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Qi W, Gundogan F, Gilligan J, Monte SDL. Dietary soy prevents fetal demise, intrauterine growth restriction, craniofacial dysmorphic features, and impairments in placentation linked to gestational alcohol exposure: Pivotal role of insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling networks. Alcohol 2023; 110:65-81. [PMID: 36898643 PMCID: PMC10272094 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.01.006] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal alcohol exposure can impair placentation and cause intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal demise, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Previous studies showed that ethanol's inhibition of placental insulin and insulin-like growth factor, type 1 (IGF-1) signaling compromises trophoblastic cell motility and maternal vascular transformation at the implantation site. Since soy isolate supports insulin responsiveness, we hypothesized that dietary soy could be used to normalize placentation and fetal growth in an experimental model of FASD. METHODS Pregnant Long-Evans rat dams were fed with isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 8.2% ethanol (v/v) from gestation day (GD) 6. Dietary protein sources were either 100% soy isolate or 100% casein (standard). Gestational sacs were harvested on GD19 to evaluate fetal resorption, fetal growth parameters, and placental morphology. Placental insulin/IGF-1 signaling through Akt pathways was assessed using commercial bead-based multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS Dietary soy markedly reduced or prevented the ethanol-associated fetal loss, IUGR, FASD dysmorphic features, and impairments in placentation/maturation. Furthermore, ethanol's inhibitory effects on the placental glycogen cell population at the junctional zone, invasive trophoblast populations at the implantation site, maternal vascular transformation, and signaling through the insulin and IGF1 receptors, Akt and PRAS40 were largely abrogated by co-administration of soy. CONCLUSION Dietary soy may provide an economically feasible and accessible means of reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes linked to gestational ethanol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qi
- Liver Research Center of the Department of Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, US
| | - Fusun Gundogan
- Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, US; Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, US
| | - Jeffrey Gilligan
- Liver Research Center of the Department of Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, US
| | - Suzanne de la Monte
- Liver Research Center of the Department of Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, US; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA; Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, US; Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, US.
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Holtzman NG, Lebowitz MS, Koka R, Baer MR, Malhotra K, Shahlaee A, Ghanbari HA, Bentzen SM, Emadi A. Aspartate β-Hydroxylase (ASPH) Expression in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Potential Novel Therapeutic Target. Front Oncol 2022; 11:783744. [PMID: 35004304 PMCID: PMC8727599 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.783744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH) is an embryonic transmembrane protein aberrantly upregulated in cancer cells, associated with malignant transformation and, in some reports, with poor clinical prognosis. Objective To report the expression patterns of ASPH in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods Cell surface expression of ASPH was measured via 8-color multiparameter flow cytometry in 41 AML patient samples (31 bone marrow, 10 blood) using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-ASPH antibody, SNS-622. A mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of 10 was used as a cutoff for ASPH surface expression positivity. Data regarding patient and disease characteristics were collected. Results ASPH surface expression was found on AML blasts in 16 samples (39%). Higher ASPH expression was seen in myeloblasts of African American patients (p=0.02), but no correlation was found between ASPH expression and other patient or disease characteristics. No association was found between ASPH status and CR rate (p=0.53), EFS (p=0.87), or OS (p=0.17). Conclusions ASPH is expressed on blasts in approximately 40% of AML cases, and may serve as a new therapeutically targetable leukemia-associated antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa G Holtzman
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Rima Koka
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maria R Baer
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kanam Malhotra
- Sensei Biotherapeutics Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Amir Shahlaee
- Sensei Biotherapeutics Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | | | - Søren M Bentzen
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Greve JM, Pinkham AM, Cowan JA. Human Aspartyl (Asparaginyl) Hydroxylase. A Multifaceted Enzyme with Broad Intra- and Extracellular Activity. Metallomics 2021; 13:6324587. [PMID: 34283245 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Human aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase (HAAH), a unique iron and 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenase, has shown increased importance as a suspected oncogenic protein. HAAH and its associated mRNA are upregulated in a wide variety of cancer types, however, the current role of HAAH in the malignant transformation of cells is unknown. HAAH is suspected to play an important role in NOTCH signaling via selective hydroxylation of aspartic acid and asparagine residues of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. HAAH hydroxylation also potentially mediates calcium signaling and oxygen sensing. In this review we summarize the current state of understanding of the biochemistry and chemical biology of this enzyme, identify key differences from other family members, outline its broader intra- and extracellular roles, and identify the most promising areas for future research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Greve
