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Shang T, Jiang T, Cui X, Pan Y, Feng X, Dong L, Wang H. Diverse functions of SOX9 in liver development and homeostasis and hepatobiliary diseases. Genes Dis 2024; 11:100996. [PMID: 38523677 PMCID: PMC10958229 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver is the central organ for digestion and detoxification and has unique metabolic and regenerative capacities. The hepatobiliary system originates from the foregut endoderm, in which cells undergo multiple events of cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation to form the liver parenchyma and ductal system under the hierarchical regulation of transcription factors. Studies on liver development and diseases have revealed that SRY-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9) plays an important role in liver embryogenesis and the progression of hepatobiliary diseases. SOX9 is not only a master regulator of cell fate determination and tissue morphogenesis, but also regulates various biological features of cancer, including cancer stemness, invasion, and drug resistance, making SOX9 a potential biomarker for tumor prognosis and progression. This review systematically summarizes the latest findings of SOX9 in hepatobiliary development, homeostasis, and disease. We also highlight the value of SOX9 as a novel biomarker and potential target for the clinical treatment of major liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiyu Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Tianyi Jiang
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiaowen Cui
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
| | - Yufei Pan
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
| | - Xiaofan Feng
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Liwei Dong
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The Naval Medical University, Shanghai 201805, China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
- Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University & Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200438, China
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2
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Chaudhary A, Raza SS, Haque R. Transcriptional factors targeting in cancer stem cells for tumor modulation. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:123-137. [PMID: 36603792 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are now considered the primary "seeds" for the onset, development, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. Despite therapeutic breakthroughs, cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. This is because the tumor microenvironment contains a key population of cells known as CSCs, which promote tumor aggression. CSCs are self-renewing cells that aid tumor recurrence by promoting tumor growth and persisting in patients after many traditional cancer treatments. According to reports, numerous transcription factors (TF) play a key role in maintaining CSC pluripotency and its self-renewal property. The understanding of the functions, structures, and interactional dynamics of these transcription factors with DNA has modified the hypothesis, paving the way for novel transcription factor-targeted therapies. These TFs, which are crucial and are required by cancer cells, play a vital function in the etiology of human cancer. Such CSC TFs will help with gene expression profiling, which provides crucial data for predicting the prognosis of patients. To overcome anti-cancer medication resistance and completely eradicate cancer, a potent therapy combining TFs-based CSC targets with traditional chemotherapy may be developed. In order to develop therapies that could eliminate CSCs, we here concentrated on the effect of TFs and other components of signalling pathways on cancer stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Chaudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Earth Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Syed Shadab Raza
- Laboratory for Stem Cell & Restorative Neurology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, India
| | - Rizwanul Haque
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Earth Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India.
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3
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Ramakrishnan AB, Burby PE, Adiga K, Cadigan KM. SOX9 and TCF transcription factors associate to mediate Wnt/β-catenin target gene activation in colorectal cancer. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102735. [PMID: 36423688 PMCID: PMC9771724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates gene expression by promoting the formation of a β-catenin-T-cell factor (TCF) complex on target enhancers. In addition to TCFs, other transcription factors interact with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway at different levels to produce tissue-specific patterns of Wnt target gene expression. The transcription factor SOX9 potently represses many Wnt target genes by downregulating β-catenin protein levels. Here, we find using colony formation and cell growth assays that SOX9 surprisingly promotes the proliferation of Wnt-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. In contrast to how it indirectly represses Wnt targets, SOX9 directly co-occupies and activates multiple Wnt-responsive enhancers in CRC cells. Our examination of the binding site grammar of these enhancers shows the presence of TCF and SOX9 binding sites that are necessary for transcriptional activation. In addition, we identify a physical interaction between the DNA-binding domains of TCFs and SOX9 and show that TCF-SOX9 interactions are important for target gene regulation and CRC cell growth. Our work demonstrates a highly context-dependent effect of SOX9 on Wnt targets, with the presence or absence of SOX9-binding sites on Wnt-regulated enhancers determining whether they are directly activated or indirectly repressed by SOX9.
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Ievlev V, Jensen-Cody CC, Lynch TJ, Pai AC, Park S, Shahin W, Wang K, Parekh KR, Engelhardt JF. Sox9 and Lef1 Regulate the Fate and Behavior of Airway Glandular Progenitors in Response to Injury. Stem Cells 2022; 40:778-790. [PMID: 35639980 PMCID: PMC9406614 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxac038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cartilaginous airways of larger mammals and the mouse trachea contain at least 3 well-established stem cell compartments, including basal cells of the surface airway epithelium (SAE) and ductal and myoepithelial cells of the submucosal glands (SMG). Here we demonstrate that glandular Sox9-expressing progenitors capable of SAE repair decline with age in mice. Notably, Sox9-lineage glandular progenitors produced basal and ciliated cells in the SAE, but failed to produce secretory cells. Lef1 was required for glandular Sox9 lineage contribution to SAE repair, and its deletion significantly reduced proliferation following injury. By contrast, in vivo deletion of Sox9 enhanced proliferation of progenitors in both the SAE and SMG shortly following injury, but these progenitors failed to proliferate in vitro in the absence of Sox9, similar to that previously shown for Lef1 deletion. In cystic fibrosis ferret airways, Sox9 expression inversely correlated with Ki67 proliferative marker expression in SMG and the SAE. Using in vitro and ex vivo models, we demonstrate that Sox9 is extinguished as glandular progenitors exit ducts and proliferate on the airway surface and that Sox9 is required for migration and proper differentiation of SMG, but not surface airway, progenitors. We propose a model whereby Wnt/Lef1 and Sox9 signals differentially regulate the proliferative and migratory behavior of glandular progenitors, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Ievlev
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Thomas J Lynch
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Albert C Pai
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Soo Park
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Weam Shahin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kalpaj R Parekh
