1
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Park JH, Hothi P, de Lomana ALG, Pan M, Calder R, Turkarslan S, Wu WJ, Lee H, Patel AP, Cobbs C, Huang S, Baliga NS. Gene regulatory network topology governs resistance and treatment escape in glioma stem-like cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj7706. [PMID: 38848360 PMCID: PMC11160475 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Poor prognosis and drug resistance in glioblastoma (GBM) can result from cellular heterogeneity and treatment-induced shifts in phenotypic states of tumor cells, including dedifferentiation into glioma stem-like cells (GSCs). This rare tumorigenic cell subpopulation resists temozolomide, undergoes proneural-to-mesenchymal transition (PMT) to evade therapy, and drives recurrence. Through inference of transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) of patient-derived GSCs (PD-GSCs) at single-cell resolution, we demonstrate how the topology of transcription factor interaction networks drives distinct trajectories of cell-state transitions in PD-GSCs resistant or susceptible to cytotoxic drug treatment. By experimentally testing predictions based on TRN simulations, we show that drug treatment drives surviving PD-GSCs along a trajectory of intermediate states, exposing vulnerability to potentiated killing by siRNA or a second drug targeting treatment-induced transcriptional programs governing nongenetic cell plasticity. Our findings demonstrate an approach to uncover TRN topology and use it to rationally predict combinatorial treatments that disrupt acquired resistance in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parvinder Hothi
- Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Min Pan
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Wei-Ju Wu
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hwahyung Lee
- Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anoop P. Patel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles Cobbs
- Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sui Huang
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nitin S. Baliga
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
- Departments of Microbiology, Biology, and Molecular Engineering Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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2
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Takchi A, Zhang M, Jalalirad M, Ferre RL, Shrestha R, Haddad T, Sarkaria J, Tuma A, Carter J, David H, Giridhar K, Wang L, Lange C, Lendahl U, Ingle J, Goetz M, D’Assoro AB. Blockade of tumor cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signaling enhances AURKA-targeted therapy in triple negative breast cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1384277. [PMID: 38873259 PMCID: PMC11169658 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1384277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancers and mainly affects pre-menopausal and minority women. Because of the lack of ER, PR or HER2 expression in TNBC, there are limited options for tailored therapies. While TNBCs respond initially to standard of care chemotherapy, tumor recurrence commonly occurs within 1 to 3 years post-chemotherapy and is associated with early organ metastasis and a high incidence of mortality. One of the major mechanisms responsible for drug resistance and emergence of organ metastasis is activation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) reprogramming. EMT-mediated cancer cell plasticity also promotes the enrichment of cancer cells with a CD44high/CD24low and/or ALDHhigh cancer stem-like phenotype [cancer stem cells (CSCs)], characterized by an increased capacity for tumor self-renewal, intrinsic drug resistance, immune evasion and metastasis. In this study we demonstrate for the first time a positive feedback loop between AURKA and intra-tumoral PD-L1 oncogenic pathways in TNBC. Genetic targeting of intra-tumoral PD-L1 expression impairs the enrichment of ALDHhigh CSCs and enhances the therapeutic efficacy of AURKA-targeted therapy. Moreover, dual AURKA and PD-L1 pharmacological blockade resulted in the strongest inhibition of tumor growth and organ metastatic burden. Taken together, our findings provide a compelling preclinical rationale for the development of novel combinatorial therapeutic strategies aimed to inhibit cancer cell plasticity, immune evasion capacity and organ metastasis in patients with advanced TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Takchi
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Minzhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Mohammad Jalalirad
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Roberto Leon Ferre
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Royal Shrestha
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Tufia Haddad
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Jann Sarkaria
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Ann Tuma
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Jodi Carter
- Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Hillman David
- Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Karthik Giridhar
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Liewei Wang
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Carol Lange
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Urban Lendahl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - James Ingle
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Matthew Goetz
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
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3
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Jiang F, Chen Y, Tomonobu N, Kinoshita R, Komalasari NLGY, Kasano-Camones CI, Ninomiya K, Murata H, Yamamoto KI, Gohara Y, Ochi T, Ruma IMW, Sumardika IW, Zhou J, Honjo T, Sakaguchi Y, Yamauchi A, Kuribayashi F, Futami J, Kondo E, Inoue Y, Toyooka S, Sakaguchi M. Dissection of the signal transduction machinery responsible for the lysyl oxidase-like 4-mediated increase in invasive motility in triple-negative breast cancer cells: mechanistic insight into the integrin-β1-NF-κB-MMP9 axis. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1371307. [PMID: 38863623 PMCID: PMC11165029 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1371307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are a highly formidable cancer to treat. Nonetheless, by continued investigation into the molecular biology underlying the complex regulation of TNBC cell activity, vulnerabilities can be exposed as potential therapeutic targets at the molecular level. We previously revealed that lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL4) promotes the invasiveness of TNBC cells via cell surface annexin A2 as a novel binding substrate of LOXL4, which promotes the abundant localization of integrin-β1 at the cancer plasma membrane. However, it has yet to be uncovered how the LOXL4-mediated abundance of integrin-β1 hastens the invasive outgrowth of TNBC cells at the molecular level. Methods LOXL4-overexpressing stable clones were established from MDA-MB-231 cells and subjected to molecular analyses, real-time qPCR and zymography to clarify their invasiveness, signal transduction, and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity, respectively. Results Our results show that LOXL4 potently promotes the induction of matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) via activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Our molecular analysis revealed that TNF receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) and TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) were required for the activation of NF-κB through Iκβ kinase kinase (IKKα/β) phosphorylation. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the newly identified LOXL4-mediated axis, integrin-β1-TRAF4-TAK1-IKKα/β-Iκβα-NF-κB-MMP9, is crucial for TNBC cell invasiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Youyi Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nahoko Tomonobu
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Rie Kinoshita
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | | | | | - Kazumi Ninomiya
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Division of Molecular Science, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Murata
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Yamamoto
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yuma Gohara
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Toshiki Ochi
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | | | | | - Jin Zhou
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of the Dalian University of Technology, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Tomoko Honjo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Sakaguchi
- Department of Microbiology, Tokushima Bunri University, Sagamihara, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Akira Yamauchi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Futoshi Kuribayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Junichiro Futami
- Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Eisaku Kondo
- Division of Tumor Pathology, Near InfraRed Photo-Immuno-Therapy Research Institute, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Inoue
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Division of Molecular Science, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma, Japan
| | - Shinichi Toyooka
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masakiyo Sakaguchi
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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4
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Miyazawa K, Itoh Y, Fu H, Miyazono K. Receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond: multiple modes of Smad2/3-dependent transmission of TGF-β signaling. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107256. [PMID: 38569937 PMCID: PMC11063908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107256] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is widely distributed throughout the body. Its receptor proteins, TGF-β type I and type II receptors, are also ubiquitously expressed. Therefore, the regulation of various signaling outputs in a context-dependent manner is a critical issue in this field. Smad proteins were originally identified as signal-activated transcription factors similar to signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins. Smads are activated by serine phosphorylation mediated by intrinsic receptor dual specificity kinases of the TGF-β family, indicating that Smads are receptor-restricted effector molecules downstream of ligands of the TGF-β family. Smad proteins have other functions in addition to transcriptional regulation, including post-transcriptional regulation of micro-RNA processing, pre-mRNA splicing, and m6A methylation. Recent technical advances have identified a novel landscape of Smad-dependent signal transduction, including regulation of mitochondrial function without involving regulation of gene expression. Therefore, Smad proteins are receptor-activated transcription factors and also act as intracellular signaling modulators with multiple modes of function. In this review, we discuss the role of Smad proteins as receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond. We also describe the functional differences between Smad2 and Smad3, two receptor-activated Smad proteins downstream of TGF-β, activin, myostatin, growth and differentiation factor (GDF) 11, and Nodal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
| | - Yuka Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Applied Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
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5
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Jang H, Kim S, Kim DY, Han JH, Park HH. TRAF1 from a Structural Perspective. Biomolecules 2024; 14:510. [PMID: 38785916 PMCID: PMC11117997 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050510] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) proteins play pivotal roles in a multitude of cellular signaling pathways, encompassing immune response, cell fate determination, development, and thrombosis. Their involvement in these processes hinges largely on their ability to interact directly with diverse receptors via the TRAF domain. Given the limited binding interface, understanding how specific TRAF domains engage with various receptors and how structurally similar binding interfaces of TRAF family members adapt their distinct binding partners has been the subject of extensive structural investigations over several decades. This review presents an in-depth exploration of the current insights into the structural and molecular diversity exhibited by the TRAF domain and TRAF-binding motifs across a range of receptors, with a specific focus on TRAF1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hyun Ho Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea; (H.J.); (S.K.); (D.Y.K.); (J.H.H.)
