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Yan Q, Fang X, Liu X, Guo S, Chen S, Luo M, Lan P, Guan X. Loss of ESRP2 Activates TAK1-MAPK Signaling through the Fetal RNA-Splicing Program to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305653. [PMID: 37985644 PMCID: PMC10767434 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Tumors usually display fetal-like characteristics, and many oncofetal proteins have been identified. However, fetal-like reprogramming of RNA splicing in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poorly understood. Here, it is demonstrated that the expression of epithelial splicing regulatory protein 2 (ESRP2), an RNA splicing factor, is suppressed in fetal hepatocytes and HCC, in parallel with tumor progression. By combining RNA-Seq with splicing analysis, it is identified that ESRP2 controls the fetal-to-adult switch of multiple splice isoforms in HCC. Functionally, ESRP2 suppressed cell proliferation and migration by specifically switching the alternative splicing (AS) of the TAK1 gene and restraining the expression of the fetal and oncogenic isoform, TAK1_ΔE12. Notably, aberrant TAK1 splicing led to the activation of p38MAPK signaling and predicted poor prognosis in HCC patients. Further investigation revealed that TAK1_ΔE12 protein interacted closely with TAB3 and formed liquid condensation in HCC cells, resulting in p38MAPK activation, enhanced cell migration, and accelerated tumorigenesis. Loss of ESRP2 sensitized HCC cells to TAK1 kinase inhibitor (TAK1i), promoting pyroptotic cell death and CD8+ T cell infiltration. Combining TAK1i with immune checkpoint therapy achieved potent tumor regression in mice. Overall, the findings reveal a previously unexplored onco-fetal reprogramming of RNA splicing and provide novel therapeutic avenues for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseasesGuangdong Institute of GastroenterologyThe Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Xiaona Fang
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangzhou510060China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseasesGuangdong Institute of GastroenterologyThe Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Sai Guo
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Siqi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseasesGuangdong Institute of GastroenterologyThe Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
| | - Ping Lan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseasesGuangdong Institute of GastroenterologyThe Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangzhouChina
| | - Xin‐Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical OncologyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of recurrent metastatic cancer and personalized therapyThe University of Hong Kong‐Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenChina
- Department of Clinical OncologyState Key Laboratory for Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong LaboratoryHuizhouChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular BiologyJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Li C, Yin Y, Tao R, Lin Y, Wang T, Shen Q, Li R, Tao K, Liu W. ESRP1-driven alternative splicing of CLSTN1 inhibits the metastasis of gastric cancer. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:464. [PMID: 38114495 PMCID: PMC10730894 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01757-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis severely limits the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial in tumor metastasis, yet there is limited research into their involvement in gastric cancer. Here, we found that ESRP1, a RBP specific in epithelial cells, is important in regulating the metastasis of gastric cancer cells. ESRP1 is negatively correlated with distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients. And we demonstrated that ESRP1 inhibit migration and invasion of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ESRP1 promotes exon 11 alternative splicing of CLSTN1 pre-mRNA. The post-splicing short CLSTN1 stabilizes the Ecadherin/β-catenin binding structure, and promotes β-catenin protein ubiquitination and degradation, thereby inhibiting the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Our study highlights the role of ESRP1 in regulating metastasis of gastric cancer and extends its mechanism. These results provide a possibility for ESRP1 and CLSTN1 to become therapeutic targets for metastasis of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengguo Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yuping Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ruikang Tao
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Yao Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qian Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Runze Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Weizhen Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Kwon MJ. Role of epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 in cancer progression. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:331. [PMID: 38110955 PMCID: PMC10729575 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03180-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
As aberrant alternative splicing by either dysregulation or mutations of splicing factors contributes to cancer initiation and progression, splicing factors are emerging as potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. Therefore, pharmacological modulators targeting splicing factors have been under development. Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) is an epithelial cell-specific splicing factor, whose downregulation is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating alternative splicing of multiple genes, such as CD44, CTNND1, ENAH, and FGFR2. Consistent with the downregulation of ESRP1 during EMT, it has been initially revealed that high ESRP1 expression is associated with favorable prognosis and ESRP1 plays a tumor-suppressive role in cancer progression. However, ESRP1 has been found to promote cancer progression in some cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancers, indicating that it plays a dual role in cancer progression depending on the type of cancer. Furthermore, recent studies have reported that ESRP1 affects tumor growth by regulating the metabolism of tumor cells or immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting the novel roles of ESRP1 in addition to EMT. ESRP1 expression was also associated with response to anticancer drugs. This review describes current understanding of the roles and mechanisms of ESRP1 in cancer progression, and further discusses the emerging novel roles of ESRP1 in cancer and recent attempts to target splicing factors for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Jeong Kwon
- Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center (MRC), College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 FOUR KNU Community-Based Intelligent Novel Drug Discovery Education Unit, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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Li L, Zheng J, Oltean S. Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions by Alternative Splicing: Potential New Area for Cancer Therapeutics. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2001. [PMID: 38002944 PMCID: PMC10671305 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112001] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complicated biological process in which cells with epithelial phenotype are transformed into mesenchymal cells with loss of cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion and gain of the ability to migrate. EMT and the reverse mesenchymal-epithelial transitions (METs) are present during cancer progression and metastasis. Using the dynamic switch between EMT and MET, tumour cells can migrate to neighbouring organs or metastasize in the distance and develop resistance to traditional chemotherapy and targeted drug treatments. Growing evidence shows that reversing or inhibiting EMT may be an advantageous approach for suppressing the migration of tumour cells or distant metastasis. Among different levels of modulation of EMT, alternative splicing (AS) plays an important role. An in-depth understanding of the role of AS and EMT in cancer is not only helpful to better understand the occurrence and regulation of EMT in cancer progression, but also may provide new therapeutic strategies. This review will present and discuss various splice variants and splicing factors that have been shown to play a crucial role in EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sebastian Oltean
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK; (L.L.)
