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Chen L, Ballout F, Lu H, Hu T, Zhu S, Chen Z, Peng D. Differential Expression of NEK Kinase Family Members in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma and Barrett's Esophagus. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4821. [PMID: 37835513 PMCID: PMC10571661 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has risen rapidly during the past four decades, making it the most common type of esophageal cancer in the USA and Western countries. The NEK (Never in mitosis A (NIMA) related kinase) gene family is a group of serine/threonine kinases with 11 members. Aberrant expression of NEKs has been recently found in a variety of human cancers and plays important roles in tumorigenesis, progression, and drug-resistance. However, the expression of the NEKs in EAC and its precancerous condition (Barrett's esophagus, BE) has not been investigated. In the present study, we first analyzed the TCGA and 9 GEO databases (a total of 10 databases in which 8 contain EAC and 6 contain BE) using bioinformatic approaches for NEKs expression in EAC and BE. We identified that several NEK members, such as NEK2 (7/8), NEK3 (6/8), and NEK6 (6/8), were significantly upregulated in EAC as compared to normal esophagus samples. Alternatively, NEK1 was downregulated in EAC as compared to the normal esophagus. On the contrary, genomic alterations of these NEKs are not frequent in EAC. We validated the above findings using qRT-PCR and the protein expression of NEKs in EAC cell lines using Western blotting and in primary EAC tissues using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Our data suggest that frequent upregulation of NEK2, NEK3, and NEK7 may be important in EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
| | - Farah Ballout
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Tianling Hu
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
| | - Shoumin Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Dunfa Peng
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (L.C.); (F.B.); (H.L.); (T.H.); (S.Z.); (Z.C.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Guan YT, Zhang C, Zhang HY, Wei WL, Yue W, Zhao W, Zhang DH. Primary cilia: Structure, dynamics, and roles in cancer cells and tumor microenvironment. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:1788-1807. [PMID: 37565630 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31092] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the initiation of tumor arises from tumorigenic transformation signaling in cancer cells, cancer cell survival, invasion, and metastasis also require a dynamic and reciprocal association with extracellular signaling from tumor microenvironment (TME). Primary cilia are the antenna-like structure that mediate signaling sensation and transduction in different tissues and cells. Recent studies have started to uncover that the heterogeneous ciliation in cancer cells and cells from the TME in tumor growth impels asymmetric paracellular signaling in the TME, indicating the essential functions of primary cilia in homeostasis maintenance of both cancer cells and the TME. In this review, we discussed recent advances in the structure and assembly of primary cilia, and the role of primary cilia in tumor and TME formation, as well as the therapeutic potentials that target ciliary dynamics and signaling from the cells in different tumors and the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Guan
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Medical University Zhanjiang Central Hospital, Zhanjiang, P. R. China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Medical University Zhanjiang Central Hospital, Zhanjiang, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Yong Zhang
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Medical University Zhanjiang Central Hospital, Zhanjiang, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Lu Wei
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Medical University Zhanjiang Central Hospital, Zhanjiang, P. R. China
| | - Wei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Department of Posthodontics, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhang
- Zhanjiang Institute of Clinical Medicine, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Medical University Zhanjiang Central Hospital, Zhanjiang, P. R. China
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Carotenuto P, Gradilone SA, Franco B. Cilia and Cancer: From Molecular Genetics to Therapeutic Strategies. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1428. [PMID: 37510333 PMCID: PMC10379587 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071428] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that project from the cell surface with motility or sensory functions. Primary cilia work as antennae to sense and transduce extracellular signals. Cilia critically control proliferation by mediating cell-extrinsic signals and by regulating cell cycle entry. Recent studies have shown that primary cilia and their associated proteins also function in autophagy and genome stability, which are important players in oncogenesis. Abnormal functions of primary cilia may contribute to oncogenesis. Indeed, defective cilia can either promote or suppress cancers, depending on the cancer-initiating mutation, and the presence or absence of primary cilia is associated with specific cancer types. Together, these findings suggest that primary cilia play important, but distinct roles in different cancer types, opening up a completely new avenue of research to understand the biology and treatment of cancers. In this review, we discuss the roles of primary cilia in promoting or inhibiting oncogenesis based on the known or predicted functions of cilia and cilia-associated proteins in several key processes and related clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Carotenuto
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio A. Gradilone
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA;
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Brunella Franco
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy
- School of Advanced Studies, Genomic and Experimental medicine Program (Scuola Superiore Meridionale), 80138 Naples, Italy
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Zhang H, Li B. NIMA-related kinase 6 as an effective target inhibits the hepatocarcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15971. [PMID: 37260886 PMCID: PMC10227323 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15971] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background NIMA-related kinase 6 (NEK 6) is over-expressed in some tumor cell lines and tissues. However, its expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its correlation with clinical features remain unclear. Methods Total RNA from HCC liver tissues, other liver specimens, and hepatic cell lines was extracted and QPCR was adopted to detect NEK6 expression. The correlation between NEK6 expression and the clinical characteristics of HCC was analyzed. Scratch assay, Transwell assay, and tumor-formation assay were used to evaluate the effects of NEK6 on the HCC progression in vitro and in vivo. Results The expression of NEK6 was up-regulated in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines: Li-7 and HepG2. The overexpression of NEK6 was correlated with hepatitis B virus infection and tumor diameter (P = 0.045). When down-regulated the expression of NEK6, both the migration and invasion capabilities of Li-7 and HepG2 cells and the growth of xenograft tumors were suppressed. (P < 0.05). Conclusions NEK6 expression was up-regulated in HCC and correlated with the progression, suggesting it might be a valuable biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Kang E, Kim HK, Lee HB, Han W. Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase-8 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness of breast cancer cells via β-catenin signalling activation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6829. [PMID: 37100815 PMCID: PMC10133229 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32631-3] [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: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase-8 (NEK8) is involved in cell cycle progression, cytoskeleton development, and DNA damage repair. However, its role in breast cancer has not yet been explored. To investigate this, NEK8 was knocked down in MDA-MB-231, BT549, and HCC38 breast cancer cell lines. We observed a decrease in cell proliferation and colony formation owing to regulation of the G1/S and G2/M transitions. Furthermore, the expression of several cell cycle regulatory proteins was altered, including that of cyclin D1, cyclin B1, CDK4, CDK2, and surviving. NEK8 knockdown impaired cell migration and invasion as well as reduced the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers. Regarding stem-cell characteristics, NEK8 knockdown decreased the tumour sphere formation, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and stem-cell marker expression, including that of CD44, Sox2, Oct4a, and Nanog. Further analysis revealed that NEK8 interacts with β-catenin. Also, NEK8 knockdown promoted β-catenin degradation. NEK8-silenced MDA-MB-231 cells inhibited xenograft tumour growth, metastasis, and tumour initiation in vivo. Using the Oncomine and TNMplot public databases, we found a significant correlation between NEK8 overexpression and poor clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients. Thus, NEK8 may be a crucial regulator of breast cancer progression and a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Kang
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Kyu Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Byoel Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonshik Han
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Joseph BB, Naslavsky N, Binti S, Conquest S, Robison L, Bai G, Homer RO, Grant BD, Caplan S, Fay DS. Conserved NIMA kinases regulate multiple steps of endocytic trafficking. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010741. [PMID: 37099601 PMCID: PMC10166553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Human NIMA-related kinases have primarily been studied for their roles in cell cycle progression (NEK1/2/6/7/9), checkpoint-DNA-damage control (NEK1/2/4/5/10/11), and ciliogenesis (NEK1/4/8). We previously showed that Caenorhabditis elegans NEKL-2 (NEK8/9 homolog) and NEKL-3 (NEK6/7 homolog) regulate apical clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) in the worm epidermis and are essential for molting. Here we show that NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 also have distinct roles in controlling endosome function and morphology. Specifically, loss of NEKL-2 led to enlarged early endosomes with long tubular extensions but showed minimal effects on other compartments. In contrast, NEKL-3 depletion caused pronounced defects in early, late, and recycling endosomes. Consistently, NEKL-2 was strongly localized to early endosomes, whereas NEKL-3 was localized to multiple endosomal compartments. Loss of NEKLs also led to variable defects in the recycling of two resident cargoes of the trans-Golgi network (TGN), MIG-14/Wntless and TGN-38/TGN38, which were missorted to lysosomes after NEKL depletion. In addition, defects were observed in the uptake of clathrin-dependent (SMA-6/Type I BMP receptor) and independent cargoes (DAF-4/Type II BMP receptor) from the basolateral surface of epidermal cells after NEKL-2 or NEKL-3 depletion. Complementary studies in human cell lines further showed that siRNA knockdown of the NEKL-3 orthologs NEK6 and NEK7 led to missorting of the mannose 6-phosphate receptor from endosomes. Moreover, in multiple human cell types, depletion of NEK6 or NEK7 disrupted both early and recycling endosomal compartments, including the presence of excess tubulation within recycling endosomes, a defect also observed after NEKL-3 depletion in worms. Thus, NIMA family kinases carry out multiple functions during endocytosis in both worms and humans, consistent with our previous observation that human NEKL-3 orthologs can rescue molting and trafficking defects in C. elegans nekl-3 mutants. Our findings suggest that trafficking defects could underlie some of the proposed roles for NEK kinases in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braveen B. Joseph
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Naava Naslavsky
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Shaonil Binti
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Conquest
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Lexi Robison
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Ge Bai
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Rafael O. Homer
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Barth D. Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Steve Caplan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - David S. Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