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6
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Deng Z, Fan T, Xiao C, Tian H, Zheng Y, Li C, He J. TGF-β signaling in health, disease, and therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:61. [PMID: 38514615 PMCID: PMC10958066 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01764-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine expressed by almost every tissue and cell type. The signal transduction of TGF-β can stimulate diverse cellular responses and is particularly critical to embryonic development, wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and immune homeostasis in health. The dysfunction of TGF-β can play key roles in many diseases, and numerous targeted therapies have been developed to rectify its pathogenic activity. In the past decades, a large number of studies on TGF-β signaling have been carried out, covering a broad spectrum of topics in health, disease, and therapeutics. Thus, a comprehensive overview of TGF-β signaling is required for a general picture of the studies in this field. In this review, we retrace the research history of TGF-β and introduce the molecular mechanisms regarding its biosynthesis, activation, and signal transduction. We also provide deep insights into the functions of TGF-β signaling in physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes. TGF-β-targeting therapies which have brought fresh hope to the treatment of relevant diseases are highlighted. Through the summary of previous knowledge and recent updates, this review aims to provide a systematic understanding of TGF-β signaling and to attract more attention and interest to this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqin Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chu Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - He Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chunxiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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7
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Runa F, Ortiz-Soto G, de Barros NR, Kelber JA. Targeting SMAD-Dependent Signaling: Considerations in Epithelial and Mesenchymal Solid Tumors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:326. [PMID: 38543112 PMCID: PMC10975212 DOI: 10.3390/ph17030326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
SMADs are the canonical intracellular effector proteins of the TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β). SMADs translocate from plasma membrane receptors to the nucleus regulated by many SMAD-interacting proteins through phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications that govern their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and subsequent transcriptional activity. The signaling pathway of TGF-β/SMAD exhibits both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting phenotypes in epithelial-derived solid tumors. Collectively, the pleiotropic nature of TGF-β/SMAD signaling presents significant challenges for the development of effective cancer therapies. Here, we review preclinical studies that evaluate the efficacy of inhibitors targeting major SMAD-regulating and/or -interacting proteins, particularly enzymes that may play important roles in epithelial or mesenchymal compartments within solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Runa
- Department of Biology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330, USA
| | | | | | - Jonathan A Kelber
- Department of Biology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA
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8
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Zhao L, Gao N, Peng X, Chen L, Meng T, Jiang C, Jin J, Zhang J, Duan Q, Tian H, Weng L, Wang X, Tan X, Li Y, Qin H, Yuan J, Ge X, Deng L, Wang P. TRAF4-Mediated LAMTOR1 Ubiquitination Promotes mTORC1 Activation and Inhibits the Inflammation-Induced Colorectal Cancer Progression. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2301164. [PMID: 38229144 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase that integrates various environmental signals to regulate cell growth and metabolism. mTORC1 activation requires tethering to lysosomes by the Ragulator-Rag complex. However, the dynamic regulation of the interaction between Ragulator and Rag guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) remains unclear. In this study, that LAMTOR1, an essential component of Ragulator, is dynamically ubiquitinated depending on amino acid abundance is reported. It is found that the E3 ligase TRAF4 directly interacts with LAMTOR1 and catalyzes the K63-linked polyubiquitination of LAMTOR1 at K151. Ubiquitination of LAMTOR1 by TRAF4 promoted its binding to Rag GTPases and enhanced mTORC1 activation, K151R knock-in or TRAF4 knock-out blocks amino acid-induced mTORC1 activation and accelerates the development of inflammation-induced colon cancer. This study revealed that TRAF4-mediated LAMTOR1 ubiquitination is a regulatory mechanism for mTORC1 activation and provides a therapeutic target for diseases involving mTORC1 dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhao
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Ni Gao
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoping Peng
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Lei Chen
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Tong Meng
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200940, P. R. China
| | - Cong Jiang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Jiali Jin
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Jiawen Zhang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Qiuhui Duan
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Hongling Tian
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Linjun Weng
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Xinbo Wang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Yaxu Li
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Huanlong Qin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- Research Institute of Intestinal Diseases, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Jian Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, P. R. China
| | - Xin Ge
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Lu Deng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, P. R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
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9
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Bolhuis DL, Emanuele MJ, Brown NG. Friend or foe? Reciprocal regulation between E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:BST20230454. [PMID: 38414432 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230454] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination is a post-translational modification that entails the covalent attachment of the small protein ubiquitin (Ub), which acts as a signal to direct protein stability, localization, or interactions. The Ub code is written by a family of enzymes called E3 Ub ligases (∼600 members in humans), which can catalyze the transfer of either a single ubiquitin or the formation of a diverse array of polyubiquitin chains. This code can be edited or erased by a different set of enzymes termed deubiquitinases (DUBs; ∼100 members in humans). While enzymes from these distinct families have seemingly opposing activities, certain E3-DUB pairings can also synergize to regulate vital cellular processes like gene expression, autophagy, innate immunity, and cell proliferation. In this review, we highlight recent studies describing Ub ligase-DUB interactions and focus on their relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek L Bolhuis
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A
| | - Michael J Emanuele
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Care Center, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A
| | - Nicholas G Brown
- Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Care Center, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, U.S.A
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10
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Park JH, Hothi P, Lopez Garcia de Lomana A, Pan M, Calder R, Turkarslan S, Wu WJ, Lee H, Patel AP, Cobbs C, Huang S, Baliga NS. Gene regulatory network topology governs resistance and treatment escape in glioma stem-like cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.02.578510. [PMID: 38370784 PMCID: PMC10871280 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.578510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Poor prognosis and drug resistance in glioblastoma (GBM) can result from cellular heterogeneity and treatment-induced shifts in phenotypic states of tumor cells, including dedifferentiation into glioma stem-like cells (GSCs). This rare tumorigenic cell subpopulation resists temozolomide, undergoes proneural-to-mesenchymal transition (PMT) to evade therapy, and drives recurrence. Through inference of transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) of patient-derived GSCs (PD-GSCs) at single-cell resolution, we demonstrate how the topology of transcription factor interaction networks drives distinct trajectories of cell state transitions in PD-GSCs resistant or susceptible to cytotoxic drug treatment. By experimentally testing predictions based on TRN simulations, we show that drug treatment drives surviving PD-GSCs along a trajectory of intermediate states, exposing vulnerability to potentiated killing by siRNA or a second drug targeting treatment-induced transcriptional programs governing non-genetic cell plasticity. Our findings demonstrate an approach to uncover TRN topology and use it to rationally predict combinatorial treatments that disrupts acquired resistance in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parvinder Hothi
- Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Min Pan
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | - Wei-Ju Wu
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
| | - Hwahyung Lee
- Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Anoop P Patel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Charles Cobbs
- Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Sui Huang
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
| | - Nitin S Baliga
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
- Departments of Microbiology, Biology, and Molecular Engineering Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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11
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Motizuki M, Yokoyama T, Saitoh M, Miyazawa K. The Snail signaling branch downstream of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway mediates Rho activation and subsequent stress fiber formation. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105580. [PMID: 38141763 PMCID: PMC10821601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105580] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells acquire malignant phenotypes through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is induced by environmental factors or extracellular signaling molecules, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Among epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated cell responses, cell morphological changes and cell motility are closely associated with remodeling of the actin stress fibers. Here, we examined the TGF-β signaling pathways leading to these cell responses. Through knockdown experiments in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, we found that Smad3-mediated induction of Snail, but not that of Slug, is indispensable for morphological changes, stress fiber formation, and enhanced motility in cells stimulated with TGF-β. Ectopic expression of Snail in SMAD3-knockout cells rescued the defect in morphological changes and stress fiber formation by TGF-β, indicating that the role of Smad3 in these responses is to upregulate Snail expression. Mechanistically, Snail is required for TGF-β-induced upregulation of Wnt5b, which in turn activates RhoA and subsequent stress fiber formation in cooperation with phosphoinositide 3-kinase. However, ectopic expression of Snail in SMAD3-knockout cells failed to rescue the defect in cell motility enhancement by TGF-β, indicating that activation of the Smad3/Snail/Wnt5b axis is indispensable but not sufficient for enhancing cell motility; a Smad3-dependent but Snail-independent pathway to activate Rac1 is additionally required. Therefore, the Smad3-dependent pathway leading to enhanced cell motility has two branches: a Snail-dependent branch to activate RhoA and a Snail-independent branch to activate Rac1. Coordinated activation of these branches, together with activation of non-Smad signaling pathways, mediates enhanced cell motility induced by TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuyoshi Motizuki
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Yokoyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Masao Saitoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan; Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
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12
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Wang D, Yang Y, Yang L, Yang H. Bibliometric analysis and visualization of endocrine therapy for breast cancer research in the last two decade. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1287101. [PMID: 38116321 PMCID: PMC10728495 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1287101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer endocrine therapy research has become a crucial domain in oncology since hormone receptor-positive breast cancers have been increasingly recognized, and targeted therapeutic interventions have been advancing over the past few years. This bibliometric analysis attempts to shed light on the trends, dynamics, and knowledge hotspots that have shaped the landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research between 2003 and 2022. Methods In this study, we comprehensively reviewed the scientific literature spanning the above-mentioned period, which included publications accessible through the database of the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Next, a systematic and data-driven analysis supported by sophisticated software tools was conducted, such that the core themes, prolific authors, influential journals, prominent countries, and critical citation patterns in the relevant research field can be clarified. Results A continuous and substantial expansion of breast cancer endocrine therapy research was revealed over the evaluated period. A total of 1,317 scholarly articles were examined. The results of the analysis suggested that research on endocrine therapy for breast cancer has laid a solid basis for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. From a geographical perspective, the US, the UK, and China emerged as the most active contributors, illustrating the global impact of this study. Furthermore, our analysis delineated prominent research topics that have dominated the discourse in the past two decades, including drug therapy, therapeutic efficacy, molecular biomarkers, and hormonal receptor interactions. Conclusion This comprehensive bibliometric analysis provides a panoramic view of the ever-evolving landscape of breast cancer endocrine therapy research. The findings highlight the trajectory of past developments while signifying an avenue of vast opportunities for future investigations and therapeutic advancements. As the field continues to burgeon, this analysis will provide valuable guidance for to researchers toward pertinent knowledge hotspots and emerging trends, which can expedite the discoveries in the realm of breast cancer endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hongwei Yang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
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13
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Wan JX, Wang YQ, Lan SN, Chen L, Feng MQ, Chen X. Research Progress in Function and Regulation of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase SMURF1. Curr Med Sci 2023; 43:855-868. [PMID: 37558865 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2774-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) is an important homologous member of E6-AP C-terminus type E3 ubiquitin ligase. Initially, Smurf1 was reportedly involved in the negative regulation of the bone morphogenesis protein (BMP) pathway. After further research, several studies have confirmed that Smurf1 is widely involved in various biological processes, such as bone homeostasis regulation, cell migration, apoptosis, and planar cell polarity. At the same time, recent studies have provided a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of Smurf1's expression, activity, and substrate selectivity. In our review, a brief summary of recent important biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf1 is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Xi Wan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yu-Qi Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Si-Na Lan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Liu Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ming-Qian Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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14
