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Ye G, Wang J, Xia J, Zhu C, Gu C, Li X, Li J, Ye M, Jin X. Low protein expression of LZTR1 in hepatocellular carcinoma triggers tumorigenesis via activating the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32855. [PMID: 38994114 PMCID: PMC11237970 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32855] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
LZTR1 is a substrate specific adaptor for E3 ligase involved in the ubiquitination and degradation of RAS GTPases, which inhibits the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling to suppress the pathogenesis of Noonan syndrome and glioblastoma. However, it's still unknown whether LZTR1 destabilizes RAS GTPases to suppress HCC progression by inhibiting these signaling pathway. Lenvatinib is the first-line drug for the treatment of advanced HCC, however, it has high drug resistance. To explore the roles of LZTR1 in HCC progression and the underlying mechanisms of lenvatinib resistance, techniques such as bioinformatics analysis, immunohistochemical staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, cell functional experiments, small interfering RNA transfection and cycloheximide chase assay were applied in our study. Among these, bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical staining results indicated that LZTR1 protein was aberrantly expressed at low levels in HCC tissues, and low protein expression of LZTR1 was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. In vitro functional experiments confirmed that low expression of LZTR1 promoted HCC cell proliferation and migration via the aberrant activation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling due to the dysregulation of LZTR1-induced KRAS ubiquitination and degradation. Transwell assays revealed that blocking of LZTR1-mediated KRAS degradation could induce lenvatinib resistance in HCC cells. In conclusion, our study revealed that LZTR1 knockdown promoted HCC cell proliferation and migration, and induced lenvatinib resistance via activating the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling, which may provide new ideas for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganghui Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Jingyi Xia
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Chenlu Zhu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Chaoyu Gu
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Xinming Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Jingyun Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Meng Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
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Uehara M, Domoto T, Takenaka S, Takeuchi O, Shimasaki T, Miyashita T, Minamoto T. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β: the nexus of chemoresistance, invasive capacity, and cancer stemness in pancreatic cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:4. [PMID: 38318525 PMCID: PMC10838383 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of pancreatic cancer remains a significant clinical challenge due to the limited number of patients eligible for curative (R0) surgery, failures in the clinical development of targeted and immune therapies, and the pervasive acquisition of chemotherapeutic resistance. Refractory pancreatic cancer is typified by high invasiveness and resistance to therapy, with both attributes related to tumor cell stemness. These malignant characteristics mutually enhance each other, leading to rapid cancer progression. Over the past two decades, numerous studies have produced evidence of the pivotal role of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β in the progression of over 25 different cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge on the pathological roles of aberrant GSK3β in supporting tumor cell proliferation and invasion, as well as its contribution to gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer. Importantly, we discuss the central role of GSK3β as a molecular hub that mechanistically connects chemoresistance, tumor cell invasion, and stemness in pancreatic cancer. We also discuss the involvement of GSK3β in the formation of desmoplastic tumor stroma and in promoting anti-cancer immune evasion, both of which constitute major obstacles to successful cancer treatment. Overall, GSK3β has characteristics of a promising therapeutic target to overcome chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Uehara
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Takahiro Domoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Satoshi Takenaka
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Toyama City Hospital, Toyama 939-8511, Japan
| | - Osamu Takeuchi
- Biomedical Laboratory, Department of Research, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo 108-8642, Japan
| | - Takeo Shimasaki
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Miyashita
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Toyama City Hospital, Toyama 939-8511, Japan
| | - Toshinari Minamoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
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Thapa R, Gupta G, Bhat AA, Almalki WH, Alzarea SI, Kazmi I, Saleem S, Khan R, Altwaijry N, Dureja H, Singh SK, Dua K. A review of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors for cancers therapies. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127375. [PMID: 37839597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The intricate molecular pathways governing cancer development and progression have spurred intensive investigations into novel therapeutic targets. Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3), a complex serine/threonine kinase, has emerged as a key player with intricate roles in various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Harnessing GSK3 inhibitors as potential candidates for cancer therapy has garnered significant interest due to their ability to modulate key signalling pathways that drive oncogenesis. The review encompasses a thorough examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying GSK3's involvement in cancer progression, shedding light on its interaction with critical pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB. Through these interactions, GSK3 exerts influence over tumour growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis, rendering it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The discussion includes preclinical and clinical studies, showcasing the inhibitors efficacy across a spectrum of cancer types, including pancreatic, ovarian, lung, and other malignancies. Insights from recent studies highlight the potential synergistic effects of combining GSK3 inhibitors with conventional chemotherapeutic agents or targeted therapies, opening avenues for innovative combinatorial approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research surrounding GSK3 inhibitors as promising agents for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Thapa
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India.