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - John F Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Gupta K, Jones JC, Farias VDA, Mackeyev Y, Singh PK, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Krishnan S. Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations to Target KRAS-Driven Chemoradioresistant Cancers Utilizing Tumoroid Models of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Recurrent Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:840241. [PMID: 35664781 PMCID: PMC9158132 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.840241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment resistance is observed in all advanced cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) presenting as colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Multimodality treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies with selective utilization of immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite the early success of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapy, treatment resistance is common and often driven by mutations in APC, KRAS, RAF, and PI3K/mTOR and positive feedback between activated KRAS and WNT effectors. Challenges in the direct targeting of WNT regulators and KRAS have caused alternative actionable targets to gain recent attention. Utilizing an unbiased drug screen, we identified combinatorial targeting of DDR1/BCR-ABL signaling axis with small-molecule inhibitors of EGFR-ERBB2 to be potentially cytotoxic against multicellular spheroids obtained from WNT-activated and KRAS-mutant COAD lines (HCT116, DLD1, and SW480) independent of their KRAS mutation type. Based on the data-driven approach using available patient datasets (The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)), we constructed transcriptomic correlations between gene DDR1, with an expression of genes for EGFR, ERBB2-4, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway intermediates, BCR, and ABL and genes for cancer stem cell reactivation, cell polarity, and adhesion; we identified a positive association of DDR1 with EGFR, ERBB2, BRAF, SOX9, and VANGL2 in Pan-Cancer. The evaluation of the pathway network using the STRING database and Pathway Commons database revealed DDR1 protein to relay its signaling via adaptor proteins (SHC1, GRB2, and SOS1) and BCR axis to contribute to the KRAS-PI3K-AKT signaling cascade, which was confirmed by Western blotting. We further confirmed the cytotoxic potential of our lead combination involving EGFR/ERBB2 inhibitor (lapatinib) with DDR1/BCR-ABL inhibitor (nilotinib) in radioresistant spheroids of HCT116 (COAD) and, in an additional devastating primary cancer model, glioblastoma (GBM). GBMs overexpress DDR1 and share some common genomic features with COAD like EGFR amplification and WNT activation. Moreover, genetic alterations in genes like NF1 make GBMs have an intrinsically high KRAS activity. We show the combination of nilotinib plus lapatinib to exhibit more potent cytotoxic efficacy than either of the drugs administered alone in tumoroids of patient-derived recurrent GBMs. Collectively, our findings suggest that combinatorial targeting of DDR1/BCR-ABL with EGFR-ERBB2 signaling may offer a therapeutic strategy against stem-like KRAS-driven chemoradioresistant tumors of COAD and GBM, widening the window for its applications in mainstream cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshama Gupta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Jeremy C Jones
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Yuri Mackeyev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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6
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Orouji E, Raman AT, Singh AK, Sorokin A, Arslan E, Ghosh AK, Schulz J, Terranova CJ, Jiang S, Tang M, Maitituoheti M, Barrodia P, Jiang Y, Callahan SC, Tomczak KJ, Jiang Z, Davis JS, Ghosh S, Lee HM, Reyes-Uribe L, Chang K, Liu Y, Chen H, Azhdarnia A, Morris JS, Vilar E, Carmon KS, Kopetz S, Rai K. Chromatin state dynamics confers specific therapeutic strategies in enhancer subtypes of colorectal cancer. Gut 2022; 71:938-949. [PMID: 34059508 PMCID: PMC8745382 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Enhancer aberrations are beginning to emerge as a key epigenetic feature of colorectal cancers (CRC), however, a comprehensive knowledge of chromatin state patterns in tumour progression, heterogeneity of these patterns and imparted therapeutic opportunities remain poorly described. DESIGN We performed comprehensive epigenomic characterisation by mapping 222 chromatin profiles from 69 samples (33 colorectal adenocarcinomas, 4 adenomas, 21 matched normal tissues and 11 colon cancer cell lines) for six histone modification marks: H3K4me3 for Pol II-bound and CpG-rich promoters, H3K4me1 for poised enhancers, H3K27ac for enhancers and transcriptionally active promoters, H3K79me2 for transcribed regions, H3K27me3 for polycomb repressed regions and H3K9me3 for heterochromatin. RESULTS We demonstrate that H3K27ac-marked active enhancer state could distinguish between different stages of CRC progression. By epigenomic editing, we present evidence that gains of tumour-specific enhancers for crucial oncogenes, such as ASCL2 and FZD10, was required for excessive proliferation. Consistently, combination of MEK plus bromodomain inhibition was found to have synergistic effects in CRC patient-derived xenograft models. Probing intertumour heterogeneity, we identified four distinct enhancer subtypes (EPIgenome-based Classification, EpiC), three of which correlate well with previously defined transcriptomic subtypes (consensus molecular subtypes, CMSs). Importantly, CMS2 can be divided into two EpiC subgroups with significant survival differences. Leveraging such correlation, we devised a combinatorial therapeutic strategy of enhancer-blocking bromodomain inhibitors with pathway-specific inhibitors (PARPi, EGFRi, TGFβi, mTORi and SRCi) for EpiC groups. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the dynamics of active enhancer underlies CRC progression and the patient-specific enhancer patterns can be leveraged for precision combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Orouji
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Present address: Epigenetics Initiative, Princess Margaret Genomics Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ayush T. Raman
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Present address: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anand K. Singh
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexey Sorokin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emre Arslan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Archit K. Ghosh
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Schulz
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher J. Terranova
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ming Tang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mayinuer Maitituoheti
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Praveen Barrodia
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yingda Jiang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S. Carson Callahan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katarzyna J. Tomczak
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhiqin Jiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Davis
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sukhen Ghosh
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hey Min Lee
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura Reyes-Uribe
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kyle Chang
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yusha Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huiqin Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ali Azhdarnia
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Morris
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Present address: Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Eduardo Vilar
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kendra S. Carmon
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kunal Rai
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA .,Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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7
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MALAT1-related signaling pathways in colorectal cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:126. [PMID: 35305641 PMCID: PMC8933897 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02540-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal and prevalent solid malignancies worldwide. There is a great need of accelerating the development and diagnosis of CRC. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) as transcribed RNA molecules play an important role in every level of gene expression. Metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript‐1 (MALAT1) is a highly conserved nucleus-restricted lncRNA that regulates genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. High expression of MALAT1 is closely related to numerous human cancers. It is generally believed that MALAT1 expression is associated with CRC cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, and metastasis. MALAT1 by targeting multiple signaling pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a pivotal role in CRC pathogenesis. Therefore, MALAT1 can be a potent gene for cancer prediction and diagnosis. In this review, we will demonstrate signaling pathways associated with MALAT1 in CRC.