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Xiao J, Chen X, Liu W, Qian W, Bulek K, Hong L, Miller-Little W, Li X, Liu C. TRAF4 is crucial for ST2+ memory Th2 cell expansion in IL-33-driven airway inflammation. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e169736. [PMID: 37607012 PMCID: PMC10561728 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.169736] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is an important regulator of type 2 responses in the airway; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we generated T cell-specific TRAF4-deficient (CD4-cre Traf4fl/fl) mice and investigated the role of TRAF4 in memory Th2 cells expressing IL-33 receptor (ST2, suppression of tumorigenicity 2) (ST2+ mTh2 cells) in IL-33-mediated type 2 airway inflammation. We found that in vitro-polarized TRAF4-deficient (CD4-cre Traf4fl/fl) ST2+ mTh2 cells exhibited decreased IL-33-induced proliferation as compared with TRAF4-sufficient (Traf4fl/fl) cells. Moreover, CD4-cre Traf4fl/fl mice showed less ST2+ mTh2 cell proliferation and eosinophilic infiltration in the lungs than Traf4fl/fl mice in the preclinical models of IL-33-mediated type 2 airway inflammation. Mechanistically, we discovered that TRAF4 was required for the activation of AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 signaling pathways as well as the expression of transcription factor Myc and nutrient transporters (Slc2a1, Slc7a1, and Slc7a5), signature genes involved in T cell growth and proliferation, in ST2+ mTh2 cells stimulated by IL-33. Taken together, the current study reveals a role of TRAF4 in ST2+ mTh2 cells in IL-33-mediated type 2 pulmonary inflammation, opening up avenues for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Xiao
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Xing Chen
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Wen Qian
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katarzyna Bulek
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lingzi Hong
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - William Miller-Little
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- Department of Pathology, and
| | - Xiaoxia Li
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Caini Liu
- Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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15
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Li J, Wang C, Xiao W, Chen Y, Tu J, Wan F, Deng K, Li H. TRAF Family Member 4 Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy Through the Activation of the AKT Pathway. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028185. [PMID: 37642020 PMCID: PMC10547335 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Background Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a major cause of heart failure morbidity. The complex mechanism of intermolecular interactions underlying the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy has led to a lack of development and application of therapeutic methods. Methods and Results Our study provides the first evidence that TRAF4, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family, acts as a promoter of cardiac hypertrophy. Here, Western blotting assays demonstrated that TRAF4 is upregulated in cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, TRAF4 deletion inhibits the development of cardiac hypertrophy in a mouse model after transverse aortic constriction surgery, whereas its overexpression promotes phenylephrine stimulation-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis revealed that TRAF4 promoted the activation of the protein kinase B pathway during cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, we found that inhibition of protein kinase B phosphorylation rescued the aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophic phenotypes caused by TRAF4 overexpression in phenylephrine-treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, suggesting that TRAF4 may regulate cardiac hypertrophy in a protein kinase B-dependent manner. Conclusions Our results revealed the regulatory function of TRAF4 in cardiac hypertrophy, which may provide new insights into developing therapeutic and preventive targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
| | - Chang‐Quan Wang
- Department of NeurologyHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
| | - Wen‐Chang Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
| | - Yun Chen
- Clinical Trial CentersHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
| | - Jun Tu
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of NeurologyHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
| | - Ke‐Qiong Deng
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
- Department of CardiologyZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Huo‐Ping Li
- Department of CardiologyHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
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16
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Choi S, Kim K, Yeo H, Lee G, Kim I, Oh J, An HJ, Lee S. miR-4284 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells by Targeting Glutamate Decarboxylase 1. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3888. [PMID: 37568704 PMCID: PMC10417762 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153888] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role as oncogenic or tumor suppressors in the pathogenesis and progression of tumors. However, few studies have investigated the exact role of miR-4284 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We aimed to investigate the role of miR-4284 as a tumor suppressor in renal cancer cell lines. A498 and Caki-1 were transfected with miR-4284. The Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, apoptosis assays, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate tumor growth-inhibiting functions. The wound-healing, transwell, and sphere-formation assays were conducted to investigate tumorigenic characteristics. The potential target genes of miR-4284 were predicted and experimentally verified. A xenograft experiment was performed to estimate the tumor-growth-suppressive function of miR-4284. miR-4284 overexpression suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed tumorigenic features of renal cancer cells. Glutamate decarboxylase 1 (GAD1) was directly targeted by miR-4284. A xenograft mouse model injected with Caki-1 cells transfected with miR-4284 showed significantly decreased tumor growth rate and volume. miR-4284 affected tumor growth, metastasis, and apoptosis of renal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings highlight the potential of miR-4284 as a target for anticancer miRNA therapeutics in RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Choi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (S.C.); (H.Y.); (G.L.)
| | - Kyeongmi Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 1205, Jungang-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10414, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyunjeong Yeo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (S.C.); (H.Y.); (G.L.)
| | - Gyurim Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (S.C.); (H.Y.); (G.L.)
| | - Isaac Kim
- Department of General Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jisu Oh
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 363 Dongbaekjukjeon-daero, Giheung-gu, Seoul 16995, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyun-Ju An
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (S.C.); (H.Y.); (G.L.)
- SL Bio, Inc., 120 Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si 11160, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Soonchul Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; (S.C.); (H.Y.); (G.L.)
- SL Bio, Inc., 120 Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si 11160, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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17
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Zhao M, Zhang Y, Qiang L, Lu Z, Zhao Z, Fu Y, Wu B, Chai Q, Ge P, Lei Z, Zhang X, Li B, Wang J, Zhang L, Liu CH. A Golgi-resident GPR108 cooperates with E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf1 to suppress antiviral innate immunity. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112655. [PMID: 37330913 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of antiviral immunity is crucial in maintaining host immune homeostasis, a process that involves dynamic modulations of host organelles. The Golgi apparatus is increasingly perceived as a host organelle functioning as a critical platform for innate immunity, but the detailed mechanism by which it regulates antiviral immunity remains elusive. Here, we identify the Golgi-localized G protein-coupled receptor 108 (GPR108) as a regulator of type Ι interferon responses by targeting interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Mechanistically, GPR108 enhances the ubiquitin ligase Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1)-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination of phosphorylated IRF3 for nuclear dot 10 protein 52 (NDP52)-dependent autophagic degradation, leading to suppression of antiviral immune responses against DNA or RNA viruses. Taken together, our study provides insight into the crosstalk between the Golgi apparatus and antiviral immunity via a dynamic and spatiotemporal regulation of GPR108-Smurf1 axis, thereby indicating a potential target for treating viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lihua Qiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Zhe Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Zhuo Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Yesheng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Bo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Qiyao Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Pupu Ge
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zehui Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Bingxi Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lingqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Cui Hua Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
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18
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Liu L, Yin S, Gan W. TRAF6 Promotes PRMT5 Activity in a Ubiquitination-Dependent Manner. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2501. [PMID: 37173967 PMCID: PMC10177089 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092501] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is the primary enzyme generating symmetric dimethylarginine (sDMA) on numerous substrates, through which it regulates many cellular processes, such as transcription and DNA repair. Aberrant expression and activation of PRMT5 is frequently observed in various human cancers and associated with poor prognosis and survival. However, the regulatory mechanisms of PRMT5 remain poorly understood. Here, we report that TRAF6 serves as an upstream E3 ubiquitin ligase to promote PRMT5 ubiquitination and activation. We find that TRAF6 catalyzes K63-linked ubiquitination of PRMT5 and interacts with PRMT5 in a TRAF6-binding-motif-dependent manner. Moreover, we identify six lysine residues located at the N-terminus as the primarily ubiquitinated sites. Disruption of TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination decreases PRMT5 methyltransferase activity towards H4R3 in part by impairing PRMT5 interaction with its co-factor MEP50. As a result, mutating the TRAF6-binding motifs or the six lysine residues significantly suppresses cell proliferation and tumor growth. Lastly, we show that TRAF6 inhibitor enhances cellular sensitivity to PRMT5 inhibitor. Therefore, our study reveals a critical regulatory mechanism of PRMT5 in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wenjian Gan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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19
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Wang J, Xiang Y, Fan M, Fang S, Hua Q. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Tumor Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082385. [PMID: 37190313 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming, which is considered a hallmark of cancer, can maintain the homeostasis of the tumor environment and promote the proliferation, survival, and metastasis of cancer cells. For instance, increased glucose uptake and high glucose consumption, known as the "Warburg effect," play an essential part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. In addition, fatty acids are harnessed to satisfy the increased requirement for the phospholipid components of biological membranes and energy. Moreover, the anabolism/catabolism of amino acids, such as glutamine, cystine, and serine, provides nitrogen donors for biosynthesis processes, development of the tumor inflammatory environment, and signal transduction. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been widely reported to be involved in various cellular biological activities. A potential role of UPS in the metabolic regulation of tumor cells has also been reported, but the specific regulatory mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, we review the role of ubiquitination and deubiquitination modification on major metabolic enzymes and important signaling pathways in tumor metabolism to inspire new strategies for the clinical treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yuandi Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Mengqi Fan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Shizhen Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Qingquan Hua
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
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20
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Zeng F, Carrasco G, Li B, Sophocleous A, Idris AI. TRAF6 as a potential target in advanced breast cancer: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and bioinformatics validation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4646. [PMID: 36944688 PMCID: PMC10029787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31557-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
TRAF6 has emerged as a key regulator of breast cancer (BCa). However, the TRAF family constitutes of seven members that exhibit distinct and overlapping functions. To explore which TRAF represents a potential druggable target for BCa treatment, we searched Medline, Web of Science and Scopus for relevant studies from inception to June 27, 2021. We identified 14 in vitro, 11 in vivo and 4 human articles. A meta-analysis of pharmacological studies showed that in vitro inhibition of TRAF2/4 (mean difference (MD): - 57.49, 95% CI: - 66.95, - 48.02, P < 0.00001) or TRAF6 (standard(Std.)MD: - 4.01, 95% CI: - 5.75, - 2.27, P < 0.00001) is associated with reduction in BCa cell migration. Consistently, inhibition of TRAF2/4 (MD: - 51.08, 95% CI: - 64.23, - 37.94, P < 0.00001) and TRAF6 (Std.MD: - 2.80, 95% CI: - 4.26, - 1.34, P = 0.0002) is associated with reduced BCa cell invasion, whereas TRAF2/4 inhibition (MD: - 40.54, 95% CI: - 52.83, - 28.26, P < 0.00001) is associated with reduced BCa cell adhesion. Interestingly, only inhibition of TRAF6 (MD: - 21.46, 95% CI: - 30.40, - 12.51, P < 0.00001) is associated with reduced cell growth. In animal models of BCa, administration of pharmacological inhibitors of TRAF2/4 (Std.MD: - 3.36, 95% CI: - 4.53, - 2.18, P < 0.00001) or TRAF6 (Std.MD: - 4.15, 95% CI: - 6.06, - 2.24, P < 0.0001) in mice is associated with reduction in tumour burden. In contrast, TRAF6 inhibitors (MD: - 2.42, 95% CI: - 3.70, - 1.14, P = 0.0002) reduced BCa metastasis. In BCa patients, high expression of TRAF6 (Hazard Ratio: 1.01, CI: 1.01, 1.01, P < 0.00001) is associated with poor survival rate. Bioinformatics validation of clinical and pathway and process enrichment analysis in BCa patients confirmed that gain/amplification of TRAF6 is associated with secondary BCa in bone (P = 0.0079), and poor survival rate (P < 0.05). Overall, TRAF6 inhibitors show promise in the treatment of metastatic BCa. However, low study number and scarcity of evidence from animal and human studies may limit the translation of present findings into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feier Zeng
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Giovana Carrasco
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Boya Li
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK
| | - Antonia Sophocleous
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, 6 Diogenes Street, 1516, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Aymen I Idris
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK.