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Nguyen K, Boehling J, Tran MN, Cheng T, Rivera A, Collins-Burow BM, Lee SB, Drewry DH, Burow ME. NEK Family Review and Correlations with Patient Survival Outcomes in Various Cancer Types. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2067. [PMID: 37046733 PMCID: PMC10093199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Never in Mitosis Gene A (NIMA)-related kinases (NEKs) are a group of serine/threonine kinases that are involved in a wide array of cellular processes including cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair response (DDR), apoptosis, and microtubule organization. Recent studies have identified the involvement of NEK family members in various diseases such as autoimmune disorders, malignancies, and developmental defects. Despite the existing literature exemplifying the importance of the NEK family of kinases, this family of protein kinases remains understudied. This report seeks to provide a foundation for investigating the role of different NEKs in malignancies. We do this by evaluating the 11 NEK family kinase gene expression associations with patients' overall survival (OS) from various cancers using the Kaplan-Meier Online Tool (KMPlotter) to correlate the relationship between mRNA expression of NEK1-11 in various cancers and patient survival. Furthermore, we use the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database to identify NEK family mutations in cancers of different tissues. Overall, the data suggest that the NEK family has varying associations with patient survival in different cancers with tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects being tissue-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Julia Boehling
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Minh N. Tran
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Thomas Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Andrew Rivera
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | | - Sean B. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - David H. Drewry
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Aziz M, Ejaz SA, Tamam N, Siddique F, Riaz N, Qais FA, Chtita S, Iqbal J. Identification of potent inhibitors of NEK7 protein using a comprehensive computational approach. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6404. [PMID: 35436996 PMCID: PMC9016071 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10253-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NIMA related Kinases (NEK7) plays an important role in spindle assembly and mitotic division of the cell. Over expression of NEK7 leads to the progression of different cancers and associated malignancies. It is becoming the next wave of targets for the development of selective and potent anti-cancerous agents. The current study is the first comprehensive computational approach to identify potent inhibitors of NEK7 protein. For this purpose, previously identified anti-inflammatory compound i.e., Phenylcarbamoylpiperidine-1,2,4-triazole amide derivatives by our own group were selected for their anti-cancer potential via detailed Computational studies. Initially, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out using Gaussian 09 software which provided information about the compounds' stability and reactivity. Furthermore, Autodock suite and Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software's were used to dock the ligand database into the active pocket of the NEK7 protein. Both software performances were compared in terms of sampling power and scoring power. During the analysis, Autodock results were found to be more reproducible, implying that this software outperforms the MOE. The majority of the compounds, including M7, and M12 showed excellent binding energies and formed stable protein-ligand complexes with docking scores of - 29.66 kJ/mol and - 31.38 kJ/mol, respectively. The results were validated by molecular dynamics simulation studies where the stability and conformational transformation of the best protein-ligand complex were justified on the basis of RMSD and RMSF trajectory analysis. The drug likeness properties and toxicity profile of all compounds were determined by ADMETlab 2.0. Furthermore, the anticancer potential of the potent compounds were confirmed by cell viability (MTT) assay. This study suggested that selected compounds can be further investigated at molecular level and evaluated for cancer treatment and associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubashir Aziz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Abida Ejaz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Nissren Tamam
- Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farhan Siddique
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 60174, Norrköping, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacy, Royal Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | - Naheed Riaz
- Department of Chemistry, Baghdad-Ul-Jadeed Campus, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Faizan Abul Qais
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, 202002, India
| | - Samir Chtita
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Sidi Othmane, BP7955, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Jamshed Iqbal
- Centre for Advanced Drug Research, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbotabad, Pakistan.
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In Mitosis You Are Not: The NIMA Family of Kinases in Aspergillus, Yeast, and Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23074041. [PMID: 35409400 PMCID: PMC8999480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074041] [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: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Never in mitosis gene A (NIMA) family of serine/threonine kinases is a diverse group of protein kinases implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, including cilia regulation, microtubule dynamics, mitotic processes, cell growth, and DNA damage response. The founding member of this family was initially identified in Aspergillus and was found to play important roles in mitosis and cell division. The yeast family has one member each, Fin1p in fission yeast and Kin3p in budding yeast, also with functions in mitotic processes, but, overall, these are poorly studied kinases. The mammalian family, the main focus of this review, consists of 11 members named Nek1 to Nek11. With the exception of a few members, the functions of the mammalian Neks are poorly understood but appear to be quite diverse. Like the prototypical NIMA, many members appear to play important roles in mitosis and meiosis, but their functions in the cell go well beyond these well-established activities. In this review, we explore the roles of fungal and mammalian NIMA kinases and highlight the most recent findings in the field.
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10
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Gao WL, Niu L, Chen WL, Zhang YQ, Huang WH. Integrative Analysis of the Expression Levels and Prognostic Values for NEK Family Members in Breast Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:798170. [PMID: 35368696 PMCID: PMC8967485 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.798170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In the latest rankings, breast cancer ranks first in incidence and fifth in mortality among female malignancies worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis and prolong the survival of breast cancer (BC) patients. The NIMA-related kinase (NEK), a group of serine/threonine kinase, is a large and conserved gene family that includes NEK1–NEK11. The NEK plays a pivotal role in the cell cycle and microtubule formation. However, an integrative analysis of the effect and prognosis value of NEK family members on BC patients is still lacking. Methods: In this study, the expression profiles of NEK family members in BC and its subgroups were analyzed using UALCAN, GEPIA2, and Human Protein Atlas datasets. The prognostic values of NEK family members in BC were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier plotter. Co-expression profiles and genetic alterations of NEK family members were analyzed using the cBioPortal database. The function and pathway enrichment analysis of the NEK family were performed using the WebGestalt database. The correlation analysis of the NEK family and immune cell infiltration in BC was conducted using the TIMER 2.0 database. Results: In this study, we compared and analyzed the prognosis values of the NEKs. We found that NEK9 was highly expressed in normal breast tissues than BC, and NEK2, NEK6, and NEK11 were significantly highly expressed in BC than adjacent normal tissues. Interestingly, the expression levels of NEK2, NEK6, and NEK10 were not only remarkably correlated with the tumor stage but also with the molecular subtype. Through multilevel research, we found that high expression levels of NEK1, NEK3, NEK8, NEK9, NEK10, and NEK11 suggested a better prognosis value in BC, while high expression levels of NEK2 and NEK6 suggested a poor prognosis value in BC. Conclusion: Our studies show the prognosis values of the NEKs in BC. Thus, we suggest that NEKs may be regarded as novel biomarkers for predicting potential prognosis values and potential therapeutic targets of BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Liang Gao
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
| | - Lei Niu
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
| | - Wei-Ling Chen
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
| | - Yong-Qu Zhang
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Qu Zhang, ; Wen-He Huang,
| | - Wen-He Huang
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Qu Zhang, ; Wen-He Huang,
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11
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Yang M, Guo Y, Guo X, Mao Y, Zhu S, Wang N, Lu D. Analysis of the effect of NEKs on the prognosis of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma based on bioinformatics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1705. [PMID: 35105934 PMCID: PMC8807624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NEKs are proteins that are involved in various cell processes and play important roles in the formation and development of cancer. However, few studies have examined the role of NEKs in the development of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). To address this problem, the Oncomine, UALCAN, and the Human Protein Atlas databases were used to analyze differential NEK expression and its clinicopathological parameters, while the Kaplan-Meier, cBioPortal, GEPIA, and DAVID databases were used to analyze survival, gene mutations, similar genes, and biological enrichments. The rate of NEK family gene mutation was high (> 50%) in patients with NSCLC, in which NEK2/4/6/8/ was overexpressed and significantly correlated with tumor stage and nodal metastasis status. In addition, the high expression of NEK2/3mRNA was significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC, while high expression of NEK1/4/6/7/8/9/10/11mRNA was associated with good prognosis. In summary, these results suggest that NEK2/4/6/8 may be a potential prognostic biomarker for the survival of patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxia Yang
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, People's Republic of China
| | - Yikun Guo
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Guo
- Department of Oncology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Mao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410005, People's Republic of China
| | - Shijie Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningjun Wang
- Department of Oncology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dianrong Lu
- Department of Oncology, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Gupta S, Ozimek-Kulik JE, Phillips JK. Nephronophthisis-Pathobiology and Molecular Pathogenesis of a Rare Kidney Genetic Disease. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111762. [PMID: 34828368 PMCID: PMC8623546 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The exponential rise in our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of genetic cystic kidney diseases can be attributed to the identification of cystogenic genes over the last three decades. The foundation of this was laid by positional cloning strategies which gradually shifted towards next-generation sequencing (NGS) based screenings. This shift has enabled the discovery of novel cystogenic genes at an accelerated pace unlike ever before and, most notably, the past decade has seen the largest increase in identification of the genes which cause nephronophthisis (NPHP). NPHP is a monogenic autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease caused by mutations in a diverse clade of over 26 identified genes and is the most common genetic cause of renal failure in children. NPHP gene types present with some common pathophysiological features alongside a diverse range of extra-renal phenotypes associated with specific syndromic presentations. This review provides a timely update on our knowledge of this disease, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, anatomical and molecular features. We delve into the diversity of the NPHP causing genes and discuss known molecular mechanisms and biochemical pathways that may have possible points of intersection with polycystic kidney disease (the most studied renal cystic pathology). We delineate the pathologies arising from extra-renal complications and co-morbidities and their impact on quality of life. Finally, we discuss the current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available for disease management, outlining possible avenues of research to improve the prognosis for NPHP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabarni Gupta
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (J.E.O.-K.); (J.K.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Justyna E. Ozimek-Kulik
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (J.E.O.-K.); (J.K.P.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Kathleen Phillips
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; (J.E.O.-K.); (J.K.P.)
