Silencing UHRF1 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Promotes Cell Apoptosis in Retinoblastoma Via the PI3K/Akt Signalling Pathway

Diosgenin inhibits prostate cancer progression by inducing UHRF1 protein degradation

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second cause of cancer death in adult men. Aberrant overexpression of UHRF1 has been reported in several cancer types, and is regarded as a novel drug target for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, no UHRF1-targeted small molecule inhibitor has been testing in clinical trials. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions have a long history for the treatment of PCa in China, and Chinese herbal extracts are important resources for new drug discovery. In the present study, we first screened the potentially effective components from the commonly used TCMs for PCa treatment in clinic by using network pharmacology together with molecular docking. We identified diosgenin (DSG) as a small molecule natural compound specifically targeting UHRF1 protein. Furthermore, we validated the results by using the wet lab experiments. DSG, by directly binding UHRF1 protein, induced UHRF1 protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Importantly, DSG induced UHRF1 protein degradation by reducing the protein interaction with a deubiquitinase USP7. DSG reduced the level of genomic DNA methylation, and elevated the expression of such tumor suppressor genes as p21, p16 and LXN, thereby resulting in cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence and the inhibition of xenograft tumor growth. We here presented the first report that DSG specifically induced UHRF1 protein degradation, thereby revealing a novel anticancer mechanism of DSG. Altogether, this present study provided a promising strategy to discover new molecule-targeted drugs from small-molecule natural products.

Plumbagin downregulates UHRF1, p-Akt, MMP-2 and suppresses survival, growth and migration of cervical cancer CaSki cells

Plumbagin is a natural compound known to impede growth of cancerous cells. However, anti-cervical cancer effects of plumbagin and its underlying molecular mechanism still remains elusive. In this study, plumbagin reduced the viability of CaSki cells in a concentration dependent manner and suppressed their colony formation potential. It led to G2/M phase arrest with downregulation of E2F1 and upregulation of p21. Plumbagin reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and concomitantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells as revealed by annexin V-propidium iodide staining. Real Time PCR and western blotting confirmed that plumbagin induced apoptosis by reducing the expression of pAkt, procaspase 9 and full-length PARP. Furthermore, scratch assay showed that plumbagin suppressed migratory potential of CaSki cells which could be due to the reduced expression and activity of MMP-2 and upregulation of TIMP2. Interestingly, plumbagin also downregulated UHRF1 expression. Transient silencing of UHRF1 like plumbagin, induced G2/M phase arrest, enhanced apoptosis and suppressed metastasis of CaSki cells suggesting the role of UHRF1 in mediating anti-cancer activities of plumbagin. Plumbagin at IC₂₀ (1 μM) interacted synergistically with cisplatin and reduced its IC₅₀ value by 13.23 fold with improved effectivity as revealed by augmented apoptosis in CaSki cells.

Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals the Role of UHRF1-Mediated DNA Methylation and Immune Infiltration in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Ubiquitin-like PHD and ring finger domain protein 1 (UHRF1) are members of the multifunctional UHRF family, which can participate in DNA methylation change and histone posttranslational change through particular domains and participate in the event and development of tumors. The purpose of this study was to decide the molecular traits and potential medicine-based importance of UHRF1 that helped settle methylated immune infiltration in generalized cancer by carefully studying the relationship between UHRF1 expression and a variety of tumors and to further check for truth the functional role of UHRF1 in kidney-related cancer. A comprehensive analysis of UHRF1 in 33 cancers was performed based on TCGA database. This research involves analysis of mRNA expression profiles, prognostic value, immune infiltration, immune neoantigens, TMB, microsatellite instability, DNA methylation, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Both immune infiltration and DNA methylation were used to evaluate the importance and method of UHRF1 in renal cancer. The results showed that tumor tissue had higher expression level of UHRF1 than usual tissue. The high expression level of UHRF1 is related to the survival rate of renal cancer. UHRF1 expression was associated with tumor mutation load and microsatellite instability in different cancer types, and enrichment analysis identified terminology and pathways associated with UHRF1. This study showed that UHRF1 plays an important role in the group of objects and development of 33 tumors. UHRF1 may serve as a biomarker of immune infiltration and poor outlook of cancer.