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Zhuang X, Chen B, Huang S, Han J, Zhou G, Xu S, Chen M, Zeng Z, Zhang S. Hypermethylation of miR-145 promoter-mediated SOX9-CLDN8 pathway regulates intestinal mucosal barrier in Crohn's disease. EBioMedicine 2022; 76:103846. [PMID: 35124427 PMCID: PMC8829091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intestinal barrier impairment plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD), and claudins (CLDNs) dysfunction contributes to intestinal mucosa injury. SOX9, an important transcription factor, is upregulated in the disease-affected colon of patients with CD; however, its precise role in CD remains largely unknown. Our aim was to explore the interaction between SOX9 and CLDNs, and further elucidate the underlying mechanisms in CD. Methods SOX9 expression in patients with CD was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. The regulatory relationship between SOX9 and CLDNs was analyzed via a dual-luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, overexpression, and RNA interference methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the SOX9-CLDN pathway were predicted with bioinformatics analysis, and the upstream molecular mechanism was interpreted using MassARRAY methylation detection. Findings Upregulated expression of SOX9 in the disease-affected intestine mucosa was identified in both patients with CD and mice challenged with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). SOX9 negatively regulated the expression of CLDN8, accompanying reduced intestinal permeability. MiR-145-5p downregulation was found in patients with CD and TNBS-induced colitis mice owing to an aberrant miR-145 promoter hypermethylation, which subsequently interfered the SOX9-CLDN8 pathway. MiR-145-5p agomir treatment alleviated TNBS-induced colitis in wild-type mice by inhibiting Sox9 expression and restoring Cldn8 expression, whereas similar findings were not apparent in the Cldn8−/− mice. Interpretation SOX9 mediates the crosstalk between upstream miR-145-5p and downstream CLDN8, and further impairs intestinal mucosal barrier homeostasis in CD. Targeting the miR-145-5p/SOX9/CLDN8 pathway represents a promising therapeutic strategy for CD. Funding The National Natural Science Foundation of China (#81870374, #81670498, #81630018, #82070538, #8210031148), the Guangdong Science and Technology (#2017A030306021, #2020A1515111087), the Guangzhou Science and Technology Department (#202002030041), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (#19ykzd11).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Zhuang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Baili Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Gaoshi Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhirong Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Shenghong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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9
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Liang X, Duronio GN, Yang Y, Bala P, Hebbar P, Spisak S, Sahgal P, Singh H, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Cejas P, Long HW, Bass AJ, Sethi NS. An Enhancer-Driven Stem Cell-Like Program Mediated by SOX9 Blocks Intestinal Differentiation in Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology 2022; 162:209-222. [PMID: 34571027 PMCID: PMC10035046 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Genomic alterations that encourage stem cell activity and hinder proper maturation are central to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Key molecular mediators that promote these malignant properties require further elucidation to galvanize translational advances. We therefore aimed to characterize a key factor that blocks intestinal differentiation, define its transcriptional and epigenetic program, and provide preclinical evidence for therapeutic targeting in CRC. METHODS Intestinal tissue from transgenic mice and patients were analyzed by means of histopathology and immunostaining. Human CRC cells and neoplastic murine organoids were genetically manipulated for functional studies. Gene expression profiling was obtained through RNA sequencing. Histone modifications and transcription factor binding were determined with the use of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. RESULTS We demonstrate that SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) promotes CRC by activating a stem cell-like program that hinders intestinal differentiation. Intestinal adenomas and colorectal adenocarcinomas from mouse models and patients demonstrate ectopic and elevated expression of SOX9. Functional experiments indicate a requirement for SOX9 in human CRC cell lines and engineered neoplastic organoids. Disrupting SOX9 activity impairs primary CRC tumor growth by inducing intestinal differentiation. By binding to genome wide enhancers, SOX9 directly activates genes associated with Paneth and stem cell activity, including prominin 1 (PROM1). SOX9 up-regulates PROM1 via a Wnt-responsive intronic enhancer. A pentaspan transmembrane protein, PROM1 uses its first intracellular domain to support stem cell signaling, at least in part through SOX9, reinforcing a PROM1-SOX9 positive feedback loop. CONCLUSIONS These studies establish SOX9 as a central regulator of an enhancer-driven stem cell-like program and carry important implications for developing therapeutics directed at overcoming differentiation defects in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gina N Duronio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yaying Yang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pratyusha Bala
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Prajna Hebbar
- Department of Information Technology, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India
| | - Sandor Spisak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pranshu Sahgal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Harshabad Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yanxi Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yingtian Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paloma Cejas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Henry W Long
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Adam J Bass
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nilay S Sethi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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10
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Peng KY, Jiang SS, Lee YW, Tsai FY, Chang CC, Chen LT, Yen BL. Stromal Galectin-1 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cancer-Initiating Cell Features and Disease Dissemination Through SOX9 and β-Catenin: Development of Niche-Based Biomarkers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:716055. [PMID: 34568045 PMCID: PMC8462299 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.716055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 90% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, making the development of biomarkers difficult based on this critical oncogenic pathway. Recent studies demonstrate that CRC tumor niche-stromal cells can activate β-catenin in cancer-initiating cells (CICs), leading to disease progression. We therefore sought to elucidate the molecular interactions between stromal and CRC cells for the development of prognostically relevant biomarkers. Assessment of CIC induction and β-catenin activation in CRC cells with two human fibroblast cell-conditioned medium (CM) was performed with subsequent mass spectrometry (MS) analysis to identify the potential paracrine factors. In vitro assessment with the identified factor and in vivo validation using two mouse models of disease dissemination and metastasis was performed. Prediction of additional molecular players with Ingenuity pathway analysis was performed, with subsequent in vitro and translational validation using human CRC tissue microarray and multiple transcriptome databases for analysis. We found that fibroblast-CM significantly enhanced multiple CIC properties including sphere formation, β-catenin activation, and drug resistance in CRC cells. MS identified galectin-1 (Gal-1) to be the secreted factor and Gal-1 alone was sufficient to induce multiple CIC properties in vitro and disease progression in both mouse models. IPA predicted SOX9 to be involved in the Gal-1/β-catenin interactions, which was validated in vitro, with Gal-1 and/or SOX9—particularly Gal-1high/SOX9high samples—significantly correlating with multiple aspects of clinical disease progression. Stromal-secreted Gal-1 promotes CIC-features and disease dissemination in CRC through SOX9 and β-catenin, with Gal-1 and SOX9 having a strong clinical prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yen Peng
