Tumor protein D52 (isoform 3) interacts with and promotes peroxidase activity of Peroxiredoxin 1 in prostate cancer cells implicated in cell growth and migration

Tumor protein D52 (isoform 3) induces NF-κB - STAT3 mediated EMT driving neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cells

In prostate cancer (PCa) patients, a proto-oncogene Tumor protein D52 (TPD52) is overexpressed, and it is involved in different cellular functions. In this study, we report that TPD52 expression is positively associated with the emergence of neuroendocrine PCa (NEPC). With overexpression of TPD52 in LNCaP cells, we found neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of cells in in-vitro and distinct NED features confirmed by NE markers neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin A (CHR-A). Further, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in TPD52 mediated NED of PCa cells. We found that TPD52 activates the NF- κB - STAT3 axis for the induction of NED in LNCaP cells. Indeed, inhibition of NF-κB - STAT3 attenuated the progression of NED in TPD52 positive LNCaP cells. Importantly, silencing of TPD52 expression or inhibition of NF-κB - STAT3 activity in a neuroendocrine cell line NCI-H660 showed a marked decrease in the expression of NSE and CHR-A, confirming the reversal of the NE properties. Notably, TPD52 overexpression in LNCaP cells induced expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin, ZEB1, and Snail1 indicating that TPD52 positively regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PCa cells towards NED. Moreover, silencing of Snail1 in TPD52 positive cells blocked the progression of NED and, in NCI-H660 cells reversed NE properties as expected. Of the few requirements of TPD52, activation of NF-κB - STAT3 is essential for promoting EMT compelling NED of LNCaP cells. Collectively, these results reveal that TPD52 is associated with the progression of NEPC and emphasizes the need for therapeutic targeting of TPD52 in PCa.

Dual role of PRDX1 in redox-regulation and tumorigenesis: Past and future

Tumour cells often display an active metabolic profile, leading to the intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species. As a member of the peroxidase family, peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) functions generally in protecting against cell damage caused by H2O2. Additionally, PRDX1 plays a role as a molecular chaperone in various malignant tumours, exhibiting either tumour-promoting or tumour-suppressing effects. Currently, PRDX1-targeting drugs have demonstrated in vitro anticancer effects, indicating the potential of PRDX1 as a molecular target. Here we discussed the diverse functions of PRDX1 in tumour biology and provided a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of targeting PRDX1 signalling across various types of cancer.

Microfluidic-based prostate cancer model for investigating the secretion of prostate-specific antigen and microRNAs in vitro

The study of prostate cancer in vitro relies on established cell lines that lack important physiological characteristics, such as proper polarization and expression of relevant biomarkers. Microphysiological systems (MPS) can replicate cancer microenvironments and lead to cellular phenotypic changes that better represent organ physiology in vitro. In this study, we developed an MPS model comprising conventional prostate cancer cells to evaluate their activity under dynamic culture conditions. Androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-insensitive (PC3) cells were grown in conventional and 3D cultures, both static and dynamic. Cell morphology, the secretion of prostate-specific antigen, and the expression of key prostate markers and microRNAs were analyzed. LNCaP formed spheroids in 3D and MPS cultures, with morphological changes supported by the upregulation of cytokeratins and adhesion proteins. LNCaP also maintained a constant prostate-specific antigen secretion in MPS. PC3 cells did not develop complex structures in 3D and MPS cultures. PSA expression at the gene level was downregulated in LNCaP-MPS and considerably upregulated in PC3-MPS. MicroRNA expression was altered by the 3D static and dynamic culture, both intra- and extracellularly. MicroRNAs associated with prostate cancer progression were mostly upregulated in LNCaP-MPS. Overall dynamic cell culture substantially altered the morphology and expression of LNCaP cells, arguably augmenting their prostate cancer phenotype. This novel approach demonstrates that microRNA expression in prostate cancer cells is sensitive to external stimuli and that MPS can effectively promote important physiological changes in conventional prostate cancer models.