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Advani R, Luzzi S, Scott E, Dalgliesh C, Weischenfeldt J, Munkley J, Elliott DJ. Epithelial specific splicing regulator proteins as emerging oncogenes in aggressive prostate cancer. Oncogene 2023; 42:3161-3168. [PMID: 37752235 PMCID: PMC10589096 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02838-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer progression is connected to the activity of conventional oncogenes and tumour suppressors and driven by circulating steroid hormones. A key issue has been how to identify and care for aggressively developing prostate tumours. Here we discuss how expression of the splicing regulators ESRP1 and ESRP2, and how their role as "masterminds" of epithelial splicing patterns, have been identified as markers of aggressively proliferating prostate primary tumours. We suggest that the origin of prostate cancer within epithelial cells, and the subsequent association of ESRP1 and ESRP2 expression with more aggressive disease progression, identify ESRP1 and ESRP2 as lineage survival oncogenes. To move this field on in the future it will be important to identify the gene expression targets controlled by ESRP1/2 that regulate prostate cancer proliferation. Potential future therapies could be designed to target ESRP1 and ESRP2 protein activity or their regulated splice isoforms in aggressive prostate tumours. Design of these therapies is potentially complicated by the risk of producing a more mesenchymal splicing environment that might promote tumour metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Advani
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (NUBI) and Newcastle University Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Luzzi
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (NUBI) and Newcastle University Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Scott
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (NUBI) and Newcastle University Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dalgliesh
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (NUBI) and Newcastle University Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Joachim Weischenfeldt
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jennifer Munkley
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (NUBI) and Newcastle University Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - David J Elliott
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute (NUBI) and Newcastle University Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom.
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Khademi R, Malekzadeh H, Bahrami S, Saki N, Khademi R, Villa-Diaz LG. Regulation and Functions of α6-Integrin (CD49f) in Cancer Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3466. [PMID: 37444576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, our knowledge of integrins has evolved from being understood as simple cell surface adhesion molecules to receptors that have a complex range of intracellular and extracellular functions, such as delivering chemical and mechanical signals to cells. Consequently, they actively control cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of integrin signaling is a major factor in the development and progression of many tumors. Many reviews have covered the broader integrin family in molecular and cellular studies and its roles in diseases. Nevertheless, further understanding of the mechanisms specific to an individual subunit of different heterodimers is more useful. Thus, we describe the current understanding of and exploratory investigations on the α6-integrin subunit (CD49f, VLA6; encoded by the gene itga6) in normal and cancer cells. The roles of ITGA6 in cell adhesion, stemness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance, and as a diagnosis biomarker, are discussed. The role of ITGA6 differs based on several features, such as cell background, cancer type, and post-transcriptional alterations. In addition, exosomal ITGA6 also implies metastatic organotropism. The importance of ITGA6 in the progression of a number of cancers, including hematological malignancies, suggests its potential usage as a novel prognostic or diagnostic marker and useful therapeutic target for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahele Khademi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
| | - Hossein Malekzadeh
- Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Sara Bahrami
- Resident of Restorative Dentistry, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 3419759811, Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Reyhane Khademi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Para-Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Luis G Villa-Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
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Han X, Tian R, Wang C, Li Y, Song X. CircRNAs: Roles in regulating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1026073. [PMID: 36483049 PMCID: PMC9723173 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1026073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the most common head and neck malignant tumor, with only monotherapy, is characterized by poor prognosis, and low 5-year survival rate. Due to the lack of therapeutic targets, the targeted drugs for HNSCC are rare. Therefore, exploring the regulation mechanism of HNSCC and identifying effective therapeutic targets will be beneficial to its treatment of. Circular RNA (CircRNA) is a class of RNA molecules with a circular structure, which is widely expressed in human body. CircRNAs regulate gene expression by exerting the function as a miRNA sponge, thereby mediating the occurrence and development of HNSCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and other processes. In addition, circRNAs are also involved in the regulation of tumor sensitivity to chemical drugs and other biological functions. In this review, we systematically listed the functions of circRNAs and explored the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in HNSCC from the aspects of tumor growth, cell death, angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis, tumor stem cell regulation, tumor drug resistance, immune escape, and tumor microenvironment. It will assist us in discovering new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, while encourage new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Ruxian Tian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Cai Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Xicheng Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, Yantai, Shandong, China