- Contribution from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Andrew M Pinkham
- Contribution from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - J A Cowan
- Contribution from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Zheng W, Wang X, Hu J, Bai B, Zhu H. Diverse molecular functions of aspartate β‑hydroxylase in cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2020; 44:2364-2372. [PMID: 33125119 PMCID: PMC7610305 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspartate/asparagine β-hydroxylase (AspH) is a type II transmembrane protein that catalyzes the post-translational hydroxylation of definite aspartyl and asparaginyl residues in epidermal growth factor-like domains of substrates. In the last few decades, accumulating evidence has indicated that AspH expression is upregulated in numerous types of human malignant cancer and is associated with poor survival and prognosis. The AspH protein aggregates on the surface of tumor cells, which contributes to inducing tumor cell migration, infiltration and metastasis. However, small-molecule inhibitors targeting hydroxylase activity can markedly block these processes, both in vitro and in vivo. Immunization of tumor-bearing mice with a phage vaccine fused with the AspH protein can substantially delay tumor growth and progression. Additionally, AspH antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were identified in the spleen of tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, these agents may be used as novel strategies for cancer treatment. The present review summarizes the current progress on the underlying mechanisms of AspH expression in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Zheng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Jinhui Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Bingjun Bai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
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Kanwal M, Smahel M, Olsen M, Smahelova J, Tachezy R. Aspartate β-hydroxylase as a target for cancer therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:163. [PMID: 32811566 PMCID: PMC7433162 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01669-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As metastasis is a major cause of death in cancer patients, new anti-metastatic strategies are needed to improve cancer therapy outcomes. Numerous pathways have been shown to contribute to migration and invasion of malignant tumors. Aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH) is a key player in the malignant transformation of solid tumors by enhancing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. ASPH also promotes tumor growth by stimulation of angiogenesis and immunosuppression. These effects are mainly achieved via the activation of Notch and SRC signaling pathways. ASPH expression is upregulated by growth factors and hypoxia in different human tumors and its inactivation may have broad clinical impact. Therefore, small molecule inhibitors of ASPH enzymatic activity have been developed and their anti-metastatic effect confirmed in preclinical mouse models. ASPH can also be targeted by monoclonal antibodies and has also been used as a tumor-associated antigen to induce both cluster of differentiation (CD) 8+ and CD4+ T cells in mice. The PAN-301-1 vaccine against ASPH has already been tested in a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with prostate cancer. In summary, ASPH is a promising target for anti-tumor and anti-metastatic therapy based on inactivation of catalytic activity and/or immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Kanwal
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Smahel
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Mark Olsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy - Glendale, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA
- Crenae Therapeutics, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Jana Smahelova
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ruth Tachezy
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
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Ogawa K, Lin Q, Li L, Bai X, Chen X, Chen H, Kong R, Wang Y, Zhu H, He F, Xu Q, Liu L, Li M, Zhang S, Nagaoka K, Carlson R, Safran H, Charpentier K, Sun B, Wands J, Dong X. Aspartate β-hydroxylase promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastasis through activation of SRC signaling pathway. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:144. [PMID: 31888763 PMCID: PMC6937817 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0837-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Signaling pathways critical for embryonic development re-emerge in adult pancreas during tumorigenesis. Aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH) drives embryonic cell motility/invasion in pancreatic development/differentiation. We explored if dysregulated ASPH is critically involved in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. METHODS To demonstrate if/how ASPH mediates malignant phenotypes, proliferation, migration, 2-D/3-D invasion, pancreatosphere formation, immunofluorescence, Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, invadopodia formation/maturation/function, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and self-developed in vitro metastasis assays were performed. