1
|
He K, Xie M, Li J, He Y, Yin Y. CENPO is Associated with Immune Cell Infiltration and is a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:7493-7510. [PMID: 36187159 PMCID: PMC9521242 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s382234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine the expression, clinical significance, and potential regulatory mechanism of centromere protein O (CENPO) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods CENPO expression in pan-cancer was studied using the TCGA-GTEx database, in HCC and normal liver tissues using the GEO and TCGA databases, and in clinical HCC samples by RT-qPCR. The diagnostic value of CENPO was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses of factors associated with HCC prognosis were performed. CENPO function and its mechanism in HCC were explored using GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Association of CENPO expression with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint-associated molecules was conducted using TCGA data and the TIMER2.0 database. Relationships between CENPO expression and DNA methylation were analyzed using the UALCAN and cBioPortal databases. CENPO expression in HCC cell lines was detected using RT-qPCR. Results CENPO is upregulated in most cancers, including HCC and cell lines, and is a potential biomarker for HCC diagnosis (AUC = 0.936, 95% CI: 0.911–0.960). Higher CENPO expression was associated with poorer outcomes in patients with HCC (OS, p = 0.004; DSS, p = 0.002; PFI, p < 0.001), and CENPO was an independent predictor of factors influencing overall survival in HCC. DEGs between samples with high and low CENPO levels were enriched in various biological processes, including activation of the G2M checkpoint and other signaling pathways, while CENPO expression correlated with HCC immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint-associated molecules, as well as CENPO promoter methylation (p < 0.001). Conclusion In HCC and cell lines, CENPO is overexpressed, a potential diagnostic marker and an indicator of poor prognosis. CENPO may regulate HCC development by influencing nuclear division and tumor immune infiltration and is regulated by methylation, making it a potential target for HCC immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kun He
- Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic-Intestinal disease, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengyi Xie
- Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic-Intestinal disease, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingdong Li
- Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic-Intestinal disease, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jingdong Li, Institute of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic-Intestinal disease, North Sichuan Medical College, 234 Fujiang Road, Shunqing District, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 18215521587, Fax +86 817-2222856, Email
| | - Yi He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaolin Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cancer Stem Cells: From an Insight into the Basics to Recent Advances and Therapeutic Targeting. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:9653244. [PMID: 35800881 PMCID: PMC9256444 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9653244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by an abnormal growth of the cells in an uncontrolled manner. These cells have the potential to invade and can eventually turn into malignancy, leading to highly fatal forms of tumor. Small subpopulations of cancer cells that are long-lived with the potential of excessive self-renewal and tumor formation are called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer-initiating cells or tumor stem cells. CSCs can be found in tissues, such as breast, brain, lung, liver, ovary, and testis; however, their origin is still a matter of debate. These cells can differentiate and possess self-renewal capacity maintained by numerous intracellular signal transduction pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Notch signaling, transforming growth factor-β signaling, and Hedgehog signaling. They can also contribute to numerous malignancies and are an important reason for tumor recurrence and metastasis because they are resistant to the known therapeutic strategies that mainly target the bulk of the tumor cells. This review contains collected and compiled information after analyzing published works of the last three decades. The goal was to gather information of recent breakthroughs related to CSCs, strategies to target CSCs' niche (e.g., nanotechnology with tumor biology), and their signaling pathways for cancer therapy. Moreover, the role of metformin, an antidiabetic drug, acting as a chemotherapeutic agent on CSCs by inhibiting cellular transformation and its selective killing is also addressed.
