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Shin E, Kwon TY, Cho Y, Kim Y, Shin JH, Han YM. ECM Architecture-Mediated Regulation of β-Cell Differentiation from hESCs via Hippo-Independent YAP Activation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:680-692. [PMID: 36580628 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01054] [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: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) influence stem cell fate. When hESCs were differentiated on a thin layer of Matrigel coated onto PDMS (Matrigel_PDMS), they exhibited a substantial increase in focal adhesion and focal adhesion-associated proteins compared with those cultured on Matrigel coated onto TCPS (Matrigel_TCPS), resulting in YAP/TEF1 activation and ultimately promoting the transcriptional activities of pancreatic endoderm (PE)-associated genes. Interestingly, YAP activation in PE cells was mediated through integrin α3-FAK-CDC42-PP1A signaling rather than the typical Hippo signaling pathway. Furthermore, pancreatic islet-like organoids (PIOs) generated on Matrigel_PDMS secreted more insulin than those generated from Matrigel_TCPS. Electron micrographs revealed differential Matrigel architectures depending on the underlying substrate, resulting in varying cell-matrix anchorage resistance levels. Accordingly, the high apparent stiffness of the unique mucus-like network structure of Matrigel_PDMS was the critical factor that directly upregulated focal adhesion, thereby leading to better maturation of the pancreatic development of hESCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Yoon Kwon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngbin Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngjin Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jennifer H Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Mahn Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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2
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p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in aging and longevity: An overview. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 71:101443. [PMID: 34390849 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) belong to serine/threonine kinases family, regulated by ∼21 kDa small signaling G proteins RAC1 and CDC42. The mammalian PAK family comprises six members (PAK1-6) that are classified into two groups (I and II) based on their domain architecture and regulatory mechanisms. PAKs are implicated in a wide range of cellular functions. PAK1 has recently attracted increasing attention owing to its involvement in oncogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis as well as several life-limiting diseases and pathological conditions. In Caenorhabditis elegans, PAK1 functions limit the lifespan under basal conditions by inhibiting forkhead transcription factor DAF-16. Interestingly, PAK depletion extended longevity and attenuated the onset of age-related phenotypes in a premature-aging mouse model and delayed senescence in mammalian fibroblasts. These observations implicate PAKs as not only oncogenic but also aging kinases. Therefore, PAK-targeting genetic and/or pharmacological interventions, particularly PAK1-targeting, could be a viable strategy for developing cancer therapies with relatively no side effects and promoting healthy longevity. This review describes PAK family proteins, their biological functions, and their role in regulating aging and longevity using C. elegans. Moreover, we discuss the effect of small-molecule PAK1 inhibitors on the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans.
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Colciago A, Audano M, Bonalume V, Melfi V, Mohamed T, Reid AJ, Faroni A, Greer PA, Mitro N, Magnaghi V. Transcriptomic Profile Reveals Deregulation of Hearing-Loss Related Genes in Vestibular Schwannoma Cells Following Electromagnetic Field Exposure. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071840. [PMID: 34360009 PMCID: PMC8307028 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensory disorder in the world population. One common cause of HL is the presence of vestibular schwannoma (VS), a benign tumor of the VIII cranial nerve, arising from Schwann cell (SC) transformation. In the last decade, the increasing incidence of VS has been correlated to electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, which might be considered a pathogenic cause of VS development and HL. Here, we explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the biologic changes of human SCs and/or their oncogenic transformation following EMF exposure. Through NGS technology and RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis, we investigated the genomic profile and the differential display of HL-related genes after chronic EMF. We found that chronic EMF exposure modified the cell proliferation, in parallel with intracellular signaling and metabolic pathways changes, mostly related to translation and mitochondrial activities. Importantly, the expression of HL-related genes such as NEFL, TPRN, OTOGL, GJB2, and REST appeared to be deregulated in chronic EMF exposure. In conclusion, we suggest that, at a preclinical stage, EMF exposure might promote the transformation of VS cells and contribute to HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Colciago
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Matteo Audano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Veronica Bonalume
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Valentina Melfi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Tasnim Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Adam J. Reid
- Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9NQ, UK; (A.J.R.); (A.F.)
- Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Center, Manchester M13 9NQ, UK
| | - Alessandro Faroni
- Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9NQ, UK; (A.J.R.); (A.F.)
| | - Peter A. Greer
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada;
| | - Nico Mitro
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
| | - Valerio Magnaghi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.C.); (M.A.); (V.B.); (V.M.); (T.M.); (N.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0250318414
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4
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Carruba G. Estrogens in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Friends or Foes? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092085. [PMID: 33925807 PMCID: PMC8123464 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Today, we know that estrogen hormones are required for the development and function of many organs, such as the liver, in both males and females. However, in some circumstances, estrogen excess may be implicated in the appearance of various chronic diseases, including cancer. This review will inspect the results of several studies to better understand the mechanisms responsible for estrogens to change from protective into harmful hormones in human liver. Abstract Estrogens are recognized as key players in physiological regulation of various, classical and non-classical, target organs, and tissues, including liver development, homeostasis, and function. On the other hand, multiple, though dispersed, experimental evidence is highly suggestive for the implication of estrogen in development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this paper, data from our own studies and the current literature are reviewed to help understanding this apparent discrepancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Carruba
- Servizio di Internazionalizzazione e Ricerca Sanitaria (SIRS), Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale e di Alta Specializzazione (ARNAS)-Civico, Di Cristina, Benfratelli-Palermo, Piazza N. Leotta 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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5
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Patel H, Ashton NJ, Dobson RJB, Andersson LM, Yilmaz A, Blennow K, Gisslen M, Zetterberg H. Proteomic blood profiling in mild, severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6357. [PMID: 33737684 PMCID: PMC7973581 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85877-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic manifests itself as a mild respiratory tract infection in most individuals, leading to COVID-19 disease. However, in some infected individuals, this can progress to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), leading to multi-organ failure and death. This study explores the proteomic differences between mild, severe, and critical COVID-19 positive patients to further understand the disease progression, identify proteins associated with disease severity, and identify potential therapeutic targets. Blood protein profiling was performed on 59 COVID-19 mild (n = 26), severe (n = 9) or critical (n = 24) cases and 28 controls using the OLINK inflammation, autoimmune, cardiovascular and neurology panels. Differential expression analysis was performed within and between disease groups to generate nine different analyses. From the 368 proteins measured per individual, more than 75% were observed to be significantly perturbed in COVID-19 cases. Six proteins (IL6, CKAP4, Gal-9, IL-1ra, LILRB4 and PD-L1) were identified to be associated with disease severity. The results have been made readily available through an interactive web-based application for instant data exploration and visualization, and can be accessed at https://phidatalab-shiny.rosalind.kcl.ac.uk/COVID19/ . Our results demonstrate that dynamic changes in blood proteins associated with disease severity can potentially be used as early biomarkers to monitor disease severity in COVID-19 and serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamel Patel
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) & Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the SAHLGRENSKA Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, MedTech West, Röda stråket 10B, 413 45, Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health & Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Richard J B Dobson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) & Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Health Data Research UK London, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London, UK
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London, UK
- The National Institute for Health Research University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London, UK
| | - Lars-Magnus Andersson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Aylin Yilmaz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Magnus Gisslen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
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Abstract
The Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) is based on the classic cochlear implant (CI) but uses a different stimulation electrode. At MED-EL, the early development activities on ABI started in the year 1994, with the suggestion coming from J. Helms and J. Müller from Würzburg, Germany in collaboration with the Univ. of Innsbruck Austria. The first ABI surgery in a neuro-fibromatosis (NF2) patient with the MED-EL device took place in the year 1997. Later, the indication of ABI was expanded to non-NF2 patients with severe inner-ear malformation, for whom a regular CI will not be beneficial. Key translational research activities at MED-EL in collaboration with numerous clinics investigating the factors that affect the hearing performance amongst ABI patients, importance of early ABI implantation in children, tools in pre-operative assessment of ABI candidates and new concepts that were pursued with the MED-EL ABI device. The CE-mark for the MED-EL ABI to be used in adults and children down to the age of 12 months without NF-2 was granted in 2017 mainly based on two long-term clinical studies in the pediatric population. This article covers the milestones of translational research from the first concept to the widespread clinical use of ABI in association with MED-EL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingeborg Hochmair
- MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete Gesellschaft m.b.H., Innsbruck, Austria
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7
