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Yamashita N, Withers H, Morimoto Y, Bhattacharya A, Haratake N, Daimon T, Fushimi A, Nakashoji A, Thorner AR, Isenhart E, Rosario S, Long MD, Kufe D. MUC1-C integrates aerobic glycolysis with suppression of oxidative phosphorylation in triple-negative breast cancer stem cells. iScience 2023; 26:108168. [PMID: 37915591 PMCID: PMC10616323 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the MUC1-C protein promotes lineage plasticity, epigenetic reprogramming, and the cancer stem cell (CSC) state. The present studies performed on enriched populations of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) CSCs demonstrate that MUC1-C is essential for integrating activation of glycolytic pathway genes with self-renewal and tumorigenicity. MUC1-C further integrates the glycolytic pathway with suppression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes encoding components of mitochondrial Complexes I-V. The repression of mtDNA genes is explained by MUC1-C-mediated (i) downregulation of the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) required for mtDNA transcription and (ii) induction of the mitochondrial transcription termination factor 3 (mTERF3). In support of pathogenesis that suppresses mitochondrial ROS production, targeting MUC1-C increases (i) mtDNA gene transcription, (ii) superoxide levels, and (iii) loss of self-renewal capacity. These findings and scRNA-seq analysis of CSC subpopulations indicate that MUC1-C regulates self-renewal and redox balance by integrating activation of glycolysis with suppression of oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henry Withers
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron R. Thorner
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Isenhart
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Spencer Rosario
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mark D. Long
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Donati G, Nicoli P, Verrecchia A, Vallelonga V, Croci O, Rodighiero S, Audano M, Cassina L, Ghsein A, Binelli G, Boletta A, Mitro N, Amati B. Oxidative stress enhances the therapeutic action of a respiratory inhibitor in MYC-driven lymphoma. EMBO Mol Med 2023:e16910. [PMID: 37158102 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is a key oncogenic driver in multiple tumor types, but concomitantly endows cancer cells with a series of vulnerabilities that provide opportunities for targeted pharmacological intervention. For example, drugs that suppress mitochondrial respiration selectively kill MYC-overexpressing cells. Here, we unravel the mechanistic basis for this synthetic lethal interaction and exploit it to improve the anticancer effects of the respiratory complex I inhibitor IACS-010759. In a B-lymphoid cell line, ectopic MYC activity and treatment with IACS-010759 added up to induce oxidative stress, with consequent depletion of reduced glutathione and lethal disruption of redox homeostasis. This effect could be enhanced either with inhibitors of NADPH production through the pentose phosphate pathway, or with ascorbate (vitamin C), known to act as a pro-oxidant at high doses. In these conditions, ascorbate synergized with IACS-010759 to kill MYC-overexpressing cells in vitro and reinforced its therapeutic action against human B-cell lymphoma xenografts. Hence, complex I inhibition and high-dose ascorbate might improve the outcome of patients affected by high-grade lymphomas and potentially other MYC-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Donati
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Nicoli
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Ottavio Croci
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Audano
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Cassina
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Aya Ghsein
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Binelli
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Nico Mitro
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Amati
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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3
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Advances in Understanding of Metabolism of B-Cell Lymphoma: Implications for Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225552. [PMID: 36428647 PMCID: PMC9688663 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been significant recent advances in the understanding of the role of metabolism in normal and malignant B-cell biology. Previous research has focused on the role of MYC and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and how these interact with B-cell receptor signaling and hypoxia to regulate glycolysis, glutaminolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and related metabolic pathways in germinal centers. Many of the commonest forms of lymphoma arise from germinal center B-cells, reflecting the physiological attenuation of normal DNA damage checkpoints to facilitate somatic hypermutation of the immunoglobulin genes. As a result, these lymphomas can inherit the metabolic state of their cell-of-origin. There is increasing interest in the potential of targeting metabolic pathways for anti-cancer therapy. Some metabolic inhibitors such as methotrexate have been used to treat lymphoma for decades, with several new agents being recently licensed such as inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-kinase. Several other inhibitors are in development including those blocking mTOR, glutaminase, OXPHOS and monocarboxylate transporters. In addition, recent work has highlighted the importance of the interaction between diet and cancer, with particular focus on dietary modifications that restrict carbohydrates and specific amino acids. This article will review the current state of this field and discuss future developments.