The Role of Peroxiredoxins in Cancer Development

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are antioxidant enzymes with ubiquitous expression in human tissues. Prxs are expressed in archaea, bacteria, and eukaryota, often in multiple isoforms. Because of their abundant expression in different cellular organelles and extraordinary sensitivity to H2O2, Prxs are among the first defenses against oxidative stress. Prxs undergo reversible oxidation to disulfides, and some family members perform chaperone or phospholipase functions upon further oxidation. Prxs are upregulated in cancer cells. Research has suggested that Prxs can function as tumor promoters in various cancers. The major objective of this review is to summarize novel findings regarding the roles of Prxs in common cancer types. Prxs have been shown to influence differentiation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, remodeling of extracellular matrix, and regulation of stemness. Since aggressive cancer cells have higher intracellular levels of ROS that they can utilize to proliferate and metastasize compared to normal cells, it is critical that we understand the regulation and functions of primary antioxidants such as Prxs. These small but mighty proteins could prove to be key for improving cancer therapeutics and patient survival.

miR-139-5p Was Identified as Biomarker of Different Molecular Subtypes of Breast Carcinoma

Located on chromosome 11q13.4, miR-139-5p has been confirmed by several studies as a possible attractive biomarker for cancer, including breast cancer, but its mechanism of correlation in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer has not been reported. In this study, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate the expression of miR-139-5p in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer (luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, and basal-like). The target genes of miR-139-5p were predicted by using an online database TargetScan and miRDB, and three key genes, FBN2, MEX3A, and TPD52, were screened in combination with differentially expressed genes in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. The expression of the three genes was verified separately, and the genes were analyzed for pathway and functional enrichment. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) are another kind of highly plastic cell population existing in bone marrow besides hematopoietic stem cells. BMSC can affect the proliferation and migration of cancer cells, promote the metastasis and development of cancer, and regulate the tumor microenvironment by secreting exosome mirnas, thus affecting the malignant biological behavior of tumor cells. Finally, human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exosomes were obtained by ultracentrifugation, and the morphology of exosomes was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of miR-139-5p in normal breast cells MCF-10A, human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 cells, and BMSCs-derived exosomes were compared; the exosomes and MDA-MB-231 cells were co-cultured to observe their effects on the proliferation of the MDA-MB-231 cells. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells and promoted the expression of FBN2, MEX3A, and TPD52 by transporting miR-139-5p.

Tumor protein D52 promotes breast cancer proliferation and migration via the long non-coding RNA NEAT1/microRNA-218-5p axis

Background

Breast cancer is an aggressive disease with high morbidity and mortality rates among women globally. Tumor protein D52 (TPD52) is an oncogene in breast cancer; however, its physiological function remains elusive. This study set out to obtain a deeper understanding of the functions of TPD52 in the pathophysiology of breast cancer by exploring its effects on breast cancer cell proliferation and migration.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the bonding of TPD52 and nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) with miR-218-5p. The bonding of TPD52 and NEAT1 with miR-218-5p were verified by luciferase reporter assays. The mRNA expression of TPD52, miR-218-5p or NEAT1 were tested by Rt-qPCR and the protein expression of TPD52 was tested by western blot. Colony formation and EdU assays were carried out to evaluate cell proliferation. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to evaluate migration.

Results

In this study, TPD52 was upregulated in breast cancer cells, and silencing of TPD52 repressed the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Further, microRNA (miR)-218-5p reduced the expression level of TPD52, while overexpression of TPD52 attenuated the effects of miR-218-5p mimics on breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. Also, NEAT1 acted as a competitive endogenous sponge of miR-218-5p to downregulate free miR-218-5p levels. It was further observed that TPD52 overexpression recovered the inhibition of breast cancer cell growth and migration caused by NEAT1 downregulation. These results confirmed the functions of NEAT1 in breast cancer and supported the mechanism of the NEAT1/miR-218-5p/TPD52 axis.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the important role of the NEAT1/miR-218-5p/TPD52 axis in breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. This axis may be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Molecular mechanisms, immune cell infiltration, and potential drugs for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The molecular mechanisms involved in the prostate cancer and their relationship with immune cell infiltration are not fully understood. The prostate cancer patients undergoing standard androgen deprivation therapy eventually develop castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) for which there is no effective treatment currently available, and the hub genes involved in this process remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To study prostate cancer systematically and comprehensively.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of prostate cancer were screened in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Connectivity Map (Cmap) software was applied to discover potential treatment drugs. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed to obtained the hub genes, and the relationship between hub genes and immune cell infiltration was investigated. Next, RNAseq data of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer samples and CRPC samples obtained from TCGA database was further analyzed to identify DEGs. Finally, a PPI analysis was performed to obtain the hub genes.