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan, Taiwan
| | | | - Yu-Wei Lee
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, NHRI, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Chang
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, NHRI, Zhunan, Taiwan.,Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - B Linju Yen
- Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Cellular & System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Zhunan, Taiwan
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11
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Zu G, Gao J, Zhou T. The Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of SOX9 Expression in Gastric Cancer: Meta-Analysis and TCGA Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:668946. [PMID: 34568009 PMCID: PMC8458960 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.668946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) expression in gastric cancer (GC) patients is still controversial. Our aim is to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of SOX9 expression in GC patients. METHODS A systemic literature search and meta-analysis were used to evaluate the clinicopathological significance and overall survival (OS) of SOX9 expression in GC patients. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to investigate the relationship between SOX9 expression and OS of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) patients. RESULTS A total of 11 articles involving 3,060 GC patients were included. In GC patients, the SOX9 expression was not associated with age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.743, 95% CI = 0.507-1.089, p = 0.128], sex (OR = 0.794, 95% CI = 0.605-1.042, p = 0.097), differentiation (OR = 0.728, 95% CI = 0.475-1.115, p = 0.144), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.031, 95% CI = 0.793-1.340, p = 0.820). SOX9 expression was associated with depth of invasion (OR = 0.348, 95% CI = 0.247-0.489, p = 0.000) and TNM stage (OR = 0.428, 95% CI = 0.308-0.595, p = 0.000). The 1-year OS (OR = 1.507, 95% CI = 1.167-1.945, p = 0.002), 3-year OS (OR = 1.482, 95% CI = 1.189-1.847, p = 0.000), and 5-year OS (OR = 1.487, 95% CI = 1.187-1.862, p = 0.001) were significantly shorter in GC patients with high SOX9 expression. TCGA analysis showed that SOX9 was upregulated in STAD patients compared with that in normal patients (p < 0.001), and the OS of STAD patients with a high expression of SOX9 is poorer than that in patients with low expression of SOX9, but the statistical difference is not obvious (p = 0.31). CONCLUSION SOX9 expression was associated with the depth of tumor invasion, TNM stage, and poor OS of GC patients. SOX9 may be a potential prognostic factor for GC patients but needs further study. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO, ID NUMBER 275712.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Zu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated to Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiacheng Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated to Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Graduate School, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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12
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Yuan Y, Liu M, Hou P, Liang L, Sun X, Gan L, Liu T. Identification of a metabolic signature to predict overall survival for colorectal cancer. Scand J Gastroenterol 2021; 56:1078-1087. [PMID: 34261388 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2021.1948605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Metabolic genes are associated with the occurrence and development of tumors. Metabolic-related risk models have showed partly prognostic predictive ability in cancers. However, the correlation between metabolic-related genes (MRGs) and the outcome of colorectal cancer is still poorly understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS TCGA database is used as the training cohort; while GSE39582 is the verification cohort. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis were utilized to identify the MRGs and establish a genetic risk scoring model. A nomogram by integrating MRGs risk scores with TNM stage was constructed. The potential biological mechanisms were explored using gene set enrichment analysis. Associations of the signature with immune cell infiltrations and the tumor mutation burden (TMB) were also uncovered by Spearman rank test. RESULTS A six-gene metabolic signature was identified. Based on the risk scoring model with the signature, patients were divided into two groups (high-risk versus low-risk). The overall survival (OS) duration of patients with high-risk were quite shorter than those of low-risk patients (TCGA: p < .001, GSE39582: p < .001). Metabolic-related pathways were major enriched in low-risk group, while the high-risk group exhibited multiple immune-related pathways. Moreover, our signature was more linear dependent with antigen-presenting cell than effector immune cells, and a positive correction were seen between our signature and TMB. CONCLUSION Our research has discovered a six-gene metabolic signature to predict the OS of colorectal cancer. These genes may play significant roles in colorectal cancer regulating tumor microenvironment and serving as potential biomarkers for anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengling Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengcong Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Gan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianshu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Center of Evidence‑Based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Radanova M, Mihaylova G, Nazifova-Tasinova N, Levkova M, Tasinov O, Ivanova D, Mihaylova Z, Donev I. Oncogenic Functions and Clinical Significance of Circular RNAs in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3395. [PMID: 34298612 PMCID: PMC8303601 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked as the second most commonly diagnosed disease in females and the third in males worldwide. Therefore, the finding of new more reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis, for prediction of metastasis, and resistance to conventional therapies is an important challenge in overcoming the disease. The current review presents circular RNAs (circRNAs) with their unique features as potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in CRC. The review highlights the mechanism of action and the role of circRNAs with oncogenic functions in the CRC as well as the association between their expression and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients. The comprehension of the role of oncogenic circRNAs in CRC pathogenesis is growing rapidly and the next step is using them as suitable new drug targets in the personalized treatment of CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Radanova
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (M.R.); (G.M.); (N.N.-T.); (O.T.); (D.I.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, University Hospital “St. Marina”, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Galya Mihaylova
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (M.R.); (G.M.); (N.N.-T.); (O.T.); (D.I.)
| | - Neshe Nazifova-Tasinova
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (M.R.); (G.M.); (N.N.-T.); (O.T.); (D.I.)
| | - Mariya Levkova
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria;
| | - Oskan Tasinov
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (M.R.); (G.M.); (N.N.-T.); (O.T.); (D.I.)
| | - Desislava Ivanova
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, 9000 Varna, Bulgaria; (M.R.); (G.M.); (N.N.-T.); (O.T.); (D.I.)