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4
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Extrachromosomal circular DNA: biogenesis, structure, functions and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:342. [PMID: 36184613 PMCID: PMC9527254 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01176-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA), ranging in size from tens to millions of base pairs, is independent of conventional chromosomes. Recently, eccDNAs have been considered an unanticipated major source of somatic rearrangements, contributing to genomic remodeling through chimeric circularization and reintegration of circular DNA into the linear genome. In addition, the origin of eccDNA is considered to be associated with essential chromatin-related events, including the formation of super-enhancers and DNA repair machineries. Moreover, our understanding of the properties and functions of eccDNA has continuously and greatly expanded. Emerging investigations demonstrate that eccDNAs serve as multifunctional molecules in various organisms during diversified biological processes, such as epigenetic remodeling, telomere trimming, and the regulation of canonical signaling pathways. Importantly, its special distribution potentiates eccDNA as a measurable biomarker in many diseases, especially cancers. The loss of eccDNA homeostasis facilitates tumor initiation, malignant progression, and heterogeneous evolution in many cancers. An in-depth understanding of eccDNA provides novel insights for precision cancer treatment. In this review, we summarized the discovery history of eccDNA, discussed the biogenesis, characteristics, and functions of eccDNA. Moreover, we emphasized the role of eccDNA during tumor pathogenesis and malignant evolution. Therapeutically, we summarized potential clinical applications that target aberrant eccDNA in multiple diseases.
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Polyploidy and Myc Proto-Oncogenes Promote Stress Adaptation via Epigenetic Plasticity and Gene Regulatory Network Rewiring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179691. [PMID: 36077092 PMCID: PMC9456078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyploid cells demonstrate biological plasticity and stress adaptation in evolution; development; and pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The nature of ploidy-related advantages is still not completely understood. Here, we summarize the literature on molecular mechanisms underlying ploidy-related adaptive features. Polyploidy can regulate gene expression via chromatin opening, reawakening ancient evolutionary programs of embryonality. Chromatin opening switches on genes with bivalent chromatin domains that promote adaptation via rapid induction in response to signals of stress or morphogenesis. Therefore, stress-associated polyploidy can activate Myc proto-oncogenes, which further promote chromatin opening. Moreover, Myc proto-oncogenes can trigger polyploidization de novo and accelerate genome accumulation in already polyploid cells. As a result of these cooperative effects, polyploidy can increase the ability of cells to search for adaptive states of cellular programs through gene regulatory network rewiring. This ability is manifested in epigenetic plasticity associated with traits of stemness, unicellularity, flexible energy metabolism, and a complex system of DNA damage protection, combining primitive error-prone unicellular repair pathways, advanced error-free multicellular repair pathways, and DNA damage-buffering ability. These three features can be considered important components of the increased adaptability of polyploid cells. The evidence presented here contribute to the understanding of the nature of stress resistance associated with ploidy and may be useful in the development of new methods for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
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Chen HY, Chan SJ, Liu X, Wei AC, Jian RI, Huang KW, Lang YD, Shih JH, Liao CC, Luan CL, Kao YT, Chiang SY, Hsiao PW, Jou YS, Chen Y, Chen RH. Long noncoding RNA Smyca coactivates TGF-β/Smad and Myc pathways to drive tumor progression. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:85. [PMID: 35794621 PMCID: PMC9258208 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastasis and chemoresistance are major culprits of cancer mortality, but factors contributing to these processes are incompletely understood. Methods Bioinformatics methods were used to identify the relations of Smyca expression to clinicopathological features of human cancers. RNA-sequencing analysis was used to reveal Smyca-regulated transcriptome. RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to examine the binding of Smyca to Smad3/4 and c-Myc/Max. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromatin isolation by RNA purification were used to determine the binding of transcription factors and Smyca to various gene loci, respectively. Real-time RT-PCR and luciferase assay were used to examine gene expression levels and promoter activities, respectively. Xenograft mouse models were performed to evaluate the effects of Smyca on metastasis and chemoresistance. Nanoparticle-assisted gapmer antisense oligonucleotides delivery was used to target Smyca in vivo. Results We identify lncRNA Smyca for its association with poor prognosis of many cancer types. Smyca potentiates metabolic reprogramming, migration, invasion, cancer stemness, metastasis and chemoresistance. Mechanistically, Smyca enhances TGF-β/Smad signaling by acting as a scaffold for promoting Smad3/Smad4 association and further serves as a Smad target to amplify/prolong TGF-β signaling. Additionally, Smyca potentiates c-Myc-mediated transcription by enhancing the recruitment of c-Myc/Max complex to a set of target promoters and c-Myc binding to TRRAP. Through potentiating TGF-β and c-Myc pathways, Smyca synergizes the Warburg effect elicited by both pathways but evades the anti-proliferative effect of TGF-β. Targeting Smyca prevents metastasis and overcomes chemoresistance.
Conclusions This study uncovers a lncRNA that coordinates tumor-relevant pathways to orchestra a pro-tumor program and establishes the clinical values of Smyca in cancer prognosis and therapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-022-01306-3.
