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Yang S, Min X, Hu L, Zheng M, Lu S, Zhao M, Jia S. RFX1 regulates foam cell formation and atherosclerosis by mediating CD36 expression. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111751. [PMID: 38402833 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Atherosclerosis (AS) is a continuously low-grade inflammatory disease, and monocyte-derived macrophages play a vital role in AS pathogenesis. Regulatory factor X1 (RFX1) has been reported to participate in differentiation of various cells. Our previous report showed that RFX1 expression in CD14+ monocytes from AS patients was decreased and closely related to AS development. Macrophages mostly derive from monocytes and play an important role in AS plaque formation and stability. However, the functions of RFX1 in the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells and consequent AS development are unclear. METHODS We explored the effects of RFX1 on oxidation low lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated foam cell formation and CD36 expression by increasing or silencing Rfx1 expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages (PMAs). The ApoE-/-Rfx1f/f or ApoE-/-Rfx1f/f Lyz2-Cre mice fed a high-fat diet for 24 weeks were used to further examine the effect of RFX1 on AS pathogenesis. We then performed dual luciferase reporter assays to study the regulation of RFX1 for CD36 transcription. RESULTS Our results demonstrate that RFX1 expression was significantly reduced in ox-LDL induced foam cells and negatively correlated with lipid uptake in macrophages. Besides, Rfx1 deficiency in myeloid cells aggravated atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/- mice. Mechanistically, RFX1 inhibited CD36 expression by directly regulating CD36 transcription in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS The reduction of RFX1 expression in macrophages is a vital determinant for foam cell formation and the initiation of AS, proving a potential novel approach for the treatment of AS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Xiaoli Min
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210042, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Longyuan Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Meiling Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Shuang Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha 410011, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210042, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Sujie Jia
- Department of Pharmacy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210042, China.
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Mizukawa T, Nishida T, Akashi S, Kawata K, Kikuchi S, Kawaki H, Takigawa M, Kamioka H, Kubota S. RFX1-mediated CCN3 induction that may support chondrocyte survival under starved conditions. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:6884-6896. [PMID: 33655492 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cellular communication network factor (CCN) family members are multifunctional matricellular proteins that manipulate and integrate extracellular signals. In our previous studies investigating the role of CCN family members in cellular metabolism, we found three members that might be under the regulation of energy metabolism. In this study, we confirmed that CCN2 and CCN3 are the only members that are tightly regulated by glycolysis in human chondrocytic cells. Interestingly, CCN3 was induced under a variety of impaired glycolytic conditions. This CCN3 induction was also observed in two breast cancer cell lines with a distinct phenotype, suggesting a basic role of CCN3 in cellular metabolism. Reporter gene assays indicated a transcriptional regulation mediated by an enhancer in the proximal promoter region. As a result of analyses in silico, we specified regulatory factor binding to the X-box 1 (RFX1) as a candidate that mediated the transcriptional activation by impaired glycolysis. Indeed, the inhibition of glycolysis induced the expression of RFX1, and RFX1 silencing nullified the CCN3 induction by impaired glycolysis. Subsequent experiments with an anti-CCN3 antibody indicated that CCN3 supported the survival of chondrocytes under impaired glycolysis. Consistent with these findings in vitro, abundant CCN3 production by chondrocytes in the deep zones of developing epiphysial cartilage, which are located far away from the synovial fluid, was confirmed in vivo. Our present study uncovered that RFX1 is the mediator that enables CCN3 induction upon cellular starvation, which may eventually assist chondrocytes in retaining their viability, even when there is an energy supply shortage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Mizukawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takashi Nishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Sho Akashi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazumi Kawata
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Sumire Kikuchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Harumi Kawaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takigawa
- Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamioka
- Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kubota
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Issac J, Raveendran PS, Das AV. RFX1: a promising therapeutic arsenal against cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:253. [PMID: 33964962 PMCID: PMC8106159 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01952-6] [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: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory factor X1 (RFX1) is an evolutionary conserved transcriptional factor that influences a wide range of cellular processes such as cell cycle, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, by regulating a number of target genes that are involved in such processes. On a closer look, these target genes also play a key role in tumorigenesis and associated events. Such observations paved the way for further studies evaluating the role of RFX1 in cancer. These studies were indispensable due to the failure of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs to target key cellular hallmarks such as cancer stemness, cellular plasticity, enhanced drug efflux, de-regulated DNA repair machinery, and altered pathways evading apoptosis. In this review, we compile significant evidence for the tumor-suppressive activities of RFX1 while also analyzing its oncogenic potential in some cancers. RFX1 induction decreased cellular proliferation, modulated the immune system, induced apoptosis, reduced chemoresistance, and sensitized cancer stem cells for chemotherapy. Thus, our review discusses the pleiotropic function of RFX1 in multitudinous gene regulations, decisive protein–protein interactions, and also its role in regulating key cell signaling events in cancer. Elucidation of these regulatory mechanisms can be further utilized for RFX1 targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joby Issac
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Pooja S Raveendran
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Ani V Das
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.