| | - Zhasmina Mihaylova
- Clinic of Medical Oncology, Military Medical Academy, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Ivan Donev
- Clinic of Medical Oncology, Hospital Nadezhda, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
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14
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Gleizes A, Triki M, Bonnet S, Baccari N, Jimenez-Dominguez G, Covinhes A, Pirot N, Blache P, Yuan R, Győrffy B, Cavaillès V, Lapierre M. RIP140 Represses Intestinal Paneth Cell Differentiation and Interplays with SOX9 Signaling in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3192. [PMID: 34206767 PMCID: PMC8268705 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RIP140 is a major transcriptional coregulator of gut homeostasis and tumorigenesis through the regulation of Wnt/APC signaling. Here, we investigated the effect of RIP140 on Paneth cell differentiation and its interplay with the transcription factor SOX9. Using loss of function mouse models, human colon cancer cells, and tumor microarray data sets we evaluated the role of RIP140 in SOX9 expression and activity using RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, luciferase reporter assays, and GST-pull down. We first evidence that RIP140 strongly represses the Paneth cell lineage in the intestinal epithelium cells by inhibiting Sox9 expression. We then demonstrate that RIP140 interacts with SOX9 and inhibits its transcriptional activity. Our results reveal that the Wnt signaling pathway exerts an opposite regulation on SOX9 and RIP140. Finally, the levels of expression of RIP140 and SOX9 exhibit a reverse response and prognosis value in human colorectal cancer biopsies. This work highlights an intimate transcriptional cross-talk between RIP140 and SOX9 in intestinal physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Gleizes
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Mouna Triki
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Sandrine Bonnet
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Naomi Baccari
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Gabriel Jimenez-Dominguez
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Aurélie Covinhes
- BioCampus, RHEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34093 Montpellier, France; (A.C.); (N.P.)
| | - Nelly Pirot
- BioCampus, RHEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34093 Montpellier, France; (A.C.); (N.P.)
| | - Philippe Blache
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Rong Yuan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL 62794-9628, USA;
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
- Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vincent Cavaillès
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Marion Lapierre
- IRCM—Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, Université de Montpellier, Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier, CNRS, 208 rue des Apothicaires, F-34298 Montpellier, France; (A.G.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (N.B.); (G.J.-D.); (P.B.); (V.C.)
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15
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Lizárraga-Verdugo E, Carmona TG, Ramos-Payan R, Avendaño-Félix M, Bermúdez M, Parra-Niebla M, López-Camarillo C, Fernandez-Figueroa E, Lino-Silva L, Saavedra HA, Vela-Sarmiento I, Ovando RC, Ruíz-García E, Aguilar-Medina M. SOX9 is associated with advanced T-stages of clinical stage II colon cancer in young Mexican patients. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:497. [PMID: 33981359 PMCID: PMC8108287 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and includes colon cancer (CC) and rectal cancer (RC). Regarding CC, the development of novel molecular biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention, are urgently needed. SRY-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9), a transcription factor, is involved in development, and has been associated with the progression of human cancer. However, its underlying clinical and functional effects in CRC have not been fully understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional relevance of SOX9 expression in CC. The expression of SOX9 in tumor tissues was evaluated in 97 biopsies from Mexican patients with CC with early-stage I and II disease by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In addition, SOX9 silencing in the HCT116 cell line was performed using specific small interfering RNAs, while downregulation efficiency was verified by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence. Spheroid-formation assay was carried out using ultra-low attachment plates. The IHC results showed that SOX9 was upregulated in patients with stage II (91%) and advanced T3 stage (67%) CC. Interestingly, higher SOX9 expression was associated with clinical stage, tumor size and tumor location. Furthermore, increased SOX9 expression was found in relapsed cases with local tumors; however, it was not associated with increased survival probability. Additionally, functional analysis indicated that SOX9 silencing significantly attenuated the sphere-formation capability of HCT116 cells. The present study was the first to evaluate the expression levels of SOX9 in Mexican patients diagnosed with early-stage CC. The aforementioned findings indicated that high SOX9 expression could play an important role in tumorigenesis and be associated with advanced T-stages of clinical-stage II patients, but not with relapse-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Lizárraga-Verdugo
- Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80010 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Rosalío Ramos-Payan
- Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80010 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Mariana Avendaño-Félix
- Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80010 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Mercedes Bermúdez
- Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80010 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Maryelv Parra-Niebla
- Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80010 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - César López-Camarillo
- Oncogenomics Laboratory, Autonomous University of Mexico City, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Edith Fernandez-Figueroa
- Department of Computational Genomics Laboratories, National Cancer Institute, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Lino-Silva
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Itzel Vela-Sarmiento
- Department of Gastrointestinal Tumors, National Cancer Institute, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Erika Ruíz-García
- Department of Translational Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maribel Aguilar-Medina
- Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80010 Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
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16
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Shneider BL, Cortes-Santiago N, Schady DA, Krishnamoorthy S, Thevananther S, Rajapakshe K, Perera D, Huang S, Coarfa C. Constitutive activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1) in ileal enterocytes leads to dysplasia and a predisposition to cancer. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G366-G379. [PMID: 33470189 PMCID: PMC8202241 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00065.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of cancer, although the specific role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1) is not well understood. Villin promoter-driven Cre expression was used to excise a floxed stop cassette from a phosphomimetically constitutively activated MEK1 (caMEK1) expression construct in the intestine of C57BL/6 mice. Zygosity status of caMEK1 afforded assessment of the dose dependence of the effect. The expected mendelian distribution of genotypes and sex was observed in 443 progenies. Between 21 and 63 days of life, caMEK1 had no effect on body weight in male mice, but reduced body weight in female mice homozygous for caMEK1. At 10 wk of age, the ileum of caMEK1-expressing mice was characterized by the finding of dysplasia and profound changes in overall architecture. Paneth cells were nearly absent in caMEK1 homozygotes. Targeted proteomic profiling via reverse phase protein array analyses with confirmatory Western blotting revealed significant changes in protein and phosphoprotein expression, including upregulation of proteins downstream of MEK1, associated with enhanced markers of proliferation, diminished apoptosis, alterations in cell-fate determination, cell-cell interactions, and tight junctions. Long-term viability of caMEK1 homozygous mice was reduced with no survival beyond 1 yr. Invasive adenocarcinoma developed in three of ten older mice [15 wk (homozygous), 26 wk (homozygous), and 35 wk (heterozygous) of age]. Expression of caMEK1 in enterocytes leads to marked derangements in the intestinal epithelium, which is associated with a predisposition to the development of invasive cancer.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The ileum of mice with constitutive expression of activated MEK1 (via phosphomimetic changes) in enterocytes is markedly abnormal with architectural distortion and cytologic atypia, which evolves into an adenoma invasive carcinoma sequence. Phosphoproteomic analysis reveals upregulation of proteins downstream of MEK1, associated with enhanced markers of proliferation, diminished apoptosis, alterations in cell-fate determination, cell-cell interactions, and tight junctions. This novel model provides new insights into intestinal homeostasis and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Shneider
- 1Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Deborah A. Schady
- 2Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Swapna Krishnamoorthy
- 1Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sundararajah Thevananther
- 1Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- 3Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dimuthu Perera
- 3Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shixia Huang
- 3Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- 3Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, Texas,4Center for Prevention and Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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17
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Panda M, Tripathi SK, Biswal BK. SOX9: An emerging driving factor from cancer progression to drug resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1875:188517. [PMID: 33524528 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of transcription factors is one of the common problems in the pathogenesis of human cancer. Among them, SOX9 is one of the critical transcription factors involved in various diseases, including cancer. The expression of SOX9 is regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), methylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation. Interestingly, SOX9 acts as a proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor gene, relying upon kinds of cancer. Recent studies have reported the critical role of SOX9 in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, activation of SOX9 signaling or SOX9 regulated signaling pathways play a crucial role in cancer development and progression. Accumulating evidence also suggests that SOX9 acquires stem cell features to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, SOX9 has been broadly studied in the field of cancer stem cell (CSC) and EMT in the last decades. However, the link between SOX9 and cancer drug resistance has only recently been discovered. Furthermore, its differential expression could be a potential biomarker for tumor prognosis and progression. This review outlined the various biological implications of SOX9 in cancer progression and cancer drug resistance and elucidated its signaling network, which could be a potential target for designing novel anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munmun Panda
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Surya Kant Tripathi
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Bijesh K Biswal
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India.
