1
|
Martin-Folgar R, Sabroso C, Cañas-Portilla AI, Torres-Ruíz M, González-Caballero MC, Dorado H, Velasco I, Morales M. DNA damage and molecular level effects induced by polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics (NPs) after Chironomus riparius (Diptera) larvae. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140552. [PMID: 37914044 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we analyzed the early molecular effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics (NPs) on an aquatic primary consumer (larvae of Chironomus riparius, Diptera) to evaluate their potential DNA damage and the transcriptional response of different genes related to cellular and oxidative stress, endocrine response, developmental, oxygen transport, and immune response. After 24-h exposures of larvae to doses of PS NPs close to those currently found in the environment, the results revealed a large genotoxic effect. This end was evidenced after significant increases in DNA strand breaks of C. riparius larvae quantified by the comet assay, together with results obtained when analyzing the expression of four genes involved in DNA repair (xrrc1, ATM, DECAY and NLK) and which were reduced in the presence of these nanomaterials. Consequently, this reduction trend is likely to prevent the repair of DNA damage caused by PS NPs. In addition, the same tendency to reduce the expression of genes involved in cellular stress, oxidative stress, ecdysone pathway, development, and oxygen transport was observed. Taken together, these results suggest that PS NPs reduce the expression of hormonal target genes and a developmental gene. We show, for the first time, effects of PS NPs on the endocrine system of C. riparius and suggest a possible mechanism of blocking ecdysteroid hormones in insects. Moreover, the NPs were able to inhibit the expression of hemoglobin (Hb C), a protein involved in oxygen transport, and activate a gene of the humoral immune system. These data reveal for the first time the genomic effects of PS NPs in the aquatic invertebrate C. riparius, at the base of the food chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Martin-Folgar
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Física Matemática y de Fluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n Las Rozas, (Madrid), Spain.
| | - Celia Sabroso
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Física Matemática y de Fluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n Las Rozas, (Madrid), Spain
| | - Ana I Cañas-Portilla
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., 28220, Majadahonda, (Madrid), Spain
| | - Mónica Torres-Ruíz
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., 28220, Majadahonda, (Madrid), Spain
| | - Mª Carmen González-Caballero
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., 28220, Majadahonda, (Madrid), Spain
| | - Helena Dorado
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Física Matemática y de Fluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n Las Rozas, (Madrid), Spain
| | - Ignacio Velasco
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Física Matemática y de Fluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n Las Rozas, (Madrid), Spain
| | - Mónica Morales
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Departamento de Física Matemática y de Fluidos, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n Las Rozas, (Madrid), Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu T, Zeng Q, Mao H, Liu Y, Zhang H, Wang S, Hu C, Xu X. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) NLK2 inhibits IFN I response through blocking MAVS-IRF3 axis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 131:206-217. [PMID: 36220536 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, nemo-like kinase 2 (NLK2) is a conservative protein kinase involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and immune response. However, the role of NLK2 in immune response in teleost remain unclear. In this study, we identified an ortholog of mammalian NLK from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) named CiNLK2. CiNLK2 shares a high level of homology with the counterparts, especially with that of Cyprinus carpio. CiNLK2 was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues (liver, brain, spleen, gill, kidney and eye) and its expression was up-regulated under the treatment with poly I:C or GCRV. Overexpression of CiNLK2 suppressed the production of IFN I in CIK cells whether or not treated with poly I:C. However, knockdown of CiNLK2 increased the expression level of IFN I. The analysis of subcellular localization showed that CiNLK2 protein was scattered throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus. In terms of mechanism, CiNLK2 can directly interact with MAVS and inhibit MAVS-induced IFN I response. Moreover, CiNLK2 increased the phosphorylation level of MAVS, which led to the degradation of MAVS protein. On the other hand, CiNLK2 suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3. In general, CiNLK2 served as an inhibitor for IFN I response by targeting MAVS-IRF3 signal axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yu
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qing Zeng
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huiling Mao
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Yulong Liu
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shanghong Wang
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chengyu Hu
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaowen Xu
- School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yadav V, Sharma K, Bhattacharya S, Talwar P, Purohit PK, Saini N. RETRACTED: hsa-miR-23a~27a~24-2 cluster members inhibit aggressiveness of breast cancer cells by commonly targeting NCOA1, NLK and RAP1B. Life Sci 2022; 307:120906. [PMID: 36007610 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. The corresponding author notified the journal of three examples of image duplication within the published article (two in Figure 3D and one in Figure 4A), and requested a corrigendum. As per journal policy when considering corrigendum requests, the journal requested the authors to provide source data relating to these affected figures. The editorial team noticed 12 additional suspected image duplications within the supplied source data and the corresponding author was informed. Upon submission of revised source data, the editorial team noticed two new suspected image duplications. The editorial team have concerns about the provenance of the data and therefore the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Yadav
- Functional Genomics Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Mall Road, 110007, Delhi, India
| | - Kritika Sharma
- Functional Genomics Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Mall Road, 110007, Delhi, India
| | - Sushant Bhattacharya
- Functional Genomics Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Mall Road, 110007, Delhi, India
| | - Puneet Talwar
- Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, India
| | - Paresh Kumar Purohit
- Functional Genomics Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Mall Road, 110007, Delhi, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Neeru Saini
- Functional Genomics Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Mall Road, 110007, Delhi, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Farache D, Liu L, Lee ASY. Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 5A2 Regulates Expression of Antiviral Genes. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167564. [PMID: 35358571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Translation factors are essential for regulation of protein synthesis. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) family is made up of two paralogues - eIF5A1 and eIF5A2 - which display high sequence homology but distinct tissue tropism. While eIF5A1 directly binds to the ribosome and regulates translation initiation, elongation, and termination, the molecular function of eIF5A2 remains poorly understood. Here, we engineer an eIF5A2 knockout allele in the SW480 colon cancer cell line. Using ribosome profiling and RNA-Sequencing, we reveal that eIF5A2 is functionally distinct from eIF5A1 and does not regulate transcript-specific or global protein synthesis. Instead, eIF5A2 knockout leads to decreased intrinsic antiviral gene expression, including members of the IFITM and APOBEC3 family. Furthermore, cells lacking eIF5A2 display increased permissiveness to virus infection. Our results uncover eIF5A2 as a factor involved regulating the antiviral transcriptome, and reveal an example of how gene duplications of translation factors can result in proteins with distinct functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Farache
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luochen Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amy S Y Lee
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mathien S, Tesnière C, Meloche S. Regulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Its Pharmacological Potential. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:263-296. [PMID: 34732541 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways that play essential roles in transducing extracellular environmental signals into diverse cellular responses to maintain homeostasis. These pathways are classically organized into an architecture of three sequentially acting protein kinases: a MAPK kinase kinase that phosphorylates and activates a MAPK kinase, which in turn phosphorylates and activates the effector MAPK. The activity of MAPKs is tightly regulated by phosphorylation of their activation loop, which can be modulated by positive and negative feedback mechanisms to control the amplitude and duration of the signal. The signaling outcomes of MAPK pathways are further regulated by interactions of MAPKs with scaffolding and regulatory proteins. Accumulating evidence indicates that, in addition to these mechanisms, MAPK signaling is commonly regulated by ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-mediated control of the stability and abundance of MAPK pathway components. Notably, the biologic activity of some MAPKs appears to be regulated mainly at the level of protein turnover. Recent studies have started to explore the potential of targeted protein degradation as a powerful strategy to investigate the biologic functions of individual MAPK pathway components and as a new therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to current small-molecule kinase inhibitors. Here, we comprehensively review the mechanisms, physiologic importance, and pharmacological potential of UPS-mediated protein degradation in the control of MAPK signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of targeted protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in regulating and fine-tuning the signaling output of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Manipulating protein levels of MAPK cascade components may provide a novel approach for the development of selective pharmacological tools and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Mathien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (S.Ma., C.T., S.Me.); and Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine (C.T., S.Me.) and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (S.Me.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chloé Tesnière
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (S.Ma., C.T., S.Me.); and Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine (C.T., S.Me.) and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (S.Me.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (S.Ma., C.T., S.Me.); and Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine (C.T., S.Me.) and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (S.Me.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Signaling Pathways That Regulate Normal and Aberrant Red Blood Cell Development. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101646. [PMID: 34681039 PMCID: PMC8536016 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood cell development is regulated through intrinsic gene regulation and local factors including the microenvironment and cytokines. The differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) into mature erythrocytes is dependent on these cytokines binding to and stimulating their cognate receptors and the signaling cascades they initiate. Many of these pathways include kinases that can diversify signals by phosphorylating multiple substrates and amplify signals by phosphorylating multiple copies of each substrate. Indeed, synthesis of many of these cytokines is regulated by a number of signaling pathways including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-, extracellular signal related kinases (ERK)-, and p38 kinase-dependent pathways. Therefore, kinases act both upstream and downstream of the erythropoiesis-regulating cytokines. While many of the cytokines are well characterized, the nuanced members of the network of kinases responsible for appropriate induction of, and response to, these cytokines remains poorly defined. Here, we will examine the kinase signaling cascades required for erythropoiesis and emphasize the importance, complexity, enormous amount remaining to be characterized, and therapeutic potential that will accompany our comprehensive understanding of the erythroid kinome in both healthy and diseased states.