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21
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Ali S, Rehman MU, Yatoo AM, Arafah A, Khan A, Rashid S, Majid S, Ali A, Ali MN. TGF-β signaling pathway: Therapeutic targeting and potential for anti-cancer immunity. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 947:175678. [PMID: 36990262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic secretory cytokine exhibiting both cancer-inhibitory and promoting properties. It transmits its signals via Suppressor of Mother against Decapentaplegic (SMAD) and non-SMAD pathways and regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. In non-cancer and early-stage cancer cells, TGFβ signaling suppresses cancer progression via inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, or anti-proliferation, and promoting cell differentiation. On the other hand, TGFβ may also act as an oncogene in advanced stages of tumors, wherein it develops immune-suppressive tumor microenvironments and induces the proliferation of cancer cells, invasion, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Higher TGFβ expression leads to the instigation and development of cancer. Therefore, suppressing TGFβ signals may present a potential treatment option for inhibiting tumorigenesis and metastasis. Different inhibitory molecules, including ligand traps, anti-sense oligo-nucleotides, small molecule receptor-kinase inhibitors, small molecule inhibitors, and vaccines, have been developed and clinically trialed for blocking the TGFβ signaling pathway. These molecules are not pro-oncogenic response-specific but block all signaling effects induced by TGFβ. Nonetheless, targeting the activation of TGFβ signaling with maximized specificity and minimized toxicity can enhance the efficacy of therapeutic approaches against this signaling pathway. The molecules that are used to target TGFβ are non-cytotoxic to cancer cells but designed to curtail the over-activation of invasion and metastasis driving TGFβ signaling in stromal and cancer cells. Here, we discussed the critical role of TGFβ in tumorigenesis, and metastasis, as well as the outcome and the promising achievement of TGFβ inhibitory molecules in the treatment of cancer.
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22
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TRAF4 Silencing Induces Cell Apoptosis and Improves Retinoic Acid Sensitivity in Human Neuroblastoma. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:2116-2128. [PMID: 36795185 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03882-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric malignancy that arises in the peripheral nervous system, and the prognosis in the high-risk group remains dismal, despite the breakthroughs in multidisciplinary treatments. The oral treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) after high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant has been proven to reduce the incidence of tumor relapse in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. However, many patients still have tumors relapsed following retinoid therapy, highlighting the need for the identification of resistant factors and the development of more effective treatments. Herein, we sought to investigate the potential oncogenic roles of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family in neuroblastoma and explore the correlation between TRAFs and retinoic acid sensitivity. We discovered that all TRAFs were efficiently expressed in neuroblastoma, but TRAF4, in particular, was found to be strongly expressed. The high expression of TRAF4 was associated with a poor prognosis in human neuroblastoma. The inhibition of TRAF4, rather than other TRAFs, improved retinoic acid sensitivity in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS cells. Further in vitro studies indicated that TRAF4 suppression induced retinoic acid-induced cell apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, probably by upregulating the expression of Caspase 9 and AP1 while downregulating Bcl-2, Survivin, and IRF-1. Notably, the improved anti-tumor effects from the combination of TRAF4 knockdown and retinoic acid were confirmed in vivo using the SK-N-AS human neuroblastoma xenograft model. In conclusion, the highly expressed TRAF4 might be implicated in developing resistance to retinoic acid treatment in neuroblastoma, and the combination therapy with retinoic acid and TRAF4 inhibition may offer significant therapeutic advantages in the treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma.
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23
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Kim CM, Jang H, Hong E, Lee JH, Park HH. Structure of fish TRAF4 and its implication in TRAF4-mediated immune cell and platelet signaling. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 132:108462. [PMID: 36455779 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.108462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to an increasing interest in immunity and signal transduction in teleost fish, important key signaling molecules associated with the immune response, including TRAF molecules, have been recently cloned and characterized. To better understand the role of TRAF4 in fish immune signaling and compare it with the human system, our study cloned the TRAF4 gene from the Antarctic yellowbelly rockcod Notothenia coriiceps (ncTRAF4) and purified the protein. Here, we report the first crystal structure of teleost fish TRAF4. Based on biochemical characterization, our findings elucidated the mechanisms through which signaling molecules gain cold adaptivity. Additionally, we identified a platelet receptor GPIbβ homolog in N. coriiceps (ncGPIbβ) and found that the "RRFERLFKEARRTS" region of this homolog directly binds to ncTRAF4, indicating that ncTRAF4 also recognizes the "RLXA" motif for receptor interactions and further TARF4-mediated cellular signaling. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of TRAF4-mediated immune cell and platelet signaling in fish and the structural flexibility-mediated cold adaptiveness of signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Min Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunseok Jang
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Innovative Drugs, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunmi Hong
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyuck Lee
- Unit of Research for Practical Application, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ho Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Innovative Drugs, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
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24
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Wang Y, Luo X, Wu N, Liao Q, Wang J. SRC-3/TRAF4 facilitates ovarian cancer development by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Med Oncol 2023; 40:76. [PMID: 36625999 PMCID: PMC9831961 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01944-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women, and it causes many deaths in women worldwide. Patients with ovarian cancer have a poor prognosis and low survival rate. This study aimed to explore the role of the SRC-3/TRAF4/PI3K/AKT pathway in ovarian cancer development. METHODS SRC-3 and TRAF4 expression in ovarian cancer cell lines were assessed using qRT-PCR and western-blotting. The expression of SRC-3 and TRAF4 in ovarian cancer cells was downregulated by transient transfection with sh-RNAs. An MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion were measured using a Transwell assay. Cell stemness was detected using a cell spheroidization assay and western blotting. The expression levels of stem cell factors and PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were determined by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. RESULTS SRC-3 and TRAF4 were upregulated in ovarian cancer cell lines. TRAF4 is a downstream factor of SRC-3, and the protein level of TRAF4 was regulated by SRC-3. SRC-3 knockdown reduced TRAF4 expression. Silencing SRC-3 or TRAF4 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the expression of stem cell factors. Furthermore, sh-TRAF4 as well as treatment with LY294002, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor, inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and PI3K, thus repressing the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ovarian cancer cell lines. However, TRAF4 overexpression reversed the effect of SRC-3 silencing on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that SRC-3/TRAF4 promotes ovarian cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, and stemness by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xia Luo
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nayiyuan Wu
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Wang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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25
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Itoh Y, Sawaguchi T, Fu H, Omata C, Saitoh M, Miyazawa K. Indole-derived compound SIS3 targets a subset of activated Smad complexes. J Biochem 2022; 173:283-291. [PMID: 36539324 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvac104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Smad2 and Smad3 are receptor-regulated Smad proteins that transmit signals from cytokines belonging to the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family, which are vital for adult tissue homeostasis. The overactivation of such proteins often engenders the development of pathological conditions. Smad3 reportedly mediates TGF-β–induced fibrosis. Although various potential Smad3-specific inhibitors are being developed, their specificity and action mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aimed to establish a biochemical platform to monitor Smad2- or Smad3-dependent TGF-β signaling using SMAD2, SMAD3 and SMAD2/3 knockout cell lines alongside TGF-β–dependent luciferase reporters and Smad mutant proteins. Using this platform, SIS3, an indole-derived compound widely used as a specific Smad3 inhibitor, was observed to preferentially suppress a subset of activated Smad complexes. However, its inhibition did not favor Smad3 signaling over Smad2 signaling. These findings indicate that SIS3 can be employed as a probe to examine the heterogeneous nature of Smad signaling that induces gene expression. However, its use as a Smad3-specific inhibitor should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Tomoe Sawaguchi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
- Research Training Program for Undergraduates, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Chiho Omata
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Masao Saitoh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
- Center for Medical Education and Science, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Shmokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato 1110, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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26
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Li M, Gao F, Li X, Gan Y, Han S, Yu X, Liu H, Li W. Stabilization of MCL-1 by E3 ligase TRAF4 confers radioresistance. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1053. [PMID: 36535926 PMCID: PMC9763423 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The E3 ligase TNF receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is frequently overexpressed and closely related to poor prognosis in human malignancies. However, its effect on carcinogenesis and radiosensitivity in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. The present study found that TRAF4 was significantly upregulated in primary and relapsed OSCC tumor tissues. Depletion of TRAF4 markedly improved the sensitivity of OSCC cells to irradiation (IR) treatment, showing that tumor cell proliferation, colony formation and xenograft tumor growth were reduced. Mechanistically, IR promoted the interaction between TRAF4 and Akt to induce Akt K63-mediated ubiquitination and activation. TRAF4 knockout inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and upregulated GSK3β activity, resulting in increased myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) S159 phosphorylation, which disrupted the interaction of MCL-1 with Josephin domain containing 1 (JOSD1), and ultimately induced MCL-1 ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, TRAF4 was positively correlated with MCL-1 in primary and in radiotherapy-treated, relapsed tumor tissues. An MCL-1 inhibitor overcame radioresistance in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, the present findings suggest that TRAF4 confers radioresistance in OSCC by stabilizing MCL-1 through Akt signaling, and that targeting TRAF4 may be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome radioresistance in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- grid.431010.7Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China ,Changsha Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410004 People’s Republic of China ,grid.488482.a0000 0004 1765 5169School of Stomatology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208 People’s Republic of China ,grid.431010.7Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Gao
- grid.431010.7Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China ,grid.431010.7Department of Ultrasonography, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- grid.431010.7Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Gan
- grid.431010.7Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuangze Han
- grid.431010.7Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinfang Yu
- grid.431010.7Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Haidan Liu
- grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People’s Republic of China ,grid.452708.c0000 0004 1803 0208Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- grid.431010.7Cell Transplantation and Gene Therapy Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China ,grid.431010.7Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013 People’s Republic of China
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27
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Glycosylation Alterations in Cancer Cells, Prognostic Value of Glycan Biomarkers and Their Potential as Novel Therapeutic Targets in Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123265. [PMID: 36552021 PMCID: PMC9775348 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although we are lately witnessing major improvements in breast cancer treatment and patient outcomes, there is still a significant proportion of patients not receiving efficient therapy. More precisely, patients with triple-negative breast cancer or any type of metastatic disease. Currently available prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers are not always applicable and oftentimes lack precision. The science of glycans is a relatively new scientific approach to better characterize malignant transformation and tumor progression. In this review, we summarize the most important information about glycosylation characteristics in breast cancer cells and how different glycoproteins and enzymes involved in glycosylation could serve as more precise biomarkers, as well as new therapeutic targets.