RESULTS

A total of 319 DEGs were identified between prostate cancer samples and normal adjacent samples from TCGA database using comparative analysis. The KEGG pathway analysis showed significant correlations with drug metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and chemical carcinogenesis. AMACR, FOLH1 and NPY, three hub genes, were found to be upregulated. FOLH1 was positively correlated with CD8+ T cell infiltration. FOLH1, AMACR, and NPY were negatively correlated with CD4+ T cell infiltration. A total of 426 DEGs were identified from RNAseq data of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer samples and CRPC samples using further comparative analysis. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed significant correlations with arachidonic acid metabolism, PPAR signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, and metabolic pathways. The top 10 hub genes in PPI network were screened out, including PPARG, SREBF1, SCD, HMGCR, FASN, PTGS2, HMGCS2, SREBF2, FDFT1, and INSIG1. Among them, SCD and FASN are expected to be the potential therapeutic targets for CRPC.

CONCLUSIONS

AMACR, FOLH1 and NPY may be effective therapeutic targets and specific diagnostic markers for prostate cancer. AMACR, FOLH1, and NPY are also closely associated with immune cell infiltration in prostate cancer. Moreover, aminoglutethimide and resveratrol were found to be the promising drugs for treating prostate cancer. The progression of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer to CRPC may be related to arachidonic acid metabolism, PPAR signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, and other metabolic pathways. SCD and FASN are expected to be the potential therapeutic targets for CRPC.

Peroxiredoxins wear many hats: Factors that fashion their peroxide sensing personalities

Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs) sense and assess peroxide levels, and signal through protein interactions. Understanding the role of the multiple structural and post-translational modification (PTM) layers that tunes the peroxiredoxin specificities is still a challenge. In this review, we give a tabulated overview on what is known about human and bacterial peroxiredoxins with a focus on structure, PTMs, and protein-protein interactions. Armed with numerous cellular and atomic level experimental techniques, we look at the future and ask ourselves what is still needed to give us a clearer view on the cellular operating power of Prdxs in both stress and non-stress conditions.

Discovery of New Protein Targets of BPA Analogs and Derivatives Associated with Noncommunicable Diseases: A Virtual High-Throughput Screening

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A analogs and derivatives (BPs) have emerged as new contaminants with little or no information about their toxicity. These have been found in numerous everyday products, from thermal paper receipts to plastic containers, and measured in human samples.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this research were to identify in silico new protein targets of BPs associated with seven noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and to study their protein-ligand interactions using computer-aided tools.

METHODS

Fifty BPs were identified by a literature search and submitted to a virtual high-throughput screening (vHTS) with 328 proteins associated with NCDs. Protein-protein interactions between predicted targets were examined using STRING, and the protocol was validated in terms of binding site recognition and correlation between in silico affinities and in vitro data.

RESULTS

According to the vHTS, several BPs may target proteins associated with NCDs, some of them with stronger affinities than bisphenol A (BPA). The best affinity score (the highest in silico affinity absolute value) was obtained after docking 4,4'-bis(N-carbamoyl-4-methylbenzensulfonamide)diphenylmethane (BTUM) on estradiol 17-beta-dehydrogenase 1 (-13.7 kcal/mol). However, other molecules, such as bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BDP), bisphenol PH (BPPH), and Pergafast 201 also exhibited great affinities (top 10 affinity scores for each disease) with proteins related to NCDs.

DISCUSSION

Molecules such as BTUM, BDP, BPPH, and Pergafast 201 could be targeting key signaling pathways related to NCDs. These BPs should be prioritized for in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing and to further assess their possible role in the development of these diseases. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7466.