The complexity of p53-mediated metabolic regulation in tumor suppression

FABP4 deficiency ameliorates alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice via inhibition of p53 signaling pathway

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) plays an essential role in metabolism and inflammation. However, the role of FABP4 in alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the function and underlying mechanisms of FABP4 in the progression of ASH. We first obtained alcoholic hepatitis (AH) datasets from the National Center for Biotechnology Information-Gene Expression Omnibus database and conducted bioinformatics analysis to identify critical genes in the FABP family. We then established ASH models of the wild-type (WT) and Fabp4-deficient (Fabp4-/-) mice to investigate the role of FABP4 in ASH. Additionally, we performed transcriptional profiling of mouse liver tissue and analyzed the results using integrative bioinformatics. The FABP4-associated signaling pathway was further verified. FABP4 was upregulated in two AH datasets and was thus identified as a critical biomarker for AH. FABP4 expression was higher in the liver tissues of patients with alcoholic liver disease and ASH mice than in the corresponding control samples. Furthermore, the Fabp4-/- ASH mice showed reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammation compared with the WT ASH mice. Mechanistically, Fabp4 may be involved in regulating the p53 and sirtuin-1 signaling pathways, subsequently affecting lipid metabolism and macrophage polarization in the liver of ASH mice. Our results demonstrate that Fabp4 is involved in the progression of ASH and that Fabp4 deficiency may ameliorate ASH. Therefore, FABP4 may be a potential therapeutic target for ASH treatment.

BioID-based intact cell interactome of the Kv1.3 potassium channel identifies a Kv1.3-STAT3-p53 cellular signaling pathway

Kv1.3 is a multifunctional potassium channel implicated in multiple pathologies, including cancer. However, how it is involved in disease progression is not fully clear. We interrogated the interactome of Kv1.3 in intact cells using BioID proximity labeling, revealing that Kv1.3 interacts with STAT3- and p53-linked pathways. To prove the relevance of Kv1.3 and of its interactome in the context of tumorigenesis, we generated stable melanoma clones, in which ablation of Kv1.3 remodeled gene expression, reduced proliferation and colony formation, yielded fourfold smaller tumors, and decreased metastasis in vivo in comparison to WT cells. Kv1.3 deletion or pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial Kv1.3 increased mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species release, decreased STAT3 phosphorylation, stabilized the p53 tumor suppressor, promoted metabolic switch, and altered the expression of several BioID-identified Kv1.3-networking proteins in tumor tissues. Collectively, our work revealed the tumor-promoting Kv1.3-interactome landscape, thus opening the way to target Kv1.3 not only as an ion-conducting entity but also as a signaling hub.

Metabolic reprogramming and immune evasion: the interplay in the tumor microenvironment

Tumor cells possess complex immune evasion mechanisms to evade immune system attacks, primarily through metabolic reprogramming, which significantly alters the tumor microenvironment (TME) to modulate immune cell functions. When a tumor is sufficiently immunogenic, it can activate cytotoxic T-cells to target and destroy it. However, tumors adapt by manipulating their metabolic pathways, particularly glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism, to create an immunosuppressive TME that promotes immune escape. These metabolic alterations impact the function and differentiation of non-tumor cells within the TME, such as inhibiting effector T-cell activity while expanding regulatory T-cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Additionally, these changes lead to an imbalance in cytokine and chemokine secretion, further enhancing the immunosuppressive landscape. Emerging research is increasingly focusing on the regulatory roles of non-tumor cells within the TME, evaluating how their reprogrammed glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism influence their functional changes and ultimately aid in tumor immune evasion. Despite our incomplete understanding of the intricate metabolic interactions between tumor and non-tumor cells, the connection between these elements presents significant challenges for cancer immunotherapy. This review highlights the impact of altered glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism in the TME on the metabolism and function of non-tumor cells, providing new insights that could facilitate the development of novel cancer immunotherapies.

