UHRF1 promotes aerobic glycolysis and proliferation via suppression of SIRT4 in pancreatic cancer

m6A-mediated regulation of CPSF6 by METTL3 promotes oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer through enhanced glycolysis

Oxaliplatin resistance poses a significant challenge in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Recent studies have implicated CPSF6 in cancer progression and drug resistance, although its role in chemotherapy resistance and regulatory mechanisms is unclear. This study investigates CPSF6's involvement in oxaliplatin resistance in CRC and its regulation via m6A methylation by METTL3. We assessed CPSF6 expression in oxaliplatin-resistant (OxR) CRC cell lines (HT29-OxR and HCT116-OxR) compared to sensitive counterparts using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. CPSF6 was significantly upregulated in OxR cells, and its knockdown reduced cell viability, colony formation, and glycolytic activity while increasing apoptosis. m6A modification of CPSF6 mRNA was elevated in OxR cells, correlating with increased METTL3 expression. METTL3 knockdown decreased CPSF6 levels and m6A enrichment, enhancing mRNA degradation, while its overexpression stabilized CPSF6 mRNA, promoting resistance. Xenograft experiments showed that CPSF6 knockdown suppressed tumor growth and glycolysis. Thus, CPSF6 is identified as a mediator of oxaliplatin resistance in CRC, regulated by the METTL3/m6A axis, suggesting potential therapeutic targets to overcome resistance.

Apelin/APJ: Another Player in the Cancer Biology Network

The apelinergic system exerts multiple biological activities in human pathologies, including cancer. Overactivation of apelin/APJ, which has been detected in many malignant tumors, and the strong correlation with progression-free and overall survival, suggested the role of an oncogene for the apelin gene. Emerging evidence sheds new light on the effects of apelin on cellular functions and homeostasis in cancer cells and supports a direct role for this pathway on different hallmarks of cancer: "sustaining proliferative signaling", "resisting cell death", "activating invasion and metastasis", "inducing/accessing vasculature", "reprogramming cellular metabolism", "avoiding immune destruction" and "tumor-promoting inflammation", and "enabling replicative immortality". This article reviews the currently available literature on the intracellular processes regulated by apelin/APJ, focusing on those pathways correlated with tumor development and progression. Furthermore, the association between the activity of the apelinergic axis and the resistance of cancer cells to oncologic treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation) suggests apelin/APJ as a possible target to potentiate traditional therapies, as well as to develop diagnostic and prognostic applications. This issue will be also covered in the review.

UHRF1 promotes calcium oxalate-induced renal fibrosis by renal lipid deposition via bridging AMPK dephosphorylation

BACKGROUND

Nephrolithiasis, a common urinary system disorder, exhibits high morbidity and recurrence rates, correlating with renal dysfunction and the increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Nonetheless, the precise role of disrupted cellular metabolism in renal injury induced by calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal deposition is unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of the ubiquitin-like protein containing PHD and RING finger structural domain 1 (UHRF1) in CaOx-induced renal fibrosis and its impacts on cellular lipid metabolism.

METHODS

Various approaches, including snRNA-seq, transcriptome RNA-seq, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analyses, were employed to assess UHRF1 expression in kidneys of nephrolithiasis patients, hyperoxaluric mice, and CaOx-induced renal tubular epithelial cells. Subsequently, knockdown of UHRF1 in mice and cells corroborated its effect of UHRF1 on fibrosis, ectopic lipid deposition (ELD) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Rescue experiments using AICAR, ND-630 and Compound-C were performed in UHRF1-knockdown cells to explore the involvement of the AMPK pathway. Then we confirmed the bridging molecule and its regulatory pathway in vitro. Experimental results were finally confirmed using AICAR and chemically modified si-UHRF1 in vivo of hyperoxaluria mice model.

RESULTS

Mechanistically, UHRF1 was found to hinder the activation of the AMPK/ACC1 pathway during CaOx-induced renal fibrosis, which was mitigated by employing AICAR, an AMPK agonist. As a nuclear protein, UHRF1 facilitates nuclear translocation of AMPK and act as a molecular link targeting the protein phosphatase PP2A to dephosphorylate AMPK and inhibit its activity.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that UHRF1 promotes CaOx -induced renal fibrosis by enhancing lipid accumulation and suppressing FAO via inhibiting the AMPK pathway. These findings underscore the feasible therapeutic implications of targeting UHRF1 to prevent renal fibrosis due to stones.

Diagnostic and predictive values of m5C‑associated genes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the role of 5‑methylcytosine (m5C)‑associated genes in the pathogenesis and development of the disease remains unclear. The present study aimed to identify reliable diagnostic markers based on the expression of m5C‑associated genes for the early detection of IPF. Count data were obtained by screening the IPF genome‑wide assay in the Gene Expression Omnibus database, followed by a comparison of m5C gene expression in patients with IPF and controls. The GSE150910 and GSE173355 datasets yielded a total of 23 differentially expressed m5C‑associated genes, which were then investigated for their functions. A diagnostic model was built using eight m5C genes and validated with training sets and the GSE124685 dataset. IPF subtypes were identified based on expression of m5C‑related genes as well as clinical and immunological characteristics. Furthermore, a pulmonary fibrosis model was established in mice by administering bleomycin into the trachea. Lungs were harvested and analyzed using quantitative PCR to determine the expression of m5C‑related genes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were significantly enriched in 'base excision repair'. Immunoassay results revealed that 13 immune cell markers (naive, memory and B cell plasma, T cell CD4 naive, T cell CD4 memory resting, T cell follicular helper, T cell regulatory Tregs, NK cell resting, Monocyte, Macrophage M0, Mast cell activated, Eosinophil, and Neutrophil) were significantly associated with IPF. Patients with IPF had lower levels of resting memory CD4+ T cells, which were positively associated with Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase2 (TET2) and Thymine‑DNA glycosylase (TDG) but negatively correlated with NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase5 (NSUN5) expression. All samples were classified into based on the levels of the eight diagnostic m5C genes. Samples with high m5C scores are subtype 1, and those with low m5C scores are subtype 2. In subtype 2, male patients had lower levels of CD27 and CD70 but higher levels of CD274, CD86, Cytotoxic T‑lymphocyte‑associated protein4 and Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor2 (HAVCR2). When compared with normal mouse lung tissue samples, expression levels of NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase6 (NSUN6), Ubiquitin‑like with PHD and RING Finger Domains1, TDG and TET2 in lung fibrosis tissue samples were significantly higher, while expression levels of NSUN5, NTH‑like DNA glycosylase1, DNA (cytosine‑5‑)‑methyltransferase3 β and Methyl‑CpG binding domain protein 3) were lower. It is possible that m5C‑associated genes play an important role in the diagnosis and typing of IPF. These genes may facilitate investigation of the pathophysiology of IPF and identification of potential treatment targets.

Cis-Regulation of an m6A Eraser by an Insertion Variant Associated with Survival of Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) serves as one of the crucial RNA modifications for genes involved in cancer progression. Here, 7273 expression quantitative trait loci potentially regulating 30 m6A pathway genes are identified from the GTEx database, with 69 single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly associated with survival of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients (n = 1523) from the ongoing genome-wide association study after false positive probability tests. Notably, the rs151198415 locus, situated in a potential enhancer region, demonstrated a prolonged survival effect with the C>CCACG insertion, which is validated in an independent prospective cohort (n = 237), yielding a pooled hazard ratio of 0.72 (p = 0.007). Mechanistically, the rs151198415 C>CCACG insertion engaged in long-range interaction with the promoter of m6A eraser ALKBH5, promoting ALKBH5 transcription by the creation of an EGR1 binding site. Then, ALKBH5 upregulated FBXL5 expression by m6A demethylation, which is dependent on the ALKBH5 H204 amino acid site and specific m6A sites on FBXL5 mRNA. Finally, the ALKBH5-FBXL5 axis reduces intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, leading to PI3K/AKT and NF-kB pathway inhibition and consequently suppresses NSCLC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Triggered by an insertion variant, this remote cis-regulation of m6A eraser and the downstream molecular events modulate the survival of NSCLC patients.

