Knockdown of NAPA using short-hairpin RNA sensitizes cancer cells to cisplatin: Implications to overcome chemoresistance

CRNDE acts as an epigenetic modulator of the p300/YY1 complex to promote HCC progression and therapeutic resistance

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary liver malignancies worldwide. The long-term prognosis for HCC remains extremely poor, with drug resistance being the major underlying cause of recurrence and mortality. The lncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) is an epigenetic mediator and plays an important role to drive proliferation and drug resistance in HCC. However, CRNDE as an epigenetic regulator with influences sorafenib resistance in HCC is unclear. Thus, we explore the potential of targeting the CRNDE/p300/YY1 axis as a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome sorafenib resistance of HCC.

Method

Detection of the expression level of CRNDE and EGFR in clinical specimens of HCC. CRNDE, EGFR, p300, and YY1expression were altered in HCC cells through transfection with different plasmids, and cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and sorafenib resistance were subsequently observed. Immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, re-chromatin immunoprecipitation, site-directed mutagenesis, RNA Immunoprecipitation, immune fluorescence, qRT-PCR, and western blotting were performed to uncover the mechanisms of CRNDE regulation. The xenograft nude mice model was used to investigate the tumor growth and sorafenib resistance.

Results

In this study, we showed that CRNDE expression is significantly positively correlated with that of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in clinical specimens of HCC and induces proliferation and sorafenib resistance of HCC via EGFR-mediated signaling. Mechanistically, CRNDE stabilized the p300/YY1 complex at the EGFR promoter and simultaneously enhanced histone H3K9 and H3K27 acetylation, which serve as markers of relaxed chromatin. EGFR was positively upregulated by the epigenetic complex, p300/YY1, in a manner dependent on CRNDE expression, leading to enhanced tumor cell proliferation and sorafenib resistance. Furthermore, C646, a p300 inhibitor, suppressed EGFR transcriptional activity by decreasing chromatin relaxation and YY1 binding, which effectively reduced proliferation/sorafenib resistance and prolonged overall survival.

Conclusion

Our collective findings support the potential of targeting the CRNDE/p300/YY1 axis as a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome sorafenib resistance of HCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-022-01326-3.

HRD1 in human malignant neoplasms: Molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategy for cancer

In tumor cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays an essential role in maintaining cellular proteostasis by stimulating unfolded protein response (UPR) underlying stress conditions. ER-associated degradation (ERAD) is a critical pathway of the UPR to protect cells from ER stress-induced apoptosis and the elimination of unfolded or misfolded proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl reductase degradation (HRD1) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase plays an essential role in the ubiquitination and dislocation of misfolded protein in ERAD. In addition, HRD1 can target other normal folded proteins. In various types of cancer, the expression of HRD1 is dysregulated, and it targets different molecules to develop cancer hallmarks or suppress the progression of the disease. Recent investigations have defined the role of HRD1 in drug resistance in types of cancer. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of HRD1 and its roles in cancer pathogenesis and discusses the worthiness of targeting HRD1 as a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer.

Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Induces RHAMM-Dependent Motility in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via PI3K-Akt-Oct-1 Signaling

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which represents one of the most common cancers worldwide. Recent studies suggest that HBV's protein X (HBx) plays a crucial role in HCC development and progression. Earlier, genome-wide analysis identified that the receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) represents a putative oncogene and is overexpressed in many human cancers, including HCC. However, the mechanism underlying RHAMM upregulation and its role in tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here, we show that ectopic expression of HBx activates the PI3K/Akt/Oct-1 pathway and upregulates RHAMM expression in HCC cells. HBx overexpression leads to dissociation of C/EBPβ from the RHAMM gene promoter, thereby inducing RHAMM upregulation. RHAMM knockdown attenuates HBx-induced cell migration and invasion in vitro. In mice, HBx promotes cancer cell colonization via RHAMM upregulation, resulting in enhanced metastasis. Analysis of gene expression datasets reveals that RHAMM mRNA level is upregulated in patients with HCC with poor prognosis. IMPLICATIONS: These results indicate that RHAMM expression is upregulated by HBx, a process that depends on the inhibition of C/EBPβ activity and activation of the PI3K/Akt/Oct-1 pathway. These results have several implications for the treatment of HBV-positive HCC involving upregulation of RHAMM and cancer metastasis. VISUAL OVERVIEW: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/18/3/375/F1.large.jpg.

