The NDR/LATS protein kinases in immunology and cancer biology

SENP2-NDR2-p21 axis modulates lung cancer cell growth

Sentrin/small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-specific proteases (SENPs) perform pivotal roles in SUMO maturation and recycling, which modulate the balance of SUMOylation/de-SUMOylation and spatiotemporal functions of SUMOylation targets. The malfunction of SENPs often results in cellular dysfunction and various diseases. However, studies rarely investigated the correlation between SENP2 and lung cancer. This study revealed that SENP2 is a required contributor to lung cancer-cell growth and targets nuclear Dbf2-related 2 (NDR2, also known as serine/threonine kinase 38L or STK38L) for de-SUMOylation, which improves NDR2 kinase activity. This condition leads to the instability of downstream target p21 in accelerating the G1/S cell cycle transition and suggests SENP2 as a promising therapeutic target for lung cancer in the future. Specifically, astragaloside IV, an active ingredient of Jinfukang Oral Liquid (JOL, a clinical combination antilung cancer drug approved by the National Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of China), can repress lung cancer-cell growth via the SENP2-NDR2-p21 axis, which provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of JOL for lung cancer treatment.

Surviving the Storm: The Role of Poly- and Depolyploidization in Tissues and Tumors

Polyploidization and depolyploidization are critical processes in the normal development and tissue homeostasis of diploid organisms. Recent investigations have revealed that polyaneuploid cancer cells (PACCs) exploit this ploidy variation as a survival strategy against anticancer treatment and for the repopulation of tumors. Unscheduled polyploidization and chromosomal instability in PACCs enhance malignancy and treatment resistance. However, their inability to undergo mitosis causes catastrophic cellular death in most PACCs. Adaptive ploid reversal mechanisms, such as multipolar mitosis, centrosome clustering, meiosis-like division, and amitosis, counteract this lethal outcome and drive cancer relapse. The purpose of this work is to focus on PACCs induced by cytotoxic therapy, highlighting the latest discoveries in ploidy dynamics in physiological and pathological contexts. Specifically, by emphasizing the role of "poly-depolyploidization" in tumor progression, the aim is to identify novel therapeutic targets or paradigms for combating diseases associated with aberrant ploidies.

YAP in development and disease: Navigating the regulatory landscape from retina to brain

The distinctive role of Yes-associated protein (YAP) in the nervous system has attracted widespread attention. This comprehensive review strategically uses the retina as a vantage point, embarking on an extensive exploration of YAP's multifaceted impact from the retina to the brain in development and pathology. Initially, we explore the crucial roles of YAP in embryonic and cerebral development. Our focus then shifts to retinal development, examining in detail YAP's regulatory influence on the development of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), and its significant effects on the hierarchical structure and functionality of the retina. We also investigate the essential contributions of YAP in maintaining retinal homeostasis, highlighting its precise regulation of retinal cell proliferation and survival. In terms of retinal-related diseases, we explore the epigenetic connections and pathophysiological regulation of YAP in diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Lastly, we broaden our exploration from the retina to the brain, emphasizing the research paradigm of "retina: a window to the brain." Special focus is given to the emerging studies on YAP in brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), underlining its potential therapeutic value in neurodegenerative disorders and neuroinflammation.

A review of nuclear Dbf2-related kinase 1 (NDR1) protein interaction as promising new target for cancer therapy

Nuclear Dbf2-related kinase 1 (NDR1) is a nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR) protein kinase family member, which regulates cell functions and participates in cell proliferation and differentiation through kinase activity. NDR1 regulates physiological functions by interacting with different proteins. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are crucial for regulating biological processes and controlling cell fate, and as a result, it is beneficial to study the actions of PPIs to elucidate the pathological mechanism of diseases. The previous studies also show that the expression of NDR1 is deregulated in numerous human cancer samples and it needs the context-specific targeting strategies for NDR1. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the direct interaction between NDR1 and varieties of proteins may provide new insights into cancer therapies. In this review, we summarize recent studies of NDR1 in solid tumors, such as prostate cancer and breast cancer, and explore the mechanism of action of PPIs of NDR1 in tumors.

Targeting ageing with rapamycin and its derivatives in humans: a systematic review

Rapamycin and its derivatives (rapalogs) are inhibitors of mTOR, a major regulator of the ageing process. We aimed to summarise the effects of rapamycin and its derivatives on the severity of ageing-related physiological changes and disease in adults. A search across five databases yielded 18 400 unique articles, resulting in 19 included studies. Rapamycin and its derivatives improved physiological parameters associated with ageing in the immune, cardiovascular, and integumentary systems of healthy individuals or individuals with ageing-related diseases. Overall, no significant effects on the endocrine, muscular, or neurological systems were found. The effects of rapamycin or its derivatives on the respiratory, digestive, renal, and reproductive systems were not assessed. No serious adverse events attributed to rapamycin and its derivatives were reported in healthy individuals; however, there were increased numbers of infections and increases in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in individuals with ageing-related diseases. Future studies should assess the remaining unexamined systems and test the effects of long-term exposure to rapamycin and its derivatives.

Molecules in the hippo pathway that regulate Th17 differentiation reveal the severity of ankylosing spondylitis

AIM

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, progressive, and inflammatory autoimmune disease of unknown origin that affects the axial skeleton and sacroiliac joints, resulting in pain and loss of function. AS is characterized by the overdifferentiation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which contribute to the development of the disease. The Hippo signaling pathway is an important regulator of Th17 differentiation, but its role in patients with AS is unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of key molecules of the Hippo signaling pathway in inflammatory Th17 differentiation in patients with AS and to examine their correlation with disease stages.