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Chytła A, Gajdzik-Nowak W, Olszewska P, Biernatowska A, Sikorski AF, Czogalla A. Not Just Another Scaffolding Protein Family: The Multifaceted MPPs. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25214954. [PMID: 33114686 PMCID: PMC7662862 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25214954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane palmitoylated proteins (MPPs) are a subfamily of a larger group of multidomain proteins, namely, membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs). The ubiquitous expression and multidomain structure of MPPs provide the ability to form diverse protein complexes at the cell membranes, which are involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including establishing the proper cell structure, polarity and cell adhesion. The formation of MPP-dependent complexes in various cell types seems to be based on similar principles, but involves members of different protein groups, such as 4.1-ezrin-radixin-moesin (FERM) domain-containing proteins, polarity proteins or other MAGUKs, showing their multifaceted nature. In this review, we discuss the function of the MPP family in the formation of multiple protein complexes. Notably, we depict their significant role for cell physiology, as the loss of interactions between proteins involved in the complex has a variety of negative consequences. Moreover, based on recent studies concerning the mechanism of membrane raft formation, we shed new light on a possible role played by MPPs in lateral membrane organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Chytła
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.C.); (W.G.-N.); (P.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Weronika Gajdzik-Nowak
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.C.); (W.G.-N.); (P.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Paulina Olszewska
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.C.); (W.G.-N.); (P.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Agnieszka Biernatowska
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.C.); (W.G.-N.); (P.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Aleksander F. Sikorski
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Kamieńskiego 73a, 51-154 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksander Czogalla
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.C.); (W.G.-N.); (P.O.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-71375-6356
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8
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Kaiser AE, Reddy SV, Von Zimmerman MA, Gordon A, Liuzzi FJ. Gross and Histological Examination of a Large Spheno-Orbital Meningioma. Cureus 2020; 12:e10256. [PMID: 33042694 PMCID: PMC7536112 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells and are the most common heavily researched intracranial tumors. Most of these neoplasms are benign and are classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I. They are often found in parasagittal and falx regions, over cerebral convexities, and in the sphenoid ridges. Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) occupy the cranium and the orbit and are less commonly encountered. Nonetheless, in this case study, a 9.5 cm × 5 cm SOM occurring in a 93-year-old female cadaver was identified and examined. The tumor spanned from the left middle cranial fossa, through the anterior fossa and invaded the orbit. It caused proptosis of the left eye, compression of the temporal lobe, and damage to the optic nerve. Histological examination of the tumor revealed characteristics of a WHO grade I meningothelial meningioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Kaiser
- Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
| | - Sriya V Reddy
- Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
| | | | - Amber Gordon
- Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
| | - Francis J Liuzzi
- Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
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9
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Havranek B, Islam SM. Prediction and evaluation of deleterious and disease causing non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in human NF2 gene responsible for neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:7044-7055. [PMID: 32787631 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1805018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The majority of genetic variations in the human genome that lead to variety of different diseases are caused by non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs). Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a deadly disease caused by nsSNPs in the NF2 gene that encodes for a protein called merlin. This study used various in silico methods, SIFT, Polyphen-2, PhD-SNP and MutPred, to investigate the pathogenic effect of 14 nsSNPs in the merlin FERM domain. The G197C and L234R mutations were found to be two deleterious and disease mutations associated with the mild and severe forms of NF2, respectively. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to understand the stability, structure and dynamics of these mutations. Both mutant structures experienced larger flexibility compared to the wildtype. The L234R mutant suffered from more prominent structural instability, which may help to explain why it is associated with the more severe form of NF2. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding in L234R mutation decreased from the wildtype, while intermolecular hydrogen bonding of L234R mutation with solvent greatly increased. The native contacts were also found to be important. Protein-protein docking revealed that L234R mutation decreased the binding complementarity and binding affinity of LATS2 to merlin, which may have an impact on merlin's ability to regulate the Hippo signaling pathway. The calculated binding affinity of the LATS2 to L234R mutant and wildtype merlin protein is found to be 21.73 and -11 kcal/mol, respectively. The binding affinity of the wildtype merlin agreed very well with the experimental value, -8 kcal/mol.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Havranek
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shahidul M Islam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Yao L, Alahmari M, Temel Y, Hovinga K. Therapy of Sporadic and NF2-Related Vestibular Schwannoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040835. [PMID: 32244314 PMCID: PMC7226024 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign primary brain tumor that occurs sporadic or as part of a genetic syndrome. The most common cause is the mutation of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene that is involved in the production of the protein merlin. Merlin plays a role in cell growth and cell adhesion. In patients with NF2, the VSs arise bilaterally and coincide with other brain tumors. In sporadic VS, the tumor is typically unilateral and does not coincide in combination with other tumors. MRI is the standard imaging technique and can be used to assess the size and aspect of the tumor as well as the progression of disease. The preferred management of large VS in both VS types is surgery with or without adjuvant radiation. The management for the medium- or small-sized VS includes wait and scan, radiotherapy and/or surgery. This choice depends on the preference of the patient and institutional protocols. The outcomes of surgical and radiotherapy treatments are improving due to progress in surgical equipment/approaches, advances in radiation delivery techniques and dose optimizations protocols. The main purpose of the management of VS is preserving function as long as possible in combination with tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longping Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; (L.Y.); (M.A.); (Y.T.)