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Exploring and Verifying the Mechanism and Targets of Shenqi Pill in the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis via Network Pharmacology and Experiments. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:6588144. [PMID: 35733920 PMCID: PMC9207021 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6588144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Shenqi pill (SQP), a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal formula derived from Jinguiyaolue (Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber), has long been used to treat kidney yang deficiency syndrome. According to the TCM treatment principle that the liver and kidney are homologies, the clinical use of SQP in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has achieved a good effect. However, the active targeted genes and underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the treatment mechanism of SQP in NASH rats, which may further contribute to the in-depth exploration of SQP in clinical applications. Network pharmacology analysis was used to screen the target genes of SQP for NASH treatment based on public databases. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis were used to search for crucial target genes and mechanisms. UPLC–MS/MS was used to verify the active compounds of the SQP screened. The hepatic pathology and biochemical indicators of rats were used to judge the modeling results and the curative effect of SQP. Western blotting and qRT–PCR were used to verify the expression of crucial target genes at the protein and RNA levels, respectively. Network pharmacology analysis and bioinformatics analysis showed that PTGS2, JUN, MYC, and CDKN1A might be crucial target genes in the primary mechanism of SQP in treating NASH and improving the inflammatory response. The UPLC–MS/MS results confirmed that the hub active compound, quercetin, screened out through the TCMSP database, is indeed present in SQP. Hepatic injury and lipid metabolism indicators of NASH rats were significantly improved after SQP treatment. The results of WB and qRT–PCR showed that the expression of PTGS2, JUN, MYC, and CDKN1A was higher in NASH rats than in normal rats and decreased after SQP treatment. The expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) was reduced after SQP treatment, which confirmed that SQP could improve hepatic inflammation in rats. These results suggested that SQP could ameliorate NASH in rats, and that quercetin may be the critical active compound that exerts the therapeutic effect.
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8
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Schneider G, Wirth M, Keller U, Saur D. Rationale for MYC imaging and targeting in pancreatic cancer. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:104. [PMID: 34637026 PMCID: PMC8511206 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00843-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and lethality of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) will continue to increase in the next decade. For most patients, chemotherapeutic combination therapies remain the standard of care. The development and successful implementation of precision oncology in other gastrointestinal tumor entities point to opportunities also for PDAC. Therefore, markers linked to specific therapeutic responses and important subgroups of the disease are needed. The MYC oncogene is a relevant driver in PDAC and is linked to drug resistance and sensitivity. Here, we update recent insights into MYC biology in PDAC, summarize the connections between MYC and drug responses, and point to an opportunity to image MYC non-invasively. In sum, we propose MYC-associated biology as a basis for the development of concepts for precision oncology in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter Schneider
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic II, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, TU Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Wirth
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Keller
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Insititute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, MRI, TU Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
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9
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Liu X, Li C, Li X, Ehsan M, Lu M, Li K, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Proteomics analysis reveals that the proto-oncogene eIF-5A indirectly influences the growth, invasion and replication of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:283. [PMID: 34039408 PMCID: PMC8157420 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proliferative stage (tachyzoite) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is critical for its transmission and pathogenesis, and a proto-oncogene eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF-5A) plays an important role in various cellular processes such as cell multiplication. METHODS We performed a proteomic study to evaluate the specific roles of eIF-5A involved in invasion and replication of T. gondii, and both in vivo and in vitro trials using eIF-5A-interfered and wild tachyzoites were performed to verify the proteomic results. RESULTS The results of our study showed that T. gondii eIF-5A affected tachyzoite growth and also participated in the synthesis of proteins through regulation of both ribosomal and splicing pathways. Inhibition of eIF-5A in T. gondii resulted in the downregulated expression of soluble adhesions, such as microneme protein 1 (MIC1) and MIC4, which in turn decreased the parasite population that adhered to the surface of host cells. The reduced attachment, combined with lower expression of some rhoptry proteins (ROPs) and dense granule antigens (GRAs) involved in different stages of T. gondii invasion such as ROP4 and GRA3, ultimately reduce the invasion efficiency. These processes regulated by eIF-5A eventually affect the replication of tachyzoites. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed that eIF-5A influenced tachyzoite survival and was also involved in the process of parasite invasion and replication. These results will provide new clues for further development of targeted drugs to control T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchao Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100 People’s Republic of China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunjing Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046 Gansu People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingmin Lu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
- Poultry and Poultry Diseases Institute, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, 650224 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - XiangRui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