Loss-of-function mutation of REV1 (p.R704Q) mediates cetuximab primary resistance by activating autophagy in RAS-wild type metastatic colorectal cancer

Cetuximab in combination with FOLFIRI/FOLFOX is the standard first-line treatment for patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, some patients experience rapid tumor progression after treatment with cetuximab (primary resistance). Our previous research identified a gene mutation, REV1 p.R704Q, which may be a key biomarker for primary cetuximab resistance. This study aimed to study the mechanism of cetuximab resistance caused by REV1 p.R704Q mutation and reveal a novel mechanism to induce cetuximab resistance. Sanger sequencing and multivariate clinical prognostic analysis of 208 patients with mCRC showed that REV1 p.R704Q mutation is an independent risk factor for tumor progression after treatment with cetuximab in patients with RAS wild-type mCRC (Hazard ratio = 2.481, 95 % Confidence interval: 1.389-4.431, P = 0.002). The sensitivity of REV1 p.R704Q mutant cell lines to cetuximab decreased in vitro Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and in vivo subcutaneous tumor model. In vitro, we observed that decreased stability and accelerated degradation of REV1 mutant protein results in REV1 dysfunction, which activated autophagy and mediated cetuximab resistance. These findings suggested that REV1 p.R704Q mutation could predict cetuximab primary resistance in mCRC. REV1 p.R704Q mutation caused decreased stability and degradation of REV1 protein, as well as dysfunction of p.R704Q protein. REV1 p.R704Q mutation activates autophagy and mediates cetuximab resistance; further, inhibition of autophagy could reverse cetuximab resistance.

Ferroptosis: a potential target for acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is caused by a variety of intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary factors and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress is an important part of the pathological mechanism of ALI. Ferroptosis is a mode of programmed cell death distinguished from others and characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This article reviews the metabolic regulation of ferroptosis, its role in the pathogenesis of ALI, and the use of ferroptosis as a therapeutic target regarding the pharmacological treatment of ALI.

Antitumorigenic potential of Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles: p53 succinylation and glycolytic reprogramming in intestinal epithelial cells via SIRT5 modulation

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer progression involves complex cellular mechanisms. This study examines the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum-derived extracellular vesicles (LEVs) on the SIRT5/p53 axis, focusing on glycolytic metabolic reprogramming and abnormal proliferation in intestinal epithelial cells.

METHODS

LEVs were isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum and incubated with Caco-2 cells. Differential gene expression was analyzed through RNA sequencing and compared with TCGA-COAD data. Key target genes and pathways were identified using PPI network and pathway enrichment analysis. Various assays, including RT-qPCR, EdU staining, colony formation, flow cytometry, and Western blotting, were used to assess gene expression, cell proliferation, and metabolic changes. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction between SIRT5 and p53, and animal models were employed to validate in vivo effects.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis indicated the SIRT5/p53 axis as a critical pathway in LEVs' modulation of colorectal cancer. LEVs were found to inhibit colorectal cancer cell proliferation and glycolytic metabolism by downregulating SIRT5, influencing p53 desuccinylation. In vivo, LEVs regulated this axis, reducing tumor formation in mice. Clinical sample analysis showed that SIRT5 and p53 succinylation levels correlated with patient prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles play a pivotal role in suppressing colonic tumor formation by modulating the SIRT5/p53 axis. This results in decreased glycolytic metabolic reprogramming and reduced proliferation in intestinal epithelial cells.

PRMT1 promotes Warburg effect by regulating the PKM2/PKM1 ratio in non-small cell lung cancer

Abnormal epigenetic modifications are involved in the regulation of Warburg effect in tumor cells. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) mediate arginine methylation and have critical functions in cellular responses. PRMTs are deregulated in a variety of cancers, but their precise roles in Warburg effect in cancer is largely unknown. Experiments from the current study showed that PRMT1 was highly expressed under conditions of glucose sufficiency. PRMT1 induced an increase in the PKM2/PKM1 ratio through upregulation of PTBP1, in turn, promoting aerobic glycolysis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The PRMT1 level in p53-deficient and p53-mutated NSCLC remained relatively unchanged while the expression was reduced in p53 wild-type NSCLC under conditions of glucose insufficiency. Notably, p53 activation under glucose-deficient conditions could suppress USP7 and further accelerate the polyubiquitin-dependent degradation of PRMT1. Melatonin, a hormone that inhibits glucose intake, markedly suppressed cell proliferation of p53 wild-type NSCLC, while a combination of melatonin and the USP7 inhibitor P5091 enhanced the anticancer activity in p53-deficient NSCLC. Our collective findings support a role of PRMT1 in the regulation of Warburg effect in NSCLC. Moreover, combination treatment with melatonin and the USP7 inhibitor showed good efficacy, providing a rationale for the development of PRMT1-based therapy to improve p53-deficient NSCLC outcomes.