METHODS

We examined the activity of the Hippo pathway in patients with AS and the regulation of Th17 differentiation during AS-mediated inflammation. Blood samples were collected from 60 patients with AS at various stages and 30 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation. The Serum Interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in patients with AS and healthy controls were quantified by ELISA. The key molecules of Hippo pathway were assessed by real-time PCR for their mRNA expression, and protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Elevated serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels were observed in patients with AS compared with healthy controls. The protein and mRNA levels of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and key upstream transcription factors in the Hippo signaling pathway were measured. The expression of RORγt and TAZ was increased in the blood of patients with AS, whereas the expression of other Hippo pathway proteins, such as MST1/2 and NDR1/2, was significantly decreased. Increased levels of IL-17 and TAZ were significantly associated with disease activity. In addition, MST1, MST2, and NDR1 levels were negatively correlated with TAZ, RORγt, and IL-17 levels.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the Hippo pathway plays a significant role in the regulation of Th17 differentiation and disease activity in patients with AS. The upregulation of TAZ and downregulation of key Hippo pathway proteins, such as MST1/2 and NDR1/2, may contribute to AS pathogenesis. These proteins may serve as biomarkers and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AS.

FKN secreted by kidney epithelial cells regulates macrophage activation in lupus nephritis via the Hippo signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Previously, we showed that fractalkine (FKN) expression was positively correlated with the severity of LN. Here, we aimed to study the role of the Hippo signaling pathway (HSP) and its interaction with FKN in LN in an attempt to provide novel strategies for LN treatment.

METHODS

In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-stimulated THP-1 cells were co-cultured with FKN up-regulated or down-regulated kidney epithelial cells Hkb20. FKN-knockout (KO-FKN) mice were used to construct LN model. Flow cytometric analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), pathological staining, Western blot, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were employed to investigate the role of FKN and its interaction with the Hippo signaling pathway (HSP) in LN.

RESULTS

Up-regulation of FKN in kidney epithelial cells was associated with increased macrophage activation. FKN overexpression in kidney epithelial cells suppressed apoptosis, inflammation levels, and M1 polarization of THP-1 cells and inhibited the HSP. Oppositely, FKN knockdown in kidney epithelial cells increased apoptosis, inflammation, and M1 polarization and activated the HSP. HSP inhibitor reversed the effect of FKN knockdown on THP-1 cells. In LN mice, FKN knockout and YAP inhibitor decreased the levels of renal function markers, alleviated kidney injury induced by LN, and inhibited macrophage activation in LN mice.

CONCLUSIONS

FKN down-regulation reduced the activation of macrophages in renal tissue and alleviated kidney damage by activating HSP. The regulatory effect of FKN on HSP should be confirmed in patients with LN, and the mechanism of FKN in LN should be further explored.

The Hippo signaling pathway: from multiple signals to the hallmarks of cancers

Evolutionarily conserved, the Hippo signaling pathway is critical in regulating organ size and tissue homeostasis. The activity of this pathway is tightly regulated under normal circumstances, since its physical function is precisely maintained to control the rate of cell proliferation. Failure of maintenance leads to a variety of tumors. Our understanding of the mechanism of Hippo dysregulation and tumorigenesis is becoming increasingly precise, relying on the emergence of upstream inhibitor or activator and the connection linking Hippo target genes, mutations, and related signaling pathways with phenotypes. In this review, we summarize recent reports on the signaling network of the Hippo pathway in tumorigenesis and progression by exploring its critical mechanisms in cancer biology and potential targeting in cancer therapy.

Development and therapeutic potential of adaptor-associated kinase 1 inhibitors in human multifaceted diseases

Adaptor-Associated Kinase 1 (AAK1), a Ser/Thr protein kinase, responsible for regulating clathrin-mediated endocytosis, is ubiquitous in the central nervous system (CNS). AAK1 plays an important role in neuropathic pain and a variety of other human diseases, including viral invasion, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's syndrome, etc. Therefore, targeting AAK1 is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, although small molecule AAK1 inhibitors have been vigorously developed, only BMS-986176/LX-9211 has entered clinical trials. Simultaneously, new small molecule inhibitors, including BMS-911172 and LP-935509, exhibited excellent druggability. This review elaborates on the structure, biological function, and disease relevance of AAK1. We emphatically analyze the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of small molecule AAK1 inhibitors based on different binding modalities and discuss prospective strategies to provide insights into novel AAK1 therapeutic agents for clinical practice.

The role of the Hippo pathway in autophagy in the heart

The Hippo pathway, an evolutionarily conserved signalling mechanism, controls organ size and tumourigenesis. Increasing lines of evidence suggest that autophagy, an important mechanism of lysosome-mediated cellular degradation, is regulated by the Hippo pathway, which thereby profoundly affects cell growth and death responses in various cell types. In the heart, Mst1, an upstream component of the Hippo pathway, not only induces apoptosis but also inhibits autophagy through phosphorylation of Beclin 1. YAP/TAZ, transcription factor co-factors and the terminal effectors of the Hippo pathway, affect autophagy through transcriptional activation of TFEB, a master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis. The cellular abundance of YAP is negatively regulated by autophagy and suppression of autophagy induces accumulation of YAP, which, in turn, acts as a feedback mechanism to induce autophagosome formation. Thus, the Hippo pathway and autophagy regulate each other, thereby profoundly affecting cardiomyocyte survival and death. This review discusses the interaction between the Hippo pathway and autophagy and its functional significance during stress conditions in the heart and the cardiomyocytes therein.

NDR1 activates CD47 transcription by increasing protein stability and nuclear location of ASCL1 to enhance cancer stem cell properties and evasion of phagocytosis in small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most malignant types of lung cancer. Cancer stem cell (CSC) and tumor immune evasion are critical for the development of SCLC. We previously reported that NDR1 enhances breast CSC properties. NDR1 might also have a role in the regulation of immune responses. In the current study, we explore the function of NDR1 in the control of CSC properties and evasion of phagocytosis in SCLC. We find that NDR1 enhances the enrichment of the ALDEFLUOR^high and CD133^high population, and promotes sphere formation in SCLC cells. Additionally, NDR1 upregulates CD47 expression to enhance evasion of phagocytosis in SCLC. Furthermore, the effects of NDR1 enhanced CD47 expression and evasion of phagocytosis are more prominent in CSC than in non-CSC. Importantly, NDR1 promotes ASCL1 expression to enhance NDR1-promoted CSC properties and evasion of phagocytosis in SCLC cells. Mechanically, NDR1 enhances protein stability and the nuclear location of ASCL1 to activate the transcription of CD47 in SCLC. Finally, CD47-blocking antibody can be used to target NDR1 enhanced CSC properties and evasion of phagocytosis by suppressing EGFR activation in SCLC. In summary, our data indicate that NDR1 could be a critical factor for modulating CSC properties and phagocytosis in SCLC.

Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancers

Skin cancers are by far the most frequently diagnosed human cancers. The closely related transcriptional co-regulator proteins YAP and TAZ (WWTR1) have emerged as important drivers of tumour initiation, progression and metastasis in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. YAP/TAZ serve as an essential signalling hub by integrating signals from multiple upstream pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of YAP/TAZ in skin physiology and tumorigenesis and discuss recent efforts of therapeutic interventions that target YAP/TAZ in in both preclinical and clinical settings, as well as their prospects for use as skin cancer treatments.

Prognostic and Immunological Role of STK38 across Cancers: Friend or Foe?

Although STK38 (serine-threonine kinase 38) has been proven to play an important role in cancer initiation and progression based on a series of cell and animal experiments, no systemic assessment of STK38 across human cancers is available. We firstly performed a pan-cancer analysis of STK38 in this study. The expression level of STK38 was significantly different between tumor and normal tissues in 15 types of cancers. Meanwhile, a prognosis analysis showed that a distinct relationship existed between STK38 expression and the clinical prognosis of cancer patients. Furthermore, the expression of STK38 was related to the infiltration of immune cells, such as NK cells, memory CD4+ T cells, mast cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in a few cancers. There were three immune-associated signaling pathways involved in KEGG analysis of STK38. In general, STK38 shows a significant prognostic value in different cancers and is closely associated with cancer immunity.

YAP1-TEAD1 mediates the perineural invasion of prostate cancer cells induced by cancer-associated fibroblasts

Perineural invasion (PNI) driven by the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a key pattern of metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa), while its underlying mechanism is still elusive. Here, we identified increased CAFs and YAP1 expression levels in patients with metastatic PCa. In the cultured PCa cell line LNCaP, co-culture with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) could upregulate YAP1 protein expression. Either ectopic overexpression of YAP1 or co-culture with CAFs could promote the infiltration of LNCaPs towards dorsal root ganglia (DRG). This effect could be blocked using an YAP1 inhibitor. In vivo, overexpression of YAP1 could increase PNI in a mouse model of sciatic nerve tumor invasion. Mechanistically, TEAD1 binds to the NGF promotor and YAP1/TEAD1 activates its transcription and consequently increases NGF secretion. In turn, PCa cells treated with CM from CAFs or stable YAP1 overexpression can stimulate DRG to secrete CCL2. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PCa cells is thus activated via CCL2/CCR2. Overall, our data demonstrate that CAFs can activate YAP1/TEAD1 signaling and increase the secretion of NGF, therefore promoting PCa PNI. In addition, EMT induced by PNI suggests a feedback loop is present between neurons and PCa cells.

Rearrangements, Expression, and Clinical Significance of MYB and MYBL1 in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Study

Simple Summary

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive glandular cancer with poor prognosis that preferentially occurs in the head and neck. The MYB and MYBL1 oncogenes are main oncogenic drivers, but the true frequency and clinical significance of these alterations are unclear. Here, we have used tissue microarrays to study these genes in a multi-institutional study of close to 400 ACCs, the largest study to date. We found alterations of MYB/MYBL1 in 78% of the cases and overexpression of the MYB/MYBL1 proteins in 93% of the cases. Importantly, we show that patients with loss of one part of the MYB gene and its neighboring sequences on chromosome 6 have a significantly shorter overall survival compared to those without loss. Our study provides new knowledge about the frequency and clinical significance of MYB/MYBL1 alterations and identifies genes with tumor suppressive functions on chromosome 6 that contribute to poor prognosis in ACC.

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive head and neck malignancy characterized by a t (6;9) translocation resulting in an MYB–NFIB gene fusion or, more rarely, an MYBL1 fusion. The true frequency and clinical significance of these alterations are still unclear. Here, we have used tissue microarrays and analyzed 391 ACCs and 647 non-ACC salivary neoplasms to study the prevalence, expression, and clinical significance of MYB/MYBL1 alterations by FISH and immunohistochemistry. Alterations of MYB or MYBL1 were found in 78% of the cases, of which 62% had MYB alterations and 16% had MYBL1 rearrangements. Overexpression of MYB/MYBL1 oncoproteins was detected in 93% of the cases. MYB split signal, seen in 39% of the cases, was specific for ACC and not encountered in non-ACC salivary tumors. Loss of the 3′-part of MYB was enriched in grade 3 tumors and was a significant independent prognostic biomarker for overall survival in multivariate analyses. We hypothesize that loss of the 3′-part of MYB results from an unbalanced t(6;9) leading to an MYB–NFIB fusion with concomitant loss of the segment distal to the MYB breakpoint in 6q23.3. Our study provides new knowledge about the prevalence and clinical significance of MYB/MYBL1 alterations and indicates the presence of genes with tumor suppressive functions in 6q23.3-qter that contribute to poor prognosis and short overall survival in ACC.

Molecular Alterations in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Hope for Effective Treatment by Targeting YAP

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm, which has primarily been attributed to the exposure to asbestos fibers (83% of cases); yet, despite a ban of using asbestos in many countries, the incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma failed to decline worldwide. While little progress has been made in malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, bevacizumab at first, then followed by double immunotherapy (nivolumab plus ipilumumab), were all shown to improve survival in large phase III randomized trials. The morphological analysis of the histological subtyping remains the primary indicator for therapeutic decision making at an advanced disease stage, while a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen combined with pemetrexed, either with or without bevacizumab, is still the main treatment option. Consequently, malignant pleural mesothelioma still represents a significant health concern owing to poor median survival (12-18 months). Given this context, both diagnosis and therapy improvements require better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant pleural mesothelioma's carcinogenesis and progression. Hence, the Hippo pathway in malignant pleural mesothelioma initiation and progression has recently received increasing attention, as the aberrant expression of its core components may be closely related to patient prognosis. The purpose of this review was to provide a critical analysis of our current knowledge on these topics, the main focus being on the available evidence concerning the role of each Hippo pathway's member as a promising biomarker, enabling detection of the disease at earlier stages and thus improving prognosis.