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Yang F, Kou J, Liu Z, Li W, Du W. MYC Enhances Cholesterol Biosynthesis and Supports Cell Proliferation Through SQLE. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:655889. [PMID: 33791309 PMCID: PMC8006431 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.655889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogene c-Myc (referred in this report as MYC) promotes tumorigenesis in multiple human cancers. MYC regulates numerous cellular programs involved in cell growth and cell metabolism. Tumor cells exhibit obligatory dependence on cholesterol metabolism, which provides essential membrane components and metabolites to support cell growth. To date, how cholesterol biosynthesis is delicately regulated to promote tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that MYC enhances cholesterol biosynthesis and promotes cell proliferation. Through transcriptional upregulation of SQLE, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis pathway, MYC increases cholesterol production and promotes tumor cell growth. SQLE overexpression restores the cellular cholesterol levels in MYC-knockdown cells. More importantly, in SQLE-depleted cells, enforced expression of MYC has no effect on cholesterol levels. Therefore, our findings reveal that SQLE is critical for MYC-mediated cholesterol synthesis, and further demonstrate that SQLE may be a potential therapeutic target in MYC-amplified cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zizhao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Du
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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11
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Lankes K, Hassan Z, Doffo MJ, Schneeweis C, Lier S, Öllinger R, Rad R, Krämer OH, Keller U, Saur D, Reichert M, Schneider G, Wirth M. Targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a pancreatic cancer subtype with hyperactive MYC. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:3048-3064. [PMID: 33099868 PMCID: PMC7718946 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The myelocytomatosis oncogene (MYC) is an important driver in a subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, MYC remains a challenging therapeutic target; therefore, identifying druggable synthetic lethal interactions in MYC‐active PDAC may lead to novel precise therapies. First, to identify networks with hyperactive MYC, we profiled transcriptomes of established human cell lines, murine primary PDAC cell lines, and accessed publicly available repositories to analyze transcriptomes of primary human PDAC. Networks active in MYC‐hyperactive subtypes were analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis. Next, we performed an unbiased pharmacological screen to define MYC‐associated vulnerabilities. Hits were validated by analysis of drug response repositories and genetic gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments. In these experiments, we discovered that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib triggers a MYC‐associated vulnerability. In addition, by integrating publicly available data, we found the unfolded protein response as a signature connected to MYC. Furthermore, increased sensitivity of MYC‐hyperactive PDACs to bortezomib was validated in genetically modified PDAC cells. In sum, we provide evidence that perturbing the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) might be an option to target MYC‐hyperactive PDAC cells. Our data provide the rationale to further develop precise targeting of the UPS as a subtype‐specific therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Lankes
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Zonera Hassan
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - María Josefina Doffo
- Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Schneeweis
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Lier
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Öllinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver H Krämer
- Department of Toxicology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Wirth
- Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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12
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AlSultan D, Kavanagh E, O'Grady S, Eustace AJ, Castell A, Larsson LG, Crown J, Madden SF, Duffy MJ. The novel low molecular weight MYC antagonist MYCMI-6 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Invest New Drugs 2020; 39:587-594. [PMID: 33052557 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01018-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background The MYC oncogene is one of the most frequently altered driver genes in cancer. MYC is thus a potential target for cancer treatment as well as a biomarker for the disease. However, as a target for treatment, MYC has traditionally been regarded as "undruggable" or difficult to target. We set out to evaluate the efficacy of a novel MYC inhibitor known as MYCMI-6, which acts by preventing MYC from interacting with its cognate partner MAX. Methods MYCMI-6 response was assessed in a panel of breast cancer cell lines using MTT assays and flow cytometry. MYC gene amplification, mRNA and protein expression was analysed using the TCGA and METABRIC databases. Results MYCMI-6 inhibited cell growth in breast cancer cell lines with IC50 values varying form 0.3 μM to >10 μM. Consistent with its ability to decrease cell growth, MYCMI-6 was found to induce apoptosis in two cell lines in which growth was inhibited but not in two cell lines that were resistant to growth inhibition. Across all breast cancers, MYC was found to be amplified in 15.3% of cases in the TCGA database and 26% in the METABRIC database. Following classification of the breast cancers by their molecular subtypes, MYC was most frequently amplified and exhibited highest expression at both mRNA and protein level in the basal subtype. Conclusions Based on these findings, we conclude that for patients with breast cancer, anti-MYC therapy is likely to be most efficacious in patients with the basal subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalal AlSultan
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaux Lane House, Dublin, Ireland
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emma Kavanagh
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shane O'Grady
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Education & Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Alex J Eustace
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Crown
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen F Madden
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaux Lane House, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael J Duffy
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Clinical Research Centre, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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13
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Duffy MJ, Crown J. Drugging "undruggable" genes for cancer treatment: Are we making progress? Int J Cancer 2020; 148:8-17. [PMID: 32638380 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RAS, TP53 (p53) and MYC are among the most frequently altered driver genes in cancer. Thus, RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene, MYC the most frequently amplified gene and TP53 the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene and overall the most frequently mutated gene in cancer. Theoretically, therefore, these genes are highly attractive targets for cancer treatment. However, as the protein products of each of these genes lack an accessible hydrophobic pocket into which low molecular weight compounds might bind with high affinity, they have proved difficult to target and have traditionally been referred to as "undruggable." Despite this branding, several low molecular weight compounds targeting each of these proteins have recently been reported to have anticancer activity in preclinical models. Indeed, several drugs inhibiting mutant KRAS, MYC overexpression or reactivating mutant p53 have undergone or are currently undergoing clinical trials. For targeting mutant KRAS and reactivating mutant p53, trials have progressed to a Phase III stage, that is, the mutant-p53 reactivating drug, APR-246 is currently being investigated in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and the RAS inhibitor, rigosertib is also undergoing evaluation in patients with MDS. Although there appears to be no directly acting MYC inhibitor currently being tested in a clinical trial, an anti-MYC compound, known as OmoMYC has been extensively validated in multiple preclinical models and is being developed for clinical evaluation. Based on current evidence, the traditional perception of RAS, p53 and MYC as being "undruggable" would appear to be coming to an end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Duffy
