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Romero-Reyes J, Vázquez-Martínez ER, Silva CC, Molina-Hernández A, Díaz NF, Camacho-Arroyo I. Navigating glioblastoma complexity: the interplay of neurotransmitters and chromatin. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:912. [PMID: 39153092 PMCID: PMC11330389 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09853-3] [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: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain cancer with an unfavorable prognosis for patient survival. Glioma stem cells, a subpopulation of cancer cells, drive tumor initiation, self-renewal, and resistance to therapy and, together with the microenvironment, play a crucial role in glioblastoma maintenance and progression. Neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin have contrasting effects on glioblastoma development, stimulating or inhibiting its progression depending on the cellular context and through their action on glioma stem cells, perhaps changing the epigenetic landscape. Recent studies have revealed that serotonin and dopamine induce chromatin modifications related to transcriptional plasticity in the mammalian brain and possibly in glioblastoma; however, this topic still needs to be explored because of its potential implications for glioblastoma treatment. Also, it is essential to consider that neurotransmitters' effects depend on the tumor's microenvironment since it can significantly influence the response and behavior of cancer cells. This review examines the possible role of neurotransmitters as regulators of glioblastoma development, focusing on their impact on the chromatin of glioma stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Romero-Reyes
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - Edgar Ricardo Vázquez-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - Carlos-Camilo Silva
- Chronobiology of Reproduction Research Lab. Biology of Reproduction Research Unit, Carrera de Biología, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - Anayansi Molina-Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, México
| | - Néstor Fabián Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, México.
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México.
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Lin H, Cui Z, E T, Xu H, Wang D, Wang P, Ruan X, Liu L, Xue Y. M6A-methylated circPOLR2B forms an R-loop and regulates the biological behavior of glioma stem cells through positive feedback loops. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:554. [PMID: 39090090 PMCID: PMC11294345 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06946-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor, and targeting glioma stem cells (GSCs) has become a key aspect of glioma treatment. In this study, we discovered a molecular network in which circRNA forms an R-loop structure with its parental gene to regulate the biological behavior of GSCs. Genes with abnormal expression in GSCs were screened using RNA-seq and circRNA microarray analyses. The study results showed that high expression of YTHDC1 in GSCs promoted the transportation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-modified circPOLR2B from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Decreased circPOLR2B levels in the nucleus resulted in fewer R-loop structures formed with its parental gene POLR2B. This reduction in R-loop structures relieved the inhibitory effect on POLR2B transcription and upregulated PBX1 expression through alternative polyadenylation (APA) action, thereby promoting the malignant biological behavior of GSCs. Knockdown of YTHDC1, POLR2B, and PBX1 reduced xenograft tumor volume and prolonged the survival of nude mice. The YTHDC1/circPOLR2B/POLR2B/PBX1 axis plays a regulatory role in the biological behavior of GSCs, offering potential targets and novel strategies for the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongda Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Medical Surgery and Rehabilitation Robot Technology Engineering Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Zheng Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Medical Surgery and Rehabilitation Robot Technology Engineering Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Tiange E
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Medical Surgery and Rehabilitation Robot Technology Engineering Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Hailing Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Medical Surgery and Rehabilitation Robot Technology Engineering Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Medical Surgery and Rehabilitation Robot Technology Engineering Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Xuelei Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Libo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Yixue Xue
- Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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Allopregnanolone Promotes Migration and Invasion of Human Glioblastoma Cells through the Protein Tyrosine Kinase c-Src Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094996. [PMID: 35563388 PMCID: PMC9105169 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBs) are the most aggressive and common primary malignant brain tumors. Steroid hormone progesterone (P4) and its neuroactive metabolites, such as allopregnanolone (3α-THP) are synthesized by neural, glial, and malignant GB cells. P4 promotes cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion of human GB cells at physiological concentrations. It has been reported that 3α-THP promotes GB cell proliferation. Here we investigated the effects of 3α-THP on GB cell migration and invasion, the participation of the enzymes involved in its metabolism (AKR1C1-4), and the role of the c-Src kinase in 3α-THP effects in GBs. 3α-THP 100 nM promoted migration and invasion of U251, U87, and LN229 human-derived GB cell lines. We observed that U251, LN229, and T98G cell lines exhibited a higher protein content of AKR1C1-4 than normal human astrocytes. AKR1C1-4 silencing did not modify 3α-THP effects on migration and invasion. 3α-THP activated c-Src protein at 10 min (U251 cells) and 15 min (U87 and LN229 cells). Interestingly, the pharmacological inhibition of c-Src decreases the promoting effects of 3α-THP on cell migration and invasion. Together, these data indicate that 3α-THP promotes GB migration and invasion through c-Src activation.