The STK38-XPO1 axis, a new actor in physiology and cancer

The Hippo signal transduction pathway is an essential regulator of organ size during developmental growth by controlling multiple cellular processes such as cell proliferation, cell death, differentiation, and stemness. Dysfunctional Hippo signaling pathway leads to dramatic tissue overgrowth. Here, we will briefly introduce the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway before focusing on one of its members and the unexpected twists that followed our quest of its functions in its multifarious actions beside the Hippo pathway: the STK38 kinase. In this review, we will precisely discuss the newly identified role of STK38 on regulating the nuclear export machinery by phosphorylating and activating, the major nuclear export receptor XPO1. Finally, we will phrase STK38's role on regulating the subcellular distribution of crucial cellular regulators such as Beclin1 and YAP1 with its implication in cancer.

Extracellular vesicles and the regulation of tumor immunity: Current progress and future directions

As nano-level information carriers, extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain proteins, DNA or RNA, which maintain the transmembrane transport of biomolecules and the homeostasis of normal cells. EVs can be released by most cell types and absorbed by specific recipient cells, subsequently affecting phenotypic expression. EVs are believed to play an important role in cellular communication, especially in immune cells. During tumor development, EVs of different origins have different effects on the survival and growth of tumor cells. Some tumor cell-derived EVs can mediate tumor immunosuppressive responses by inhibiting the differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and by negatively regulating the expression of T cell receptors, causing tumor cells to escape immune surveillance and proliferate. EVs have therefore become a key component of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. In contrast, EVs derived from DCs mediate antitumor immune activation by inducing the killing and inhibitory effects of the immune system. This makes it an antigen component of the antitumor response. Integrating the interaction and connection of EVs to immunosuppression and immune response is significant for the application of EVs in clinical practice. Here, we reviewed the research progress on the role of EVs in the immune regulation of tumors.

The role of the Hippo pathway in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disorder that primarily comprises Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Owing to its increasing prevalence in Eastern countries and the intractable challenges faced during IBD treatment, extensive research on IBD has been carried out over the last few years. Although the precise aetiology of IBD is undefined, the currently accepted hypothesis for IBD pathogenesis considers it to be a combination of environment, genetic predisposition, gut microbiota, and abnormal immunity. A recently emerged signalling pathway, the Hippo pathway, acts as a key regulator of cell growth, tissue homoeostasis, organ size, and has been implicated in several human cancers. In the past few years, studies have revealed the importance of the Hippo pathway in gastrointestinal tract physiology and gastrointestinal diseases, such as colorectal cancer and IBD. However, the role of the Hippo pathway and its exact impact in IBD remains to be elucidated. This review summarises the latest scientific literature on the involvement of this pathway in IBD from the following perspectives that account for the IBD pathogenesis: intestinal epithelial cell regeneration, immune regulation, gut microbiota, and angiogenesis. A comprehensive understanding of the specific role of the Hippo pathway in IBD will provide novel insights into future research directions and clinical implications of the Hippo pathway.

Immuno-hippo: Research progress of the hippo pathway in autoimmune disease

Extensive research in Drosophila and mammals has identified the core components of Hippo signaling, which controls gene expression. Studies of Drosophila have demonstrated the highly conserved Hippo pathway controls tissue homeostasis and organ size by regulating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recent work has indicated a potential role of the Hippo pathway in regulating the immune system, which is the key player in autoimmune disease (AID). Therefore, the Hippo pathway may become a novel target for curing AID. Although the pivotal role of both the Hippo pathway in tumorigenesis has been thoroughly investigated, the role of it in AID is still poorly understood. Elucidating the role of Hippo signaling pathways in the activation and expression of specific molecules involved in immune regulation is important for understanding the pathogenesis of AID and exploring novel therapeutic targets. To aid in further research, this review describes the relationship between the Hippo pathway and inflammatory signals such as NF-κB and JAK-STAT, the function of the Hippo pathway in the formation and differentiation of immune cells, and the regulatory role of the Hippo pathway in AID.

Emerging role of the Hippo pathway in autophagy

Autophagy is a dynamic circulatory system that occurs in all eukaryotic cells. Cytoplasmic material is transported to lysosomes for degradation and recovery through autophagy. This provides energy and macromolecular precursors for cell renewal and homeostasis. The Hippo-YAP pathway has significant biological properties in controlling organ size, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. Recently, the Hippo-YAP axis has been extensively referred to as the pathophysiological processes regulating autophagy. Understanding the cellular and molecular basis of these processes is crucial for identifying disease pathogenesis and novel therapeutic targets. Here we review recent findings from Drosophila models to organisms. We particularly emphasize the regulation between Hippo core components and autophagy, which is involved in normal cellular regulation and the pathogenesis of human diseases, and its application to disease treatment.

Function of the MOB kinase activator-like 1 in the innate immune defense of the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense)

The monopolar spindle one binder (MOB) protein, a key signal transducer of the Hippo signaling pathway, is involved in growth control and cancer. In this study, a new MOB kinase activator-like 1 of the oriental river prawns, Macrobrachium nipponense, (MnMOB1) was isolated and characterized. The open reading frame of MnMOB1 consisted of 651 nucleotides that encoded 216 amino acid residues and contained the Mob1_phocein domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MnMOB1 clustered together with the MOB1 from Penaeus vannamei. The distribution of MnMOB1 expression in various tissues of normal prawn revealed that the MnMOB1 expression was highest in the hepatopancreas followed by those in the intestines, gill, heart, stomach, and hemocytes. In prawns challenged with Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the expression levels of MnMOB1 in the hepatopancreas, gills, and intestine were upregulated. Furthermore, the expression levels of crustins and anti-lipopolysaccharide factors in prawn injected with S. aureus and V. parahaemolyticus and MnMOB1 knockdown were significantly decreased relative to those in the control group. These findings indicated that MnMOB1 is involved in the regulation of antimicrobial peptide expression and plays a crucial role in the innate immunity of M. nipponense.