UHRF1 shapes both the trophoblast invasion and decidual macrophage differentiation in early pregnancy

Trophoblasts play critical roles in establishment and maintenance of a normal pregnancy. Their dysfunction in early pregnancy is closely related to pregnancy-related diseases, including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Epigenetic modifications dynamically change during pregnancy; however, the role of the epigenetic modifier UHRF1 in trophoblast regulation remains unknown. This is the first study to show that UHRF1 expression was localized in the cytoplasm of cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and villi columns, and decreased in the villi of patients with RPL. The invasion and cell viability in a UHRF1 knockdown trophoblast cell line were significantly decreased. In addition, the mRNA expression profiles of Swan71 cells were partially altered by UHRF1 knockdown. The altered immune-related genes were screened out and the pro-inflammatory TH1-type chemokine/cytokines CXCL2 and IL-1β were identified as the most promising targets of UHRF1 in the trophoblasts, which were significantly increased in the UHRF1 knockdown Swan71 cells, villi, and serum from patients with RPL. The macrophages treated with the supernatants of UHRF1 knockdown Swan71 cells were polarized to the M1 phenotype and secreted high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which might be driven by the activated MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and mediated by the increased expression of CXCR2 and IL-1R1 (CXCL2 and IL-1β receptors, respectively). In addition, the supernatants of UHRF1 knockdown Swan71 cells showed stronger chemotaxis to macrophages than those from the controls. Our findings highlight the previously unknown roles of UHRF1 as one of the key regulators on the trophoblasts and their cross-talk with local immune cells, and demonstrate a potential approach for RPL intervention.

RNA Sequencing Analysis of Gene Expression by Electroacupuncture in Guinea Pig Gallstone Models

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) promotes gallbladder motility and alleviates gallstone. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of EA on gallstone is poorly understood. In this study, the mRNA transcriptome analysis was used to study the possible therapeutic targets of EA.

METHODS

Hartley SPF guinea pigs were employed for the gallstone models. Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform was used for the RNA sequencing of guinea pig gallbladders in the normal group (Normal), gallstone model group (Model), and EA-treated group (EA). Differently expressed genes (DEGs) were examined separately in Model vs. Normal and EA vs. Model. DEGs reversed by EA were selected by comparing the DEGs of Model vs. Normal and EA vs. Model. Biological functions were enriched by gene ontology (GO) analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was analyzed.

RESULTS

After 2 weeks of EA, 257 DEGs in Model vs. Normal and 1704 DEGs in EA vs. Model were identified. 94 DEGs reversed by EA were identified among these DEGs, including 28 reversed upregulated DEGs and 66 reversed downregulated DEGs. By PPI network analysis, 10 hub genes were found by Cytohubba plugin of Cytoscape. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verified the changes.

CONCLUSION

We identified a few GOs and genes that might play key roles in the treatment of gallstone. This study may help understand the therapeutic mechanism of EA for gallstone.

UHRF1 Knockdown Attenuates Cell Growth, Migration, and Invasion in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) contributes to the progression of many cancers. Here, we firstly observed UHRF1 was elevated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and related to the differentiation stages. Knockdown of UHRF1 in A431 and Scl-1 attenuated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Through a mouse xenograft model, we found UHRF1 deficiency ameliorated tumor growth. These results may be associated with destruction of multiple signal pathways. In summary, our results suggest UHRF1 is involved in the pathogenesis of cSCC and may be a therapeutic target.

Chromatin regulators in retinoblastoma: Biological roles and therapeutic applications

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a pediatric ocular tumor mostly occurring due to the biallelic loss of RB1 gene in the developing retina. Early studies of genomic aberrations in RB have provided a valuable insight into how RB can progress following the tumor-initiating RB1 mutations and have established a notion that inactivation of RB1 gene is critical to initiate RB but this causative genetic lesion alone is not sufficient for malignant progression. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies, we now have access to the comprehensive genomic and epigenetic landscape of RB and have come to appreciate that RB tumorigenesis requires both genetic and epigenetic alterations that might be directly or indirectly driven by RB1 loss. This integrative perspective on RB tumorigenesis has inspired research efforts to better understand the types and functions of epigenetic mechanisms contributing to RB development, leading to the identification of multiple epigenetic regulators misregulated in RB in recent years. A complete understanding of the intricate network of genetic and epigenetic factors in modulation of gene expression during RB tumorigenesis remains a major challenge but would be crucial to translate these findings into therapeutic interventions. In this review, we will provide an overview of chromatin regulators identified to be misregulated in human RB among the numerous epigenetic factors implicated in RB development. For a subset of these chromatin regulators, recent findings on their functions in RB development and potential therapeutic applications are discussed.

Role of RING-Type E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Inflammatory Signalling and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Ubiquitination is a three-step enzymatic cascade for posttranslational protein modification. It includes the ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), and ubiquitin ligase (E3). RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases catalyse the posttranslational proteolytic and nonproteolytic functions in various physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation-associated signal transduction. Resulting from the diversity of substrates and functional mechanisms, RING-type ligases regulate microbe recognition and inflammation by being involved in multiple inflammatory signalling pathways. These processes also occur in autoimmune diseases, especially inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To understand the importance of RING-type ligases in inflammation, we have discussed their functional mechanisms in multiple inflammation-associated pathways and correlation between RING-type ligases and IBD. Owing to the limited data on the biology of RING-type ligases, there is an urgent need to analyse their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in IBD in the future.