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang L, Wang H, Yang C, Wu Y, Lei G, Yu Y, Gao Y, Du J, Tong X, Zhou F, Li Y, Wang Y. Investigating CENPW as a Novel Biomarker Correlated With the Development and Poor Prognosis of Breast Carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:900111. [PMID: 35783290 PMCID: PMC9247308 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.900111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) is a carcinoma with a fairly high incidence, and the therapeutic schedules are generally surgery and chemotherapy. However, chemotherapeutic drugs tend to produce serious toxic side effects, which lead to the cessation of treatment. Therefore, it is imperative to develop treatment strategies that are more effective and have fewer side effects at the genetic level. Centromeric protein W (CENPW) is an oncogene that plays an important part in nucleosome assembly. To date, no studies have reported the prognostic significance of CENPW in breast carcinoma. In this study, we verified that CENPW expression is up-regulated in breast carcinoma and positively associated with the level of immune cell infiltration. The clinicopathological characteristics further suggest that CENPW expression is correlated with a worse prognosis of breast carcinoma. Interestingly, the CENPW mutation contributes to the poor prognosis. Next, we discovered that the genes interacting with CENPW are mainly concentrated in the cell cycle pathway, and CENPW is co-expressed with CDCA7, which is also highly expressed in breast carcinoma and leads to a worse prognosis. Our subsequent studies verified that knockdown of CENPW significantly inhibits the proliferation and migration of breast carcinoma cells and promotes their apoptosis rate. Notably, inhibition of CEMPW sensitizes breast cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs that have been found to induce cell cycle arrest. In summary, these results provide extensive data and experimental evidence that CENPW can serve as a novel predictor of breast cancer and may act as a prospective therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Wang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hairui Wang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunyi Wu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Guojie Lei
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanhua Yu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Du
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangmin Tong
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Feifei Zhou
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Feifei Zhou, ; Yanchun Li, ; Ying Wang,
| | - Yanchun Li
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Feifei Zhou, ; Yanchun Li, ; Ying Wang,
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Feifei Zhou, ; Yanchun Li, ; Ying Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
LncRNA MBNL1-AS1 Represses Proliferation and Cancer Stem-Like Properties of Breast Cancer through MBNL1-AS1/ZFP36/CENPA Axis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:9999343. [PMID: 35518784 PMCID: PMC9064507 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9999343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Emerging studies have revealed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were key regulators of cancer progression. In this research, the expression and roles of MBNL1-AS1 were explored in breast cancer (BC). Methods In this study, the MBNL1-AS1 expression in breast cancer tissue, as well as in cell line, was studied by qRT-PCR assays. The effects of MBNL1-AS1 on proliferation and stemness were evaluated by MTT assays, colony formation assays, orthotopic breast tumor mice models, extreme limiting dilution analysis (ELDA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), flow cytometry assays, and sphere formation assays. Flexmap 3D assays were performed to show that MBNL1-AS1 downregulated the centromere protein A (CENPA) secretion in BC cells. Western blot, RNA pull-down assays, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays, and FISH were conducted to detect the mechanism. Results The results showed that the expression levels of MBNL1-AS1 were downregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that overexpression of MBNL1-AS1 markedly inhibited BC cells proliferation and stemness. RNA pull-down assay, RIP assay, western blot assay, and qRT-PCR assay showed that MBNL1-AS1 downregulated CENPA mRNA via directly interacting with Zinc Finger Protein 36 (ZFP36) and subsequently decreased the stability of CENPA mRNA. Restoration assays also confirmed that MBNL1-AS1 suppressed the CENPA-mediated proliferation and stemness in breast cancer cells. Conclusions The new mechanism of how MBNL1-AS1 regulates BC phenotype is elucidated, and the MBNL1-AS1/ZFP36/CENPA axis may be served as a therapeutic target for BC patients.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ho CM, Lin KT, Shen R, Gu DL, Lee SS, Su WH, Jou YS. Prognostic comparative genes predict targets for sorafenib combination therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:1752-1763. [PMID: 35495118 PMCID: PMC9024375 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale comparative transcriptomics analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma reveals 664 prognostic comparative HCC (pcHCC) genes. pcHCC genes included novel targets with potential utility in sorafenib combination therapies. Knockdown of the selective pcHCC genes NCAPG and CENPW downregulated the p38/STAT3 axis to enhance sorafenib combination treatments.
With the increasing incidence and mortality of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide, revealing innovative targets to improve therapeutic strategies is crucial for prolonging the lives of patients. To identify innovative targets, we conducted a comprehensive comparative transcriptome analysis of 5,410 human HCCs and 974 mouse liver cancers to identify concordantly expressed genes associated with patient survival. Among the 664 identified prognostic comparative HCC (pcHCC) genes, upregulated pcHCC genes were associated with prognostic clinical features, including large tumor size, vascular invasion and late HCC stages. Interestingly, after validating HCC patient prognoses in multiple independent datasets, we matched the 664 aberrant pcHCC genes with the sorafenib-altered genes in TCGA_LIHC patients and found these 664 pcHCC genes were enriched in sorafenib-related functions, such as downregulated xenobiotic and lipid metabolism and upregulated cell proliferation. Therapeutic agents targeting aberrant pcHCC genes presented divergent molecular mechanisms, including suppression of sorafenib-unrelated oncogenic pathways, induction of sorafenib-unrelated ferroptosis, and modulation of sorafenib transportation and metabolism, to potentiate sorafenib therapeutic effects in HCC combination therapy. Moreover, the pcHCC genes NCAPG and CENPW, which have not been targeted in combination with sorafenib treatment, were knocked down and combined with sorafenib treatment, which reduced HCC cell viability based on disruption to the p38/STAT3 axis, thereby hypersensitizing HCC cells. Together, our results provide important resources and reveal that 664 pcHCC genes represent innovative targets suitable for developing therapeutic strategies in combination with sorafenib based on the divergent synergistic mechanisms for HCC tumor suppression.