The Emerging Roles of NDR1/2 in Infection and Inflammation

The nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR) kinases NDR1 and NDR2 belong to the NDR/LATS (large tumor suppressor) subfamily in the Hippo signaling pathway. They are highly conserved from yeast to humans. It is well-known that NDR1/2 control important cellular processes, such as morphological changes, centrosome duplication, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Recent studies revealed that NDR1/2 also play important roles in the regulation of infection and inflammation. In this review, we summarized the roles of NDR1/2 in the modulation of inflammation induced by cytokines and innate immune response against the infection of bacteria and viruses, emphasizing on how NDR1/2 regulate signaling transduction through Hippo pathway-dependent and -independent manners.

Mob Family Proteins: Regulatory Partners in Hippo and Hippo-Like Intracellular Signaling Pathways

Studies in yeast first delineated the function of Mob proteins in kinase pathways that regulate cell division and shape; in multicellular eukaryotes Mobs regulate tissue growth and morphogenesis. In animals, Mobs are adaptors in Hippo signaling, an intracellular signal-transduction pathway that restricts growth, impacting the development and homeostasis of animal organs. Central to Hippo signaling are the Nuclear Dbf2-Related (NDR) kinases, Warts and LATS1 and LATS2, in flies and mammals, respectively. A second Hippo-like signaling pathway has been uncovered in animals, which regulates cell and tissue morphogenesis. Central to this emergent pathway are the NDR kinases, Tricornered, STK38, and STK38L. In Hippo signaling, NDR kinase activation is controlled by three activating interactions with a conserved set of proteins. This review focuses on one co-activator family, the highly conserved, non-catalytic Mps1-binder-related (Mob) proteins. In this context, Mobs are allosteric activators of NDR kinases and adaptors that contribute to assembly of multiprotein NDR kinase activation complexes. In multicellular eukaryotes, the Mob family has expanded relative to model unicellular yeasts; accumulating evidence points to Mob functional diversification. A striking example comes from the most sequence-divergent class of Mobs, which are components of the highly conserved Striatin Interacting Phosphatase and Kinase (STRIPAK) complex, that antagonizes Hippo signaling. Mobs stand out for their potential to modulate the output from Hippo and Hippo-like kinases, through their roles both in activating NDR kinases and in antagonizing upstream Hippo or Hippo-like kinase activity. These opposing Mob functions suggest that they coordinate the relative activities of the Tricornered/STK38/STK38L and Warts/LATS kinases, and thus have potential to assemble nodes for pathway signaling output. We survey the different facets of Mob-dependent regulation of Hippo and Hippo-like signaling and highlight open questions that hinge on unresolved aspects of Mob functions.

Mob Family Proteins: Regulatory Partners in Hippo and Hippo-Like Intracellular Signaling Pathways

Studies in yeast first delineated the function of Mob proteins in kinase pathways that regulate cell division and shape; in multicellular eukaryotes Mobs regulate tissue growth and morphogenesis. In animals, Mobs are adaptors in Hippo signaling, an intracellular signal-transduction pathway that restricts growth, impacting the development and homeostasis of animal organs. Central to Hippo signaling are the Nuclear Dbf2-Related (NDR) kinases, Warts and LATS1 and LATS2, in flies and mammals, respectively. A second Hippo-like signaling pathway has been uncovered in animals, which regulates cell and tissue morphogenesis. Central to this emergent pathway are the NDR kinases, Tricornered, STK38, and STK38L. In Hippo signaling, NDR kinase activation is controlled by three activating interactions with a conserved set of proteins. This review focuses on one co-activator family, the highly conserved, non-catalytic Mps1-binder-related (Mob) proteins. In this context, Mobs are allosteric activators of NDR kinases and adaptors that contribute to assembly of multiprotein NDR kinase activation complexes. In multicellular eukaryotes, the Mob family has expanded relative to model unicellular yeasts; accumulating evidence points to Mob functional diversification. A striking example comes from the most sequence-divergent class of Mobs, which are components of the highly conserved Striatin Interacting Phosphatase and Kinase (STRIPAK) complex, that antagonizes Hippo signaling. Mobs stand out for their potential to modulate the output from Hippo and Hippo-like kinases, through their roles both in activating NDR kinases and in antagonizing upstream Hippo or Hippo-like kinase activity. These opposing Mob functions suggest that they coordinate the relative activities of the Tricornered/STK38/STK38L and Warts/LATS kinases, and thus have potential to assemble nodes for pathway signaling output. We survey the different facets of Mob-dependent regulation of Hippo and Hippo-like signaling and highlight open questions that hinge on unresolved aspects of Mob functions.

Discoidin Domain Receptors, DDR1b and DDR2, Promote Tumour Growth within Collagen but DDR1b Suppresses Experimental Lung Metastasis in HT1080 Xenografts

The Discoidin Domain Receptors (DDRs) constitute a unique set of receptor tyrosine kinases that signal in response to collagen. Using an inducible expression system in human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, we investigated the role of DDR1b and DDR2 on primary tumour growth and experimental lung metastases. Neither DDR1b nor DDR2 expression altered tumour growth at the primary site. However, implantation of DDR1b- or DDR2-expressing HT1080 cells with collagen I significantly accelerated tumour growth rate, an effect that could not be observed with collagen I in the absence of DDR induction. Interestingly, DDR1b, but not DDR2, completely hindered the ability of HT1080 cells to form lung colonies after intravenous inoculation, suggesting a differential role for DDR1b in primary tumour growth and lung colonization. Analyses of tumour extracts revealed specific alterations in Hippo pathway core components, as a function of DDR and collagen expression, that were associated with stimulation of tumour growth by DDRs and collagen I. Collectively, these findings identified divergent effects of DDRs on primary tumour growth and experimental lung metastasis in the HT1080 xenograft model and highlight the critical role of fibrillar collagen and DDRs in supporting the growth of tumours thriving within a collagen-rich stroma.