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.,UCD Clinical Research Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland
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14
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Inhibition of the Lysophosphatidylinositol Transporter ABCC1 Reduces Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Sensitizes to Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082022. [PMID: 32718079 PMCID: PMC7465469 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has long been implicated in cancer chemotherapy resistance. Increased expression of the ABCC subfamily transporters has been reported in prostate cancer, especially in androgen-resistant cases. ABCC transporters are known to efflux drugs but, recently, we have demonstrated that they can also have a more direct role in cancer progression. The pharmacological potential of targeting ABCC1, however, remained to be assessed. In this study, we investigated whether the blockade of ABCC1 affects prostate cancer cell proliferation using both in vitro and in vivo models. Our data demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of ABCC1 reduced prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and potentiated the effects of Docetaxel in vitro and in mouse models of prostate cancer in vivo. Collectively, these data identify ABCC1 as a novel and promising target in prostate cancer therapy.
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15
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A directed network analysis of the cardiome identifies molecular pathways contributing to the development of HFpEF. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020; 144:66-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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16
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Nguyen TTT, Zhang Y, Shang E, Shu C, Torrini C, Zhao J, Bianchetti E, Mela A, Humala N, Mahajan A, Harmanci AO, Lei Z, Maienschein-Cline M, Quinzii CM, Westhoff MA, Karpel-Massler G, Bruce JN, Canoll P, Siegelin MD. HDAC inhibitors elicit metabolic reprogramming by targeting super-enhancers in glioblastoma models. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:3699-3716. [PMID: 32315286 PMCID: PMC7324177 DOI: 10.1172/jci129049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Warburg effect is a tumor-related phenomenon that could potentially be targeted therapeutically. Here, we showed that glioblastoma (GBM) cultures and patients' tumors harbored super-enhancers in several genes related to the Warburg effect. By conducting a transcriptome analysis followed by ChIP-Seq coupled with a comprehensive metabolite analysis in GBM models, we found that FDA-approved global (panobinostat, vorinostat) and selective (romidepsin) histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors elicited metabolic reprogramming in concert with disruption of several Warburg effect-related super-enhancers. Extracellular flux and carbon-tracing analyses revealed that HDAC inhibitors blunted glycolysis in a c-Myc-dependent manner and lowered ATP levels. This resulted in the engagement of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) driven by elevated fatty acid oxidation (FAO), rendering GBM cells dependent on these pathways. Mechanistically, interference with HDAC1/-2 elicited a suppression of c-Myc protein levels and a concomitant increase in 2 transcriptional drivers of oxidative metabolism, PGC1α and PPARD, suggesting an inverse relationship. Rescue and ChIP experiments indicated that c-Myc bound to the promoter regions of PGC1α and PPARD to counteract their upregulation driven by HDAC1/-2 inhibition. Finally, we demonstrated that combination treatment with HDAC and FAO inhibitors extended animal survival in patient-derived xenograft model systems in vivo more potently than single treatments in the absence of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Thi Thu Nguyen
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yiru Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Enyuan Shang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bronx Community College, City University of New York, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Chang Shu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Consuelo Torrini
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Junfei Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elena Bianchetti
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Angeliki Mela
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nelson Humala
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aayushi Mahajan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arif O. Harmanci
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhengdeng Lei
- Core for Research Informatics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mark Maienschein-Cline
- Core for Research Informatics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Catarina M. Quinzii
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey N. Bruce
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Markus D. Siegelin
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Destefanis F, Manara V, Bellosta P. Myc as a Regulator of Ribosome Biogenesis and Cell Competition: A Link to Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114037. [PMID: 32516899 PMCID: PMC7312820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The biogenesis of ribosomes is a finely regulated multistep process linked to cell proliferation and growth-processes which require a high rate of protein synthesis. One of the master regulators of ribosome biogenesis is Myc, a well-known proto-oncogene that has an important role in ribosomal function and in the regulation of protein synthesis. The relationship between Myc and the ribosomes was first highlighted in Drosophila, where Myc's role in controlling Pol-I, II and III was evidenced by both microarrays data, and by the ability of Myc to control growth (mass), and cellular and animal size. Moreover, Myc can induce cell competition, a physiological mechanism through which cells with greater fitness grow better and thereby prevail over less competitive cells, which are actively eliminated by apoptosis. Myc-induced cell competition was shown to regulate both vertebrate development and tumor promotion; however, how these functions are linked to Myc's control of ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis and growth is not clear yet. In this review, we will discuss the major pathways that link Myc to ribosomal biogenesis, also in light of its function in cell competition, and how these mechanisms may reflect its role in favoring tumor promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Destefanis
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBio), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.D.); (V.M.)
| | - Valeria Manara
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBio), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.D.); (V.M.)
| | - Paola Bellosta
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBio), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (F.D.); (V.M.)