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen Z, Cao Y, Huang J, Tan Y, Wei J, Xiao J, Zou J, Feng H. NLK suppresses MAVS-mediated signaling in black carp antiviral innate immunity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 122:104105. [PMID: 33872658 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian Nemo-like kinase (NLK) plays important roles in multiple biological processes including immune response; however, the roles of teleost NLK remain largely unknown. In the present study, the NLK homolog (bcNLK) of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has been cloned and characterized. The coding region of bcNLK consists of 1427 nucleotides and encodes 476 amino acid, including two low complexity region (LCR) domains at the N-terminus and a serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic (S-TKc) domain in the middle region. The transcription of bcNLK are promoted after spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) infection and poly (I:C) stimulation in host cells, but not post LPS treatment. bcNLK exhibits weak impact on the transcription of interferon (IFN) promoter in the reporter assay, however, black carp MAVS (bcMAVS)-mediated IFN promoter transcription is remarkably dampened by bcNLK. The interaction between bcNLK and bcMAVS is detected through the co-immunoprecipitation assay. Accordingly, the plaque assay results show that bcMAVS-mediated antiviral ability is impaired by bcNLK. Moreover, knockdown of bcNLK in host cells leads to the enhanced antiviral ability against SVCV. All these data support the conclusion that black carp NLK associates with MAVS and inhibited MAVS-mediated antiviral signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yingyi Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Jiayi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yaqi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Jing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China; College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Jun Zou
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Hao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ji YX, Wang Y, Li PL, Cai L, Wang XM, Bai L, Liu Z, Tian H, Tian S, Zhang P, Zhang XJ, Cheng X, Yuan Y, She ZG, Hu Y, Li H. A kinome screen reveals that Nemo-like kinase is a key suppressor of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Cell Metab 2021; 33:1171-1186.e9. [PMID: 33951476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antihyperglycemic therapy is an important priority for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Excessive hepatic glucose production (HGP) is a major cause of fasting hyperglycemia. Therefore, a better understanding of its regulation would be important to develop effective antihyperglycemic therapies. Using a gluconeogenesis-targeted kinome screening approach combined with transcriptome analyses, we uncovered Nemo-like kinase (NLK) as a potent suppressor of HGP. Mechanistically, NLK phosphorylates and promotes nuclear export of CRTC2 and FOXO1, two key regulators of hepatic gluconeogenesis, resulting in the proteasome-dependent degradation of the former and the inhibition of the self-transcriptional activity and expression of the latter. Importantly, the expression of NLK is downregulated in the liver of individuals with diabetes and in diabetic rodent models and restoring NLK expression in the mouse model ameliorates hyperglycemia. Therefore, our findings uncover NLK as a critical player in the gluconeogenic regulatory network and as a potential therapeutic target for T2D.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Xiao Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yutao Wang
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng-Long Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Cai
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lan Bai
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Tian
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Song Tian
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xu Cheng
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufeng Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Minimally Invasive Procedure of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases of Hubei Province, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zhi-Gang She
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yufeng Hu
- Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Hongliang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Institute of Model Animal of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Medical Science Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
The phosphorylation of the Smad2/3 linker region by nemo-like kinase regulates TGF-β signaling. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100512. [PMID: 33676893 PMCID: PMC8047224 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Smad2 and Smad3 (Smad2/3) are structurally similar proteins that primarily mediate the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling responsible for driving cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The dynamics of the Smad2/3 phosphorylation provide the key mechanism for regulating the TGF-β signaling pathway, but the details surrounding this phosphorylation remain unclear. Here, using in vitro kinase assay coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified for the first time that nemo-like kinase (NLK) regulates TGF-β signaling via modulation of Smad2/3 phosphorylation in the linker region. TGF-β-mediated transcriptional and cellular responses are suppressed by NLK overexpression, whereas NLK depletion exerts opposite effects. Specifically, we discovered that NLK associates with Smad3 and phosphorylates the designated serine residues located in the linker region of Smad2 and Smad3, which inhibits phosphorylation at the C terminus, thereby decreasing the duration of TGF-β signaling. Overall, this work demonstrates that phosphorylation on the linker region of Smad2/3 by NLK counteracts the canonical phosphorylation in response to TGF-β signals, thus providing new insight into the mechanisms governing TGF-β signaling transduction.
Collapse
|
10
|
Daams R, Massoumi R. Nemo-Like Kinase in Development and Diseases: Insights from Mouse Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239203. [PMID: 33276680 PMCID: PMC7731171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signalling pathway is a central communication cascade between cells to orchestrate polarity and fate during development and adult tissue homeostasis in various organisms. This pathway can be regulated by different signalling molecules in several steps. One of the coordinators in this pathway is Nemo-like kinase (NLK), which is an atypical proline-directed serine/threonine mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Very recently, NLK was established as an essential regulator in different cellular processes and abnormal NLK expression was highlighted to affect the development and progression of various diseases. In this review, we focused on the recent discoveries by using NLK-deficient mice, which show a phenotype in the development and function of organs such as the lung, heart and skeleton. Furthermore, NLK could conduct the function and differentiation of cells from the immune system, in addition to regulating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxias. Overall, generations of NLK-deficient mice have taught us valuable lessons about the role of this kinase in certain diseases and development.
Collapse
|
11
|
Metformin-induced suppression of Nemo-like kinase improves erythropoiesis in preclinical models of Diamond–Blackfan anemia through induction of miR-26a. Exp Hematol 2020; 91:65-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2020.09.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
12
|
Roche O, Fernández-Aroca DM, Arconada-Luque E, García-Flores N, Mellor LF, Ruiz-Hidalgo MJ, Sánchez-Prieto R. p38β and Cancer: The Beginning of the Road. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207524. [PMID: 33053909 PMCID: PMC7589630 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is implicated in cancer biology and has been widely studied over the past two decades as a potential therapeutic target. Most of the biological and pathological implications of p38MAPK signaling are often associated with p38α (MAPK14). Recently, several members of the p38 family, including p38γ and p38δ, have been shown to play a crucial role in several pathologies including cancer. However, the specific role of p38β (MAPK11) in cancer is still elusive, and further investigation is needed. Here, we summarize what is currently known about the role of p38β in different types of tumors and its putative implication in cancer therapy. All evidence suggests that p38β might be a key player in cancer development, and could be an important therapeutic target in several pathologies, including cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Roche
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain; (O.R.); (D.M.F.-A.); (E.A.-L.); (N.G.-F.); (L.F.M.); (M.J.R.-H.)
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
| | - Diego M. Fernández-Aroca
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain; (O.R.); (D.M.F.-A.); (E.A.-L.); (N.G.-F.); (L.F.M.); (M.J.R.-H.)
| | - Elena Arconada-Luque
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain; (O.R.); (D.M.F.-A.); (E.A.-L.); (N.G.-F.); (L.F.M.); (M.J.R.-H.)
| | - Natalia García-Flores
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain; (O.R.); (D.M.F.-A.); (E.A.-L.); (N.G.-F.); (L.F.M.); (M.J.R.-H.)
| | - Liliana F. Mellor
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain; (O.R.); (D.M.F.-A.); (E.A.-L.); (N.G.-F.); (L.F.M.); (M.J.R.-H.)
| | - María José Ruiz-Hidalgo
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain; (O.R.); (D.M.F.-A.); (E.A.-L.); (N.G.-F.); (L.F.M.); (M.J.R.-H.)
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
| | - Ricardo Sánchez-Prieto
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina de Albacete, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain
- Departamento de Biología del Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-915-854-420
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lei L, Wang Y, Zheng YW, Fei LR, Shen HY, Li ZH, Huang WJ, Yu JH, Xu HT. Overexpression of Nemo-like Kinase Promotes the Proliferation and Invasion of Lung Cancer Cells and Indicates Poor Prognosis. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 19:674-680. [PMID: 30451112 DOI: 10.2174/1568009618666181119150521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionarily conserved MAP kinaserelated kinase involved in the pathogenesis of several human cancers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and role of NLK in lung cancers, and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS We examined the expression of NLK in lung cancer tissues through western blot analysis. We enhanced or knocked down NLK expression by gene transfection or RNA interference, respectively, in lung cancer cells, and examined expression alterations of key proteins in the Wnt signaling pathway and in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We also examined the roles of NLK in the proliferation and invasiveness of lung cancer cells by cell proliferation, colony formation, and Matrigel invasion assays. RESULTS NLK expression was found to be significantly higher in lung cancer tissue samples than in corresponding healthy lung tissue samples. Overexpression of NLK correlated with poor prognosis of patients with lung cancer. Overexpression of NLK upregulated β-catenin, TCF4, and Wnt target genes such as cyclin D1, c-Myc, and MMP7. N-cadherin and TWIST, the key proteins in EMT, were upregulated, while E-cadherin expression was reduced. Additionally, proliferation, colony formation, and invasion turned out to be enhanced in NLK-overexpressing cells. After NLK knockdown in lung cancer cells, we obtained the opposite results. CONCLUSION NLK is overexpressed in lung cancers and indicates poor prognosis. Overexpression of NLK activates the Wnt signaling pathway and EMT and promotes the proliferation and invasiveness of lung cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yi-Wen Zheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Liang-Ru Fei
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Hao-Yue Shen
- 100K80B, Clinical Medicine of Seven-year Programme, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Zhi-Han Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Wen-Jing Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Juan-Han Yu
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Hong-Tao Xu
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sun H, Zhou Z, Dong Y, Yang A, Jiang J. Insights into the DNA methylation of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in response to skin ulceration syndrome infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 104:155-164. [PMID: 32502611 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression in many biological processes, including immune response. In this study, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was carried out on healthy body wall (HB) and skin ulceration syndrome (SUS) infected body wall (SFB) to gain insights into the epigenetic regulatory mechanism in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. After comparison, a total of 116,522 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were obtained including 67,269 hyper-methylated and 49,253 hypo-methylated DMRs (p < 0.05, FDR < 0.001). GO enrichment analysis indicated that regulation of DNA-templated transcription (GO: 0006355), where DNA methylation occurred, was the most significant term in the biology process. The integration of methylome and transcriptome analysis revealed that 10,499 DMRs were negatively correlated with 496 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that these DEGs were enriched in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Interestingly, two serine/threonine-protein kinases, nemo-like kinase (NLK) and mTOR, were highlighted after functional analysis. The variations of methylation in these two genes were associated with SUS infection and immune regulation. They regulated gene expression at different levels and showed interaction during response process. The validation of methylation sites showed high consistency between pyrosequencing and WGBS. WGBS analysis not only revealed the changes of DNA methylation, but also presented important information about the regulation of key genes after SUS infection in A. japonicus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Sun
- Liaoning Key Lab of Marine Fishery Molecular Biology, Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, PR China
| | - Zunchun Zhou
- Liaoning Key Lab of Marine Fishery Molecular Biology, Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, PR China.