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) were established to illustrate in vivo antitumor effects of the third-generation small molecule inhibitor specifically against ASPH's β-hydroxylase activity. Prognostic values of ASPH network components were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier plots, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS ASPH renders pancreatic cancer cells more aggressive phenotypes characterized by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), 2-D/3-D invasion, invadopodia formation/function as demonstrated by extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, stemness (cancer stem cell marker upregulation and pancreatosphere formation), transendothelial migration (mimicking intravasation/extravasation), and sphere formation (mimicking metastatic colonization/outgrowth at distant sites). Mechanistically, ASPH activates SRC cascade through direct physical interaction with ADAM12/ADAM15 independent of FAK. The ASPH-SRC axis enables invadopodia construction and initiates MMP-mediated ECM degradation/remodeling as executors for invasiveness. Pharmacologic inhibition of invadopodia attenuates in vitro metastasis. ASPH fosters primary tumor development and pulmonary metastasis in PDX models of PDAC, which is blocked by a leading compound specifically against ASPH enzymatic activity. ASPH is silenced in normal pancreas, progressively upregulated from pre-malignant lesions to invasive/advanced stages of PDAC. Expression profiling of ASPH-SRC network components independently/jointly predicts clinical outcome of PDAC patients. Compared to a negative-low level, a moderate-very high level of ASPH, ADAM12, activated SRC, and MMPs correlated with curtailed overall survival (OS) of pancreatic cancer patients (log-rank test, ps < 0.001). The more unfavorable molecules patients carry, the more deleterious prognosis is destinated. Patients with 0-2 (n = 4), 3-5 (n = 8), 6-8 (n = 24), and 9-12 (n = 73) unfavorable expression scores of the 5 molecules had median survival time of 55.4, 15.9, 9.7, and 5.0 months, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Targeting the ASPH-SRC axis, which is essential for propagating multi-step PDAC metastasis, may specifically/substantially retard development/progression and thus improve prognosis of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Ogawa
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Qiushi Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA
| | - Le Li
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewei Bai
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA.,Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Internal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Kong
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongwei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuliang He
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA.,Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, The 9th Affiliated Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinggang Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA.,Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, The University of Sciences and Technology of China, No. 17 Lujiang Road, Hefei City, 230001, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Songhua Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Rolf Carlson
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Howard Safran
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital/The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kevin Charpentier
- Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Bei Sun
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jack Wands
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Xiaoqun Dong
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA. .,Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA. .,Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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Lin Q, Chen X, Meng F, Ogawa K, Li M, Song R, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Kong X, Xu Q, He F, Bai X, Sun B, Hung MC, Liu L, Wands J, Dong X. ASPH-notch Axis guided Exosomal delivery of Prometastatic Secretome renders breast Cancer multi-organ metastasis. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:156. [PMID: 31694640 PMCID: PMC6836474 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1077-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH) is silent in normal adult tissues only to re-emerge during oncogenesis where its function is required for generation and maintenance of malignant phenotypes. Exosomes enable prooncogenic secretome delivering and trafficking for long-distance cell-to-cell communication. This study aims to explore molecular mechanisms underlying how ASPH network regulates designated exosomes to program development and progression of breast cancer. METHODS Stable cell lines overexpressing or knocking-out of ASPH were established using lentivirus transfection or CRISPR-CAS9 systems. Western blot, MTT, immunofluorescence, luciferase reporter, co-immunoprecipitation, 2D/3-D invasion, tube formation, mammosphere formation, immunohistochemistry and newly developed in vitro metastasis were applied. RESULTS Through physical interactions with Notch receptors, ligands (JAGs) and regulators (ADAM10/17), ASPH activates Notch cascade to provide raw materials (especially MMPs/ADAMs) for synthesis/release of pro-metastatic exosomes. Exosomes orchestrate EMT, 2-D/3-D invasion, stemness, angiogenesis, and premetastatic niche formation. Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) of ASPH's β-hydroxylase specifically/efficiently abrogated in vitro metastasis, which mimics basement membrane invasion at primary site, intravasation/extravasation (transendothelial migration), and colonization/outgrowth at distant sites. Multiple organ-metastases in orthotopic and tail vein injection murine models were substantially blocked by a specific SMI. ASPH is silenced in normal adult breast, upregulated from in situ malignancies to highly expressed in invasive/advanced ductal carcinoma. Moderate-high expression of ASPH confers more aggressive molecular subtypes (TNBC or Her2 amplified), early recurrence/progression and devastating outcome (reduced overall/disease-free survival) of breast cancer. Expression profiling of Notch signaling components positively correlates with ASPH expression in breast cancer patients, confirming that ASPH-Notch axis acts functionally in breast tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS ASPH-Notch axis guides particularly selective exosomes to potentiate multifaceted metastasis. ASPH's pro-oncogenic/pro-metastatic properties are essential for breast cancer development/progression, revealing a potential target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Internal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanzheng Meng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Kosuke Ogawa
