy was analysed. Ezrin expression was significantly higher after preoperative chemotherapy and changes compared to biopsy tissue were significantly lower in patients with early progression than in patients with relapse or no further evidence of disease (p = 0.006 and p = 0.002, respectively). Similarly, ezrin expression was higher after preoperative chemotherapy and exhibited less change in expression in deceased patients compared to patients surviving more than 5 years (both p = 0.001). Ezrin expression at biopsy was significantly associated with both histopathological aggressiveness (p < 0.001) and tumour size (p = 0.037). The results of this study provide evidence that changes in overexpression of ezrin due to preoperative chemotherapy could be a useful predictive and prognostic marker in patients with osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Lugowska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland. .,Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology, K. W. Roentgen Street, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Ewa Mierzejewska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Lenarcik
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Teresa Klepacka
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Irena Koch
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Michalak
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Szamotulska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Mother and Child, M. Kasprzak Street 17a, 01-211, Warsaw, Poland
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Abstract
In all eukaryotes, the plasma membrane is critically important as it maintains the architectural integrity of the cell. Proper anchorage and interaction between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton is critical for normal cellular processes. The ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) proteins are a class of highly homologous proteins involved in linking the plasma membrane to the cortical actin cytoskeleton. This review takes a succinct look at the biology of the ERM proteins including their structure and function. Current reports on their regulation that leads to activation and deactivation was examined before taking a look at the different interacting partners. Finally, emerging roles of each of the ERM family members in cancer was highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin A Ponuwei
- Cell migration laboratory, Molecular and Cellular Medicine Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Hopkins Building, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Berkshire, UK. .,Molecular and Cellular Medicine unit, Department of Biomedical sciences, School of Life Sciences, Hopkins Building, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK.
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Clinical significance of microRNA-183/Ezrin axis in judging the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Med Oncol 2013; 31:821. [PMID: 24352761 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-013-0821-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA-183 (miR-183) has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor miRNA in inhibition of migration and invasion of osteosarcoma by targeting an oncogene Ezrin. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation of combined miR-183 and Ezrin mRNA expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with osteosarcomas. Expressions of MiR-183 and Ezrin mRNA were both examined using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis in 68 specimens from patients with osteosarcomas. MiR-183 and Ezrin mRNA expression levels were, respectively, lower and higher in osteosarcoma tissues than those in noncancerous bone tissues significantly (both P < 0.001). Notably, the downregulation of miR-183 was negatively correlated with the upregulation of Ezrin mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues (r = -0.66, P = 0.01). In addition, the combined miR-183 downregulation and Ezrin upregulation (miR-183-low/Ezrin-high) was significantly associated with high tumor grade (P = 0.02), poor response to chemotherapy (P = 0.01), positive metastasis (P = 0.006) and recurrence (P = 0.008). Moreover, miR-183/Ezrin expression and the status of metastasis were both found to be independent prognostic factors for overall survival (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively) and disease-free survival (both P = 0.02). Our findings showed that the aberrant expression of miR-183 and its target gene Ezrin may play a crucial role in the development and progression of human osteosarcoma. More interestingly, the dysregulation of miR-183/Ezrin axis may be related to the prediction of aggressiveness and poor prognosis for patients with this lethal disease.
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Antelmi E, Cardone RA, Greco MR, Rubino R, Di Sole F, Martino NA, Casavola V, Carcangiu M, Moro L, Reshkin SJ. ß1 integrin binding phosphorylates ezrin at T567 to activate a lipid raft signalsome driving invadopodia activity and invasion. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75113. [PMID: 24086451 PMCID: PMC3782503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation is a critical process in tumor cell invasion and requires matrix degrading protrusions called invadopodia. The Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) has recently been shown to be fundamental in the regulation of invadopodia actin cytoskeleton dynamics and activity. However, the structural link between the invadopodia cytoskeleton and NHE1 is still unknown. A candidate could be ezrin, a linker between the NHE1 and the actin cytoskeleton known to play a pivotal role in invasion and metastasis. However, the mechanistic basis for its role remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that ezrin phosphorylated at T567 is highly overexpressed in the membrane of human breast tumors and positively associated with invasive growth and HER2 overexpression. Further, in the metastatic cell line, MDA-MB-231, p-ezrin was almost exclusively expressed in invadopodia lipid rafts where it co-localized in a functional complex with NHE1, EGFR, ß1-integrin and phosphorylated-NHERF1. Manipulation by mutation of ezrins T567 phosphorylation state and/or PIP2 binding capacity or of NHE1s binding to ezrin or PIP2 demonstrated that p-ezrin expression and binding to PIP2 are required for invadopodia-mediated ECM degradation and invasion and identified NHE1 as the membrane protein that p-ezrin regulates to induce invadopodia formation and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Antelmi
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmacologics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Anatomic Pathology A Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa A. Cardone
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmacologics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria R. Greco
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmacologics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Rubino
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmacologics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Sole
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Medical Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nicola A. Martino
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Biotechnological Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Valeria Casavola
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmacologics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - MariaLuisa Carcangiu
- Department of Pathology, Anatomic Pathology A Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Loredana Moro
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics (IBBE), CNR, Bari, Italy
| | - Stephan J. Reshkin
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmacologics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Chen QY, Xu W, Jiao DM, Wu LJ, Song J, Yan J, Shi JG. Silence of ezrin modifies migration and actin cytoskeleton rearrangements and enhances chemosensitivity of lung cancer cells in vitro. Mol Cell Biochem 2013; 377:207-18. [PMID: 23435957 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-013-1586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Ezrin, primarily acts as a linker between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton, is involved in many cellular functions, including regulation of actin cytoskeleton, control of cell shape, adhesion, motility, and modulation of signaling pathways. Although ezrin is now recognized as a key component in tumor metastasis, its roles and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we chose highly metastatic human lung carcinoma 95D cells, which highly express the ezrin proteins, as a model to examine the functional roles of ezrin in tumor suppression. An ezrin-silenced 95D cell line was established using lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA method. CCK-8 assay and soft agar assay analysis showed that downregulation of ezrin significantly suppressed the tumorigenicity and proliferation of 95D cells in vitro. cell migration and invasion studies showed that ezrin-specific deficiency in the cells caused the substantial reduction of the cell migration and invasion. In parallel, it also induced rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. Flow cytometry assay showed that changes in the ezrin protein level significantly affected the cell cycle distribution and eventual apoptosis. Furthermore, further studies showed that ezrin regulated the expression level of E-cadherin and CD44, which are key molecules involved in cell growth, migration, and invasion. Meanwhile, the suppression of ezrin expression also sensitized cells to antitumor drugs. Altogether, our results demonstrated that ezrin played an important role in the tumorigenicity and metastasis of lung cancer cells, which will benefit the development of therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Yong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The 117th Hospital of PLA, Hang Zhou, People's Republic of China.
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