| | - Asif Ahmad Bhat
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakir Saleem
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ruqaiyah Khan
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Deanship of Preparatory Year for the Health Colleges, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najla Altwaijry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Harish Dureja
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Lv S, Zhang J, Peng X, Liu H, Liu Y, Wei F. Ubiquitin signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1304639. [PMID: 38174069 PMCID: PMC10761520 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1304639] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignant tumor of the digestive system, characterized by rapid progression and being prone to metastasis. Few effective treatment options are available for PDAC, and its 5-year survival rate is less than 9%. Many cell biological and signaling events are involved in the development of PDAC, among which protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as ubiquitination, play crucial roles. Catalyzed mostly by a three-enzyme cascade, ubiquitination induces changes in protein activity mainly by altering their stability in PDAC. Due to their role in substrate recognition, E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) dictate the outcome of the modification. Ubiquitination can be reversed by deubiquitylases (DUBs), which, in return, modified proteins to their native form. Dysregulation of E3s or DUBs that disrupt protein homeostasis is involved in PDAC. Moreover, the ubiquitination system has been exploited to develop therapeutic strategies, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the role of ubiquitination in the development of PDAC and offer perspectives in the design of new therapies against this highly challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xinyu Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Abe T, Kanno SI, Niihori T, Terao M, Takada S, Aoki Y. LZTR1 deficiency exerts high metastatic potential by enhancing sensitivity to EMT induction and controlling KLHL12-mediated collagen secretion. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:556. [PMID: 37626065 PMCID: PMC10457367 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06072-9] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Leucine zipper-like transcriptional regulator 1 (LZTR1), a substrate adaptor of Cullin 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates proteostasis of the RAS subfamily. Mutations in LZTR1 have been identified in patients with several types of cancer. However, the role of LZTR1 in tumor metastasis and the target molecules of LZTR1, excluding the RAS subfamily, are not clearly understood. Here, we show that LZTR1 deficiency increases tumor growth and metastasis. In lung adenocarcinoma cells, LZTR1 deficiency induced the accumulation of the RAS subfamily and enhanced cell proliferation, invasion, and xenograft tumor growth. Multi-omics analysis to clarify the pathways related to tumor progression showed that MAPK signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling-related gene ontology terms were enriched in LZTR1 knockout cells. Indeed, LZTR1 deficiency induced high expression of EMT markers under TGF-β1 treatment. Our search for novel substrates that interact with LZTR1 resulted in the discovery of a Kelch-like protein 12 (KLHL12), which is involved in collagen secretion. LZTR1 could inhibit KLHL12-mediated ubiquitination of SEC31A, a component of coat protein complex II (COPII), whereas LZTR1 deficiency promoted collagen secretion. LZTR1-RIT1 and LZTR1-KLHL12 worked independently regarding molecular interactions and did not directly interfere with each other. Further, we found that LZTR1 deficiency significantly increases lung metastasis and promotes ECM deposition around metastatic tumors. Since collagen-rich extracellular matrix act as pathways for migration and facilitate metastasis, increased expression of RAS and collagen deposition may exert synergistic or additive effects leading to tumor progression and metastasis. In conclusion, LZTR1 deficiency exerts high metastatic potential by enhancing sensitivity to EMT induction and promoting collagen secretion. The functional inhibition of KLHL12 by LZTR1 provides important evidence that LZTR1 may be a repressor of BTB-Kelch family members. These results provide clues to the mechanism of LZTR1-deficiency carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Abe
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kanno
- Division of Dynamic Proteome, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Niihori
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Miho Terao
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Aoki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β: A True Foe in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214133. [PMID: 36430630 PMCID: PMC9696080 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in multiple normal and pathological cell functions, including cell signalling and metabolism. GSK-3β is highly expressed in the onset and progression of multiple cancers with strong involvement in the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, and chemoresistance. Multiple studies showed pro- and anti-cancer roles of GSK-3β creating confusion about the benefit of targeting GSK-3β for treating cancer. In this mini-review, we focus on the role of GSK-3β in pancreatic cancer. We demonstrate that the proposed anti-cancer roles of GSK-3β are not relevant to pancreatic cancer, and we argue why GSK-3β is, indeed, a very promising therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.
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