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Min Li
- Immunobiology & Transplant Science Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ruipeng Song
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shugeng Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ziran Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xianglu Kong
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qinggang Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuliang He
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, The 9th affiliated hospital of Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewei Bai
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Sun
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Graduate School of Biomedical Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, The University of Sciences and Technology of China, No. 17 Lujiang Road, Hefei City, 230001, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jack Wands
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 55 Claverick Street, 4th Fl., Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Xiaoqun Dong
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 731014, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
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Tong M, Gao JS, Borgas D, de la Monte SM. Phosphorylation Modulates Aspartyl-(Asparaginyl)-β Hydroxylase Protein Expression, Catalytic Activity and Migration in Human Immature Neuronal Cerebellar Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 6. [PMID: 29607347 DOI: 10.4172/2324-9293.1000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Background Abundant aspartyl-asparaginyl-β-hydroxylase (ASPH) expression supports robust neuronal migration during development, and reduced ASPH expression and function, as occur in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, impair cerebellar neuron migration. ASPH mediates its effects on cell migration via hydroxylation-dependent activation of Notch signaling networks. Insulin and Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) stimulate ASPH mRNA transcription and enhance ASPH protein expression by inhibiting Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β). This study examines the role of direct GSK-3β phosphorylation as a modulator of ASPH protein expression and function in human cerebellar-derived PNET2 cells. Methods Predicted phosphorylation sites encoded by human ASPH were ablated by S/T→A site-directed mutagenesis of an N-Myc-tagged wildtype (WT) cDNA regulated by a CMV promoter. Phenotypic and functional features were assessed in transiently transfected PNET2 cells. Results Cells transfected with WT ASPH had increased ASPH protein expression, directional motility, Notch-1 and Jagged-1 expression, and catalytic activity relative to control. Although most single- and multi-point ASPH mutants also had increased ASPH protein expression, their effects on Notch and Jagged expression, directional motility and adhesion, and catalytic activity varied such that only a few of the cDNA constructs conferred functional advantages over WT. Immunofluorescence studies showed that ASPH phosphorylation site deletions can alter the subcellular distribution of ASPH and therefore its potential interactions with Notch/Jagged at the cell surface. Conclusions Inhibition of ASPH phosphorylation enhances ASPH protein expression, but attendant alterations in intra-cellular trafficking may govern the functional consequences in relation to neuronal migration, adhesion and Notch activated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tong
- Liver Research Center, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Neuropathology, and Departments of Medicine, Pathology (Neuropathology), Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI and the Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jin-Song Gao
- Liver Research Center, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Neuropathology, and Departments of Medicine, Pathology (Neuropathology), Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI and the Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Diana Borgas
- Liver Research Center, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Neuropathology, and Departments of Medicine, Pathology (Neuropathology), Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI and the Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne M de la Monte
- Liver Research Center, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Neuropathology, and Departments of Medicine, Pathology (Neuropathology), Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI and the Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Dong X, Lin Q, Aihara A, Li Y, Huang CK, Chung W, Tang Q, Chen X, Carlson R, Nadolny C, Gabriel G, Olsen M, Wands JR. Aspartate β-Hydroxylase expression promotes a malignant pancreatic cellular phenotype. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1231-48. [PMID: 25483102 PMCID: PMC4359229 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths due to aggressive progression and metastatic spread. Aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH), a cell surface protein that catalyzes the hydroxylation of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats in Notch receptors and ligands, is highly overexpressed in PC. ASPH upregulation confers a malignant phenotype characterized by enhanced cell proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation in vitro as well as PC tumor growth in vivo. The transforming properties of ASPH depend on enzymatic activity. ASPH links PC growth factor signaling cascades to Notch activation. A small molecule inhibitor of β-hydroxylase activity was developed and found to reduce PC growth by downregulating the Notch signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate the critical involvement of ASPH in PC growth and progression, provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms leading to tumor development and growth and have important therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqun Dong