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13
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Anuraga G, Wang WJ, Phan NN, An Ton NT, Ta HDK, Berenice Prayugo F, Minh Xuan DT, Ku SC, Wu YF, Andriani V, Athoillah M, Lee KH, Wang CY. Potential Prognostic Biomarkers of NIMA (Never in Mitosis, Gene A)-Related Kinase (NEK) Family Members in Breast Cancer. J Pers Med 2021; 11:1089. [PMID: 34834441 PMCID: PMC8625415 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most common malignant cancer in women, with a staggering incidence of two million cases annually worldwide; therefore, it is crucial to explore novel biomarkers to assess the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer patients. NIMA-related kinase (NEK) protein kinase contains 11 family members named NEK1-NEK11, which were discovered from Aspergillus Nidulans; however, the role of NEK family genes for tumor development remains unclear and requires additional study. In the present study, we investigate the prognosis relationships of NEK family genes for breast cancer development, as well as the gene expression signature via the bioinformatics approach. The results of several integrative analyses revealed that most of the NEK family genes are overexpressed in breast cancer. Among these family genes, NEK2/6/8 overexpression had poor prognostic significance in distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in breast cancer patients. Meanwhile, NEK2/6 had the highest level of DNA methylation, and the functional enrichment analysis from MetaCore and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) suggested that NEK2 was associated with the cell cycle, G2M checkpoint, DNA repair, E2F, MYC, MTORC1, and interferon-related signaling. Moreover, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) results showed that the transcriptional levels of NEK2 were positively correlated with immune infiltration of B cells and CD4+ T Cell. Collectively, the current study indicated that NEK family genes, especially NEK2 which is involved in immune infiltration, and may serve as prognosis biomarkers for breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangga Anuraga
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (G.A.); (H.D.K.T.); (K.-H.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas PGRI Adi Buana, Surabaya 60234, Indonesia;
| | - Wei-Jan Wang
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 40604, Taiwan;
| | - Nam Nhut Phan
- Institute for Environmental Science, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.N.P.); (N.T.A.T.)
| | - Nu Thuy An Ton
- Institute for Environmental Science, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.N.P.); (N.T.A.T.)
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Ta
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (G.A.); (H.D.K.T.); (K.-H.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
| | - Fidelia Berenice Prayugo
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
| | - Do Thi Minh Xuan
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
| | - Su-Chi Ku
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
| | - Yung-Fu Wu
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan;
| | - Vivin Andriani
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas PGRI Adi Buana, Surabaya 60234, Indonesia;
| | - Muhammad Athoillah
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas PGRI Adi Buana, Surabaya 60234, Indonesia;
| | - Kuen-Haur Lee
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (G.A.); (H.D.K.T.); (K.-H.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
- Cancer Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Wang
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (G.A.); (H.D.K.T.); (K.-H.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (F.B.P.); (D.T.M.X.); (S.-C.K.)
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14
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Xiao M, Du C, Zhang C, Zhang X, Li S, Zhang D, Jia W. Bioinformatics analysis of the prognostic value of NEK8 and its effects on immune cell infiltration in glioma. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8748-8763. [PMID: 34374193 PMCID: PMC8435421 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common malignancy of the nervous system with high rates of recurrence and mortality, even after surgery. The 5‐year survival rate is only about 5%. NEK8 is involved in multiple biological processes in a variety of cancers; however, its role in glioma is still not clear. In the current study, we evaluated the prognostic value of NEK8, as well as its role in the pathogenesis of glioma. Using a bioinformatics approach and RNA‐seq data from public databases, we found that NEK8 expression is elevated in glioma tissues; we further verified this result by RT‐PCR, Western blotting and immunochemistry using clinical samples. Functional enrichment analyses of genes with correlated expression indicated that elevated NEK8 expression is associated with increased immune cell infiltration in glioma and may affect the tumour microenvironment via the regulation of DNA damage/repair. Survival analyses revealed that high levels of NEK8 are associated with a poorer prognosis; higher WHO grade, IDH status, 1p/19q codeletion, age and NEK8 were identified as an independent prognostic factor. These findings support the crucial role of NEK8 in the progression of glioma via effects on immune cell infiltration and suggest that it is a new prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xiao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China.,Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoyang Du
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
| | - Chuanbo Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network (CGGA), Beijing, China
| | - Xinzhong Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China
| | - Shaomin Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Neurorestoratology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, China.,Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dainan Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Jia
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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15
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Lee KH. Involvement of Wnt signaling in primary cilia assembly and disassembly. FEBS J 2020; 287:5027-5038. [PMID: 33015954 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The primary cilium is a nonmotile microtubule-based structure, which functions as an antenna-like cellular sensing organelle. The primary cilium is assembled from the basal body, a mother centriole-based structure, during interphase or a quiescent cell stage, and rapidly disassembles before entering mitosis in a dynamic cycle. Defects in this ciliogenesis dynamics are associated with human diseases such as ciliopathy and cancer, but the molecular mechanisms of the ciliogenesis dynamics are still largely unknown. To date, various cellular signaling pathways associated with primary cilia have been proposed, but the main signaling pathways regulating primary cilia assembly/disassembly remain enigmatic. This review describes recent findings in Wnt-induced primary cilia assembly/disassembly and potential future directions for the study of the cellular signaling related to the primary ciliogenesis dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Ho Lee
- Anticancer Agent Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Ochang, Korea
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16
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Wang M, Dai W, Ke Z, Li Y. Functional roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases in gastric cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:22. [PMID: 32774495 PMCID: PMC7405480 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, >650 E3 ubiquitin ligases have been described in humans, including >600 really interesting new genes (RINGs), 28 homologous to E6-associated protein C-terminus (HECTs) and several RING-in-between-RINGs. They are considered key regulators and therapeutic targets of many types of human cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). Among them, some RING and HECT E3 ligases are closely related to the proliferation, infiltration and prognosis of GC. During the past few years, abnormal expressions and functions of many E3 ligases have been identified in GC. However, the functional roles of E3 ligases in GC have not been fully elucidated. The present article focuses on the functional roles of E3 ligases related to the proteasome in GC. In this comprehensive review, the latest research progress on E3 ligases involved in GC and elaborate their structure, classification, functional roles and therapeutic value in GC was summarized. Finally, 30 E3 ligases that serve essential roles in regulating the development of GC were described. Some of these ligases may serve as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in GC, whereas the pathological mechanism of others needs further study; for example, constitutive photomorphogenic 1. In conclusion, the present review demonstrated that E3 ligases are crucial tumor regulatory factors and potential therapeutic targets in GC. Therefore, more studies should focus on the therapeutic targeting of E3 ligases in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Zhangyan Ke
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yongxiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
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17
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Ciliary Genes in Renal Cystic Diseases. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040907. [PMID: 32276433 PMCID: PMC7226761 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are microtubule-based organelles, protruding from the apical cell surface and anchoring to the cytoskeleton. Primary (nonmotile) cilia of the kidney act as mechanosensors of nephron cells, responding to fluid movements by triggering signal transduction. The impaired functioning of primary cilia leads to formation of cysts which in turn contribute to development of diverse renal diseases, including kidney ciliopathies and renal cancer. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of ciliary genes in kidney ciliopathies and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Special focus is given on the impact of mutations and altered expression of ciliary genes (e.g., encoding polycystins, nephrocystins, Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) proteins, ALS1, Oral-facial-digital syndrome 1 (OFD1) and others) in polycystic kidney disease and nephronophthisis, as well as rare genetic disorders, including syndromes of Joubert, Meckel-Gruber, Bardet-Biedl, Senior-Loken, Alström, Orofaciodigital syndrome type I and cranioectodermal dysplasia. We also show that RCC and classic kidney ciliopathies share commonly disturbed genes affecting cilia function, including VHL (von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor), PKD1 (polycystin 1, transient receptor potential channel interacting) and PKD2 (polycystin 2, transient receptor potential cation channel). Finally, we discuss the significance of ciliary genes as diagnostic and prognostic markers, as well as therapeutic targets in ciliopathies and cancer.