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28
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Rodari MM, Cerf-Bensussan N, Parlato M. Dysregulation of the immune response in TGF-β signalopathies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1066375. [PMID: 36569843 PMCID: PMC9780292 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1066375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family of cytokines exerts pleiotropic functions during embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and repair as well as within the immune system. Single gene defects in individual component of this signaling machinery cause defined Mendelian diseases associated with aberrant activation of TGF-β signaling, ultimately leading to impaired development, immune responses or both. Gene defects that affect members of the TGF-β cytokine family result in more restricted phenotypes, while those affecting downstream components of the signaling machinery induce broader defects. These rare disorders, also known as TGF-β signalopathies, provide the unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the role and the relevance of the TGF-β signaling in the human immune system. Here, we summarize this elaborate signaling pathway, review the diverse clinical presentations and immunological phenotypes observed in these patients and discuss the phenotypic overlap between humans and mice genetically deficient for individual components of the TGF-β signaling cascade.
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29
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Roles of TGF- β in cancer hallmarks and emerging onco-therapeutic design. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e42. [PMID: 36345661 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a double-edged sword in cancer treatment because of its pivotal yet complex and roles played during cancer initiation/development. Current anti-cancer strategies involving TGF-β largely view TGF-β as an onco-therapeutic target that not only substantially hinders its full utilisation for cancer control, but also considerably restricts innovations in this field. Thereby, how to take advantages of therapeutically favourable properties of TGF-β for cancer management represents an interesting and less investigated problem. Here, by categorising cancer hallmarks into four critical transition events and one enabling characteristic controlling cancer initiation and progression, and delineating TGF-β complexities according to these cancer traits, we identify the suppressive role of TGF-β in tumour initiation and early-stage progression and its promotive functionalities in cancer metastasis as well as other cancer hallmarks. We also propose the feasibility and possible scenarios of combining cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with onco-therapeutics utilising TGF-β for cancer control given the intrinsic properties of CAP against cancer hallmarks.
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30
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Iyengar PV, Marvin DL, Lama D, Tan TZ, Suriyamurthy S, Xie F, van Dinther M, Mei H, Verma CS, Zhang L, Ritsma L, ten Dijke P. TRAF4 Inhibits Bladder Cancer Progression by Promoting BMP/SMAD Signaling. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:1516-1531. [PMID: 35731212 PMCID: PMC9530648 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Patients with bladder cancer often have a poor prognosis due to the highly invasive and metastatic characteristics of bladder cancer cells. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been causally linked to bladder cancer invasion. The E3 ubiquitin ligase, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) has been implicated as a tumor promoter in a wide range of cancers. In contrast, here we show that low TRAF4 expression is associated with poor overall survival in patients with bladder cancer. We show that the TRAF4 gene is epigenetically silenced and that ERK mediates TRAF4 phosphorylation, resulting in lower TRAF4 protein levels in bladder cancer cells. In addition, we demonstrate that TRAF4 is inversely correlated with an EMT gene signature/protein marker expression. Functionally, by manipulating TRAF4 expression, we show that TRAF4 regulates EMT genes and epithelial and invasive properties in bladder cancer cells. Transcriptomic analysis of dysregulated TRAF4 expression in bladder cancer cell lines revealed that high TRAF4 expression enhances the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/SMAD and inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway. Mechanistically, we show that TRAF4 targets the E3 ubiquitin ligase SMURF1, a negative regulator of BMP/SMAD signaling, for proteasomal degradation in bladder cancer cells. This was corroborated in patient samples where TRAF4 positively correlates with phospho-SMAD1/5, and negatively correlates with phospho-NFκb-p65. Lastly, we show that genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of SMURF1 inhibits the migration of aggressive mesenchymal bladder cancer cells. IMPLICATIONS Our findings identify E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF4 as a potential therapeutic target or biomarker for bladder cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Vasudevan Iyengar
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Corresponding Authors: Prasanna Vasudevan Iyengar, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, Leiden 2333ZC, the Netherlands. Phone: 715-269-271; Fax: 715-268-270; E-mail: ; and Peter ten Dijke,
| | - Dieuwke Louise Marvin
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dilraj Lama
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.,Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sudha Suriyamurthy
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Feng Xie
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Maarten van Dinther
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Chandra Shekhar Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Long Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Laila Ritsma
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Corresponding Authors: Prasanna Vasudevan Iyengar, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, Leiden 2333ZC, the Netherlands. Phone: 715-269-271; Fax: 715-268-270; E-mail: ; and Peter ten Dijke,
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31
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Zhou X, Li X, Wang R, Hua D, Sun C, Yu L, Shi C, Luo W, Jiang Z, An W, Wang Q, Yu S. Recruitment of LEF1 by Pontin chromatin modifier amplifies TGFBR2 transcription and activates TGFβ/SMAD signalling during gliomagenesis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:818. [PMID: 36153326 PMCID: PMC9509381 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Synergies of transcription factors, chromatin modifiers and their target genes are vital for cell fate determination in human cancer. Although the importance of numerous epigenetic machinery for regulating gliomagenesis has been previously recognized, how chromatin modifiers collaborate with specific transcription factors remains largely elusive. Herein we report that Pontin chromatin remodelling factor acts as a coactivator for LEF1 to activate TGFβ/SMAD signalling, thereby contributing to gliomagenesis. Pontin is highly expressed in gliomas, and its overexpression paralleled the grade elevation and poor prognosis of patients. Functional studies verified its oncogenic roles in GBM cells by facilitating cell proliferation, survival and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing results revealed that Pontin regulated multiple target genes involved in TGFβ/SMAD signalling. Intriguingly, we found that Pontin amplified TGFβR2 gene transcription by recruiting LEF1, thereby activating TGFβ/SMAD signalling and facilitating gliomagenesis. Furthermore, higher TGFβR2 expression conferred worse patient outcomes in glioma. To conclude, our study revealed that the Pontin-LEF1 module plays a crucial role in driving TGFβR2 gene transcription, which could be exploited to target TGFβ/SMAD signalling for anti-glioma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexia Zhou
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China.
| | - Xuebing Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Run Wang
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Dan Hua
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Cuiyun Sun
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences of Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, China
| | - Cuijuan Shi
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjun Luo
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhendong Jiang
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenzhe An
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Shizhu Yu
- Department of Neuropathology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of the Nervous System, 300052, Tianjin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, 300052, Tianjin, China.
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TRAF4 Promotes the Proliferation of Glioblastoma by Stabilizing SETDB1 to Activate the AKT Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710161. [PMID: 36077559 PMCID: PMC9456363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of ubiquitination regulates the degradation, transport, interaction, and stabilization of substrate proteins, and is crucial for cell signal transduction and function. TNF receptor-associated factor 4, TRAF4, is a member of the TRAF family and is involved in the process of ubiquitination as an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. Here, we found that TRAF4 expression correlates with glioma subtype and grade, and that TRAF4 is significantly overexpressed in glioblastoma and predicts poor prognosis. Knockdown of TRAF4 significantly inhibited the growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. Mechanistically, we found that TRAF4 only interacts with the Tudor domain of the AKT pathway activator SETDB1. TRAF4 mediates the atypical ubiquitination of SETDB1 to maintain its stability and function, thereby promoting the activation of the AKT pathway. Restoring SETDB1 expression in TRAF4 knockdown glioblastoma cells partially restored cell growth and proliferation. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which TRAF4 mediates AKT pathway activation, suggesting that TRAF4 may serve as a biomarker and promising therapeutic target for glioblastoma.
