PDS5B regulates cell proliferation and motility via upregulation of Ptch2 in pancreatic cancer cells

MiR-223-3p in Cancer Development and Cancer Drug Resistance: Same Coin, Different Faces

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are mighty post-transcriptional regulators in cell physiology and pathophysiology. In this review, we focus on the role of miR-223-3p (henceforth miR-223) in various cancer types. MiR-223 has established roles in hematopoiesis, inflammation, and most cancers, where it can act as either an oncogenic or oncosuppressive miRNA, depending on specific molecular landscapes. MiR-223 has also been linked to either the sensitivity or resistance of cancer cells to treatments in a context-dependent way. Through this detailed review, we highlight that for some cancers (i.e., breast, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and glioblastoma), the oncosuppressive role of miR-223 is consistently reported in the literature, while for others (i.e., colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, and acute lymphocytic leukemia), an oncogenic role prevails. In prostate cancer and other hematological malignancies, although an oncosuppressive role is frequently described, there is less of a consensus. Intriguingly, NLRP3 and FBXW7 are consistently identified as miR-223 targets when the miRNA acts as an oncosuppressor or an oncogene, respectively, in different cancers. Our review also describes that miR-223 was increased in biological fluids or their extracellular vesicles in most of the cancers analyzed, as compared to healthy or lower-risk conditions, confirming the potential application of this miRNA as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in the clinic.

PGD2/PTGDR2 Signal Affects the Viability, Invasion, Apoptosis, and Stemness of Gastric Cancer Stem Cells and Prevents the Progression of Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) has been shown to restrict the occurrence and development of multiple cancers; nevertheless, its underlying molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study investigated the effect of PGD2 on the biological function of the enriched gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs), as well as its underlying molecular mechanism, to provide a theoretical basis and potential therapeutic drugs for gastric cancer (GC) treatment.

METHODS

The plasma PGD2 levels were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Silencing of lipocalin prostaglandin D synthetases (L-PTGDS) and prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (PTGDR2) was carried out in GCSCs from SGC-7901 and HGC-27 cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8, transwell, flow cytometry, and western blotting assays were used to determine cell viability, invasion, apoptosis, and stemness of GCSCs. In vivo xenograft models were used to assess tumor growth.

RESULTS

Clinically, it was found that the plasma PGD2 level decreased significantly in patients with GC. PGD2 suppressed viability, invasion, and stemness and increased the apoptosis of GCSCs. Downregulating L-PTGDS and PTGDR2 promoted viability, invasion, and stemness and reduced the apoptosis of GCSCs. Moreover, the inhibition of GCSCs induced by PGD2 was eliminated by downregulating the expression of PTGDR2. The results of in vivo experiments were consistent with those of in vitro experiments.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that PGD2 may be an important marker and potential therapeutic target in the clinical management of GC. L-PTGDS/PTGDR2 may be one of the critical targets for GC therapy. The PGD2/PTGDR2 signal affects the viability, invasion, apoptosis, and stemness of GCSCs and prevents the progression of GC.

Circular RNA CircPDS5B impairs angiogenesis following ischemic stroke through its interaction with hnRNPL to inactivate VEGF-A

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS) is the primary cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been proposed as crucial regulators in IS. This study focused on the role of circPDS5B in IS and its underlying mechanism.

METHOD

Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mice and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-exposed human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were used as IS models. Expression levels of circPDS5B, heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (hnRNPL), runt-related transcription factor-1 (Runx1), and Zinc finger protein 24 (ZNF24) were quantified by qRT-PCR. MTT, wound healing, transwell and tube formation assays were employed to evaluate the cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, respectively. Moreover, RNA pull-down, and RIP assay were performed to investigate the interaction among circPDS5B, hnRNPL and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA).

RESULTS

circPDS5B was significantly up-regulated in IS patients and tMCAO mice. Deficiency of circPDS5B relieved brain infarction and neuronal injury of tMCAO mice. OGD/R-induced apoptosis, inhibition in viability, migration, and angiogenesis in BMECs were dramatically abrogated by circPDS5B knockdown. Mechanistically, circPDS5B stabilized Runx1 and ZNF24 via recruiting hnRNPL, thereby suppressing the transcription and expression of VEGFA. hnRNPL silencing strengthened circPDS5B knockdown-mediated beneficial effect on IS.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, our study showed that high expression of circPDS5B exacerbated IS through recruitment of hnRNP to stabilize Runx1/ZNF24 and subsequently inactivate VEGF-A. Our findings suggest circPDS5B may be a novel therapeutic target for IS.

Aberrant expression of SPAG6 and NM23 predicts poor prognosis of human osteosarcoma

Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of sperm-associated antigen 6 and NM23 proteins in human osteosarcoma.