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18
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Xu Z, Shen W, Pan A, Sun F, Zhang J, Gao P, Li L. Decreased Nek9 expression correlates with aggressive behaviour and predicts unfavourable prognosis in breast cancer. Pathology 2020; 52:329-335. [PMID: 32098687 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2019.11.008] [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: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
As a new member of Neks family, Nek9 regulates spindle assembly and controls chromosome alignment and centrosome separation. In the current study we aimed to investigate the expression of Nek9 in breast cancer and its clinical significance. We evaluated the expression of Nek9 in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC, n=316), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), usual ductal hyperplasia, atypical ductal hyperplasia, fibroadenoma and normal breast tissues using immunohistochemistry. The results revealed significantly reduced Nek9 in IDCs (41.8%) compared to benign breast lesions. Moreover, gradually reduced Nek9 was found from DCIS to invasive carcinoma and metastatic tumour within the same tumours. The decrease in Nek9 expression was associated with larger tumour size (p=0.0087), high grade (p<0.0001) and high Ki-67 index (p<0.0020). TCGA and GEO datasets analysis revealed low level of Nek9 mRNA was more frequent in triple negative breast cancers, and associated with poor overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival. These findings suggest an important role of Nek9 in the progression of breast cancer, and aberrantly expressed Nek9 correlates with more aggressive clinicopathological variables and predicts poor clinical prognosis. Nek9 may serve as a potential predictive factor for patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziru Xu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Wenping Shen
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Aifeng Pan
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Feifei Sun
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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19
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Melo-Hanchuk TD, Martins MB, Cunha LL, Soares FA, Ward LS, Vassallo J, Kobarg J. Expression of the NEK family in normal and cancer tissue: an immunohistochemical study. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:23. [PMID: 31906878 PMCID: PMC6945616 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6408-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The NEK serine/threonine protein kinases are involved in cell cycle checkpoints, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis. Alterations in these pathways are frequently associated with cell malignant cellular transformations. Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumour in the endocrine system. Despite good treatment methods, the number of cases has increased significantly in recent years. Here, we studied the expression of NEK1, NEK2, NEK3, and NEK5 in different types of normal and malignant tissues, using tissue microarray analysis, and identified NEKs as potential markers in thyroid malignancy. METHODS The studied cases comprised multiple cancer tissue microarrays, including breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, lung, pancreas, prostate, stomach, thyroid and uterine cervix, as well as 281 patients who underwent thyroid resection for thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules. The expression of NEK1, NEK2, NEK3, and NEK5 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The expression pattern was evaluated in terms of intensity by two methods, semiquantitative and quantitative, and was compared between normal and cancer tissue. RESULTS We analysed the expression of each member of the NEK family in a tissue-dependent manner. Compared to normal tissue, most of the evaluated proteins showed lower expression in lung tumour. However, in the thyroid, the expression was higher in malignant tissue, especially for NEK 1, NEK3 and NEK5. Concerning characteristics of the thyroid tumour, such as aggressiveness, NEK1 expression was higher in tumours with multifocality and in patients with lymph node metastasis. NEK3 expression was stronger in patients with stage II, that involved metastasis. NEK5, on the other hand, showed high expression in patients with invasion and metastasis and in patients with tumour size > 4 cm. Furthermore, this work, demonstrated for the first time a high specificity and sensitivity of over-expression of NEK1 in classical and follicular variants of papillary thyroid cancer and NEK3 in tall-cell papillary thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION Taken together, the NEK protein kinases emerge as important proteins in thyroid cancer development and may help to identify malignancy and aggressiveness features during diagnosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was retrospectively registered. www.accamargo.org.br/cientistas-pesquisadores/comite-de-etica-em-pequisa-cep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita Diniz Melo-Hanchuk
- Departamento de Bioquímica e de Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Bonjiorno Martins
- Departamento de Bioquímica e de Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Leite Cunha
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular do Câncer, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Sterian Ward
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular do Câncer, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Vassallo
- Departamento de Anatomia Patológica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jörg Kobarg
- Departamento de Bioquímica e de Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas-UNICAMP, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Inst. de Biologia, Dep. Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, CEP 13083-862, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
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20
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Ding XF, Chen J, Zhou J, Chen G, Wu YL. Never-in-mitosis A-related kinase 8, a novel target of von-Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein, promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:5900-5906. [PMID: 30333866 PMCID: PMC6176424 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has revealed that the von-Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) may downregulate never-in-mitosis A-related kinase 8 (NEK8) via hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIF-α). The HIF-independent functions of pVHL also serve an important role in its tumor-suppressor action. In the present study, the association between pVHL and NEK8 was demonstrated in the human gastric cancer cell line, SGC-7901, indicating a direct interaction of pVHL with NEK8. Subsequently, it was reported that MG-132, a specific proteasome inhibitor, may attenuate pVHL overexpression-induced reductions in NEK8 protein expression levels. In addition, the present study revealed that pVHL may stimulate the rapid degradation of NEK8 protein and promote its ubiquitination. The association between the expression profile of NEK8 and the survival status of patients with gastric cancer was analyzed from an online database. Kaplan-Meier survival plots indicated that higher expression levels of NEK8 may lead to poor survival, as suggested by the transcriptomic data of 1,065 patients with gastric cancer. It was found that NEK8-knockdown mediated by RNA interference inhibited SGC-7901 and SNU-1 proliferation, colony formation and migration in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, the present study proposed that NEK8 may be a novel target of pVHL as a ubiquitin E3 ligase, and may serve a role as a potential oncoprotein in human gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fei Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China.,Laboratory for Biological Medicine, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- Laboratory for Biological Medicine, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Laboratory for Biological Medicine, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, P.R. China.,Institute of Tumor, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, P.R. China
| | - Guang Chen
- Institute of Tumor, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, P.R. China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Liang Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
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21
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Lažetić V, Joseph BB, Bernazzani SM, Fay DS. Actin organization and endocytic trafficking are controlled by a network linking NIMA-related kinases to the CDC-42-SID-3/ACK1 pathway. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007313. [PMID: 29608564 PMCID: PMC5897031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molting is an essential process in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans during which the epidermal apical extracellular matrix, termed the cuticle, is detached and replaced at each larval stage. The conserved NIMA-related kinases NEKL-2/NEK8/NEK9 and NEKL-3/NEK6/NEK7, together with their ankyrin repeat partners, MLT-2/ANKS6, MLT-3/ANKS3, and MLT-4/INVS, are essential for normal molting. In nekl and mlt mutants, the old larval cuticle fails to be completely shed, leading to entrapment and growth arrest. To better understand the molecular and cellular functions of NEKLs during molting, we isolated genetic suppressors of nekl molting-defective mutants. Using two independent approaches, we identified CDC-42, a conserved Rho-family GTPase, and its effector protein kinase, SID-3/ACK1. Notably, CDC42 and ACK1 regulate actin dynamics in mammals, and actin reorganization within the worm epidermis has been proposed to be important for the molting process. Inhibition of NEKL-MLT activities led to strong defects in the distribution of actin and failure to form molting-specific apical actin bundles. Importantly, this phenotype was reverted following cdc-42 or sid-3 inhibition. In addition, repression of CDC-42 or SID-3 also suppressed nekl-associated defects in trafficking, a process that requires actin assembly and disassembly. Expression analyses indicated that components of the NEKL-MLT network colocalize with both actin and CDC-42 in specific regions of the epidermis. Moreover, NEKL-MLT components were required for the normal subcellular localization of CDC-42 in the epidermis as well as wild-type levels of CDC-42 activation. Taken together, our findings indicate that the NEKL-MLT network regulates actin through CDC-42 and its effector SID-3. Interestingly, we also observed that downregulation of CDC-42 in a wild-type background leads to molting defects, suggesting that there is a fine balance between NEKL-MLT and CDC-42-SID-3 activities in the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - Braveen B. Joseph
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - Sarina M. Bernazzani
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - David S. Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
- * E-mail:
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22
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Inhibition of never in mitosis A (NIMA)-related kinase-4 reduces survivin expression and sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL-induced cell death. Oncotarget 2018; 7:65957-65967. [PMID: 27602754 PMCID: PMC5323206 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) preferentially induces apoptosis in cancer cells. However, many tumors are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, and resistance mechanisms are not fully understood. To identify novel regulatory molecules of TRAIL resistance, we screened a siRNA library targeting the human kinome, and NEK4 (NIMA-related kinase-4) was identified. Knockdown of NEK4 sensitized TRAIL-resistant cancer cells and in vivo xenografts to cell death. In contrast, over expression of NEK4 suppressed TRAIL-induced cell death in TRAIL-sensitive cancer cells. In addition, loss of NEK4 resulted in decrease of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin, but an increase in apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, NEK4 was highly upregulated in tumor tissues derived from patients with lung cancer and colon cancer. These results suggest that inhibition of NEK4 sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by regulation of survivin expression.
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23
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Wells CI, Kapadia NR, Couñago RM, Drewry DH. In depth analysis of kinase cross screening data to identify chemical starting points for inhibition of the Nek family of kinases. MEDCHEMCOMM 2018; 9:44-66. [PMID: 30108900 PMCID: PMC6071746 DOI: 10.1039/c7md00510e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Potent, selective, and cell active small molecule kinase inhibitors are useful tools to help unravel the complexities of kinase signaling. As the biological functions of individual kinases become better understood, they can become targets of drug discovery efforts. The small molecules used to shed light on function can also then serve as chemical starting points in these drug discovery efforts. The Nek family of kinases has received very little attention, as judged by number of citations in PubMed, yet they appear to play many key roles and have been implicated in disease. Here we present our work to identify high quality chemical starting points that have emerged due to the increased incidence of broad kinome screening. We anticipate that this analysis will allow the community to progress towards the generation of chemical probes and eventually drugs that target members of the Nek family.
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium , Eshelman School of Pharmacy , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , 27599 USA .
| | - N R Kapadia
- Structural Genomics Consortium , Eshelman School of Pharmacy , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , 27599 USA .
| | - R M Couñago
- Structural Genomics Consortium , Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP , Campinas , SP , 13083 Brazil
| | - D H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium , Eshelman School of Pharmacy , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , 27599 USA .