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Luo X, Cao J, Zhang C, Huang H, Liu J. TRAF4 promotes the malignant progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer by activating YAP pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 627:68-75. [PMID: 36029535 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) accounts for the majority of deaths caused by epithelial ovarian cancer. The specific molecular changes attributable to the pathogenesis of HGSOC are still largely unknown. TRAF4 has been identified to be up-regulated in certain cancers. However, the role and mechanism of TRAF4 in HGSOC remain unclear. In this study, we aim to explore the prognostic value and function of TRAF4 in HGSOC. Immunohistochemical staining and prognostic analysis were used to estimate the prognosis value of TRAF4 in HGSOC. Cell counting assays, colony formation assays, sphere formation assays and tumorigenic assays were used to explore the function of TRAF4 in ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, RNA-seq, qPCR and western blotting were performed to investigate the molecular mechanism of TRAF4 in ovarian cancer cells. The results showed that TRAF4 was significantly higher expressed in ovarian cancer than normal ovarian epithelium. Moreover, high expression of TRAF4 was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and recurrence-free survival in HGSOC. Knockdown of TRAF4 significantly inhibited the proliferation and tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells, whereas overexpression of TRAF4 promoted the proliferation and tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, our study demonstrated that TRAF4 expression was positively correlated with the YAP pathway gene signatures, and the malignant progression induced by TRAF4 was inhibited after silencing YAP signaling by its selective inhibitor. In conclusion, our findings suggested that TRAF4 promoted the malignant progression of ovarian cancer cells by activating YAP pathway and might serve as a prognostic biomarker for HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Junya Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chuyao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - He Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Xie F, Zhou X, Su P, Li H, Tu Y, Du J, Pan C, Wei X, Zheng M, Jin K, Miao L, Wang C, Meng X, van Dam H, Ten Dijke P, Zhang L, Zhou F. Breast cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles promote CD8 + T cell exhaustion via TGF-β type II receptor signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4461. [PMID: 35915084 PMCID: PMC9343611 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31250-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies have shown clinical success in various types of tumors but the patient response rate is low, particularly in breast cancer. Here we report that malignant breast cancer cells can transfer active TGF-β type II receptor (TβRII) via tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEV) and thereby stimulate TGF-β signaling in recipient cells. Up-take of extracellular vesicle-TβRII (EV-TβRII) in low-grade tumor cells initiates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thus reinforcing cancer stemness and increasing metastasis in intracardial xenograft and orthotopic transplantation models. EV-TβRII delivered as cargo to CD8+ T cells induces the activation of SMAD3 which we demonstrated to associate and cooperate with TCF1 transcription factor to impose CD8+ T cell exhaustion, resulting in failure of immunotherapy. The levels of TβRII+ circulating extracellular vesicles (crEV) appears to correlate with tumor burden, metastasis and patient survival, thereby serve as a non-invasive screening tool to detect malignant breast tumor stages. Thus, our findings not only identify a possible mechanism by which breast cancer cells can promote T cell exhaustion and dampen host anti-tumor immunity, but may also identify a target for immune therapy against the most devastating breast tumors. Understanding the factors that hamper immune therapy in breast cancer may increase the range of patients who benefit. Here authors show that breast cancer cells produce and subsequently transfer active TGF-β type II receptors to CD8 + T cells to render them exhausted, thus paralyzing the anti-tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xie
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zhou
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Su
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heyu Li
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifei Tu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinjin Du
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Pan
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Wei
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnostic and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ke Jin
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liyan Miao
- The first affiliated hospital of soochow university, Suzhou, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hans van Dam
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Yin X, Liu Q, Liu F, Tian X, Yan T, Han J, Jiang S. Emerging Roles of Non-proteolytic Ubiquitination in Tumorigenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944460. [PMID: 35874839 PMCID: PMC9298949 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944460] [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: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a critical type of protein post-translational modification playing an essential role in many cellular processes. To date, more than eight types of ubiquitination exist, all of which are involved in distinct cellular processes based on their structural differences. Studies have indicated that activation of the ubiquitination pathway is tightly connected with inflammation-related diseases as well as cancer, especially in the non-proteolytic canonical pathway, highlighting the vital roles of ubiquitination in metabolic programming. Studies relating degradable ubiquitination through lys48 or lys11-linked pathways to cellular signaling have been well-characterized. However, emerging evidence shows that non-degradable ubiquitination (linked to lys6, lys27, lys29, lys33, lys63, and Met1) remains to be defined. In this review, we summarize the non-proteolytic ubiquitination involved in tumorigenesis and related signaling pathways, with the aim of providing a reference for future exploration of ubiquitination and the potential targets for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Yin
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xinchen Tian
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China.,Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tinghao Yan
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China.,Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Han
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
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Gu Y, Gao H, Zhang H, John A, Zhu X, Shivaram S, Yu J, Weinshilboum RM, Wang L. TRAF4 hyperactivates HER2 signaling and contributes to Trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:4119-4129. [PMID: 35864174 PMCID: PMC9417995 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02415-6] [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: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The HER2 receptor modulates downstream signaling by forming homodimers and heterodimers with other members of the HER family. For patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody as first-line therapy has shown significant survival benefits. However, the development of acquired resistance to Trastuzumab continues to be a significant obstacle. TNF receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) upregulation was discovered to be associated with a worse clinical outcome. Here we identified TRAF4 overexpression as one of the putative mechanisms for HER2-positive breast cancer cells to maintain HER2 signaling during Trastuzumab treatment, while TRAF4 knockdown reduced HER2 stability and improved Trastuzumab sensitivity. Mechanistically, TRAF4 regulates HER2 level through its impact on SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase protein 2 (SMURF2). The development of a membrane-associated protein complex containing HER2, TRAF4, and SMURF2 has been observed. SMURF2 bound to the HER2 cytoplasmic domain, and directly ubiquitinated it leading to HER2 degradation, whereas TRAF4 stabilized HER2 by degrading SMURF2 and inhibiting the binding of SMURF2 to HER2. Moreover, downregulation of TRAF4 has decreased the AKT/mTOR signaling. In conclusion, we discovered a new HER2 signaling regulation that involves the TRAF4-SMURF2 complex, a possible mechanism that might contribute to anti-HER2 resistance, making TRAF4 a viable target for treating HER2 + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayun Gu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Huanyao Gao
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - August John
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Suganti Shivaram
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jia Yu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Richard M Weinshilboum
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Liewei Wang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Xie F, Zhou X, Li H, Su P, Liu S, Li R, Zou J, Wei X, Pan C, Zhang Z, Zheng M, Liu Z, Meng X, Ovaa H, Ten Dijke P, Zhou F, Zhang L. USP8 promotes cancer progression and extracellular vesicle-mediated CD8+ T cell exhaustion by deubiquitinating the TGF-β receptor TβRII. EMBO J 2022; 41:e108791. [PMID: 35811497 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
TGF-β signaling is a key player in tumor progression and immune evasion, and is associated with poor response to cancer immunotherapies. Here, we identified ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8) as a metastasis enhancer and a highly active deubiquitinase in aggressive breast tumors. USP8 acts both as a cancer stemness-promoting factor and an activator of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway. USP8 directly deubiquitinates and stabilizes the type II TGF-β receptor TβRII, leading to its increased expression in the plasma membrane and in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs). Increased USP8 activity was observed in patients resistant to neoadjuvant chemotherapies. USP8 promotes TGF-β/SMAD-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis in tumor cells. USP8 expression also enables TβRII+ circulating extracellular vesicles (crEVs) to induce T cell exhaustion and chemoimmunotherapy resistance. Pharmacological inhibition of USP8 antagonizes TGF-β/SMAD signaling, and reduces TβRII stability and the number of TβRII+ crEVs to prevent CD8+ T cell exhaustion and to reactivate anti-tumor immunity. Our findings not only reveal a novel mechanism whereby USP8 regulates the cancer microenvironment but also demonstrate the therapeutic advantages of engineering USP8 inhibitors to simultaneously suppress metastasis and improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xie
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zhou
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heyu Li
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Su
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sijia Liu
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ran Li
- The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Zou
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Wei
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Pan
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengkui Zhang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Min Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnostic and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials and Devices, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huib Ovaa
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Ni C, Chen Y, Xu Y, Zhao J, Li Q, Xiao C, Wu Y, Wang J, Wang Y, Zhong Z, Zhang L, Wu R, Liu Q, Wu X, Ke C, Zhu W, Chen J, Huang J, Wang Y, Wang J, Hu X. Flavin Containing Monooxygenase 2 Prevents Cardiac Fibrosis via CYP2J3-SMURF2 Axis. Circ Res 2022; 131:101161CIRCRESAHA122320538. [PMID: 35861735 PMCID: PMC9932658 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.320538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathological feature associated with adverse clinical outcome in postinjury remodeling and has no effective therapy. Using an unbiased transcriptome analysis, we identified FMO2 (flavin-containing monooxygenase 2) as a top-ranked gene dynamically expressed following myocardial infarction (MI) in hearts across different species including rodents, nonhuman primates, and human. However, the functional role of FMO2 in cardiac remodeling is largely unknown. METHODS Single-nuclei transcriptome analysis was performed to identify FMO2 after MI; FMO2 ablation rats were generated both in genetic level using the CRISPR-cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9) technology and lentivirus-mediated manner. Gain-of-function experiments were conducted using postn-promoter FMO2, miR1a/miR133a-FMO2 lentivirus, and enzymatic activity mutant FMO2 lentivirus after MI. RESULTS A significant downregulation of FMO2 was consistently observed in hearts after MI in rodents, nonhuman primates, and patients. Single-nuclei transcriptome analysis showed cardiac expression of FMO2 was enriched in fibroblasts rather than myocytes. Elevated spontaneous tissue fibrosis was observed in the FMO2-null animals without external stress. In contrast, fibroblast-specific expression of FMO2 markedly reduced cardiac fibrosis following MI in rodents and nonhuman primates associated with diminished SMAD2/3 phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, the FMO2-mediated regulation in fibrosis and SMAD2/3 signaling was independent of its enzymatic activity. Rather, FMO2 was detected to interact with CYP2J3 (cytochrome p450 superfamily 2J3). Binding of FMO2 to CYP2J3 disrupted CYP2J3 interaction with SMURF2 (SMAD-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase 2) in cytosol, leading to increased cytoplasm to nuclear translocation of SMURF2 and consequent inhibition of SMAD2/3 signaling. CONCLUSIONS Loss of FMO2 is a conserved molecular signature in postinjury hearts. FMO2 possesses a previously uncharacterized enzyme-independent antifibrosis activity via the CYP2J3-SMURF2 axis. Restoring FMO2 expression exerts potent ameliorative effect against fibrotic remodeling in postinjury hearts from rodents to nonhuman primates. Therefore, FMO2 is a potential therapeutic target for treating cardiac fibrosis following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ni