| | - Mohammed Alahmari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; (L.Y.); (M.A.); (Y.T.)
- Department of Radiology, King Fahad Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 40046, 31952 AL-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasin Temel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; (L.Y.); (M.A.); (Y.T.)
| | - Koos Hovinga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; (L.Y.); (M.A.); (Y.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-43-387-50-01
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11
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Sagers JE, Beauchamp RL, Zhang Y, Vasilijic S, Wu L, DeSouza P, Seist R, Zhou W, Xu L, Ramesh V, Stankovic KM. Combination therapy with mTOR kinase inhibitor and dasatinib as a novel therapeutic strategy for vestibular schwannoma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4211. [PMID: 32144278 PMCID: PMC7060236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an inherited disorder characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS) that arise from neoplastic Schwann cells (SCs). NF2-associated VSs are often accompanied by meningioma (MN), and the majority of NF2 patients show loss of the NF2 tumor suppressor. mTORC1 and mTORC2-specific serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) are constitutively activated in MN with loss of NF2. In a recent high-throughput kinome screen in NF2-null human arachnoidal and meningioma cells, we showed activation of EPH RTKs, c-KIT, and SFK members independent of mTORC1/2 activation. Subsequently, we demonstrated in vitro and in vivo efficacy of combination therapy with the dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014 and the multi-kinase inhibitor dasatinib. For these reasons, we investigated activated mTORC1/2 and EPH receptor-mediated signaling in sporadic and NF2-associated VS. Using primary human VS cells and a mouse allograft model of schwannoma, we evaluated the dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor AZD2014 and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib as monotherapies and in combination. Escalating dose-response experiments on primary VS cells grown from 15 human tumors show that combination therapy with AZD2014 and dasatinib is more effective at reducing metabolic activity than either drug alone and exhibits a therapeutic effect at a physiologically reasonable concentration (~0.1 µM). In vivo, while AZD2014 and dasatinib each inhibit tumor growth alone, the effect of combination therapy exceeds that of either drug. Co-targeting the mTOR and EPH receptor pathways with these or similar compounds may constitute a novel therapeutic strategy for VS, a condition for which there is no FDA-approved pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Sagers
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories and Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Roberta L Beauchamp
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Sasa Vasilijic
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories and Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Limeng Wu
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Patrick DeSouza
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Richard Seist
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories and Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Wenjianlong Zhou
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Lei Xu
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Konstantina M Stankovic
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories and Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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12
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Litan A, Li Z, Tokhtaeva E, Kelly P, Vagin O, Langhans SA. A Functional Interaction Between Na,K-ATPase β 2-Subunit/AMOG and NF2/Merlin Regulates Growth Factor Signaling in Cerebellar Granule Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7557-7571. [PMID: 31062247 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1592-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The Na,K-ATPase, consisting of a catalytic α-subunit and a regulatory β-subunit, is a ubiquitously expressed ion pump that carries out the transport of Na+ and K+ across the plasma membranes of most animal cells. In addition to its pump function, Na,K-ATPase serves as a signaling scaffold and a cell adhesion molecule. Of the three β-subunit isoforms, β1 is found in almost all tissues, while β2 expression is mostly restricted to brain and muscle. In cerebellar granule cells, the β2-subunit, also known as adhesion molecule on glia (AMOG), has been linked to neuron-astrocyte adhesion and granule cell migration, suggesting its role in cerebellar development. Nevertheless, little is known about molecular pathways that link the β2-subunit to its cellular functions. Using cerebellar granule precursor cells, we found that the β2-subunit, but not the β1-subunit, negatively regulates the expression of a key activator of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway, Merlin/neurofibromin-2 (NF2). The knockdown of the β2-subunit resulted in increased Merlin/NF2 expression and affected downstream targets of Hippo signaling, i.e., increased YAP phosphorylation and decreased expression of N-Ras. Further, the β2-subunit knockdown altered the kinetics of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in a Merlin-dependent mode and impaired EGF-induced reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Therefore, our studies for the first time provide a functional link between the Na,K-ATPase β2-subunit and Merlin/NF2 and suggest a role for the β2-subunit in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics and Hippo/YAP signaling during neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Litan
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, DuPont Experimental Station, Bldg 400, #4414, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.,Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Zhiqin Li
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, DuPont Experimental Station, Bldg 400, #4414, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Elmira Tokhtaeva
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
| | - Patience Kelly
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, DuPont Experimental Station, Bldg 400, #4414, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.,Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Olga Vagin
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
| | - Sigrid A Langhans
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, DuPont Experimental Station, Bldg 400, #4414, 200 Powder Mill Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.
