Metabolic regulation by p53 family members

Inhibition of hepatic p63 ameliorates steatohepatitis with fibrosis in mice

OBJECTIVE

p63 is a transcription factor involved in multiple biological functions. In the liver, the TAp63 isoform induces lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. However, the role of liver TAp63 in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with fibrosis is unknown.

METHODS

We evaluated the hepatic p63 levels in different mouse models of steatohepatitis with fibrosis induced by diet. Next, we used virogenetic approaches to manipulate the expression of TAp63 in adult mice under diet-induced steatohepatitis with fibrosis and characterized the disease condition. Finally, we performed proteomics analysis in mice with overexpression and knockdown of hepatic TAp63.

RESULTS

Levels of TAp63, but not of ΔN isoform, are increased in the liver of mice with diet-induced steatohepatitis with fibrosis. Both preventive and interventional strategies for the knockdown of hepatic TAp63 significantly ameliorated diet-induced steatohepatitis with fibrosis in mice fed a methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCDD) and choline deficient and high fat diet (CDHFD). The overexpression of hepatic TAp63 in mice aggravated the liver condition in mice fed a CDHFD. Proteomic analysis in the liver of these mice revealed alteration in multiple proteins and pathways, such as oxidative phosphorylation, antioxidant activity, peroxisome function and LDL clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that liver TAp63 plays a critical role in the progression of diet-induced steatohepatitis with fibrosis, and its inhibition ameliorates the disease.

Interplay between altered metabolism and DNA damage and repair in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and is often associated with both DNA repair deficiency and extensive metabolic reprogramming. While still emerging, the interplay between these pathways can affect ovarian cancer phenotypes, including therapeutic resistance to the DNA damaging agents that are standard-of-care for this tumor type. In this review, we will discuss what is currently known about cellular metabolic rewiring in ovarian cancer that may impact DNA damage and repair in addition to highlighting how specific DNA repair proteins also promote metabolic changes. We will also discuss relevant data from other cancers that could be used to inform ovarian cancer therapeutic strategies. Changes in the choice of DNA repair mechanism adopted by ovarian cancer are a major factor in promoting therapeutic resistance. Therefore, the impact of metabolic reprogramming on DNA repair mechanisms in ovarian cancer has major clinical implications for targeted combination therapies for the treatment of this devastating disease.

Understanding the complexity of p53 in a new era of tumor suppression

p53 was discovered 45 years ago as an SV40 large T antigen binding protein, coded by the most frequently mutated TP53 gene in human cancers. As a transcription factor, p53 is tightly regulated by a rich network of post-translational modifications to execute its diverse functions in tumor suppression. Although early studies established p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence as the classic barriers in cancer development, a growing number of new functions of p53 have been discovered and the scope of p53-mediated anti-tumor activity is largely expanded. Here, we review the complexity of different layers of p53 regulation, and the recent advance of the p53 pathway in metabolism, ferroptosis, immunity, and others that contribute to tumor suppression. We also discuss the challenge regarding how to activate p53 function specifically effective in inhibiting tumor growth without harming normal homeostasis for cancer therapy.

Monocytic Differentiation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells: Diagnostic Criteria, Biological Heterogeneity, Mitochondrial Metabolism, Resistance to and Induction by Targeted Therapies

We review the importance of monocytic differentiation and differentiation induction in non-APL (acute promyelocytic leukemia) variants of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a malignancy characterized by proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Even though the cellular differentiation block is a fundamental characteristic, the AML cells can show limited signs of differentiation. According to the French-American-British (FAB-M4/M5 subset) and the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classifications, monocytic differentiation is characterized by morphological signs and the expression of specific molecular markers involved in cellular communication and adhesion. Furthermore, monocytic FAB-M4/M5 patients are heterogeneous with regards to cytogenetic and molecular genetic abnormalities, and monocytic differentiation does not have any major prognostic impact for these patients when receiving conventional intensive cytotoxic therapy. In contrast, FAB-M4/M5 patients have decreased susceptibility to the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax, and this seems to be due to common molecular characteristics involving mitochondrial regulation of the cellular metabolism and survival, including decreased dependency on Bcl-2 compared to other AML patients. Thus, the susceptibility to Bcl-2 inhibition does not only depend on general resistance/susceptibility mechanisms known from conventional AML therapy but also specific mechanisms involving the molecular target itself or the molecular context of the target. AML cell differentiation status is also associated with susceptibility to other targeted therapies (e.g., CDK2/4/6 and bromodomain inhibition), and differentiation induction seems to be a part of the antileukemic effect for several targeted anti-AML therapies. Differentiation-associated molecular mechanisms may thus become important in the future implementation of targeted therapies in human AML.

The role of ferroptosis in radiotherapy and combination therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive, heterogeneous tumour usually caused by alcohol and tobacco consumption, making it one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Despite the fact that various therapeutic approaches such as surgery, radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT) and targeted therapy have been widely used for HNSCC in recent years, its recurrence rate and mortality rate remain high. RT is the standard treatment choice for HNSCC, which induces reactive oxygen species production and causes oxidative stress, ultimately leading to tumour cell death. CT is a widely recognized form of cancer treatment that treats a variety of cancers by eliminating cancer cells and preventing them from reproducing. Immune checkpoint inhibitor and epidermal growth factor receptor are important in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. Iron death, a type of cell death regulated by peroxidative damage to phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes, has been found to be a relevant death response triggered by tumour RT in recent years. In the present review, an overview of the current knowledge on RT and combination therapy and iron death in HNSCC was provided, the mechanisms by which RT induces iron death in tumour cells were summarized, and therapeutic strategies to target iron death in HNSCC were explored. The current review provided important information for future studies of iron death in the treatment of HNSCC.

Identification of potential obese-specific biomarkers and pathways associated with abdominal subcutaneous fat deposition in pig using a comprehensive bioinformatics strategy

Abdominal subcutaneous fat deposition (ASFD) is not only related to meat quality in the pig industry but also to human health in medicine. It is of great value to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of ASFD. The present study aims to identify obese-specific biomarkers and key pathways correlated with ASFD in pigs. The ASF-related mRNA expression dataset GSE136754 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and systematically analyzed using a comprehensive bioinformatics method. A total of 565 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between three obese and three lean pigs, and these DEGs were mainly involved in the p53 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, consisting of 540 nodes and 1,065 edges, was constructed, and the top ten genes with the highest degree scores-ABL1, HDAC1, CDC42, HDAC2, MRPS5, MRPS10, MDM2, JUP, RPL7L1 and UQCRFS1-were identified as hub genes in the whole PPI network. Especially HDAC1, MDM2, MRPS10 and RPL7L1 were identified as potential robust obese-specific biomarkers due to their significant differences in single gene expression levels and high ROC area; this was further verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) on abdominal subcutaneous fat samples from obese-type (Saba) and lean-type (Large White) pigs. Additionally, a mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA ceRNA network consisting of four potential biomarkers, 15 miRNAs and 51 lncRNAs was established, and two targeted lncRNAs with more connections, XIST and NEAT1, were identified as potentially important regulatory factors. The findings of this study may provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism involved in ASFD.

Metabolic signature and response to glutamine deprivation are independent of p53 status in B cell malignancies

The tumor suppressor p53 has been described to control various aspects of metabolic reprogramming in solid tumors, but in B cell malignancies that role is as yet unknown. We generated pairs of p53 functional and knockout (KO) clones from distinct B cell malignancies (acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma). Metabolomics and isotope tracing showed that p53 loss did not drive a common metabolic signature. Instead, cell lines segregated according to cell of origin. Next, we focused on glutamine as a crucial energy source in the B cell tumor microenvironment. In both TP53 wild-type and KO cells, glutamine deprivation induced cell death through the integrated stress response, via CHOP/ATF4. Lastly, combining BH3 mimetic drugs with glutamine starvation emerged as a possibility to target resistant clones. In conclusion, our analyses do not support a common metabolic signature of p53 deficiency in B cell malignancies and suggest therapeutic options for exploration based on glutamine dependency.