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Yongjian Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Yinchuan Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Qingju Li
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Changchen Xiao
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Yingchao Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Rongrong Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Qingnian Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Xianpeng Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Changle Ke
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Jinghai Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Jijun Huang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yibin Wang
- Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore
| | - Jian’an Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
| | - Xinyang Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Key Lab of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China
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Hao M, Zhang J, Sun M, Diao K, Wang J, Li S, Cao Q, Dai S, Mi X. TRAF4 Inhibits the Apoptosis and Promotes the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting the Ubiquitination of Spindle Assembly-Associated Protein Eg5. Front Oncol 2022; 12:855139. [PMID: 35692762 PMCID: PMC9174544 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.855139] [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: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is a RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates the ubiquitination of various proteins and plays an important role in driving tumor progression. By studying the relationship between TRAF4 and Eg5, a member of the kinesin family that plays a critical role in spindle assembly, we demonstrated that TRAF4 regulated Eg5 ubiquitination and contributed to Eg5-mediated breast cancer proliferation and inhibited breast cancer apoptosis. TRAF4 and Eg5 were both highly expressed in breast cancer and their protein level was positively correlated. Relying on its Zinc fingers domain, TRAF4 interacted with Eg5 in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells. TRAF4 was a mitosis-related protein, and by up-regulating the protein level of Eg5 TRAF4 participated in spindle assembly. Loss of TRAF4 resulted in monopolar spindles formation, but loss of function could be rescued by Eg5. Relying on its RING domain, TRAF4 up-regulated Eg5 protein levels by inhibition of Eg5 ubiquitination, thus stabilizing Eg5 protein level during mitosis. Furthermore, we found that Smurf2, a TRAF4-targeted ubiquitination substrate, mediated the regulation of Eg5 ubiquitination by TRAF4. TRAF4 inhibited the interaction between Smurf2 and Eg5, and down-regulated the protein level of Smurf2 by promoting its ubiquitination, thereby inhibited the Smurf2-catalyzed ubiquitination of Eg5 and up-regulated Eg5 protein levels. We also demonstrate that TRAF4 plays an important role in promoting cell proliferation and in inhibiting cell apoptosis induced by Eg5. In summary, our study suggests a new direction for investigating the role of TRAF4 in driving breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Hao
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Mingfang Sun
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kexin Diao
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shiping Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qixue Cao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shundong Dai
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyi Mi
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoyi Mi,
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Li K, Niu Y, Yuan Y, Qiu J, Shi Y, Zhong C, Qiu Z, Li K, Lin Z, Huang Z, Zhang C, Zuo D, He W, Yuan Y, Li B. Insufficient ablation induces E3-ligase Nedd4 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression by tuning TGF-β signaling. Oncogene 2022; 41:3197-3209. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02334-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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41
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The Synergistic Cooperation between TGF-β and Hypoxia in Cancer and Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050635. [PMID: 35625561 PMCID: PMC9138354 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine regulating homeostasis and immune responses in adult animals and humans. Aberrant and overactive TGF-β signaling promotes cancer initiation and fibrosis through epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), as well as the invasion and metastatic growth of cancer cells. TGF-β is a key factor that is active during hypoxic conditions in cancer and is thereby capable of contributing to angiogenesis in various types of cancer. Another potent role of TGF-β is suppressing immune responses in cancer patients. The strong tumor-promoting effects of TGF-β and its profibrotic effects make it a focus for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against cancer and fibrosis as well as an attractive drug target in combination with immune regulatory checkpoint inhibitors. TGF-β belongs to a family of cytokines that exert their function through signaling via serine/threonine kinase transmembrane receptors to intracellular Smad proteins via the canonical pathway and in combination with co-regulators such as the adaptor protein and E3 ubiquitin ligases TRAF4 and TRAF6 to promote non-canonical pathways. Finally, the outcome of gene transcription initiated by TGF-β is context-dependent and controlled by signals exerted by other growth factors such as EGF and Wnt. Here, we discuss the synergistic cooperation between TGF-β and hypoxia in development, fibrosis and cancer.
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Abstract
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family includes cytokines controlling cell behavior, differentiation and homeostasis of various tissues including components of the immune system. Despite well recognized importance of TGF-β in controlling T cell functions, the immunomodulatory roles of many other members of the TGF-β cytokine family, especially bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), start to emerge. Bone Morphogenic Protein Receptor 1α (BMPR1α) is upregulated by activated effector and Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Treg cells) and modulates functions of both of these cell types. BMPR1α inhibits generation of proinflammatory Th17 cells and sustains peripheral Treg cells. This finding underscores the importance of the BMPs in controlling Treg cell plasticity and transition between Treg and Th cells. BMPR1α deficiency in in vitro induced and peripheral Treg cells led to upregulation of Kdm6b (Jmjd3) demethylase, an antagonist of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), and cell cycle inhibitor Cdkn1a (p21Cip1) promoting cell senescence. This indicates that BMPs and BMPR1α may represent regulatory modules shaping epigenetic landscape and controlling proinflammatory reprogramming of Th and Treg cells. Revealing functions of other BMP receptors and their crosstalk with receptors for TGF-β will contribute to our understanding of peripheral immunoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
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Ruan X, Zhang R, Li R, Zhu H, Wang Z, Wang C, Cheng Z, Peng H. The Research Progress in Physiological and Pathological Functions of TRAF4. Front Oncol 2022; 12:842072. [PMID: 35242717 PMCID: PMC8885719 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.842072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is a member of the TRAF protein family, a cytoplasmic bridging molecule closely associated with various immune functions. The physiological processes of TRAF4 are mainly involved in embryonic development, cell polarity, cell proliferation, apoptosis, regulation of reactive oxygen species production. TRAF4 is overexpressed in a variety of tumors and regulates the formation and development of a variety of tumors. In this review, we summarize the physiological and pathological regulatory functions of TRAF4 and focus on understanding the biological processes involved in this gene, to provide a reference for further studies on the role of this gene in tumorigenesis and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Ruan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, National Cancer Center Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ruijuan Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongkai Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Canfei Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhao Cheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongling Peng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Zhang J, Zhang Z, Holst S, Blöchl C, Madunic K, Wuhrer M, Ten Dijke P, Zhang T. Transforming growth factor-β challenge alters the N-, O-, and glycosphingolipid glycomes in PaTu-S pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101717. [PMID: 35151689 PMCID: PMC8914387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101717] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by poor prognosis and high mortality. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a key role in PDAC tumor progression, which is often associated with aberrant glycosylation. However, how PDAC cells respond to TGF-β and the role of glycosylation therein is not well known. Here, we investigated the TGF-β-mediated response and glycosylation changes in the PaTu-8955S (PaTu-S) cell line deficient in SMA-related and MAD-related protein 4 (SMAD4), a signal transducer of the TGF-β signaling. PaTu-S cells responded to TGF-β by upregulating SMAD2 phosphorylation and target gene expression. We found that TGF-β induced expression of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin but did not significantly affect epithelial marker E-cadherin expression. We also examined differences in N-glycans, O-glycans, and glycosphingolipid-linked glycans in PaTu-S cells upon TGF-β stimulation. TGF-β treatment primarily induced N-glycome aberrations involving elevated levels of branching, core fucosylation, and sialylation in PaTu-S cells, in agreement with TGF-β-induced changes in the expression of glycosylation-associated genes. In addition, we observed differences in O glycosylation and glycosphingolipid glycosylation profiles after TGF-β treatment, including lower levels of sialylated Tn antigen and neoexpression of globosides. Furthermore, the expression of transcription factor sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group box 4 was upregulated upon TGF-β stimulation, and its depletion blocked TGF-β-induced N-glycomic changes. Thus, TGF-β-induced N-glycosylation changes can occur in a sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group box 4–dependent and SMAD4-independent manner in the pancreatic PaTu-S cancer cell line. Our results open up avenues to study the relevance of glycosylation in TGF-β signaling in SMAD4-inactivated PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Zejian Zhang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Holst
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Constantin Blöchl
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katarina Madunic
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Li YC, Cai SW, Shu YB, Chen MW, Shi Z. USP15 in Cancer and Other Diseases: From Diverse Functionsto Therapeutic Targets. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020474. [PMID: 35203682 PMCID: PMC8962386 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination plays an important role in maintaining protein stability and regulating signal pathways, and protein homeostasis perturbations may induce a variety of diseases. The deubiquitination process removes ubiquitin molecules from the protein, which requires the participation of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) is a DUB that participates in many biological cell processes and regulates tumorigenesis. A dislocation catalytic triplet was observed in the USP15 structure, a conformation not observed in other USPs, except USP7, which makes USP15 appear to be unique. USP15 has been reported to be involved in the regulation of various cancers and diseases, and the reported substrate functions of USP15 are conflicting, suggesting that USP15 may act as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in different contexts. The importance and complexity of USP15 in the pathological processes remains unclear. Therefore, we reviewed the diverse biological functions of USP15 in cancers and other diseases, suggesting the potential of USP15 as an attractive therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Chi Li
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.-C.L.); (Y.-B.S.)