Methods: The specimens of conventional osteosarcoma with follow-up from 42 Chinese patients were analyzed in this study, and 12 cases of osteochondroma were considered controls. The expression of SPAG6 and NM23 was inspected using immunohistochemical staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting methods.

Results: The positive expression rate of SPAG6 protein (71.43%) in 42 cases of osteosarcoma tissue was significantly higher than that (33.33%) in 12 cases of osteochondroma tissues (p < 0.05), while the positive rate of NM23 protein (35.71%) in osteosarcoma tissue was lower than that (58.33%) in osteochondroma tissue (p < 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of SPAG6 were significantly higher than those of the adjacent normal tissues, while the expression of NM23 was lower in osteosarcoma tissues than that in the controls (p < 0.05 for all). There was a positive relationship between the expression of SPAG6 and pathological grade, metastasis, and Enneking stage (p < 0.05 for all). The overall survival rate of osteosarcoma patients with SPAG6 positive expression was significantly lower than that with SPAG6 negative expression. The relationship between the expression of NM23 and pathological grade, metastasis, and Enneking stage was negative (p < 0.05 for all). The overall survival rate of the osteosarcoma patients with NM23 positive expression was higher than that of the patients with NM23 negative expression (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Overexpression of SPAG6 and low expression of NM23 are negatively related to pathological grade, metastasis, and Enneking stage and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. This suggested that SPAG6 and NM23 should be considered candidate prognostic biomarkers for patients with osteosarcoma.

CACNA1C-AS2 inhibits cell proliferation and suppresses cell migration and invasion via targeting FBXO45 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in glioma

Glioma is the most common brain cancer with a poor prognosis, and its underlying molecular mechanisms still needs to be further explored. In the current study, we discovered that an antisense lncRNA, CACNA1C-AS2, suppressed growth, migration and invasion of glioma cells, suggesting that CACNA1C-AS2 functions as a tumor suppressor. Furthermore, we found that CACNA1C-AS2 negatively regulated Fbxo45 protein expression in glioma cells. Impressively, extensive experimental results revealed that Fbxo45 accelerated growth, migration and invasion of glioma cells. Clinically, increased Fbxo45 expression was observed in 75 human glioma tissue samples. Moreover, in vivo experiments also demonstrated that Fbxo45 overexpression enhanced tumor growth in mice. Especially, we further identified that Fbxo45 activated mTORC1 rather than mTORC2 through PI3K/AKT signaling to promote cell growth and motility in glioma cells. Rescue experiments also exhibited that CACNA1C-AS2 inhibited cell growth and motility partly through down-regulating Fbxo45 expression in glioma. Our results provide the novel insights into the critical role of CACNA1C-AS2/Fbxo45/mTOR axis involved in regulating glioma tumorigenesis and progression, and further indicate that CACNA1C-AS2 and Fbxo45 may be the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for glioma.

Fbxo45 facilitates pancreatic carcinoma progression by targeting USP49 for ubiquitination and degradation

Fbxo45, a conserved F-box protein, comprises of an atypical SKP1, CUL1, F-box protein (SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex that promotes tumorigenesis and development. However, the biological function and molecular mechanisms of Fbxo45 involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis are ambiguous. We conducted several approaches, including transfection, coIP, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, ubiquitin assays, and animal studies, to explore the role of Fbxo45 in pancreatic cancer. Here, we report that USP49 stability is governed by Fbxo45-mediated ubiquitination and is enhanced by the absence of Fbxo45. Moreover, Fbxo45 binds to a short consensus sequence of USP49 through its SPRY domain. Furthermore, Fbxo45-mediated USP49 ubiquitination and degradation are enhanced by NEK6 kinase. Functionally, Fbxo45 increases cell viability and motility capacity by targeting USP49 in pancreatic cancer cells. Xenograft mouse experiments demonstrated that ectopic expression of Fbxo45 enhanced tumor growth in mice and that USP49 overexpression inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Notably, Fbxo45 expression was negatively associated with USP49 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues. Fbxo45 serves as an oncoprotein to facilitate pancreatic oncogenesis by regulating the stability of the tumor suppressor USP49 in pancreatic cancer.

Expression pattern of Ptch2 in mouse embryonic maxillofacial development

Embryogenesis is modulated by numerous complex signaling cascades, which are essential for normal development. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is part of these central cascades. As a homolog of Patched (Ptch)-1, Ptch2 initially did not appear to be as important as Ptch1. Recent reports have revealed that Ptch2 plays a crucial role in ligand-dependent feedback inhibition of Hh signaling in vertebrates. The role of Ptch2 in facial development remains unclear. Here, we investigated the detailed expression pattern of Ptch2 during craniofacial development in murine embryos based on in situ hybridization (ISH) studies of whole-mounts and sections, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and quantitative real-time PCR. We found that both Ptch2 mRNA and protein expression increased in a dynamic pattern in the facial development at mouse embryonic days 11-14.5. Moreover, distinct expression of Ptch2 was observed in the structures of the facial region, such as the tooth germ, Meckel's cartilage, and the follicles of vibrissae. These data, combined with our work in the macrostomia family, suggest that Ptch2 may play a critical role in facial development.