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.,Current address: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Qiushi Lin
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.,Current address: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Arihiro Aihara
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Chiung-Kuei Huang
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Waihong Chung
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Qi Tang
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Rolf Carlson
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Christina Nadolny
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Gregory Gabriel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
| | - Mark Olsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy-Glendale, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Jack R Wands
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Borgas DL, Gao JS, Tong M, de la Monte SM. Potential Role of Phosphorylation as a Regulator of Aspartyl-(asparaginyl)-β-hydroxylase: Relevance to Infiltrative Spread of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2015; 4:139-53. [PMID: 26675015 PMCID: PMC4608650 DOI: 10.1159/000367731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abundant expression of aspartyl-(asparaginyl)-β-hydroxylase (AAH) correlates with infiltrative growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we examine the role of phosphorylation in relation to AAH's protein expression, hydroxylase activity, promotion of cell motility, and activation of Notch signaling in human Huh7 hepatoma cells. Predicted glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and casein kinase 2 (CK2) phosphorylation sites encoded by human AAH cDNA were ablated by S/T→A site-directed mutagenesis using N-Myc-tagged constructs in which gene expression was controlled by a cytomegalovirus promoter. Functional consequences were assessed in transiently transfected Huh7 cells. Cells transfected with wildtype AAH had significantly increased AAH expression, catalytic activity, HES-1 expression, and directional motility relative to controls. Single phosphorylation site mutations in the C-terminus largely abrogated these effects and further inhibited catalytic activity relative to that in cells transfected with empty vector, whereas the effects of single point mutations within the N-terminus were more varied. In contrast, AAH cDNAs carrying multiple phosphorylation site mutations exhibited wildtype levels of AAH catalytic activity suggesting that the effects of AAH phosphorylation are complex and non-uniform. AAH expression and function can be modulated by direct phosphorylation of the protein. These findings suggest additional strategies for inhibiting infiltrative growth of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Suzanne M. de la Monte
- *Suzanne M. de la Monte, MD, MPH, Liver Research Center, Divisions of Gastroenterology and, Neuropathology, and Departments of Medicine, Pathology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical, School of Brown University, Pierre Galletti Research Building, Rhode Island Hospital, 55 Claverick Street, Room 419, Providence, RI 02903 (USA), Tel. +1 401 444 7364, E-Mail
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11
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Gundogan F, Gilligan J, Qi W, Chen E, Naram R, de la Monte SM. Dose effect of gestational ethanol exposure on placentation and fetal growth. Placenta 2015; 36:523-30. [PMID: 25745824 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal ethanol exposure compromises fetal growth by impairing placentation. Invasive trophoblastic cells, which mediate placentation, express the insulin-IGF regulated gene, aspartyl-asparaginyl β-hydroxylase (ASPH), which has a critical role in cell motility and invasion. The aims of this study were to characterize effects of ethanol on trophoblastic cell motility, and assess ethanol dose-dependent impairments in placentation and fetal development. METHODS Pregnant Long Evans dams were fed with isocaloric liquid diets containing 0%, 8%, 18% or 37% ethanol (caloric content) from gestation day (GD) 6 to GD18. Fetal development, placental morphology, density of invasive trophoblasts at the mesometrial triangle, as well as placental and mesometrial ASPH and Notch-1 protein expression were evaluated. Directional motility of control and ethanol-exposed HTR-8/SVneo cells was assessed by ATP Luminescence-Based assay. RESULTS Severity of fetal growth impairment correlated with increasing doses of ethanol. Ethanol exposure produced dose-dependent alterations in branching morphogenesis at the labyrinthine zone, and inhibited physiological transformation of maternal arteries. ASPH and Notch-1 protein expression levels were reduced, corresponding with impairments in placentation. DISCUSSION Prenatal ethanol exposure compromises fetal growth and placentation in a dose-responsive manner. Ethanol's adverse effects on placental development are mediated by: (1) altered branching morphogenesis in labyrinthine zone; (2) suppression of invasive trophoblastic precursor cells; and (3) inhibition of trophoblastic cell adhesion and motility, corresponding with reduced ASPH and Notch-1 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gundogan
- Department of Pathology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA; Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, USA
| | - J Gilligan
- Department of Medicine, Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA
| | - W Qi
- Department of Medicine, Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA
| | - E Chen
- Department of Medicine, Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA
| | - R Naram
- Department of Pathology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA
| | - S M de la Monte
- Department of Pathology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA; Department of Medicine, Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02905, USA; Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI, 02905, USA.