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0461-283070
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18
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Benetatos L, Benetatou A, Vartholomatos G. Enhancers and MYC interplay in hematopoiesis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:471-481. [PMID: 32144465 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01891-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription requires the fine interplay between enhancers and transcription factors. Enhancers are able to activate transcription of genes involved in normal cell biology, whereas aberrant enhancer activity leads to oncogenesis. MYC is a well-established proto-oncogene involved in half of human cancers amplifying the output of its targets. The crosstalk between MYC and enhancers is known for many years since the discovery of IgH enhancer juxtaposition with MYC in high-grade lymphomas. Here, we focus mainly in the enhancers surrounding MYC in the 8q24 locus. That region comprises several enhancers that associate with other transcription factors, transmembrane receptors, and fusion genes composing complex regulatory networks aberrantly expressed in almost all types of hematological malignancies. Understanding the nature of these interactions in normal blood cells and in leukemias/lymphomas will expand MYC targeting options in the armamentarium against hematological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agapi Benetatou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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19
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Evangelisti C, Chiarini F, Paganelli F, Marmiroli S, Martelli AM. Crosstalks of GSK3 signaling with the mTOR network and effects on targeted therapy of cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1867:118635. [PMID: 31884070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of therapeutics targeting specific tumor-promoting oncogenic or non-oncogenic signaling pathways has revolutionized cancer treatment. Mechanistic (previously mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR), a highly conserved Ser/Thr kinase, is a central hub of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR network, one of the most frequently deregulated signaling pathways in cancer, that makes it an attractive target for therapy. Numerous mTOR inhibitors have progressed to clinical trials and two of them have been officially approved as anticancer therapeutics. However, mTOR-targeting drugs have met with a very limited success in cancer patients. Frequently, the primary impediment to a successful targeted therapy in cancer is drug-resistance, either from the very beginning of the therapy (innate resistance) or after an initial response and upon repeated drug treatment (evasive or acquired resistance). Drug-resistance leads to treatment failure and relapse/progression of the disease. Resistance to mTOR inhibitors depends, among other reasons, on activation/deactivation of several signaling pathways, included those regulated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), a protein that targets a vast number of substrates in its repertoire, thereby orchestrating many processes that include cell proliferation and survival, metabolism, differentiation, and stemness. A detailed knowledge of the rewiring of signaling pathways triggered by exposure to mTOR inhibitors is critical to our understanding of the consequences such perturbations cause in tumors, including the emergence of drug-resistant cells. Here, we provide the reader with an updated overview of intricate circuitries that connect mTOR and GSK3 and we relate them to the efficacy (or lack of efficacy) of mTOR inhibitors in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Evangelisti
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Sandra Marmiroli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolical, and Neurological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, MO, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy.