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18
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Sun Y, Cao Z, Shan J, Gao Y, Liu X, Ma D, Li Z. Hsa_circ_0020095 Promotes Oncogenesis and Cisplatin Resistance in Colon Cancer by Sponging miR-487a-3p and Modulating SOX9. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:604869. [PMID: 33520987 PMCID: PMC7844065 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.604869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Colon cancer (CC) currently ranks as the third most common human cancer worldwide with an increasing incidence and a poor prognosis. Recently, circular RNAs have been reported to regulate the progression of diverse human cancers. However, the role of circRNA hsa_circ_0020095 in CC remains largely unclear. Methods Expression levels of the related circRNAs, microRNAs and mRNA in CC tissues and cells were determined. The impacts of circ_0020095 or miR-487a-3p on CC cells were examined at the indicated times after transfection. Meanwhile, a luciferase-reporter experiment was employed to validate the interplay between miR-487a-3p and circ_002009695 or SOX9. Moreover, the in vivo tumor growth assay was applied to further evaluate the effects of circ_0020095 knockdown on CC progression. Results We demonstrated that circ_0020095 was highly expressed in CC tissues and cells. The proliferation, migration, invasion, and cisplatin resistance of CC were suppressed by silencing circ_0020095 in vitro and in vivo or by ectopic expression of miR-487a-3p in vitro. Mechanistically, circ_0020095 could directly bind to miR-487a-3p and subsequently act as a miR-487a-3p sponge to modulate the activity by targeting the 3′-UTR of SOX9. Interestingly, overexpression of circ_0020095 dramatically reversed the suppressive effects of miR-487a-3p mimics on CC cells. Conclusion Circ_0020095 functions as an oncogene to accelerate CC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and cisplatin resistance through the miR-487a-3p/SOX9 axis, which could be a promising target for CC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlai Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Zhen Cao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.,Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Junqi Shan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Dejian Ma
- Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Zengjun Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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Byun JS, Oh M, Lee S, Gil JE, Mo Y, Ku B, Kim WK, Oh KJ, Lee EW, Bae KH, Lee SC, Han BS. The transcription factor PITX1 drives astrocyte differentiation by regulating the SOX9 gene. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13677-13690. [PMID: 32759168 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes perform multiple essential functions in the developing and mature brain, including regulation of synapse formation, control of neurotransmitter release and uptake, and maintenance of extracellular ion balance. As a result, astrocytes have been implicated in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Despite these critical functions, the study of human astrocytes can be difficult because standard differentiation protocols are time-consuming and technically challenging, but a differentiation protocol recently developed in our laboratory enables the efficient derivation of astrocytes from human embryonic stem cells. We used this protocol along with microarrays, luciferase assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and ChIP assays to explore the genes involved in astrocyte differentiation. We demonstrate that paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) is critical for astrocyte differentiation. PITX1 overexpression induced early differentiation of astrocytes, and its knockdown blocked astrocyte differentiation. PITX1 overexpression also increased and PITX1 knockdown decreased expression of sex-determining region Y box 9 (SOX9), known initiator of gliogenesis, during early astrocyte differentiation. Moreover, we determined that PITX1 activates the SOX9 promoter through a unique binding motif. Taken together, these findings indicate that PITX1 drives astrocyte differentiation by sustaining activation of the SOX9 promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Su Byun
- Biodefence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihee Oh
- Biodefence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonha Lee
- Biodefence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology of Korea, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Gil
- Biodefence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeajin Mo
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bonsu Ku
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Kon Kim
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology of Korea, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Jin Oh
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology of Korea, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Woo Lee
- Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hee Bae
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology of Korea, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Chul Lee
- Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology of Korea, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Metabolic Regulation Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Baek-Soo Han
- Biodefence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea; Department of Functional Genomics, University of Science and Technology of Korea, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Yang H, Geng YH, Wang P, Yang H, Zhou YT, Zhang HQ, He HY, Fang WG, Tian XX. Extracellular ATP promotes breast cancer invasion and chemoresistance via SOX9 signaling. Oncogene 2020; 39:5795-5810. [PMID: 32724162 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01402-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Our previous research demonstrated that extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) could promote breast cancer cell invasion. However, the impact of extracellular ATP on chemoresistance and the mechanisms behind ATP pro-invasion and pro-chemoresistance remain unclear. Here we aimed to determine the molecules or signaling pathways involved. cDNA microarray was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes before and after ATP treatment. As a result, Sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) was up-regulated after ATP treatment in breast cancer cells. In vitro invasion and migration assays demonstrated that knocking down SOX9 attenuated ATP-driven invasive capability. Mass spectrometry and co-IP revealed that SOX9 interacted with Janus kinase 1 (JAK1). Afterward, IL-6-JAK1-STAT3 signaling was demonstrated to promote SOX9 expression and invasion following ATP treatment. Notably, ATP-IL-6-SOX9 signaling was shown to stimulate chemoresistance in breast cancer cells. ChIP assays identified some potential SOX9 target genes, among which carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5/6 (CEACAM5/6) was demonstrated to mediate ATP pro-invasive function, while ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) mediated ATP-driven chemoresistance. In addition, SOX9-knockdown and apyrase (an ATP hydrolase)-treated MDA-MB-231 cells illustrated decreased tumor growth and enhanced drug sensitivity in nude mice. In vitro spheroid formation assays also proved the significance of ATP-SOX9 in mediating chemoresistance. Moreover, molecules involved in ATP-SOX9 signaling were up-regulated in human breast carcinoma specimens and were associated with poor prognosis. Altogether, SOX9 signaling is vital in ATP-driven invasion and chemoresistance, which may serve as a potential target for breast cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yue-Hang Geng
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan-Ting Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hong-Quan Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui-Ying He
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei-Gang Fang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Xin-Xia Tian
