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Cappabianca L, Farina AR, Di Marcotullio L, Infante P, De Simone D, Sebastiano M, Mackay AR. Discovery, characterization and potential roles of a novel NF-YAx splice variant in human neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2019; 38:482. [PMID: 31805994 PMCID: PMC6896337 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1481-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification of novel cancer-associated splice variants is of potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic importance. NF-Y transcription factor is comprised of NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC subunits, binds inverted CCAAT-boxes in ≈70% of gene promoters, regulates > 1000 cancer-associated genes and proteins involved in proliferation, staminality, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism and is subject to component alternative splicing. RT-PCR evaluation of alternative NF-YA splicing in primary human neuroblastomas (NBs), led to discovery of a novel NF-YAx splice variant, also expressed during mouse embryo development and induced by doxorubicin in NB cells. Here, we report the discovery and characterisation of NF-YAx and discus its potential roles in NB. METHODS NF-YAx cDNA was RT-PCR-cloned from a stage 3 NB (provided by the Italian Association of Haematology and Paediatric Oncology, Genova, IT), sequenced and expressed as a protein using standard methods and compared to known fully-spliced NF-YAl and exon B-skipped NF-YAs isoforms in: EMSAs for capacity to form NF-Y complexes; by co-transfection, co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting for capacity to bind Sp1; by IF for localisation; in AO/EtBr cell-death and colony formation assays for relative cytotoxicity, and by siRNA knockdown, use of inhibitors and Western blotting for potential mechanisms of action. Stable SH-SY5Y transfectants of all three NF-YA isoforms were also propagated and compared by RT-PCR and Western blotting for differences in cell-death and stem cell (SC)-associated gene expression, in cell-death assays for sensitivity to doxorubicin and in in vitro proliferation, substrate-independent growth and in vivo tumour xenograft assays for differences in growth and tumourigenic capacity. RESULTS NF-YAx was characterized as a novel variant with NF-YA exons B, D and partial F skipping, detected in 20% of NF-YA positive NBs, was the exclusive isoform in a stage 3 NB, expressed in mouse stage E11.5-14 embryos and induced by doxorubicin in SH-SY5Y NB cells. The NF-YAx protein exhibited nuclear localisation, competed with other isoforms in CCAAT box-binding NF-Y complexes but, in contrast to other isoforms, did not bind Sp1. NF-YAx expression in neural-related progenitor and NB cells repressed Bmi1 expression, induced KIF1Bβ expression and promoted KIF1Bβ-dependent necroptosis but in NB cells also selected tumourigenic, doxorubicin-resistant, CSC-like sub-populations, resistant to NF-YAx cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS The discovery of NF-YAx in NBs, its expression in mouse embryos and induction by doxorubicin in NB cells, unveils a novel NF-YA splice mechanism and variant, regulated by and involved in development, genotoxic-stress and NB. NF-YAx substitution of other isoforms in NF-Y complexes and loss of capacity to bind Sp1, characterises this novel isoform as a functional modifier of NF-Y and its promotion of KIF1Bβ-dependent neural-lineage progenitor and NB cell necroptosis, association with doxorubicin-induced necroptosis and expression in mouse embryos coinciding with KIF1Bβ-dependent sympathetic neuroblast-culling, confirm a cytotoxic function and potential role in suppressing NB initiation. On the other hand, the in vitro selection of CSC-like NB subpopulations resistant to NF-YAx cytotoxicity not only helps to explain high-level exclusive NF-YAx expression in a stage 3 NB but also supports a role for NF-YAx in disease progression and identifies a potential doxorubicin-inducible mechanism for post-therapeutic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cappabianca
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonietta Rosella Farina
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nanoscience @ Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele De Simone
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Michela Sebastiano
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrew Reay Mackay
- Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
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Wang S, Chen N, Chen Y, Sun L, Li L, Liu H. Elevated GPC3 level promotes cell proliferation in liver cancer. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:970-976. [PMID: 29963171 PMCID: PMC6019913 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological role of glypican 3 (GPC3), and to identify its mechanism and clinical significance in the carcinogenesis of liver cancer. A total of 114 patients with liver cancer were involved. Their clinical data, hematoxylin and eosin-stained and Antigen Ki-67 protein (Ki-67) and GPC3 immunohistochemically-stained liver cancer tissue sections were analyzed to evaluate the correlation between the liver cancer proliferation, differentiation and GPC3 expression. Fluorescence microscopy, western blotting, MTT and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays were performed in HepG2 and HLE cell lines to investigate the potential mechanisms of action. Among the 114 patients with liver cancer enrolled in the present study, 12 exhibited well-differentiated liver cancer, of which 6 (50%) were positive for GPC3. A total of 30 cases exhibited poorly differentiated liver cancer; 26 (87%) of these expressed GPC3 and 11 cases (37%) demonstrated strong positive expression levels. The other 72 liver cancer cases were moderately differentiated; 75% (54/72) of these expressed GPC3 and 12.5% (9/72) exhibited strong positive expression levels. There was a significant association between the levels of GPC3 expression and liver cancer differentiation (χ2=16.306, P=0.008). Ki-67 staining as the criteria of the liver cancer cell proliferation index also indicated a cross correlation between liver cancer proliferation and GPC3 levels. Among the 39 liver cancer samples with a cell proliferation index <5%, only 2.6% (1/39) exhibited strong positive GPC3 staining, but of the 16 cases with a high cell proliferation index >50%, 6 exhibited strong GPC3 staining (37.5%). The difference of cell proliferation indexes between cancer cells were well, moderate and poorly differentiated, and was markedly significant (χ2=26.334, P=0.002), and suggested that liver cancer cell proliferation was positively correlated with GPC3 expression (r=0.316, P=0.001). Consistently, in vitro analysis indicated that GPC3 promoted HepG2 and HLE cell growth, which was more apparent in HepG2 cells. The RT-qPCR results indicated that GPC3 promoted proliferation through the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in HepG2 cells, but not in HLE cells. In the present study, it was demonstrated that patients with liver cancer with higher GPC3 levels exhibited poorer differentiation and higher proliferation levels. In vitro GPC3 may promote liver cancer cell lines proliferation through the Hh pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Beijing You'An Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing 100069, P.R. China.,Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
| | - Ning Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing You'An Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