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Underlying mechanisms of epithelial splicing regulatory proteins in cancer progression. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:1539-1556. [PMID: 36163376 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02257-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second-leading disease-related cause of global mortality after cardiovascular disease. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutic strategies, cancer remains one of the major obstacles to human life extension. Cancer pathogenesis is extremely complicated and not fully understood. Epithelial splicing regulatory proteins (ESRPs), including ESRP1 and ESRP2, belong to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family of RNA-binding proteins and are crucial regulators of the alternative splicing of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The expression and activity of ESRPs are modulated by various mechanisms, including post-translational modifications and non-coding RNAs. Although a growing body of evidence suggests that ESRP dysregulation is closely associated with cancer progression, the detailed mechanisms remain inconclusive. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the structures, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of ESRPs and focus on their underlying mechanisms in cancer progression. We also highlight the clinical implications of ESRPs as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. The information reviewed herein could be extremely beneficial to the development of individualized therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.
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Pan YJ, Liu BW, Pei DS. The Role of Alternative Splicing in Cancer: Regulatory Mechanism, Therapeutic Strategy, and Bioinformatics Application. DNA Cell Biol 2022; 41:790-809. [PMID: 35947859 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2022.0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
[Formula: see text] Alternative splicing (AS) can generate distinct transcripts and subsequent isoforms that play differential functions from the same pre-mRNA. Recently, increasing numbers of studies have emerged, unmasking the association between AS and cancer. In this review, we arranged AS events that are closely related to cancer progression and presented promising treatments based on AS for cancer therapy. Obtaining proliferative capacity, acquiring invasive properties, gaining angiogenic features, shifting metabolic ability, and getting immune escape inclination are all splicing events involved in biological processes. Spliceosome-targeted and antisense oligonucleotide technologies are two novel strategies that are hopeful in tumor therapy. In addition, bioinformatics applications based on AS were summarized for better prediction and elucidation of regulatory routines mingled in. Together, we aimed to provide a better understanding of complicated AS events associated with cancer biology and reveal AS a promising target of cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jie Pan
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Bo-Wen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Pei
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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Role of CD44 isoforms in epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:391-406. [PMID: 35023031 PMCID: PMC10042269 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity lies at the core of cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer are concepts that represent a cancer cell's ability to coopt and adapt normal developmental programs to promote survival and expansion. The cancer stem cell model states that a small subset of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties are responsible for driving tumorigenesis and metastasis while remaining especially resistant to common chemotherapeutic drugs. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity describes a cancer cell's ability to transition between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes which drives invasion and metastasis. Recent research supports the existence of stable epithelial/mesenchymal hybrid phenotypes which represent highly plastic states with cancer stem cell characteristics. The cell adhesion molecule CD44 is a widely accepted marker for cancer stem cells, and it lies at a functional intersection between signaling networks regulating both stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. CD44 expression is complex, with alternative splicing producing many isoforms. Interestingly, not only does the pattern of isoform expression change during transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes in cancer, but these isoforms have distinct effects on cell behavior including the promotion of metastasis and stemness. The role of CD44 both downstream and upstream of signaling pathways regulating epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and stemness make this protein a valuable target for further research and therapeutic intervention.
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RNA-binding proteins and cancer metastasis. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:748-768. [PMID: 35339667 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can regulate gene expression through post-transcriptionally influencing all manner of RNA biology, including alternative splicing (AS), polyadenylation, stability, and translation of mRNAs, as well as microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) processing. There is accumulating evidence reinforcing the perception that dysregulation or dysfunction of RBPs can lead to various human diseases, including cancers. RBPs influence diverse cancer-associated cellular phenotypes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, contributing to the initiation and development of tumors, as well as clinical prognosis. Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related recurrence and death. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind tumor metastasis. In fact, a growing body of published research has proved that RBPs play pivotal roles in cancer metastasis. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances for helping us understand the role of RBPs in tumor metastasis, and discuss dysfunctions and dysregulations of RBPs affecting metastasis-associated processes including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Furthermore, we will discuss emerging RBP-based strategy for the treatment of cancer metastasis.