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
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21
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Hamadou I, Garritano S, Romanel A, Naimi D, Hammada T, Demichelis F. Inherited variant in NFκB-1 promoter is associated with increased risk of IBD in an Algerian population and modulates SOX9 binding. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2020; 3:e1240. [PMID: 32671985 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1240] [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: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The link between inflammation and cancer development was intensively studied in the last decade. To date, few studies explored the association between inflammatory genes and colorectal cancer (CRC) development. AIM The present study aimed to evaluate the implication of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs28362491 ins/del -94 ATTG in NFκB1, rs6920220 (G/A) in TNFAIP3, and rs419598 (C/T) in IL1RN, which play a role in inflammation regulation in CRC development. METHODS AND RESULTS A case-control study was conducted on an Algerian cohort of 358 subjects (147 healthy people, 89 individuals affected by inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], and 122 CRC patients enrolled at the University Hospital Center Ben Badis of Constantine). SNPs genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination TaqMan assay. The rs28362491 ins/del heterozygous genotype in NFκB1 conferred an increased risk of IBD compared with ins/ins homozygous genotype, with an increase of twofold (OR = 2.34 [1.29-4.21]; 95% CI, 1.29-4.21, P value = 0.004). No significant association was detected for the other two variants. Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System performed in LoVo cells showed a significantly higher activity of the construct with ins allele of rs28362491 compared with the one harboring the del allele. Computational analysis nominated SOX9 as putative transcription factor (TF) with higher probability to bind the NFκB1 promoter at the SNP site, and we demonstrated in the in vitro assay that its overexpression modulates NFκB1 promoter activity in allele-specific manner. CONCLUSION We speculate that SOX9 may modulate the NFκB1 activity by binding its promoter at the SNP site in allelic specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imene Hamadou
- Laboratory of Microbiological Engineering and Applications, University of Constantine 1, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Sonia Garritano
- Laboratory of Computational and Functional Oncology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romanel
- Laboratory of Computational and Functional Oncology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Dalila Naimi
- Higher National School of Biotechnology, University of Constantine 3, El Khroub, Algeria
| | - Talel Hammada
- Service D'Hépatogastroentérologie, Faculté de Médecine de Constantine, CHU Benbadis, Constantine, Algeria
| | - Francesca Demichelis
- Laboratory of Computational and Functional Oncology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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22
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Pádua D, Figueira P, Ribeiro I, Almeida R, Mesquita P. The Relevance of Transcription Factors in Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Identification and Eradication. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:442. [PMID: 32626705 PMCID: PMC7314965 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric and colorectal cancers have a high incidence and mortality worldwide. The presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor mass has been indicated as the main reason for tumor relapse, metastasis and therapy resistance, leading to poor overall survival. Thus, the elimination of CSCs became a crucial goal for cancer treatment. The identification of these cells has been performed by using cell-surface markers, a reliable approach, however it lacks specificity and usually differs among tumor type and in some cases even within the same type. In theory, the ideal CSC markers are those that are required to maintain their stemness features. The knowledge that CSCs exhibit characteristics comparable to normal stem cells that could be associated with the expression of similar transcription factors (TFs) including SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, KLF4 and c-Myc, and signaling pathways such as the Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog (Hh), Notch and PI3K/AKT/mTOR directed the attention to the use of these similarities to identify and target CSCs in different tumor types. Several studies have demonstrated that the abnormal expression of some TFs and the dysregulation of signaling pathways are associated with tumorigenesis and CSC phenotype. The disclosure of common and appropriate biomarkers for CSCs will provide an incredible tool for cancer prognosis and treatment. Therefore, this review aims to gather the new insights in gastric and colorectal CSC identification specially by using TFs as biomarkers and divulge promising drugs that have been found and tested for targeting these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Pádua
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Figueira
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Ribeiro
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Almeida
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Mesquita
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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23
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Jin Z, Chen J, Huang H, Wang J, Lv J, Yu M, Guo X, Zhang Y, Cai T, Xi R. The Drosophila Ortholog of Mammalian Transcription Factor Sox9 Regulates Intestinal Homeostasis and Regeneration at an Appropriate Level. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107683. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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Inflammation-induced colon cancer in uPA-deficient mice is associated with a deregulated expression of Notch signaling pathway components. Mol Cell Biochem 2019; 464:181-191. [PMID: 31758376 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-019-03659-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Notch is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway with an important role in development and cell fate determination. Deregulation of Notch signaling has been associated with several pathological conditions, including cancer. Acting as an oncogene in some types of cancers and as a tumor suppressor in other, Notch effects seem to be highly context-dependent in solid tumors. In the present study, we aimed to investigate gene expression levels of Notch pathway constituents, including ligands, receptors, and target genes, during the early stages of inflammation-associated intestinal carcinogenesis. To achieve so, we used our recently developed mouse model, in which colon cancer arises in the absence of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) due to colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment. Among the cell surface components, ligands Jag1/Jag2 and receptors Notch1/Notch2 were found to be significantly upregulated in the uPA-deficient protumorigenic inflammatory microenvironment. Moreover, several intracellular Notch modulators, i.e. Hes1, Hey1, and Klf4, were also shown to be deregulated with inflammation, yet irrespective of uPA status. Sox9 transcription factor, however, was significantly downregulated in the uPA-deficient/DSS-treated mice that developed colon adenomas as compared to the wild-type/DSS-treated group with no neoplasia identified. The latter finding supports a tumor suppressive role of Sox9 in intestinal carcinogenesis. Our results point towards an early activation of Notch signaling pathway at the receptor-ligand level in inflammation-associated colon neoplasmatogenesis developed in the absence of uPA. Interestingly, such activation may not be accompanied by deregulation of downstream Notch-target genes, possibly due to the effects of other inter-related signaling pathways.