UHRF1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediating renal fibrosis by activating the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway

Renal fibrosis is widely recognized as the ultimate outcome of many chronic kidney diseases. The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in the progression of fibrosis following renal injury. UHRF1, as a critical epigenetic regulator, may play an essential role in the pathogenesis and progression of renal fibrosis and EMT. However, the potential mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We aim to investigate the role of UHRF1 in EMT and renal fibrosis and to evaluate the potential benefits of Hinokitiol in preventing renal fibrosis. Based on data from the GEO and Nephroseq databases, UHRF1 exhibited high expression levels in the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model and in patients with nephropathy. Gene set enrichment analysis predicted that UHRF1 may function through the TGF-β signaling pathway in fibrosis. By establishing a TGF-β1-stimulated HK2 cell model and animal models of renal fibrosis induced by UUO and folic acid, we confirmed that UHRF1 was highly expressed in both in vitro and in vivo models of renal fibrosis. After knockdown of UHRF1 in vitro, we found that the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway was inhibited, renal tubular epithelial cell EMT was reduced and renal fibrosis was attenuated. Hinokitiol has been reported to reduce the expression of UHRF1 mRNA and protein. We observed that inhibition of UHRF1 with Hinokitiol ameliorated induced EMT and renal fibrosis by reducing SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the upregulation of UHRF1 accelerated the EMT of renal tubular cells and renal fibrosis through the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway. Hinokitiol may ameliorate renal fibrosis by suppressing the expression of UHRF1 in the kidney.

SIRT6 deficiency impairs the deacetylation and ubiquitination of UHRF1 to strengthen glycolysis and lactate secretion in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Aberrant interplay between epigenetic reprogramming and metabolic rewiring events contributes to bladder cancer progression and metastasis. How the deacetylase Sirtuin-6 (SIRT6) regulates glycolysis and lactate secretion in bladder cancer remains poorly defined. We thus aimed to study the biological functions of SIRT6 in bladder cancer.

METHODS

Bioinformatic analysis was used to study the prognostic significance of SIRT6/UHRF1 in BLCA. Both in vitro and in vivo assays were used to determine the roles of SIRT6/UHRF1 in BLCA. Deacetylation and ubiquitin assays were performed to uncover the regulations of SIRT6-UHRF1. Measurement of extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was used to assess glycolytic abilities.

RESULTS

Here, we show that protein deacetylase SIRT6 was down-regulated in BLCA, and predicts poor overall survival. SIRT6 deficiency notably enhances BLCA cell proliferation, self-renewal, and migration capacities in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SIRT6 interacts with, deacetylates, and promotes UHRF1 degradation mediated by β-TrCP1. Thus, SIRT6 deficiency leads to stabilized UHRF1 and depends on UHRF1 to accelerate BLCA malignant progression. Furthermore, UHRF1 significantly increased aerobic glycolysis via activating MCT4/HK2 expressions. Down-regulated SIRT6 thus depended on UHRF1 to promote glycolysis and lactate secretion in BLCA. Targeting UHRF1 or MCT4 notably impaired the extracellular lactate accumulations in BLCA. Significantly, a specific small-molecule inhibitor (NSC232003) targeting UHRF1 substantially inhibited SIRT6-deficient BLCA progression.

CONCLUSION

Together, our study uncovered an epigenetic mechanism of the SIRT6/UHRF1 axis in driving BLCA glycolysis and lactate secretion, creating a novel vulnerability for BLCA treatment.

Sirtuins as Key Regulators in Pancreatic Cancer: Insights into Signaling Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stands as one of the most lethal cancers, marked by rapid progression, pronounced chemoresistance, and a complex network of genetic and epigenetic dysregulation. Within this challenging context, sirtuins, NAD+-dependent deacetylases, have emerged as pivotal modulators of key cellular processes that drive pancreatic cancer progression. Each sirtuin contributes uniquely to PDAC pathogenesis. SIRT1 influences apoptosis and chemoresistance through hypoxia, enhancing glycolytic metabolism and HIF-1α signaling, which sustain tumor survival against drugs like gemcitabine. SIRT2, conversely, disrupts cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting eIF5A, while SIRT3 exerts tumor-suppressive effects by regulating mitochondrial ROS and glycolysis. SIRT4 inhibits aerobic glycolysis, and its therapeutic upregulation has shown promise in curbing PDAC progression. Furthermore, SIRT5 modulates glutamine and glutathione metabolism, offering an avenue to disrupt PDAC's metabolic dependencies. SIRT6 and SIRT7, through their roles in angiogenesis, EMT, and metastasis, represent additional targets, with modulators of SIRT6, such as JYQ-42, showing potential to reduce tumor invasiveness. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the emerging roles of sirtuins, a family of NAD+-dependent enzymes, as critical regulators within the oncogenic landscape of pancreatic cancer. This review meticulously explores the nuanced involvement of sirtuins in pancreatic cancer, elucidating their contributions to tumorigenesis and suppression through mechanisms such as metabolic reprogramming, the maintenance of genomic integrity and epigenetic modulation. Furthermore, it emphasizes the urgent need for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at precisely modulating sirtuin activity, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and optimizing patient outcomes in the context of pancreatic malignancies.

Overview of PRMT1 modulators: Inhibitors and degraders

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is pivotal in executing normal cellular functions through its catalytic action on the methylation of arginine side chains on protein substrates. Emerging research has revealed a correlation between the dysregulation of PRMT1 expression and the initiation and progression of tumors, significantly influence on patient prognostication, attributed to the essential role played by PRMT1 in a number of biological processes, including transcriptional regulation, signal transduction or DNA repair. Therefore, PRMT1 emerged as a promising therapeutic target for anticancer drug discovery in the past decade. In this review, we first summarize the structure and biological functions of PRMT1 and its association with cancer. Next, we focus on the recent advances in the design and development of PRMT1 modulators, including isoform-selective PRMT1 inhibitors, pan type I PRMT inhibitors, PRMT1-based dual-target inhibitors, and PRMT1-targeting PROTAC degraders, from the perspectives of rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and clinical status. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions for PRMT1-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.

miR-210 Mediated Hypoxic Responses in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one among the most lethal malignancies due to its aggressive behavior and resistance to conventional therapies. Hypoxia significantly contributes to cancer progression and therapeutic resistance of PDAC. microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have emerged as critical regulators of various biological processes. miR-210 is known as the "hypoxamir" due to its prominent role in cellular responses to hypoxia. In this study, we investigated the multifaceted role of miR-210 in PDAC using miR-210 knockout (KO) cellular models to elucidate its functions under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1-α), a key transcription factor activated in response to low oxygen levels, upregulates miR-210. miR-210 maintains cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is essential for tumor initiation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Our findings demonstrate that miR-210 regulates the expression of CSC markers, such as CD24, CD44, and CD133, and EMT markers, including E-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail. Specifically, depletion of miR-210 reversed EMT and CSC marker expression levels in hypoxic Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2 PDAC cells. These regulatory actions facilitate a more invasive and treatment-resistant PDAC phenotype. Understanding the regulatory network involving miR-210 under hypoxic conditions may reveal new therapeutic targets for combating PDAC and improving patient outcomes. Our data suggest that miR-210 is a critical regulator of HIF1-α expression, EMT, and the stemness of PDAC cells in hypoxic environments.

Dihydroartemisinin enhances the anti-tumour effect of photodynamic therapy by targeting PKM2-mediated glycolysis in oesophageal cancer cell

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to provide immediate relief of oesophageal cancer patients' re-obstruction and extend their lifespan. However, tumour regrowth may occur after PDT due to enhanced aerobic glycolysis. Previous research has confirmed the inhibitory effect of Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on aerobic glycolysis. Therefore, the current study intends to investigate the function and molecular mechanism of DHA targeting tumour cell aerobic glycolysis in synergia PDT. The combined treatment significantly suppressed glycolysis in vitro and in vivo compared to either monotherapy. Exploration of the mechanism through corresponding experiments revealed that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was downregulated in treated cells, whereas overexpression of PKM2 nullified the inhibitory effects of DHA and PDT. This study proposes a novel therapeutic strategy for oesophageal cancer through DHA-synergized PDT treatment, targeting inhibit PKM2 to reduce tumour cell proliferation and metastasis.

Sirtuin insights: bridging the gap between cellular processes and therapeutic applications

The greatest challenges that organisms face today are effective responses or detection of life-threatening environmental changes due to an obvious semblance of stress and metabolic fluctuations. These are associated with different pathological conditions among which cancer is most important. Sirtuins (SIRTs; NAD+-dependent enzymes) are versatile enzymes with diverse substrate preferences, cellular locations, crucial for cellular processes and pathological conditions. This article describes in detail the distinct roles of SIRT isoforms, unveiling their potential as either cancer promoters or suppressors and also explores how both natural and synthetic compounds influence the SIRT function, indicating promise for therapeutic applications. We also discussed the inhibitors/activators tailored to specific SIRTs, holding potential for diseases lacking effective treatments. It may uncover the lesser-studied SIRT isoforms (e.g., SIRT6, SIRT7) and their unique functions. This article also offers a comprehensive overview of SIRTs, linking them to a spectrum of diseases and highlighting their potential for targeted therapies, combination approaches, disease management, and personalized medicine. We aim to contribute to a transformative era in healthcare and innovative treatments by unraveling the intricate functions of SIRTs.