The Antitumor Activity and Mechanism of a Natural Diterpenoid From Casearia graveolens

Casearlucin A, a diterpenoid obtained from Casearia graveolens, has been reported to possess strong cytotoxic activity. However, the in vivo anti-tumor effects and the action mechanism of casearlucin A remain poorly understood. Our study revealed that casearlucin A arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 stage and induced cell apoptosis in cell level. Additionally, casearlucin A inhibited HepG2 cell migration via regulating a few of metastasis-related proteins. Furthermore, it inhibited tumor angiogenesis in zebrafish in vivo. More importantly, casearlucin A significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration in an in vivo zebrafish xenograft model. Collectively, these results are valuable for the further development and application of casearlucin A as an anticancer agent.

PDS5B inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via upregulation of LATS1 in lung cancer cells

PDS5B (precocious dissociation of sisters 5B) plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis and progression. However, the biological functions of PDS5B in lung cancer and its underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. In the present study, we used MTT assays, wound-healing assays, and transwell migration and invasion approach to examine the cell viability, migration, and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells after PDS5B modulation. Moreover, we investigated the function of PDS5B overexpression in vivo. Furthermore, we detected the expression of PDS5B in tissue samples of lung cancer patients by immunohistochemical study. We found that upregulation of PDS5B repressed cell viability, migration, and invasion in NSCLC cells, whereas downregulation of PDS5B had the opposite effects. We also observed that PDS5B overexpression retarded tumor growth in nude mice. Notably, PDS5B positively regulated LATS1 expression in NSCLC cells. Strikingly, low expression of PDS5B was associated with lymph node metastasis in lung cancer patients. Our findings suggest that PDS5B might be a therapeutic target for lung cancer.

PDS5A and PDS5B in Cohesin Function and Human Disease

Precocious dissociation of sisters 5 (PDS5) is an associate protein of cohesin that is conserved from yeast to humans. It acts as a regulator of the cohesin complex and plays important roles in various cellular processes, such as sister chromatid cohesion, DNA damage repair, gene transcription, and DNA replication. Vertebrates have two paralogs of PDS5, PDS5A and PDS5B, which have redundant and unique roles in regulating cohesin functions. Herein, we discuss the molecular characteristics and functions of PDS5, as well as the effects of its mutations in the development of diseases and their relevance for novel therapeutic strategies.

Downregulation of APRIN expression increases cancer cell proliferation via an interleukin-6/STAT3/cyclin D axis

APRIN is a putative tumor suppressor whose expression is low in a variety of cancer cells. While decreased expression of APRIN leads to increased cell proliferation, unfavorable diagnosis or metastases in various cancer types, there is limited knowledge on the cellular mechanism of APRIN in cellular responses. The effect of APRIN depletion on cancer cell proliferation was examined in the present study, and the IL-6/STAT3/cyclin D axis was identified as a novel regulatory mechanism. Stable depletion of APRIN in cancer cells resulted in increased cell proliferation. Cytokine array analysis of the cells revealed that downregulation of APRIN induced secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) with corresponding activation of STAT3, a downstream intracellular mediator. Levels of cyclin D1 were increased in cells with APRIN depletion and cyclin D1 expression was associated with increased STAT3 binding on cyclin D1 promoter sequence; assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The addition of an IL-6 neutralizing antibody P620 to the cell culture attenuated STAT3 activation and cyclin D1 expression in APRIN-depleted cells with corresponding decrease in cell proliferation. These experiments suggest that APRIN regulates cancer cell proliferation via an IL-6/STAT3/cyclin D axis and that targeting this axis in APRIN-associated cancer might provide a novel therapeutic approach.

Diterpenoids from the leaves of Casearia kurzii showing cytotoxic activities

A phytochemical investigation to obtain bioactive substances as lead compounds or agents for cancer led to the obtainment of six new and two known clerodane diterpenoids from the leaves of Casearia kurzii. Their structures were elucidated using NMR techniques and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The subsequent biological cytotoxicity evaluation of these isolates toward human lung cancer A549, human cervical cancer HeLa, human chronic myeloid leukemia K562, and human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 was carried out. The most active compound 4 with an IC₅₀ value of 9.7 μM against HepG2 cells was selected to examine the cytotoxic mechanism, which induced the apoptosis and arrested the HepG2 cell cycle at S stage. The in vivo zebrafish experiments revealed that compound 4 had the property of inhibiting tumor proliferation and migration.