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12
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Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 and 2 (ESRP1 and ESRP2) upregulation predicts poor prognosis in prostate cancer. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:1220. [PMID: 33339518 PMCID: PMC7749503 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07682-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) and 2 (ESRP2) regulate alternative splicing events of various pre-mRNAs. Some of these targets play a role in cancer-associated processes, including cytoskeleton reorganization and DNA-repair processes. This study was undertaken to estimate the impact of ESRP1 and ESRP2 alterations on prostate cancer patient prognosis. Methods A tissue microarray made from 17,747 individual cancer samples with comprehensive, pathological, clinical and molecular data was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for ESRP1 and ESRP2. Results Nuclear staining for ESRP1 was seen in 38.6% (36.0% low, 2.6% high) of 12,140 interpretable cancers and in 41.9% (36.4% low, 5.3% high) of 12,962 interpretable cancers for ESRP2. Nuclear protein expression was linked to advanced tumor stage, high Gleason score, presence of lymph node metastasis, early biochemical recurrence, and ERG-positive cancers (p < 0.0001 each). Expression of ESRPs was significantly linked to 11 (ESRP1)/9 (ESRP2) of 11 analyzed deletions in all cancers and to 8 (ESRP1)/9 (ESRP2) of 11 deletions in ERG-negative cancers portending a link to genomic instability. Combined ESRPs expression analysis suggested an additive effect and showed the worst prognosis for cancers with high ESRP1 and ESRP2 expression. Multivariate analyses revealed that the prognostic impact of ESRP1, ESRP2 and combined ESRP1/ESRP2 expression was independent of all established pre- and postoperative prognostic features. Conclusions Our data show a striking link between nuclear ESRP expression and adverse features in prostate cancer and identifies expression of ESRP1 and/or ESRP2 as independent prognostic markers with a potential for routine application.
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Lee HH, Lee AJ, Park WS, Lee J, Park J, Park B, Joung JY, Lee KH, Hong D, Kim SH. Epithelial Splicing Regulatory Protein (ESPR1) Expression in an Unfavorable Prognostic Factor in Prostate Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2020; 10:556650. [PMID: 33194621 PMCID: PMC7649424 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.556650] [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: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To evaluate the role of epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) expression in survival prognoses and disease progression for prostate cancer (PC) using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and to validate it using patients’ prostatectomy specimens. Methods A preliminary investigation into the clinical significance of ESRP1 in PC was conducted using TCGA PC PRAD dataset and then using immunohistochemistry in 514 PC patients’ tissue microarrays of radical prostatectomy specimens. The interpretation of immunohistochemistry was done using its intensity (high vs. low) or the semi-quantitative expression value (H-score, 0–300). The prognostic significance of ESRP1 expression was analyzed for biochemical recurrence (BCR), recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) using the Cox proportional-hazards model (p < 0.05). Results In the publicly available prostate adenocarcinoma dataset, ESRP1 expression was significantly higher in the tumor samples compared to the normal samples (p < 0.001). Survival analysis showed that the tumor samples in the ESRP1-high group had significantly worse BCR-free survival and RFS compared to the ESRP1-low group (p < 0.05), whereas OS was not (p=0.08). These results were largely consistent with the 514 patients’ clinical data during a median 91.2 months of follow-up. After adjusting for significant prognostic clinicopathological factors, the multivariable models showed that the ESRP1 was a significantly risk factor for CSS (Hazard ratio 3.37, p = 0.034) and for BCR (HR 1.34, p=0.049) without any significance for OS (p=0.464). Conclusions The higher ESRP1 expression appeared increased risk of disease progression and cancer-specific death in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Ho Lee
- Department of Urology, Center for Prostate Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Andy Jinseok Lee
- Bioinformatics Analysis Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Weon Seo Park
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Jongkeun Lee
- Bioinformatics Analysis Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Jongkeun Park
- Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Boram Park
- Biometrics Research Branch and Biostatics Collaboration Unit, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Jae Young Joung
- Department of Urology, Center for Prostate Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Kang Hyun Lee
- Department of Urology, Center for Prostate Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
| | - Dongwan Hong
- Bioinformatics Analysis Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea.,Department of Biomedicine & Health, Catholic University Graduate School, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Han Kim
- Department of Urology, Center for Prostate Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyangsi, South Korea
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Yue PJ, Sun YY, Li YH, Xu ZM, Fu WN. MYCT1 inhibits the EMT and migration of laryngeal cancer cells via the SP1/miR-629-3p/ESRP2 pathway. Cell Signal 2020; 74:109709. [PMID: 32659265 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MYCT1 has an inhibitory effect on the migration of laryngeal cancer cells, although the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of MYCT1 in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of laryngeal cancer cells. We found that MYCT1 significantly decreased the expression of miR-629-3p but increased the expression of ESRP2 in laryngeal cancer cells. The expression of miR-629-3p and ESRP2 in laryngeal cancer tissues showed significantly positive and negative correlations with patient metastasis, respectively. miR-629-3p was confirmed to repress the expression of ESRP2 by targeting its 3'UTR. SP1 was verified to be a direct transcription factor for miR-629-3p and a downstream target of MYCT1. Moreover, MYCT1 inhibited the EMT and migration of laryngeal cancer cells through the SP1/miR-629-3p/ESRP2 pathway. Taken together, our results establish a novel MYCT1 signaling pathway in the EMT and migration of laryngeal cancer cells, thus providing important insights for further studying the pathway in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Jie Yue
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Sun
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Yun-Hui Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command (Heping Campus), Shenyang 110001, PR China.