Establishment and Characterization of SV40 T-Antigen Immortalized Porcine Muscle Satellite Cell

Muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) are crucial for muscle development and regeneration. The primary pig MuSCs (pMuSCs) is an ideal in vitro cell model for studying the pig's muscle development and differentiation. However, the long-term in vitro culture of pMuSCs results in the gradual loss of their stemness, thereby limiting their application. To address this conundrum and maintain the normal function of pMuSCs during in vitro passaging, we generated an immortalized pMuSCs (SV40 T-pMuSCs) by stably expressing SV40 T-antigen (SV40 T) using a lentiviral-based vector system. The SV40 T-pMuSCs can be stably sub-cultured for over 40 generations in vitro. An evaluation of SV40 T-pMuSCs was conducted through immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time PCR, EdU assay, and SA-β-gal activity. Their proliferation capacity was similar to that of primary pMuSCs at passage 1, and while their differentiation potential was slightly decreased. SiRNA-mediated interference of SV40 T-antigen expression restored the differentiation capability of SV40 T-pMuSCs. Taken together, our results provide a valuable tool for studying pig skeletal muscle development and differentiation.

p63 controls metabolic activation of hepatic stellate cells and fibrosis via an HER2-ACC1 pathway

The p63 protein has pleiotropic functions and, in the liver, participates in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, its functions in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have not yet been explored. TAp63 is induced in HSCs from animal models and patients with liver fibrosis and its levels positively correlate with NAFLD activity score and fibrosis stage. In mice, genetic depletion of TAp63 in HSCs reduces the diet-induced liver fibrosis. In vitro silencing of p63 blunts TGF-β1-induced HSCs activation by reducing mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, as well as decreasing acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). Ectopic expression of TAp63 induces the activation of HSCs and increases the expression and activity of ACC1 by promoting the transcriptional activity of HER2. Genetic inhibition of both HER2 and ACC1 blunt TAp63-induced activation of HSCs. Thus, TAp63 induces HSC activation by stimulating the HER2-ACC1 axis and participates in the development of liver fibrosis.

Metabolic reprogramming in the CLL TME; potential for new therapeutic targets

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells circulate between peripheral (PB) blood and lymph node (LN) compartments, and strictly depend on microenvironmental factors for proliferation, survival and drug resistance. All cancer cells display metabolic reprogramming and CLL is no exception - though the inert status of the PB CLL cells has hampered detailed insight into these processes. We summarize previous work on reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, and hypoxia, as well as the important roles of Myc, and PI3K/Akt/mTor pathways. In vitro co-culture systems and gene expression analyses have provided a partial picture of CLL LN metabolism. New broad omics techniques allow to obtain molecular and also single-cell level understanding of CLL plasticity and metabolic reprogramming. We summarize recent developments and describe the new concept of glutamine addiction for CLL, which may hold therapeutic promise.

Advancing the frontiers of colorectal cancer treatment: harnessing ferroptosis regulation

In recent years, colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have increased significantly due to poor lifestyle choices. Despite the development of various treatments, their effectiveness against advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer remains unsatisfactory due to drug resistance. However, ferroptosis, a novel iron-dependent cell death process induced by lipid peroxidation and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels along with reduced activity of the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) antioxidant enzyme system, shows promise as a therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. This review aims to delve into the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis in colorectal cancer, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic approaches. By targeting ferroptosis, new avenues can be explored for innovative therapies to combat colorectal cancer more effectively. In addition, understanding the molecular pathways involved in ferroptosis may help identify biomarkers for prognosis and treatment response, paving the way for personalized medicine approaches. Furthermore, exploring the interplay between ferroptosis and other cellular processes can uncover combination therapies that enhance treatment efficacy. Investigating the tumor microenvironment's role in regulating ferroptosis may offer strategies to sensitize cancer cells to cell death induction, leading to improved outcomes. Overall, ferroptosis presents a promising avenue for advancing the treatment of colorectal cancer and improving patient outcomes.

Ghrelin regulating liver activity and its potential effects on liver fibrosis and Echinococcosis

Ghrelin widely exists in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, and has biological activities such as maintaining energy homeostasis, regulating lipid metabolism, cell proliferation, immune response, gastrointestinal physiological activities, cognition, memory, circadian rhythm and reward effects. In many benign liver diseases, it may play a hepatoprotective role against steatosis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, and improve liver cell autophagy and immune response to improve disease progression. However, the role of Ghrelin in liver Echinococcosis is currently unclear. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which Ghrelin regulates liver growth metabolism, immune-inflammation, fibrogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis, as well as its protective effects in liver fibrosis diseases, and further proposes the role of Ghrelin in liver Echinococcosis infection. During the infectious process, it may promote the parasitism and survival of parasites on the host by improving the immune-inflammatory microenvironment and fibrosis state, thereby accelerating disease progression. However, there is currently a lack of targeted in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence for this viewpoint.

Class IIa HDACs inhibit cell death pathways and protect muscle integrity in response to lipotoxicity

Lipotoxicity, the accumulation of lipids in non-adipose tissues, alters the metabolic transcriptome and mitochondrial metabolism in skeletal muscle. The mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here we show that lipotoxicity increased histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), which reduced the expression of metabolic genes and oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle, resulting in increased non-oxidative glucose metabolism. This metabolic reprogramming was also associated with impaired apoptosis and ferroptosis responses, and preserved muscle cell viability in response to lipotoxicity. Mechanistically, increased HDAC4 and 5 decreased acetylation of p53 at K120, a modification required for transcriptional activation of apoptosis. Redox drivers of ferroptosis derived from oxidative metabolism were also reduced. The relevance of this pathway was demonstrated by overexpression of loss-of-function HDAC4 and HDAC5 mutants in skeletal muscle of obese db/db mice, which enhanced oxidative metabolic capacity, increased apoptosis and ferroptosis and reduced muscle mass. This study identifies HDAC4 and HDAC5 as repressors of skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism, which is linked to inhibition of cell death pathways and preservation of muscle integrity in response to lipotoxicity.

Cancer-cell-secreted extracellular vesicles target p53 to impair mitochondrial function in muscle

Skeletal muscle loss and weakness are associated with bad prognosis and poorer quality of life in cancer patients. Tumor-derived factors have been implicated in muscle dysregulation by inducing cachexia and apoptosis. Here, we show that extracellular vesicles secreted by breast cancer cells impair mitochondrial homeostasis and function in skeletal muscle, leading to decreased mitochondrial content and energy production and increased oxidative stress. Mechanistically, miR-122-5p in cancer-cell-secreted EVs is transferred to myocytes, where it targets the tumor suppressor TP53 to decrease the expression of TP53 target genes involved in mitochondrial regulation, including Tfam, Pgc-1α, Sco2, and 16S rRNA. Restoration of Tp53 in muscle abolishes mitochondrial myopathology in mice carrying breast tumors and partially rescues their impaired running capacity without significantly affecting muscle mass. We conclude that extracellular vesicles from breast cancer cells mediate skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer and may contribute to muscle weakness in some cancer patients.