Sodium butyrate blocks the growth of colorectal cancer by inhibiting the aerobic glycolysis mediated by SIRT4/HIF-1α

The prevalence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer have been increasing in recent years, driven in part by the reliance of cancerous cells on aerobic glycolysis for growth. Sodium butyrate (NaB) has been shown to impede this process in colorectal cancer cells, although its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we used cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to simulate a hypoxic environment and demonstrated that NaB downregulated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein levels under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. By employing cycloheximide (CHX), MG132, and chloroquine (CQ), we investigated whether NaB affects HIF-1α protein levels via the autophagy pathway. Importantly, siRNA-mediated SIRT4 knockdown revealed that NaB promotes HIF-1α autophagic degradation by upregulating SIRT4 expression. This subsequently inhibits HIF-1α-mediated expression of GLUT1 and LDHA, reducing glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP generation, ultimately suppressing aerobic glycolysis and cell proliferation in colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, a human colorectal cancer xenograft model confirmed that butyric acid inhibited tumor growth in vivo, correlating with SIRT4 and HIF-1α modulation. In conclusion, our findings indicate that NaB hinders colorectal cancer progression by disrupting aerobic glycolysis mediated by SIRT4/HIF-1α.

Flavonoids as modulators of miRNA expression in pancreatic cancer: Pathways, Mechanisms, And Therapeutic Potential

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a complex malignancy, distinguished by its aggressive characteristics and unfavorable prognosis. Recent developments in understanding the molecular foundations of this disease have brought attention to the noteworthy involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in disease development, advancement, and treatment resistance. The anticancer capabilities of flavonoids, which are a wide range of phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables, have attracted considerable interest because of their ability to regulate miRNA expression. This review provides the effects of flavonoids on miRNA expression in PC, explains the underlying processes, and explores the possible therapeutic benefits of flavonoid-based therapies. Flavonoids inhibit PC cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and enhance chemosensitivity via the modulation of miRNAs involved in carcinogenesis. Additionally, this review emphasizes the significance of certain miRNAs as targets of flavonoid action. These miRNAs have a role in regulating important signaling pathways such as the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B/Protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the interaction between flavonoids and miRNAs in PC, providing a comprehensive analysis of how flavonoid-mediated modulation of miRNA expression could influence cancer progression and therapy. It highlights the use of flavonoid nanoformulations to enhance stability, increase absorption, and maximize anti-PC activity, improving patient outcomes. The review calls for further research to optimize the use of flavonoid nanoformulations in clinical trials, leading to innovative treatment strategies and more effective approaches for PC.

Metabolic and Immunological Implications of MME+CAF-Mediated Hypoxia Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer Progression: Therapeutic Insights and Translational Opportunities

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating malignancy with a high mortality rate, poor prognosis, and limited treatment options. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Multiple subpopulations of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the TME can switch between different states, exhibiting both antitumorigenic and protumorigenic functions in pancreatic cancer. It seems that targeting fibroblast-related proteins and other stromal components is an appealing approach to combat pancreatic cancer. This study employed single-cell transcriptome sequencing to identify MME (Membrane Metalloendopeptidase)-expressing CAFs in pancreatic cancer. Systematic screening was conducted based on tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and T-stage parameters to identify and confirm the existence of a subpopulation of fibroblasts termed MME+CAFs. Subsequent analyses included temporal studies, exploration of intercellular communication patterns focusing on the hypoxia signaling pathway, and investigation of MME+CAF functions in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. The pathway enrichment analysis and clinical relevance revealed a strong association between high MME expression and glycolysis, hypoxia markers, and pro-cancer inflammatory pathways. The role of MME+CAFs was validated through in vivo and in vitro experiments, including high-throughput drug screening to evaluate potential targeted therapeutic strategies. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing revealed tumor-associated fibroblasts with high MME expression, termed MME+CAF, exhibiting a unique end-stage differentiation function in the TME. MME+CAF involvement in the hypoxia signaling pathway suggested the potential effects on pancreatic cancer progression through intercellular communication. High MME expression was associated with increased glycolysis, hypoxia markers (VEGF), and pro-cancer inflammatory pathways in pancreatic cancer patients, correlating with lower survival rates, advanced disease stage, and higher oncogene mutation rates. Animal experiments confirmed that elevated MME expression in CAFs increases tumor burden, promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and enhances resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The developed MME+CAF inhibitor IOX2 (a specific prolyl hydroxylase-2 (PHD2) inhibitor), combined with AG (Paclitaxel + Gemcitabine) and anti-PD1 therapy, demonstrated promising antitumor effects, offering a translational strategy for targeting MME in CAFs of pancreatic cancer. The study findings highlighted the significant role of MME+CAF in pancreatic cancer progression by shaping the TME and influencing key pathways. Targeting MME presented a promising strategy to combat the disease, with potential implications for therapeutic interventions aimed at disrupting MME+CAF functions and enhancing the efficacy of pancreatic cancer treatments.

Metabolic mechanisms orchestrated by Sirtuin family to modulate inflammatory responses

Maintaining metabolic homeostasis is crucial for cellular and organismal health throughout their lifespans. The intricate link between metabolism and inflammation through immunometabolism is pivotal in maintaining overall health and disease progression. The multifactorial nature of metabolic and inflammatory processes makes study of the relationship between them challenging. Homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae silent information regulator 2 protein, known as Sirtuins (SIRTs), have been demonstrated to promote longevity in various organisms. As nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylases, members of the Sirtuin family (SIRT1-7) regulate energy metabolism and inflammation. In this review, we provide an extensive analysis of SIRTs involved in regulating key metabolic pathways, including glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, we systematically describe how the SIRTs influence inflammatory responses by modulating metabolic pathways, as well as inflammatory cells, mediators, and pathways. Current research findings on the preferential roles of different SIRTs in metabolic disorders and inflammation underscore the potential of SIRTs as viable pharmacological and therapeutic targets. Future research should focus on the development of promising compounds that target SIRTs, with the aim of enhancing their anti-inflammatory activity by influencing metabolic pathways within inflammatory cells.

PAF1/HIF1α axis rewires the glycolytic metabolism to fuel aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

PAF1/PD2 deregulation contributes to tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and cancer stem cell maintenance in Pancreatic Cancer (PC). Recent studies demonstrate that metabolic reprogramming plays a role in PC progression, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we focused on examining the role of PAF1/PD2 in the metabolic rewiring of PC.

METHODS

Cell lines were transfected with shRNAs to knockdown PAF1/PD2. Metabolic genes regulated by PAF1/PD2 were identified by qPCR/western blot, and metabolic assays were performed. Immunoprecipitations/ChIP were performed to identify PAF1/PD2 protein partners and confirm PAF1/HIF1α sub-complex binding to LDHA.

RESULTS

PAF1 and LDHA showed progressively increased expression in human pancreatic tumor sections. Aerobic glycolysis genes were downregulated in PAF1-depleted PC cells. Metabolic assays indicated a decreased lactate production and glucose uptake in knockdown cells. Furthermore, PAF1/PD2 depletion showed a reduced glycolytic rate and increased oxidative phosphorylation by ECAR and OCR analysis. Interestingly, we identified that HIF1α interacts and co-localizes with PAF1, specifically in PC cells. We also observed that the PAF1/PD2-HIF1α complex binds to the LDHA promoter to regulate its expression, reprogramming the metabolism to utilize the aerobic glycolysis pathway preferentially.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results indicate that PAF1/PD2 rewires PC metabolism by interacting with HIF1α to regulate the expression of LDHA.