| | - Zhen-Ming Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang City, Shenyang 110031, PR China.
| | - Wei-Neng Fu
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China.
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15
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Wood KA, Rowlands CF, Thomas HB, Woods S, O’Flaherty J, Douzgou S, Kimber SJ, Newman WG, O’Keefe RT. Modelling the developmental spliceosomal craniofacial disorder Burn-McKeown syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233582. [PMID: 32735620 PMCID: PMC7394406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The craniofacial developmental disorder Burn-McKeown Syndrome (BMKS) is caused by biallelic variants in the pre-messenger RNA splicing factor gene TXNL4A/DIB1. The majority of affected individuals with BMKS have a 34 base pair deletion in the promoter region of one allele of TXNL4A combined with a loss-of-function variant on the other allele, resulting in reduced TXNL4A expression. However, it is unclear how reduced expression of this ubiquitously expressed spliceosome protein results in craniofacial defects during development. Here we reprogrammed peripheral mononuclear blood cells from a BMKS patient and her unaffected mother into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated the iPSCs into induced neural crest cells (iNCCs), the key cell type required for correct craniofacial development. BMKS patient-derived iPSCs proliferated more slowly than both mother- and unrelated control-derived iPSCs, and RNA-Seq analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression and alternative splicing. Patient iPSCs displayed defective differentiation into iNCCs compared to maternal and unrelated control iPSCs, in particular a delay in undergoing an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA-Seq analysis of differentiated iNCCs revealed widespread gene expression changes and mis-splicing in genes relevant to craniofacial and embryonic development that highlight a dampened response to WNT signalling, the key pathway activated during iNCC differentiation. Furthermore, we identified the mis-splicing of TCF7L2 exon 4, a key gene in the WNT pathway, as a potential cause of the downregulated WNT response in patient cells. Additionally, mis-spliced genes shared common sequence properties such as length, branch point to 3’ splice site (BPS-3’SS) distance and splice site strengths, suggesting that splicing of particular subsets of genes is particularly sensitive to changes in TXNL4A expression. Together, these data provide the first insight into how reduced TXNL4A expression in BMKS patients might compromise splicing and NCC function, resulting in defective craniofacial development in the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Wood
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Charlie F. Rowlands
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Huw B. Thomas
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Woods
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Julieta O’Flaherty
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Douzgou
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Susan J. Kimber
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - William G. Newman
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond T. O’Keefe
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Jia J, Shi E, Zhou X, Zhu S, Li J, Zhang J, Yu J, Wang S, Feng L. Expression of ESRP1 at human fetomaternal interface and involvement in trophoblast migration and invasion. Placenta 2020; 90:18-26. [PMID: 32056547 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Studies have reported that villous cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) undergo a partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) when differentiating into extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVTs). Epithelial splicing-regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), an alternative splicing regulator, has been demonstrated to play important roles in the EMT process. Nevertheless, the roles of ESRP1 in the placentation remain undefined. METHODS ESRP1 expression in placental tissues throughout pregnancy was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The effect of ESRP1 knockdown by using small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) on the phenotype of trophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo) and villous explants was evaluated. RESULTS ESRP1 was localized within the CTBs, trophoblast columns, and EVTs located in the decidua. ESRP1 expression was changed during pregnancy, with the highest expression level in term placentae. ESRP1 knockdown significantly increased the migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, as well as the outgrowth of EVTs from villous explants, without affecting cell proliferation. This enhanced effect was associated with the increased expression of N-cadherin, vimentin and CD44. DISCUSSION Our results suggested an important role for ESRP1 in regulating trophoblast migration and invasion during placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Erjiao Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shenglan Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaoshuai Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Ling Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Zhao W, Cui Y, Liu L, Qi X, Liu J, Ma S, Hu X, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Li H, Wang Z, Liu Z, Wu J. Splicing factor derived circular RNA circUHRF1 accelerates oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis via feedback loop. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:919-933. [PMID: 31570856 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0423-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidences have suggested the vital roles of circular RNA (circRNA) in the human cancers. However, the underlying biological functions and biogenesis of circRNA in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still ambiguous. Here, we investigate the oncogenic roles and biogenesis of the novel identified circRNA, circUHRF1 (hsa_circ_0002185), in the OSCC tumorigenesis. Results showed that circUHRF1 was markedly upregulated in the OSCC cells and tissue, besides, the overexpression was closely correlated with the poor prognosis of OSCC patients. Functionally, circUHRF1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in vitro and the tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, circUHRF1 acted as the sponge of miR-526b-5p, thereby positively regulating c-Myc. Transcription factor c-Myc could accelerate the transcription of TGF-β1 and ESRP1. Moreover, splicing factor ESRP1 promoted the circularization and biogenesis of circUHRF1 by targeting the flanking introns, forming the circUHRF1/miR-526b-5p/c-Myc/TGF-β1/ESRP1 feedback loop. In conclusion, our research identified the oncogenic roles of circUHRF1 in the OSCC tumorigenesis and EMT via circUHRF1/miR-526b-5p/c-Myc/TGF-β1/ESRP1 feedback loop, shedding light on the pathogenic mechanism of circUHRF1 for OSCC and providing the potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Yameng Cui
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Lina Liu
- Department of Prosthodontics, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, Hospital of Stomatology, NanKai University, 300041, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Qi
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Jingwen Liu
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Shiqing Ma
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Xin Hu
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Periodontics, Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, Hospital of Stomatology, NanKai University, 300041, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Yue Wang
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Hongfa Li
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Zuomin Wang
- Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Department of Stomatology, 100022, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Zihao Liu
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Jie Wu
- The School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, PR China.
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18
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Venhuizen JH, Span PN, van den Dries K, Sommer S, Friedl P, Zegers MM. P120 Catenin Isoforms Differentially Associate with Breast Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101459. [PMID: 31569498 PMCID: PMC6826419 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is the endpoint of tumor progression and depends on the ability of tumor cells to locally invade tissue, transit through the bloodstream and ultimately to colonize secondary organs at distant sites. P120 catenin (p120) has been implicated as an important regulator of metastatic dissemination because of its roles in cell–cell junctional stability, cytoskeletal dynamics, growth and survival. However, conflicting roles for p120 in different tumor models and steps of metastasis have been reported, and the understanding of p120 functions is confounded by the differential expression of p120 isoforms, which differ in N-terminal length, tissue localization and, likely, function. Here, we used in silico exon expression analyses, in vitro invasion assays and both RT-PCR and immunofluorescence of human tumors. We show that alternative exon usage favors expression of short isoform p120-3 in 1098 breast tumors and correlates with poor prognosis. P120-3 is upregulated at the invasive front of breast cancer cells migrating as collective groups in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate in histological sections of 54 human breast cancer patients that p120-3 expression is maintained throughout the metastatic cascade, whereas p120-1 is differentially expressed and diminished during invasion and in metastases. These data suggest specific regulation and functions of p120-3 in breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Hendrik Venhuizen
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Paul N Span
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sebastian Sommer
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Cancer Genomic Centre, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230, USA.