Mutant p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Molecular mechanism of gain‑of‑function and targeting therapy (Review)

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most widespread malignancies worldwide. p53, as a transcription factor, can play its role in tumor suppression by activating the expression of numerous target genes. However, p53 is one of the most commonly mutated genes, which frequently harbors missense mutations. These missense mutations are nucleotide substitutions that result in the substitution of an amino acid in the DNA binding domain. Most p53 mutations in HNSCC are missense mutations and the mutation rate of p53 reaches 65‑85%. p53 mutation not only inhibits the tumor suppressive function of p53 but also provides novel functions to facilitate tumor recurrence, called gain‑of‑function (GOF). The present study focused on the prevalence and clinical relevance of p53 mutations in HNSCC, and further described how mutant p53 accumulates. Moreover, mutant p53 in HNSCC can interact with proteins, RNA, and exosomes to exert effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, immunosuppression, and metabolism. Finally, several treatment strategies have been proposed to abolish the tumor‑promoting function of mutant p53; these strategies include reactivation of mutant p53 into wild‑type p53, induction of mutant p53 degradation, enhancement of the synthetic lethality of mutant p53, and treatment with immunotherapy. Due to the high frequency of p53 mutations in HNSCC, a further understanding of the mechanism of mutant p53 may provide potential applications for targeted therapy in patients with HNSCC.

Identification of a novel glycolysis-related prognosis risk signature in triple-negative breast cancer

Introduction

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive cluster of breast cancer characterized by significant molecular heterogeneity. Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that is significantly associated with cancer progression, metastasis, recurrence and chemoresistance. However, the potential roles of glycolysis-related genes in TNBC remain unclear.

Methods

In the present study, we identified 108 glycolysis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between breast cancer (BRCA) tumor tissues and normal tissues, and we divided patients into two different clusters with significantly distinct molecular characteristics, clinicopathological features, prognosis, immune cell infiltration and mutation burden. We then constructed a 10-gene signature that classified all TNBCs into low- and high-risk groups.

Results

The high-risk group had significantly lower survival than the low-risk group, which implied that the risk score was an independent prognostic indicator for TNBC patients. Consequently, we constructed and validated a prognostic nomogram, which accurately predicted individual overall survival (OS) of TNBC. Moreover, the risk score predicted the drug sensitivity of chemotherapeutic agents and immunotherapy for TNBC patients.

Discussion

The present comprehensive analysis of glycolysis-related DEGs in TNBC provides new methods for prognosis prediction and more effective treatment strategies.

Hypoxia Changes Energy Metabolism and Growth Rate in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Hypoxia occurs in 80% of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cases, leading to treatment resistance. Hypoxia's effects on NSCLC energetics are not well-characterized. We evaluated changes in glucose uptake and lactate production in two NSCLC cell lines under hypoxia in conjunction with growth rate and cell cycle phase distribution. The cell lines A549 (p53 wt) and H358 (p53 null) were incubated under hypoxia (0.1% and 1% O₂) or normoxia (20% O₂). Glucose and lactate concentrations in supernatants were measured using luminescence assays. Growth kinetics were followed over seven days. Cell nuclei were stained with DAPI and nuclear DNA content was determined by flow cytometry to determine cell cycle phase. Gene expression under hypoxia was determined by RNA sequencing. Glucose uptake and lactate production under hypoxia were greater than under normoxia. They were also significantly greater in A549 compared to H358 cells. Faster energy metabolism in A549 cells was associated with a higher growth rate in comparison to H358 cells under both normoxia and hypoxia. In both cell lines, hypoxia significantly slowed down the growth rate compared to proliferation under normoxic conditions. Hypoxia led to redistribution of cells in the different cycle phases: cells in G1 increased and the G2 population decreased. Glucose uptake and lactate production increase under hypoxia in NSCLC cells indicated greater shunting of glucose into glycolysis rather than into oxidative phosphorylation compared to normoxia, making adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production less efficient. This may explain the redistribution of hypoxic cells in the G1 cell cycle phase and the time increase for cell doubling. Energy metabolism changes were more prominent in faster-growing A549 cells compared to slower-growing H358 cells, indicating possible roles for the p53 status and inherent growth rate of different cancer cells. In both cell lines, genes associated with cell motility, locomotion and migration were upregulated under chronic hypoxia, indicating a strong stimulus to escape hypoxic conditions.

JMJD5 inhibits lung cancer progression by regulating glucose metabolism through the p53/TIGAR pathway

Metabolic reprogramming is considered one of the main driving forces for tumor progression, providing energy and substrates of biosynthesis to support rapid neoplastic proliferation. Particularly, the tumor suppressor protein p53 was shown to revert the Warburg effect and play complex roles in regulating glucose metabolism. Jumonji C domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5) has previously been reported as a negative regulator of p53. However, the role of JMJD5 in p53-mediated metabolic reprogramming remains elusive. Here, we discovered that knockdown of JMJD5 significantly enhances TIGAR expression in p53 wild-type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, which could further suppress glycolysis and promote the pentose phosphate pathway. Besides, JMJD5 knockdown promotes the NSCLC cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo, while silencing TIGAR can abolish this effect. Low JMJD5 expression levels are associated with elevated TIGAR levels and correlates with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Taken together, our findings suggest that JMJD5 is a key regulator of tumor glucose metabolism by targeting the p53/TIGAR metabolic pathway.

Inaugurating a novel adjuvant therapy in urological cancers: Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, a distinctive form of programmed cell death, is involved in numerous diseases with specific characteristics, including certain cell morphology, functions, biochemistry, and genetics, that differ from other forms of programmed cell death, such as apoptosis. Many studies have explored ferroptosis and its associated mechanisms, drugs, and clinical applications in diseases such as kidney injury, stroke, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and prostate cancer. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of some ferroptosis inducers, such as enzalutamide and erastin. These are current research focuses and have already been studied extensively. In summary, this review focuses on the use of ferroptosis induction as a therapeutic strategy for treating tumors of the urinary system.

Roles of p53-Mediated Host–Virus Interaction in Coronavirus Infection

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has garnered global attention due to its highly pathogenic nature and the resulting health crisis and economic burden. Although drugs such as Remdesivir have been considered a potential cure by targeting the virus on its RNA polymerase, the high mutation rate and unique 3’ to 5’ exonuclease with proofreading function make it challenging to develop effective anti-coronavirus drugs. As a result, there is an increasing focus on host–virus interactions because coronaviruses trigger stress responses, cell cycle changes, apoptosis, autophagy, and the dysregulation of immune function and inflammation in host cells. The p53 tumor suppressor molecule is a critical regulator of cell signaling pathways, cellular stress responses, DNA repair, and apoptosis. However, viruses can activate or inhibit p53 during viral infections to enhance viral replication and spread. Given its pivotal role in cell physiology, p53 represents a potential target for anti-coronavirus drugs. This review aims to summarize the relationship between p53 and coronaviruses from various perspectives, to shed light on potential targets for antiviral drug development and vaccine design.

Counteracting Colon Cancer by Inhibiting Mitochondrial Respiration and Glycolysis with a Selective PKCδ Activator

Metabolic reprogramming is a central hub in tumor development and progression. Therefore, several efforts have been developed to find improved therapeutic approaches targeting cancer cell metabolism. Recently, we identified the 7α-acetoxy-6β-benzoyloxy-12-O-benzoylroyleanone (Roy-Bz) as a PKCδ-selective activator with potent anti-proliferative activity in colon cancer by stimulating a PKCδ-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Herein, we investigated whether the antitumor activity of Roy-Bz, in colon cancer, could be related to glucose metabolism interference. The results showed that Roy-Bz decreased the mitochondrial respiration in human colon HCT116 cancer cells, by reducing electron transfer chain complexes I/III. Consistently, this effect was associated with downregulation of the mitochondrial markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (COX4), voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and mitochondrial import receptor subunit TOM20 homolog (TOM20), and upregulation of synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2). Roy-Bz also dropped glycolysis, decreasing the expression of critical glycolytic markers directly implicated in glucose metabolism such as glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), hexokinase 2 (HK2) and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), and increasing TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) protein levels. These results were further corroborated in tumor xenografts of colon cancer. Altogether, using a PKCδ-selective activator, this work evidenced a potential dual role of PKCδ in tumor cell metabolism, resulting from the inhibition of both mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. Additionally, it reinforces the antitumor therapeutic potential of Roy-Bz in colon cancer by targeting glucose metabolism.