The Road Ahead in Pancreatic Cancer: Emerging Trends and Therapeutic Prospects

This review explores the challenges and emerging trends in pancreatic cancer therapy. In particular, we focus on the tumor microenvironment and the potential of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, characterized by its dense stromal architecture, presents unique challenges for effective treatment. Recent advancements have emphasized the role of the tumor microenvironment in therapeutic resistance and disease progression. We discuss novel strategies targeting the desmoplastic barrier and immunosuppressive cells to enhance immune cell infiltration and activation. Recent clinical trials, particularly those involving novel immunotherapeutic agents and tumor vaccines, are examined to understand their efficacy and limitations. Our analysis reveals that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or drugs targeting epigenetic processes shows promise, improving overall survival rates and response to treatment. For instance, trials utilizing checkpoint inhibitors in combination with standard chemotherapies have extended disease-free survival by up to 6 months compared to chemotherapy alone. Importantly, vaccines targeting specific tumor neoantigens have shown the potential to increase patient survival. However, these approaches also face significant challenges, including overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and enhancing the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic agents. By providing an overview of both the promising results and the obstacles encountered, this review aims to highlight ongoing efforts to refine immunotherapy approaches for better patient outcomes.

Transcription Factor FOXA1 Facilitates Glycolysis and Proliferation of Lung Adenocarcinoma via Activation of TEX19

Glycolysis is a shared feature in various cancers including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Testis Expressed 19 (TEX19) is correlated with cancer progression. But its effect on LUAD remains an unanswered question. The focus of our study was primarily to investigate how TEX19 works exactly in LUAD. We first downloaded mRNA data from TCGA-LUAD and performed differential expression analysis. Then, we performed a Kaplan-Meier analysis to analyze the relationship between mRNA expression and patients' prognoses. hTFtarget database was utilized for the prediction of upstream transcription factors of mRNA. Next, qRT-PCR was employed for detecting TEX19 and Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) expression. Western blot was adopted to detect the expression of glycolysis-related proteins. We also used CCK-8, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays to detect cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. Seahorse XF Extracellular Flux Analyzers were introduced to analyze extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR). Detection kits were used to detect pyruvate, lactate, citric acid, and malic acid. TEX19 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay showed that TEX19 was significantly overexpressed in LUAD cell lines compared with normal bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B. Knockdown of TEX19 remarkably inhibited cell activity and proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis, TEX19 was enriched in the glycolytic pathway. Meanwhile, the knockdown of TEX19 significantly hampered the contents of pyruvate, lactate, citric acid, and malic acid. The bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase reporter experiment, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that FOXA1 was bound with TEX19. FOXA1 had a high expression level in LUAD. The rescue assay demonstrated that FOXA1, by activating TEX19 expression, enhanced glycolysis and proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of LUAD cells. In summary, FOXA1 promoted glycolysis and proliferation of LUAD cells by activating TEX19. This result can provide a theoretical basis for future research on LUAD.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes tumor glycolysis by downregulating lncRNA OIP5-AS1/HKDC1 in HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being the leading cause. This study aims to investigate the role of HBV in HCC pathogenesis involving glucose metabolism. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5-AS1 was significantly downregulated in HBV-positive HCC patients, and its low expression indicated a poor prognosis. This lncRNA was primarily localized in the cytoplasm, acting as a tumor suppressor. HBV protein X (HBx) repressed OIP5-AS1 expression by inhibiting a ligand-activated transcriptional factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Furthermore, mechanistic studies revealed that OIP5-AS1 inhibited tumor growth by suppressing Hexokinase domain component 1 (HKDC1)-mediated glycolysis. The expression of HKDC1 could be enhanced by transcriptional factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1). OIP5-AS1 facilitated the ubiquitination and degradation of SREBP1 to suppress HKDC1 transcription, which inhibited glycolysis. The results suggest that lncRNA OIP5-AS1 plays an anti-oncogenic role in HBV-positive HCC via the HBx/OIP5-AS1/HKDC1 axis, providing a promising diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for HBV-positive HCC patients.

Oncogenic Roles of UHRF1 in Cancer

Ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is an essential protein involved in the maintenance of repressive epigenetic marks, ensuring epigenetic stability and fidelity. As an epigenetic regulator, UHRF1 comprises several functional domains (UBL, TTD, PHD, SRA, RING) that are collectively responsible for processes like DNA methylation, histone modification, and DNA repair. UHRF1 is a downstream effector of the RB/E2F pathway, which is nearly universally deregulated in cancer. Under physiological conditions, UHRF1 protein levels are cell cycle-dependent and are post-translationally regulated by proteasomal degradation. Conversely, UHRF1 is overexpressed and serves as an oncogenic driver in multiple cancers. This review focuses on the functional domains of UHRF1, highlighting its key interacting proteins and oncogenic roles in solid tumors including retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Additionally, current therapeutic strategies targeting UHRF1 domains or its interactors are explored, providing an insight on potential clinical applications.

APLN promotes the proliferation, migration, and glycolysis of cervical cancer through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Apelin (APLN) is an endogenous ligand of the G protein-coupled receptor APJ (APLNR). APLN has been implicated in the development of multiple tumours. Herein, we determined the effect of APLN on the biological behaviour and underlying mechanisms of cervical cancer. The expression and survival curves of APLN were determined using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. The cellular functions of APLN were detected using CCK-8, clone formation, EdU, Transwell assays, flow cytometry, and seahorse metabolic analysis. The underlying mechanisms were elucidated using gene set enrichment analysis and Western blotting. APLN was upregulated in the samples of patients with cervical cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. APLN knockdown decreased the proliferation, migration, and glycolysis of cervical cancer cells. The opposite results were observed when APLN was overexpressed. Mechanistically, we determined that APLN was critical for activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway via APLNR. APLN receptor inhibitor ML221 reversed the effect of APLN overexpression on cervical cancer cells. Treatment with LY294002, the PI3K inhibitor, drastically reversed the oncological behaviour of APLN-overexpressing C-33A cells. APLN promoted the proliferation, migration, and glycolysis of cervical cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

YTHDF1 promotes gallbladder cancer progression via post-transcriptional regulation of the m6A/UHRF1 axis

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but fatal malignancy. However, the mechanisms underlying gallbladder carcinogenesis and its progression are poorly understood. The function of m6A modification and its regulators was still unclear for gallbladder cancer. The current study seeks to investigate the function of YTH m6A RNA-binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) in gallbladder cancer. Transcriptomic analysis and immunochemical staining of YTHDF1 in gallbladder cancer tissues revealed its upregulation compared to paracancerous tissues. Moreover, YTHDF1 promotes the proliferation assays, Transwell migration assays, and Transwell invasion assays of gallbladder cancer cells in vitro. And it also increased tumour growth in xenograft mouse model and metastases in tail vein injection model in vivo. In vitro, UHRF1 knockdown partly reversed the effects of YTHDF1 overexpression. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase assays proved that YTHDF1 promotes UHRF1 expression via direct binding to the mRNA 3'-UTR in a m6A-dependent manner. Overexpression of YTHDF1 enhanced UHRF1 mRNA stability, as demonstrated by mRNA stability assays, and Co-IP studies confirmed a direct interaction between YTHDF1 and PABPC1. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the progression of gallbladder cancer as well as a novel post-transcriptional mechanism of YTHDF1 via stabilizing target mRNA.

Fundamental insights and molecular interactions in pancreatic cancer: Pathways to therapeutic approaches

The gastrointestinal tract can be affected by a number of diseases that pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant manifestation of them. The prognosis of PC patients is unfavorable and because of their diagnosis at advanced stage, the treatment of this tumor is problematic. Owing to low survival rate, there is much interest towards understanding the molecular profile of PC in an attempt in developing more effective therapeutics. The conventional therapeutics for PC include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as emerging immunotherapy. However, PC is still incurable and more effort should be performed. The molecular landscape of PC is an underlying factor involved in increase in progression of tumor cells. In the presence review, the newest advances in understanding the molecular and biological events in PC are discussed. The dysregulation of molecular pathways including AMPK, MAPK, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin and non-coding RNA transcripts has been suggested as a factor in development of tumorigenesis in PC. Moreover, cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis and necroptosis demonstrate abnormal levels. The EMT and glycolysis in PC cells enhance to ensure their metastasis and proliferation. Furthermore, such abnormal changes have been used to develop corresponding pharmacological and nanotechnological therapeutics for PC.