| | - Ying Dong
- Liaoning Key Lab of Marine Fishery Molecular Biology, Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, PR China
| | - Aifu Yang
- Liaoning Key Lab of Marine Fishery Molecular Biology, Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, PR China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Liaoning Key Lab of Marine Fishery Molecular Biology, Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Daams R, Sime W, Leandersson K, Sitnicka E, Massoumi R. Deletion of Nemo-like Kinase in T Cells Reduces Single-Positive CD8 + Thymocyte Population. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:1830-1841. [PMID: 32839237 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The β-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in all stages of T cell development. Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionary conserved serine/threonine kinase and a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. NLK can directly phosphorylate histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), as well as T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF), causing subsequent repression of target gene transcription. By engineering mice lacking NLK in early stages of T cell development, we set out to characterize the role NLK plays in T cell development and found that deletion of NLK does not affect mouse health or lymphoid tissue development. Instead, these mice harbored a reduced number of single-positive (SP) CD8+ thymocytes without any defects in the SP CD4+ thymocyte population. The decrease in SP CD8+ thymocytes was not caused by a block in differentiation from double-positive CD4+CD8+ cells. Neither TCR signaling nor activation was altered in the absence of NLK. Instead, we observed a significant increase in cell death and reduced phosphorylation of LEF1 as well as HDAC1 among NLK-deleted SP CD8+ cells. Thus, NLK seems to play an important role in the survival of CD8+ thymocytes. Our data provide evidence for a new function for NLK with regard to its involvement in T cell development and supporting survival of SP CD8+ thymocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renée Daams
- Molecular Tumor Pathology, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Wondossen Sime
- Molecular Tumor Pathology, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Leandersson
- Cancer Immunology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden; and
| | - Ewa Sitnicka
- Lymphoid Development and Regulation, Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ramin Massoumi
- Molecular Tumor Pathology, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ma D, Gao X, Liu Z, Lu X, Ju H, Zhang N. Exosome-transferred long non-coding RNA ASMTL-AS1 contributes to malignant phenotypes in residual hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12795. [PMID: 32722884 PMCID: PMC7507479 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging RNA regulators in cancer progression, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported to lead to recurrence and metastasis of residual HCC tumours. Herein, we aimed to the role of ASMTL‐AS1 in residual HCC after insufficient RFA. Materials and methods In vitro insufficient RFA model was simulated in Huh7 cells and subsequently named Huh7‐H cells. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to investigate ASMTL‐AS1 function in HCC. Results LncRNA ASMTL‐AS1 low expressed in normal human liver was found to be highly expressed in HCC tissues and further increased in tumours after insufficient RFA. ASMTL‐AS1 expression was related to stage, metastasis and prognosis in HCC. Huh7‐H possessed higher ASMTL‐AS1 level and more aggressive than Huh7 cells. ASMTL‐AS1 contributed to the malignancy of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ASMTL‐AS1 was trans‐activated by MYC and promoted NLK expression to activate YAP signalling via sequestering miR‐342‐3p in HCC. Interestingly, ASMTL‐AS1 could be wrapped by exosomes and then convey malignancy through NLK/YAP axis between cells even in residual HCC after insufficient RFA. Conclusions Exosomal ASMTL‐AS1 aggravates the malignancy in residual HCC after insufficient RFA via miR‐342‐3p/NLK/YAP signalling, opening a new road for the treatment of HCC and the prevention of recurrence or metastasis of residual HCC after insufficient RFA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dening Ma
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Science, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Xinyi Gao
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Radiology, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Science, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Xingang Lu
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Science, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Haixing Ju
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Science, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 1 Banshan East Road, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Cancer Hospital, 270 Dong-An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wilkes MC, Siva K, Chen J, Varetti G, Youn MY, Chae H, Ek F, Olsson R, Lundbäck T, Dever DP, Nishimura T, Narla A, Glader B, Nakauchi H, Porteus MH, Repellin CE, Gazda HT, Lin S, Serrano M, Flygare J, Sakamoto KM. Diamond Blackfan anemia is mediated by hyperactive Nemo-like kinase. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3344. [PMID: 32620751 PMCID: PMC7334220 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome associated with ribosomal gene mutations that lead to ribosomal insufficiency. DBA is characterized by anemia, congenital anomalies, and cancer predisposition. Treatment for DBA is associated with significant morbidity. Here, we report the identification of Nemo-like kinase (NLK) as a potential target for DBA therapy. To identify new DBA targets, we screen for small molecules that increase erythroid expansion in mouse models of DBA. This screen identified a compound that inhibits NLK. Chemical and genetic inhibition of NLK increases erythroid expansion in mouse and human progenitors, including bone marrow cells from DBA patients. In DBA models and patient samples, aberrant NLK activation is initiated at the Megakaryocyte/Erythroid Progenitor (MEP) stage of differentiation and is not observed in non-erythroid hematopoietic lineages or healthy erythroblasts. We propose that NLK mediates aberrant erythropoiesis in DBA and is a potential target for therapy. Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome that is associated with anemia. Here, the authors examine the role of Nemo-like kinase (NLK) in erythroid cells in the pathogenesis of DBA and as a potential target for therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Wilkes
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - K Siva
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - J Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - G Varetti
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona, 08028, Spain.,Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08028, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - M Y Youn
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - H Chae
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - F Ek
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - R Olsson
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - T Lundbäck
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department for Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D P Dever
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - T Nishimura
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - A Narla
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - B Glader
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - H Nakauchi
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - M H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - C E Repellin
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - H T Gazda
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Division of Genetics and Genomics, Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - S Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Development Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - M Serrano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona, 08028, Spain.,Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08028, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - J Flygare
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - K M Sakamoto
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jiang M, Zhang X, Liu H, LeBron J, Alexandris A, Peng Q, Gu H, Yang F, Li Y, Wang R, Hou Z, Arbez N, Ren Q, Dong JL, Whela E, Wang R, Ratovitski T, Troncoso JC, Mori S, Ross CA, Lim J, Duan W. Nemo-like kinase reduces mutant huntingtin levels and mitigates Huntington's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:1340-1352. [PMID: 32242231 PMCID: PMC7254850 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemo-like kinase (NLK), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase, is highly expressed in the brain, but its function in the adult brain remains not well understood. In this study, we identify NLK as an interactor of huntingtin protein (HTT). We report that NLK levels are significantly decreased in HD human brain and HD models. Importantly, overexpression of NLK in the striatum attenuates brain atrophy, preserves striatal DARPP32 levels and reduces mutant HTT (mHTT) aggregation in HD mice. In contrast, genetic reduction of NLK exacerbates brain atrophy and loss of DARPP32 in HD mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that NLK lowers mHTT levels in a kinase activity-dependent manner, while having no significant effect on normal HTT protein levels in mouse striatal cells, human cells and HD mouse models. The NLK-mediated lowering of mHTT is associated with enhanced phosphorylation of mHTT. Phosphorylation defective mutation of serine at amino acid 120 (S120) abolishes the mHTT-lowering effect of NLK, suggesting that S120 phosphorylation is an important step in the NLK-mediated lowering of mHTT. A further mechanistic study suggests that NLK promotes mHTT ubiquitination and degradation via the proteasome pathway. Taken together, our results indicate a protective role of NLK in HD and reveal a new molecular target to reduce mHTT levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mali Jiang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hongshuai Liu
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jared LeBron
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Athanasios Alexandris
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qi Peng
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hao Gu
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fanghan Yang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yuchen Li
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruiling Wang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhipeng Hou
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicolas Arbez
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qianwei Ren
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jen-Li Dong
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emma Whela
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald Wang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tamara Ratovitski
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan C Troncoso
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susumu Mori
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher A Ross
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Departments of Genetics and of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wenzhen Duan
