GSK-3: An important kinase in colon and pancreatic cancers

Natural Stilbenes: Their Role in Colorectal Cancer Prevention, DNA Methylation, and Therapy

The resistance of colorectal cancer (CRC) to conventional therapeutic modalities, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, along with the associated side effects, significantly limits effective anticancer strategies. Numerous epigenetic investigations have unveiled that naturally occurring stilbenes can modify or reverse abnormal epigenetic alterations, particularly aberrant DNA methylation status, offering potential avenues for preventing or treating CRC. By modulating the activity of the DNA methylation machinery components, phytochemicals may influence the various stages of CRC carcinogenesis through multiple molecular mechanisms. Several epigenetic studies, especially preclinical research, have highlighted the effective DNA methylation modulatory effects of stilbenes with minimal adverse effects on organisms, particularly in combination therapies for CRC. However, the available preclinical and clinical data regarding the effects of commonly encountered stilbenes against CRC are currently limited. Therefore, additional epigenetic research is warranted to explore the preventive potential of these phytochemicals in CRC development and to validate their therapeutic application in the prevention and treatment of CRC. This review aims to provide an overview of selected bioactive stilbenes as potential chemopreventive agents for CRC with a focus on their modulatory mechanisms of action, especially in targeting alterations in DNA methylation machinery in CRC.

Cytotoxicity of alkaloids isolated from Peganum harmala seeds on HCT116 human colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to elucidate the potential anticancer activity and mechanism of P. harmala's alkaloid extract, harmine (HAR), and harmaline (HAL) in HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

P. harmala's alkaloid was extracted from harmala seeds. HCT-116 cells were treated with P. harmala's alkaloid extract, HAR and HAL. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay, apoptotic activity detected via flow cytometry and acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) dual staining, and cell cycle distribution analyzed with flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) was measured by real-time PCR. Furthermore, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, GSK3β and p53 proteins, were determined by western blotting. The findings indicated that, P. harmala's alkaloids extract, HAR and HAL were significantly cytotoxic toward HCT116 cells after 24 and 48 h of treatment. We showed that P. harmala's alkaloid extract induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2 phase in the HCT116 cell line. Downregulation of GSK3β and Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax and p53 were observed.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that the P. harmala's alkaloid extract has anticancer activity and may be further investigated to develop future anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Potential Signature Therapeutic Biomarkers TOP2A, MAD2L1, and CDK1 in Colorectal Cancer: A Systems Biomedicine-Based Approach

Colorectal cancer is the third deadliest and fourth most diagnosed cancer. It is heterogeneously driven by varied mutations and mutagens, and thus, it is challenging for targeted therapy. The rapid advancement of high-throughput technology presents considerable opportunities for discovering new colon cancer biomarkers. In the present study, we have explored and identified the biomarkers based on molecular interactions. We curated cancer datasets that were not micro-dissected and performed gene expression analysis. The protein-protein interactions were curated, and a network was constructed for the up-regulated genes. The hub genes were analyzed using 12 different topological parameters. The correlation analysis selected TOP2A, CDK1, CCNB1, AURKA, and MAD2L1 as hub genes. Further, survival analysis was performed to determine the effectiveness of the hub gene on the patient's survival rate. Our findings explore various transcription factors such as E2F4, FOXM1, E2F6, MAX, and SIN3A, along with kinases CSNK2A1, MAPK14, CDK1, CDK4, and CDK2, as potential molecular signatures and aid researchers in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CRC development and thus providing novel therapeutic and diagnostic recourse. Furthermore, investigating miRNAs, we focused on hsa-miR-215-5p, hsa-miR-192-5p, and hsa-miR-193b-3p due to their observed impact on a diverse set of colorectal cancer genes. Thereby, the current approach brings into light CRC- related genes at the RNA and protein levels that can potentially act as novel biomarkers opening doors to diagnostic and treatment purposes.

PGC-1α participates in tumor chemoresistance by regulating glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function

Chemotherapy resistance is the main reason for the failure of cancer treatment. The mechanism of drug resistance is complex and diverse. In recent years, the role of glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function in cancer resistance has gathered considerable interest. The increase in metabolic plasticity of cancer cells' mitochondria and adaptive changes to the mitochondrial function are some of the mechanisms through which cancer cells resist chemotherapy. As a key molecule regulating the mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism, PGC-1α plays an indispensable role in cancer progression. However, the role of PGC-1α in chemotherapy resistance remains controversial. Here, we discuss the role of PGC-1α in glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function and present a comprehensive overview of PGC-1α in chemotherapy resistance.