Pleiotropic effects of alpha-SNAP M105I mutation on oocyte biology: ultrastructural and cellular changes that adversely affect female fertility in mice

After sperm-oocyte fusion, cortical granules (CGs) located in oocyte cortex undergo exocytosis and their content is released into the perivitelline space to avoid polyspermy. Thus, cortical granule exocytosis (CGE) is a key process for fertilization success. We have demonstrated that alpha-SNAP -and its functional partner NSF- mediate fusion of CGs with the plasma membrane in mouse oocytes. Here, we examined at cellular and ultrastructural level oocytes from hyh (hydrocephalus with hop gait) mice, which present a missense mutation in the Napa gene that results in the substitution of methionine for isoleucine at position 105 (M105I) of alpha-SNAP. Mutated alpha-SNAP was mislocalized in hyh oocytes while NSF expression increased during oocyte maturation. Staining of CGs showed that 9.8% of hyh oocytes had abnormal localization of CGs and oval shape. Functional tests showed that CGE was impaired in hyh oocytes. Interestingly, in vitro fertilization assays showed a decreased fertilization rate for hyh oocytes. Furthermore, fertilized hyh oocytes presented an increased polyspermy rate compared to wild type ones. At ultrastructural level, hyh oocytes showed small mitochondria and a striking accumulation and secretion of degradative structures. Our findings demonstrate the negative effects of alpha-SNAP M105 mutation on oocyte biology and further confirm the relevance of alpha-SNAP in female fertility.

Enhanced Stim1 expression is associated with acquired chemo-resistance of cisplatin in osteosarcoma cells

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor. Although cisplatin is the primary chemotherapy used in osteosarcoma treatment, the cisplatin resistance remains a big challenge for improving overall survival. The store-operated calcium (Ca²⁺) entry (SOCE) and its major mediator Stim1 have been shown to be implicated in a number of pathological processes typical for cancer. In this study, we showed that Stim1 expression was significantly increased in chemo-resistant osteosarcoma tissues compared with chemo-sensitivity tissues. Patients with Sitm1 expression exhibited poorer overall survival than Stim1-negative patients. Moreover, un-regulation of Stim1 expression and SOCE were also observed in cisplatin-resistant MG63/CDDP cells compared with their parental cells. Cisplatin treatment obviously reduced Stim1 expression and SOCE in cisplatin-sensitivity MG63 cells, but had no effects on MG63/CDDP cells. In addition, cisplatin resulted in a more pronounced increase of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in MG63 cells than in their resistant variants, which was evidenced by the activation of molecular markers of ER stress, GRP78, CHOP and ATF4. Knockdown of Stim1 using siRNA remarkably enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis and ER stress in MG63/CDDP cells, thereby sensitizing cancer cells to cisplatin. On the other hand, overexpression of Stim1 markedly reversed apoptosis and ER stress following cisplatin treatment. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Stim1 as well as Ca²⁺ entry contributes cisplatin resistance via inhibition of ER stress-mediated apoptosis, and provide important clues to the mechanisms involved in cisplatin resistance for osteosarcoma treatment. Stim1 represents as a target of cisplatin and blockade of Stim1-mediated Ca²⁺ entry may be a useful strategy to improve the efficacy of cisplatin to treat osteosarcoma.