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang HX, Pan W, Zheng L, Zhong XP, Tan L, Liang Z, He J, Feng P, Zhao Y, Qiu YR. Thymic Epithelial Cells Contribute to Thymopoiesis and T Cell Development. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3099. [PMID: 32082299 PMCID: PMC7005006 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation and maturation of T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) account for the majority of thymic stromal components. They are further divided into cortical and medullary TECs based on their localization within the thymus and are involved in positive and negative selection, respectively. Establishment of self-tolerance in the thymus depends on promiscuous gene expression (pGE) of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) by TECs. Such pGE is co-controlled by the autoimmune regulator (Aire) and forebrain embryonic zinc fingerlike protein 2 (Fezf2). Over the past two decades, research has found that TECs contribute greatly to thymopoiesis and T cell development. In turn, signals from T cells regulate the differentiation and maturation of TECs. Several signaling pathways essential for the development and maturation of TECs have been discovered. New technology and animal models have provided important observations on TEC differentiation, development, and thymopoiesis. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in classification, development, and maintenance of TECs and mechanisms that control TEC functions during thymic involution and central tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xia Wang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenrong Pan
- Department of General Surgery, Taihe Branch of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Zhong
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Liang Tan
- Department of Urological Organ Transplantation, Center of Organ Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhanfeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing He
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pingfeng Feng
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Rong Qiu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Decreased expression of nemo-like kinase in melanoma is correlated with increased vascularity and metastasis. Melanoma Res 2019; 29:376-381. [DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
21
|
Shi C, Xu L, Tang Z, Zhang W, Wei Y, Ni J, Zhang S, Feng J. Knockdown of Nemo‑like kinase promotes metastasis in non‑small‑cell lung cancer. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:1090-1100. [PMID: 31322229 PMCID: PMC6667924 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase Nemo-like kinase (NLK) serves an important role in cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis by regulating transcription factors among various cancers. In the present study, the function of NLK in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated. Immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting demonstrated that NLK expression was significantly reduced in NSCLC tissues compared with corresponding peritumoral tissues. Statistical analysis revealed that decreased NLK expression was associated with the presence of primary tumors, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and E-cadherin and vimentin expression. Univariate analysis indicated that NLK expression, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and E-cadherin and vimentin expression affected the prognosis of NSCLC. Cox regression analyses revealed NLK expression and TNM as independent factors that affected prognosis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with NSCLC and low NLK expression had relatively shorter durations of overall survival. In vitro, NLK overexpression inhibited A549 ncell migration and invasion as determined by wound healing and Transwell migration assays, respectively. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining indicated that downregulation of NLK expression could induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition in NSCLC. NLK knockdown significantly decreased the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, and markedly increased that of β-catenin and the mesenchymal marker vimentin. Furthermore, NLK was reported to directly interact with β-catenin as determined by a co-immunoprecipitation assay. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that decreased NLK expression could promote tumor metastasis in NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Shi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Liqin Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Tang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Weishuai Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Yulin Wei
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Jun Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Jian Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chen D, Yu M, Chen H, Zeng M, Sun Y, Huang Q. Identification and functional characterization of NEMO in Crassostrea gigas reveals its crucial role in the NF-κB activation. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 80:46-55. [PMID: 29859307 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
NEMO (NF-κB essential modulator) is one of the important regulatory subunits of the IκB kinase (IκK) complex that controls the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Here, we have identified the homolog of NEMO from the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. CgNEMO harbors the conserved the IκK binding region, NEMO ubiquitin binding domain and Zinc finger domain. In terms of tissue distribution, CgNEMO is expressed in various tissues with an observed highest expression in the hemocytes. Furthermore, infection by two related Vibrio strains significantly increased CgNEMO expression in the hemocytes. Cell culture based luciferase reporter assays showed that CgNEMO activates the NF-κB reporter in a dose-pendent manner. Moreover, CgNEMO was also found to counter the IkB-dependent inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation, providing a plausible mechanism of NF-κB activation by CgNEMO. Meanwhile, site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the putative ubiquitination site K535 is required for the activation of NF-κB, implying that ubiquitination of NEMO may be involved in regulating its activity. Finally, RNAi mediated knockdown of CgNEMO in vivo significantly compromised the bacterial induction of key cytokines TNF-α and IL-17, strongly suggesting a role for CgNEMO in acute immune defense in oyster. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into our understanding about the evolution of NEMO mediated NF-κB activation and the induction of cytokine. Our findings may provide valuable information about diseases control and management in oyster aquaculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongbo Chen
- School of Basic Courses of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Mingjia Yu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Marine Genetic Resources, Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen, 361005, China.
| | - Hongmei Chen
- School of Basic Courses of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Manhong Zeng
- School of Basic Courses of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yan Sun
- School of Basic Courses of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qingsong Huang
- School of Basic Courses of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Roosenboom J, Lee MK, Hecht JT, Heike CL, Wehby GL, Christensen K, Feingold E, Marazita ML, Maga AM, Shaffer JR, Weinberg SM. Mapping genetic variants for cranial vault shape in humans. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196148. [PMID: 29698431 PMCID: PMC5919379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The shape of the cranial vault, a region comprising interlocking flat bones surrounding the cerebral cortex, varies considerably in humans. Strongly influenced by brain size and shape, cranial vault morphology has both clinical and evolutionary relevance. However, little is known about the genetic basis of normal vault shape in humans. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on three vault measures (maximum cranial width [MCW], maximum cranial length [MCL], and cephalic index [CI]) in a sample of 4419 healthy individuals of European ancestry. All measures were adjusted by sex, age, and body size, then tested for association with genetic variants spanning the genome. GWAS results for the two cohorts were combined via meta-analysis. Significant associations were observed at two loci: 15p11.2 (lead SNP rs2924767, p = 2.107 × 10−8) for MCW and 17q11.2 (lead SNP rs72841279, p = 5.29 × 10−9) for MCL. Additionally, 32 suggestive loci (p < 5x10-6) were observed. Several candidate genes were located in these loci, such as NLK, MEF2A, SOX9 and SOX11. Genome-wide linkage analysis of cranial vault shape in mice (N = 433) was performed to follow-up the associated candidate loci identified in the human GWAS. Two loci, 17q11.2 (c11.loc44 in mice) and 17q25.1 (c11.loc74 in mice), associated with cranial vault size in humans, were also linked with cranial vault size in mice (LOD scores: 3.37 and 3.79 respectively). These results provide further insight into genetic pathways and mechanisms underlying normal variation in human craniofacial morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmien Roosenboom
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Myoung Keun Lee
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline T. Hecht
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas McGovern Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Carrie L. Heike
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Craniofacial Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - George L. Wehby
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| | - Kaare Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eleanor Feingold
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Mary L. Marazita
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - A. Murat Maga
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Craniofacial Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - John R. Shaffer
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Seth M. Weinberg
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yuan J, Wang Z, Zou D, Peng Q, Peng R, Zou F. Expression profiling of planarians shed light on a dual role of programmed cell death during the regeneration. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:5875-5884. [PMID: 29575081 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Most animals hold the ability to regenerate damaged cells, tissues, and even any lost part of their bodies. To date, there is little known about the precise regulatory mechanism of regeneration and many fundamental questions remain unanswered. To further understand the precise regulatory mechanism of regeneration, we used planarian Dugesia japonica as a model and sequenced the transcriptomes of their regenerated tissues at different regeneration stages. Through de novo assembly and expression profiling, we found that Heat shock protein and MAPK pathway were involved into early response of regeneration in D. japonica. In addition, immune response, cell proliferation, and migration were activated during regeneration. Of notes, our results revealed a specific functional role of programmed cell death (PCD) in regeneration of D. japonica. PCD may not only remove the damaged and superfluous tissues for further patterning with regenerated tissues, but also provide signals to trigger neoblasts proliferation and differentiation directly. Together, our results revealed Heat shock protein and MAPK pathway mediated early response of regeneration and found a dual role of PCD in regeneration D. japonica. Meanwhile, we constructed regulatory networks of apoptosis, autophagy, and related signaling pathways and proposed a schematic model, which provided a global landscape of regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junsong Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Di Zou
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Quekun Peng
- Department of Biomedical Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Peng
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Fangdong Zou
