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Xiao W, Wang J, Wang X, Cai S, Guo Y, Ye L, Li D, Hu A, Jin S, Yuan B, Zhou Y, Li Q, Tong Q, Zheng L. Therapeutic targeting of the USP2-E2F4 axis inhibits autophagic machinery essential for zinc homeostasis in cancer progression. Autophagy 2022; 18:2615-2635. [PMID: 35253629 PMCID: PMC9629121 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2044651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is a conserved cellular process associated with tumorigenesis and aggressiveness, while mechanisms regulating expression of autophagic machinery genes in cancers still remain elusive. Herein, we identified E2F4 (E2F transcription factor 4) as a novel transcriptional activator of cytoprotective autophagy crucial for zinc homeostasis in cancer cells. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that E2F4 promoted autophagy in a cell cycle-dependent manner, resulting in facilitated degradation of MT (metallothionein) proteins, elevated distribution of Zn2+ within autophagosomes, decreased labile intracellular zinc ions, and increased growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, E2F4 directly regulated the transcription of ATG2A (autophagy related 2A) and ULK2 (unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 2), leading to autophagic degradation of MT1E, MT1M, and MT1X, while USP2 (ubiquitin specific peptidase 2) stabilized E2F4 protein to induce its transactivation via physical interaction and deubiquitination in cancer cells. Rescue experiments revealed that USP2 harbored oncogenic properties via E2F4-facilitated autophagy and zinc homeostasis. Emetine, a small chemical inhibitor of autophagy, was able to block interaction between UPS2 and E2F4, increase labile intracellular zinc ions, and suppress tumorigenesis and aggressiveness. In clinical gastric cancer specimens, both USP2 and E2F4 were upregulated and associated with poor outcome of patients. These findings indicate that therapeutic targeting of the USP2-E2F4 axis inhibits autophagic machinery essential for zinc homeostasis in cancer progression.Abbreviations: 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; ANOVA: analysis of variance; ATG2A: autophagy related 2A; ATG5: autophagy related 5; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; BECN1: beclin 1; BiFC: bimolecular fluorescence complementation; CCND1: cyclin D1; CDK: cyclin dependent kinase; ChIP: chromatin immunoprecipitation; CHX: cycloheximide; Co-IP: co-immunoprecipitation; DAPI: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; E2F4: E2F transcription factor 4; eATP: extracellular adenosine triphosphate; EBSS: Earle's balanced salt solution; FP: first progression; FRET: fluorescence resonance energy transfer; FUCCI: fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator; GFP: green fluorescent protein; GST: glutathione S-transferase; HA: hemagglutinin; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MDM2: MDM2 proto-oncogene; MKI67/Ki-67: marker of proliferation Ki-67; MT: metallothionein; MT1E: metallothionein 1E; MT1M: metallothionein 1M; MT1X: metallothionein 1X; MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethyltriazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide; OS: overall survival; PECAM1/CD31: platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1; PIK3C3: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3; qPCR: quantitative PCR; RFP: red fluorescent protein; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; UBXN1: UBX domain protein 1; Ub: ubiquitin; ULK2: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 2; USP14: ubiquitin specific peptidase 14; USP2: ubiquitin specific peptidase 2; USP5: ubiquitin specific peptidase 5; USP7: ubiquitin specific peptidase 7; ZnCl2: zinc chloride.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jianqun Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.,Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shuang Cai
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yanhua Guo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lin Ye
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Anpei Hu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shikai Jin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Boling Yuan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qilan Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qiangsong Tong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.,Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Liduan Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.,Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Qin YQ, Liu SY, Lv ML, Sun WL. Ambra1 in cancer: implications for clinical oncology. Apoptosis 2022; 27:720-729. [PMID: 35994214 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-022-01762-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Activating molecule in Beclin-1-regulated autophagy protein 1 (Ambra1) is well known to mediate the autophagy process and promote the formation of autophagosomes. In addition, Ambra1 is involved in the execution of apoptosis. A growing number of studies have revealed that this protein modifies the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs by controlling the balance between autophagy and apoptosis. In addition, Ambra1 is a key factor in regulating the cell cycle, proliferation, invasion and migration. Therefore, it plays a key role in tumorigenesis and progression. Moreover, Ambra1 is highly expressed in a variety of cancers and is closely related to the prognosis of patients. Thus, it appears that Ambra1 has multiple roles in tumorigenesis and progression, which may have implications for clinical oncology. The present review focuses on recent advances in the study of Ambra1, especially the role of the protein in tumorigenesis, progression and effects on anticancer drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Qiu Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 166 Daxuedong Road, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Yu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 166 Daxuedong Road, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Ling Lv
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 166 Daxuedong Road, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Liang Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 166 Daxuedong Road, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
