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Wen P, Li J, Wen Z, Guo X, Ma G, Hu S, Xu J, Zhao H, Li R, Liu Y, Wang Y, Gao J. MICAL-L2, as an estrogen-responsive gene, is involved in ER-positive breast cancer cell progression and tamoxifen sensitivity via the AKT/mTOR pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116256. [PMID: 38729448 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Endocrine treatment, particularly tamoxifen, has shown significant improvement in the prognosis of patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer. However, the clinical utility of this treatment is often hindered by the development of endocrine resistance. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving ER-positive breast cancer carcinogenesis and endocrine resistance is crucial to overcome this clinical challenge. In this study, we investigated the expression of MICAL-L2 in ER-positive breast cancer and its impact on patient prognosis. We observed a significant upregulation of MICAL-L2 expression in ER-positive breast cancer, which correlated with a poorer prognosis in these patients. Furthermore, we found that estrogen-ERβ signaling promoted the expression of MICAL-L2. Functionally, our study demonstrated that MICAL-L2 not only played an oncogenic role in ER-positive breast cancer tumorigenesis but also influenced the sensitivity of ER-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Mechanistically, as an estrogen-responsive gene, MICAL-L2 facilitated the activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that MICAL-L2 could serve as a potential prognostic marker for ER-positive breast cancer and represent a promising molecular target for improving endocrine treatment and developing therapeutic approaches for this subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushuai Wen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China; Biological Anthropology Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China.
| | - Jing Li
- Liaoning Technology and Engineering Center for Tumor Immunology and Molecular Theranotics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Age-related Disease, Life Science Institute of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Zihao Wen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Liaoning Technology and Engineering Center for Tumor Immunology and Molecular Theranotics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Age-related Disease, Life Science Institute of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Guoqun Ma
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Shuzhen Hu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Jiamei Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Hongli Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Ruixin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Liaoning Technology and Engineering Center for Tumor Immunology and Molecular Theranotics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Age-related Disease, Life Science Institute of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China.
| | - Yu Wang
- Liaoning Technology and Engineering Center for Tumor Immunology and Molecular Theranotics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Age-related Disease, Life Science Institute of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China.
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, China.
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Gao S, Wang Y, Xu Y, Liu L, Liu S. USP46 enhances tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells by stabilizing PTBP1 to facilitate glycolysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167011. [PMID: 38176460 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.167011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) is the primary drug for treating estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC). However, resistance to TAM can develop in some patients, limiting its therapeutic efficacy. The ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family has been associated with the development, progression, and drug resistance of various cancers. To explore the role of USPs in TAM resistance in BC, we used qRT-PCR to compare USP expression between TAM-sensitive (MCF-7 and T47D) and TAM-resistant cells (MCF-7R and T47DR). We then modulated USP46 expression and examined its impact on cell proliferation, drug resistance (via CCK-8 and EdU experiments), glycolysis levels (using a glycolysis detection assay), protein interactions (confirmed by co-IP), and protein changes (analyzed through Western blotting). Our findings revealed that USP46 was significantly overexpressed in TAM-resistant BC cells, leading to the inhibition of the ubiquitin degradation of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1). Overexpression of PTBP1 increased the PKM2/PKM1 ratio, promoted glycolysis, and intensified TAM resistance in BC cells. Knockdown of USP46 induced downregulation of PTBP1 protein by promoting its K48-linked ubiquitination, resulting in a decreased PKM2/PKM1 ratio, reduced glycolysis, and heightened TAM sensitivity in BC cells. In conclusion, this study highlights the critical role of the USP46/PTBP1/PKM2 axis in TAM resistance in BC. Targeted therapy against USP46 may represent a promising strategy to improve the prognosis of TAM-resistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Gao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yingkun Xu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shengchun Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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