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Azevedo H, Amato Khaled N, Santos P, Bernardi Bertonha F, Moreira-Filho CA. Temporal analysis of hippocampal CA3 gene coexpression networks in a rat model of febrile seizures. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.029074. [PMID: 29196444 PMCID: PMC5818071 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.029074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex febrile seizures during infancy constitute an important risk factor for development of epilepsy. However, little is known about the alterations induced by febrile seizures that make the brain susceptible to epileptic activity. In this context, the use of animal models of hyperthermic seizures (HS) could allow the temporal analysis of brain molecular changes that arise after febrile seizures. Here, we investigated temporal changes in hippocampal gene coexpression networks during the development of rats submitted to HS. Total RNA samples were obtained from the ventral hippocampal CA3 region at four time points after HS at postnatal day (P) 11 and later used for gene expression profiling. Temporal endpoints were selected for investigating the acute (P12), latent (P30 and P60) and chronic (P120) stages of the HS model. A weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to characterize modules of coexpressed genes, as these modules might contain genes with similar functions. The transcriptome analysis pipeline consisted of building gene coexpression networks, identifying network modules and hubs, performing gene-trait correlations and examining changes in module connectivity. Modules were functionally enriched to identify functions associated with HS. Our data showed that HS induce changes in developmental, cell adhesion and immune pathways, such as Wnt, Hippo, Notch, Jak-Stat and Mapk. Interestingly, modules involved in cell adhesion, neuronal differentiation and synaptic transmission were activated as early as 1 day after HS. These results suggest that HS trigger transcriptional alterations that could lead to persistent neurogenesis, tissue remodeling and inflammation in the CA3 hippocampus, making the brain prone to epileptic activity. Summary: We carried out a temporal analysis of hippocampal gene coexpression networks to identify relevant genes in a rat model of hyperthermic seizures. These genes were mostly related to immune response, cell adhesion and neurogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hatylas Azevedo
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Nathália Amato Khaled
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Paula Santos
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Bernardi Bertonha
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Aquilino M, Sánchez-Argüello P, Martínez-Guitarte JL. Genotoxic effects of vinclozolin on the aquatic insect Chironomus riparius (Diptera, Chironomidae). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 232:563-570. [PMID: 28987565 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.09.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Vinclozolin (Vz) is a pollutant found in aquatic environments whose antiandrogenic effects in reproduction are well known in mammals. Although its reproductive effects have been less studied in invertebrates, other effects, including genotoxicity, have been described. Therefore, in this work, we studied the genotoxic effects of Vz in the freshwater benthic invertebrate Chironomus riparius. DNA damage was evaluated with the comet assay (tail area, olive moment, tail moment and % DNA in tail), and the transcriptional levels of different genes involved in DNA repair (ATM, NLK and XRCC1) and apoptosis (DECAY) were measured by RT-PCR. Fourth instar larvae of C. riparius, were exposed to Vz for 24 h at 20 and 200 μg/L. The Vz exposures affected the DNA integrity in this organism, since a dose-response relationship occurred, with DNA strand breaks significantly increased with increased dose for tail area, olive moment and tail moment parameters. Additionally, the lower concentration of Vz produced a significant induction of the transcripts of three genes under study (ATM, NLK and XRCC1) showing the activation of the cellular repair mechanism. In contrast, the expression of these genes with the highest concentration were downregulated, indicating failure of the cellular repair mechanism, which would explain the higher DNA damage. These data report for the first time the alterations of Vz on gene transcription of an insect and confirm the potential genotoxicity of this compound on freshwater invertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Aquilino
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Senda del Rey 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Paloma Sánchez-Argüello
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Departamento de Medio Ambiente, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Ctra. La Coruña km 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José-Luis Martínez-Guitarte
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Senda del Rey 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Liu Y, Xue W, Zhu L, Ye D, Zhu X, Wang H, Sun Y, Deng F. Nanog suppresses the expression of vasa by directly regulating nlk1 in the early zebrafish embryo. Biochimie 2017; 142:93-101. [PMID: 28760717 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nanog is a homeodomain transcription factor that is essential for maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In the present study, we demonstrate that zebrafish Nanog (zNanog) directly binds to the promoter region of zebrafish nlk1 (znlk1) by ChIP-Seq analysis and that it up-regulates the expression of znlk1 in fibroblast-like embryonic cells of Danio rerio (ZEM-2S cells) and in zebrafish embryos at 30% epiboly both at the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, compared with control (MO-C) embryos at 30% epiboly, the mRNA and protein expression of vasa and the numbers of vasa-positive cells were increased in embryos injected with zNanog morpholino (MO-zNanog). Further, injection of znlk1 mRNA into zNanog-depleted embryos restored the expression of vasa and the number of vasa-positive cells. These data indicated that zNanog up-regulates the expression of znlk1 through directly binding to the znlk1 promoter, thereby suppressing the expression of vasa. Vasa is a marker gene for PGCs. Our results suggest that zNanog plays a role in restraint of PGC cell number through regulating the expression of znlk1 in the early embryonic development. The current results provide fundamental information to support further investigation regarding the regulatory mechanism of zNanog during the development of PGCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Liu
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Ding Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhu
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Huannan Wang
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yonghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Fengjiao Deng
- The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zhao Z, Liu W, Liu J, Wang J, Luo B. The effect of EBV on WIF1, NLK, and APC gene methylation and expression in gastric carcinoma and nasopharyngeal cancer. J Med Virol 2017; 89:1844-1851. [PMID: 28543390 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important DNA tumor virus that is associated with approximately 10% of gastric carcinomas and 99% of nasopharyngeal cancers (NPC). DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most studied epigenetic mechanisms that can prompt disease susceptibility. This study aimed to detect the effect of EBV on Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1), Nemo-like kinase (NLK), and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene methylation, and expression in gastric carcinoma and NPC. The WIF1, NLK, and APC gene mRNA expression levels were measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in four EBV-positive cell lines and four EBV-negative cell lines. Bisulfite genomic sequencing or methylation-specific PCR was used to detect the methylation status of the WIF1, NLK, and APC promoters. All cell lines were treated with 5-azacytidine (5-aza-dC), miR-BART19-3p mimics or an inhibitor, and analyzed by flow cytometry and MTT cell proliferation assays. The WIF1, NLK, and APC promoters were hypermethylated in all eight cell lines. 5-Aza-dC displayed a growth inhibitory effect on cells . After transfection with miR-BART19-3p mimics, the expression of WIF1, and APC decreased, and the cellular proliferation rate increased. After transfection with the miR-BART19-3p inhibitor, the expression levels were higher, and the cell growth was inhibited. In the NPC and GC cell lines, the promoters of WIF1, NLK, and APC are highly methylated, and the expression of these three genes is regulated by miR-BART19-3p. The activity of the Wnt pathway in EBV-associated tumors may be enhanced by miR-BART19-3p.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Jincheng Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiayi Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Elevated levels of Wnt signaling disrupt thymus morphogenesis and function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:785. [PMID: 28400578 PMCID: PMC5429746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00842-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
All vertebrates possess a thymus, whose epithelial microenvironment is essential for T cell development and maturation. Despite the importance of the thymus for cellular immune defense, many questions surrounding its morphogenesis remain unanswered. Here, we demonstrate that, in contrast to the situation in many other epithelial cell types, differentiation of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) proceeds normally in the absence of canonical Wnt signaling and the classical adhesion molecule E-cadherin. By contrast, TEC-intrinsic activation of β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling blocks the morphogenesis of the thymus, and overexpression of a secreted Wnt ligand by TECs dominantly modifies the morphogenesis not only of the thymus, but also of the parathyroid and thyroid. These observations indicate that Wnt signaling activity in the thymus needs to be precisely controlled to support normal TEC differentiation, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying anatomical variations of the thymus, parathyroid and thyroid in humans.
Collapse
|
30
|
Wip1 directly dephosphorylates NLK and increases Wnt activity during germ cell development. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:1013-1022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
31
|
Li X, Liu N, Wang Y, Liu J, Shi H, Qu Z, Du T, Guo B, Gu B. Brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein-1 cooperates with glycogen synthase kinase-3β to regulate osteogenesis of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells in type 2 diabetes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 440:93-105. [PMID: 27717746 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with inhibited osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1) has been linked to the T2DM-related bone remodeling, however, the specific mechanism is still unclear. Herein, we aimed to determine the role of BMAL1 in T2DM-induced suppression of BMSCs osteogenesis. Inhibited osteogenesis and BMAL1 expression were showed in diabetic BMSCs. And while β-catenin and T cell factor (TCF) expression were decreased, the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and nemo-like kinase (NLK) expression were increased in diabetic BMSCs. Moreover, over-expression of BMAL1 led to recovered osteogenesis ability and activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which was partially due to inhibition of GSK-3β caused by over-expression of BMAL1. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the role of BMAL1 in T2DM-induced suppression of BMSCs osteogenesis. Over-expressed BMAL1 could recover BMSCs osteogenesis in T2DM partially by decreasing GSK-3β expression to activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway. BMAL1 may have a potential use in repairing diabetic bone metabolic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Li
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Na Liu
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Yizhu Wang
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Jinglong Liu
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Haigang Shi
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhenzhen Qu