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24
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Lai XB, Nie YQ, Huang HL, Li YF, Cao CY, Yang H, Shen B, Feng ZQ. NIMA-related kinase 2 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and proliferation. Oncol Lett 2017; 13:1587-1594. [PMID: 28454295 PMCID: PMC5403431 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.5618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2) is often upregulated in human cancer and is important in regulating the cell cycle and gene expression, and maintaining centrosomal structure and function. The present study aimed to investigate the expression pattern, clinical significance, and biological function of Nek2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). mRNA and protein levels of Nek2 were examined in HCC and corresponding normal liver tissues. The MTT and soft agar colony formation assays, and flow cytometry were employed to assess the roles of Nek2 in cell proliferation and growth. In addition, western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression of cell cycle- and proliferation-related proteins. The results revealed that Nek2 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. The clinical significance of Nek2 expression was also analyzed. Inhibiting Nek2 expression by siRNA suppressed cell proliferation, growth, and colony formation in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 cells, induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase by retarding the S-phase, and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, Nek2 depletion downregulated β-catenin expression in HepG2 cells and diminished expression of Myc proto-oncogene protein (c-Myc), cyclins D1, B1, and E and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, whilst increasing protein levels of p27. This demonstrates that overexpression of Nek2 is associated with the malignant evolution of HCC. Targeting Nek2 may inhibit HCC cell growth and proliferation through the regulation of β-catenin by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and therefore may be developed as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bo Lai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Qiang Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Li Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Fei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Chuang-Yu Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Bo Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Municipal People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China.,Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
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25
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Lažetić V, Fay DS. Conserved Ankyrin Repeat Proteins and Their NIMA Kinase Partners Regulate Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Intracellular Trafficking in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2017; 205:273-293. [PMID: 27799278 PMCID: PMC5223508 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.194464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Molting is an essential developmental process in nematodes during which the epidermal apical extracellular matrix, the cuticle, is remodeled to accommodate further growth. Using genetic approaches, we identified a requirement for three conserved ankyrin repeat-rich proteins, MLT-2/ANKS6, MLT-3/ANKS3, and MLT-4/INVS, in Caenorhabditis elegans molting. Loss of mlt function resulted in severe defects in the ability of larvae to shed old cuticle and led to developmental arrest. Genetic analyses demonstrated that MLT proteins functionally cooperate with the conserved NIMA kinase family members NEKL-2/NEK8 and NEKL-3/NEK6/NEK7 to promote cuticle shedding. MLT and NEKL proteins were specifically required within the hyp7 epidermal syncytium, and fluorescently tagged mlt and nekl alleles were expressed in puncta within this tissue. Expression studies further showed that NEKL-2-MLT-2-MLT-4 and NEKL-3-MLT-3 colocalize within largely distinct assemblies of apical foci. MLT-2 and MLT-4 were required for the normal accumulation of NEKL-2 at the hyp7-seam cell boundary, and loss of mlt-2 caused abnormal nuclear accumulation of NEKL-2 Correspondingly, MLT-3, which bound directly to NEKL-3, prevented NEKL-3 nuclear localization, supporting the model that MLT proteins may serve as molecular scaffolds for NEKL kinases. Our studies additionally showed that the NEKL-MLT network regulates early steps in clathrin-mediated endocytosis at the apical surface of hyp7, which may in part account for molting defects observed in nekl and mlt mutants. This study has thus identified a conserved NEKL-MLT protein network that regulates remodeling of the apical extracellular matrix and intracellular trafficking, functions that may be conserved across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071
| | - David S Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071
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26
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Abeyta A, Castella M, Jacquemont C, Taniguchi T. NEK8 regulates DNA damage-induced RAD51 foci formation and replication fork protection. Cell Cycle 2016; 16:335-347. [PMID: 27892797 PMCID: PMC5324754 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1259038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins essential for homologous recombination play a pivotal role in the repair of DNA double strand breaks, DNA inter-strand crosslinks and replication fork stability. Defects in homologous recombination also play a critical role in the development of cancer and the sensitivity of these cancers to chemotherapy. RAD51, an essential factor for homologous recombination and replication fork protection, accumulates and forms immunocytochemically detectable nuclear foci at sites of DNA damage. To identify kinases that may regulate RAD51 localization to sites of DNA damage, we performed a human kinome siRNA library screen, using DNA damage-induced RAD51 foci formation as readout. We found that NEK8, a NIMA family kinase member, is required for efficient DNA damage-induced RAD51 foci formation. Interestingly, knockout of Nek8 in murine embryonic fibroblasts led to cellular sensitivity to the replication inhibitor, hydroxyurea, and inhibition of the ATR kinase. Furthermore, NEK8 was required for proper replication fork protection following replication stall with hydroxyurea. Loading of RAD51 to chromatin was decreased in NEK8-depleted cells and Nek8-knockout cells. Single-molecule DNA fiber analyses revealed that nascent DNA tracts were degraded in the absence of NEK8 following treatment with hydroxyurea. Consistent with this, Nek8-knockout cells showed increased chromosome breaks following treatment with hydroxyurea. Thus, NEK8 plays a critical role in replication fork stability through its regulation of the DNA repair and replication fork protection protein RAD51.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Abeyta
- a Divisions of Human Biology and Public Health Sciences , Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle , WA , USA.,b Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program , University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA
| | - Maria Castella
- a Divisions of Human Biology and Public Health Sciences , Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle , WA , USA
| | - Celine Jacquemont
- a Divisions of Human Biology and Public Health Sciences , Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle , WA , USA
| | - Toshiyasu Taniguchi
- a Divisions of Human Biology and Public Health Sciences , Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle , WA , USA
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27
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Kuang X, Sun L, Liu S, Zhao Z, Zhao D, Liu S, Luo B. Association of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2065955 of the filaggrin gene with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma and EBV-negative gastric carcinoma. Virol Sin 2016; 31:306-13. [PMID: 27535066 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-016-3721-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the Filaggrin gene (FLG) rs2065955 polymorphism and susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) and EBV-negative gastric carcinoma (EBVnGC) was investigated in Shandong Province, China. We detected the FLG rs2065955 genotype and allele distribution by using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 64 EBVaGC, 82 EBVnGC, and 111 normal control samples. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the level of FLG protein in 35 EBVaGC and 51 EBVnGC tumor tissues. Compared with normal controls, the genotype CC and allele C of FLG rs2065955 showed higher frequency in EBVaGC and EBVnGC. There was no significant difference between EBVaGC and EBVnGC in allele distribution of FLG rs2065955, but the genotype CC was found more frequently in EBVaGC than in EBVnGC. The risk of developing either EBVaGC or EBVnGC in genotype CC was higher than in other genotypes. Furthermore, genotype CC of FLG rs2065955 may contribute more to the risk of developing EBVaGC than EBVnGC. There was no significant difference in the expression level of FLG protein between EBVaGC and EBVnGC. In conclusion, the FLG rs2065955 polymorphism was significantly related to gastric carcinoma. Allele C of FLG rs2065955 could be a risk factor for EBVaGC or EBVnGC, while genotype CC of FLG rs2065955 was especially associated with EBVaGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Kuang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Shuzhen Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Danrui Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao, 266021, China.
