NQO1 C609T polymorphism correlated to colon cancer risk in farmers from western region of Inner Mongolia

Advancing Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) Nanotechnology in Protein Homeostasis Reprograming for Disease Treatment

Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a transformative class of therapeutic agents that leverage the intrinsic protein degradation machinery to modulate the hemostasis of key disease-associated proteins selectively. Although several PROTACs have been approved for clinical application, suboptimal therapeutic efficacy and potential adverse side effects remain challenging. Benefiting from the enhanced targeted delivery, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved bioavailability, nanomedicines can be tailored with precision to integrate with PROTACs which hold significant potential to facilitate PROTAC nanomedicines (nano-PROTACs) for clinical translation with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent progress in the convergence of nanotechnology with PROTAC design, leveraging the inherent properties of nanomaterials, such as lipids, polymers, inorganic nanoparticles, nanohydrogels, proteins, and nucleic acids, for precise PROTAC delivery. Additionally, we discuss the various categories of PROTAC targets and provide insights into their clinical translational potential, alongside the challenges that need to be addressed.

Role of NADPH Quinone Reductase 1 (NQO1) Polymorphism in Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Most cancer deaths are related to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Several environmental and genetic factors are effective in the occurrence of GI cancers, such as esophageal, stomach, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. In addition to risk factors related to lifestyle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) also play a role in GI cancers, and an increase in the amount of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress and increase the probability of malignancies. NQO1 is part of the body's antioxidant defense system that protects cells against mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. NQO1 is responsible for reducing quinones to hydroquinone and preventing the generation of ROS by catalyzing the reaction. The existence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NADPH Quinone Reductase 1 (NQO1), such as 609C>T NQO1, leads to a decrease in NQO1 enzyme activity. Some NQO1 polymorphisms may increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. So, the C609T polymorphism in the NQO1 gene has been found to be effective in causing gastrointestinal cancers. On the other hand, it is very important to know the role of biomarkers in the prognosis and management of cancer treatment. Therefore, this study investigated the role of NQO1 as a biomarker in the management of gastrointestinal cancers (prevention, diagnosis and treatment).

Ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin upon aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic injury in rats

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a major risk to both human and animal health because it contaminates food, feed, and grains. These dangerous effects can be mitigated using natural components. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin supplementation upon aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic injury in rats. This improvement was assessed by measuring leukocytic and deferential counts, serum biochemical parameters, and gene expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), antioxidant gene (NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)), and base excision repair genes (APE1 and OGG1) in the liver tissue, in addition to liver histopathology. Sixty mature males Wister white rats were used to perform the present study; the rats were distributed in six groups (ten rats/group). The control group (without any treatment) received saline by gavage. The camel milk group received 1 ml of camel milk/kg body weight. The silymarin group received 1 ml of silymarin suspension solution at a dose of 20 mg of silymarin/kg of b.wt. The aflatoxin group received an aflatoxin-contaminated diet at a dose of 1.4 mg of aflatoxin /kg of diet and received saline. The camel milk + aflatoxin group received the same previous oral doses of camel milk and an aflatoxin-contaminated diet at the same time. The silymarin + aflatoxin group received the same previous doses of silymarin orally and an aflatoxin-contaminated diet at the same time. The obtained data indicated the deleterious effect of aflatoxin B1 on the leukocytic count, activity of AST and ALT, serum proteins, ferritin, alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, liver pathology, and the expression of the studied genes. However, these deleterious effects were mitigated by camel milk and silymarin supplementation. Thus, we could conclude that the ingestion of camel milk and silymarin mitigated the negative effects of AFB1 on the hematology, activity of AST and ALT, serum proteins, ferritin, alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, liver pathology, and gene expression in the rat model.

PROTAC Nanoplatform with Targeted Degradation of NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 to Enhance Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Apoptosis

Apoptosis mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for tumors. However, the overexpression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) protein restricted ROS production through a negative feedback pathway in tumor cells, promoting tumor progression, and weakening the effect of drug therapy. Here, a PROTACs nanodrug delivery system (PN) was constructed to increase ROS generation by degrading the NQO1 protein. Specifically, a PROTAC (proteolytic targeting chimera) molecule DQ was designed and synthesized. Then DQ and withaferin A (WA, an inducer of ROS) were loaded into PNs. DQ degraded the overexpressed NQO1 protein in tumor cells through a protein ubiquitination degradation pathway, thereby weakening the antioxidant capacity of tumor cells. Meanwhile, the reduction of NQO1 could inhibit the negative feedback effect of ROS production, thus increasing ROS generation. It has been demonstrated that PNs can significantly increase ROS production and possess potent antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo. This nanoplatform may offer an alternative approach to treating tumors with NQO1 overexpression.