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Bello-Alvarez C, Camacho-Arroyo I. Impact of sex in the prevalence and progression of glioblastomas: the role of gonadal steroid hormones. Biol Sex Differ 2021; 12:28. [PMID: 33752729 PMCID: PMC7986260 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-021-00372-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As in other types of cancers, sex is an essential factor in the origin and progression of glioblastomas. Research in the field of endocrinology and cancer suggests that gonadal steroid hormones play an important role in the progression and prevalence of glioblastomas. In the present review, we aim to discuss the actions and mechanism triggered by gonadal steroid hormones in glioblastomas. MAIN BODY Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. According to the epidemiological data, glioblastomas are more frequent in men than in women in a 1.6/1 proportion both in children and adults. This evidence, and the knowledge about sex influence over the prevalence of countless diseases, suggest that male gonadal steroid hormones, such as testosterone, promote glioblastomas growth. In contrast, a protective role of female gonadal steroid hormones (estradiol and progesterone) against glioblastomas has been questioned. Several pieces of evidence demonstrate a variety of effects induced by female and male gonadal steroid hormones in glioblastomas. Several studies indicate that pregnancy, a physiological state with the highest progesterone and estradiol levels, accelerates the progression of low-grade astrocytomas to glioblastomas and increases the symptoms associated with these tumors. In vitro studies have demonstrated that progesterone has a dual role in glioblastoma cells: physiological concentrations promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while very high doses (out physiological range) reduce cell proliferation and increases cell death. CONCLUSION Gonadal steroid hormones can stimulate the progression of glioblastomas through the increase in proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, the effects mentioned above depend on the concentrations of these hormones and the receptor involved in hormone actions. Estradiol and progesterone can exert promoter or protective effects while the role of testosterone has been always associated to glioblastomas progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bello-Alvarez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 04510, Ciudad de México, México.
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Llaguno-Munive M, Vazquez-Lopez MI, Jurado R, Garcia-Lopez P. Mifepristone Repurposing in Treatment of High-Grade Gliomas. Front Oncol 2021; 11:606907. [PMID: 33680961 PMCID: PMC7930566 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.606907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system. The standard treatment for malignant gliomas is surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy. Unfortunately, this treatment has not produced an adequate patient response, resulting in a median survival time of 12–15 months and a 5-year overall survival of <5%. Although new strategies have been sought to enhance patient response, no significant increase in the global survival of glioma patients has been achieved. The option of developing new drugs implies a long and costly process, making drug repurposing a more practical alternative for improving glioma treatment. In the last few years, researchers seeking more effective cancer therapy have pursued the possibility of using anti-hormonal agents, such as mifepristone. The latter drug, an antagonist for progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors, has several attractive features: anti-tumor activity, low cytotoxicity to healthy cells, and modulation of the chemosensitivity of several cancer cell lines in vitro. Hence, the addition of mifepristone to temozolomide-based glioblastoma chemotherapy may lead to a better patient response. The mechanisms by which mifepristone enhances glioma treatment are not yet known. The current review aims to discuss the potential role of mifepristone as an adjuvant drug for the treatment of high-grade gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Llaguno-Munive
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria Ines Vazquez-Lopez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Jurado
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Garcia-Lopez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
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