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Koustas E, Trifylli EM, Sarantis P, Kontolatis NI, Damaskos C, Garmpis N, Vallilas C, Garmpi A, Papavassiliou AG, Karamouzis MV. The Implication of Autophagy in Gastric Cancer Progression. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121304. [PMID: 34947835 PMCID: PMC8705750 DOI: 10.3390/life11121304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The three entirely variable entities have distinct epidemiology, molecular characteristics, prognosis, and strategies for clinical management. However, many gastric tumors appear to be resistant to current chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, a significant number of gastric cancer patients, with a lack of optimal treatment strategies, have reduced survival. In recent years, multiple research data have highlighted the importance of autophagy, an essential catabolic process of cytoplasmic component digestion, in cancer. The role of autophagy as a tumor suppressor or tumor promoter mechanism remains controversial. The multistep nature of the autophagy process offers a wide array of targetable points for designing novel chemotherapeutic strategies. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the interplay between gastric cancer development and the autophagy process and decipher the role of autophagy in this kind of cancer. A plethora of different agents that direct or indirect target autophagy may be a novel therapeutic approach for gastric cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Koustas
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eleni-Myrto Trifylli
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Panagiotis Sarantis
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Nikolaos I. Kontolatis
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Christos Damaskos
- Renal Transplantation Unit, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- ‘N.S. Christeas’ Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Nikolaos Garmpis
- ‘N.S. Christeas’ Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Vallilas
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Anna Garmpi
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
| | - Michalis V. Karamouzis
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.-M.T.); (P.S.); (N.I.K.); (C.V.); (A.G.P.); (M.V.K.)
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Liu X, Ma B, Chen M, Zhang Y, Ma Z, Chen H. Prognostic Autophagy-Related Genes of Gastric Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy. Front Genet 2021; 12:720849. [PMID: 34759953 PMCID: PMC8573096 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.720849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chemotherapy resistance based on fluorouracil and cisplatin is one of the most encountered postoperative clinical problems in patients diagnosed with gastric cancer (GC), resulting in poor prognosis. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to combine autophagy-related genes (ARGs) to investigate the susceptibility patients with GC to postoperative chemotherapy. Methods: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, gene expression data for GC patients undergoing chemotherapy were integrated and analyzed. Prognostic genes were screened based on univariate and multivariate analysis regression analysis. Subjects were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the median risk score. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate OS and DFS. The accuracy of the prediction was determined by the subject operating characteristic curve analysis. In addition, stratified analyses based on different clinical variables was performed to assess the correlation between risk scores and clinical variables. Quantitative real-time (qRT) PCR was used to verify the expression of CXCR4 in GC tissues and cell lines. Results: A total of nine ARGs related to the prognosis of chemotherapy patients were screened out. Compared with normal gastric mucosa cell, CXCR4 showed elevated expression in GC and was significantly associated with survival. Based on GEO and TCGA databases, the model accurately predicted DFS and OS after chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study established prognostic markers based on nine genes, predicting that ARGs are related to chemotherapy susceptibility of GC patients, which can provide better individualized treatment regimens for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mali Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gansu Province Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaqing Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology, Gansu Province Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhen Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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Xiu T, Guo Q, Jing FB. Facing Cell Autophagy in Gastric Cancer - What Do We Know so Far? Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:1647-1659. [PMID: 33976565 PMCID: PMC8104978 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s298705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a process by which misfolded proteins and damaged organelles in the lysosomes of tumor cells were degraded reusing decomposed substances and avoiding accumulation of large amounts of harmful substances. Here, the role of autophagy in the development of malignant transformation of gastric tumors, and the underlying mechanisms involved in autophagy formation, and the application of targeted autophagy in the treatment of gastric cancer were summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, People's Republic of China
| | - Qie Guo
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan-Bo Jing
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266003, People's Republic of China