Furry protein suppresses nuclear localization of yes-associated protein (YAP) by activating NDR kinase and binding to YAP

The Hippo signaling pathway suppresses cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. In the canonical Hippo pathway, large tumor suppressor kinases 1/2 (LATS1/2) phosphorylate the transcriptional coactivator yes-associated protein (YAP) and thereby suppress its nuclear localization and co-transcriptional activity. Nuclear Dbf2-related kinases 1/2 (NDR1/2), which are closely related to LATS1/2, also phosphorylate and inactivate YAP by suppressing its nuclear localization. Furry (FRY) is a cytoplasmic protein that associates with NDR1/2 and activates them, but its role in the nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of YAP remains unknown. Here, we constructed FRY-knockout cell lines to examine the role of FRY in YAP's cytoplasmic localization. FRY depletion markedly increased YAP nuclear localization and decreased NDR1/2 kinase activity and YAP phosphorylation levels, but did not affect LATS1/2 kinase activity. This indicated that FRY suppresses YAP's nuclear localization by promoting its phosphorylation via NDR1/2 activation. NDR1/2 depletion also promoted YAP nuclear localization, but depletion of both FRY and NDR1/2 increased the number of cells with YAP nuclear localization more strongly than did depletion of NDR1/2 alone, suggesting that FRY suppresses YAP nuclear localization by a mechanism in addition to NDR1/2 activation. Co-precipitation assays revealed that Fry uses its N-terminal 1-2400-amino-acid-long region to bind to YAP. Expression of full-length FRY or its 1-2400 N-terminal fragment restored YAP cytoplasmic localization in FRY-knockout cells. Taken together, these results suggest that FRY plays a crucial role in YAP cytoplasmic retention by promoting YAP phosphorylation via NDR1/2 kinase activation and by binding to YAP, leading to its cytoplasmic sequestration.

Neratinib degrades MST4 via autophagy that reduces membrane stiffness and is essential for the inactivation of PI3K, ERK1/2, and YAP/TAZ signaling

The irreversible ERBB1/2/4 inhibitor neratinib causes plasma membrane-associated K-RAS to mislocalize into intracellular vesicles liminal to the plasma membrane; this effect is enhanced by HDAC inhibitors and is now a Phase I trial (NCT03919292). The combination of neratinib and HDAC inhibitors killed pancreatic cancer and lymphoma T cells. Neratinib plus HDAC inhibitor exposure was as efficacious as (paclitaxel+gemcitabine) at killing pancreatic cancer cells. Neratinib reduced the phosphorylation of PAK1, Merlin, LATS1/2, AKT, mTOR, p70 S6K, and ERK1/2 which required expression of Rubicon, Beclin1, and Merlin. Neratinib altered pancreatic tumor cell morphology which was associated with MST4 degradation reduced Ezrin phosphorylation and enhanced phosphorylation of MAP4K4 and LATS1/2. Knockdown of the MAP4K4 activator and sensor of membrane rigidity RAP2A reduced basal LATS1/2 and YAP phosphorylation but did not prevent neratinib from stimulating LATS1/2 or YAP phosphorylation. Beclin1 knockdown prevented MST4 degradation, Ezrin dephosphorylation and neratinib-induced alterations in tumor cell morphology. Our findings demonstrate that neratinib enhances LATS1/2 phosphorylation independently of RAP2A/MAP4K4 and that MST4 degradation and Ezrin dephosphorylation may represent a universal trigger for the biological actions of neratinib.

LATS1 but not LATS2 represses autophagy by a kinase-independent scaffold function

Autophagy perturbation represents an emerging therapeutic strategy in cancer. Although LATS1 and LATS2 kinases, core components of the mammalian Hippo pathway, have been shown to exert tumor suppressive activities, here we report a pro-survival role of LATS1 but not LATS2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Specifically, LATS1 restricts lethal autophagy in HCC cells induced by sorafenib, the standard of care for advanced HCC patients. Notably, autophagy regulation by LATS1 is independent of its kinase activity. Instead, LATS1 stabilizes the autophagy core-machinery component Beclin-1 by promoting K27-linked ubiquitination at lysine residues K32 and K263 on Beclin-1. Consequently, ubiquitination of Beclin-1 negatively regulates autophagy by promoting inactive dimer formation of Beclin-1. Our study highlights a functional diversity between LATS1 and LATS2, and uncovers a scaffolding role of LATS1 in mediating a cross-talk between the Hippo signaling pathway and autophagy.

Not the comfy chair! Cancer drugs that act against multiple active sites

Introduction: Discoveries of novel signal transduction pathways in the 1990s stimulated drug companies to develop small molecule tyrosine kinase and serine / threonine kinase inhibitors which were based on catalytic site inhibition. All kinases bind ATP and catalyze phosphate transfer and, therefore, inhibitors that block ATP binding and its metabolism would be predicted to have a known on-target specificity but were also likely to have many unknown or unrecognized targets due to similarities in all ATP binding pockets. This on-target off-target biology of kinase inhibitors, which exhibit a "signal" in the clinic, means that therapeutically valuable agents are acting through unknown biological processes to mediate their anti-tumor effects.Areas covered: This perspective discusses drug therapies whose actions cannot be explained by their actions on the original targeted kinase; it concludes with a methodology to screen for changes in cell signaling via in-cell western immunoblotting.Expert opinion: Most malignancies do not depend on survival signaling from one specific mutated proto-oncogene, especially for previously treated malignancies where multiple clonal variants of the primary tumor have evolved. Hence, the concept of a highly "personalized medicine" approach fails because it is unlikely that a specific therapy will kill all clonal variants of the tumor.

DNA-PKcs is activated under nutrient starvation and activates Akt, MST1, FoxO3a, and NDR1

BACKGROUND

Presence of unperfused regions containing cells under hypoxia and nutrient starvation; contributes to radioresistance in solid human tumors. We have previously reported that cultured cells; under nutrient starvation show resistance to ionizing radiation compare with cells under normal; condition, and that nutrient starvation increases ATM activity, which causes cellular resistance to; ionizing radiation (Murata et al., BBRC2018). For further investigation of molecular mechanisms; underlying radioresistance of cells under nutrient starvation, effects of nutrient starvation on activity; of DNA-PKcs have been investigated because both DNA-PKcs and ATM belong to the PIKK family; and are required for DNA DSBs repair. In addition to DNA-PKcs, effects of nutrient starvation on; activities of FoxO3a and its regulators Akt, MST1 and AMPK have been investigated because FoxO3a; mediates cellular responses to stress and is activated under nutrient starvation.