- Department of Stomatology, Beijing Xinhua Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Tingting Du
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Bin Guo
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Bin Gu
- Institution of Stomatology, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
The Hippo growth control pathway coordinates cell proliferation, death, differentiation and stemness through regulatory phosphorylation of the YAP proto‐oncoprotein, a major nuclear effector of Hippo signalling. In particular, YAP phosphorylation on Ser127 can promote inhibitory 14‐3‐3 interactions and cytoplasmic sequestration. Two studies in this issue of EMBO Reports show that Ser128 phosphorylation of YAP by the Nemo‐like kinase (NLK ) disrupts 14‐3‐3 interactions, thereby promoting nuclear accumulation of active YAP 1 , 2 . Notably, Ser127‐phosphorylated YAP can be nuclear and co‐transcriptionally active upon osmotic stress, thus, challenging the dogma of YAP regulation by Ser127 phosphorylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hergovich
- Tumour Suppressor Signalling Networks LaboratoryUCL Cancer InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
He XY, Tan ZL, Mou Q, Liu FJ, Liu S, Yu CW, Zhu J, Lv LY, Zhang J, Wang S, Bao LM, Peng B, Zhao H, Zou L. microRNA-221 Enhances MYCN via Targeting Nemo-like Kinase and Functions as an Oncogene Related to Poor Prognosis in Neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2905-2918. [PMID: 28003306 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose:MYCN is one of the most well-characterized genetic markers of neuroblastoma. However, the mechanisms as to how MYCN mediate neuroblastoma tumorigenesis are not fully clear. Increasing evidence has confirmed that the dysregulation of miRNAs is involved in MYCN-mediated neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, supporting their potential as therapeutic targets for neuroblastoma. Although miR-221 has been reported as one of the upregulated miRNAs, the interplay between miR-221 and MYCN-mediated neuroblastoma progression remains largely elusive.Experimental Design: The expression of miR-221 in the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 31 confirmed patients with neuroblastoma was detected by locked nucleic acid-in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR. The correlation between miR-221 expression and clinical features in patients with neuroblastoma was assessed. The mechanisms as to how miR-221 regulate MYCN in neuroblastoma were addressed. The effect of miR-221 on cellular proliferation in neuroblastoma was determined both in vitro and in vivoResults: miR-221 was significantly upregulated in neuroblastoma tumor cells and tissues that overexpress MYCN, and high expression of miR-221 was positively associated with poor survival in patients with neuroblastoma. Nemo-like kinase (NLK) as a direct target of miR-221 in neuroblastoma was verified. In addition, overexpression of miR-221 decreased LEF1 phosphorylation but increased the expression of MYCN via targeting of NLK and further regulated cell cycle, particularly in S-phase, promoting the growth of neuroblastoma cells.Conclusions: This study provides a novel insight for miR-221 in the control of neuroblastoma cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, suggesting potentials of miR-221 as a prognosis marker and therapeutic target for patients with MYCN overexpressing neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2905-18. ©2016 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan He
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng-Lan Tan
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin Mou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang-Jie Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao-Wen Yu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin-Ya Lv
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Ming Bao
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Zou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lv M, Li Y, Tian X, Dai S, Sun J, Jin G, Jiang S. Lentivirus-mediated knockdown of NLK inhibits small-cell lung cancer growth and metastasis. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2016; 10:3737-3746. [PMID: 27895463 PMCID: PMC5117896 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s87435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Nemo-like kinase (NLK), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase, has been recognized as a critical regulator of various cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of NLK in human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. NLK expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 20 paired fresh SCLC tissue samples and found to be noticeably elevated in tumor tissues. Lentivirus-mediated RNAi efficiently suppressed NLK expression in NCI-H446 cells, resulting in a significant reduction in cell viability and proliferation in vitro. Moreover, knockdown of NLK led to cell cycle arrest at the S-phase via suppression of Cyclin A, CDK2, and CDC25A, which could contribute to cell growth inhibition. Furthermore, knockdown of NLK decreased the migration of NCI-H446 cells and downregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9. Treatment with NLK short hairpin RNA significantly reduced SCLC tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, this study suggests that NLK plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of SCLC and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of SCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xin Tian
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory of Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University
| | - Shundong Dai
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University; Department of Pathology, Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Immunology and Biotherapy, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute
| | | | - Shenyi Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kumar R, Ciprianidis A, Theiß S, Steinbeißer H, Kaufmann LT. Nemo-like kinase 1 (Nlk1) and paraxial protocadherin (PAPC) cooperatively control Xenopus gastrulation through regulation of Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. Differentiation 2016; 93:27-38. [PMID: 27875771 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway directs cell migration during vertebrate gastrulation and is essential for proper embryonic development. Paraxial protocadherin (PAPC, Gene Symbol pcdh8.2) is an important activator of Wnt/PCP signaling during Xenopus gastrulation, but how PAPC activity is controlled is incompletely understood. Here we show that Nemo-like kinase 1 (Nlk1), an atypical mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, physically associates with the C-terminus of PAPC. This interaction mutually stabilizes both proteins by inhibiting polyubiquitination. The Nlk1 mediated stabilization of PAPC is essential for Wnt/PCP signaling, tissue separation and gastrulation movements. We identified two conserved putative phosphorylation sites in the PAPC C-terminus that are critical for Nlk1 mediated PAPC stabilization and Wnt/PCP regulation. Intriguingly, the kinase activity of Nlk1 itself was not essential for its cooperation with PAPC, suggesting an indirect regulation for example by impeding a different kinase that promotes protein degradation. Overall these results outline a novel, kinase independent role of Nlk1, wherein Nlk1 regulates PAPC stabilization and thereby controls gastrulation movements and Wnt/PCP signaling during development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Kumar
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Ciprianidis
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Theiß
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Herbert Steinbeißer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lilian T Kaufmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Huang S, Lv Z, Guo Y, Li L, Zhang Y, Zhou L, Yang B, Wu S, Zhang Y, Xie C, Li S, Cheng J. Identification of Blood Let-7e-5p as a Biomarker for Ischemic Stroke. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163951. [PMID: 27776139 PMCID: PMC5077157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as novel disease biomarkers. Using a miRNA microarray, we previously showed that the whole blood level of let-7e-5p was significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients than in control subjects. However, the association between let-7e-5p expression and the occurrence of ischemic stroke remains unknown. In this study, we validated the expression levels of let-7e-5p in two case-control populations using miRNA TaqMan assays and further investigated the potential targets of let-7e-5p. The results suggest that the blood level of let-7e-5p was significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke than in controls (p<0.05). Higher levels of let-7e-5p were associated with increased occurrence of ischemic stroke (adjusted OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.61~2.21, p<0.001) in the combined population. The addition of let-7e-5p to traditional risk factors led to an improvement in the area under the curve, which increased from 0.74 (95% CI, 0.70~0.78) to 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78~0.85), with a net reclassification improvement of 16.76% (p<0.0001) and an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.10 (p<0.0001) for patients with ischemic stroke. Bioinformatics prediction and cell experiments suggested that the expression levels of four genes enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway were down-regulated by let-7e-5p transfection. Specifically, the expression levels of the genes CASP3 and NLK were significantly lower in ischemic stroke patients than in controls and were negatively correlated with let-7e-5p expression. In summary, our study suggests the potential use of blood let-7e-5p as a biomarker for ischemic stroke and indicates its involvement in the related pathomechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suli Huang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziquan Lv
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Neurology, People’s Hospital of Shenzen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yanwei Zhang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Binyao Yang
- State Key Lab of Respiratory Disease, Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Neurology, People’s Hospital of Shenzen, Guangdong, China
| | - Changhui Xie
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinquan Cheng
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nemo-Like Kinase (NLK) Is a Pathological Signaling Effector in the Mouse Heart. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164897. [PMID: 27764156 PMCID: PMC5072578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionary conserved serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in development, proliferation and apoptosis regulation. Here we identified NLK as a gene product induced in the hearts of mice subjected to pressure overload or myocardial infarction injury, suggesting a potential regulatory role with pathological stimulation to this organ. To examine the potential functional consequences of increased NLK levels, cardiac-specific transgenic mice with inducible expression of this gene product were generated, as well as cardiac-specific Nlk gene-deleted mice. NLK transgenic mice demonstrated baseline cardiac hypertrophy, dilation, interstitial fibrosis, apoptosis and progression towards heart failure in response to two surgery-induced cardiac disease models. In contrast, cardiac-specific deletion of Nlk from the heart, achieved by crossing a Nlk-loxP allele containing mouse with either a mouse containing a β-myosin heavy chain promoter driven Cre transgene or a tamoxifen inducible α-myosin heavy chain promoter containing transgene driving a MerCreMer cDNA, protected the mice from cardiac dysfunction following pathological stimuli. Mechanistically, NLK interacted with multiple proteins including the transcription factor Stat1, which was significantly increased in the hearts of NLK transgenic mice. These results indicate that NLK is a pathological effector in the heart.