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Wu M, Chen B, Pan X, Su J. Prognostic Value of Autophagy-related Proteins in Human Gastric Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:13527-13540. [PMID: 33414645 PMCID: PMC7783202 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s278354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Autophagy-related proteins (ATG) play a crucial role in autophagy. Recently, the functions of autophagy in cancer have been gathering attention. However, the prognostic value of ATGs in gastric cancer (GC) has not been explored. Methods The Kaplan–Meier plotter (KM plotter) online database was used to examine the value of ATGs gene expression levels in overall survival (OS) prediction in GC patients with different clinical stage, differentiation, gender, HER2 status, and therapeutic strategy. In vitro experiments applied VE-822, an effective GC treatment, to assess cell migration and proliferation in gastric mucosa epithelial cells, and real-time PCR was used to measure alterations of autophagy-related gene expression. Results High ATG3, ATG4C, ATG5, and ATG10 mRNA levels were associated with good OS, while increased ATG4B, ATG7, ATG12, ATG16L1, and TECPR1 mRNA levels related to unfavorable OS in patients with GC. ATG12 overexpression had different effects on OS due to high levels of heterogeneity. High ATG12 expression was correlated with good OS in female patients with GC and with bad OS for male patients. Additionally, the increased ATG12 expression was more likely to get a satisfactory OS in patients who underwent surgery alone but was associated with poor OS for patients treated with 5-FU adjuvant. In addition, elevated TECPR1 expression was related to favorable OS for patients with poorly differentiated type, while for patients with moderate differentiation, it was relevant to poor OS. The in vitro experiments showed that berzosertib could significantly inhibit the migration and proliferation of human gastric mucosa epithelial cells, and further real-time PCR assessment of ATG expressions partially coincided with the bioinformation analysis above. Conclusion These results indicate that individual ATGs have unique prognostic significance interpreted using Kaplan–Meier plotter analysis and in vitro experiments, and this may help guide clinical therapeutic strategy and promote OS by individualizing therapy for GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Bicheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Pan
- Department of Transplantation Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiadong Su
- Department of Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, People's Republic of China
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Huang W, Zeng C, Hu S, Wang L, Liu J. ATG3, a Target of miR-431-5p, Promotes Proliferation and Invasion of Colon Cancer via Promoting Autophagy. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:10275-10285. [PMID: 31849517 PMCID: PMC6911302 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s226828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have indicated that ATG3 could mediate the effects of other tumor-related regulators in carcinogenesis. However, the expression, role, and mechanism of ATG3 itself in cancers are rarely revealed. Thus, we explored the expression, function, and mechanism of ATG3 in colon cancer. Materials and methods The expression of ATG3 was detected in colon cancer tissues and cell lines, as well as in adjacent tumor tissues and normal colon epithelial cells. The effects of ATG3 alteration on proliferation and invasion were further analyzed. The expression and role of miR-431-5p, a potential negative regulator of ATG3, were also studied. Eventually, the role of autophagy in ATG3 related effects in colon cancer was checked. Results ATG3 is upregulated in colon cancer tissues and cells demonstrated by qPCR and IHC. ATG3 knockdown significantly suppressed proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cells indicated by plate clone formation and Transwell invasion assays. The expression of miR-431-5p is downregulated and negatively correlates with ATG3 in colon cancer. Furthermore, luciferase report system, plate clone formation and Transwell invasion assays demonstrated that miR-431-5p could prohibit cell proliferation and invasion via directly targeting ATG3 in colon cancer. Eventually, Western blot, plate clone formation and Transwell invasion assays proved that autophagy block could antagonize the promotive functions of ATG3 on proliferation and invasion in cancer suggesting autophagy activation accounts for the promotive role of ATG3 on proliferation and invasion in colon cancer. Conclusion Collectively, ATG3 upregulation, caused by downregulated miR-435-5p, promotes proliferation and invasion via an autophagy-dependent manner in colon cancer suggesting that miR-431-5p/ATG3/autophagy may be a potential therapeutic target in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Pathology, Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Neurology, Hunan Rongjun Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanbiao Hu
- Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pathology, Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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Mitophagy in Cancer: A Tale of Adaptation. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050493. [PMID: 31121959 PMCID: PMC6562743 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
:In the past years, we have learnt that tumors co-evolve with their microenvironment, and that the active interaction between cancer cells and stromal cells plays a pivotal role in cancer initiation, progression and treatment response. Among the players involved, the pathways regulating mitochondrial functions have been shown to be crucial for both cancer and stromal cells. This is perhaps not surprising, considering that mitochondria in both cancerous and non-cancerous cells are decisive for vital metabolic and bioenergetic functions and to elicit cell death. The central part played by mitochondria also implies the existence of stringent mitochondrial quality control mechanisms, where a specialized autophagy pathway (mitophagy) ensures the selective removal of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria. Although the molecular underpinnings of mitophagy regulation in mammalian cells remain incomplete, it is becoming clear that mitophagy pathways are intricately linked to the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells to support the high bioenergetic demand of the tumor. In this review, after a brief introduction of the main mitophagy regulators operating in mammalian cells, we discuss emerging cell autonomous roles of mitochondria quality control in cancer onset and progression. We also discuss the relevance of mitophagy in the cellular crosstalk with the tumor microenvironment and in anti-cancer therapy responses.