Hepatic p63 regulates glucose metabolism by repressing SIRT1

OBJECTIVE

p63 is a transcription factor within the p53 protein family that has key roles in development, differentiation and prevention of senescence, but its metabolic actions remain largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the physiological role of p63 in glucose metabolism.

DESIGN

We used cell lines and mouse models to genetically manipulate p63 in hepatocytes. We also measured p63 in the liver of patients with obesity with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

RESULTS

We show that hepatic p63 expression is reduced on fasting. Mice lacking the specific isoform TAp63 in the liver (p63LKO) display higher postprandial and pyruvate-induced glucose excursions. These mice have elevated SIRT1 levels, while SIRT1 knockdown in p63LKO mice normalises glycaemia. Overexpression of TAp63 in wild-type mice reduces postprandial, pyruvate-induced blood glucose and SIRT1 levels. Studies carried out in hepatocyte cell lines show that TAp63 regulates SIRT1 promoter by repressing its transcriptional activation. TAp63 also mediates the inhibitory effect of insulin on hepatic glucose production, as silencing TAp63 impairs insulin sensitivity. Finally, protein levels of TAp63 are reduced in obese persons with T2D and are negatively correlated with fasting glucose and homeostasis model assessment index.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that p63 physiologically regulates glucose homeostasis.

p52-ZER6: a determinant of tumor cell sensitivity to MDM2-p53 binding inhibitors

Targeting MDM2-p53 interaction has emerged as a promising antitumor therapeutic strategy. Several MDM2-p53 inhibitors have advanced into clinical trials, but results are not favorable. The lack of appropriate biomarkers for selecting patients has been assumed as the critical reason for this failure. We previously identified ZER6 isoform p52-ZER6 as an oncogene upregulated in tumor tissues. In this study we investigated whether p52-ZER6 acted as a blocker of MDM2-p53 binding inhibitors, and whether p52-ZER6 could be used as a biomarker of MDM2-p53 binding inhibitors. In p53 wild-type colorectal carcinoma HCT116, hepatocarcinoma HepG2 and breast cancer MCF-7 cells, overexpression of p52-ZER6 enhanced MDM2-p53 binding and promoted p53 ubiquitination/proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, overexpression of p52-ZER6 in the tumor cells dose-dependently reduced their sensitivity to both nutlin and non-nutlin class MDM2-p53 binding inhibitors. We showed that p52-ZER6 restored tumor cell viability, which was suppressed by nutlin-3, through restoring their proliferation potential while suppressing their apoptotic rate, suggesting that MDM2-p53 binding inhibitors might not be effective for patients with high p52-ZER6 levels. We found that nutlin-3 treatment or p52-ZER6 knockdown alone promoted the accumulation of p53 protein in the tumor cells, and their combinatorial treatment significantly increased the accumulation of p53 protein. In HCT116 cell xenograft nude mouse model, administration of shp52-ZER6 combined with an MDM2-p53 binding inhibitor nutlin-3 exerted synergistic antitumor response. In conclusion, this study reveals that p52-ZER6 might be a potential biomarker for determining patients appropriate for MDM2-p53 binding inhibition-based antitumor therapy, and demonstrates the potential of combinatorial therapy using MDM2-p53 binding inhibitors and p52-ZER6 inhibition.

Tubular-specific expression of HIV protein Vpr leads to severe tubulointerstitial damage accompanied by progressive fibrosis and cystic development

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of morbidity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. HIV infection leads to a wide spectrum of kidney cell damage, including tubular epithelial cell (TEC) injury. Among the HIV-1 proteins, the pathologic effects of viral protein R (Vpr) are well established and include DNA damage response, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. Several in vitro studies have unraveled the molecular pathways driving the cytopathic effects of Vpr in tubular epithelial cells. However, the in vivo effects of Vpr on tubular injury and CKD pathogenesis have not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we use a novel inducible tubular epithelial cell-specific Vpr transgenic mouse model to show that Vpr expression leads to progressive tubulointerstitial damage, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, and tubular cyst development. Importantly, Vpr-expressing tubular epithelial cells displayed significant hypertrophy, aberrant cell division, and atrophy; all reminiscent of tubular injuries observed in human HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed the Vpr-mediated transcriptomic responses in specific tubular subsets and highlighted the potential multifaceted role of p53 in the regulation of cell metabolism, proliferation, and death pathways in Vpr-expressing tubular epithelial cells. Thus, our study demonstrates that HIV Vpr expression in tubular cells is sufficient to induce HIVAN-like tubulointerstitial damage and fibrosis, independent of glomerulosclerosis and proteinuria. Additionally, as this new mouse model develops progressive CKD with diffuse fibrosis and kidney failure, it can serve as a useful tool to examine the mechanisms of kidney disease progression and fibrosis in vivo.

Targeting mutant p53-R248W reactivates WT p53 function and alters the onco-metabolic profile

TP53 is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer, and gain-of-function mutations have wide-ranging effects. Efforts to reactivate wild-type p53 function and inhibit mutant functions have been complicated by the variety of TP53 mutations. Identified from a screen, the NSC59984 compound has been shown to restore activity to mutant p53 in colorectal cancer cells. Here, we investigated its effects on esophageal adenocarcinoma cells with specific p53 hot-spot mutations. NSC59984 treatment of cells reactivated p53 transcriptional regulation, inducing mitochondrial intrinsic apoptosis. Analysis of its effects on cellular metabolism demonstrated increased utilization of the pentose phosphate pathway and inhibition of glycolysis at the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate junction. Furthermore, treatment of cells with NSC59984 increased reactive oxygen species production and decreased glutathione levels; these effects were enhanced by the addition of buthionine sulfoximine and inhibited by N-acetyl cysteine. We found that the effects of NSC59984 were substantially greater in cells harboring the p53 R248W mutation. Overall, these findings demonstrate p53-dependent effects of NSC59984 on cellular metabolism, with increased activity in cells harboring the p53 R248W mutation. This research highlights the importance of defining the mutational status of a particular cancer to create a patient-centric strategy for the treatment of p53-driven cancers.

Clinical Significance of β-Lactamase Expression in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has seriously endangered human health. Despite significant advances in clinical treatment of CRC in recent years, clinically effective treatment options for CRC patients remain rare. Therefore, reducing the incidence and mortality of CRC is still a worldwide concern. This study aims to explore the clinical significance of lactamase beta (LACTB)-like expression in CRC tissues. Materials and Methods: The expression of LACTB in CRC tissues and adjacent tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas database was analyzed and the analysis results were verified by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expression level of LACTB and pathological factors and prognosis was analyzed. Results: There was statistical difference in the expression of LACTB in CRC tissues and adjacent tissues (p < 0.01). The expression of LACTB in CRC tissues was correlated with clinical stage (p < 0.01). The expression of LACTB in CRC patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that in CRC patients without lymph node metastasis (p < 0.01). Low expression of LACTB contributed to the poor prognosis of CRC patients. The 5-year survival rate of CRC patients with low LACTB expression was significantly lower than that of CRC patients with high LACTB expression (p = 0.010, p = 0.047). Conclusions: The expression of LACTB in CRC tissues was significantly lower than that in normal tissues, and it was significantly correlated with clinical prognosis, suggesting that LACTB could inhibit the CRC invasion and metastasis. This indicated to some extent that LACTB could be used as a prognostic marker and a new therapeutic target for CRC.