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20
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Mahmud I, Liao D. DAXX in cancer: phenomena, processes, mechanisms and regulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7734-7752. [PMID: 31350900 PMCID: PMC6735914 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DAXX displays complex biological functions. Remarkably, DAXX overexpression is a common feature in diverse cancers, which correlates with tumorigenesis, disease progression and treatment resistance. Structurally, DAXX is modular with an N-terminal helical bundle, a docking site for many DAXX interactors (e.g. p53 and ATRX). DAXX's central region folds with the H3.3/H4 dimer, providing a H3.3-specific chaperoning function. DAXX has two functionally critical SUMO-interacting motifs. These modules are connected by disordered regions. DAXX's structural features provide a framework for deciphering how DAXX mechanistically imparts its functions and how its activity is regulated. DAXX modulates transcription through binding to transcription factors, epigenetic modifiers, and chromatin remodelers. DAXX's localization in the PML nuclear bodies also plays roles in transcriptional regulation. DAXX-regulated genes are likely important effectors of its biological functions. Deposition of H3.3 and its interactions with epigenetic modifiers are likely key events for DAXX to regulate transcription, DNA repair, and viral infection. Interactions between DAXX and its partners directly impact apoptosis and cell signaling. DAXX's activity is regulated by posttranslational modifications and ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Notably, the tumor suppressor SPOP promotes DAXX degradation in phase-separated droplets. We summarize here our current understanding of DAXX's complex functions with a focus on how it promotes oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqbal Mahmud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1333 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610-0235, USA
| | - Daiqing Liao
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1333 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610-0235, USA
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21
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Nagasaka M, Tsuzuki K, Ozeki Y, Tokugawa M, Ohoka N, Inoue Y, Hayashi H. Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) Is a Novel Target Gene of c-Myc. Biol Pharm Bull 2019; 42:481-488. [PMID: 30828079 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b18-00892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) is a histone demethylase and specifically catalyzes the demethylation of mono- and di-methylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). The LSD1-mediated demethylation of H3K4 promotes the assembly of the c-Myc-induced transcription initiation complex. Although LSD1 and c-Myc are both strongly expressed in human cancers, the mechanisms by which their activities are coordinated remain unclear. We herein demonstrated that LSD1 is a direct target gene of c-Myc. The knockdown of c-Myc decreased the expression of LSD1 in several cancer cell lines. We identified two non-canonical E-boxes in the proximal promoter region of the LSD1 gene. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that c-Myc bound to these E-boxes in the LSD1 promoter. Importantly, LSD1 mRNA expression correlated with c-Myc expression in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), glioblastoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and prostate adenocarcinoma. The present results suggest that LSD1 is induced by c-Myc and forms a positive feedback mechanism in transcription reactions by c-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Nagasaka
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
| | - Kaori Tsuzuki
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
| | - Yu Ozeki
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
| | - Muneshige Tokugawa
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
| | - Nobumichi Ohoka
- Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Yasumichi Inoue
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University.,Department of Innovative Therapeutics Sciences, Cooperative Major in Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
| | - Hidetoshi Hayashi
- Department of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University.,Department of Innovative Therapeutics Sciences, Cooperative Major in Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
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22
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Abstract
Proliferation requires that cells accumulate sufficient biomass to grow and divide. Cancer cells within tumors must acquire a variety of nutrients, and tumor growth slows or stops if necessary metabolites are not obtained in sufficient quantities. Importantly, the metabolic demands of cancer cells can be different from those of untransformed cells, and nutrient accessibility in tumors is different than in many normal tissues. Thus, cancer cell survival and proliferation may be limited by different metabolic factors than those that are necessary to maintain noncancerous cells. Understanding the variables that dictate which nutrients are critical to sustain tumor growth may identify vulnerabilities that could be used to treat cancer. This review examines the various cell-autonomous, local, and systemic factors that determine which nutrients are limiting for tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Sullivan
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Matthew G Vander Heiden
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA.,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Boston , MA , USA
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23
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Qin Y, Hu Q, Ji S, Xu J, Dai W, Liu W, Xu W, Sun Q, Zhang Z, Ni Q, Yu X, Zhang B, Xu X. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 suppresses proliferation and aerobic glycolysis via ERK/cMyc axis in pancreatic cancer. Cell Prolif 2019; 52:e12603. [PMID: 30932257 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the roles of the homeodomain-interacting protein kinase (HIPK) family of proteins in pancreatic cancer prognosis and the possible molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of HIPK family genes and their roles in pancreatic cancer prognosis were analysed by using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The roles of HIPK2 in pancreatic cancer proliferation and glycolysis were tested by overexpression of HIPK2 in pancreatic cancer cells, followed by cell proliferation assay, glucose uptake analysis and Seahorse extracellular flux analysis. The mechanism of action of HIPK2 in pancreatic cancer proliferation and glycolysis was explored by examining its effect on the ERK/cMyc axis. RESULTS Decreased HIPK2 expression indicated worse prognosis of pancreatic cancer. Overexpression of HIPK2 in pancreatic cancer cells decreased cell proliferation and attenuated aerobic glycolysis, which sustained proliferation of cancer cells. HIPK2 decreased cMyc protein levels and expression of cMyc-targeted glycolytic genes. cMyc was a mediator that regulated HIPK2-induced decrease in aerobic glycolysis. HIPK2 regulated cMyc protein stability via ERK activation, which phosphorylated and controlled cMyc protein stability. CONCLUSIONS HIPK2 suppressed proliferation of pancreatic cancer in part through inhibiting the ERK/cMyc axis and related aerobic glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiangsheng Hu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shunrong Ji
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weixing Dai
- Cancer Research Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyan Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiqing Sun
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quanxing Ni
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowu Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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24
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García-Gutiérrez L, Delgado MD, León J. MYC Oncogene Contributions to Release of Cell Cycle Brakes. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E244. [PMID: 30909496 PMCID: PMC6470592 DOI: 10.3390/genes10030244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Promotion of the cell cycle is a major oncogenic mechanism of the oncogene c-MYC (MYC). MYC promotes the cell cycle by not only activating or inducing cyclins and CDKs but also through the downregulation or the impairment of the activity of a set of proteins that act as cell-cycle brakes. This review is focused on the role of MYC as a cell-cycle brake releaser i.e., how MYC stimulates the cell cycle mainly through the functional inactivation of cell cycle inhibitors. MYC antagonizes the activities and/or the expression levels of p15, ARF, p21, and p27. The mechanism involved differs for each protein. p15 (encoded by CDKN2B) and p21 (CDKN1A) are repressed by MYC at the transcriptional level. In contrast, MYC activates ARF, which contributes to the apoptosis induced by high MYC levels. At least in some cells types, MYC inhibits the transcription of the p27 gene (CDKN1B) but also enhances p27's degradation through the upregulation of components of ubiquitin ligases complexes. The effect of MYC on cell-cycle brakes also opens the possibility of antitumoral therapies based on synthetic lethal interactions involving MYC and CDKs, for which a series of inhibitors are being developed and tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC) CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria and Department of Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain.