Collapse
|
6
|
Yawut N, Kaowinn S, Cho IR, Budluang P, Kim S, Kim S, Youn SE, Koh SS, Chung YH. Translocalization of enhanced PKM2 protein into the nucleus induced by cancer upregulated gene 2 confers cancer stem cell-like phenotypes. BMB Rep 2022. [PMID: 35000669 PMCID: PMC8891619 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.2.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased mRNA levels of cancer upregulated gene (CUG)2 have been detected in many different tumor tissues using Affymetrix microarray. Oncogenic capability of the CUG2 gene has been further reported. However, the mechanism by which CUG2 overexpression promotes cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes remains unknown. With recent studies showing that pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2) is overexpressed in clinical tissues from gastric, lung, and cervical cancer patients, we hypothesized that PKM2 might play an important role in CSC-like phenotypes caused by CUG2 overexpression. The present study revealed that PKM2 protein levels and translocation of PKM2 into the nucleus were enhanced in CUG2-overexpressing lung carcinoma A549 and immortalized bronchial BEAS-2B cells than in control cells. Ex-pression levels of c-Myc, CyclinD1, and PKM2 were increased in CUG2-overexpressing cells than in control cells. Furthermore, EGFR and ERK inhibitors as well as suppression of Yap1 and NEK2 expression reduced PKM2 protein levels. Interestingly, knockdown of β-catenin expression failed to reduce PKM2 protein levels. Furthermore, reduction of PKM2 expression with its siRNA hindered CSC-like phenotypes such as faster wound heal-ing, aggressive transwell migration, and increased size/number of sphere formation. The introduction of mutant S37A PKM2-green fluorescence protein (GFP) into cells without ability to move to the nucleus did not confer CSC-like phenotypes, whereas forced expression of wild-type PKM2 promoted such phenotypes. Overall, CUG2-induced increase in the expression of nuclear PKM2 contributes to CSC-like phenotypes by upregulating c-Myc and CyclinD1 as a co-activator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natpaphan Yawut
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Sirichat Kaowinn
- Department of General Science and Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang Prince of Chumphon Campus, Chumphon 86160, Thailand
| | - Il-Rae Cho
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Phatcharaporn Budluang
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Seonghye Kim
- BK21 plus, Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Suhkmann Kim
- BK21 plus, Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - So Eun Youn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Young-Hwa Chung
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yawut N, Kaowinn S, Cho IR, Budluang P, Kim S, Kim S, Youn SE, Koh SS, Chung YH. Translocalization of enhanced PKM2 protein into the nucleus induced by cancer upregulated gene 2 confers cancer stem cell-like phenotypes. BMB Rep 2022; 55:98-103. [PMID: 35000669 PMCID: PMC8891619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased mRNA levels of cancer upregulated gene (CUG)2 have been detected in many different tumor tissues using Affymetrix microarray. Oncogenic capability of the CUG2 gene has been further reported. However, the mechanism by which CUG2 overexpression promotes cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes remains unknown. With recent studies showing that pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2) is overexpressed in clinical tissues from gastric, lung, and cervical cancer patients, we hypothesized that PKM2 might play an important role in CSC-like phenotypes caused by CUG2 overexpression. The present study revealed that PKM2 protein levels and translocation of PKM2 into the nucleus were enhanced in CUG2-overexpressing lung carcinoma A549 and immortalized bronchial BEAS-2B cells than in control cells. Expression levels of c-Myc, CyclinD1, and PKM2 were increased in CUG2-overexpressing cells than in control cells. Furthermore, EGFR and ERK inhibitors as well as suppression of Yap1 and NEK2 expression reduced PKM2 protein levels. Interestingly, knockdown of β-catenin expression failed to reduce PKM2 protein levels. Furthermore, reduction of PKM2 expression with its siRNA hindered CSC-like phenotypes such as faster wound healing, aggressive transwell migration, and increased size/number of sphere formation. The introduction of mutant S37A PKM2-green fluorescence protein (GFP) into cells without ability to move to the nucleus did not confer CSC-like phenotypes, whereas forced expression of wild-type PKM2 promoted such phenotypes. Overall, CUG2-induced increase in the expression of nuclear PKM2 contributes to CSC-like phenotypes by upregulating c-Myc and CyclinD1 as a co-activator. [BMB Reports 2022;55(2): 98-103].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natpaphan Yawut
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Sirichat Kaowinn
- Department of General Science and Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang Prince of Chumphon Campus, Chumphon 86160, Thailand
| | - Il-Rae Cho
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Phatcharaporn Budluang