An Update on the Metabolic Landscape of Oncogenic Viruses

Viruses play an important role in cancer development as about 12% of cancer types are linked to viral infections. Viruses that induce cellular transformation are known as oncoviruses. Although the mechanisms of viral oncogenesis differ between viruses, all oncogenic viruses share the ability to establish persistent chronic infections with no obvious symptoms for years. During these prolonged infections, oncogenic viruses manipulate cell signaling pathways that control cell cycle progression, apoptosis, inflammation, and metabolism. Importantly, it seems that most oncoviruses depend on these changes for their persistence and amplification. Metabolic changes induced by oncoviruses share many common features with cancer metabolism. Indeed, viruses, like proliferating cancer cells, require increased biosynthetic precursors for virion production, need to balance cellular redox homeostasis, and need to ensure host cell survival in a given tissue microenvironment. Thus, like for cancer cells, viral replication and persistence of infected cells frequently depend on metabolic changes. Here, we draw parallels between metabolic changes observed in cancers or induced by oncoviruses, with a focus on pathways involved in the regulation of glucose, lipid, and amino acids. We describe whether and how oncoviruses depend on metabolic changes, with the perspective of targeting them for antiviral and onco-therapeutic approaches in the context of viral infections.

Derepression of the USP22-FASN axis by p53 loss under oxidative stress drives lipogenesis and tumorigenesis

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and aberrant lipid metabolism are established hallmarks of cancer; however, the role of ROS in lipid synthesis during tumorigenesis is almost unknown. Herein, we show that ROS regulates lipid synthesis and thus controls colorectal tumorigenesis through a p53-dependent mechanism. In p53 wild-type colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced p53 expression represses the transcription of deubiquitinase USP22, which otherwise deubiquitinates and stabilizes Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN), and thus inhibits fatty acid synthesis. Whereas, in p53-deficient CRC cells, ROS-mediated inhibition of USP22 is relieved, leading to FASN stabilization, which thus promotes lipid synthesis and tumor growth. In human CRC specimens, USP22 expression is positively correlated with FASN expression. Our study demonstrates that ROS critically regulates lipid synthesis and tumorigenesis through the USP22-FASN axis in a p53-dependent manner, and targeting the USP22-FASN axis may represent a potential strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Warburg effect in colorectal cancer: the emerging roles in tumor microenvironment and therapeutic implications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Countless CRC patients undergo disease progression. As a hallmark of cancer, Warburg effect promotes cancer metastasis and remodels the tumor microenvironment, including promoting angiogenesis, immune suppression, cancer-associated fibroblasts formation and drug resistance. Targeting Warburg metabolism would be a promising method for the treatment of CRC. In this review, we summarize information about the roles of Warburg effect in tumor microenvironment to elucidate the mechanisms governing Warburg effect in CRC and to identify novel targets for therapy.

An asparagine metabolism-based classification reveals the metabolic and immune heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction and objectives

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major form of liver cancer with a poor prognosis. Amino acid metabolism has been found to alter in cancers and contributes to malignant progression. However, the asparagine metabolism status and relevant mechanism in HCC were barely understood.

Methods

By conducting consensus clustering and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression of HCC samples from three cohorts, we classified the HCC patients into two subtypes based on asparagine metabolism level. The Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of the differentially expressed genes between two subgroups were conducted. Immune cell infiltration was evaluated using CIBERSORT algorithm. The prognostic values of genes were analyzed by univariate and multivariate cox regression, ROC curve and Kaplan–Meier survival estimate analyses. Cell types of sing-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were clustered utilizing UMAP method.

Results

HCC patients with higher asparagine metabolism level have worse prognoses. Moreover, we found the distinct energy metabolism patterns, DNA damage response (DDR) pathway activating levels, drug sensitivities to DDR inhibitors, immune cell compositions in the tumor microenvironment and responses to immune therapy between two subgroups. Further, we identified a potential target gene, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2 (GOT2). GOT2 downregulation was associated with worse HCC prognosis and increased infiltration of T regulatory cells (Tregs). ScRNA-seq revealed the GOT2 downregulation in cancer stem cells compared with HCC cells.

Conclusions

Taken together, HCC subtype which is more reliant on asparagine and glutamine metabolism has a worse prognosis, and a core gene of asparagine metabolism GOT2 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target of HCC. Our study promotes the precision therapy of HCC and may improve patient outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-022-01380-z.

Iron metabolism, ferroptosis, and lncRNA in cancer: knowns and unknowns

Cancer cells undergo substantial metabolic alterations to sustain increased energy supply and uncontrolled proliferation. As an essential trace element, iron is vital for many biological processes. Evidence has revealed that cancer cells deploy various mechanisms to elevate the cellular iron concentration to accelerate proliferation. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death caused by iron-catalyzed excessive peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is a promising therapeutic target for therapy-resistant cancers. Previous studies have reported that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a group of critical regulators involved in modulating cell metabolism, proliferation, apoptosis, and ferroptosis. In this review, we summarize the associations among iron metabolism, ferroptosis, and ferroptosis-related lncRNA in tumorigenesis. This information will help deepen understanding of the role of lncRNA in iron metabolism and raise the possibility of targeting lncRNA and ferroptosis in cancer combination therapy.

The complexity of p53-mediated metabolic regulation in tumor suppression

Although the classic activities of p53 including induction of cell-cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis are well accepted as critical barriers to cancer development, accumulating evidence suggests that loss of these classic activities is not sufficient to abrogate the tumor suppression activity of p53. Numerous studies suggest that metabolic regulation contributes to tumor suppression, but the mechanisms by which it does so are not completely understood. Cancer cells rewire cellular metabolism to meet the energetic and substrate demands of tumor development. It is well established that p53 suppresses glycolysis and promotes mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation through a number of downstream targets against the Warburg effect. The role of p53-mediated metabolic regulation in tumor suppression is complexed by its function to promote both cell survival and cell death under different physiological settings. Indeed, p53 can regulate both pro-oxidant and antioxidant target genes for complete opposite effects. In this review, we will summarize the roles of p53 in the regulation of glucose, lipid, amino acid, nucleotide, iron metabolism, and ROS production. We will highlight the mechanisms underlying p53-mediated ferroptosis, AKT/mTOR signaling as well as autophagy and discuss the complexity of p53-metabolic regulation in tumor development.

Effect of TP53 deficiency and KRAS signaling on the bioenergetics of colon cancer cells in response to different substrates: A single cell study

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. Somatic mutations in genes involved in oncogenic signaling pathways, including KRAS and TP53, rewire the metabolic machinery in cancer cells. We here set out to determine, at the single cell level, metabolic signatures in human colon cancer cells engineered to express combinations of activating KRAS gene mutations and TP53 gene deletions. Specifically, we explored how somatic mutations in these genes and substrate availability (lactate, glucose, substrate deprivation) from the extracellular microenvironment affect bioenergetic parameters, including cellular ATP, NADH and mitochondrial membrane potential dynamics. Employing cytosolic and mitochondrial FRET-based ATP probes, fluorescent NADH sensors, and the membrane-permeant cationic fluorescent probe TMRM in HCT-116 cells as a model system, we observed that TP53 deletion and KRAS mutations drive a shift in metabolic signatures enabling lactate to become an efficient metabolite to replenish both ATP and NADH following nutrient deprivation. Intriguingly, cytosolic, mitochondrial and overall cellular ATP measurements revealed that, in WT KRAS cells, TP53 deficiency leads to an enhanced ATP production in the presence of extracellular lactate and glucose, and to the greatest increase in ATP following a starvation period. On the other hand, oncogenic KRAS in TP53-deficient cells reversed the alterations in cellular ATP levels. Moreover, cell population measurements of mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolism using a Seahorse analyzer demonstrated that WT KRAS TP53-silenced cells display an increase of the basal respiration and tightly-coupled mitochondria, in the presence of glucose as substrate, compared to TP53 competent cells. Furthermore, cells possessing oncogenic KRAS, independently of TP53 status, showed less pronounced mitochondrial membrane potential changes in response to metabolic nutrients. Furthermore, analysis of cytosolic and mitochondrial NADH levels revealed that the simultaneous presence of TP53 deletion and oncogenic KRAS showed the most pronounced alteration in cytosolic and mitochondrial NADH during metabolic stress. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate how activating KRAS mutation and loss of TP53 remodel cancer metabolism and lead to alterations in bioenergetics under metabolic stress conditions by modulating cellular ATP production, NADH oxidation, mitochondrial respiration and function.