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12
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Gilligan J, Tong M, Longato L, de la Monte SM, Gundogan F. Precision-cut slice culture method for rat placenta. Placenta 2011; 33:67-72. [PMID: 22079834 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Primary trophoblasts, placental explants, and cell line cultures are commonly used to investigate placental development, physiology, and pathology, particularly in relation to pregnancy outcomes. Organotypic slice cultures are increasingly used in other systems because they maintain the normal three-dimensional tissue architecture and have all cell types represented. Herein, we demonstrate the utility of the precision-cut placental slice culture model for studying trophoblastic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gilligan
- Department of Medicine, Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Gundogan F, Bedoya A, Gilligan J, Lau E, Mark P, De Paepe ME, de la Monte SM. siRNA inhibition of aspartyl-asparaginyl β-hydroxylase expression impairs cell motility, Notch signaling, and fetal growth. Pathol Res Pract 2011; 207:545-53. [PMID: 21862239 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aspartyl-asparaginyl-β-hydroxylase (AAH) regulates cell motility and invasiveness by enhancing Notch signaling. Invasive trophoblastic cells, which mediate placentation, normally express high levels of AAH. Previously, we showed that ethanol-impaired placentation is associated with reduced AAH expression. The present study determines the degree to which inhibition of AAH expression is sufficient to impair functions required for placentation. Immortalized, first trimester-derived, human trophoblastic cells (HTR-8/SVneo) were transfected with siRNA targeting AAH (siRNA-AAH) or no specific sequences (siRNA-Scr) using the Amaxa electroporation system. Directional motility was measured using an ATP luminescence-based assay. For in vivo studies, we microinjected siRNA-AAH or siRNA-Scr directly into the implantation sites (mesometrial triangle) of gestation-day-17, Long Evans pregnant rats, and harvested placentas 24 h later for histologic and molecular studies. siRNA-AAH transfection reduced AAH expression and directional motility in HTR-8/SVneo cells. In vivo delivery of siRNA-AAH reduced AAH expression and mean number of invasive trophoblastic cells at the implantation site. These adverse effects of siRNA-AAH were associated with impaired fetal growth and significantly reduced expression of Notch-signaling network genes. AAH is an important, positive regulator of trophoblastic cell motility, and inhibition of AAH in vivo leads to impaired implantation and fetal growth, and alters Notch-signaling mechanisms, similar to the effects of chronic ethanol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusun Gundogan
- Department of Pathology, Women and Infants' Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
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Xue T, Xue XP, Huang QS, Wei L, Sun K, Xue T. Monoclonal antibodies against human aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase developed by DNA immunization. Hybridoma (Larchmt) 2009; 28:251-7. [PMID: 19663697 DOI: 10.1089/hyb.2009.0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
We newly cloned the gene encoding the human aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) from the surgical tissue of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. This study was designed to generate HAAH-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) for further exploration of its structure and function. Mice were co-immunized with naked plasmid DNA containing N-terminal domain of encoding HAAH gene and recombinant HAAH polypeptide. Hybridomas were developed by the electrofusion of the splenocytes from mice immunized with plasmid DNA to Sp2/0 myeloma cells in vitro. Three hybridoma cell lines (designated G3, G9, and F11, respectively) stably secreting HAAH-specific MAbs were obtained. The specificity and sensitivity of MAbs were assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Results showed that the three MAbs belong to IgG1 kappa isotype, the titer of MAbs reached was 5 x 10(4) - 1 x 10(5), and the affinity constant (k(aff)) of MAbs ranged between 2.5 x 10(8) - 1.1 x 10(9). MAb G3 was preliminarily applied to detection expression of HAAH for seven tumor tissues, including hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and glioblastoma by immunohistochemical stain. Our studies demonstrated that co-immunization of naked DNA containing encoding gene of target antigen and recombinant target protein, and combined with in vitro electrofusion, is an effective and simple method to raise MAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xue
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Road, Xi'an, China
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Gundogan F, Elwood G, Mark P, Feijoo A, Longato L, Tong M, de la Monte SM. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat placenta: relevance to pregnancy loss. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2009; 34:415-23. [PMID: 20028358 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.01106.