The expression of zebrafish NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(nqo1) in adult organs and embryos

NQO1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, was first identified in rat and its role has been extensively studied. Even the roles of NQO1 in the maintenance of physiological function and disease were largely addressed, whether the tissue specific functions of the NQO1 in organ development remains unknown. In the current study, we identified two NQO1 isoforms (isoform 1 and isoform 2) and examined the expression of nqo1 variants in adult zebrafish organs and embryos at different stages. In adult organs, RT-PCR result indicated that nqo1 variant 1 was mainly expressed in stomach and intestine, while nqo1 variant 2 was expressed in all organs investigated except for heart. Further, RT-PCR result showed that the nqo1 variant 1 and variant 2 were expressed at all the embryonic stages, but nqo1 variant 1 expression level was much lower than that of nqo1 variant 2. To specifically examine the expression pattern of these two different nqo1 variants, we did whole mount in situ hybridization and the results demonstrated that, both of them were maternally expressed at 8-cell stage, and they were all expressed ubiquitously at early stage. At 24 hpf, nqo1 variant 2 was mainly expressed in yolk cells, and slightly in head and eyes. At 48 hpf, nqo1 variant 2 was restricted in lateral line neuromasts. From 72 hpf to 144 hpf, nqo1 variant 2 was mainly restricted in branchial arch, liver, swimming bladder and lateral line neuromasts, while from 124 hpf to 192 hpf, nqo1 variant 2 only restricted in liver, and disappeared in lateral line neuromasts. On the contrary, at the late embryonic stage, nqo1 variant 1 was only expressed in liver and swimming bladder while not in branchial arch and lateral line neuromasts. In conclusion, we systematically analyzed the expression pattern of nqo1 variant 1 and variant 2 in zebrafish at different embryonic stages, and our data implied the possible role of nqo1 in regulating liver, branchial arch and lateral neuromasts development.

Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Use of Hydroxyurea: Association between Polymorphisms in Genes Encoding Metabolizing Drug Enzymes and Laboratory Parameters

This study investigated associations between SNPs in genes encoding metabolizing drug enzymes and laboratory parameters in sickle cell anemia patients under hydroxyurea (SCA-HU+). We evaluated hematologic and biochemical parameters by electronic methods and SNPs by PCR-RFLP and multiplex PCR in 35 SCA-HU+ patients and 67 SCA-HU- patients. The HbS, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and fractions levels, and leukocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, and erythroblast counts were reduced in SCA-HU+ patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, they presented higher HbF, C-reactive protein, and ferritin levels and elevated MCH and MCV values (p < 0.05). Genotype frequencies of variants GA + AA of MPO -463G>A and c1c2 + c2c2 of CYP2E1 -1293G>C/-1053C>T were higher in SCA-HU+ patients (p < 0.05). Independent associations were found between the variant A allele and lower total cholesterol, between c2 allele and low alpha-1 antitrypsin and between the null GSTT1 variant and high indirect and total bilirubin in SCA-HU+ patients. In SCA-HU- patients, independent associations were found between the variant A allele and high uric acid and between c2 allele and high urea. Our results suggest that SNPs MPO -463G>A, CYP2E1 -1293G>C/-1053C>T, and GSTT1 can be associated with alterations in lipid, inflammatory, renal, hemolytic, and hepatic profiles. However, further studies are needed to elucidate these associations.