Multi-hallmark long noncoding RNA maps reveal non-small cell lung cancer vulnerabilities

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely dysregulated in cancer, yet their functional roles in cancer hallmarks remain unclear. We employ pooled CRISPR deletion to perturb 831 lncRNAs detected in KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and measure their contribution to proliferation, chemoresistance, and migration across two cell backgrounds. Integrative analysis of these data outperforms conventional "dropout" screens in identifying cancer genes while prioritizing disease-relevant lncRNAs with pleiotropic and background-independent roles. Altogether, 80 high-confidence oncogenic lncRNAs are active in NSCLC, which tend to be amplified and overexpressed in tumors. A follow-up antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) screen shortlisted two candidates, Cancer Hallmarks in Lung LncRNA 1 (CHiLL1) and GCAWKR, whose knockdown consistently suppressed cancer hallmarks in two- and three-dimension tumor models. Molecular phenotyping reveals that CHiLL1 and GCAWKR control cellular-level phenotypes via distinct transcriptional networks. This work reveals a multi-dimensional functional lncRNA landscape underlying NSCLC that contains potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Critical target identification and human health risk ranking of metal ions based on mechanism-driven modeling

Huge amounts of metals have been released into environment due to various anthropogenic activities, such as smelting and processing of metals and subsequent application in construction, automobiles, batteries, optoelectronic devices, and so on, resulting in widespread detection in environmental media. However, some metal ions are considered as "Environmental health hazards", leading to serious human health concerns through affecting critical targets. Hence, it is necessary to quickly and effectively recognize the key target of metal ions in living organisms. Fortunately, the development of high-throughput analysis and in silico approaches offer a promising tool for target identification. In this study, the key oncogenic target (tumor suppressor protein, p53) was screened by network analysis based on the comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD). Some metal ions could bind to p53 core domain, impair its function and induce the development of cancer risk, but its mechanisms were still unclear. Therefore, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was constructed to characterize the binding constants (K_a) between DNA binding domain of p53 (p53 DBD) and nine metal ions (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ba²⁺). It had good robustness and predictive ability, which could be used to predict the K_a values of other six metal ions (Li⁺, Ag⁺, Cs⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺) within application domain. The results showed strong binding affinity between Cd²⁺/Hg²⁺/Pb²⁺ and p53 DBD. Subsequent mechanism analyses revealed that first hydrolysis constant (|logK_OH|) and polarization force (Z²/r) were key metal ion-characteristic parameters. The metal ions with weak hydrolysis constants and strong polarization forces could readily interact with N-containing histidine and S-containing cysteine of p53 DBD, which resulted in high K_a values. This study identified p53 as potential target for metal ions, revealed the key characteristics affecting the actions and provide a basic understanding of metal ions-p53 DBD interaction.

Hepatic p53 is regulated by transcription factor FOXO1 and acutely controls glycogen homeostasis

The tumor suppressor p53 is involved in the adaptation of hepatic metabolism to nutrient availability. Acute deletion of p53 in the mouse liver affects hepatic glucose and triglyceride metabolism. However, long-term adaptations upon the loss of hepatic p53 and its transcriptional regulators are unknown. Here we show that short-term, but not chronic, liver-specific deletion of p53 in mice reduces liver glycogen levels, and we implicate the transcription factor forkhead box O1 protein (FOXO1) in the regulation of p53 and its target genes. We demonstrate that acute p53 deletion prevents glycogen accumulation upon refeeding, whereas a chronic loss of p53 associates with a compensational activation of the glycogen synthesis pathway. Moreover, we identify fasting-activated FOXO1 as a repressor of p53 transcription in hepatocytes. We show that this repression is relieved by inactivation of FOXO1 by insulin, which likely mediates the upregulation of p53 expression upon refeeding. Strikingly, we find that high-fat diet–induced insulin resistance with persistent FOXO1 activation not only blunted the regulation of p53 but also the induction of p53 target genes like p21 during fasting, indicating overlapping effects of both FOXO1 and p53 on target gene expression in a context-dependent manner. Thus, we conclude that p53 acutely controls glycogen storage in the liver and is linked to insulin signaling via FOXO1, which has important implications for our understanding of the hepatic adaptation to nutrient availability.

Molecular Mechanism of Crataegi Folium and Alisma Rhizoma in the Treatment of Dyslipidemia Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

Dyslipidemia has become a critical global issue for public health, with elevating prevalence and morbidity closely related to many cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with high incidence rates. Crataegi Folium (known as Shanzhaye in China, SZ, the leaves of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N.E. Br. or Crataegus pinnatifida Bge) and Alisma rhizoma (known as Zexie in China, ZX, the dried tuber of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep or Alisma plantago-aquatica Linn), a classic combination of herbs, have been widely used to treat dyslipidemia. However, the therapeutic mechanism of this pair still remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the Shanzhaye-Zexie herb pair (SZHP) in the treatment of dyslipidemia with the use of a network pharmacology analysis approach.

Methods

Active compounds, targets of the SZHP, and targets for dyslipidemia were screened based on the public database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed on the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID 6.8). The compound-target-disease-pathway network was visualized using the Cytoscape software, and SYBYL was used for molecular docking.

Results

Twelve active compounds in the SZHP were screened out, which were closely connected to 186 dyslipidemia-related targets. The network analysis revealed that sitosterol, stigmasterol, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and quercetin might be candidate agents and CCND1, CASP3, HIF1A, and ESR1 genes were potential drug targets. GO analysis revealed 856 biological processes (BP), 139 molecular functions (MF), and 89 cellular components (CC). The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the lipid level and atherosclerosis might influence the treatment of dyslipidemia. Molecular docking showed that quercetin bound well to CCND1, HIF1A, MYC, AKT1, and EGFR genes. These findings were in accord with the prediction obtained through the network pharmacology approach.

Conclusions

This study revealed the primary pharmacological effects and relevant mechanisms of the SZHP in treating dyslipidemia. Our findings may facilitate the development of the SZHP or its active compounds as an alternative therapy for dyslipidemia. Still, more pharmacological experiments are needed for verification.

Mechanisms of reactive oxygen species in oral lichen planus: A literature review

Oral lichen planus is a chronic non-infectious mucosal inflammatory disease caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species homeostasis and antioxidant defense systems. Notably, excessive oxidative stress products result in related autoimmune reactions. Further, it activates signaling pathways related to the development of oral lichen planus, as evidenced by the detection of damage to deoxyribonucleic acid, protein, and lipid. Thus, the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus are numerous and complex. In this review, we first introduce oxidative stress and oxidative products. Then, we summarize the role and possible mechanisms of reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus and present a clinical correlation between oxidative stress and oral lichen planus. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future perspectives.