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13
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Alcantara KMM, Garcia RL. MicroRNA‑92a promotes cell proliferation, migration and survival by directly targeting the tumor suppressor gene NF2 in colorectal and lung cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2019; 41:2103-2116. [PMID: 30816526 PMCID: PMC6412542 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein Merlin leads to the development of benign nervous system tumors in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Documented causes of Merlin inactivation include deleterious mutations in the encoding neurofibromin 2 gene (NF2) and aberrant Merlin phosphorylation leading to proteasomal degradation. Rare somatic NF2 mutations have also been detected in common human malignancies not associated with NF2, including colorectal and lung cancer. Furthermore, tumors without NF2 mutations and with unaltered NF2 transcript levels, but with low Merlin expression, have been reported. The present study demonstrated that NF2 is also regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) through direct interaction with evolutionarily conserved miRNA response elements (MREs) within its 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR). Dual-Luciferase assays in human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells revealed downregulation of NF2 by miR-92a-3p via its wild-type 3′UTR, but not NF2−3′UTR with mutated miR-92a-3p MRE. HCT116 cells overexpressing miR-92a-3p exhibited significant downregulation of endogenous NF2 mRNA and protein levels, which was rescued by co-transfection of a target protector oligonucleotide specific for the miR-92a-3p binding site within NF2−3′UTR. miR-92a-3p overexpression in HCT116 and A549 cells promoted migration, proliferation and resistance to apoptosis, as well as altered F-actin organization compared with controls. Knockdown of NF2 by siRNA phenocopied the oncogenic effects of miR-92a overexpression on HCT116 and A549 cells. Collectively, the findings of the present study provide functional proof of the unappreciated role of miRNAs in NF2 regulation and tumor progression, leading to enhanced oncogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krizelle Mae M Alcantara
- National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Reynaldo L Garcia
- National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
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14
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Osteopontin at the Crossroads of Inflammation and Tumor Progression. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:4049098. [PMID: 28769537 PMCID: PMC5523273 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4049098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex interactions between tumor and host cells regulate systemic tumor dissemination, a process that begins early at the primary tumor site and goes on until tumor cells detach themselves from the tumor mass and start migrating into the blood or lymphatic vessels. Metastatic cells colonize the target organs and are capable of surviving and growing at distant sites. In this context, osteopontin (OPN) appears to be a key determinant of the crosstalk between cancer cells and the host microenvironment, which in turn modulates immune evasion. OPN is overexpressed in several human carcinomas and has been implicated in inflammation, tumor progression, and metastasis. Thus, it represents one of the most attracting targets for cancer therapy. Within the tumor mass, OPN is secreted in various forms either by the tumor itself or by stroma cells, and it can exert either pro- or antitumorigenic effects according to the cell type and tumor microenvironment. Thus, targeting OPN for therapeutic purposes needs to take into account the heterogeneous functions of the multiple OPN forms with regard to cancer formation and progression. In this review, we will describe the role of systemic, tumor-derived, and stroma-derived OPN, highlighting its pivotal role at the crossroads of inflammation and tumor progression.