Prognostic implication of NQO1 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma

To explore the role of NQO1 overexpression for prognostic implication in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), NQO1 mRNA levels were detected in HCC fresh tissue samples of HCC and nontumor tissues, respectively. One hundred fifty-six cases of HCC meeting strict follow-up criteria were selected for immunohistochemical staining of NQO1 protein. Correlations between NQO1 overexpression and clinicopathological features of HCC were evaluated using χ² tests, survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the relationship between prognostic factors and patient 5-year survival was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards analysis. In results, the levels of NQO1 mRNA were significantly up-regulated in 14 fresh tissue samples of HCC. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the NQO1 expression and overexpression rates were significantly higher in HCC samples compared with either adjacent nontumor tissues or normal liver tissues. NQO1 overexpression correlated to tumor size, venous infiltration and late pTNM stage of HCC. NQO1 overexpression was also related to low disease-free survival and 5-year survival rates. In the late-stage group, disease-free and 5-year survival rates of patients with NQO1 overexpression were significantly lower than those of patients without NQO1 expression. Further analysis using a Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that NQO1 expression emerged as a significant independent hazard factor for the 5-year survival rate of patients with HCC. Therefore, NQO1 plays an important role in the progression of HCC. NQO1 may potentially be used as an independent biomarker for prognostic evaluation of HCC.

Clinicopathological implications of NQO1 overexpression in the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) protects cells from oxidative damage. NQO1 has been reported to be upregulated in numerous solid tumors, suggesting a role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The present study attempted to investigate the clinical prognostic significance of NQO1 overexpression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A total of 181 tissue specimens were studied, including 126 PDAC and 55 normal pancreas specimens, which were selected for immunohistochemical staining of NQO1 protein. Immunofluorescence staining was additionally performed to identify the subcellular localization of NQO1 protein in pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 cells. The association between NQO1 overexpression and the clinical features of PDAC were evaluated by χ² and Fisher's exact test. Overall survival of PDAC patients was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The NQO1 protein was mainly located in the cytoplasm and nucleus of BxPC-3 cells. The strongly positive rate of NQO1 expression in PDAC (65.9%, 83/126) was increased compared with that in normal pancreatic tissues (10.9%, 6/55). The positive rate of NQO1 protein was associated with grading, lymph node stage and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Additionally, multivariate analysis suggested that NQO1 was a significant independent prognostic factor along with TNM stage in PDAC. In conclusion, high expression of NQO1 appears to be associated with PDAC progression, and may be an independent prognostic biomarker in PDAC.

Systematic meta-analyses and field synopsis of genetic association studies in colorectal adenomas

BACKGROUND

Low penetrance genetic variants, primarily single nucleotide polymorphisms, have substantial influence on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. Most CRCs develop from colorectal adenomas (CRA). Here we report the first comprehensive field synopsis that catalogues all genetic association studies on CRA, with a parallel online database [http://www.chs.med.ed.ac.uk/CRAgene/].

METHODS

We performed a systematic review, reviewing 9750 titles, and then extracted data from 130 publications reporting on 181 polymorphisms in 74 genes. We conducted meta-analyses to derive summary effect estimates for 37 polymorphisms in 26 genes. We applied the Venice criteria and Bayesian False Discovery Probability (BFDP) to assess the levels of the credibility of associations.

RESULTS

We considered the association with the rs6983267 variant at 8q24 as 'highly credible', reaching genome-wide statistical significance in at least one meta-analysis model. We identified 'less credible' associations (higher heterogeneity, lower statistical power, BFDP > 0.02) with a further four variants of four independent genes: MTHFR c.677C>T p.A222V (rs1801133), TP53 c.215C>G p.R72P (rs1042522), NQO1 c.559C>T p.P187S (rs1800566), and NAT1 alleles imputed as fast acetylator genotypes. For the remaining 32 variants of 22 genes for which positive associations with CRA risk have been previously reported, the meta-analyses revealed no credible evidence to support these as true associations.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited number of credible associations between low penetrance genetic variants and CRA reflects the lower volume of evidence and associated lack of statistical power to detect associations of the magnitude typically observed for genetic variants and chronic diseases. The CRA gene database provides context for CRA genetic association data and will help inform future research directions.