Prenatal stress induces changes in PAR2- and M3-dependent regulation of colon primitive cells

Prenatal stress is associated with a high risk of developing adult intestinal pathologies, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic inflammation, and cancer. Although epithelial stem cells and progenitors have been implicated in intestinal pathophysiology, how prenatal stress could impact their functions is still unknown. We have investigated the proliferative and differentiation capacities of primitive cells using epithelial crypts isolated from colons of adult male and female mice whose mothers have been stressed during late gestation. Our results show that stem cell/progenitor proliferation and differentiation in vitro are negatively impacted by prenatal stress in male progeny. This is promoted by a reinforcement of the negative proliferative/differentiation control by the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and the muscarinic receptor 3 (M3), two G protein-coupled receptors present in the crypt. Conversely, prenatal stress does not change in vitro proliferation of colon primitive cells in female progeny. Importantly, this maintenance is associated with a functional switch in the M3 negative control of colonoid growth, becoming proliferative after prenatal stress. In addition, the proliferative role of PAR2 specific to females is maintained under prenatal stress, even though PAR2-targeted stress signals Dusp6 and activated GSK3β are increased, reaching the levels of males. An epithelial serine protease could play a critical role in the activation of the survival kinase GSK3β in colonoids from prenatally stressed female progeny. Altogether, our results show that following prenatal stress, colon primitive cells cope with stress through sexually dimorphic mechanisms that could pave the way to dysregulated crypt regeneration and intestinal pathologies.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Primitive cells isolated from mouse colon following prenatal stress and exposed to additional stress conditions such as in vitro culture, present sexually dimorphic mechanisms based on PAR2- and M3-dependent regulation of proliferation and differentiation. Whereas prenatal stress reinforces the physiological negative control exerted by PAR2 and M3 in crypts from males, in females, it induces a switch in M3- and PAR2-dependent regulation leading to a resistant and proliferative phenotype of progenitor.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β: A True Foe in Pancreatic Cancer

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in multiple normal and pathological cell functions, including cell signalling and metabolism. GSK-3β is highly expressed in the onset and progression of multiple cancers with strong involvement in the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, and chemoresistance. Multiple studies showed pro- and anti-cancer roles of GSK-3β creating confusion about the benefit of targeting GSK-3β for treating cancer. In this mini-review, we focus on the role of GSK-3β in pancreatic cancer. We demonstrate that the proposed anti-cancer roles of GSK-3β are not relevant to pancreatic cancer, and we argue why GSK-3β is, indeed, a very promising therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.

Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer: pathogenic role and therapeutic target

Background

The Wnt signaling pathway is a complex network of protein interactions that functions most commonly in embryonic development and cancer, but is also involved in normal physiological processes in adults. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway regulates cell pluripotency and determines the differentiation fate of cells during development. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway (also known as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway) is a recognized driver of colon cancer and one of the most representative signaling pathways. As a functional effector molecule of Wnt signaling, the modification and degradation of β-catenin are key events in the Wnt signaling pathway and the development and progression of colon cancer. Therefore, the Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases, especially the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Objective

Inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway to explore the therapeutic targets of colorectal cancer.

Methods

Based on studying the Wnt pathway, master the biochemical processes related to the Wnt pathway, and analyze the relevant targets when drugs or inhibitors act on the Wnt pathway, to clarify the medication ideas of drugs or inhibitors for the treatment of diseases, especially colorectal cancer.

Results

Wnt signaling pathways include: Wnt/β-catenin or canonical Wnt signaling pathway, planar cell polarity (Wnt-PCP) pathway and Wnt-Ca²⁺ signaling pathway. The Wnt signaling pathway is closely related to cancer cell proliferation, stemness, apoptosis, autophagy, metabolism, inflammation and immunization, microenvironment, resistance, ion channel, heterogeneity, EMT/migration/invasion/metastasis. Drugs/phytochemicals and molecular preparations for the Wnt pathway of CRC treatment have now been developed. Wnt inhibitors are also commonly used clinically for the treatment of CRC.

Conclusion

The development of drugs/phytochemicals and molecular inhibitors targeting the Wnt pathway can effectively treat colorectal cancer clinically.

Molecular Mechanism of Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effect of Hedyotis diffusa Willd and Its Extracts

With the sharp change in our diet and lifestyle, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing among young people and has become the second most common malignant tumor worldwide. Although the current treatment of CRC is getting updated rapidly, recurrence and metastasis are still inevitable. Therefore, new anticancer drugs are needed to break existing limitations. In recent years, Hedyotis diffusa Willd (HDW) extracts have been proved to demonstrate excellent anti-colorectal cancer effects and have been widely used in clinical practices. In this review, we aim to explore the advantages, potential signaling pathways, and representative active ingredients of HDW in the treatment of CRC from the perspective of molecular mechanism, in order to provide new ideas for the future treatment of CRC.

