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Wang X, Shen H, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Wang J, Liu S, Xu B, Wang H, Frangou C, Zhang J. MEF2D Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5207. [PMID: 38791246 PMCID: PMC11121549 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) gene family play fundamental roles in the genetic programs that control cell differentiation, morphogenesis, proliferation, and survival in a wide range of cell types. More recently, these genes have also been implicated as drivers of carcinogenesis, by acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors depending on the biological context. Nonetheless, the molecular programs they regulate and their roles in tumor development and progression remain incompletely understood. The present study evaluated whether the MEF2D transcription factor functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. The knockout of the MEF2D gene in mouse mammary epithelial cells resulted in phenotypic changes characteristic of neoplastic transformation. These changes included enhanced cell proliferation, a loss of contact inhibition, and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, as well as the capacity for tumor development in mice. Mechanistically, the knockout of MEF2D induced the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and activated several oncogenic signaling pathways, including AKT, ERK, and Hippo-YAP. Correspondingly, a reduced expression of MEF2D was observed in human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines, and a low MEF2D expression in tissue samples was found to be correlated with a worse overall survival and relapse-free survival in breast cancer patients. MEF2D may, thus, be a putative tumor suppressor, acting through selective gene regulatory programs that have clinical and therapeutic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Wang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (X.W.); (H.S.); (Y.C.)
| | - He Shen
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (X.W.); (H.S.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yanmin Chen
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (X.W.); (H.S.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yali Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.W.); (S.L.)
| | - Bo Xu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA;
| | - Hai Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA;
| | - Costa Frangou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA;
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (X.W.); (H.S.); (Y.C.)
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Zhang P, Lu R. The Molecular and Biological Function of MEF2D in Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:379-403. [PMID: 39017853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) is a key transcription factor (TF) in skeletal, cardiac, and neural tissue development and includes four isoforms: MEF2A, MEF2B, MEF2C, and MEF2D. These isoforms significantly affect embryonic development, nervous system regulation, muscle cell differentiation, B- and T-cell development, thymocyte selection, and effects on tumorigenesis and leukemia. This chapter describes the multifaceted roles of MEF2 family proteins, covering embryonic development, nervous system regulation, and muscle cell differentiation. It further elucidates the contribution of MEF2 to various blood and immune cell functions. Specifically, in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), MEF2D is aberrantly expressed and forms a fusion protein with BCL9, CSF1R, DAZAP1, HNRNPUL1, and SS18. These fusion proteins are closely related to the pathogenesis of leukemia. In addition, it specifically introduces the regulatory effect of MEF2D fusion protein on the proliferation and growth of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells. Finally, we detail the positive feedback loop between MEF2D and IRF8 that significantly promotes the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the importance of the ZMYND8-BRD4 interaction in regulating the IRF8 and MYC transcriptional programs. The MEF2D-CEBPE axis is highlighted as a key transcriptional mechanism controlling the block of leukemic cell self-renewal and differentiation in AML. This chapter starts with the structure and function of MEF2 family proteins, specifically summarizing and analyzing the role of MEF2D in B-ALL and AML, mediating the complex molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and exploring their implications for human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rui Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Feng L, He M, Rao M, Diao J, Zhu Y. Long noncoding RNA DLEU1 aggravates glioma progression via the miR-421/MEF2D axis. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:5405-5414. [PMID: 31360066 PMCID: PMC6625645 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s207542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) deleted in lymphocytic leukemia 1 (DLEU1) was reported to be involved in the development and progression of multiple cancers. However, the accurate expression pattern, biological function and potential molecular mechanism of DLEU1 in glioma are not yet known. The present study investigated the role of DLEU in the development and progression of glioma, as well as the potential mechanism played by DLEU1 in glioma. Materials and methods The levels of DLEUI in glioma tissues and cell lines were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. The potential effects of DLEU1 on the proliferation, mobility, invasion and apoptosis of glioma cells were evaluated using corresponding in vitro experiments. The association between DLEU1 and microRNA (miR)-421 was also determined using luciferase reporter activity and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Results The results revealed that DLEU1 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Increased DLEU1 was positively associated with the high-grade carcinoma (III-IV). Functional studies revealed that knockdown of DLEU1 expression by siRNA led to decreased proliferation, migration and invasion and increased apoptosis in human glioma cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter activity and RIP assays confirmed that DLEUI could act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-421 that functioned as a tumor suppressor in glioma. Moreover, inhibition miR-421 partially restored the effect of DLEU1 knockdown on the glioma cells. DLEU1 could regulate myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) expression, a known target of miR-421 in glioma cells. Conclusion Taken together, these findings suggested that DLEU1 regulated MEF2D expression to promote glioma progression by sponging miR-421 and that DLEU1 might be a potential therapeutic target for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Feng