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Seonghye Kim
- BK21 plus, Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Suhkmann Kim
- BK21 plus, Department of Chemistry, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - So Eun Youn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Young-Hwa Chung
- BK21 plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Optomechatronics Research Center, Busan 46241, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Elevated Expression of JMJD5 Protein Due to Decreased miR-3656 Levels Contributes to Cancer Stem Cell-like Phenotypes under Overexpression of Cancer Upregulated Gene 2. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12010122. [PMID: 35053270 PMCID: PMC8774111 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of cancer upregulated gene (CUG) 2 induces cancer stem cell-like phenotypes, such as enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, sphere formation, and doxorubicin resistance. However, the precise mechanism of CUG2-induced oncogenesis remains unknown. We evaluated the effects of overexpression of CUG2 on microRNA levels using a microRNA microarray. Levels of miR-3656 were decreased when CUG2 was overexpressed; on the basis of this result, we further examined the target proteins of this microRNA. We focused on Jumonji C domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5), as it has not been previously reported to be targeted by miR-3656. When CUG2 was overexpressed, JMJD5 expression was upregulated compared to that in control cells. A 3′ untranslated region (UTR) assay revealed that an miR-3656 mimic targeted the JMJD5 3′UTR, but the miR-3656 mimic failed to target a mutant JMJD5 3′UTR, indicating that miR-3656 targets the JMJD5 transcript. Administration of the miR-3656 mimic decreased the protein levels of JMD5 according to Western blotting. Additionally, the miR-3656 mimic decreased CUG2-induced cell migration, evasion, and sphere formation and sensitized the cells to doxorubicin. Suppression of JMJD5, with its small interfering RNA, impeded CUG2-induced cancer stem cell-like phenotypes. Thus, overexpression of CUG2 decreases miR-3656 levels, leading to upregulation of JMJD5, eventually contributing to cancer stem cell-like phenotypes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhou Y, Chai H, Guo L, Dai Z, Lai J, Duan J, Liu Y, Ding Q. Knockdown of CENPW Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Inactivating E2F Signaling. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2021; 20:15330338211007253. [PMID: 33973496 PMCID: PMC8120521 DOI: 10.1177/15330338211007253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of centromere protein W (CENPW, also known as CUG2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: CENPW expression in HCC tissues and cells was detected by RT-qPCR assay. CCK-8 and colony formation assay were used to assess cell proliferation. Wound healing and Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration and invasion, respectively. The flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Results: CENPW expression was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of CENPW inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced the G0/G1 phase arrest and cell apoptosis in HCC cells, which might involve the E2F signaling regulation. Conclusion: CENPW acted as an oncogenic role in HCC progression via activation E2F signaling. Our findings may provide new insights into the studying mechanisms of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Zhou
- Department of Physical Therapy, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Chai
- Department of Liver Disease, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongqiu Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianming Lai
- Medical College, 12593Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Duan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanting Liu
- Department of Ten Areas of Liver Disease, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qingdao No.6 People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rodrigues ACBDC, Costa RGA, Silva SLR, Dias IRSB, Dias RB, Bezerra DP. Cell signaling pathways as molecular targets to eliminate AML stem cells. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103277. [PMID: 33716201 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains the most lethal of leukemias and a small population of cells called leukemic stem cells (LSCs) has been associated with disease relapses. Some cell signaling pathways play an important role in AML survival, proliferation and self-renewal properties and are abnormally activated or suppressed in LSCs. This includes the NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, Notch, EGFR, JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, TGF/SMAD and PPAR pathways. This review aimed to discuss these pathways as molecular targets for eliminating AML LSCs. Herein, inhibitors/activators of these pathways were summarized as a potential new anti-AML therapy capable of eliminating LSCs to guide future researches. The clinical use of cell signaling pathways data can be useful to enhance the anti-AML therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafaela G A Costa
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Suellen L R Silva