Cisplatin Induces Apoptosis Through the Endoplasmic Reticulum-mediated, Calpain 1 Pathway in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type that can be treated using platinum-based chemotherapy such as cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II). Although the calpain protein is essential in many cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell signaling, and proliferation, its role in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in TNBC cells is not fully understood. The present study assessed calpain 1-dependent, cisplatin-induced apoptosis in TNBC cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MDA-MB231 cells were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin (0, 20, and 40 μM). The cisplatin deposit and its effect on endoplasmic reticulum and, subsequently, calcium release were detected using transmission electron microscopy and Von Koss staining, respectively. Calpain 1 messenger RNA, protein content, and apoptosis was measured using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and Hoechst stain, respectively. In addition, calpain modulation, by either activation or inhibition, and its effect on cisplatin-induced apoptosis were assessed.

RESULTS

Our results showed that cisplatin induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, indicated by an increase in calcium staining and protein expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 and calmodulin, followed by cleavage of α-fodrin and caspase-12 and, eventually, apoptosis. Cyclopiazonic acid showed a similar effect and enhanced the sensitivity of these cells to cisplatin treatment. In contrast, calpain 1 inhibition by both specific small interfering RNA and exogenous inhibitor (calpeptin) attenuated cisplatin-induced apoptosis in these cells.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these findings suggest, for the first time, that calpain 1 activation by endoplasmic reticulum plays an essential role in sensitizing TNBC cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. This finding will allow exploration of new insights for the treatment of TNBC by overcoming its resistance to apoptosis.

Transcriptomic profiling of taxol-resistant ovarian cancer cells identifies FKBP5 and the androgen receptor as critical markers of chemotherapeutic response

Taxol is a mitotoxin widely used to treat human cancers, including of the breast and ovary. However, taxol resistance (txr) limits treatment efficacy in human patients. To study chemoresistance in ovarian cancer, we established txr ovarian carcinoma cells derived from the SKOV3 cell lineage. The cells obtained were cross-resistant to other mitotoxins such as vincristine while they showed no resistance to the genotoxin cisplatin. Transcriptomic analysis identified 112 highly up-regulated genes in txr cells. Surprisingly, FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5) was transiently up-regulated 100-fold in txr cells but showed decreased expression in prolonged culture. Silencing of FKBP5 sensitized txr cells to taxol, whereas ectopic expression of FKBP5 increased resistance to the drug. Modulation of FKBP5 expression produced similar effects in response to vincristine but not to cisplatin. We observed that a panel of newly identified txr genes was trancriptionally regulated by FKBP5 and silencing of these genes sensitized cells to taxol. Notably, immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that FKBP5 forms a protein complex with the androgen receptor (AR), and this complex regulates the transcriptional activity of both proteins. Furthermore, we found that the Akt kinase pathway is regulated by FKBP5. These results indicate that the FKBP5/AR complex may affect cancer cell sensitivity to taxol by regulating expression of txr genes. Our findings suggest that mitotoxin-based treatment against ovarian cancer should be avoided when the Akt/FKBP5/AR axis is activated.

CITED2 silencing sensitizes cancer cells to cisplatin by inhibiting p53 trans-activation and chromatin relaxation on the ERCC1 DNA repair gene

In this study, we show that silencing of CITED2 using small-hairpin RNA (shCITED2) induced DNA damage and reduction of ERCC1 gene expression in HEK293, HeLa and H1299 cells, even in the absence of cisplatin. In contrast, ectopic expression of ERCC1 significantly reduced intrinsic and induced DNA damage levels, and rescued the effects of CITED2 silencing on cell viability. The effects of CITED2 silencing on DNA repair and cell death were associated with p53 activity. Furthermore, CITED2 silencing caused severe elimination of the p300 protein and markers of relaxed chromatin (acetylated H3 and H4, i.e. H3K9Ac and H3K14Ac) in HEK293 cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further revealed that DNA damage induced binding of p53 along with H3K9Ac or H3K14Ac at the ERCC1 promoter, an effect which was almost entirely abrogated by silencing of CITED2 or p300. Moreover, lentivirus-based CITED2 silencing sensitized HeLa cell line-derived tumor xenografts to cisplatin in immune-deficient mice. These results demonstrate that CITED2/p300 can be recruited by p53 at the promoter of the repair gene ERCC1 in response to cisplatin-induced DNA damage. The CITED2/p300/p53/ERCC1 pathway is thus involved in the cell response to cisplatin and represents a potential target for cancer therapy.