Exploring the relationship between anastasis and mitochondrial ROS-mediated ferroptosis in metastatic chemoresistant cancers: a call for investigation

Ferroptosis induces significant changes in mitochondrial morphology, including membrane condensation, volume reduction, cristae alteration, and outer membrane rupture, affecting mitochondrial function and cellular fate. Recent reports have described the intrinsic cellular iron metabolism and its intricate connection to ferroptosis, a significant kind of cell death characterized by iron dependence and oxidative stress regulation. Furthermore, updated molecular insights have elucidated the significance of mitochondria in ferroptosis and its implications in various cancers. In the context of cancer therapy, understanding the dual role of anastasis and ferroptosis in chemoresistance is crucial. Targeting the molecular pathways involved in anastasis may enhance the efficacy of ferroptosis inducers, providing a synergistic approach to overcome chemoresistance. Research into how DNA damage response (DDR) proteins, metabolic changes, and redox states interact during anastasis and ferroptosis can offer new insights into designing combinatorial therapeutic regimens against several cancers associated with stemness. These treatments could potentially inhibit anastasis while simultaneously inducing ferroptosis, thereby reducing the likelihood of cancer cells evading death and developing resistance to chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to explore the intricate interplay between anastasis, ferroptosis, EMT and chemoresistance, and immunotherapeutics to better understand their collective impact on cancer therapy outcomes. We searched public research databases including google scholar, PubMed, relemed, and the national library of medicine related to this topic. In this review, we discussed the interplay between the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glycolysis implicated in modulating ferroptosis, adding complexity to its regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, the regulatory role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the electron transport chain (ETC) in ferroptosis has garnered significant attention. Lipid metabolism, particularly involving GPX4 and System Xc- plays a significant role in both the progression of ferroptosis and cancer. There is a need to investigate the intricate interplay between anastasis, ferroptosis, and chemoresistance to better understand cancer therapy clinical outcomes. Integrating anastasis, and ferroptosis into strategies targeting chemoresistance and exploring its potential synergy with immunotherapy represent promising avenues for advancing chemoresistant cancer treatment. Understanding the intricate interplay among mitochondria, anastasis, ROS, and ferroptosis is vital in oncology, potentially revolutionizing personalized cancer treatment and drug development.

Berberine synergises with ferroptosis inducer sensitizing NSCLC to ferroptosis in p53-dependent SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway

Berberine (BBR) is a compound derived from Chinese herbal medicine, known for its anticancer properties through multiple signaling pathways. However, whether BBR can inhibit tumor growth by participating in ferroptosis remains unconfirmed. In this study, we demonstrated that berberine synergistically inhibited NSCLC in combination with multiple ferroptosis inducers, and this combination synergistically down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, and NRF2, resulting in ferroptosis accompanied by significant depletion of GSH, and aberrant accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. In a lung cancer allograft model, the combination treatment exhibited enhanced anticancer effects compared to using either drug alone. Notably, p53 is critical in determining the ferroptosis sensitivity. We found that the combination treatment did not elicit a synergistic anticancer effect in cells with a p53 mutation or with exogenous expression of mutant p53. These findings provide insight into the mechanism by which combination induces ferroptosis and the regulatory role of p53 in this process. It may guide the development of new strategies for treating NSCLC, offering great medical potential for personal diagnosis and treatment.