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Ieni A, Cardia R, Giuffrè G, Rigoli L, Caruso RA, Tuccari G. Immunohistochemical Expression of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Advanced Tubular Gastric Adenocarcinomas and Its Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030389. [PMID: 30893939 PMCID: PMC6468613 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In neoplastic conditions, autophagy may act as a tumor suppressor avoiding the accumulation of damaged proteins and organelles or as a mechanism of cell survival promoting the tumor growth. Although ultrastructural analysis has been considered the traditional method to identify autophagy, some proteins such as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3A/B), Beclin-1 and activating molecule in Beclin-1-regulated autophagy protein-1 (AMBRA-1) may be considered as markers of autophagy-assisted cancerogenesis. Herein, we analyzed a cohort of advanced tubular gastric adenocarcinomas by the abovementioned immunohistochemical antisera; through immunohistochemistry, autophagy (A-IHC) is diagnosed when at least two out of the three proteins are positive in the samples. Immunostaining for LC3A/B, Beclin-1, and AMBRA-1 was exclusively found in neoplastic elements, but not in surrounding stromal cells. In detail, LC3A/B and Beclin 1 were expressed both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus of the cancer cells, while AMBRA-1 was preferentially localized in the nucleus, mainly in high grade cases. LC3A/B, Beclin 1, and AMBRA-1 expression were positive in 18 (56.2%), 17 (53.1%), and 12 (37.5%) cases, respectively. The sensibility and specificity of LC3A/B and Beclin-1 ranged from 81.25% to 93.75%, with high efficiency (90.63%) for Beclin-1. Moreover, the ultrastructural autophagic index (AI) was also available in all cases. All high-grade cases documented a Ki-67 labelling index (LI) ≥ 30%, even if three low-grade cases revealed a high Ki-67 value; p53 positivity was encountered in 21/32 (65.62%) of cases, independently of the tumor grade. A statistically significant correlation among A-IHC and clinicopathological parameters such as grade, stage, clinical course, Ki-67 LI and AI was revealed. Univariate analysis documented a significant p-value for the same autophagic variables. Additionally, multivariate survival analysis identified the grade, AI and A-IHC as independent significant variables. Finally, the overall survival curves of all cases of gastric tubular adenocarcinoma were greatly dependent on A-IHC. Therefore, we suggest that autophagic-related proteins might be considered promising predictive prognostic factors of advanced gastric cancer. Further investigations may be required to determine whether new targeted therapies should be addressed to autophagy-related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ieni
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.
| | - Roberta Cardia
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Giuffrè
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.
| | - Luciana Rigoli
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.
| | - Rosario Alberto Caruso
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Tuccari
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Section of Pathology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.
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Cao Y, Luo Y, Zou J, Ouyang J, Cai Z, Zeng X, Ling H, Zeng T. Autophagy and its role in gastric cancer. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 489:10-20. [PMID: 30472237 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy, which is tightly regulated by a series of autophagy-related genes (ATGs), is a vital intracellular homeostatic process through which defective proteins and organelles are degraded and recycled under starvation, hypoxia or other specific cellular stress conditions. For both normal cells and tumour cells, autophagy not only sustains cell survival but can also promote cell death. Autophagy-related signalling pathways include mTOR-dependent pathways, such as the AMPK/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, and non-mTOR dependent pathways, such as the P53 pathway. Additionally, autophagy plays a dual role in gastric carcinoma (GC), including a tumour-suppressor role and a tumour-promoter role. Long-term Helicobacter pylori infection can impair autophagy, which may eventually promote tumourigenesis of the gastric mucosa. Moreover, Beclin1, LC3 and P62/SQSTM1 are regarded as autophagy-related markers with GC prognostic value. Autophagy inhibitors and autophagy inducers show promise for GC treatment. This review describes research progress regarding autophagy and its significant role in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology (University of South China), College of Hunan Province, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Yichen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology (University of South China), College of Hunan Province, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Juan Zou
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology (University of South China), College of Hunan Province, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Jun Ouyang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Zhihong Cai
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology (University of South China), College of Hunan Province, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Xi Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology (University of South China), College of Hunan Province, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Hui Ling
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology (University of South China), College of Hunan Province, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China.
| | - Tiebing Zeng
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study [Hunan Provincial Education Department document (Approval number: 2014-405)], Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China; Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Key Laboratory of Special Pathogen Prevention and Control of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China.
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