EBV-encoded LMP-1 sensitizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to genotoxic drugs by down-regulating Cabin1 expression

The oncogenic latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is involved in the pathogenesis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and lymphoma. We and other authors have shown earlier that LMP1 induces apoptosis and inhibits xenograft tumor growth in mice, but the mechanism underlying these processes has not been investigated so far. In the present study, we show that knockdown of LMP1 renders the EBV-positive NPC cell line CG-1 resistant to various genotoxic drugs (cisplatin, etoposide, and adriamycin). LMP1 inhibits the expression of Cabin1, a Ca(2+) regulated protein shown earlier to inhibit calcineurin. Knockdown of calcineurin binding protein (Cabin1) with small hairpin RNA sensitizes CG-1 cells to genotoxic drugs. In contrast, LMP1 overexpression reduces Cabin1 level and renders both CG-1 cells and EBV-negative NPC cell lines sensitive to cisplatin. The c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and ERK pathways are required for LMP1-induced suppression of Cabin1 at the transcriptional level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further confirm that the JNK-activated transcription factor AP-1 mediates the LMP1-induced down-regulation of Cabin1 gene expression. LMP1 knockdown also increases the resistance of xenograph tumors to cisplatin in mice, therefore confirming the relevance of our findings in vivo. This study reveals the molecular mechanism underlying the pro-apoptotic activity of LMP1 during cisplatin-based NPC chemotherapy.

N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein α (αSNAP) regulates matrix adhesion and integrin processing in human epithelial cells

Integrin-based adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays critical roles in controlling differentiation, survival, and motility of epithelial cells. Cells attach to the ECM via dynamic structures called focal adhesions (FA). FA undergo constant remodeling mediated by vesicle trafficking and fusion. A soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein α (αSNAP) is an essential mediator of membrane fusion; however, its roles in regulating ECM adhesion and cell motility remain unexplored. In this study, we found that siRNA-mediated knockdown of αSNAP induced detachment of intestinal epithelial cells, whereas overexpression of αSNAP increased ECM adhesion and inhibited cell invasion. Loss of αSNAP impaired Golgi-dependent glycosylation and trafficking of β1 integrin and decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin resulting in FA disassembly. These effects of αSNAP depletion on ECM adhesion were independent of apoptosis and NSF. In agreement with our previous reports that Golgi fragmentation mediates cellular effects of αSNAP knockdown, we found that either pharmacologic or genetic disruption of the Golgi recapitulated all the effects of αSNAP depletion on ECM adhesion. Furthermore, our data implicates β1 integrin, FAK, and paxillin in mediating the observed pro-adhesive effects of αSNAP. These results reveal novel roles for αSNAP in regulating ECM adhesion and motility of epithelial cells.

Inauhzin sensitizes p53-dependent cytotoxicity and tumor suppression of chemotherapeutic agents

Toxicity and chemoresistance are two major issues to hamper the success of current standard tumor chemotherapy. Combined therapy of agents with different mechanisms of action is a feasible and effective means to minimize the side effects and avoid the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs while improving the antitumor effects. As the most essential tumor suppressor, p53 or its pathway has been an attractive target to develop a new type of molecule-targeting anticancer therapy. Recently, we identified a small molecule, Inauhzin (INZ), which can specifically activate p53 by inducing its deacetylation. In this study, we tested if combination with INZ could sensitize tumor cells to the current chemotherapeutic drugs, cisplatin (CIS) and doxorubicin (DOX). We found that compared with any single treatment, combination of lower doses of INZ and CIS or DOX significantly promoted apoptosis and cell growth inhibition in human non-small lung cancer and colon cancer cell lines in a p53-dependent fashion. This cooperative effect between INZ and CIS on tumor suppression was also confirmed in a xenograft tumor model. Therefore, this study suggests that specifically targeting the p53 pathway could enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents and markedly reduce the doses of the chemotherapy, possibly decreasing its adverse side effects.