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15
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Morrow KA, Das S, Meng E, Menezes ME, Bailey SK, Metge BJ, Buchsbaum DJ, Samant RS, Shevde LA. Loss of tumor suppressor Merlin results in aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:17991-8005. [PMID: 26908451 PMCID: PMC4951266 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of the tumor suppressor Merlin is compromised in nervous system malignancies due to genomic aberrations. We demonstrated for the first time, that in breast cancer, Merlin protein expression is lost due to proteasome-mediated elimination. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues from patients with metastatic breast cancer revealed characteristically reduced Merlin expression. Importantly, we identified a functional role for Merlin in impeding breast tumor xenograft growth and reducing invasive characteristics. We sought to determine a possible mechanism by which Merlin accomplishes this reduction in malignant activity. We observed that breast and pancreatic cancer cells with loss of Merlin show an aberrant increase in the activity of β-catenin concomitant with nuclear localization of β-catenin. We discovered that Merlin physically interacts with β-catenin, alters the sub-cellular localization of β-catenin, and significantly reduces the protein levels of β-catenin by targeting it for degradation through the upregulation of Axin1. Consequently, restoration of Merlin inhibited β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activity in breast and pancreatic cancer cells. We also present evidence that loss of Merlin sensitizes tumor cells to inhibition by compounds that target β-catenin-mediated activity. Thus, this study provides compelling evidence that Merlin reduces the malignant activity of pancreatic and breast cancer, in part by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Given the potent role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in breast and pancreatic cancer and the flurry of activity to test β-catenin inhibitors in the clinic, our findings are opportune and provide evidence for Merlin in restraining aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Adam Morrow
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Shamik Das
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Erhong Meng
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Sarah K Bailey
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Brandon J Metge
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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16
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Loss of Merlin induces metabolomic adaptation that engages dependence on Hedgehog signaling. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40773. [PMID: 28112165 PMCID: PMC5256100 DOI: 10.1038/srep40773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor protein Merlin is proteasomally degraded in breast cancer. We undertook an untargeted metabolomics approach to discern the global metabolomics profile impacted by Merlin in breast cancer cells. We discerned specific changes in glutathione metabolites that uncovered novel facets of Merlin in impacting the cancer cell metabolome. Concordantly, Merlin loss increased oxidative stress causing aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling. Abrogation of GLI-mediated transcription activity compromised the aggressive phenotype of Merlin-deficient cells indicating a clear dependence of cells on Hedgehog signaling. In breast tumor tissues, GLI1 expression enhanced tissue identification and discriminatory power of Merlin, cumulatively presenting a powerful substantiation of the relationship between these two proteins. We have uncovered, for the first time, details of the tumor cell metabolomic portrait modulated by Merlin, leading to activation of Hedgehog signaling. Importantly, inhibition of Hedgehog signaling offers an avenue to target the vulnerability of tumor cells with loss of Merlin.
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17
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Gungor-Ordueri NE, Celik-Ozenci C, Cheng CY. Ezrin: a regulator of actin microfilaments in cell junctions of the rat testis. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:653-8. [PMID: 25652626 PMCID: PMC4492059 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.146103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin, radixin, moesin and merlin (ERM) proteins are highly homologous actin-binding proteins that share extensive sequence similarity with each other. These proteins tether integral membrane proteins and their cytoplasmic peripheral proteins (e.g., adaptors, nonreceptor protein kinases and phosphatases) to the microfilaments of actin-based cytoskeleton. Thus, these proteins are crucial to confer integrity of the apical membrane domain and its associated junctional complex, namely the tight junction and the adherens junction. Since ectoplasmic specialization (ES) is an F-actin-rich testis-specific anchoring junction-a highly dynamic ultrastructure in the seminiferous epithelium due to continuous transport of germ cells, in particular spermatids, across the epithelium during the epithelial cycle-it is conceivable that ERM proteins are playing an active role in these events. Although these proteins were first reported almost 25 years and have since been extensively studied in multiple epithelia/endothelia, few reports are found in the literature to examine their role in the actin filament bundles at the ES. Studies have shown that ezrin is also a constituent protein of the actin-based tunneling nanotubes (TNT) also known as intercellular bridges, which are transient cytoplasmic tubular ultrastructures that transport signals, molecules and even organelles between adjacent and distant cells in an epithelium to coordinate cell events that occur across an epithelium. Herein, we critically evaluate recent data on ERM in light of recent findings in the field in particular ezrin regarding its role in actin dynamics at the ES in the testis, illustrating additional studies are warranted to examine its physiological significance in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA
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18
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Su ZH, Liu YN, Wang RH, Qiao JW, Xie YL. Regulatory effect of merlin-1 on adhesion/metastasis and cytoskeleton remodeling in gastric cancer cells under hypoxia. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22:3185-3193. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v22.i22.3185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the regulatory effect of merlin-1 on cell proliferation, adhesion/metastasis and cytoskeleton remodeling in gastric cancer cells under hypoxia from Qinghai Han-, Hui- and Tibetan-ethnic patients, and to study if the function of merlin-1 in different ethnic groups is related to ethnic specificity under normoxic or hypoxic conditions.