Clinical Significance of the NQO1 C609T Polymorphism in Non Small Cell Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is part of the antioxidant defence system involved in detoxification. This study aimed to analyze the influence of NQO1 (C609T) genetic polymorphism in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)as a putative risk factor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Present study included 100 cases of NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) patients and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. NQO1 (C609T) genotyping was performed by allele specific PCR for assessment of putative associations with clinical outcome and genotypes of. The association of the polymorphism with the survival of NSCLC patients' was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In Indian NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) patients increased risk of developing NSCLC was found to be associated with NQO1 609TT genotype [OR 3.68(0.90-14.98), RR 2.04(0.78-5.31)] for CT [OR 2.91(1.58- 5.34), RR 1.74(1.23-2.44) p= 0.0005 for CT], for CT+TT [ OR 3.26(1.82-5.82), RR 1.87(1.34-2.61) p<0.0001 for CT+TT]. A significant difference (p=0.0009) was observed in genotype distribution among cases and healthy controls. Patients with CT+TT genotype exhibited a significant poor overall survival compared with patients displaying homozygous CC genotype (p=0.03) and when survival independently compared with CC, TT and CT genotype was also found to be significantly associated (p=0.02). Overall median survival times were CT 6.0 months, TT 8.2 months, and CT + TT (6.4 months)].

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that NQO1 CT, TT and CT+TT genotypes may be associated with clinical outcome and risk of developing NSCLC in the Indian population.

Clinical implications of high NQO1 expression in breast cancers

Background

NAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme that detoxifies chemical stressors and antioxidants, providing cytoprotection in normal tissues. However, high-level expression of NQO1 has been correlated with numerous human malignancies, suggesting a role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. This study aimed to explore the clinicopathological significance of NQO1 and as a prognostic determinant in breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 176 breast cancer patients with strict follow-up, 45 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 22 hyperplasia and 52 adjacent non-tumor breast tissues were selected for immunohistochemical staining of NQO1 protein. Immunofluorescence staining was also performed to detect the subcellular localization of NQO1 protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Eight fresh breast cancers paired with adjacent non-tumor tissues were quantified using real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The correlations between NQO1 overexpression and the clinical features of breast cancer were evaluated using chi-square test and Fisher’s exact tests. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the relationship between prognostic factors and patient survival was also analyzed by the Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

NQO1 protein showed a mainly cytoplasmic staining pattern in breast cancer. The strongly positive rate of NQO1 protein was 61.9% (109/176) in breast cancer, and was significantly higher than in DCIS (31.1%, 14/45), hyperplasia tissues (13.6%, 3/22) and adjacent non-tumor tissues (13.5%, 7/52). High-level expression of NQO1 protein was correlated with late clinical stage, poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, Her2 expression and disease-free and 10-year overall survival rates in breast cancer. Moreover, multivariate analysis suggested that NQO1 emerged as a significant independent prognostic factor along with clinical stage and Her2 expression status in patients with breast cancer.

Conclusions

High-level expression of NQO1 appears to be associated with breast cancer progression, and may be a potential biomarker for poor prognostic evaluation of breast cancers.

Meta-analysis of the association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and colorectal cancer in Asians

There were a number of studies performed to assess the association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in Asians, but no consensus was available up to now. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in Asians. Case-control studies investigating the association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in Asians were searched in Pubmed and Wanfang databases. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated. Finally, seven studies involving a total of 2,051 cases and 2,798 controls met the inclusion criteria and were included into the meta-analysis. Overall, there was an obvious association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in Asians (Ser versus Pro: OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.08-1.87, P = 0.013; SerSer versus ProPro: OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.08-3.19, P = 0.024; SerSer/ProSer versus ProPro: OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.10-2.35, P = 0.014; SerSer versus ProPro/ProSer: OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.10, P = 0.041). There was low risk of publication bias in the meta-analysis. This meta-analysis suggests that there is an obvious association between NQO1 Pro187Ser polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in Asians.

Association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a cytosolic enzyme, and the NQO1 C609T polymorphism is associated with the enzymatic activity of NQO1. Many studies were performed to assess the association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk, but no consensus was available up to now. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk, and the pooled odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to assess the association. Finally, 12 studies involving 4,026 cases and 4,855 controls were included into the meta-analysis. Overall, there was an obvious association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk (T versus C: OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.08-1.51, P = 0.005; TT versus CC: OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.10-2.33, P = 0.015; TT/CT versus CC: OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.09-1.69, P = 0.006; TT versus CT/CC: OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.80, P = 0.022). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that the association was obvious in both Caucasians and Asians. Therefore, the meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk, and the T allele of NQO1 C609T polymorphism is an important risk factor of colorectal cancer.