NF90-NF45 is essential for β cell compensation under obesity-inducing metabolic stress through suppression of p53 signaling pathway

The Nuclear Factor 90 (NF90)-NF45 complex has been known to regulate the progression of transcription, mRNA stability, translational inhibition, RNA export and microRNA biogenesis. However, the physiological functions of the NF90-NF45 complex remain unclear. We newly discovered that the NF90-NF45 complex was expressed in primary β cells and established cell lines. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the function of the endogenous NF90-NF45 complex in the β cells. To investigate this issue, we generated β-cell-specific NF90-NF45 deficient mice. These mice exhibited hyperglycaemia and lower plasma insulin levels under a high fat diet together with decreased islet mass. To uncover this mechanism, we performed a whole-genome expression microarray of the total RNA prepared from β cell lines treated with siRNAs targeting both NF90 and NF45. In this result, we found an activation of p53 signaling in the NF90-NF45-knockdown cells. This activation was supported by elevation of luciferase activity derived from a reporter plasmid harboring p53 binding sites in the NF90-NF45-knockdown cells. Furthermore, the knockdown of NF90-NF45 resulted in a significant retardation of the β cell line growth rates. Importantly, a dominant negative form of p53 rescues the growth retardation in BTC6 cells depleted of NF90-NF45, suggesting that NF90-NF45 would be positively involved in β cell proliferation through suppression of p53 signal pathway. Taken together, NF90-NF45 is essential for β cell compensation under obesity-inducing metabolic stress via repression of p53 signaling.

Wild type and gain of function mutant TP53 can regulate the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, EGFR/Ras/Raf/MEK, and PI3K/mTORC1/GSK-3 pathway inhibitors, nutraceuticals and alter metabolic properties

TP53 is a master regulator of many signaling and apoptotic pathways involved in: aging, cell cycle progression, gene regulation, growth, apoptosis, cellular senescence, DNA repair, drug resistance, malignant transformation, metastasis, and metabolism. Most pancreatic cancers are classified as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC). The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is mutated frequently (50-75%) in PDAC. Different types of TP53 mutations have been observed including gain of function (GOF) point mutations and various deletions of the TP53 gene resulting in lack of the protein expression. Most PDACs have point mutations at the KRAS gene which result in constitutive activation of KRas and multiple downstream signaling pathways. It has been difficult to develop specific KRas inhibitors and/or methods that result in recovery of functional TP53 activity. To further elucidate the roles of TP53 in drug-resistance of pancreatic cancer cells, we introduced wild-type (WT) TP53 or a control vector into two different PDAC cell lines. Introduction of WT-TP53 increased the sensitivity of the cells to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs, signal transduction inhibitors, drugs and nutraceuticals and influenced key metabolic properties of the cells. Therefore, TP53 is a key molecule which is critical in drug sensitivity and metabolism of PDAC.

Mitochondria Dysfunction-Mediated Molecular Subtypes and Gene Prognostic Index for Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy or Radiotherapy

Background

Given the age relevance of prostate cancer (PCa) and the role of mitochondrial dysfunction (MIDS) in aging, we orchestrated molecular subtypes and identified key genes for PCa from the perspective of MIDS.

Methods

Cluster analysis, COX regression analysis, function analysis, and tumor immune environment were conducted. We performed all analyses using software R 3.6.3 and its suitable packages.

Results

CXCL14, SFRP4, and CD38 were eventually identified to classify the PCa patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset into two distinct clusters. Patients in the cluster 2 had shorter BCR-free survival than those in the cluster 1 in terms of both TCGA database and GEO dataset. We divided the patients from the TCGA database and the GEO dataset into high- and low-risk groups according to the median of MIDS-related genetic prognostic index. For patients in the TCGA database, the biochemical recurrence (BCR) risk in high-risk group was 2.34 times higher than that in low-risk group. Similarly, for patients in the GEO dataset, the risk of BCR and metastasis in high-risk group was 2.35 and 3.04 times higher than that in low-risk group, respectively. Cluster 2 was closely associated with advanced T stage and higher Gleason score for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. For patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, the number of CD8⁺ T cells was significantly lower in cluster 2 than in cluster 1, while cluster 2 had significantly higher stromal score than cluster 1. For patients undergoing radical radiotherapy, cluster 2 had significantly higher level of CD8⁺ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, stromal score, immune score, and estimate score, but showed lower level of tumor purity than cluster 1.

Conclusions

We proposed distinctly prognosis-related molecular subtypes at genetic level and related formula for PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, mainly to provide a roadmap for precision medicine.

Leukemia inhibitory factor drives glucose metabolic reprogramming to promote breast tumorigenesis

LIF, a multifunctional cytokine, is frequently overexpressed in many types of solid tumors, including breast cancer, and plays an important role in promoting tumorigenesis. Currently, how LIF promotes tumorigenesis is not well-understood. Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells and a key contributor to cancer progression. However, the role of LIF in cancer metabolic reprogramming is unclear. In this study, we found that LIF increases glucose uptake and drives glycolysis, contributing to breast tumorigenesis. Blocking glucose uptake largely abolishes the promoting effect of LIF on breast tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, LIF overexpression enhances glucose uptake via activating the AKT/GLUT1 axis to promote glycolysis. Blocking the AKT signaling by shRNA or its inhibitors greatly inhibits glycolysis driven by LIF and largely abolishes the promoting effect of LIF on breast tumorigenesis. These results demonstrate an important role of LIF overexpression in glucose metabolism reprogramming in breast cancers, which contributes to breast tumorigenesis. This study also reveals an important mechanism underlying metabolic reprogramming of breast cancers, and identifies LIF and its downstream signaling as potential therapeutic targets for breast cancers, especially those with LIF overexpression.

Potential Role of APEX1 During Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered category of programmed cell death. It is much different from other types of cell death such as apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. The main pathological feature of ferroptosis is the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The typical changes in the morphological features of ferroptosis include cell volume shrinkage and increased mitochondrial membrane area. The mechanisms of ferroptosis may be mainly related to lipid peroxidation accumulation, imbalance in amino acid antioxidant system, and disturbance of iron metabolism. Besides, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and p53 pathway have been demonstrated to be involved in ferroptosis. At present, the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis pathway are still unmapped. In this review, an outlook has been put forward about the crucial role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APEX1) in the regulation of ferroptosis. APEX1 plays an important role in the regulation of intracellular redox balance and can be used as a potential inhibitor of ferroptotic cell death. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the mRNA level of APEX1 is decreased in cases of ferroptosis triggered by erastin. Besides, it was found that there was a significant correlation between APEX1 and genes in the ferroptosis pathway. We have discussed the possibility to employ APEX1 inducers or inhibitors in the regulation of ferroptosis as a new strategy for the treatment of various human diseases.

p53 reactivating small molecule PRIMA‑1MET/APR‑246 regulates genomic instability in MDA‑MB‑231 cells

Pharmacological reactivation of tumor‑suppressor protein p53 has acted as a promising strategy for more than 50% of human cancers that carry a non‑functional mutant p53 (mutp53). p53 plays a critical role in preserving genomic integrity and DNA fidelity through numerous biological processes, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, senescence and apoptosis. By contrast, non‑functional mutp53 compromises the aforementioned genome stabilizing mechanisms through gain of function, thereby increasing genomic instability in human cancers. Restoring the functional activity of p53 using both genetic and pharmacological approaches has gained prominence in targeting p53‑mutated tumors. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the reactivation of p53 in DNA repair mechanisms and the maintenance of genomic stability using PRIMA‑1^MET/APR‑246 small molecules, in both MDA‑MB‑231 and MCF‑7 breast cancer cell lines, which carry mutp53 and wild‑type p53, respectively. Results of the present study revealed that reactivation of p53 through APR‑246 led to an increase in the functional activity of DNA repair. Prolonged treatment of MDA‑MB‑231 cells with APR‑246 in the presence of cisplatin led to a reduction in mutational accumulation, compared with cells treated with cisplatin alone. These findings demonstrated that APR‑246 may act as a promising small molecule to control the genomic instability in p53‑mutated tumors.

Comprehensive analysis of the autophagy-dependent ferroptosis-related gene FANCD2 in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) involves the interactions between cell proliferation and death. Autophagy-dependent ferroptosis, a distinctive cell death process, was implicated in a multitude of diseases, whereas no research revealing the relationship between autophagy-dependent ferroptosis and LUAD pathogenesis was reported. Thus, the primary objective was to explore the role and potential function of the autophagy-dependent ferroptosis-related genes in LUAD.