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25
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SOX9 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through BMP2 and mTOR signaling. Gene 2019; 715:144017. [PMID: 31357026 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.144017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SRY-related high-mobility-group box 9 (SOX9) is a member of the SOX family of transcription factors. Accumulating evidence has shown that SOX9 plays a significant role in various malignancies. However, the role of SOX9 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown. In the present study, up-regulation of SOX9 was observed in both NPC tissues and different NPC cells. Overexpression of SOX9 promoted NPC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Conversely, knock down of SOX9 inhibited NPC proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, SOX9 bound directly to the promoter region of BMP2 and increased BMP2 expression. In addition, overexpression of SOX9 activated the mTOR pathway partly through BMP2. Collectively, these results identify a novel role for SOX9 as a potential therapeutic marker for the prevention and treatment of NPC.
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26
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Xu Y, Zhao J, Dai X, Xie Y, Dong M. High expression of CDH3 predicts a good prognosis for colon adenocarcinoma patients. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:841-847. [PMID: 31281458 PMCID: PMC6591495 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is one of the most common types of malignancy of the digestive system, and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms will contribute to an improvement in the quality of life for COAD patients. Cadherin 3 (CDH3), a gene encoding P-cadherin, is a major component of adherens junctions and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of a variety of tumor types. However, the current knowledge regarding the role of CDH3 in COAD is limited. The present study aimed to identify the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of CDH3 in COAD tissues, and whether CDH3 had any influence on the survival rate of patients with COAD. Analysis of differentially expressed genes using the UALCAN database revealed that CDH3 was significantly upregulated in COAD tissues, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis further confirmed that CDH3 was upregulated in 48 COAD tissues compared with that in their paired normal tissues (n=48). Consistent with this, analysis of the Human Protein Atlas database indicated that the expression levels of the CDH3 protein were upregulated in COAD tissues (n=11) compared with those in normal tissues (n=3; P=0.0245). Next, the association between the mRNA levels of CDH3 and the survival rate of the COAD patients was analyzed using the UALCAN database, and the Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that the CDH3 high expression group (n=69) had a better overall survival compared with that of the CDH3 medium/low expression group (n=210; P=0.037). Furthermore, analysis of clinical data of a cohort from our hospital indicated that the median survival time for COAD patients with high (n=20) and low (n=20) CDH3 levels was 55.5 and 43.5 months, respectively, and there was a significant difference in the survival time between the two groups (P=0.0078). The above results verified that CDH3 was significantly upregulated in the COAD tissues and that high expression of CDH3 predicts a good prognosis for COAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidong Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, HwaMei Hospital, University of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Jianpei Zhao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, HwaMei Hospital, University of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Dai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, HwaMei Hospital, University of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Xie
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, HwaMei Hospital, University of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Mingjun Dong
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, HwaMei Hospital, University of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
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27
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Expression and Clinical Relevance of SOX9 in Gastric Cancer. DISEASE MARKERS 2019; 2019:8267021. [PMID: 31275454 PMCID: PMC6589301 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8267021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent tumours and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The investigation of new biomarkers that can predict patient outcome more accurately and allow better treatment and follow-up decisions is of crucial importance. SOX9 (sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9) is a regulator of cell fate decisions in embryogenesis and adulthood. Here, we sought to ascertain the relevance of SOX9 transcription factor as a prognostic marker in gastric cancer. SOX9 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 333 gastric adenocarcinoma cases, and its association with clinicopathological and follow-up data was evaluated. SOX9 nuclear expression was absent in 17% of gastric cancer cases and predicted worse disease-free survival (P = 0.03). SOX9 expression was associated with lower risk of relapse in Cox univariable analysis (HR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.35-0.97; P = 0.04). The prognostic value of SOX9 was more pronounced in tumours with expansive growth (P = 0.01) or with venous invasion (P = 0.02). Two validation cohorts from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG) confirmed that low SOX9 expression was significantly associated with poor patient outcome. In conclusion, we have identified SOX9 as a biomarker of disease relapse in gastric cancer patients. Further experiments are needed to elucidate its biological relevance at the cellular level.
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28
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Blache P, Canterel-Thouennon L, Busson M, Verdié P, Subra G, Ychou M, Prévostel C. A Short SOX9 Peptide Mimics SOX9 Tumor Suppressor Activity and Is Sufficient to Inhibit Colon Cancer Cell Growth. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1386-1395. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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29
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Luo P, Ding Y, Lei X, Wu FX. deepDriver: Predicting Cancer Driver Genes Based on Somatic Mutations Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks. Front Genet 2019; 10:13. [PMID: 30761181 PMCID: PMC6361806 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advances in high-throughput technologies, millions of somatic mutations have been reported in the past decade. Identifying driver genes with oncogenic mutations from these data is a critical and challenging problem. Many computational methods have been proposed to predict driver genes. Among them, machine learning-based methods usually train a classifier with representations that concatenate various types of features extracted from different kinds of data. Although successful, simply concatenating different types of features may not be the best way to fuse these data. We notice that a few types of data characterize the similarities of genes, to better integrate them with other data and improve the accuracy of driver gene prediction, in this study, a deep learning-based method (deepDriver) is proposed by performing convolution on mutation-based features of genes and their neighbors in the similarity networks. The method allows the convolutional neural network to learn information within mutation data and similarity networks simultaneously, which enhances the prediction of driver genes. deepDriver achieves AUC scores of 0.984 and 0.976 on breast cancer and colorectal cancer, which are superior to the competing algorithms. Further evaluations of the top 10 predictions also demonstrate that deepDriver is valuable for predicting new driver genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Luo
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Yulian Ding
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Xiujuan Lei
- School of Computer Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian, China
| | - Fang-Xiang Wu
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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