Napsin A as a marker of clear cell ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Clear cell carcinomas are aggressive tumors with a distinct biologic behaviour. In a genome-wide screening for genes involved in chemo-resistance, NAPA was over-expressed in cisplatin-resistant cells. The NAPA (protein) Napsin A was described to promote resistance to cisplatin by degradation of the tumor suppressor p53.

METHODS

Totally 131 patients were included in this study all in FIGO-stages I-II; 16 were clear cell tumors which were compared with 40 Type I tumors and 75 type II tumors according to the markers Napsin A, p21, p53 and p27 and some clinical features. For detection of the markers tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry were used.

RESULTS

Positivity for Napsin A was detected in 12 (80%) out of the 15 clear cell tumors available for analysis compared with 3 (4%) out of the Type I and II tumors in one group (p<0.001). Differences in p21 status, p53 status, and p21+p53- status were striking when clear cell tumors were compared with Type I, Type II, and Type I and II tumors in one group, respectively. The p21+p53-status was associated to positive staining of Napsin A (p=0.0015) and clear cell morphology (p=0.0003). In two separate multivariate logistic regression analyses with Napsin A as endpoint both clear cell carcinoma with OR=153 (95% C.I. 21-1107); (p<001) and p21+p53- status with OR=5.36 (95% C.I. 1.6-17.5); (p=0.005) were independent predictive factors. ROC curves showed that AUC for Napsin A alone was 0.882, for p21+p53- it was 0.720 and for p21+p53-Napsin A+AUC was 0.795. Patients with clear cell tumors had lower (p=0.013) BMI than Type I patients and were younger (p=0.046) at diagnosis than Type II patients. Clear cell tumors had a higher frequency (p=0.039) of capsule rupture at surgery than Type I and II tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Positivity of Napsin A in an epithelial ovarian tumor might strengthen the morphological diagnosis of clear cell ovarian carcinoma in the process of differential diagnosis between clear cell ovarian tumors and other histological subtypes.

Sorafenib induces endometrial carcinoma apoptosis by inhibiting Elk-1-dependent Mcl-1 transcription and inducing Akt/GSK3β-dependent protein degradation

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is one of the main gynecologic malignancies affecting women, but effective treatments are currently lacking. In the present study, we investigated the effect of sorafenib, a general kinase inhibitor, on several EC cell lines (HEC1A, HEC1B, and RL95-2). Sorafenib induced cell death in EC cells with the following order of sensitivity: HEC1A > HEC1B > RL95-2. Sorafenib suppressed several anti-apoptotic proteins in HEC1A cells, including myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1). Ectopic overexpression of Mcl-1 prevented the cell killing effect of sorafenib. Sorafenib suppressed Mcl-1 at the gene transactivation level by inactivating the ERK/Elk-1 pathway. Accordingly, the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on Mcl-1 expression decreased following knockdown of Elk-1 using short-hairpin RNA (shRNA). Elk-1 overexpression rescued both the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on Mcl-1 expression and the cell killing effect of sorafenib. Furthermore, sorafenib reduced the stability of the Mcl-1 protein by enhancing its ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome via the AKT/GSK3β and the ERK pathways. Similar results were detected in other EC cell lines. These results indicate that sorafenib induces apoptosis in EC cells by down-regulating the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 via transcriptional inhibition and protein degradation. Our results thus support the notion that sorafenib may be used in endometrial cancer therapy.