| | - Mirjam M Zegers
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Li S, Shen L, Huang L, Lei S, Cai X, Breitzig M, Zhang B, Yang A, Ji W, Huang M, Zheng Q, Sun H, Wang F. PTBP1 enhances exon11a skipping in Mena pre-mRNA to promote migration and invasion in lung carcinoma cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2019; 1862:858-869. [PMID: 31075540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) events occur in the majority of human genes. AS in a single gene can give rise to different functions among multiple isoforms. Human ortholog of mammalian enabled (Mena) is a conserved regulator of actin dynamics that plays an important role in metastasis. Mena has been shown to have multiple splice variants in human tumor cells due to AS. However, the mechanism mediated Mena AS has not been elucidated. Here we showed that polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) could modulate Mena AS. First, PTBP1 levels were elevated in metastatic lung cancer cells as well as during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Then, knockdown of PTBP1 using shRNA inhibited migration and invasion of lung carcinoma cells and decreased the Mena exon11a skipping, whereas overexpression of PTBP1 had the opposite effects. The results of RNA pull-down assays and mutation analyses demonstrated that PTBP1 functionally targeted and physically interacted with polypyrimidine sequences on both upstream intron11 (TTTTCCCCTT) and downstream intron11a (TTTTTTTTTCTTT). In addition, the results of migration and invasion assays as well as detection of filopodia revealed that the effect of PTBP1 was reversed by knockdown of Mena but not Mena11a+. Overexpressed MenaΔ11a also rescued the PTBP1-induced migration and invasion. Taken together, our study provides a novel mechanism that PTBP1 modulates Mena exon11a skipping, and indicates that PTBP1 depends on the level of Mena11a- to promote lung cancer cells migration and invasion. The regulation of Mena AS may be a potential prognostic marker and a promising target for treatment of lung carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaiguang Li
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lianghua Shen
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Luyuan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Sijia Lei
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xingdong Cai
- Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Mason Breitzig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, MDC 19, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Annan Yang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wenzuo Ji
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Meiyan Huang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qing Zheng
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hanxiao Sun
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Cause-and-Effect relationship between FGFR1 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer cells. Lung Cancer 2019; 132:132-140. [PMID: 31097086 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Increased FGFR1 expression is associated with resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells and often concomitant with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the cause-and-effect relationship between increased FGFR1 expression and EMT in the genetic background of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells is not clear. Previous studies have specifically addressed the relationship between EMT and increased FGFR1 expression in the context of simultaneous TKI-mediated blocking of EGFR-signaling. Here, in the context of EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells with active EGFR-signaling, we have examined whether increased FGFR1 expression drives EMT or is an EMT passenger event. MATERIALS AND METHODS For cause-and-effect analyses between EMT and FGFR1 expression, including expression of alternative spliced FGFR1 isoforms, we used CRISPR-dCAS9-SAM-mediated induction of the endogenous FGFR1 and ZEB1 genes, as well as biochemical EMT-induction, in PC9 and HCC827 NSCLC cell lines harboring activating EGFR-mutations. RESULTS We find that FGFR1 expression correlates with a ZEB1-associated EMT gene expression profile in NSCLC cells. In experiments using NSCLC cell lines harboring activating EGFR-mutations we show that CRISPR-dCAS9-SAM-mediated induction of FGFR1 expression is neither driving an increase in ZEB1 expression nor EMT characteristics. However, CRISPR-dCAS9-SAM-mediated induction of ZEB1 expression drives EMT characteristics and an increase in FGFR1 expression. Biochemical induction of EMT also drives an increase in FGFR1 expression. CONCLUSION From our findings concerning the cause-and-effect relationship in the genetic background of EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells, we conclude that an increase in ZEB1 expression is a driver of EMT resulting in concomitant increased FGFR1 expression, whereas an increase in FGFR1 expression is insufficient to drive concomitant EMT.
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Differential expression of p120-catenin 1 and 3 isoforms in epithelial tissues. Sci Rep 2019; 9:90. [PMID: 30643202 PMCID: PMC6331582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36889-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
P120 catenin (p120) is a non-redundant master regulatory protein of cadherin-based cell-cell junctions, intracellular signaling, and tissue homeostasis and repair. Alternative splicing can generate p120 isoforms 1 and 3 (p120-1 and p120-3), which are implicated in non-overlapping functions by differential expression regulation and unique interactions in different cell types, with often predominant expression of p120-1 in mesenchymal cells, and p120-3 generally prevalent in epithelial cells. However, the lack of specific p120-3 protein detection has precluded analysis of their relative abundance in tissues. Here, we have developed a p120-3 isoform-specific antibody and analyzed the p120-3 localization relative to p120-1 in human tissues. p120-3 but not p120-1 is highly expressed in cell-cell junctions of simple gastrointestinal epithelia such as colon and stomach, and the acini of salivary glands and the pancreas. Conversely, the basal layer of the epidermis and hair follicles expressed p120-1 with reduced p120-3, whereas most other epithelia co-expressed p120-3 and p120-1, including bronchial epithelia and mammary luminal epithelial cells. These data provide an inventory of tissue-specific p120 isoform expression and suggest a link between p120 isoform expression and epithelial differentiation.
