The myo-inositol biosynthesis rate-limiting enzyme ISYNA1 suppresses the stemness of ovarian cancer via Notch1 pathway

Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Reduce DHT-Stimulated Changes in the Steroidogenic Activity of Adult Granulosa Cell Tumors

Considering the properties of myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI), which are well known in polycystic ovary syndrome therapy, and the limitations of adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) treatment, especially for androgen-secreting tumors, we studied the role of MI and DCI in the androgen-rich environment of AGCTs. For this purpose, we analyzed the mRNA expression of steroidogenic genes and the secretion of progesterone (P4) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in an unstimulated and/or dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-stimulated environment under MI and DCI influence. Thus, we used the HGrC1 and KGN cell lines as in vitro models of healthy and cancerous granulosa cells. We found that DHT, the most potent androgen, increased E2 secretion and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage gene (CYP11A1) mRNA expression without affecting 450 aromatase (CYP19A1) in AGCTs. However, after the MI and DCI treatment of KGN cells, both compounds strongly reduced StAR and CYP11A1 expression. Interestingly, in DHT-stimulated KGN cells, only DCI alone and its cotreatment with MI reduced both CYP11A1 mRNA and E2 secretion. These findings suggest that CYP11A1 is responsible for the antiestrogenic effect of DCI in the androgen-rich environment of AGCTs. Therefore, MI and DCI could be used as effective agents in the adjuvant treatment of AGCT, but further detailed studies are needed.

Effects of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting of the myo-inositol biosynthesis pathway on hyper-osmotic tolerance of tilapia cells

Myo-inositol is an important compatible osmolyte in vertebrates. This osmolyte is produced by the myo-inositol biosynthesis (MIB) pathway composed of myo-inositol phosphate synthase and inositol monophosphatase. These enzymes are among the highest upregulated proteins in tissues and cell cultures from teleost fish exposed to hyperosmotic conditions indicating high importance of this pathway for tolerating this type of stress. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of tilapia cells produced knockout lines of MIB enzymes and control genes. Metabolic activity decreased significantly for MIB KO lines in hyperosmotic media. Trends of faster growth of the MIB knockout lines in isosmotic media and faster decline of MIB knockout lines in hyperosmotic media were also observed. These results indicate a decline in metabolic fitness but only moderate effects on cell survival when tilapia cells with disrupted MIB genes are exposed to hyperosmolality. Therefore MIB genes are required for full osmotolerance of tilapia cells.

Genomic Fabrics of the Excretory System's Functional Pathways Remodeled in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most frequent form of kidney cancer. Metastatic stages of ccRCC reduce the five-year survival rate to 15%. In this report, we analyze the ccRCC-induced remodeling of the five KEGG-constructed excretory functional pathways in a surgically removed right kidney and its metastasis in the chest wall from the perspective of the Genomic Fabric Paradigm (GFP). The GFP characterizes every single gene in each region by these independent variables: the average expression level (AVE), relative expression variability (REV), and expression correlation (COR) with each other gene. While the traditional approach is limited to only AVE analysis, the novel REV analysis identifies the genes whose correct expression level is critical for cell survival and proliferation. The COR analysis determines the real gene networks responsible for functional pathways. The analyses covered the pathways for aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption, collecting duct acid secretion, endocrine and other factor-regulated sodium reabsorption, proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation, and vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption. The present study confirms the conclusion of our previously published articles on prostate and kidney cancers that even equally graded cancer nodules from the same tumor have different transcriptomic topologies. Therefore, the personalization of anti-cancer therapy should go beyond the individual, to his/her major cancer nodules.