Collapse
|
38
|
Rydell-Törmänen K, Zhou XH, Hallgren O, Einarsson J, Eriksson L, Andersson-Sjöland A, Westergren-Thorsson G. Aberrant nonfibrotic parenchyma in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is correlated with decreased β-catenin inhibition and increased Wnt5a/b interaction. Physiol Rep 2016; 4:4/5/e12727. [PMID: 26997628 PMCID: PMC4823602 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), an insidious disease with grave prognosis, is characterized by heterogeneous fibrosis with densely fibrotic areas surrounded by nonfibrotic normal‐looking tissue, believed to reflect a temporal development. The etiology is incompletely elucidated, but aberrant wound healing is believed to be involved. Embryonic signaling pathways, including Wnt signaling, are reactivated in wound healing, and we therefore aimed to investigate Wnt signaling, and hypothesized that Wnt signaling would correspond to degree of fibrosis. Material from 10 patients with IPF were included (four diagnostic biopsies and six donated lungs) and compared to healthy controls (n = 7). We investigated markers of Wnt signaling (β‐catenin, Wnt3a, ICAT, Wnt5a/b, DAAM1 and NLK) histologically in lung parenchyma with variable degree of fibrosis. Our results suggest that Wnt signaling is significantly altered (P < 0.05) already in normal‐looking parenchyma. The expression of Wnt3a and ICAT decreased (both P < 0.01) in IPF compared to healthy lungs, whereas β‐catenin, Wnt5a/b, DAAM1 and NLK increased (P < 0.05 for all). ICAT is further decreased in dense fibrosis compared to normal‐looking parenchyma in IPF (P < 0.001). On the basis of our results, we conclude that from a Wnt perspective, there is no normal parenchyma in IPF, and Wnt signaling corresponds to degree of fibrosis. In addition, β‐catenin and Wnt5a appears coupled, and decreased inhibition of β‐catenin may be involved. We suggest that the interaction between β‐catenin, ICAT, and Wnt5a/b may represent an important research area and potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiao-Hong Zhou
- Department of BioSciences, RIA iMed, AstraZeneca R&D Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Oskar Hallgren
- Lung Biology, Department Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Einarsson
- Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden Department Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leif Eriksson
- Lung Biology, Department Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sa JK, Yoon Y, Kim M, Kim Y, Cho HJ, Lee JK, Kim GS, Han S, Kim WJ, Shin YJ, Joo KM, Paddison PJ, Ishitani T, Lee J, Nam DH. In vivo RNAi screen identifies NLK as a negative regulator of mesenchymal activity in glioblastoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:20145-59. [PMID: 26023737 PMCID: PMC4652994 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain cancer with profound genomic alterations. While the bona fide tumor suppressor genes such as PTEN, NF1, and TP53 have high frequency of inactivating mutations, there may be the genes with GBM-suppressive roles for which genomic mutation is not a primary cause for inactivation. To identify such genes, we employed in vivo RNAi screening approach using the patient-derived GBM xenograft models. We found that Nemo-Like Kinase (NLK) negatively regulates mesenchymal activities, a characteristic of aggressive GBM, in part via inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Consistent with this, we found that NLK expression is especially low in a subset of GBMs that harbors high WNT/mesenchymal activities. Restoration of NLK inhibited WNT and mesenchymal activities, decreased clonogenic growth and survival, and impeded tumor growth in vivo. These data unravel a tumor suppressive role of NLK and support the feasibility of combining oncogenomics with in vivo RNAi screen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason K Sa
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeup Yoon
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Misuk Kim
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeonghwan Kim
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hee Jin Cho
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-Ku Lee
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi-Soo Kim
- Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suji Han
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woon Jin Kim
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Jae Shin
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyeung Min Joo
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Patrick J Paddison
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tohru Ishitani
- Division of Cell Regulation Systems, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Jeongwu Lee
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Do-Hyun Nam
- Graduate School of Health Science & Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zou X, Zhong J, Li J, Su Z, Chen Y, Deng W, Li Y, Lu S, Lin Y, Luo L, Li Z, Cai Z, Tang A. miR-362-3p targets nemo-like kinase and functions as a tumor suppressor in renal cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:994-1002. [PMID: 26647877 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to exhibit abnormal expression patterns in various types of human cancer. The aim of the present study was to identify a novel tumor suppressor microRNA (miR) and investigate its physiological function and mechanism in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The expression levels of miRNA (miR)‑362‑3p expres were measured in 47 pairs of RCC and adjacent normal tissue samples, using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, miR‑362‑3p was transfected into renal cancer cells to investigate its role in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and cell cycle. Identification of the target gene of miR‑362‑3p was performed using luciferase reporter assays and western blot analyses. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of miR‑362‑3p were downregulated in the RCC tissue samples, compared with the adjacent normal tissue samples. The upregulation of miR‑362‑3p using a synthesized mimic suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of the renal cancer cells, and induced cell apoptosis and G1 phase arrest. Further experiments demonstrated that the overexpression of miR‑362‑3p resulted in decrease expression levels of nemo-like kinase. These results suggested that miR-362-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in RCC, and may serve as a potential molecular target in the treatment of RCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Zou
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Jianhua Zhong
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Jiaqiang Li
- Department of Pediatric Urinary Surgery, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zhengming Su
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, P.R. China
| | - Yan Chen
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Wanxin Deng
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Yuchi Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, P.R. China
| | - Siheng Lu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, P.R. China
| | - Youcheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Liya Luo
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zesong Li
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Aifa Tang
- National‑Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Clinical Application of Cancer Genomics, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Huang Y, Yang Y, He Y, Li J. The emerging role of Nemo-like kinase (NLK) in the regulation of cancers. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:9147-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4159-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
|
42
|
Todd TW, Kokubu H, Miranda HC, Cortes CJ, La Spada AR, Lim J. Nemo-like kinase is a novel regulator of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. eLife 2015; 4:e08493. [PMID: 26308581 PMCID: PMC4577982 DOI: 10.7554/elife.08493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a progressive neuromuscular disease caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) protein. Despite extensive research, the exact pathogenic mechanisms underlying SBMA remain elusive. In this study, we present evidence that Nemo-like kinase (NLK) promotes disease pathogenesis across multiple SBMA model systems. Most remarkably, loss of one copy of Nlk rescues SBMA phenotypes in mice, including extending lifespan. We also investigated the molecular mechanisms by which NLK exerts its effects in SBMA. Specifically, we have found that NLK can phosphorylate the mutant polyglutamine-expanded AR, enhance its aggregation, and promote AR-dependent gene transcription by regulating AR-cofactor interactions. Furthermore, NLK modulates the toxicity of a mutant AR fragment via a mechanism that is independent of AR-mediated gene transcription. Our findings uncover a crucial role for NLK in controlling SBMA toxicity and reveal a novel avenue for therapy development in SBMA. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08493.001 Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an inherited disease that eventually leads to degeneration in motor neurons and weakness in muscles. It is caused by a specific genetic mutation in the gene that encodes the androgen receptor protein, which leads to the production of a mutant protein that is larger than normal. Similar mutations in other genes can lead to the development of other so-called ‘polyglutamine’ diseases such as Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. However, the precise details of how these mutations lead to disease symptoms are not known, and there are currently no effective ways of treating these conditions. Previous research has shown that an enzyme called Nemo-like kinase (or NLK for short) regulates the normal androgen receptor in cancer cells. NLK has kinase activity, that is, it adds phosphate molecules to other proteins to regulate their activity. Todd et al. used human cells, fruit flies, and mice as model systems to investigate whether NLK is involved in the development of SBMA. The experiments show that NLK promotes the development of features associated with SBMA in all three models. The kinase activity of NLK is required for these features to develop. Todd et al. also found that NLK can bind to and add phosphate molecules to the mutant version of the androgen receptor protein. This causes the mutant androgen receptor proteins to accumulate and increases the ability of the mutant proteins to activate particular genes. Todd et al.'s findings suggest that NLK promotes the development of SBMA by interacting with the mutant androgen receptor. Previous studies have shown that NLK is able to modulate the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, which suggests that NLK may also play an important role in other polyglutamine diseases. The next challenge will be to fully understand the role of NLK in these diseases, which may aid future efforts to develop new treatments. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08493.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Hiroshi Kokubu
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Helen C Miranda
- Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Division of Biological Sciences, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Constanza J Cortes
- Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Division of Biological Sciences, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Albert R La Spada
- Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Neurosciences, and Pediatrics, Division of Biological Sciences, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Zhang W, He J, Du Y, Gao XH, Liu Y, Liu QZ, Chang WJ, Cao GW, Fu CG. Upregulation of nemo-like kinase is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:8836-8847. [PMID: 26269673 PMCID: PMC4528026 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the expression and oncogenic role of nemo-like kinase (NLK) in colorectal cancer.
METHODS: Expression of NLK protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry in tissue specimens from 56 cases of normal colorectal mucosa, 51 cases of colorectal adenoma, and 712 cases of colorectal cancer. In addition, NLK expression was knocked down using a lentivirus carrying NLK small hairpin RNA in colorectal cancer cells. Cell viability methylthiazoletetrazolium assays, colony formation assays, flow cytometry cell cycle assays, Transwell migration assays, and gene expression assays were performed to explore its role on proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer.
RESULTS: Expression of NLK protein progressively increased in tissues from the normal mucosa through adenoma to various stages of colorectal cancer. Overexpression of NLK protein was associated with advanced tumor-lymph node-metastasis stages, poor differentiation, lymph node and distant metastases, and a higher recurrence rate of colorectal cancer (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that NLK expression was an independent prognostic factor to predict overall survival (hazard ratio 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.66-3.98; P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.40-2.74: P < 0.001) of colorectal cancer patients. Furthermore, knockdown of NLK expression in colorectal cancer cell lines reduced cell viability, colony formation, and migration, and arrested tumor cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. At the gene level, knockdown of NLK expression inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in colorectal cancer cells.
CONCLUSION: NLK overexpression is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer and knockdown of NLK expression inhibits colorectal cancer progression and metastasis.