- Department of Radiotherapy, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyuan He
- Department of Radiotherapy, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Rao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiandong Diao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- Department of Radiotherapy, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
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MEF-2 isoforms' (A-D) roles in development and tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2019; 10:2755-2787. [PMID: 31105874 PMCID: PMC6505634 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor (MEF)-2 plays a critical role in proliferation, differentiation, and development of various cell types in a tissue specific manner. Four isoforms of MEF-2 (A-D) differentially participate in controlling the cell fate during the developmental phases of cardiac, muscle, vascular, immune and skeletal systems. Through their associations with various cellular factors MEF-2 isoforms can trigger alterations in complex protein networks and modulate various stages of cellular differentiation, proliferation, survival and apoptosis. The role of the MEF-2 family of transcription factors in the development has been investigated in various cell types, and the evolving alterations in this family of transcription factors have resulted in a diverse and wide spectrum of disease phenotypes, ranging from cancer to infection. This review provides a comprehensive account on MEF-2 isoforms (A-D) from their respective localization, signaling, role in development and tumorigenesis as well as their association with histone deacetylases (HDACs), which can be exploited for therapeutic intervention.
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Molecular imaging HDACs class IIa expression-activity and pharmacologic inhibition in intracerebral glioma models in rats using PET/CT/(MRI) with [ 18F]TFAHA. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3595. [PMID: 30837601 PMCID: PMC6401080 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40054-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HDAC class IIa enzymes (HDAC4, 5, 7, 9) are important for glioma progression, invasion, responses to TMZ and radiotherapy, and prognosis. In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of PET/CT/(MRI) with [18F]TFAHA for non-invasive and quantitative imaging of HDAC class IIa expression-activity in intracerebral 9L and U87-MG gliomas in rats. Increased accumulation of [18F]TFAHA in 9L and U87-MG tumors was observed at 20 min post radiotracer administration with SUV of 1.45 ± 0.05 and 1.08 ± 0.05, respectively, and tumor-to-cortex SUV ratios of 1.74 ± 0.07 and 1.44 ± 0.03, respectively. [18F]TFAHA accumulation was also observed in normal brain structures known to overexpress HDACs class IIa: hippocampus, n.accumbens, PAG, and cerebellum. These results were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of brain tissue sections revealing the upregulation of HDACs 4, 5, and 9, and HIF-1α, hypoacetylation of H2AK5ac, H2BK5ac, H3K9ac, H4K8ac, and downregulation of KLF4. Significant reduction in [18F]TFAHA accumulation in 9L tumors was observed after administration of HDACs class IIa specific inhibitor MC1568, but not the SIRT1 specific inhibitor EX-527. Thus, PET/CT/(MRI) with [18F]TFAHA can facilitate studies to elucidate the roles of HDAC class IIa enzymes in gliomagenesis and progression and to optimize therapeutic doses of novel HDACs class IIa inhibitors in gliomas.
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Linarin suppresses glioma through inhibition of NF-κB/p65 and up-regulating p53 expression in vitro and in vivo. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 95:363-374. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Xiang J, Sun H, Su L, Liu L, Shan J, Shen J, Yang Z, Chen J, Zhong X, Ávila MA, Yan X, Liu C, Qian C. Myocyte enhancer factor 2D promotes colorectal cancer angiogenesis downstream of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. Cancer Lett 2017; 400:117-126. [PMID: 28478181 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) is involved in many aspects of cancer progression, including cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. However, little is known about the role of MEF2D in tumor angiogenesis. Using clinical specimens, colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and a mouse model in the present study, we found that MEF2D expression was positively correlated with CD31-positive microvascular density in CRC tissues. MEF2D promoted tumor angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and induced the expression of proangiogenic cytokines in CRC cells. MEF2D was found to be a downstream effector of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in the induction of tumor angiogenesis. HIF-1α transactivates MEF2D expression by binding to the MEF2D gene promoter. These results demonstrate that the HIF-1α/MEF2D axis can serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Xiang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Oncology, Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Limei Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juanjuan Shan
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junjie Shen
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Zhong
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Center of Investigation for Applied Medcine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xiaochu Yan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Chungang Liu
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Cheng Qian
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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