Abrogation of KLF5 sensitizes BRCA1-proficient pancreatic cancer to PARP inhibition

Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor monotherapies are selectively effective in patients with pancreatic, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers with BRCA1 mutations. Cancer patients with more frequent wild-type BRCA show poor responses to PARP inhibitors. Moreover, patients who are initially sensitive to these inhibitors eventually respond poorly to drugs. In the present study, we discover that abrogation of Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) significantly inhibits homologous recombination, which is the main mechanism for DNA double-stranded repair. Furthermore, the downregulation of KLF5 expression promotes the DNA damage induced by olaparib and significantly reduces the IC 50 of the RARP inhibitor in pancreatic cancer cells. Overexpression of BRCA1 reverses the above effects caused by silencing of KLF5. Olaparib combined with a KLF5 inhibitor has an enhanced cytotoxic effect. Mechanistically, we identify BRCA1 as a KLF5 target gene. BRCA1 is positively correlated with KLF5 in PDAC tissue. Our results indicate that inhibition of KLF5 may induce BRCAness in a larger pancreatic cancer subset with proficient BRCA. The combination of KLF5 inhibitors and PARP inhibitors provides a novel treatment strategy to enhance the sensitivity of BRCA1-proficient pancreatic cancer to PARP inhibitors.

TFAP2A Upregulates SKA3 to Promote Glycolysis and Reduce the Sensitivity of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells to Cisplatin

INTRODUCTION

Studies have shown that glycolysis metabolism affects the resistance or sensitivity of tumors to chemotherapy drugs. Emerging from recent research, a paradigm-shifting revelation has unfolded, elucidating the oncogenic nature of SKA3 within the context of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Consequently, this work was designed to delve into the effects of SKA3 on glycolysis and cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in LUAD cells and to find new possibilities for individualized treatment of LUAD.

METHODS

LUAD mRNA expression data from the TCGA database were procured to scrutinize the differential expression patterns of SKA3 in both tumor and normal tissues. GSEA and Pearson correlation analyses were employed to elucidate the impact of SKA3 on signaling pathways within the context of LUAD. In order to discern the upstream regulatory mechanisms, the ChEA and JASPAR databases were utilized to predict the transcription factors and binding sites associated with SKA3. qRT-PCR and Western blot were implemented to assay the mRNA and protein expression levels of SKA3 and TFAP2A. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assays were performed to solidify the binding relationship between the two. Extracellular acidification rate, glucose consumption, lactate production, and glycolysis-related proteins (HK2, GLUT1, and LDHA) were used to evaluate the level of glycolysis. Cell viability under CDDP treatment was determined utilizing the CCK-8, allowing for the calculation of IC50. The expression levels of SKA3 and TFAP2A proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS

SKA3 exhibited upregulation in LUAD tissues and cell lines, establishing a direct linkage with glycolysis pathway. Overexpression of SKA3 fostered glycolysis in LUAD, resulting in reduced sensitivity toward CDDP treatment. The upstream transcription factor of SKA3, TFAP2A, was also upregulated in LUAD and could promote SKA3 transcription. Overexpression of TFAP2A also fostered the glycolysis of LUAD. Rescue assays showed that TFAP2A promoted glycolysis in LUAD cells by activating SKA3, reducing the sensitivity of LUAD cells to CDDP. The IHC analysis revealed a positive correlation between high expression of SKA3 and TFAP2A and CDDP resistance.

CONCLUSION

In summary, TFAP2A can transcriptionally activate SKA3, promote glycolysis in LUAD, and protect LUAD cells from CDDP treatment, indicating that targeting the TFAP2A/SKA3 axis may become a plausible and pragmatic therapeutic strategy for the clinical governance of LUAD.

Ginsenoside Rg3 overcomes tamoxifen resistance through inhibiting glycolysis in breast cancer cells

Tamoxifen (TAM) resistance poses a significant clinical challenge in human breast cancer and exhibits high heterogeneity among different patients. Rg3, an original ginsenoside known to inhibit tumor growth, has shown potential for enhancing TAM sensitivity in breast cancer cells. However, the specific role and underlying mechanisms of Rg3 in this context remain unclear. Aerobic glycolysis, a metabolic process, has been implicated in chemotherapeutic resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that elevated glycolysis plays a central role in TAM resistance and can be effectively targeted and overcome by Rg3. Mechanistically, we observed upregulation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), a key mediator of glycolysis, in TAM-resistant MCF-7/TamR and T-47D/TamR cells. Crucially, PFKFB3 is indispensable for the synergistic effect of TAM and Rg3 combination therapy, which suppresses cell proliferation and glycolysis in MCF-7/TamR and T-47D/TamR cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, overexpression of PFKFB3 in MCF-7 cells mimicked the TAM resistance phenotype. Importantly, combination treatment significantly reduced TAM-resistant MCF-7 cell proliferation in an in vivo model. In conclusion, this study highlights the contribution of Rg3 in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of TAM in breast cancer, and suggests that targeting TAM-resistant PFKFB3 overexpression may represent a promising strategy to improve the response to combination therapy in breast cancer.

PRMT1 in human neoplasm: cancer biology and potential therapeutic target

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), the predominant type I protein arginine methyltransferase, plays a crucial role in normal biological functions by catalyzing the methylation of arginine side chains, specifically monomethylarginine (MMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), within proteins. Recent investigations have unveiled an association between dysregulated PRMT1 expression and the initiation and progression of tumors, significantly impacting patient prognosis, attributed to PRMT1's involvement in regulating various facets of tumor cell biology, including DNA damage repair, transcriptional and translational regulation, as well as signal transduction. In this review, we present an overview of recent advancements in PRMT1 research across different tumor types, with a specific focus on its contributions to tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and drug resistance. Additionally, we expound on the dynamic functions of PRMT1 during distinct stages of cancer progression, elucidating its unique regulatory mechanisms within the same signaling pathway and distinguishing between its promotive and inhibitory effects. Importantly, we sought to provide a comprehensive summary and analysis of recent research progress on PRMT1 in tumors, contributing to a deeper understanding of its role in tumorigenesis, development, and potential treatment strategies.

Advancements in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest of all cancer types with a 5-year overall survival rate of just 12%. Preclinical models available for understanding the disease pathophysiology have evolved significantly in recent years. Traditionally, commercially available 2-dimensional cell lines were developed to investigate mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, these cells grow as monolayer cultures that lack heterogeneity and do not effectively represent tumor biology. Developing patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models led to increased cellular heterogeneity, molecular diversity, and tissues that histologically represent the original patient tumors. However, these models are relatively expensive and very timing consuming. More recently, the advancement of fast and inexpensive in vitro models that better mimic disease conditions in vivo are on the rise. Three-dimensional cultures like organoids and spheroids have gained popularity and are considered to recapitulate complex disease characteristics. In addition, computational genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomic models are being developed to simulate pancreatic cancer progression and predict better treatment strategies. Herein, we review the challenges associated with pancreatic cancer research and available analytical models. We suggest that an integrated approach toward using these models may allow for developing new strategies for pancreatic cancer precision medicine.

Mitochondrial sirtuins: Energy dynamics and cancer metabolism

Mitochondria are pivotal for energy regulation and are linked to cancer. Mitochondrial sirtuins, (Sirtuin) SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5, play crucial roles in cancer metabolism. This review explores their impact on cellular processes, with a focus on the NAD+ interplay and the modulation of their enzymatic activities. The varied roles of SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5 in metabolic adaptation and cancer are outlined, emphasizing their tumor suppressor or oncogenic nature. We propose new insights into sirtuin biology, and cancer therapeutics, suggesting an integrated proteomics and metabolomics approach for a comprehensive understanding of mitochondrial sirtuins in cancer.

NAT10 mediated ac4C acetylation driven m6A modification via involvement of YTHDC1-LDHA/PFKM regulates glycolysis and promotes osteosarcoma

The dynamic changes of RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) during cancer progression participate in various cellular processes. However, less is known about a possible direct connection between upstream regulator and m6A modification, and therefore affects oncogenic progression. Here, we have identified that a key enzyme in N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) acetylation NAT10 is highly expressed in human osteosarcoma tissues, and its knockdown enhanced m6A contents and significantly suppressed osteosarcoma cell growth, migration and invasion. Further results revealed that NAT10 silence inhibits mRNA stability and translation of m6A reader protein YTHDC1, and displayed an increase in glucose uptake, a decrease in lactate production and pyruvate content. YTHDC1 recognizes differential m6A sites on key enzymes of glycolysis phosphofructokinase (PFKM) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) mRNAs, which suppress glycolysis pathway by increasing mRNA stability of them in an m6A methylation-dependent manner. YTHDC1 partially abrogated the inhibitory effect caused by NAT10 knockdown in tumor models in vivo, lentiviral overexpression of YTHDC1 partially restored the reduced stability of YTHDC1 caused by lentiviral depleting NAT10 at the cellular level. Altogether, we found ac4C driven RNA m6A modification can positively regulate the glycolysis of cancer cells and reveals a previously unrecognized signaling axis of NAT10/ac4C-YTHDC1/m6A-LDHA/PFKM in osteosarcoma. Video Abstract.