Collapse
|
44
|
Zou D, Wang D, Li R, Tang Y, Yuan L, Long X, Zhou Q. MiR-197 induces Taxol resistance in human ovarian cancer cells by regulating NLK. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:6725-32. [PMID: 25833695 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3365-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is the preferred therapeutic approach for the therapy of advanced ovarian cancer, but 5-year survival rate remains low due to the development of drug resistance. Increasing evidence has documented that microRNAs (miRNAs) act important roles in drug resistance in a variety types of cancer. However, the roles of miRNA in regulating Taxol resistance in ovarian cancer and the detailed mechanism are less reported. We used Taqman probe stem loop real-time PCR to accurately measure the levels of miR-197 in normal ovarian cells, ovarian cancer cells, and Taxol-resistant ovarian cancer cells and found that miR-197 was significantly increased in Taxol-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Enforced expression of miR-197 can promote Taxol resistance, cell proliferation, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Meanwhile, repression of miR-197 in ovarian cancer cells can sensitize its response to Taxol and also induced attenuated cell proliferation and invasion ability. Furthermore, investigation of the detailed mechanism showed that the promotion of miR-197 on drug resistance in ovarian cancer cells was partially mediated by downregulating NLK, a negative regulator of WNT signaling pathway. Taken together, our work first demonstrated that miR-197 can confer drug resistance to Taxol, by regulating tumor suppressor, NLK expression in ovarian cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongling Zou
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Xingtao Long
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing, 400030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Co-conserved MAPK features couple D-domain docking groove to distal allosteric sites via the C-terminal flanking tail. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119636. [PMID: 25799139 PMCID: PMC4370755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) form a closely related family of kinases that control critical pathways associated with cell growth and survival. Although MAPKs have been extensively characterized at the biochemical, cellular, and structural level, an integrated evolutionary understanding of how MAPKs differ from other closely related protein kinases is currently lacking. Here, we perform statistical sequence comparisons of MAPKs and related protein kinases to identify sequence and structural features associated with MAPK functional divergence. We show, for the first time, that virtually all MAPK-distinguishing sequence features, including an unappreciated short insert segment in the β4-β5 loop, physically couple distal functional sites in the kinase domain to the D-domain peptide docking groove via the C-terminal flanking tail (C-tail). The coupling mediated by MAPK-specific residues confers an allosteric regulatory mechanism unique to MAPKs. In particular, the regulatory αC-helix conformation is controlled by a MAPK-conserved salt bridge interaction between an arginine in the αC-helix and an acidic residue in the C-tail. The salt-bridge interaction is modulated in unique ways in individual sub-families to achieve regulatory specificity. Our study is consistent with a model in which the C-tail co-evolved with the D-domain docking site to allosterically control MAPK activity. Our study provides testable mechanistic hypotheses for biochemical characterization of MAPK-conserved residues and new avenues for the design of allosteric MAPK inhibitors.
Collapse
|
46
|
Weitzdoerfer R, Toran N, Subramaniyan S, Pollak A, Dierssen M, Lubec G. A cluster of protein kinases and phosphatases modulated in fetal Down syndrome (trisomy 21) brain. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1127-34. [PMID: 25740605 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-1941-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS; trisomy 21) is the most frequent cause of mental retardation with major cognitive and behavioral deficits. Although a series of aberrant biochemical pathways has been reported, work on signaling proteins is limited. It was, therefore, the aim of the study to test a selection of protein kinases and phosphatases known to be essential for memory and learning mechanisms in fetal DS brain. 12 frontal cortices from DS brain were compared to 12 frontal cortices from controls obtained at legal abortions. Proteins were extracted from brains and western blotting with specific antibodies was carried out. Primary results were used for networking (IntAct Molecular Interaction Database) and individual predicted pathway components were subsequently quantified by western blotting. Levels of calcium-calmodulin kinase II alpha, transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 as well as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) were reduced in cortex of DS subjects and network generation pointed to interaction between PTEN and the dendritic spine protein drebrin that was subsequently determined and reduced levels were observed. The findings of reduced levels of cognitive-function-related protein kinases and the phosphatase may be relevant for interpretation of previous work and may be useful for the design of future studies on signaling in DS brain. Moreover, decreased drebrin levels may point to dendritic spine abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Weitzdoerfer
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Stabilization of ATF5 by TAK1-Nemo-like kinase critically regulates the interleukin-1β-stimulated C/EBP signaling pathway. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 35:778-88. [PMID: 25512613 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01228-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a key proinflammatory cytokine that initiates several signaling cascades, including those involving CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs). The mechanism by which IL-1β propagates a signal that activates C/EBP has remained elusive. Nemo-like kinase (NLK) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-like kinase associated with many pathways and phenotypes that are not yet well understood. Using a luciferase reporter screen, we found that IL-1β-induced C/EBP activation was positively regulated by NLK. Overexpression of NLK activated C/EBP and potentiated IL-1β-triggered C/EBP activation, whereas knockdown or knockout of NLK had the opposite effect. NLK interacted with activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) and inhibited the proteasome-dependent degradation of ATF5 in a kinase-independent manner. Consistently, NLK deficiency resulted in decreased levels of ATF5. NLK cooperated with ATF5 to activate C/EBP, whereas NLK could not activate C/EBP upon knockdown of ATF5. Moreover, TAK1, a downstream effector of IL-1β that acts upstream of NLK, mimicked the ability of NLK to stabilize ATF5 and activate C/EBP. Thus, our findings reveal the TAK1-NLK pathway as a novel regulator of basal or IL-1β-triggered C/EBP activation though stabilization of ATF5.
Collapse
|
48
|
Chen J, Han Y, Zhao X, Yang M, Liu B, Xi X, Xu X, Liang T, Xia L. Nemo‑like kinase expression predicts poor survival in colorectal cancer. Mol Med Rep 2014; 11:1181-7. [PMID: 25371216 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nemo‑like kinase (NLK), a serine/threonine protein kinase, was previously reported to be associated with tumor proliferation and invasion. The present study aimed to evaluate whether NLK participates in the tumorigenesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). NLK expression was examined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) and western blot analysis in 50 paired CRC tissues as well as immunohistochemical analysis of 406 cases of primary CRC tissues and paired non‑cancerous tissues. Correlations between NLK expression, the clinicopathological features of CRC patients and clinical outcome were then analyzed. NLK expression was found to be significantly higher in CRC tissues as well as associated with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, histological differentiation, vascular invasion and advanced tumor stage. Patients with NLK‑positive tumors demonstrated higher rates of recurrence and mortality than patients with NLK‑negative tumors. Multivariate analyses revealed that NLK expression was an independent factor for overall survival [hazard ratio (HR)=0.035; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.02‑0.19; P<0.001] and disease‑free survival (HR=0.033; 95% CI=0.007‑0.09; P<0.001) in CRC patients. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that NLK may serve as a novel biomarker for tumor recurrence and survival for CRC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| | - Yunwei Han
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhao
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Mingyu Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| | - Xiangpeng Xi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolin Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| | - Tiejun Liang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Lijian Xia
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Canalis E, Kranz L, Zanotti S. Nemo-like kinase regulates postnatal skeletal homeostasis. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:1736-43. [PMID: 24664870 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Nemo-like kinase (Nlk) is related to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and known to regulate signaling pathways involved in osteoblastogenesis. In vitro Nlk suppresses osteoblastogenesis, but the consequences of the Nlk inactivation in the skeleton in vivo are unknown. To study the function of Nlk, Nlk(loxP/loxP) mice, where the Nlk exon2 is flanked by lox(P) sequences, were mated with mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the paired-related homeobox gene 1 (Prx1) enhancer (Prx1-Cre), the Osterix (Osx-Cre) or the osteocalcin/bone gamma carboxyglutamate protein (Bglap-Cre) promoter. Prx1-Cre;Nlk(Δ/Δ) mice did not exhibit a skeletal phenotype except for a modest increase in trabecular number and connectivity observed only in 3-month-old male mice. Osx-Cre;Nlk(Δ/Δ) male and female mice exhibited an increase in trabecular bone volume secondary to an increased trabecular number at 3 months of age. Bone histomorphometry revealed a decrease in osteoclast number and eroded surface in male mice, and decreased osteoblast number and function in female mice. Expression of osteoprotegerin mRNA was increased in calvarial extracts, explaining the decreased osteoclast and osteoblast number. The conditional deletion of Nlk in mature osteoblasts (Bglap-Cre;Nlk(Δ/Δ) ) resulted in no skeletal phenotype in 1- to 6-month-old male or female mice. In conclusion, when expressed in undifferentiated osteoblasts, Nlk is a negative regulator of skeletal homeostasis possibly by targeting signals that regulate osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Canalis
- Department of Research, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut; The University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sass GL, Ostrow BD. Disruption of the protein kinase N gene of drosophila melanogaster results in the recessive delorean allele (pkndln) with a negative impact on wing morphogenesis. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2014; 4:643-56. [PMID: 24531729 PMCID: PMC4059237 DOI: 10.1534/g3.114.010579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We describe the delorean mutation of the Drosophila melanogaster protein kinase N gene (pkn(dln)) with defects in wing morphology. Flies homozygous for the recessive pkn(dln) allele have a composite wing phenotype that exhibits changes in relative position and shape of the wing blade as well as loss of specific vein and bristle structures. The pkn(dln) allele is the result of a P-element insertion in the first intron of the pkn locus, and the delorean wing phenotype is contingent upon the interaction of insertion-bearing alleles in trans. The presence of the insertion results in production of a novel transcript that initiates from within the 3' end of the P-element. The delorean-specific transcript is predicted to produce a wild-type PKN protein. The delorean phenotype is not the result of a reduction in pkn expression, as it could not be recreated using a variety of wing-specific drivers of pkn-RNAi expression. Rather, it is the presence of the delorean-specific transcript that correlates with the mutant phenotype. We consider the delorean wing phenotype to be due to a pairing-dependent, recessive mutation that behaves as a dosage-sensitive, gain of function. Our analysis of genetic interactions with basket and nemo reflects an involvement of pkn and Jun-terminal kinase signaling in common processes during wing differentiation and places PKN as a potential effector of Rho1's involvement in the Jun-terminal kinase pathway. The delorean phenotype, with its associated defects in wing morphology, provides evidence of a role for PKN in adult morphogenetic processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgette L. Sass
- Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401
| | - Bruce D. Ostrow
- Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan 49401
| |
Collapse
|