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Yu M, Hong W, Ruan S, Guan R, Tu L, Huang B, Hou B, Jian Z, Ma L, Jin H. Genome-Wide Profiling of Prognostic Alternative Splicing Pattern in Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:773. [PMID: 31552163 PMCID: PMC6736558 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00773] [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: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) has a critical role in tumor progression and prognosis. Our study aimed to investigate pancreatic cancer-specific AS events using RNA-seq data, gaining systematic insights into potential prognostic predictors. We downloaded 10,623 genes with 45,313 pancreatic cancer-specific AS events from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and SpliceSeq database. Cox univariate analyses of overall survival suggested there was a remarkable association between 6,711 AS events and overall survival in pancreatic cancer patients (P < 0.05). The area under the curves (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC) of risk score was 0.89 for final prognostic predictor. Results indicated that AS events of DAZAP1, RBM4, ESRP1, QKI, and SF1 were significantly associated with overall survival. The results of FunRich showed that transcription factors KLF7, GABPA, and SP1 were the most highly related to survival-associated AS genes. Furthermore, using DriverDBv2, we identified 13 driver genes associated with survival-associated AS events, including TP53 and CDC27. Thus, we concluded that the aberrant AS patterns in pancreatic cancer patients might serve as prognostic predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Min Yu
| | - Weifeng Hong
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiye Ruan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Renguo Guan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Tu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bowen Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baohua Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixiang Jian
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liheng Ma
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haosheng Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Haosheng Jin
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Neumann DP, Goodall GJ, Gregory PA. Regulation of splicing and circularisation of RNA in epithelial mesenchymal plasticity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 75:50-60. [PMID: 28789987 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interconversions between epithelial and mesenchymal states, often referred to as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse MET, play important roles in embryonic development and are recapitulated in various adult pathologies including cancer progression. These conversions are regulated by complex transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms including programs of alternative splicing which are orchestrated by specific splicing factors. This review will focus on the latest developments in our understanding of the splicing factors regulating epithelial mesenchymal plasticity associated with cancer progression and the induction of pluripotency, including potential roles for circular RNAs (circRNAs) which have been recently implicated in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Neumann
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Gregory J Goodall
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Philip A Gregory
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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Genome-wide screen for differentially methylated long noncoding RNAs identifies Esrp2 and lncRNA Esrp2-as regulated by enhancer DNA methylation with prognostic relevance for human breast cancer. Oncogene 2017; 36:6446-6461. [PMID: 28759043 PMCID: PMC5701091 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The majority of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is still poorly characterized with respect to function, interactions with protein-coding genes, and mechanisms that regulate their expression. As for protein-coding RNAs, epigenetic deregulation of lncRNA expression by alterations in DNA methylation might contribute to carcinogenesis. To provide genome-wide information on lncRNAs aberrantly methylated in breast cancer we profiled tumors of the C3(1) SV40TAg mouse model by MCIp-seq (Methylated CpG Immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing). This approach detected 69 lncRNAs differentially methylated between tumor tissue and normal mammary glands, with 26 located in antisense orientation of a protein-coding gene. One of the hypomethylated lncRNAs, 1810019D21Rik (now called Esrp2-antisense (as)) was identified in proximity to the epithelial splicing regulatory protein 2 (Esrp2) that is significantly elevated in C3(1) tumors. ESRPs were shown previously to have a dual role in carcinogenesis. Both gain and loss have been associated with poor prognosis in human cancers, but the mechanisms regulating expression are not known. In-depth analyses indicate that coordinate overexpression of Esrp2 and Esrp2-as inversely correlates with DNA methylation. Luciferase reporter gene assays support co-expression of Esrp2 and the major short Esrp2-as variant from a bidirectional promoter, and transcriptional regulation by methylation of a proximal enhancer. Ultimately, this enhancer-based regulatory mechanism provides a novel explanation for tissue-specific expression differences and upregulation of Esrp2 during carcinogenesis. Knockdown of Esrp2-as reduced Esrp2 protein levels without affecting mRNA expression and resulted in an altered transcriptional profile associated with extracellular matrix (ECM), cell motility and reduced proliferation, whereas overexpression enhanced proliferation. Our findings not only hold true for the murine tumor model, but led to the identification of an unannotated human homolog of Esrp2-as which is significantly upregulated in human breast cancer and associated with poor prognosis.
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Pan-cancer EMT-signature identifies RBM47 down-regulation during colorectal cancer progression. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4687. [PMID: 28680090 PMCID: PMC5498532 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04234-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. A comprehensive, bioinformatics analysis of CCLE and TCGA datasets of seven tumor types allowed us to identify a novel pan-cancer EMT-associated gene expression signature consisting of 16 epithelial and 4 mesenchymal state-associated mRNAs. Among the identified epithelial cell state-associated factors, down-regulation of the RBM47 (RNA binding motif protein 47) mRNA displayed the most significant association with metastasis and poor survival in multiple cohorts of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Moreover, decreased RBM47 protein expression was associated with metastasis in a cohort of primary CRCs. RBM47 was directly suppressed during EMT induced by IL6-activated STAT3 or ectopic SNAIL and SLUG expression via conserved binding motifs of these factors within the RBM47 promoter. Moreover, RNAi-mediated down-regulation of RBM47 in CRC lines resulted in increased cell migration, invasion and metastases formation. As demonstrated by the example of RBM47, the EMT-associated signature characterized here allows to identify biomarkers for predicting clinical outcome of CRC and presumably other cancer entities. In addition, our functional analysis of RBM47 shows that the down-regulation of RBM47 during CRC progression may promote EMT and metastasis.
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