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethanol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of early pregnancy loss and causes intrauterine growth restriction. We previously showed that chronic gestational exposure to ethanol impairs placentation, and that this effect is associated with inhibition of insulin and insulin growth factor signaling. Since ethanol also causes oxidative stress and DNA damage, we extended our investigations to assess the role of these pathological processes on placentation and placental gene expression. METHODS Pregnant Long Evans rats were pair-fed liquid diets containing 0% or 24% ethanol by caloric content. Placentas harvested on gestation day 16 were used to examine DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, mitochondrial gene/protein and hormonal gene expression in relation to ethanol exposure. RESULTS Gestational exposure to ethanol increased fetal resorption, and trophoblast apoptosis/necrosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation. These adverse effects of ethanol were associated with increased expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax and Bak) and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. In addition, increased trophoblast apoptosis proneness was associated with p53-independent activation of p21, reduced mitochondrial gene and protein expression, and dysregulated expression of prolactin (PRL) family hormones that are required for implantation and pregnancy-related adaptations. CONCLUSIONS Chronic gestational exposure to ethanol increases fetal demise due to impaired survival and mitochondrial function, increased oxidative stress, DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, and dysregulated expression of prolactin family hormones in placental trophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusun Gundogan
- Department of Pathology, Women and Infants Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA
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Finotti A, Treves S, Zorzato F, Gambari R, Feriotto G. Upstream stimulatory factors are involved in the P1 promoter directed transcription of the A beta H-J-J locus. BMC Mol Biol 2008; 9:110. [PMID: 19087304 PMCID: PMC2625362 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-9-110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternative splicing of the locus A beta H-J-J generates functionally distinct proteins: the enzyme aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (AAH), truncated homologs of AAH with a role in calcium homeostasis humbug and junctate and a structural protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes junctin. AAH and humbug are over expressed in a broad range of malignant neoplasms. We have previously reported that this locus contains two promoters, P1 and P2. While AAH and humbug are expressed in most tissues under the regulation of the P1 promoter, AAH, junctin and junctate are predominantly expressed in excitable tissues under the control of the P2 promoter. We previously demonstrated that Sp transcription factors positively regulate the P1 promoter. RESULTS In the present study, we extended the functional characterization of the P1 promoter of the A beta H-J-J locus. We demonstrated by quantitative Real-time RT-PCR that mRNAs from the P1 promoter are actively transcribed in all the human cell lines analysed. To investigate the transcription mechanism we transiently transfected HeLa cells with sequentially deleted reporter constructs containing different regions of the -661/+81 P1 nucleotide sequence. Our results showed that (i) this promoter fragment is a powerful activator of the reporter gene in HeLa cell line, (ii) the region spanning 512 bp upstream of the transcription start site exhibits maximal level of transcriptional activity, (iii) progressive deletions from -512 gradually reduce reporter expression. The region responsible for maximal transcription contains an E-box site; we characterized the molecular interactions between USF1/2 with this E-box element by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and supershift analysis. In addition, our USF1 and USF2 chromatin immunoprecipitation results demonstrate that these transcription factors bind the P1 promoter in vivo. A functional role of USF1/USF2 in upregulating P1-directed transcription was demonstrated by analysis of the effects of (i) in vitro mutagenesis of the P1/E-box binding site, (ii) RNA interference targeting USF1 transcripts. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that USF factors positively regulate the core of P1 promoter, and, together with our previously data, we can conclude that both Sp and USF DNA interaction and transcription activity are involved in the P1 promoter dependent expression of AAH and humbug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
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Gundogan F, Elwood G, Longato L, Tong M, Feijoo A, Carlson RI, Wands JR, de la Monte SM. Impaired placentation in fetal alcohol syndrome. Placenta 2007; 29:148-57. [PMID: 18054075 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2007.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2006] [Revised: 10/09/2007] [Accepted: 10/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the key features of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and IUGR can be mediated by impaired placentation. Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) regulate placentation due to stimulatory effects on extravillous trophoblasts, which are highly motile and invasive. Previous studies demonstrated that extravillous trophoblasts express high levels of aspartyl-(asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (AAH), a gene that is regulated by IGF and has a critical role in cell motility and invasion. The present study examines the hypothesis that ethanol impaired placentation is associated with inhibition of AAH expression in trophoblasts. Pregnant Long Evans rats were fed isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 37% ethanol by caloric content. Placentas harvested on gestation day 16 were used for histopathological, mRNA, and protein studies to examine AAH expression in relation to the integrity of placentation and ethanol exposure. Chronic ethanol feeding prevented or impaired the physiological conversion of uterine vessels required for expansion of maternal circulation into placenta, a crucial process for adequate placentation. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated significant reductions in IRS-1, IRS-2, and significant increases in IGF-II and IGF-II receptor mRNA levels in ethanol-exposed placentas. These abnormalities were associated with significantly reduced levels of AAH expression in trophoblastic cells, particularly within the mesometrial triangle (deep placental bed) as demonstrated by real time quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, ELISA, and immunohistochemical staining. Ethanol-impaired placentation is associated with inhibition of AAH expression in trophoblasts. This effect of chronic gestational exposure to ethanol may contribute to IUGR in FAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gundogan