| | - Song-Wang Cai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Yu-Bin Shu
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.-C.L.); (Y.-B.S.)
| | - Mei-Wan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau 519000, China;
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (Y.-C.L.); (Y.-B.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-20-852-245-25; Fax: +86-20-852-259-77
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Ridder DA, Urbansky LL, Witzel HR, Schindeldecker M, Weinmann A, Berndt K, Gerber TS, Köhler BC, Nichetti F, Ludt A, Gehrke N, Schattenberg JM, Heinrich S, Roth W, Straub BK. Transforming Growth Factor-β Activated Kinase 1 (Tak1) Is Activated in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Mediates Tumor Progression, and Predicts Unfavorable Outcome. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020430. [PMID: 35053591 PMCID: PMC8774263 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chronic inflammation is known to drive cancer initiation and progression in the liver and other organs. In different genetic mouse models, the role of the pro-inflammatory kinase Tak1 in liver cancer development has been controversial so far. To clarify the role of Tak1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we investigated the expression of Tak1 in a large and clinicopathologically well-characterized patient cohort with HCC. In human livers and HCCs, Tak1 is predominantly present in its isoform Tak1A localizing to the cell nucleus. Tak1 is upregulated in HCCs of the diethylnitrosamine mouse model as well as in human HCCs, independent of etiology, and is further induced in distant metastases. Overexpression of the isoform Tak1A in the HCC cell line Huh7 resulted in increased tumor cell migration, whereas overexpression of full-length Tak1 had no significant effect. In human HCCs, high nuclear Tak1 expression is associated with vascular invasion and short overall survival. Abstract Although knowledge on inflammatory signaling pathways driving cancer initiation and progression has been increasing, molecular mechanisms in hepatocarcinogenesis are still far from being completely understood. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of the MAPKKK Tak1 in mice recapitulates important steps of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, including the occurrence of cell death, steatohepatitis, dysplastic nodules, and HCCs. However, overactivation of Tak1 in mice upon deletion of its deubiquitinase Cyld also results in steatohepatitis and HCC development. To investigate Tak1 and Cyld in human HCCs, we created a tissue microarray to analyze their expression by immunohistochemistry in a large and well-characterized cohort of 871 HCCs of 561 patients. In the human liver and HCC, Tak1 is predominantly present as its isoform Tak1A and predominantly localizes to cell nuclei. Tak1 is upregulated in diethylnitrosamine-induced mouse HCCs as well as in human HCCs independent of etiology and is further induced in distant metastases. A high nuclear Tak1 expression is associated with short survival and vascular invasion. When we overexpressed Tak1A in Huh7 cells, we observed increased tumor cell migration, whereas overexpression of full-length Tak1 had no significant effect. A combined score of low Cyld and high Tak1 expression was an independent prognostic marker in a multivariate Cox regression model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Andreas Ridder
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
- Correspondence: (D.A.R.); (B.K.S.)
| | - Lana Louisa Urbansky
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
| | - Hagen Roland Witzel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
| | - Mario Schindeldecker
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
- Tissue Biobank, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.W.); (N.G.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Kristina Berndt
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
| | - Tiemo Sven Gerber
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
| | - Bruno Christian Köhler
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Federico Nichetti
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- Computational Oncology, Molecular Diagnostics Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annekathrin Ludt
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Nadine Gehrke
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.W.); (N.G.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Jörn Markus Schattenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.W.); (N.G.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Stefan Heinrich
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Wilfried Roth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
| | - Beate Katharina Straub
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (L.L.U.); (H.R.W.); (M.S.); (K.B.); (T.S.G.); (W.R.)
- Correspondence: (D.A.R.); (B.K.S.)
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Li C, Ma J, Groenewoud A, Ren J, Liu S, Snaar-Jagalska BE, Ten Dijke P. Establishment of Embryonic Zebrafish Xenograft Assays to Investigate TGF-β Family Signaling in Human Breast Cancer Progression. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2488:67-80. [PMID: 35347683 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2277-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members have pivotal functions in controlling breast cancer progression, acting not only on cancer cells but also on other cells within the tumor microenvironment. Here we describe embryonic zebrafish xenograft assays to investigate how TGF-β family signaling controls breast cancer cell intravasation, extravasation and regulates tumor angiogenesis. Fluorescently mCherry-labeled breast cancer cells are injected in the perivitelline space or Duct of Cuvier of Tg (fli:EGFP) transgenic Casper zebrafish embryos, in which the zebrafish express enhanced green fluorescent protein in the entire vasculature. The dynamic responses of migratory and invasive human cancer cells, and the induction of new blood vessel formation by the cancer cells in zebrafish host, are visualized using a fluorescent microscope. These assays provide efficient, reliable, low-cost models to investigate the effect of (epi)genetic modulators and pharmacological compounds that perturb the activity of TGF-β family signaling components on breast cancer cell metastasis and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jin Ma
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Arwin Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jiang Ren
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sijia Liu
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
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48
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Tian T, Zhao Y, Zheng J, Jin S, Liu Z, Wang T. Circular RNA: A potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarker for human triple-negative breast cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:63-80. [PMID: 34513294 PMCID: PMC8411013 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is the most malignant subtype of breast cancer (BC), accounts for 10%–20% of all BC cases. TNBC, which occurs more frequently in young women, is characterized by high rates of cell proliferation and metastasis and poor prognosis. Chemotherapy is the primary systemic therapeutic strategy for TNBC. However, chemotherapy is largely unsuccessful, and effective targeted therapies for TNBC have not been established. Therefore, it is a matter of great urgency to identify precise molecular targets for the promising prognosis of patients with TNBC. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are a type of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are abundantly expressed in the eukaryotic cells and exhibit diverse cellular functions. The roles of circRNAs are to sponge microRNA or RNA-binding proteins, regulate gene expression, and serve as templates for translation. Here, we review the current findings on the potential of circRNAs as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarker for TNBC. However, further studies are essential to elucidate the functions of circRNAs in TNBC. This review also discusses the current limitations and future directions of TNBC-associated circRNAs, which can facilitate the translation of experimental research into clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Yangzhi Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jingying Zheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Shunzi Jin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhongshan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Tiejun Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
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49
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Wang Y, Dai J, Zeng Y, Guo J, Lan J. E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Breast Cancer Metastasis: A Systematic Review of Pathogenic Functions and Clinical Implications. Front Oncol 2021; 11:752604. [PMID: 34745984 PMCID: PMC8569917 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.752604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Female breast cancer has become the most commonly occurring cancer worldwide. Although it has a good prognosis under early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, breast cancer metastasis drastically causes mortality. The process of metastasis, which includes cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition, invasion, migration, and colonization, is a multistep cascade of molecular events directed by gene mutations and altered protein expressions. Ubiquitin modification of proteins plays a common role in most of the biological processes. E3 ubiquitin ligase, the key regulator of protein ubiquitination, determines the fate of ubiquitinated proteins. E3 ubiquitin ligases target a broad spectrum of substrates. The aberrant functions of many E3 ubiquitin ligases can affect the biological behavior of cancer cells, including breast cancer metastasis. In this review, we provide an overview of these ligases, summarize the metastatic processes in which E3s are involved, and comprehensively describe the roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases. Furthermore, we classified E3 ubiquitin ligases based on their structure and analyzed them with the survival of breast cancer patients. Finally, we consider how our knowledge can be used for E3s’ potency in the therapeutic intervention or prognostic assessment of metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingshuang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiawen Dai
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Youqin Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinlin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Lan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Takakura Y, Hori N, Terada N, Machida M, Yamaguchi N, Takano H, Yamaguchi N. VGLL3 activates inflammatory responses by inducing interleukin-1α secretion. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21996. [PMID: 34679187 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100679rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vestigial-like family member 3 (VGLL3), a member of the vestigial-like family, is a cofactor of the TEA-domain-containing transcription factor (TEAD). Although elevation in VGLL3 expression is associated with inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory sarcomas and autoimmune diseases, the molecular mechanisms underlying VGLL3-mediated inflammation remain largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between elevated VGLL3 expression and the levels of NF-κB, a transcription factor that plays a pivotal role in inflammation. NF-κB was found to be activated in a cell line stably expressing VGLL3. Mechanistically, VGLL3 was shown to promote the expression and secretion of the potent NF-κB-activating cytokine interleukin (IL)-1α, probably through its association with TEADs. As VGLL3 is a target of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling, we analyzed IL-1α induction upon TGF-β stimulation. TGF-β stimulation was observed to induce IL-1α secretion and NF-κB activation, and VGLL3 was associated with this phenomenon. The TGF-β transcription factors Smad3 and Smad4 were shown to be necessary for inducing VGLL3 and IL-1α expression. Lastly, we found that VGLL3-dependent IL-1α secretion is involved in constitutive NF-κB activation in highly malignant breast cancer cells. Collectively, the findings suggested that VGLL3 expression and TGF-β stimulation activate the inflammatory response by inducing IL-1α secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Takakura
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoto Hori
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Natsumi Terada
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Moeka Machida
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoto Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takano
- Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Noritaka Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Molecular Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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