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28
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Zhu J, Cai Y, Liu P, Zhao W. Frequent Nek1 overexpression in human gliomas. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:522-527. [PMID: 27251576 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Never in mitosis A (NIMA)-related kinase 1 (Nek1) regulates cell cycle progression to mitosis. Its expression and potential functions in human gliomas have not been studied. Here, our immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay and Western blot assay results showed that Nek1 expression was significantly upregulated in fresh and paraffin-embedded human glioma tissues. Its level in normal brain tissues was low. Nek1 overexpression in human gliomas was correlated with the proliferation marker (Ki-67), tumor grade, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) and more importantly, patients' poor survival. Further studies showed that Nek1 expression level was also increased in multiple human glioma cell lines (U251-MG, U87-MG, U118, H4 and U373). Significantly, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nek1 inhibited glioma cell (U87-MG/U251-MG) growth. Nek1 siRNA also sensitized U87-MG/U251-MG cells to temozolomide (TMZ), causing a profound apoptosis induction and growth inhibition. The current study indicates Nek1 might be a novel and valuable oncotarget of glioma, it is important for glioma cell growth and TMZ-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Neurosurgery Department, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Cai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Neurosurgery Department, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Pin Liu
- Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiguo Zhao
- Neurosurgery Department, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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29
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Dominguez-Brauer C, Thu KL, Mason JM, Blaser H, Bray MR, Mak TW. Targeting Mitosis in Cancer: Emerging Strategies. Mol Cell 2016; 60:524-36. [PMID: 26590712 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The cell cycle is an evolutionarily conserved process necessary for mammalian cell growth and development. Because cell-cycle aberrations are a hallmark of cancer, this process has been the target of anti-cancer therapeutics for decades. However, despite numerous clinical trials, cell-cycle-targeting agents have generally failed in the clinic. This review briefly examines past cell-cycle-targeted therapeutics and outlines how experience with these agents has provided valuable insight to refine and improve anti-mitotic strategies. An overview of emerging anti-mitotic approaches with promising pre-clinical results is provided, and the concept of exploiting the genomic instability of tumor cells through therapeutic inhibition of mitotic checkpoints is discussed. We believe this strategy has a high likelihood of success given its potential to enhance therapeutic index by targeting tumor-specific vulnerabilities. This reasoning stimulated our development of novel inhibitors targeting the critical regulators of genomic stability and the mitotic checkpoint: AURKA, PLK4, and Mps1/TTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Dominguez-Brauer
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Kelsie L Thu
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jacqueline M Mason
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Heiko Blaser
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Mark R Bray
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Tak W Mak
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
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30
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Casey JP, Brennan K, Scheidel N, McGettigan P, Lavin PT, Carter S, Ennis S, Dorkins H, Ghali N, Blacque OE, Mc Gee MM, Murphy H, Lynch SA. Recessive NEK9 mutation causes a lethal skeletal dysplasia with evidence of cell cycle and ciliary defects. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:1824-35. [PMID: 26908619 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal dysplasias are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of bone and cartilage disorders. Whilst >450 skeletal dysplasias have been reported, 30% are genetically uncharacterized. We report two Irish Traveller families with a previously undescribed lethal skeletal dysplasia characterized by fetal akinesia, shortening of all long bones, multiple contractures, rib anomalies, thoracic dysplasia, pulmonary hypoplasia and protruding abdomen. Single nucleotide polymorphism homozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous stop-gain mutation in NEK9 (c.1489C>T; p.Arg497*) as the cause of this disorder. NEK9 encodes a never in mitosis gene A-related kinase involved in regulating spindle organization, chromosome alignment, cytokinesis and cell cycle progression. This is the first disorder to be associated with NEK9 in humans. Analysis of NEK9 protein expression and localization in patient fibroblasts showed complete loss of full-length NEK9 (107 kDa). Functional characterization of patient fibroblasts showed a significant reduction in cell proliferation and a delay in cell cycle progression. We also provide evidence to support possible ciliary associations for NEK9. Firstly, patient fibroblasts displayed a significant reduction in cilia number and length. Secondly, we show that the NEK9 orthologue in Caenorhabditis elegans, nekl-1, is almost exclusively expressed in a subset of ciliated cells, a strong indicator of cilia-related functions. In summary, we report the clinical and molecular characterization of a lethal skeletal dysplasia caused by NEK9 mutation and suggest that this disorder may represent a novel ciliopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian P Casey
- Clinical Genetics, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland, UCD Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences,
| | - Kieran Brennan
- UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
| | - Noemie Scheidel
- UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
| | - Paul McGettigan
- UCD Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Paul T Lavin
- UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
| | - Stephen Carter
- UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
| | - Sean Ennis
- UCD Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences
| | - Huw Dorkins
- North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, Watford Road, Harrow HA1 3UJ, UK, Leicestershire Genetics Service, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK, St Peter's College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2DL, UK and
| | - Neeti Ghali
- North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, Northwick Park Hospital, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, Watford Road, Harrow HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Oliver E Blacque
- UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
| | | | - Helen Murphy
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Genetic Medicine-University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Sally Ann Lynch
- Clinical Genetics, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland, UCD Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences
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31
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78495111110.1016/j.molcel.2015.11.006" />
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32
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Vartholomaiou E, Echeverría PC, Picard D. Unusual Suspects in the Twilight Zone Between the Hsp90 Interactome and Carcinogenesis. Adv Cancer Res 2015; 129:1-30. [PMID: 26915999 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The molecular chaperone Hsp90 has attracted a lot of interest in cancer research ever since cancer cells were found to be more sensitive to Hsp90 inhibition than normal cells. Why that is has remained a matter of debate and is still unclear. In addition to increased Hsp90 dependence for some mutant cancer proteins and modifications of the Hsp90 machinery itself, a number of other characteristics of cancer cells probably contribute to this phenomenon; these include aneuploidy and overall increased numbers and levels of defective and mutant proteins, which all contribute to perturbed proteostasis. Work over the last two decades has demonstrated that many cancer-related proteins are Hsp90 clients, and yet only few of them have been extensively investigated, selected either on the basis of their obvious function as cancer drivers or because they proved to be convenient biomarkers for monitoring the effects of Hsp90 inhibitors. The purpose of our review is to go beyond these "usual suspects." We established a workflow to select poorly studied proteins that are related to cancer processes and qualify as Hsp90 clients. By discussing and taking a fresh look at these "unusual suspects," we hope to stimulate others to revisit them as novel therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo C Echeverría
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Didier Picard
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, Geneva, Switzerland.
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33
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Vertii A, Bright A, Delaval B, Hehnly H, Doxsey S. New frontiers: discovering cilia-independent functions of cilia proteins. EMBO Rep 2015; 16:1275-87. [PMID: 26358956 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201540632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In most vertebrates, mitotic spindles and primary cilia arise from a common origin, the centrosome. In non-cycling cells, the centrosome is the template for primary cilia assembly and, thus, is crucial for their associated sensory and signaling functions. During mitosis, the duplicated centrosomes mature into spindle poles, which orchestrate mitotic spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and orientation of the cell division axis. Intriguingly, both cilia and spindle poles are centrosome-based, functionally distinct structures that require the action of microtubule-mediated, motor-driven transport for their assembly. Cilia proteins have been found at non-cilia sites, where they have distinct functions, illustrating a diverse and growing list of cellular processes and structures that utilize cilia proteins for crucial functions. In this review, we discuss cilia-independent functions of cilia proteins and re-evaluate their potential contributions to "cilia" disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastassiia Vertii
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Alison Bright
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Heidi Hehnly
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Doxsey
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Effect of silencing NEK2 on biological behaviors of HepG2 in human hepatoma cells and MAPK signal pathway. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:2023-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3993-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Ding XF, Zhou J, Hu QY, Liu SC, Chen G. The tumor suppressor pVHL down-regulates never-in-mitosis A-related kinase 8 via hypoxia-inducible factors to maintain cilia in human renal cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2014; 290:1389-94. [PMID: 25451921 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.589226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
NEK8 (never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 8) is involved in cytoskeleton, cilia, and DNA damage response/repair. Abnormal expression and/or dysfunction of NEK8 are related to cancer development and progression. However, the mechanisms that regulate NEK8 are not well declared. We demonstrated here that pVHL may be involved in regulating NEK8. We found that CAK-I cells with wild-type vhl expressed a lower level of NEK8 than the cells loss of vhl, such as 786-O, 769-P, and A-498 cells. Moreover, pVHL overexpression down-regulated the NEK8 protein in 786-O cells, whereas pVHL knockdown up-regulated NEK8 in CAK-I cells. In addition, we found that the positive hypoxia response elements (HREs) are located in the promoter of the nek8 sequence and hypoxia could induce nek8 expression in different cell types. Consistent with this, down-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors α (HIF-1α or HIF-2α) by isoform-specific siRNA reduced the ability of hypoxia inducing nek8 expression. In vivo, NEK8 and HIF-1α expression were increased in kidneys of rats subjected to an experimental hypoxia model of ischemia and reperfusion. Furthermore, NEK8 siRNA transfection significantly blocked pVHL-knockdown-induced cilia disassembling, through impairing the pVHL-knockdown-up-regulated NEK8 expression. These results support that nek8 may be a novel hypoxia-inducible gene. In conclusion, our findings show that nek8 may be a new HIF target gene and pVHL can down-regulate NEK8 via HIFs to maintain the primary cilia structure in human renal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Zhou
- From the School of Medicine, the Institute of Tumor, and
| | | | - Shuang-Chun Liu
- the Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000 China
| | - Guang Chen
- From the School of Medicine, the Institute of Tumor, and the School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000 and
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Zhang B, Zhang H, Wang D, Han S, Wang K, Yao A, Li X. Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 6 promotes cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma via cyclin B modulation. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:1163-1168. [PMID: 25120679 PMCID: PMC4114597 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase (Nek) 6 is a recently identified Nek that is required for mitotic cell cycle progression; however, the role and mechanism of Nek6 activity during hepatocarcinogenesis is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential roles and internal mechanism of Nek6 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. In the present study, Nek6 was found to be overexpressed in HCC samples and cell lines by florescent real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Furthermore, it was evidenced to contribute to oncogenesis and progression. The ectopic overexpression of Nek6 promoted cell proliferation and colony formation, whereas gene silencing of Nek6 inhibited these phenotypes, as documented in Huh7, PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B and HepG2 HCC cell lines. Mechanistic analyses indicated that Nek6 regulates the transcription of cyclin B through cdc2 activation, and promotes the accumulation of G0/G1-phase cells. In conclusion, the findings of the current study suggested that Nek6 contributes to the oncogenic potential of HCC, and may present as a potential therapeutic target in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Zhang
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Hai Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, P.R. China
| | - Dong Wang
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Han
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Ke Wang
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Yao
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Liver Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
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Meirelles GV, Perez AM, de Souza EE, Basei FL, Papa PF, Melo Hanchuk TD, Cardoso VB, Kobarg J. “Stop Ne(c)king around”: How interactomics contributes to functionally characterize Nek family kinases. World J Biol Chem 2014; 5:141-160. [PMID: 24921005 PMCID: PMC4050109 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i2.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aside from Polo and Aurora, a third but less studied kinase family involved in mitosis regulation is the never in mitosis-gene A (NIMA)-related kinases (Neks). The founding member of this family is the sole member NIMA of Aspergillus nidulans, which is crucial for the initiation of mitosis in that organism. All 11 human Neks have been functionally assigned to one of the three core functions established for this family in mammals: (1) centrioles/mitosis; (2) primary ciliary function/ciliopathies; and (3) DNA damage response (DDR). Recent findings, especially on Nek 1 and 8, showed however, that several Neks participate in parallel in at least two of these contexts: primary ciliary function and DDR. In the core section of this in-depth review, we report the current detailed functional knowledge on each of the 11 Neks. In the discussion, we return to the cross-connections among Neks and point out how our and other groups’ functional and interactomics studies revealed that most Neks interact with protein partners associated with two if not all three of the functional contexts. We then raise the hypothesis that Neks may be the connecting regulatory elements that allow the cell to fine tune and synchronize the cellular events associated with these three core functions. The new and exciting findings on the Nek family open new perspectives and should allow the Neks to finally claim the attention they deserve in the field of kinases and cell cycle biology.