Role of long non-coding RNAs in metabolic reprogramming of gastrointestinal cancer cells

Metabolic reprogramming, which is recognized as a hallmark of cancer, refers to the phenomenon by which cancer cells change their metabolism to support their increased biosynthetic demands. Tumor cells undergo substantial alterations in metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, pentose phosphate pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Latest studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a group of non-coding RNAs over 200 nucleotides long, mediate metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells by regulating the transcription, translation and post-translational modification of metabolic-related signaling pathways and metabolism-related enzymes through transcriptional, translational, and post-translational modifications of genes. In addition, lncRNAs are closely related to the tumor microenvironment, and they directly or indirectly affect the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, drug resistance and other processes. Here, we review the mechanisms of lncRNA-mediated regulation of glucose, lipid, amino acid metabolism and tumor immunity in gastrointestinal tumors, aiming to provide more information on effective therapeutic targets and drug molecules for gastrointestinal tumors.

Expanding the ubiquitin code in pancreatic cancer

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a fundamental regulatory mechanism in cells, vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis, compiling signaling transduction, and determining cell fates. These biological processes require the coordinated signal cascades of UPS members, including ubiquitin ligases, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, deubiquitinases, and proteasomes, to ubiquitination and de-ubiquitination on substrates. Recent studies indicate that ubiquitination code rewriting is particularly prominent in pancreatic cancer. High frequency mutation or aberrant hyperexpression of UPS members dysregulates ferroptosis, tumor microenvironment, and metabolic rewiring processes and contribute to tumor growth, metastasis, immune evasion, and acquired drug resistance. We conduct an in-depth overview of ubiquitination process in pancreatic cancer, highlighting the role of ubiquitin code in tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressor pathways. Furthermore, we review current UPS modulators and analyze the potential of UPS modulators as cancer therapy.

ANKRD22 promotes M2 polarization in lung adenocarcinoma macrophages via the glycolytic pathway

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype of lung cancer with a low 5-year survival rate. ANKRD22 is an ankyrin repeat protein capable of promoting tumor progression, and its mechanism in LUAD remains elusive. Our study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the involvement of ANKRD22 in the progression of LUAD. The expression of ANKRD22 in LUAD and its enriched pathway were analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. Meanwhile, the correlation between ANKRD22 and the expression of glycolysis-related genes and M2 macrophage marker genes was analyzed. qRT-PCR was used for determination of the expression of ANKRD22, IL-10 and CCL17, CCK-8 for cell viability, and western blot for expression of ANKRD22, LDHA, HK2, PGK1, and PKM2. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were utilized to examine the level of CD163, and kits were used to measure the contents of pyruvic acid, lactate, citrate, and malate. Seahorse XF96 analyzer was employed to determine extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR). Mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed using the JC-1 probe. Bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot showed that ANKRD22 was highly expressed in LUAD, which had a positive connection with M2 marker genes. Knockdown of ANKRD22 considerably attenuated the expression of ANKRD22, IL-10, and CCL17 in M2. ANKRD22 overexpression demonstrated the opposite results. Bioinformatics analysis uncovered that ANKRD22 was enriched in the glycolytic pathway and positively correlated with glycolysis-related genes. The knockdown of ANKRD22 substantially attenuated pyruvic acid, lactate, citrate, malate, and ECAR levels and elevated OCR levels in cells. The knockdown of ANKRD22 also reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Further, it was discovered that glycolysis-related genes had a positive correlation with M2 marker genes. It was revealed by rescue experiments that the usage of 2-DG, a glycolytic inhibitor, remarkably reversed the facilitating effect of overexpression of ANKRD22 on M2 polarization. This study demonstrates that ANKRD22 can facilitate LUAD M2 polarization through glycolysis, and targeting ANKRD22 to inhibit M2 polarization has the potential to be a new strategy for LUAD treatment.

Acetylation and Phosphorylation in the Regulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Activities: Additional Options to Modulate Adaptations to Changes in Oxygen Levels

O2 is essential for the life of eukaryotic cells. The ability to sense oxygen availability and initiate a response to adapt the cell to changes in O2 levels is a fundamental achievement of evolution. The key switch for adaptation consists of the transcription factors HIF1A, HIF2A and HIF3A. Their levels are tightly controlled by O2 through the involvement of the oxygen-dependent prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing enzymes (PHDs/EGNLs), the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor protein (pVHL) and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Furthermore, HIF1A and HIF2A are also under the control of additional post-translational modifications (PTMs) that positively or negatively regulate the activities of these transcription factors. This review focuses mainly on two PTMs of HIF1A and HIF2A: phosphorylation and acetylation.

Impact of Hypoxia-Induced miR-210 on Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) poses significant clinical challenges, with late-stage diagnosis and limited therapeutic options contributing to its dismal prognosis. A hallmark feature of PC is the presence of a profoundly hypoxic tumour microenvironment, resulting from various factors such as fibrotic stroma, rapid tumour cell proliferation, and poor vascularization. Hypoxia plays a crucial role in promoting aggressive cancer behaviour, therapeutic resistance, and immunosuppression. Previous studies have explored the molecular mechanisms behind hypoxia-induced changes in PC, focusing on the role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Among the myriad of molecules affected by hypoxia, microRNA-210 (miR-210) emerges as a central player. It is highly responsive to hypoxia and regulated by HIF-dependent and HIF-independent pathways. miR-210 influences critical cellular processes, including angiogenesis, metastasis, and apoptosis, all of which contribute to PC progression and resistance to treatment. Understanding these pathways provides insights into potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, investigating the role of miR-210 and its regulation in hypoxia sheds light on the potential development of early diagnostic strategies, which are urgently needed to improve outcomes for PC patients. This review delves into the complexities of PC and introduces the roles of hypoxia and miR-210 in the progression of PC.

Transcription factor TEAD4 facilitates glycolysis and proliferation of gastric cancer cells by activating PKMYT1

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks third for cancer deaths worldwide, and glycolysis is a hallmark of several cancers, including GC. TEAD4 plays a role in establishing an oncogenic cascade in cancers, including GC. Whether TEAD4 can influence the glycolysis of GC cells remains uncovered. Hence, this study attempted to investigate the impact on glycolysis of GC cells by TEAD4.

METHODS

By using bioinformatics analysis, differentially expressed mRNAs were screened, and downstream regulatory genes were predicted. Expression levels of TEAD4 and PKMYT1 were assessed by qRT-PCR. The binding sites between TEAD4 and PKMYT1 were predicted by the JASPAR database, meanwhile their modulatory relationship was confirmed through dual-luciferase assay and chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Cell viability and proliferation were assayed via CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Glycolysis was measured by assaying extracellular acidification rate, oxygen consumption rate, and production of pyruvic acid, lactate, citrate, and malate. Expression levels of proteins (HK-2 and PKM2) related to glycolysis were assessed by Western blot.

RESULTS

TEAD4 was upregulated in GC tissues and cells. TEAD4 knockdown substantially repressed glycolysis and proliferation of GC cells. PKMYT1, the target gene downstream of TEAD4, was identified via bioinformatics prediction, and its expression was elevated in GC. Dual-luciferase and ChIP assay validated the targeted relationship between the promoter region of PKMYT1 and TEAD4. As revealed by rescue experiments, the knockdown of TEAD4 reversed the stimulative effect on GC cell glycolysis and proliferation by forced expression of PKMYT1.

CONCLUSION

TEAD4 activated PKMYT1 to facilitate the proliferation and glycolysis of GC cells. TEAD4 and PKMYT1 may be possible therapeutic targets for GC.

AL360181.1 promotes proliferation and invasion in colon cancer and is one of ten m6A-related lncRNAs that predict overall survival

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) exerted a pivotal role in colon cancer. Nevertheless, the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with this process have yet to be elucidated.

Methods

The open-access data used for analysis was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for analysis, employing the R software for computational evaluations. The RNA level of specific molecules was assessed using the quantitative real-time PCR. CCK8, colony formation and transwell assay were used to evaluate the proliferation, invasion and migration ability of colon cancer cells.