- Current address: Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - María Dolores Delgado
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC) CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria and Department of Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain.
| | - Javier León
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC) CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria and Department of Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain.
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Abstract
Metabolomics is a comprehensive characterization of the small polar molecules (metabolites) in different biological systems. One of the analytical platforms commonly used to study metabolic alterations in biofluid samples is proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy is very specific, quantitative, and highly reproducible. Moreover, sample preparation for NMR experiments is very simple and straightforward, and this gives NMR spectroscopy a distinct advantage over other metabolic profiling methods. It has already been shown that 1H NMR-based profiling of biological fluids can be effective in differentiating benign from malignant lesions and in investigating the efficacy of specific cancer treatments. Therefore, 1H NMR spectroscopy may become a promising tool for early noninvasive diagnosis and rapid assessment of treatment effects in cancer patients. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for 1H NMR metabolite profiling in serum, plasma, and urine samples, including sample collection procedures, sample preparation for 1H NMR experiments, spectral acquisition and processing, and quantitative profiling of 1H NMR spectra. We also discuss several aspects of appropriate study design and some multivariate statistical methods that are commonly used to analyze metabolomics datasets.
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Liu K, Ma L, Zhou F, Yang Y, Hu HB, Wang L, Zhong L. Identification of microRNAs related to myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:11380-11390. [PMID: 30552681 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the progression of myocardial ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, inconsistent results have been obtained due to the differences in sequencing platform, control selection, and filtering conditions. To explore the key miRNAs in the pathogenesis of myocardial I/R injury and develop miRNA diagnostic biomarkers for myocardial I/R injury prevention, we performed a systematic analysis of publicly available myocardial I/R injury miRNA expression data and investigated the function of the signature miRNA. A total of 17 representative myocardial I/R injury miRNA datasets were extracted from the Google Scholar website and a systematic bioinformatics analysis was done. TargetScan software was used to predict the miRNA target genes, and functional enrichment and transcription factor binding analyses were performed on the target genes using the DAVID and Tfacts databases. In this study, a total of 10 signature miRNAs associated with myocardial I/R injury were identified, which included eight significantly upregulated miRNAs (miR-let-7b-3p, miR-let-7c-3p, miR-15b-3p, miR-195-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-214-5p, miR-24-3p, and miR-320a) and two significantly downregulated miRNAs (miR-126-5p and miR-499a-5p). They had different influences on myocardial I/R injury. The upregulated target gene-expressing signature messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were mainly involved in the transcriptional regulation process of GO: 0000122, negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, and so on, while downregulated expression of signature mRNAs was mainly involved in GO:0070534, protein K63-linked ubiquitination, and so forth. To summarize, 10 signature miRNAs of myocardial I/R injury pathogenesis were identified and their target genes and transcription factors were revealed, suggesting the potential novel therapeutic targets for myocardial I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yingcong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hai-Bo Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Huai'an Second People's Hospital and The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Chen M, Xie S. Therapeutic targeting of cellular stress responses in cancer. Thorac Cancer 2018; 9:1575-1582. [PMID: 30312004 PMCID: PMC6275842 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to bacteria, yeast, and other organisms that have evolved pathways to respond to environmental stresses, cancer cells develop mechanisms that increase genetic diversity to facilitate adaptation to a variety of stressful conditions, including hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, exposure to DNA-damaging agents, and immune responses. To survive, cancer cells trigger mechanisms that drive genomic instability and mutation, alter gene expression programs, and reprogram the metabolic pathways to evade growth inhibition signaling and immune surveillance. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathways used by cancer cells to overcome stresses will allow us to develop more efficacious strategies for cancer therapy. Herein, we overview several key stresses imposed on cancer cells, including oxidative, metabolic, mechanical, and genotoxic, and discuss the mechanisms that drive cancer cell responses. The therapeutic implications of these responses are also considered, as these factors pave the way for the targeting of stress adaption pathways in order to slow cancer progression and block resistance to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJinanChina
| | - Songbo Xie
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJinanChina
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