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Choi HJC, Lin JR, Vannier JB, Slaats GG, Kile AC, Paulsen RD, Manning DK, Beier DR, Giles RH, Boulton SJ, Cimprich KA. NEK8 links the ATR-regulated replication stress response and S phase CDK activity to renal ciliopathies. Mol Cell 2013; 51:423-39. [PMID: 23973373 PMCID: PMC3790667 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 06/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Renal ciliopathies are a leading cause of kidney failure, but their exact etiology is poorly understood. NEK8/NPHP9 is a ciliary kinase associated with two renal ciliopathies in humans and mice, nephronophthisis (NPHP) and polycystic kidney disease. Here, we identify NEK8 as a key effector of the ATR-mediated replication stress response. Cells lacking NEK8 form spontaneous DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that further accumulate when replication forks stall, and they exhibit reduced fork rates, unscheduled origin firing, and increased replication fork collapse. NEK8 suppresses DSB formation by limiting cyclin A-associated CDK activity. Strikingly, a mutation in NEK8 that is associated with renal ciliopathies affects its genome maintenance functions. Moreover, kidneys of NEK8 mutant mice accumulate DNA damage, and loss of NEK8 or replication stress similarly disrupts renal cell architecture in a 3D-culture system. Thus, NEK8 is a critical component of the DNA damage response that links replication stress with cystic kidney disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jei Claudia Choi
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford, CA 94025
| | - Jia-Ren Lin
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford, CA 94025
| | - Jean-Baptiste Vannier
- London Research Institute, Clare Hall Laboratories, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, EN6 3LD, UK
| | - Gisela G. Slaats
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew C. Kile
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford, CA 94025
| | - Renee D. Paulsen
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford, CA 94025
| | | | - David R. Beier
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Genetics, Boston MA, 02115
| | - Rachel H. Giles
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Simon J. Boulton
- London Research Institute, Clare Hall Laboratories, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, EN6 3LD, UK
| | - Karlene A. Cimprich
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford, CA 94025
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Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common hereditary disorder which is characterized by fluid-filled cysts in the kidney. Mutation in either PKD1, encoding polycystin-1 (PC1), or PKD2, encoding polycystin-2 (PC2), are causative genes of PKD. Recent studies indicate that renal cilia, known as mechanosensors, detecting flow stimulation through renal tubules, have a critical function in maintaining homeostasis of renal epithelial cells. Because most proteins related to PKD are localized to renal cilia or have a function in ciliogenesis. PC1/PC2 heterodimer is localized to the cilia, playing a role in calcium channels. Also, disruptions of ciliary proteins, except for PC1 and PC2, could be involved in the induction of polycystic kidney disease. Based on these findings, various PKD mice models were produced to understand the roles of primary cilia defects in renal cyst formation. In this review, we will describe the general role of cilia in renal epithelial cells, and the relationship between ciliary defects and PKD. We also discuss mouse models of PKD related to ciliary defects based on recent studies. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(2): 73-79]
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Affiliation(s)
- Je Yeong Ko
- Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 140-742, Korea
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40
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Basten SG, Giles RH. Functional aspects of primary cilia in signaling, cell cycle and tumorigenesis. Cilia 2013; 2:6. [PMID: 23628112 PMCID: PMC3662159 DOI: 10.1186/2046-2530-2-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctional cilia underlie a broad range of cellular and tissue phenotypes and can eventually result in the development of ciliopathies: pathologically diverse diseases that range from clinically mild to highly complex and severe multi-organ failure syndromes incompatible with neonatal life. Given that virtually all cells of the human body have the capacity to generate cilia, it is likely that clinical manifestations attributed to ciliary dysfunction will increase in the years to come. Disputed but nevertheless enigmatic is the notion that at least a subset of tumor phenotypes fit within the ciliopathy disease spectrum and that cilia loss may be required for tumor progression. Contending for the centrosome renders ciliation and cell division mutually exclusive; a regulated tipping of balance promotes either process. The mechanisms involved, however, are complex. If the hypothesis that tumorigenesis results from dysfunctional cilia is true, then why do the classic ciliopathies only show limited hyperplasia at best? Although disassembly of the cilium is a prerequisite for cell proliferation, it does not intrinsically drive tumorigenesis per se. Alternatively, we will explore the emerging evidence suggesting that some tumors depend on ciliary signaling. After reviewing the structure, genesis and signaling of cilia, the various ciliopathy syndromes and their genetics, we discuss the current debate of tumorigenesis as a ciliopathy spectrum defect, and describe recent advances in this fascinating field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander G Basten
- Department of Medical Oncology, UMC Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, F03.223, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
| | - Rachel H Giles
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, F03.223, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
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Yap TA, Molife LR, Blagden SP, de Bono S. Targeting cell cycle kinases and kinesins in anticancer drug development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 2:539-60. [PMID: 23484760 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2.4.539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The cell cycle is regulated by kinases such as the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and non-CDKs, which include Aurora and polo-like kinases, as well as checkpoint proteins. Mitotic kinesins are involved in the establishment of the mitotic spindle formation and function, and also play a role in cell cycle control. The disruption of the cell cycle is a hallmark of malignancy. Genetic or epigenetic events result in the upregulation of these kinases and mitotic kinesins in a myriad of tumour types, suggesting that their inhibition could result in preferential targeting of malignant cells. Such findings make the development of these inhibitors a rational and attractive new area for cancer therapeutics. Although challenges of potency and non-specificity have hampered their progress through the clinic, several novel compounds are presently in various phases of clinical trial evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Yap
- Drug Development Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK.
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42
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Chan WL, Yuo CY, Yang WK, Hung SY, Chang YS, Chiu CC, Yeh KT, Huang HD, Chang JG. Transcribed pseudogene ψPPM1K generates endogenous siRNA to suppress oncogenic cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:3734-47. [PMID: 23376929 PMCID: PMC3616710 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudogenes, especially those that are transcribed, may not be mere genomic fossils, but their biological significance remains unclear. Postulating that in the human genome, as in animal models, pseudogenes may function as gene regulators through generation of endo-siRNAs (esiRNAs), antisense RNAs or RNA decoys, we performed bioinformatic and subsequent experimental tests to explore esiRNA-mediated mechanisms of pseudogene involvement in oncogenesis. A genome-wide survey revealed a partial retrotranscript pseudogene ψPPM1K containing inverted repeats capable of folding into hairpin structures that can be processed into two esiRNAs; these esiRNAs potentially target many cellular genes, including NEK8. In 41 paired surgical specimens, we found significantly reduced expression of two predicted ψPPM1K-specific esiRNAs, and the cognate gene PPM1K, in hepatocellular carcinoma compared with matched non-tumour tissues, whereas the expression of target gene NEK8 was increased in tumours. Additionally, NEK8 and PPM1K were downregulated in stably transfected ψPPM1K-overexpressing cells, but not in cells transfected with an esiRNA1-deletion mutant of ψPPM1K. Furthermore, expression of NEK8 in ψPPM1K-transfected cells demonstrated that NEK8 can counteract the growth inhibitory effects of ψPPM1K. These findings indicate that a transcribed pseudogene can exert tumour-suppressor activity independent of its parental gene by generation of esiRNAs that regulate human cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ling Chan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu 300, Taiwan
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Gradilone SA, Radtke BN, Bogert PS, Huang BQ, Gajdos GB, LaRusso NF. HDAC6 inhibition restores ciliary expression and decreases tumor growth. Cancer Res 2013; 73:2259-70. [PMID: 23370327 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-2938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Primary cilia are multisensory organelles recently found to be absent in some tumor cells, but the mechanisms of deciliation and the role of cilia in tumor biology remain unclear. Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the biliary tree, normally express primary cilia and their interaction with bile components regulates multiple processes, including proliferation and transport. Using cholangiocarcinoma as a model, we found that primary cilia are reduced in cholangiocarcinoma by a mechanism involving histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). The experimental deciliation of normal cholangiocyte cells increased the proliferation rate and induced anchorage-independent growth. Furthermore, deciliation induced the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Hedgehog signaling, two important pathways involved in cholangiocarcinoma development. We found that HDAC6 is overexpressed in cholangiocarcinoma and overexpression of HDAC6 in normal cholangiocytes induced deciliation and increased both proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. To evaluate the effect of cilia restoration on tumor cells, we targeted HDAC6 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) or by the pharmacologic inhibitor, tubastatin-A. Both approaches restored the expression of primary cilia in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and decreased cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. The effects of tubastatin-A were abolished when cholangiocarcinoma cells were rendered unable to regenerate cilia by stable transfection of IFT88-shRNA. Finally, inhibition of HDAC6 by tubastatin-A also induced a significant decrease in tumor growth in a cholangiocarcinoma animal model. Our data support a key role for primary cilia in malignant transformation, provide a plausible mechanism for their involvement, and suggest that restoration of primary cilia in tumor cells by HDAC6 targeting may be a potential therapeutic approach for cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A Gradilone