METHODS: MTT assay was used to analyze the influence of merlin-1 on the cell proliferation, adhesion/metastasis and motility, and immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect cytoskeleton remodeling, morphological changes, and the distribution of microvilli on the surface of gastric cancer cells from Han-, Hui- and Tibetan-ethnic patients. In addition, we explored whether the function of merlin-1 in different ethnic groups is correlated with ethnic specificity under normoxic or hypoxic conditions.
RESULTS: The proliferation of gastric cancer cells from Han-, Hui- and Tibetan-ethnic groups was inhibited by merlin-1 under both normoxic and conditions (Pnormoxic = 0.00, 0.00, 0.00; Phypoxic = 0.00, 0.00, 0.00), and the influence of merlin-1 on cancer cell proliferation was not related to ethnic specificity (Pnormoxic ≥ 0.05; Phypoxic ≥ 0.05). The results of adhesion/metastasis analysis showed that merlin-1 inhibited the adhesion/metastasis ability of gastric cancer cells from Han-, Hui- and Tibetan-ethnic groups under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions (Pnormoxic = 0.00, 0.00, 0.00; Phypoxic = 0.00, 0.00, 0.00), and the inhibitory effect of merlin-1 in three ethnic groups showed no significant differences [Pnormoxic = 0.51 (3 h), 0.07 (48 h); Phypoxic = 0.47 (3 h), 0.17 (48 h)]. By detection of cytoskeleton remodeling, morphological change and microvilli distribution, it was found that merlin-1 enhanced cytoskeleton remodeling under hypoxic conditions compared with normoxic conditions.
CONCLUSION: Merlin-1 can inhibit the proliferation and adhesion/metastasis of gastric cancer cells under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions, which is independent on the ethnicity of patients from whom gastric cancer cells are obtained. However, merlin-1 enhances cytoskeleton remodeling under hypoxic conditions.
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19
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Shah NR, Tancioni I, Ward KK, Lawson C, Chen XL, Jean C, Sulzmaier FJ, Uryu S, Miller NLG, Connolly DC, Schlaepfer DD. Analyses of merlin/NF2 connection to FAK inhibitor responsiveness in serous ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2014; 134:104-11. [PMID: 24786638 PMCID: PMC4065804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is overexpressed in serous ovarian cancer. Loss of merlin, a product of the neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor gene, is being evaluated as a biomarker for FAK inhibitor sensitivity in mesothelioma. Connections between merlin and FAK in ovarian cancer remain undefined. METHODS Nine human and two murine ovarian cancer cell lines were analyzed for growth in the presence of a small molecule FAK inhibitor (PF-271, also termed VS-6062) from 0.1 to 1 μM for 72 h. Merlin was evaluated by immunoblotting and immunostaining of a human ovarian tumor tissue array. Growth of cells was analyzed in an orthotopic tumor model and evaluated in vitro after stable shRNA-mediated merlin knockdown. RESULTS Greater than 50% inhibition of OVCAR8, HEY, and ID8-IP ovarian carcinoma cell growth occurred with 0.1 μM PF-271 in anchorage-independent (p<0.001) but not in adherent culture conditions. PF-271-mediated reduction in FAK Y397 phosphorylation occurred independently of growth inhibition. Suspended growth of OVCAR3, OVCAR10, IGROV1, IGROV1-IP, SKOV3, SKOV3-IP, A2780, and 5009-MOVCAR was not affected by 0.1 μM PF-271. Merlin expression did not correlate with serous ovarian tumor grade or stage. PF-271 (30 mg/kg, BID) did not inhibit 5009-MOVCAR tumor growth and merlin knockdown in SKOV3-IP and OVCAR10 cells did not alter suspended cell growth upon PF-271 addition. CONCLUSIONS Differential responsiveness to FAK inhibitor treatment was observed. Intrinsic low merlin protein level correlated with PF-271-mediated anchorage-independent growth inhibition, but reduction in merlin expression did not induce sensitivity to FAK inhibition. Merlin levels may be useful for patient stratification in FAK inhibitor trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina R Shah
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Isabelle Tancioni
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Kristy K Ward
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Christine Lawson
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Xiao Lei Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Christine Jean
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Florian J Sulzmaier
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Sean Uryu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Nichol L G Miller
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Denise C Connolly
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, United States
| | - David D Schlaepfer
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