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Ingrid R S B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yawut N, Kaewpiboon C, Budluang P, Cho IR, Kaowinn S, Koh SS, Chung YH. Overexpression of Cancer Upregulated Gene 2 (CUG2) Decreases Spry2 Through c-Cbl, Leading to Activation of EGFR and β-Catenin Signaling. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:10243-10250. [PMID: 33116878 PMCID: PMC7573319 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s271109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The mechanism by which cancer upregulated gene 2 (CUG2) overexpression induces cancer stem cell-like phenotypes is not fully understood. Because the increased activity and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase have been reported in A549 cancer cells overexpressing CUG2 (A549-CUG2) compared with control cells (A549-Vec), the Sprouty2 (Spry2) protein has gained attention as the downstream molecule of EGFR signaling. Therefore, we aim to identify the role of Spry2 in CUG2-overexpressing lung cancer cells. Materials and Methods Spry2 expression levels were examined in A549-CUG2 and A549-Vec cells by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. Cell migration, invasion, and sphere formation were examined after Spry2 suppression and overexpression. EGFR-Stat1 and Akt-ERK protein phosphorylation levels were detected via immunoblotting. NEK2 kinase and β-catenin reporter assay were performed for downstream of Spry2 signaling. Results Although A549-CUG2 cells showed lower levels of the Spry2 protein than A549-Vec cells, no difference in levels of Spry2 transcript was observed between both cells via qRT-PCR. Furthermore, MG132 treatment enhanced the protein levels and ubiquitination of Spry2, suggesting that Spry2 protein expression can be regulated via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The enforced expression of c-Cbl, known as the binding partner of Spry2, decreased the Spry2 protein levels, whereas its knockdown oppositely increased them. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and sphere formation were increased in A549-Vec cells during Spry2 siRNA treatment, confirming the role of Spry2 in CUG2-induced oncogenesis. Furthermore, EMT and sphere formation were determined by the Spry2 protein levels through the regulation of EGFR-Stat1 and β-catenin-NEK2-Yap1 signaling pathways. Conclusion CUG2 reduces Spry2 protein levels, the negative signaling molecule of cell proliferation, via c-Cbl, possibly activating the EGFR and β-catenin signaling pathways and, in turn, contributing to the induction of cancer stem cell-like phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natpaphan Yawut
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Chutima Kaewpiboon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Thaksin University, Pattalung 93210, Thailand
| | - Phatcharaporn Budluang
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Rae Cho
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sirichat Kaowinn
- Department of General Science and Liberal Arts, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang Prince of Chumphon Campus, Chumphon 86160, Thailand
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hwa Chung
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yang L, Shi P, Zhao G, Xu J, Peng W, Zhang J, Zhang G, Wang X, Dong Z, Chen F, Cui H. Targeting cancer stem cell pathways for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:8. [PMID: 32296030 PMCID: PMC7005297 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 877] [Impact Index Per Article: 219.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first identified in leukemia in 1994, they have been considered promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. These cells have self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential and contribute to multiple tumor malignancies, such as recurrence, metastasis, heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and radiation resistance. The biological activities of CSCs are regulated by several pluripotent transcription factors, such as OCT4, Sox2, Nanog, KLF4, and MYC. In addition, many intracellular signaling pathways, such as Wnt, NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), Notch, Hedgehog, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription), PI3K/AKT/mTOR (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin), TGF (transforming growth factor)/SMAD, and PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor), as well as extracellular factors, such as vascular niches, hypoxia, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular matrix, and exosomes, have been shown to be very important regulators of CSCs. Molecules, vaccines, antibodies, and CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) cells have been developed to specifically target CSCs, and some of these factors are already undergoing clinical trials. This review summarizes the characterization and identification of CSCs, depicts major factors and pathways that regulate CSC development, and discusses potential targeted therapy for CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Gaichao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China.
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|