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Phosphoproteomics Meets Chemical Genetics: Approaches for Global Mapping and Deciphering the Phosphoproteome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207637. [PMID: 33076458 PMCID: PMC7588962 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are important enzymes involved in the regulation of various cellular processes. To function properly, each protein kinase phosphorylates only a limited number of proteins among the thousands present in the cell. This provides a rapid and dynamic regulatory mechanism that controls biological functions of the proteins. Despite the importance of protein kinases, most of their substrates remain unknown. Recently, the advances in the fields of protein engineering, chemical genetics, and mass spectrometry have boosted studies on identification of bona fide substrates of protein kinases. Among the various methods in protein kinase specific substrate identification, genetically engineered protein kinases and quantitative phosphoproteomics have become promising tools. Herein, we review the current advances in the field of chemical genetics in analog-sensitive protein kinase mutants and highlight selected strategies for identifying protein kinase substrates and studying the dynamic nature of protein phosphorylation.
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Álvarez-Santos MD, Álvarez-González M, Estrada-Soto S, Bazán-Perkins B. Regulation of Myosin Light-Chain Phosphatase Activity to Generate Airway Smooth Muscle Hypercontractility. Front Physiol 2020; 11:701. [PMID: 32676037 PMCID: PMC7333668 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Smooth muscle is a central structure involved in the regulation of airway tone. In addition, it plays an important role in the development of some pathologies generated by alterations in contraction, such as hypercontractility and the airway hyperresponsiveness observed in asthma. The molecular processes associated with smooth muscle contraction are centered around myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, which is controlled by a balance in the activity of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light-chain phosphatase (MLCP). MLCK activation depends on increasing concentrations of intracellular Ca2+, while MLCP activation is independent of Ca2+. MLCP contains a phosphatase subunit (PP1c) that is regulated through myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) and other subunits, such as glycogen-associated regulatory subunit and myosin-binding subunit 85 kDa. Interestingly, MLCP inhibition may contribute to exacerbation of smooth muscle contraction by increasing MLC phosphorylation to induce hypercontractility. Many pathways inhibiting MLCP activity in airway smooth muscle have been proposed and are focused on inhibition of PP1c, inhibitory phosphorylation of MYPT1 and dissociation of the PP1c-MYPT1 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra D Álvarez-Santos
- Biology Area, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marisol Álvarez-González
- Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Samuel Estrada-Soto
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Blanca Bazán-Perkins
- Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico.,Tecnológico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Monterrey, Mexico
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Chagas VS, Groeneveld CS, Oliveira KG, Trefflich S, de Almeida RC, Ponder BAJ, Meyer KB, Jones SJM, Robertson AG, Castro MAA. RTNduals: an R/Bioconductor package for analysis of co-regulation and inference of dual regulons. Bioinformatics 2019; 35:5357-5358. [PMID: 31250887 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of gene expression, and can activate or repress multiple target genes, forming regulatory units, or regulons. Understanding downstream effects of these regulators includes evaluating how TFs cooperate or compete within regulatory networks. Here we present RTNduals, an R/Bioconductor package that implements a general method for analyzing pairs of regulons. RESULTS RTNduals identifies a dual regulon when the number of targets shared between a pair of regulators is statistically significant. The package extends the RTN (Reconstruction of Transcriptional Networks) package, and uses RTN transcriptional networks to identify significant co-regulatory associations between regulons. The Supplementary Information reports two case studies for TFs using the METABRIC and TCGA breast cancer cohorts. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION RTNduals is written in the R language, and is available from the Bioconductor project at http://bioconductor.org/packages/RTNduals/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius S Chagas
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Lab, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Clarice S Groeneveld
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Lab, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Kelin G Oliveira
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Lab, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Lund 221 85, Sweden
| | - Sheyla Trefflich
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo C de Almeida
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Bruce A J Ponder
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge CB2 ORE, UK
| | - Kerstin B Meyer
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge CB2 ORE, UK.,Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Steven J M Jones
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Center, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - A Gordon Robertson
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Center, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Mauro A A Castro
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Lab, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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