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20
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Shevde LA, Samant RS. Role of osteopontin in the pathophysiology of cancer. Matrix Biol 2014; 37:131-41. [PMID: 24657887 PMCID: PMC5916777 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2014.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional cytokine that impacts cell proliferation, survival, drug resistance, invasion, and stem like behavior. Due to its critical involvement in regulating cellular functions, its aberrant expression and/or splicing is functionally responsible for undesirable alterations in disease pathologies, specifically cancer. It is implicated in promoting invasive and metastatic progression of many carcinomas. Due to its autocrine and paracrine activities OPN has been shown to be a crucial mediator of cellular cross talk and an influential factor in the tumor microenvironment. OPN has been implicated as a prognostic and diagnostic marker for several cancer types. It has also been explored as a possible target for treatment. In this article we hope to provide a broad perspective on the importance of OPN in the pathophysiology of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
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21
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The role of key genes and pathways involved in the tumorigenesis of Malignant Mesothelioma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1845:232-47. [PMID: 24491449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a very aggressive cancer with low survival rates and often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Several players have been implicated in the development of this cancer, such as asbestos, erionite and the simian virus 40 (SV40). Here, we have reviewed the involvement of erionite, SV40, as well as, the role of several genes (p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), NF2, LATS2, SAV, CTNNB1 and among others), the pathways (RAS, PI3K, Wnt, BCL and Hippo), and their respective roles in the development of MM.
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22
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Silencing of CD44 gene expression in human 143-B osteosarcoma cells promotes metastasis of intratibial tumors in SCID mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60329. [PMID: 23565227 PMCID: PMC3614951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary malignant bone cancer in children and adolescents with a high propensity for lung metastasis. Therefore, it is of great importance to identify molecular markers leading to increased metastatic potential in order to devise more effective therapeutic strategies that suppress metastasis, the major cause of death in OS. CD44, the principal receptor for the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA), is frequently found overexpressed in tumor cells and has been implicated in metastatic spread in various cancer types. Here, we investigated the effects of stable shRNA-mediated silencing of CD44 gene products on in vitro and in vivo metastatic properties of the highly metastatic human 143-B OS cell line. In vitro, CD44 knockdown resulted in a 73% decrease in the adhesion to HA, a 57% decrease in the migration rate in a trans-filter migration assay, and a 28% decrease in the cells' capacity for anchorage-independent growth in soft agar compared to the control cells, implicating that CD44 expression contributes to the metastatic activity of 143-B cells. However, making use of an orthotopic xenograft OS mouse model, we demonstrated that reduced CD44 expression facilitated primary tumor growth and formation of pulmonary metastases. The enhanced malignant phenotype was associated with decreased adhesion to HA and reduced expression of the tumor suppressor merlin in vivo. In conclusion, our study identified CD44 as a metastasis suppressor in this particular experimental OS model.
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23
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Stefanaki K, Alexiou GA, Stefanaki C, Prodromou N. Tumors of central and peripheral nervous system associated with inherited genetic syndromes. Pediatr Neurosurg 2012; 48:271-85. [PMID: 23796843 DOI: 10.1159/000351546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
There are several genetic syndromes that predispose to the development of tumors of the nervous system. In the present study, we provide a review of the tumors that are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, tuberous sclerosis complex, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Turcot syndrome, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) and rhabdoid predisposition syndrome, which are the most common.
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