A new strategy of promoting cisplatin chemotherapeutic efficiency by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, CDDP) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents and is widely used in the treatment of solid tumors. However, its side effects and acquired resistance gained during the course of treatment may limit its usage. It is generally considered to be a cytotoxic drug that kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA and inhibiting DNA synthesis to induce apoptosis via the mitochondrial death pathway or through plasma membrane disruption, triggering the Fas death receptor pathway. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is one of the most important protein-folding compartments within the cell and an intracellular Ca²⁺ storage organelle. The ER contains a number of molecular chaperones, which may play an important role in determining cellular sensitivity to ER stress and apoptosis. The aim of this review was to summarize our current understanding regarding the mechanisms of ER stress response by which cisplatin induces cell death and the basis for cisplatin resistance. Various aspects were addressed, including the two-way regulation of ER stress, the involvement of ER stress in cisplatin-induced cell death and drug resistance and the drugs enhancing cisplatin-induced cell death by interfering with ER stress. An understanding of how ER stress signaling pathways regulate cisplatin-induced cell death may enable the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.

Golgi-SNARE GS28 potentiates cisplatin-induced apoptosis by forming GS28-MDM2-p53 complexes and by preventing the ubiquitination and degradation of p53

In the present study, we observed that the Golgi-SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein-attachment protein receptor) GS28 forms a complex with p53 in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells. Given that p53 represents a tumour suppressor that affects the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs, we examined whether GS28 may influence the level of sensitivity to the DNA-damaging drug cisplatin. Indeed, knockdown of GS28 using short-hairpin RNA (shGS28) induced resistance to cisplatin in HEK-293 cells. On the other hand, overexpression of GS28 sensitized HEK-293 cells to cisplatin, whereas no sensitization effect was noted for the mitotic spindle-damaging drugs vincristine and taxol. Accordingly, we observed that knockdown of GS28 reduced the accumulation of p53 and its pro-apoptotic target Bax. Conversely, GS28 overexpression induced the accumulation of p53 and Bax as well as the pro-apoptotic phosphorylation of p53 on Ser(46). Further experiments showed that these cellular responses could be abrogated by the p53 inhibitor PFT-α (pifithrin-α), indicating that GS28 may affect the stability and activity of p53. The modulatory effects of GS28 on cisplatin sensitivity and p53 stability were absent in lung cancer H1299 cells which are p53-null. As expected, ectopic expression of p53 in H1299 cells restored the modulatory effects of GS28 on sensitivity to cisplatin. In addition, GS28 was found to form a complex with the p53 E3 ligase MDM2 (murine double minute 2) in H1299 cells. Furthermore, the ubiquitination of p53 was reduced by overexpression of GS28 in cells, confirming that GS28 enhances the stability of the p53 protein. Taken together, these results suggest that GS28 may potentiate cells to DNA-damage-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the ubiquitination and degradation of p53.

Sub-proteomic study on macrophage response to Candida albicans unravels new proteins involved in the host defense against the fungus

In previous proteomic studies on the response of murine macrophages against Candida albicans, many differentially expressed proteins involved in processes like inflammation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, stress response and metabolism were identified. In order to look for proteins important for the macrophage response, but in a lower concentration in the cell, 3 sub-cellular extracts were analyzed: cytosol, organelle/membrane and nucleus enriched fractions from RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed or not to C. albicans SC5314 for 3 h. The samples were studied using DIGE technology, and 17 new differentially expressed proteins were identified. This sub-cellular fractionation permitted the identification of 2 mitochondrion proteins, a membrane receptor, Galectin-3, and some ER related proteins, that are not easily detected in total cell extracts. Besides, the study of different fractions allowed us to detect, not only total increase in Galectin-3 protein amount, but its distinct allocation along the interaction. The identified proteins are involved in the pro-inflammatory and oxidative responses, immune response, unfolded protein response and apoptosis. Some of these processes increase the host response and others could be the effect of C. albicans resistance to phagocytosis. Thus, the sub-proteomic approach has been a very useful tool to identify new proteins involved in macrophage-fungus interaction. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translational Proteomics.