| | - Yuhan Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing You'An Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You'An Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Beijing You'An Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You'An Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
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Nagarajan A, Malvi P, Wajapeyee N. Heparan Sulfate and Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Cancer Initiation and Progression. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:483. [PMID: 30197623 PMCID: PMC6118229 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) are complex unbranched carbohydrate chains that are heavily modified by sulfate and exist either conjugated to proteins or as free, unconjugated chains. Proteins with covalently bound Heparan sulfate chains are termed Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans (HSPGs). Both HS and HSPGs bind to various growth factors and act as co-receptors for different cell surface receptors. They also modulate the dynamics and kinetics of various ligand-receptor interactions, which in turn can influence the duration and potency of the signaling. HS and HSPGs have also been shown to exert a structural role as a component of the extracellular matrix, thereby altering processes such as cell adhesion, immune cell infiltration and angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that HS are deregulated in a variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancies and regulate key aspects of cancer initiation and progression. HS deregulation in cancer can occur as a result of changes in the level of HSPGs or due to changes in the levels of HS biosynthesis and remodeling enzymes. Here, we describe the major cell-autonomous (proliferation, apoptosis/senescence and differentiation) and cell-non-autonomous (angiogenesis, immune evasion, and matrix remodeling) roles of HS and HSPGs in cancer. Finally, we discuss therapeutic opportunities for targeting deregulated HS biosynthesis and HSPGs as a strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvindhan Nagarajan
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Parmanand Malvi
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Narendra Wajapeyee
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- *Correspondence: Narendra Wajapeyee
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Liu Y, Zheng D, Liu M, Bai J, Zhou X, Gong B, Lü J, Zhang Y, Huang H, Luo W, Huang G. Downregulation of glypican-3 expression increases migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity of human ovarian cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:7997-8006. [PMID: 25967456 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3528-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a membrane of heparan sulfate proteoglycan family involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and differentiation during the development of the majority of mesodermal tissues and organs. GPC3 is explored as a potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma screening. However, as a tumor-associated antigen, its role in ovarian cancer remains elusive. In this report, the expression levels of GPC3 in the various ovarian cancer cells were determined with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and GPC3 expression in ovarian cancer UCI 101 and A2780 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection, and the effects of GPC3 knockdown on in vitro cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were respectively analyzed by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Transwell migration assay. Additionally, the effect of GPC3 knockdown on in vivo tumorigenesis were investigated in athymic nude mice. The results indicated that GPC3 knockdown significantly promoted cell proliferation and increased cell migration and invasion by upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression and downregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression. Additionally, GPC3 knockdown also increased in vivo tumorigenicity of UCI 101 and A2780 cells and final tumor weights and volumes after subcutaneous cell injection in the nude mice. The results of immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting both demonstrated a lower expression of GPC3 antigen in the tumors of GPC3 knockdown groups than that of negative control groups. Moreover, transforming growth factor-β2 protein expression in the tumors of GPC3 knockdown groups was significantly increased, which at least contributed to tumor growth in the nude mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that GPC3 knockdown promotes the progression of human ovarian cancer cells by increasing their migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity, and suggest that GPC3 is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dongping Zheng
- Ultrasonic Imaging Division, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mingming Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jiao Bai
- Ultrasonic Imaging Division, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Baolan Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jieyu Lü
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenying Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, 524001, China
| | - Guangrong Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, China.
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Heparan sulfate signaling in cancer. Trends Biochem Sci 2014; 39:277-88. [PMID: 24755488 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2014.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a biopolymer consisting of variably sulfated repeating disaccharide units. The anticoagulant heparin is a highly sulfated intracellular variant of HS. HS has demonstrated roles in embryonic development, homeostasis, and human disease via non-covalent interactions with numerous cellular proteins, including growth factors and their receptors. HS can function as a co-receptor by enhancing receptor-complex formation. In other contexts, HS disrupts signaling complexes or serves as a ligand sink. The effects of HS on growth factor signaling are tightly regulated by the actions of sulfyltransferases, sulfatases, and heparanases. HS has important emerging roles in oncogenesis, and heparin derivatives represent potential therapeutic strategies for human cancers. Here we review recent insights into HS signaling in tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and differentiation. A cancer-specific understanding of HS signaling could uncover potential therapeutic targets in this highly actionable signaling network.
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Kottorou AE, Antonacopoulou AG, Dimitrakopoulos FID, Tsamandas AC, Scopa CD, Petsas T, Kalofonos HP. Altered expression of NFY-C and RORA in colorectal adenocarcinomas. Acta Histochem 2012; 114:553-61. [PMID: 22104449 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2011.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
NFY-C, a subunit of the transcription factor NFY, binds to the promoters of several eukaryotic genes, including cell cycle-related genes. RORA is a steroid hormone receptor implicated in a range of important cellular processes. We evaluated the expression of NFY-C and RORA in colorectal adenocarcinomas and normal colonic tissue. NFY-C expression was elevated in adenocarcinomas. Moreover, NFY-C mRNA levels correlated with time to disease progression, while NFY-C protein expression was significantly higher in metastatic disease. RORA expression was downregulated in CRC adenocarcinomas compared to normal controls and correlated with time to disease progression. The role of NFY-C and RORA in CRC merits further investigation.
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