METHODS

A human glioblastoma cell line, T98G was used to examine the effects of nutrient starvation on activities and expression of DNA-PKcs, Akt, MST1, FoxO3a, NDR1, and AMPK. To elucidate; signal transduction pathways for FoxO3a activation under nutrient starvation, we examined effects of; specific inhibitors or siRNA for DNA-PKcs or Akt on activities and expression of MST1, FoxO3, NDR1, andAMPK.

RESULTS

Under nutrient starvation, phosphorylations of DNA-PKcs at Ser2056, Akt at Ser473, MST at Thr183, FoxO3a at Ser413, NDR1 at Ser281 and Thr282, and AMPK at Thr172 were increased, which suggests their activation. Nutrient starvation did not affect expression of DNA-PKcs, Akt, MST1, or NDR1, with decreased expression of FoxO3a and increased expression of AMPK. Inhibition; of DNA-PK suppressed phosphorylation of Akt under nutrient starvation. Inhibition of DNA-PK or; Akt suppressed phosphorylations of MST1, FoxO3a, and NDR1 under nutrient starvation, which; suggests DNA-PKcs and Akt activate MST1, FoxO3a, and NDR1. Inhibition of DNA-PK did not; suppress phosphorylation ofAMPK under nutrient starvation.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that DN-PKcs is activated under nutrient starvation and activates AktMST1, FoxO3a, and NDR1.

Polarity in Ciliate Models: From Cilia to Cell Architecture

Tetrahymena and Paramecium are highly differentiated unicellular organisms with elaborated cortical patterns showing a regular arrangement of hundreds to thousands of basal bodies in longitudinal rows that extend from the anterior to the posterior region of the cell. Thus both ciliates exhibit a permanent antero–posterior axis and left–right asymmetry. This cell polarity is reflected in the direction of the structures nucleated around each basal body such as the ciliary rootlets. Studies in these ciliates showed that basal bodies assemble two types of cilia, the cortical cilia and the cilia of the oral apparatus, a complex structure specialized in food capture. These two cilia types display structural differences at their tip domain. Basal bodies possessing distinct compositions creating specialized landmarks are also present. Cilia might be expected to express and transmit polarities throughout signaling pathways given their recognized role in signal transduction. This review will focus on how local polarities in basal bodies/cilia are regulated and transmitted through cell division in order to maintain the global polarity and shape of these cells and locally constrain the interpretation of signals by different cilia. We will also discuss ciliates as excellent biological models to study development and morphogenetic mechanisms and their relationship with cilia diversity and function in metazoans.

Grass carp STK38 regulates IFN I expression by decreasing the phosphorylation level of GSK3β

As a member of NDR protein kinase family and a novel protein kinase of Hippo signal pathway, Serine/threonine kinase 38 (STK38) plays a very significant role in the innate immune. In mammals, STK38 performs its function by combining with GSK3β. Nowadays, there are few reports of STK38 in fish. In order to explain the function of fish STK38 in the innate immunity, we cloned the ORF of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) STK38 (CiSTK38) and the related kinase GSK3β (CiGSK3β). Phylogenetic trees revealed that CiSTK38 and CiGSK3β evolved closer kinship with sinocyclocheilus grahami STK38 and siniperca chuatsi GSK3β respectively. CiSTK38 and CiGSK3β can respond to the intradermal injection of poly (I:C) in grass carp different tissues and the transfection of poly I:C in CIK cells. Subcellular localization revealed the CiGSK3β were broadly distributed through the cytoplasm, whereas CiSTK38 were observed both in cytoplasm and nucleus. However, when they were co-transferred into cells, the two proteins were found to aggregate in the nucleus. GST-pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that CiSTK38 can physically interact with CiGSK3β. Phos-tag PAGE illustrated CiSTK38 can decrease the phosphorylation and auto-phosphorylation level of CiGSK3β at Ser9 and at Tyr216. To investigate the functional correlation between CiSTK38 and CiGSK3β, we overexpressed CiSTK38 and CiGSK3β in CIK cells and found that they can up-regulate the expression of IFN I. In short, we demonstrated that CiSTK38 can confer CiGSK3β kinase activity by reducing its phosphorylation level. Result from this study strongly suggested that the anti-viral immune effects elicited by poly (I:C) in part were mediated through activation of CiGSK3β. The findings provided scientific basis for the anti-viral immune mechanism of STK38 and GSK3β in fish.

The Hippo network kinase STK38 contributes to protein homeostasis by inhibiting BAG3-mediated autophagy

Chaperone-assisted selective autophagy (CASA) initiated by the cochaperone Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) represents an important mechanism for the disposal of misfolded and damaged proteins in mammalian cells. Under mechanical stress, the cochaperone cooperates with the small heat shock protein HSPB8 and the cytoskeleton-associated protein SYNPO2 to degrade force-unfolded forms of the actin-crosslinking protein filamin. This is essential for muscle maintenance in flies, fish, mice and men. Here, we identify the serine/threonine protein kinase 38 (STK38), which is part of the Hippo signaling network, as a novel interactor of BAG3. STK38 was previously shown to facilitate cytoskeleton assembly and to promote mitophagy as well as starvation and detachment induced autophagy. Significantly, our study reveals that STK38 exerts an inhibitory activity on BAG3-mediated autophagy. Inhibition relies on a disruption of the functional interplay of BAG3 with HSPB8 and SYNPO2 upon binding of STK38 to the cochaperone. Of note, STK38 attenuates CASA independently of its kinase activity, whereas previously established regulatory functions of STK38 involve target phosphorylation. The ability to exert different modes of regulation on central protein homeostasis (proteostasis) machineries apparently allows STK38 to coordinate the execution of diverse macroautophagy pathways and to balance cytoskeleton assembly and degradation.

Conserved NDR/LATS kinase controls RAS GTPase activity to regulate cell growth and chronological lifespan

Adaptation to the nutritional environment is critical for all cells. RAS GTPase is a highly conserved GTP-binding protein with crucial functions for cell growth and differentiation in response to environmental conditions. Here, we describe a novel mechanism connecting RAS GTPase to nutrient availability in fission yeast. We report that the conserved NDR/LATS kinase Orb6 responds to nutritional cues and regulates Ras1 GTPase activity. Orb6 increases the protein levels of an Ras1 GTPase activator, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Efc25, by phosphorylating Sts5, a protein bound to efc25 mRNA. By manipulating the extent of Orb6-mediated Sts5 assembly into RNP granules, we can modulate Efc25 protein levels, Ras1 GTPase activity, and, as a result, cell growth and cell survival. Thus, we conclude that the Orb6-Sts5-Ras1 regulatory axis plays a crucial role in promoting cell adaptation, balancing the opposing demands of promoting cell growth and extending chronological lifespan.