Knockdown of HURP inhibits the proliferation of hepacellular carcinoma cells via downregulation of gankyrin and accumulation of p53

We determined earlier that the hepatoma upregulated protein (HURP) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the role of this protein during cancer development and progression remains unknown. Here, we observed that the overexpression of HURP in HEK293 cells promoted the ubiquitination of p53 and its degradation by the proteasome. In contrast, HURP knockdown using short-hairpin RNA reversed these effects. Knockdown of HURP promoted the accumulation of p53 in SK-Hep-1 cells (p53+/-), and these cells showed reduced proliferation, while the p53-mutant Mahlavu cells were not affected. HURP knockdown did not affect the proliferation of H1299 lung carcinoma cells and Hep3B HCC cells which lack p53. Knockdown of HURP also sensitized SK-Hep-1 cells to cisplatin. On the other hand, the expression of exogenous p53 in H1299 and Hep3B cells was decreased following overexpression of HURP, and these cells showed decreased sensitivity to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Importantly, overexpression of HURP promoted the proliferation of HEK293 cells in an anchorage-independent manner, and inoculation of SK-Hep-1 cancer cells that expressed short-hairpin RNA to knockdown HURP resulted in smaller tumors in nude mice. Gankyrin, a positive regulator of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2, was found to be upregulated following HURP expression, and gankyrin knockdown decreased the HURP-mediated downregulation of p53. Notably, we detected a positive correlation between elevated HURP and gankyrin protein levels in HCC patients (r(2) = 0.778; N = 9). Taken together, these results indicate that HURP represents an oncogene that may play a role in HCC progression and chemoresistance.

Loss of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein α (αSNAP) induces epithelial cell apoptosis via down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and disruption of the Golgi

Intracellular trafficking represents a key mechanism that regulates cell fate by participating in either prodeath or prosurvival signaling. Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein α (αSNAP) is a well known component of vesicle trafficking machinery that mediates intermembrane fusion. αSNAP increases cell resistance to cytotoxic stimuli, although mechanisms of its prosurvival function are poorly understood. In this study, we found that either siRNA-mediated knockdown of αSNAP or expression of its dominant negative mutant induced epithelial cell apoptosis. Apoptosis was not caused by activation of the major prodeath regulators Bax and p53 and was independent of a key αSNAP binding partner, NSF. Instead, death of αSNAP-depleted cells was accompanied by down-regulation of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein; it was mimicked by inhibition and attenuated by overexpression of Bcl-2. Knockdown of αSNAP resulted in impairment of Golgi to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) trafficking and fragmentation of the Golgi. Moreover, pharmacological disruption of ER-Golgi transport by brefeldin A and eeyarestatin 1 or siRNA-mediated depletion of an ER/Golgi-associated p97 ATPase recapitulated the effects of αSNAP inhibition by decreasing Bcl-2 level and triggering apoptosis. These results reveal a novel role for αSNAP in promoting epithelial cell survival by unique mechanisms involving regulation of Bcl-2 expression and Golgi biogenesis.

Latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein-Barr virus sensitizes cancer cells to cisplatin by enhancing NF-κB p50 homodimer formation and downregulating NAPA expression