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Feriotto G, Finotti A, Breveglieri G, Treves S, Zorzato F, Gambari R. Transcriptional activity and Sp 1/3 transcription factor binding to the P1 promoter sequences of the human AbetaH-J-J locus. FEBS J 2007; 274:4476-90. [PMID: 17681019 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.05976.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of the locus AbetaH-J-J generates functionally distinct proteins: the enzyme aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase, humbug and junctate (truncated homologs of aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase with a role in calcium regulation), and junctin (a structural protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane). Aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase and humbug are overexpressed in a broad range of malignant neoplasms. We have previously reported the gene structure of this locus, showing the presence of two putative promoters, P1 and P2, and characterized the P2 sequences, directing tissue-specific transcription of junctin, aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase and junctate. In addition, aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase and humbug are expressed from exon 1 by the P1 promoter. The present study identifies and functionally characterizes the P1 promoter activity of the AbetaH-J-J locus. We demonstrate that mRNAs from the P1 promoter are actively transcribed in all the human tissues and cell lines analyzed, and define the transcription start point in HeLa and RD cells. To investigate the transcription mechanism we cloned 1.7 kb upstream of exon 1 from a human BAC clone, and produced progressively deleted reporter constructs. Our results showed that: (a) the 1.7 kb fragment was a powerful activator of the reporter gene in human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) and human embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell lines; (b) 512 bp upstream of the transcription start site were essential for maximal promoter activity; and (c) progressive deletions from -512 resulted in gradually decreased reporter expression. The region responsible for maximal transcription contains at least 12 GC boxes homologous to binding sequences of specific transcription factor 1 (Sp1); by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and supershift analysis, we identified three GC-rich elements that bind Sp transcription factor family nuclear factors with very high efficiency. A functional role of Sp transcription factors in upregulating P1-directed transcription was demonstrated by analysis of the effects of: (a) in vitro mutagenesis of the Sp1 transcription factor binding sites; (b) transfection with Sp transcription factor 1/3 expression vectors; and (c) treatment with decoy oligonucleotides targeting Sp transcription factors. In addition, Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factor chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated in vivo binding of these proteins to P1 promoter. Our results suggest that Sp transcription factors positively regulate the core of the P1 promoter, and the comparison of the two promoters of the AbetaH-J-J locus demonstrates that they are very different with regard to transcriptional efficiency and ability to direct tissue-specific transcription.
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Differential growth factor regulation of aspartyl-(asparaginyl)-beta-hydroxylase family genes in SH-Sy5y human neuroblastoma cells. BMC Cell Biol 2006; 7:41. [PMID: 17156427 PMCID: PMC1764734 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2121-7-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2006] [Accepted: 12/07/2006] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aspartyl (asparaginyl)-β-hydroxylase (AAH) hydroxylates Asp and Asn residues within EGF-like domains of Notch and Jagged, which mediate cell motility and differentiation. This study examines the expression, regulation and function of AAH, and its related transcripts, Humbug and Junctin, which lack catalytic domains, using SH-Sy5y neuroblastoma cells. Results Real time quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated 8- or 9-fold higher levels of Humbug than AAH and Junctin, and lower levels of all 3 transcripts in normal human brains compared with neuroblastic tumor cells. AAH and Humbug expression were significantly increased in response to insulin and IGF-I stimulation, and these effects were associated with increased directional motility. However, over-expression of AAH and not Humbug significantly increased motility. Treatment with chemical inhibitors of Akt, Erk MAPK, or cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk-5) significantly reduced IGF-I stimulated AAH and Humbug expression and motility relative to vehicle-treated control cells. In addition, significantly increased AAH and Humbug expression and directional motility were observed in cells co-transfected with Cdk-5 plus its p35 or p25 regulatory partner. Further studies demonstrated that activated Cdk-5 mediated its stimulatory effects on AAH through Erk MAPK and PI3 kinase. Conclusion AAH and Humbug are over-expressed in SH-Sy5y neuroblastoma cells, and their mRNAs are regulated by insulin/IGF-1 signaling through Erk MAPK, PI3 kinase-Akt, and Cdk-5, which are known mediators of cell migration. Although AAH and Humbug share regulatory signaling pathways, AAH and not Humbug mediates directional motility in SH-Sy5y neuroblastoma cells.
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