Results

Here, we identified the m6A regulators from TCGA data and subsequently pinpointed lncRNAs with a -Cor- > 0.3 and P < 0.05, categorizing them as m6A-associated lncRNAs. Moreover, we formulated a prognosis signature rooted in ten m6A-related lncRNAs, consisting of AL360181.1, PCAT6, SNHG26, AC016876.1, AC104667.2, AL114730.3, LINC02257, AC147067.1, AP006621.3 and AC009237.14. This signature exhibited notable predictive accuracy in gauging patient survival. Immune-related evaluations revealed varied immune cell infiltration patterns across different risk groups, with our findings suggesting superior immunotherapy response in low-risk patients. Biological enrichment analysis indicated that the high-risk patients had a higher activity of multiple carcinogenic pathways, including glycolysis. The previously unreported lncRNA, AL360181.1, displayed a connection to glycolytic activity and diminished survival rates, warranting further investigation. The result indicated that AL360181.1 was correlated with more aggressive clinical characteristics. Immune infiltration assessments found AL360181.1 to have a positive correlation with Tcm infiltration, but an inverse relationship with entities like Th2 cells, T cells, neutrophils and macrophages. Biological enrichment analysis indicated that the pathways of WNT/β-catenin, pancreas beta cells, hedgehog signaling and some metabolism pathways were upregulated in high AL360181.1 patients. In vitro experiments showed that AL360181.1 was upregulated in the colon cancer cells. Moreover, AL360181.1 significantly promotes the proliferation, invasion and migration of colon cancer cells.

Conclusions

Our results can provide direction for future studies on m6A-related lncRNA in colon cancer.

5'-tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ Suppresses the Proliferation and Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Regulating Hexokinase 1-Mediated Glycolysis

tRNA-derived small RNAs (tDRs) are dysregulated in several diseases, including pancreatic cancer (PC). However, only a limited number of tDRs involved in PC progression are known. Herein, a novel tDR, 5'-tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ (tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ), was verified in PC plasma using RNA and Sanger sequencing. tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ was downregulated in PC tissues and plasma, which was related to advanced clinical characteristics and poor prognosis. tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ overexpression inhibited the malignant activity of PC cells in vitro, while tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ inhibition produced an opposite effect. The differentially expressed genes induced by tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ overexpression were enriched in "pathways in cancer" and "glycolysis". Mechanistically, tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ directly sponged hexokinase 1 (HK1) mRNA and inhibited its expression, thereby suppressing glycolysis in PC cells. HK1 restoration relieved the inhibitory effect of tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ on glycolysis in PC cells and on their proliferation and mobility in vitro. tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ upregulation inhibited PC cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo and suppressed HK1 expression in tumor tissues. Furthermore, tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ expression was attenuated under hypoxia. Collectively, these findings indicate that tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ suppresses the malignant activity of PC cells by regulating HK1-mediated glycolysis. Thus, tRF-19-Q1Q89PJZ may serve as a key target for PC therapy.

Lactate-induced protein lactylation: A bridge between epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming in cancer

Lactate is not only an endpoint of glycolysis but is gradually being discovered to play the role of a universal metabolic fuel for energy via the 'lactate shuttle' moving between cells and transmitting signals. The glycolytic-dependent metabolism found in tumours and fast-growing cells has made lactate a pivotal player in energy metabolism reprogramming, which enables cells to obtain abundant energy in a short time. Moreover, lactate can provide favourable conditions for tumorigenesis by shaping the acidic tumour microenvironment, recruiting immune cells, etc. and the recently discovered lactate-induced lactylation moves even further on pro-tumorigenesis mechanisms of lactate production, circulation and utilization. As with other epigenetic modifications, lactylation can modify histone proteins to alter the spatial configuration of chromatin, affect DNA accessibility and regulate the expression of corresponding genes. What's more, the degree of lactylation is inseparable from the spatialized lactate concentration, which builds a bridge between epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming. Here, we review the important role of lactate in energy reprogramming, summarize the latest finding of lactylation in tumorigenesis and try to explore therapeutic strategies in oncotherapy that can kill two birds with one stone.

Hub gene identification and molecular subtype construction for Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer via machine learning methods and NMF algorithm

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a gram-negative and spiral-shaped bacterium colonizing the human stomach and has been recognized as the risk factor of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer (GC). Moreover, it was recently identified as a class I carcinogen, which affects the occurrence and progression of GC via inducing various oncogenic pathways. Therefore, identifying the HP-related key genes is crucial for understanding the oncogenic mechanisms and improving the outcomes of GC patients. We retrieved the list of HP-related gene sets from the Molecular Signatures Database. Based on the HP-related genes, unsupervised non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering method was conducted to stratify TCGA-STAD, GSE15459, GSE84433 samples into two clusters with distinct clinical outcomes and immune infiltration characterization. Subsequently, two machine learning (ML) strategies, including support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) and random forest (RF), were employed to determine twelve hub HP-related genes. Beyond that, receiver operating characteristic and Kaplan-Meier curves further confirmed the diagnostic value and prognostic significance of hub genes. Finally, expression of HP-related hub genes was tested by qRT-PCR array and immunohistochemical images. Additionally, functional pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these hub genes were implicated in the genesis and progression of GC by activating or inhibiting the classical cancer-associated pathways, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell cycle, apoptosis, RAS/MAPK, etc. In the present study, we constructed a novel HP-related tumor classification in different datasets, and screened out twelve hub genes via performing the ML algorithms, which may contribute to the molecular diagnosis and personalized therapy of GC.

3,5-diCQA suppresses colorectal cancer cell growth through ROS/AMPK/mTOR mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis

3,5-diCQA has been shown to have anti-tumor effect by decreasing cancer cell growth. However, the molecular mechanism by which 3,5-diCQA impacts colorectal cancer (CRC) cells is unknown. This study discovered that 3,5-diCQA had a suppressive effect on CRC cells, mainly in the inhibition of proliferation, migration, and the enhancement of apoptosis in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Additionally, 3,5-diCQA was found to cause cell cycle arrest in CRC cells. Meanwhile, we found that 3,5-diCQA activates the AMPK pathway through the generation of ROS, mediates mitochondrial damage, and reduces mitochondrial aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation levels. 3,5-diCQA promoted oxidative damage and ferroptosis in CRC cells. Hence, we added ROS inhibitor NAC and found that the NAC reversed the effects of 3,5-diCQA on proliferation, apoptosis, ROS generation, and ferroptosis in CRC cells. Moreover, 3,5-diCQA was also shown to suppress the development of CRC tumor in a tumor-forming model of nude mice. In conclusion, we found that 3,5-diCQA enhances the oxidative damage and ferroptosis while reducing proliferation and migration of CRC cells, depending on mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the ROS/AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Paeonol represses A549 cell glycolytic reprogramming and proliferation by decreasing m6A modification of Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase

Aberrant glycolytic reprogramming is involved in lung cancer progression by promoting the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Paeonol, as a traditional Chinese medicine, plays a critical role in multiple cancer cell proliferation and inflammation. Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACADM) is involved in the development of metabolic diseases. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is important for the regulation of messenger RNA stability, splicing, and translation. Here, we investigated whether paeonol regulates the proliferation and glycolytic reprogramming via ACADM with m6A modification in A549 cells (human non-small cell lung cancer cells). Cell counting kit 8, 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation, flow cytometry analysis, western blotting and seahorse XFe24 extracellular flux analyzer assays showed that paeonol had a significant inhibitory effect against A549 cell proliferation and glycolysis. Mechanistically, ACADM was a functional target of paeonol. We also showed that the m6A reader YTH domain containing 1 plays an important role in m6A-modified ACADM expression, which is negatively regulated by paeonol, and is involved in A549 cell proliferation and glycolytic reprogramming. These results indicated the central function of paeonol in regulating A549 cell glycolytic reprogramming and proliferation via m6A modification of ACADM.

Exosomes from PYCR1 knockdown bone marrow mesenchymal stem inhibits aerobic glycolysis and the growth of bladder cancer cells via regulation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway

Bladder cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease, and pyrroline‑5‑carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) can promote the proliferation and invasion of BC cells and accelerate BC progression. In the present study, si‑PYCR1 was loaded into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)‑derived exosomes (Exos) in BC. First, PYCR1 levels in BC tissues/cells were assessed, and cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated. Aerobic glycolysis levels (glucose uptake, lactate production, ATP production, and the expression of relevant enzymes) and the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway phosphorylation levels were determined. PYCR1‑EGFR interactions were examined by co‑immunoprecipitation experiments. RT4 cells transfected with oe‑PYCR1 were treated with EGFR inhibitor CL‑387785. Exos were loaded with si‑PYCR1 and identified, followed by an assessment of their effects on aerobic glycolysis and malignant cell behaviors. Nude mouse models of xenograft tumors were established by injecting mice with Exo‑si‑PYCR1 and Exo‑si‑PYCR1. PYCR1 was upregulated in BC cells, with the highest expression observed in T24 cells and the lowest expression in RT4 cells. Following PYCR1 knockdown, the malignant behaviors of T24 cells and aerobic glycolysis were decreased, while PYCR1 overexpression in RT4 cells averted these trends. PYCR1 interacted with EGFR, and CL‑387785 inhibited the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway and attenuated the effects of PYCR1 overexpression on RT4 cells but had no effect on PYCR1 expression. Exo‑si‑PYCR1 showed stronger inhibitory effects on aerobic glycolysis and on the malignant behaviors of T24 cells than si‑PYCR1. Exo‑si‑PYCR1 blocked xenograft tumor growth and had good biocompatibility. Briefly, PYCR1 knocking loaded by BMSC‑derived Exos suppressed aerobic glycolysis and BC growth via the PI3K/AKT pathway by binding to EGFR.