Expression of the oncogenic latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus is involved in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and lymphoma. In previous studies, we found that expression of LMP1 was sufficient to transform BALB/c-3T3 cells. In contrast, other studies have shown that LMP1 induces apoptosis in a NF-κB-dependent manner and also inhibits the growth of tumors in mice, thereby indicating that LMP1 may produce various biological effects depending on the biological and cellular context. Still, the mechanism underlying the pro-apoptotic activity of LMP1 remains unclear. In the present study, we found that LMP1 inhibits the expression of NAPA, an endoplasmic reticulum SNARE protein that possesses anti-apoptotic properties against the DNA-damaging drug cisplatin. Accordingly, LMP1-transformed BALB/c-3T3 cells were sensitized to cisplatin-induced apoptosis, whereas no sensitization effect was noted following treatment with the mitotic spindle-damaging drugs vincristine and taxol. Knockdown of LMP1 with antisense oligonucleotides restored NAPA protein level and rendered the cells resistant to cisplatin. Similarly, overexpression of NAPA reduced the effect of LMP1 and induced resistance to cisplatin. LMP1 was shown to upregulate the NF-κB subunit p50, leading to formation of p50 homodimers on the NAPA promoter. These findings suggest that the viral protein LMP1 may sensitize cancer cells to cisplatin chemotherapy by downregulating NAPA and by enhancing the formation of p50 homodimers which in turn inhibit the expression of NF-κB regulated anti-apoptotic genes. These findings provide an explanatory mechanism for the pro-apoptotic activity of LMP1 as well as new therapeutic targets to control tumor growth.

Silencing of the SNARE protein NAPA sensitizes cancer cells to cisplatin by inducing ERK1/2 signaling, synoviolin ubiquitination and p53 accumulation

We found earlier that NAPA represents an anti-apoptotic protein that promotes resistance to cisplatin in cancer cells by inducing the degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. In the present study, we investigated the cellular mechanism underlying the degradation of p53 by NAPA. Knockdown of NAPA using short-hairpin RNA was shown to induce p53 accumulation and to sensitize HEK293 cells to cisplatin. On the other hand, this sensitization effect was not found in H1299 lung carcinoma cells which lack p53. Expression of exogenous p53 in H1299 cells was increased following knockdown of NAPA and these cells showed increased sensitivity to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Notably, knockdown of NAPA induced the ubiquitination and degradation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase synoviolin and the accumulation of p53 in unstressed HEK293 cells. Conversely, NAPA overexpression decreased the ubiquitination and degradation of synoviolin, and reduced p53 protein level. Knockdown of NAPA disrupted the interaction between synoviolin and proteins that form the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) complex and in turn decreased the ability of this complex to ubiquitinate p53. In addition, knockdown of NAPA induced the activation of the MAPK kinases ERK, JNK and p38, but only inhibition of ERK reduced synoviolin ubiquitination and p53 accumulation. These results indicate that NAPA promotes resistance to cisplatin through synoviolin and the ERAD complex which together induce the degradation of p53 and thus prevent apoptosis. Based on these findings, we propose that the combination of cisplatin and knockdown of NAPA represents a novel and attractive strategy to eradicate p53-sensitive cancer cells.

Calpains as potential anti-cancer targets

INTRODUCTION

The intracellular signaling cysteine proteases, calpains (specifically the ubiquitous calpains 1 and 2), are involved in numerous physiological and pathological phenomena. Several works have highlighted the implication of calpains in processes crucial for cancer development and progression. For these reasons, calpains are considered by several authors as potential anti-cancer targets.

AREAS COVERED

How calpains are implicated in cancer formation and development, how these enzymes are deregulated in cancer cells and how these proteases could be targeted by anti-cancer drugs. Studies published in the last 10 years are focused on.

EXPERT OPINION

Targeting calpain activity with specific inhibitors could be a novel approach to limiting development of primary tumors and formation of metastases, by inhibiting tumor cell migration and invasion, which allows dissemination as well as tumor neovascularization, which in turn allows expansion. However, such drugs could interfere with anti-cancer treatments, as ubiquitous calpains play crucial roles in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. For these reasons, drugs targeting calpains would have to be used selectively to avoid interference with other treatments and physiological processes. Further studies will be required concerning the other members of the calpain family and their potential implication in cancer development before considering treatments targeting their activity.