MOB (Mps one Binder) Proteins in the Hippo Pathway and Cancer

The family of MOBs (monopolar spindle-one-binder proteins) is highly conserved in the eukaryotic kingdom. MOBs represent globular scaffold proteins without any known enzymatic activities. They can act as signal transducers in essential intracellular pathways. MOBs have diverse cancer-associated cellular functions through regulatory interactions with members of the NDR/LATS kinase family. By forming additional complexes with serine/threonine protein kinases of the germinal centre kinase families, other enzymes and scaffolding factors, MOBs appear to be linked to an even broader disease spectrum. Here, we review our current understanding of this emerging protein family, with emphases on post-translational modifications, protein-protein interactions, and cellular processes that are possibly linked to cancer and other diseases. In particular, we summarise the roles of MOBs as core components of the Hippo tissue growth and regeneration pathway.

The Roles of YAP/TAZ and the Hippo Pathway in Healthy and Diseased Skin

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. Its architecture and physiological functions depend on diverse populations of epidermal cells and dermal fibroblasts. Reciprocal communication between the epidermis and dermis plays a key role in skin development, homeostasis and repair. While several stem cell populations have been identified in the epidermis with distinct locations and functions, there is additional heterogeneity within the mesenchymal cells of the dermis. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of how the Hippo pathway and its downstream effectors Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) contribute to the maintenance, activation and coordination of the epidermal and dermal cell populations during development, homeostasis, wound healing and cancer.

Cytokinesis defects and cancer

Whole-genome and centrosome duplication as a consequence of cytokinesis failure can drive tumorigenesis in experimental model systems. However, whether cytokinesis failure is in fact an important cause of human cancers has remained unclear. In this Review, we summarize evidence that whole-genome-doubling events are frequently observed in human cancers and discuss the contribution that cytokinesis defects can make to tumorigenesis. We provide an overview of the potential causes of cytokinesis failure and discuss how tetraploid cells that are generated through cytokinesis defects are used in cancer as a transitory state on the route to aneuploidy. Finally, we discuss how cytokinesis defects can facilitate genetic diversification within the tumour to promote cancer development and could constitute the path of least resistance in tumour evolution.

Visualizing HIPPO Signaling Components in Mouse Early Embryonic Development

The HIPPO signaling pathway plays an early and essential role in mammalian embryogenesis. The earliest known roles for HIPPO signaling during mouse development include segregating fetal and extraembryonic lineages and establishing the pluripotent progenitors of embryonic stem (ES) cells. In the mouse early embryo, HIPPO signaling responds to multiple cell biological inputs, including cell polarization, cytoskeleton, and cell environment, to influence gene expression and the first cell fate decisions in development. Methods to monitor and manipulate HIPPO signaling in the mouse early embryo are fundamental to discovering mechanisms regulating pluripotency in vivo, but properties of the early embryo, such as small cell number and spherical architecture, pose unique challenges for signaling pathway analysis. Here, we share approaches for visualizing HIPPO signaling in mouse early embryos. In addition, these methods can be applied to visualize HIPPO signaling in other spherical or cystic structures comprised of relatively few cells, such as organoids, or for the examination of other signaling pathways in these contexts.

MST1/2 Kinase Assays Using Recombinant Proteins

The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway is fundamental to the coordination of death, growth, proliferation, and differentiation on the cellular level. At the molecular level, a highly conserved Hippo core cassette is central for the regulation of effector activities such as the co-transcriptional activity of YAP. In particular, the mammalian MST1/2 serine/threonine protein kinases (termed Hippo kinase in Drosophila melanogaster) can act as central signal transducers as part of the Hippo core cassette. In this chapter we describe in vitro kinase assays using recombinant MST1/2 kinases and recombinant MST1/2 kinase substrate.

Ndr kinases regulate retinal interneuron proliferation and homeostasis

Ndr2/Stk38l encodes a protein kinase associated with the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway and is mutated in a naturally-occurring canine early retinal degeneration (erd). To elucidate the retinal functions of Ndr2 and its paralog Ndr1/Stk38, we generated Ndr1 and Ndr2 single knockout mice. Although retinal lamination appeared normal in these mice, Ndr deletion caused a subset of Pax6-positive amacrine cells to proliferate in differentiated retinas, while concurrently decreasing the number of GABAergic, HuD and Pax6-positive amacrine cells. Retinal transcriptome analyses revealed that Ndr2 deletion increased expression of neuronal stress genes and decreased expression of synaptic organization genes. Consistent with the latter, Ndr deletion dramatically reduced levels of Aak1, an Ndr substrate that regulates vesicle trafficking. Our findings indicate that Ndr kinases are important regulators of amacrine and photoreceptor cells and suggest that Ndr kinases inhibit the proliferation of a subset of terminally differentiated cells and modulate interneuron synapse function via Aak1.

Downregulation of NDR1 contributes to metastasis of prostate cancer cells via activating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The 5‐year survival rate decreases rapidly once the prostate cancer has invaded distant organs, although patients with localized prostate cancer have a good prognosis. In recent years, increasing numbers of reports showed that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may play an important role in tumor metastasis and they have stronger potential of invasion and migration compared with their parental cells. In our previous investigation, we isolated CTCs from prostate cancer cell lines PC3. In this study, we found a novel antimetastasis gene NDR1 by analyzing different gene expression between CTCs and PC3. Lower NDR1 gene and protein expression were found in both prostate cancer cell lines and clinical specimens. Besides, NDR1 function acting as metastasis inhibitor was discovered both in vitro and in vivo. Further, we also discovered that several epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related genes were upregulated when decreased NDR1 in PC3 cell lines. Therefore, our results revealed a role of NDR1 in the suppression of prostate cancer cell metastasis and provided a potential mechanism of action, thus offering new therapeutic strategies against prostate cancer metastasis.