Developmental and hormonal regulation of ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 gene expression in ovarian granulosa and theca cells of cattle

Ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is a multi-domain nuclear protein that plays an important role in epigenetics and tumorigenesis, but its role in normal ovarian follicle development remains unknown. Thus, the present study evaluated if UHRF1 mRNA abundance in bovine follicular cells is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and if changes in UHRF1 are associated with changes in DNA methylation in follicular cells. Abundance of UHRF1 mRNA was greater in granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells (TC) from small (<6 mm) than large (≥8 mm) follicles and was greater in small-follicle GC than TC. In GC and TC, fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) treatment increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 2-fold. Also, luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression in TC by 2-fold, and forskolin (an adenylate cyclase inducer) alone or combined with IGF1 increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 3-fold. An E2F transcription factor inhibitor (E2Fi) decreased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 44% in TC and by 99% in GC. Estradiol, progesterone, and dibutyryl-cAMP decreased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 mRNA abundance in GC. Treatment of GC with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) alone had no effect but when combined with IGF1 enhanced the UHRF1 mRNA abundance by 2.7-fold. Beauvericin (a mycotoxin) completely inhibited the FSH plus IGF1-induced UHRF1 expression in small-follicle GC. Treatments that increased UHRF1 mRNA (i.e., FGF9) in GC tended to decrease (by 63%; P < 0.10) global DNA methylation, and those that decreased UHRF1 mRNA (i.e., E2Fi) in GC tended to increase (by 2.4-fold; P < 0.10) global DNA methylation. Collectively, these results suggest that UHRF1 expression in both GC and TC is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and that UHRF1 may play a role in follicular growth and development as well as be involved in ovarian epigenetic processes.

CircFAT1 Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Development Through Regulating miR-520b/UHRF1 Axis or miR-302c-3p/UHRF1 Axis

Background: It was reported that circular RNAs (circRNAs) exerted important functions in various human cancers. However, the function of circFAT1 was less known. The purpose of this study was to reveal the functional mechanism of circFAT1 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay were used to detect the levels of genes. Cell proliferation ability was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazoyl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry was used to investigate cell apoptosis rate. The glucose consumption and lactate production were determined using related kits. Furthermore, the interaction between circFAT1 or ubiquitin-like PHD and RING finger domain-containing protein 1 (UHRF1) and miR-520b or miR-302c-3p was predicted by starbase3.0, and then confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Besides, xenograft experiment was performed to analyze the effect of circFAT1 on tumor growth in vivo. Results: The levels of circFAT1 and UHRF1 were increased, as well as the levels of miR-520b and miR-302c-3p were decreased in CRC tissues and cells. CircFAT1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, cycle, and glycolysis as well as induced apoptosis. Interestingly, circFAT1 was a sponge of miR-520b and miR-302c-3p, and miR-520b and miR-302c-3p could target UHRF1. Both miR-520b overexpression and miR-302c-3p overexpression inhibited CRC cell growth. Furthermore, both miR-520b knockdown and miR-302c-3p depletion weakened the effect of circFAT1 knockdown on the growth of CRC cells. Besides, circFAT1 depletion repressed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: The authors' findings suggested that circFAT1 upregulated UHRF1 to affect CRC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and glycolysis through targeting miR-520b and miR-302c-3p, providing theoretical basis for the treatment of CRC.

MiR-506 Targets UHRF1 to Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Proliferation and Invasion via the KISS1/PI3K/NF-κB Signaling Axis

Background

The UHRF1 gene is an epigenetic modification factor that mediates tumor suppressor gene silencing in a variety of cancers. Related studies have reported that UHRF1 can inhibit the expression of the KISS1 gene. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying UHRF1 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the regulation of UHRF1 expression in CRC and to determine whether it regulates the mechanism by which KISS1 promotes CRC metastasis.

Methods

In the present study, the levels of miR-506, UHRF1 and KISS1 expression in CRC tissues and in human CRC cell lines were studied using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays are used to detect cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. A dual-luciferase reporter system was used to confirm the target gene of miR-506.

Results

This study found that UHRF1 protein is highly expressed in CRC tissues and negatively correlated with KISS1 protein expression. UHRF1 overexpression activates the PI3K/NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting the mRNA expression levels of pathway mediators. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that miR-506 targets UHRF1.

Conclusion

This study identified the regulation of UHRF1 expression in CRC and the mechanism of CRC metastasis. UHRF1 may be a new potential target molecule for future CRC metastasis treatment.