METHODS

Clinical information and transcriptome profiling of patients with LUAD were retrieved and downloaded from open-source databases. Autophagy-dependent ferroptosis-related genes were screened by published articles. The critical gene was identified as the intersection between the differentially expressed genes and prognosis-related genes. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups using the expression level of the critical gene. The validity of the key gene prognosis model was verified by survival analysis. The correlation between the clinical characteristics of LUAD and the expression level of the key gene was analyzed to explore the clinical significance and prognosis value. And the roles of the key gene in response to chemotherapy, immune microenvironment, and tumor mutation burden were predicted. The validation of key gene expression levels was further performed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTS

FANCD2, an essential autophagy-dependent ferroptosis-related gene by searching database, was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD occurrence. The high expression level of FANCD2 was associated with an advantaged TNM stage, a less chemotherapy sensitivity, a low ImmuneScore, which indicated a deactivation status in an immune microenvironment, a high tumor mutation burden, and poor survival for LUAD patients. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that FANCD2 responded to oxidative stress and neutrophil-mediated immunity. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry staining showed that the expression level of FANCD2 is higher in LUAD patients than in normal tissue samples, which was in accordance with the database report.

CONCLUSION

FANCD2, an essential gene related to autophagy-dependent ferroptosis, could work as a biomarker, predicting the survival, chemotherapy sensitivity, tumor immunity, and mutation burden of LUAD. Researching autophagy-dependent ferroptosis and targeting the FANCD2 may offer a new perspective for treating and improving prognosis in LUAD.

Comprehensive Analysis of Immune-Related Prognosis of TK1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Increased expression of TK1 is associated with the progression of a variety of tumors. However, the relationship of TK1 expression with immune cell infiltration and its prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unknown. In this study the TCGA database was used to evaluate TK1 expression and its impact on survival in patients with HCC. Compared with normal tissue, TK1 in the liver tissue of patients with HCC was significantly up-regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, TK1 expression was significantly related to pathological stage, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, with high TK1 expression being an unfavorable prognostic factor for HCC. TK1 expression was also significantly associated with the infiltration of B cells, T cells, and dendritic cells in HCC. Single-cell sequencing analysis revealed that TK1 was associated with relatively large changes in T cells, especially gamma-delta T cells. A prognostic risk score based on TK1-related immune genes (CD40LG and TNFRSF4) was established using COX regression analysis. By integrating the immune-related risk score model with clinical features, a nomogram was constructed to predict the survival rate of HCC patients (1 year, 3-year and 5-year AUC of 0.782, 0.783 and 0.771, respectively). Knockdown of the target gene for TK1 was found to have significant anti-apoptosis and pro-proliferation effects on HepG2 cells. The level of TK1 in the serum and liver tissue of patients with HCC was significantly increased relative to healthy controls. These findings highlight the role of TK1 in the tumor immune response of HCC patients and in the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. TK1 could therefore be a potential immunotherapy target for HCC patients, while the two immune genes related to TK1 (CD40LG And TNFRSF4) may be promising prognostic biomarkers in HCC.

HELLS Is Negatively Regulated by Wild-Type P53 in Liver Cancer by a Mechanism Involving P21 and FOXM1

Simple Summary

The tumor suppressor protein P53 is a major player in preventing liver cancer development and progression. In this study we could show that P53 negatively regulates the expression of Helicase, lymphoid specific (HELLS), previously described as an important pro-tumorigenic epigenetic regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis. The regulatory mechanism included induction of the P53 target gene P21 (CDKN1A) resulting in repression of HELLS via downregulation of the transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein M1 (FOXM1). Our in vitro and in vivo findings indicate an important additional aspect of the tumor suppressive function of P53 in liver cancer linked to epigenetic regulation.

Abstract

The major tumor suppressor P53 (TP53) acts primarily as a transcription factor by activating or repressing subsets of its numerous target genes, resulting in different cellular outcomes (e.g., cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and senescence). P53-dependent gene regulation is linked to several aspects of chromatin remodeling; however, regulation of chromatin-modifying enzymes by P53 is poorly understood in hepatocarcinogenesis. Herein, we identified Helicase, lymphoid specific (HELLS), a major epigenetic regulator in liver cancer, as a strong and selective P53 repression target within the SNF2-like helicase family. The underlying regulatory mechanism involved P53-dependent induction of P21 (CDKN1A), leading to repression of Forkhead Box Protein M1 (FOXM1) that in turn resulted in downregulation of HELLS expression. Supporting our in vitro data, we found higher expression of HELLS in murine HCCs arising in a Trp53−/− background compared to Trp53+/+ HCCs as well as a strong and highly significant correlation between HELLS and FOXM1 expression in different HCC patient cohorts. Our data suggest that functional or mutational inactivation of P53 substantially contributes to overexpression of HELLS in HCC patients and indicates a previously unstudied aspect of P53′s ability to suppress liver cancer formation.

STEAP3 Affects Ferroptosis and Progression of Renal Cell Carcinoma Through the p53/xCT Pathway

Renal cell carcinoma is particularly sensitive to ferroptosis, an iron-dependent non-apoptotic form of cell death. This mechanism does not require activation of caspase or the participation of other apoptotic effector molecules (such as BAX or BAK), nor is it accompanied by the morphological characteristics or biochemical processes of apoptosis. The STEAP3 gene was found because it promotes tumor apoptosis in prostate cancer, but its role in renal cell carcinoma has not been studied in depth. Through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we found that the expression of the STEAP3 gene was upregulated in renal cell carcinoma tissue samples and cell lines, and it was found to be highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma tissue through immunohistochemistry. This upregulation is related to poor survival and prognosis of patients. We used erastin, a ferroptosis inducer, found that renal cell carcinoma became more susceptible to ferroptosis after knocking down STEAP3. The results indicate that renal cell carcinoma cell lines with knocked down STEAP3 expression are more sensitive to ferroptosis, and this effect occurs through the p53/xCT pathway. In summary, our research helps to identify new biomarkers and provides new targets for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

Chlorogenic acid alleviates thioacetamide-induced toxicity and promotes liver development in zebrafish (Danio rerio) through the Wnt signaling pathway

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a phenylpropanoid compound that is well known to improve the antioxidant capacity and other biological activities. However, the roles of CGA in the liver development of organisms are unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the function of CGA in the hepatic development in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced zebrafish embryos. We found that CGA exerted certain beneficial effects on zebrafish larvae from TAA-exposed zebrafish embryos, such as increasing the liver size, body length, heart rate, acetylcholinesterase activity, and motor ability. In addition, CGA displayed an antioxidant effect on TAA-induced zebrafish embryos by enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and decreasing of the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). The results of western blotting analysis showed that CGA inhibited cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of Bcl2 apoptosis regulator and decreasing the levels of Bcl2 associated X (Bax), apoptosis regulator and tumor protein P53. Moreover, CGA promoted cell proliferation in TAA-induced zebrafish larvae, as detected using proliferating cell nuclear antigen fluorescence immunostaining. In addition, CGA inhibited the expression of Wnt signaling pathway genes Dkk1 (encoding Dickkopf Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors), and promoted the expression of Lef1 (encoding lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1) and Wnt2bb (encoding wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 2Bb). When the Wnt signal inhibitor IWR-1 was added, there was no significant change in liver development in the IWR-1 + TAA group compared with the IWR-1 + TAA + CGA group (p <0.05), which suggested that CGA regulates liver development via Wnt signaling pathway. Overall, our results suggested that CGA might alleviate TAA-induced toxicity in zebrafish and promote liver development through the Wnt signaling pathway, which provides a basis for the therapeutic effect of CGA on liver dysplasia.