The effect of GSK-3β in arsenic-induced apoptosis of malignant tumor cells: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Arsenic has been reported to induce apoptosis in malignant tumor cells. Therefore, it may be regarded as a treatment for cancers. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, mediated by GSK-3β, plays an important role in tumor cell apoptosis. Nonetheless, the regulation of GSK-3β by arsenic remains controversial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included 19 articles, which conducts the role of GSK-3β in the process of arsenic-induced tumor cell apoptosis by the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with that of control group, the expression of GSK-3β (SMD= -0.92, 95% CI (-1.78, -0.06)), p-Akt (SMD= -5.46,95% CI (-8.67, -2.24)) were increased in the arsenic intervention group. Meanwhile, the combined treatment of arsenic and Akt agonists can inhibit p-GSK-3β. Using the dose and time subgroup analysis, it was shown that the low-dose (<5 μmol/L) and sub-chronic (>24 h) arsenic exposure could inhibit the expression of p-Akt (P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis of GSK-3β sites, arsenic could inhibit p-Akt and GSK-3β (Ser9) (SMD = -0.95, 95% CI (-1.56, -0.33)). There was a positive dose-response relationship between arsenic and p-GSK-3β when the dose of arsenic was less than 8 μmol/L. The expression of Mcl-1 and pro-caspase-3 were decreased, while the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cleaved-caspase-3 increased significantly when arsenic stimulated GSK-3β (Ser9) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that arsenic could induce tumor cell apoptosis, by inhibiting p-Akt/GSK-3β, and triggering the Mcl-1-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Network controllability solutions for computational drug repurposing using genetic algorithms

Control theory has seen recently impactful applications in network science, especially in connections with applications in network medicine. A key topic of research is that of finding minimal external interventions that offer control over the dynamics of a given network, a problem known as network controllability. We propose in this article a new solution for this problem based on genetic algorithms. We tailor our solution for applications in computational drug repurposing, seeking to maximize its use of FDA-approved drug targets in a given disease-specific protein-protein interaction network. We demonstrate our algorithm on several cancer networks and on several random networks with their edges distributed according to the Erdős-Rényi, the Scale-Free, and the Small World properties. Overall, we show that our new algorithm is more efficient in identifying relevant drug targets in a disease network, advancing the computational solutions needed for new therapeutic and drug repurposing approaches.

Gamma-mangostin isolated from garcinia mangostana suppresses colon carcinogenesis and stemness by downregulating the GSK3β/β-catenin/CDK6 cancer stem pathway

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in chemotherapies and targeted drugs, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains challenging to treat due to drug resistance. Emerging evidence indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) facilitate the generation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and drug resistance. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK) associated signaling pathways have been implicated in the generation of CSCs and represent a target for therapeutics development.

HYPOTHESIS

Gamma-mangostin (gMG) isolated from Garcinia mangostana was evaluated for its ability to downregulate GSK3β-associated signaling in CRC cells and overcome CAF-induced 5-fluorouracil resistance and CSC generation.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis, in silico molecular docking, in vitro assays, including cell viability tests, colony- and tumor sphere-formation assays, transwell migration assays, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, miR expression, qPCR, and flow cytometry, as well as in vivo mouse xenograft models were used to evaluate the antitumor effects of gMG.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analyses indicated that GSK3β/CDK6/β-catenin mRNA signature was significantly higher in colon cancer patients. Additional algorithms predicted a higher miR-26b level was associated with significantly higher survival in CRC patients and GSK3β and CDK6 as targets of miR-26b-5p. To validate these findings in vitro, we showed that CAF-cocultured CRC cells expressed an increased expression of GSK3β, β-catenin, CDK6, and NF-κB. Therapeutically, we demonstrated that gMG treatment suppressed GSK3β-associated signaling pathways while concomitantly increased the miR-26b-5p level. Using a xenograft mouse model of CAFs cocultured HCT116 tumorspheres, we showed that gMG treatment reduced tumor growth and overcame CAF-induced 5-fluorouracil resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacological intervention with gMG suppressed CRC carcinogenesis and stemness via downregulating GSK3/β-catenin/CDK6 and upregulating the miR-26b-5p tumor suppressor. Thus, gMG represents a potential new CRC therapeutic agent and warrants further investigation.

Modulation of the Wound Healing through Noncoding RNA Interplay and GSK-3β/NF-κB Signaling Interaction

Diabetic foot ulcers are seriously endangering the physical and mental health of patients. Due to the long duration of inflammation, the treatment of nonhealing wounds in diabetes is one of the most prominent healthcare problems in the world. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, a classical pathway that triggers inflammatory response, is regulated by many regulators, such as glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β). Noncoding RNAs, a large class of molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional or posttranslational level, play an important role in various stages of wound healing, especially in the stage of inflammation. Herein, we summarized the roles of noncoding RNAs in the NF-κB/GSK-3β signaling, which might provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetic wound healing.