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Center for Cell Signalling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Yang SW, Gao C, Chen L, Song YL, Zhu JL, Qi ST, Jiang ZZ, Wang ZW, Lin F, Huang H, Xing FQ, Sun QY. Nek9 regulates spindle organization and cell cycle progression during mouse oocyte meiosis and its location in early embryo mitosis. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:4366-77. [PMID: 23159858 DOI: 10.4161/cc.22690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nek9 (also known as Nercc1), a member of the NIMA (never in mitosis A) family of protein kinases, regulates spindle formation, chromosome alignment and segregation in mitosis. Here, we showed that Nek9 protein was expressed from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII) stages in mouse oocytes with no detectable changes. Confocal microscopy identified that Nek9 was localized to the spindle poles at the metaphase stages and associated with the midbody at anaphase or telophase stage in both meiotic oocytes and the first mitotic embyros. Depletion of Nek9 by specific morpholino injection resulted in severely defective spindles and misaligned chromosomes with significant pro-MI/MI arrest and failure of first polar body (PB1) extrusion. Knockdown of Nek9 also impaired the spindle-pole localization of γ-tubulin and resulted in retention of the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Bub3 at the kinetochores even after 10 h of culture. Live-cell imaging analysis also confirmed that knockdown of Nek9 resulted in oocyte arrest at the pro-MI/MI stage with abnormal spindles, misaligned chromosomes and failed polar body emission. Taken together, our results suggest that Nek9 may act as a MTOC-associated protein regulating microtubule nucleation, spindle organization and, thus, cell cycle progression during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilization and early embryo cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Wu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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45
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Habbig S, Bartram MP, Sägmüller JG, Griessmann A, Franke M, Müller RU, Schwarz R, Hoehne M, Bergmann C, Tessmer C, Reinhardt HC, Burst V, Benzing T, Schermer B. The ciliopathy disease protein NPHP9 promotes nuclear delivery and activation of the oncogenic transcriptional regulator TAZ. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:5528-38. [PMID: 23026745 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephronophthisis (NPH) is a genetically heterogenous kidney disease and represents the most common genetic cause for end-stage renal disease in children. It is caused by the mutation of genes encoding for the nephrocystin proteins (NPHPs) which localize to primary cilia or centrosomes, classifying this disease as a 'ciliopathy'. Recently, it has been shown that NPHP4 acts as a potent negative regulator of mammalian Hippo signalling by interacting with the Lats protein kinase and controlling the phosphorylation of the oncogenic transcriptional activator TAZ. Here, we demonstrate that NPHP9, another NPH family member, also controls TAZ activity by a distinct mechanism. NPHP9, which is also called NEK8, directly interacted with TAZ and induced nuclear translocation of the TAZ/NPHP9 protein complex. Binding of NPHP9 to TAZ was enhanced in a TAZ mutant that lost its ability to bind 14-3-3, suggesting that 14-3-3 and NPHP9 may compete for TAZ binding, with 14-3-3 favouring cytoplasmic retention and NPHP9 mediating nuclear delivery. Consistently, co-expression of NPHP4, which inhibits TAZ phosphorylation at the 14-3-3 binding site through the inhibition of Lats kinase activity, induced efficient nuclear delivery of the TAZ/NPHP9 protein pair. Consistent with a role for TAZ in controlling proliferation and tumorigenesis, the downregulation of NPHP9 inhibited the TAZ-dependent proliferation of hippo-responsive normal epithelial and also breast cancer cells. As NPHP9 has been shown to be upregulated in breast cancer, these data do not only support a critical role for TAZ/hippo signalling in the pathogenesis of NPH but may also imply a possible role for NPHP9 in TAZ-mediated tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Habbig
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Gerrmany
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46
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The ciliary protein Nek8/Nphp9 acts downstream of Inv/Nphp2 during pronephros morphogenesis and left-right establishment in zebrafish. FEBS Lett 2012; 586:2273-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.05.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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47
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Avasthi P, Marshall WF. Stages of ciliogenesis and regulation of ciliary length. Differentiation 2011; 83:S30-42. [PMID: 22178116 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2011.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Revised: 11/30/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cilia and flagella are highly conserved eukaryotic microtubule-based organelles that protrude from the surface of most mammalian cells. These structures require large protein complexes and motors for distal addition of tubulin and extension of the ciliary membrane. In order for ciliogenesis to occur, coordination of many processes must take place. An intricate concert of cell cycle regulation, vesicular trafficking, and ciliary extension must all play out with accurate timing to produce a cilium. Here, we review the stages of ciliogenesis as well as regulation of the length of the assembled cilium. Regulation of ciliogenesis during cell cycle progression centers on centrioles, from which cilia extend upon maturation into basal bodies. Centriole maturation involves a shift from roles in cell division to cilium nucleation via migration to the cell surface and docking at the plasma membrane. Docking is dependent on a variety of proteinaceous structures, termed distal appendages, acquired by the mother centriole. Ciliary elongation by the process of intraflagellar transport (IFT) ensues. Direct modification of ciliary structures, as well as modulation of signal transduction pathways, play a role in maintenance of the cilium. All of these stages are tightly regulated to produce a cilium of the right size at the right time. Finally, we discuss the implications of abnormal ciliogenesis and ciliary length control in human disease as well as some open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachee Avasthi
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California GH-N372F Genentech Hall, Box 2200, UCSF, 600 16th St. San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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48
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Zalli D, Bayliss R, Fry AM. The Nek8 protein kinase, mutated in the human cystic kidney disease nephronophthisis, is both activated and degraded during ciliogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 21:1155-71. [PMID: 22106379 PMCID: PMC3277313 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the never-in-mitosis A-related kinase, Nek8, are associated with cystic kidney disease in both humans and mice, with Nek8 being the NPHP9 gene in the human juvenile cystic kidney disease, nephronophthisis. Human Nek8/NPHP9 localizes to centrosomes and the proximal region of cilia in dividing and ciliated cells, respectively. However, the regulation of Nek8 kinase activity, as well as its role in ciliogenesis, remains to be defined. Here, by establishing Nek8 kinase assays, we first demonstrate that the localization of Nek8 to centrosomes and cilia is dependent on both kinase activity and the C-terminal non-catalytic RCC1 domain. The kinase domain alone is active, but does not localize correctly, while the RCC1 domain localizes correctly and can be phosphorylated by Nek8. We propose that centrosome recruitment is mediated by the RCC1 domain, but requires a conformational change in the full-length protein that is promoted by autophosphorylation. Interestingly, three human NPHP9-associated mutants retain full kinase activity. However, only two of these, L330F and A497P, localize correctly, suggesting that the third mutant, H425Y, disrupts a centrosome targeting sequence in the RCC1 domain. Importantly, we find that induction of ciliogenesis upon cell cycle exit is accompanied by both activation and proteasomal degradation of Nek8, and that activation is dependent upon phosphorylation within the catalytic domain. Taken together, these findings reveal important insights into the mechanisms through which Nek8 activity and localization are regulated during ciliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew M. Fry
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +44 1162297069; Fax: +44 1162297018;
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Moniz L, Dutt P, Haider N, Stambolic V. Nek family of kinases in cell cycle, checkpoint control and cancer. Cell Div 2011; 6:18. [PMID: 22040655 PMCID: PMC3222597 DOI: 10.1186/1747-1028-6-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Early studies in lower Eukaryotes have defined a role for the members of the NimA related kinase (Nek) family of protein kinases in cell cycle control. Expansion of the Nek family throughout evolution has been accompanied by their broader involvement in checkpoint regulation and cilia biology. Moreover, mutations of Nek family members have been identified as drivers behind the development of ciliopathies and cancer. Recent advances in studying the physiological roles of Nek family members utilizing mouse genetics and RNAi-mediated knockdown are revealing intricate associations of Nek family members with fundamental biological processes. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive account of our understanding of Nek kinase biology and their involvement in cell cycle, checkpoint control and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Moniz
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.
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Abstract
The basic biology of the cell division cycle and its control by protein kinases was originally studied through genetic and biochemical studies in yeast and other model organisms. The major regulatory mechanisms identified in this pioneer work are conserved in mammals. However, recent studies in different cell types or genetic models are now providing a new perspective on the function of these major cell cycle regulators in different tissues. Here, we review the physiological relevance of mammalian cell cycle kinases such as cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), Aurora and Polo-like kinases, and mitotic checkpoint regulators (Bub1, BubR1, and Mps1) as well as other less-studied enzymes such as Cdc7, Nek proteins, or Mastl and their implications in development, tissue homeostasis, and human disease. Among these functions, the control of self-renewal or asymmetric cell division in stem/progenitor cells and the ability to regenerate injured tissues is a central issue in current research. In addition, many of these proteins play previously unexpected roles in metabolism, cardiovascular function, or neuron biology. The modulation of their enzymatic activity may therefore have multiple therapeutic benefits in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Malumbres
- Cell Division and Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain.
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