Multi-omic analysis of glycolytic signatures: exploring the predictive significance of heterogeneity and stemness in immunotherapy response and outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health challenge with complex pathophysiology, characterized by high mortality rates and poor early detection due to significant tumor heterogeneity. Stemness significantly contributes to the heterogeneity of HCC tumors, and glycolysis is crucial for maintaining stemness. However, the predictive significance of glycolysis-related metabolic genes (GMGs) in HCC remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify critical GMGs and establish a reliable model for HCC prognosis. Methods: GMGs associated with prognosis were identified by evaluating genes with notable expression changes between HCC and normal tissues retrieved from the MsigDB database. Prognostic gene characteristics were established using univariate and multivariate Cox regression studies for prognosis prediction and risk stratification. The "CIBERSORT" and "pRRophetic" R packages were respectively used to evaluate the immunological environment and predict treatment response in HCC subtypes. The HCC stemness score was obtained using the OCLR technique. The precision of drug sensitivity prediction was evaluated using CCK-8 experiments performed on HCC cells. The miagration and invasion ability of HCC cell lines with different riskscores were assessed using Transwell and wound healing assays. Results: The risk model based on 10 gene characteristics showed high prediction accuracy as indicated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Moreover, the two GMG-related subgroups showed considerable variation in the risk of HCC with respect to tumor stemness, immune landscape, and prognostic stratification. The in vitro validation of the model's ability to predict medication response further demonstrated its reliability. Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of stemness variability and inter-individual variation in determining the HCC risk landscape. The risk model we developed provides HCC patients with a novel method for precision medicine that enables clinical doctors to customize treatment plans based on unique patient characteristics. Our findings have significant implications for tailored immunotherapy and chemotherapy methods, and may pave the way for more personalized and effective treatment strategies for HCC.

Metabolic Rewiring and Stemness: A Critical Attribute of Pancreatic Cancer Progression

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive diseases with a poor 5-year survival rate. PDAC cells rely on various metabolic pathways to fuel their unlimited proliferation and metastasis. Reprogramming glucose, fatty acid, amino acid, and nucleic acid metabolisms contributes to PDAC cell growth. Cancer stem cells are the primary cell types that play a critical role in the progression and aggressiveness of PDAC. Emerging studies indicate that the cancer stem cells in PDAC tumors are heterogeneous and show specific metabolic dependencies. In addition, understanding specific metabolic signatures and factors that regulate these metabolic alterations in the cancer stem cells of PDAC paves the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of PDAC metabolism by specifically exploring the metabolic dependencies of cancer stem cells. We also review the current knowledge of targeting these metabolic factors that regulate CSC maintenance and PDAC progression.

A novel oncogene trigger transposable element derived-1 promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma progression via evoking immune inhibition

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) globally. Its incidence rate is rapidly increasing, and its 5-year survival rate remains at 50%, despite advances in medical science. Trigger transposable element-derived 1 (TIGD1) has been found to be upregulated in various cancer types. However, its biological function in OSCC requires further investigation. We searched the Cancer Genome Atlas database using CIBERSORT and TIMER 2.0 to predict the significance of TIGD1 and evaluate its effect on immune cell infiltration. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to determine the biological functions of TIGD1. Gain/loss of function techniques were used to explore the biological behavior of TIGD1 in Cal27 and HSC4 cells. Finally, flow cytometry was used to detect dendritic cell markers in an OSCC and dendritic cell co-culture model. Our results show that TIGD1 is upregulated significantly in OSCC and is closely associated with tumor progression and prognosis. TIGD1 functions as an oncogene by increasing cells proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, promoting cell invasion and migration. TIGD1 is also involved in tumor immune cell infiltration. Its overexpression can inhibit dendritic cell maturation, leading to immune suppression and tumor progression. High TIGD1 expression, which promotes OSCC progression, might be related to decreased dendritic cell maturation and activation. These findings suggest that TIGD1-specific small interfering RNA synthesized in vitro could be a new target for OSCC immunotherapy.

Correlation between hypoxia and HGF/c-MET expression in the management of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is very deadly and difficult to treat. The presence of hypoxia has been shown to increase the probability of cancer developing and spreading. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC/PC) has traditionally viewed a highly lethal form of cancer due to its high occurrence of early metastases. Desmoplasia/stroma is often thick and collagenous, with pancreatic stellate cells as the primary source (PSCs). Cancer cells and other stromal cells interact with PSCs, promoting disease development. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET pathway have been proposed as a growth factor mechanism mediating this interaction. Human growth factor (HGF) is secreted by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and its receptor, c-MET, is generated by pancreatic cancer cells and endothelial cells. Hypoxia is frequent in malignant tumors, particularly pancreatic (PC). Hypoxia results from limitless tumor development and promotes survival, progression, and invasion. Hypoxic is becoming a critical driver and therapeutic target of pancreatic cancer as its hypoxia microenvironment is defined. Recent breakthroughs in cancer biology show that hypoxia promotes tumor proliferation, aggressiveness, and therapeutic resistance. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) stabilize hypoxia signaling. Hypoxia cMet is a key component of pancreatic tumor microenvironments, which also have a fibrotic response, that hypoxia, promotes and modulates. c-Met is a tyrosine-protein kinase. As describe it simply, the MET gene in humans' codes for a protein called hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR). Most cancerous tumors and pancreatic cancer in particular, suffer from a lack of oxygen (PC). Due to unrestrained tumor development, hypoxia develops, actively contributing to tumor survival, progression, and invasion. As the processes by which hypoxia signaling promotes invasion and metastasis become clear, c-MET has emerged as an important determinant of pancreatic cancer malignancy and a potential pharmacological target. This manuscript provides the most current findings on the role of hypoxia and HGF/c-MET expression in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 knockdown induces apoptosis in ccRCC by causing lysosomal membrane permeabilization via metabolic reprogramming

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) plays an important role in converting serine to glycine and supplying carbon to one-carbon metabolism to sustain cancer cell proliferation. However, the expression, function, and underlying mechanisms of SHMT2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that SHMT2 was upregulated in ccRCC tissues compared with controls and associated with patient survival. SHMT2 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion in ccRCC cells. Overexpression of SHMT2 promoted tumor progression. Mechanistically, SHMT2 depletion disrupted one-carbon metabolism, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and decreased ATP levels via metabolic reprogramming, which destroyed cell homeostasis. The SHMT2 knockdown-induced stress activated autophagy. A mass of autophagosomes fused with lysosomes, resulting in lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and leakage of lysosomal contents into the cytoplasm, which eventually led to apoptosis. Our work reveals that SHMT2 functions as an oncogenic gene to promote ccRCC progression. SHMT2 depletion induces apoptosis by causing LMP through excessive activation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway via metabolic reprogramming.

WDR79 promotes aerobic glycolysis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by the suppression of SIRT4

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignant disease. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a main type of PDAC. The inhibition of aerobic glycolysis in PC cells is one of the approaches to treat PDAC. WD repeat protein 79 (WDR79) acts as a scaffold protein and is involved in several physiological processes. Since WDR79 affects the progression of several types of cancers, whereas its role in PDAC remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the role of WDR79 in the progression of PDAC and clarify the mechanism. We found that WDR79 was highly expressed in PDAC cells. Knockdown of WDR79 inhibited the growth as well as the motility of PDAC cells, while overexpression of WDR79 contributed to the growth and motility. The ablation of WDR79 restrained aerobic glycolysis of PDAC cells. Mechanically, we found that WDR79 depletion increased SIRT4 expression by suppressing UHRF1 expression, which counteracted the function of WDR79 in PDAC. We thought that WDR79 could serve as a target for treating PDAC.