The Landscape of PIK3CA Mutations in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in both men and women. Despite progress in the treatment of the disease, metastatic colorectal cancer remains lethal with a median survival slightly surpassing 2 years and commonly for some cases a more aggressive course. New therapies are urgently needed based on a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODS

The focus of this investigation is the PIK3CA gene, encoding the alpha catalytic subunit of the enzyme phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K). Publicly available data from 3 extensive published series of colorectal carcinomas were analyzed to define the molecular landscape of colorectal adenocarcinomas with and without mutations of PIK3CA. An analysis for discovery of associations with alterations in other critical genes and pathways involved in colorectal cancer was performed. The total mutation burden (TMB) and copy number alteration burden of colorectal cancers with and without mutations of PIK3CA, as well as prognostic implications of alterations of the gene for survival, were examined.

RESULTS

Mutations in PIK3CA are observed in 20% to 25% of colorectal cancers. PIK3CA represents one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in these cancers. Mutations in PIK3CA are associated with higher rates of mutations in other genes of important cancer-associated pathways such as the tyrosine kinase receptors/K-Ras/BRAF/MAPK and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In addition, PIK3CA mutated colorectal cancers display a higher TMB than nonmutated cancers.

CONCLUSION

Frequent mutations of PIK3CA gene in colorectal carcinomas may represent an opportunity for targeted therapy combination development inhibiting both the PI3K kinase itself and associated pathway defects. Increased TMB may additionally confer immunotherapy sensitivity, which could be augmented by other targeted therapies.

GSK3β, a Master Kinase in the Regulation of Adult Stem Cell Behavior

In adult stem cells, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK3β) is at the crossroad of signaling pathways controlling survival, proliferation, adhesion and differentiation. The microenvironment plays a key role in the regulation of these cell functions and we have demonstrated that the GSK3β activity is strongly dependent on the engagement of integrins and protease-activated receptors (PARs). Downstream of the integrin α₅β₁ or PAR₂ activation, a molecular complex is organized around the scaffolding proteins RACK1 and β-arrestin-2 respectively, containing the phosphatase PP2A responsible for GSK3β activation. As a consequence, a quiescent stem cell phenotype is established with high capacities to face apoptotic and metabolic stresses. A protective role of GSK3β has been found for hematopoietic and intestinal stem cells. Latters survived to de-adhesion through PAR₂ activation, whereas formers were protected from cytotoxicity through α₅β₁ engagement. However, a prolonged activation of GSK3β promoted a defect in epithelial regeneration and a resistance to chemotherapy of leukemic cells, paving the way to chronic inflammatory diseases and to cancer resurgence, respectively. In both cases, a sexual dimorphism was measured in GSK3β-dependent cellular functions. GSK3β activity is a key marker for inflammatory and cancer diseases allowing adjusted therapy to sex, age and metabolic status of patients.

Streptomyces hygroscopicus UFPEDA 3370: A valuable source of the potent cytotoxic agent nigericin and its evaluation against human colorectal cancer cells

Streptomyces hygroscopicus UFPEDA 3370 was fermented in submerged cultivation and the biomass extract was partitioned, obtaining a fraction purified named EB1. After purification of EB1 fraction, nigericin free acid was obtained and identified. Nigericin presented cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines, being most active against HL-60 (human leukemia) and HCT-116 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines, presenting IC₅₀ and (IS) values: 0.0014 μM, (30.0) and 0.0138 μM (3.0), respectively. On HCT-116, nigericin caused apoptosis and autophagy. In this study, nigericin was also screened both in vitro and in silico against a panel of cancer-related kinases. Nigericin was able to inhibit both JAK3 and GSK-3β kinases in vitro and its binding affinities were mapped through the intermolecular interactions with each target in silico.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β in tumorigenesis and oncotherapy (Review)

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK 3β), a multifunctional serine and threonine kinase, plays a critical role in a variety of cellular activities, including signaling transduction, protein and glycogen metabolism, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. Therefore, aberrant regulation of GSK 3β results in a broad range of human diseases, such as tumors, diabetes, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Accumulating evidence has suggested that GSK 3β is correlated with tumorigenesis and progression. However, GSK 3β is controversial due to its bifacial roles of tumor suppression and activation. In addition, overexpression of GSK 3β is involved in tumor growth, whereas it contributes to the cell sensitivity to chemotherapy. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of GSK 3β in tumorigenesis remain obscure and require further in‑depth investigation. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the roles of GSK 3β in tumorigenesis and oncotherapy, and focus on its potentials as an available target in oncotherapy.