Idiosyncratic nature of lactation reveals link to breast cancer risk

Breastfeeding protects against breast cancer in some women but not others, however the mechanism remains elusive. Lactation requires intense secretory activity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for the production of milk proteins and ER-mitochondria contacts for lipid synthesis. We show that in female mice that share the same nuclear genome (BL/6) but differ in mitochondrial genomes (C57 or NZB), the biological processes engaged during lactation are entirely different at the sub-cellular organization and transcriptional levels resulting in anti-tumorigenic lactation in BL/6C57 females and pro-tumorigenic lactation in BL/6NZB females. Single cell sequencing identified a sub-population of cells, uniquely amplified during lactation in BL/6NZB females, which shares the genetic signature that characterizes post-partum breast cancer (PPBC) in humans relative to matched breast cancers in never pregnant women. Our data indicate that differences in ER and mitochondrial-stress responses during lactation between genotypes inadvertently leads to loss of p53 tumor suppressor function in BL/6NZB females allowing the expansion of the PPBC-like sub-population of cells. Overall, our data reveals the unexpected idiosyncratic nature of lactation and its impacts on the risk of the development of PPBC.

MARCH5 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inducing p53 ubiquitination degradation

BACKGROUND

Human MARCH5 is a mitochondria-localized E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that is essential for the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. A large body of evidence suggests that imbalances in mitochondrial dynamics are strongly associated with cancer. However, the expression, biological function and prognostic significance of MARCH5 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mRNA and protein expression of MARCH5 in HCC cell lines and tumor tissues was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The clinical prognostic significance of MARCH5 was evaluated in 135 HCC patients. Knockdown or overexpression of MARCH5 in HCC cells was determined by in vitro cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays, and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis assays. In addition, the intrinsic mechanisms by which MARCH5 regulates HCC cell growth and metastasis were explored.

RESULTS

MARCH5 was significantly overexpressed in HCC cells and was closely associated with patients' poor postoperative prognosis. In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that MARCH5 significantly promoted the increase and invasive and migratory ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which was mainly due to the promotion of autophagy by MARCH5. Mechanistic studies revealed that MARCH5 promoted autophagy through ubiquitination degradation of p53 leading to malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that MARCH5 plays a critical oncogenic role in HCC cells, which provides experimental evidence for the use of MARCH5 as a potential target for HCC therapy.

Understanding the complexity of p53 in a new era of tumor suppression

p53 was discovered 45 years ago as an SV40 large T antigen binding protein, coded by the most frequently mutated TP53 gene in human cancers. As a transcription factor, p53 is tightly regulated by a rich network of post-translational modifications to execute its diverse functions in tumor suppression. Although early studies established p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence as the classic barriers in cancer development, a growing number of new functions of p53 have been discovered and the scope of p53-mediated anti-tumor activity is largely expanded. Here, we review the complexity of different layers of p53 regulation, and the recent advance of the p53 pathway in metabolism, ferroptosis, immunity, and others that contribute to tumor suppression. We also discuss the challenge regarding how to activate p53 function specifically effective in inhibiting tumor growth without harming normal homeostasis for cancer therapy.

Cuproptosis in lung cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Cuproptosis, a recently identified form of cell death that differs from other forms, is induced by the disruption of the binding of copper to mitochondrial respiratory acylation components. Inducing cell cuproptosis and targeting cell copper death pathways are considered potential directions for treating tumor diseases. We have provided a detailed introduction to the metabolic process of copper. In addition, this study attempts to clarify and summarize the relationships between cuproptosis and therapeutic targets and signaling pathways of lung cancer. This review aims to summarize the theoretical achievements for translating the results of lung cancer and cuproptosis experiments into clinical treatment.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 54 regulates GLUT1-mediated aerobic glycolysis to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma progression by modifying p53 degradation

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer. Ubiquitination is crucial in modulating cell proliferation and aerobic glycolysis in cancer. The frequency of TP53 mutations in LUAD is approximately 50%. Currently, therapeutic targets for wild-type (WT) p53-expressing LUAD are limited. In the present study, we systemically explored the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease genes using public datasets. Then, we focused on ubiquitin-specific protease 54 (USP54), and explored its prognostic significance in LUAD patients using public datasets, analyses, and an independent cohort from our center. We found that the expression of USP54 was lower in LUAD tissues compared with that in the paracancerous tissues. Low USP54 expression levels were linked to a malignant phenotype and worse survival in patients with LUAD. The results of functional experiments revealed that up-regulation of USP54 suppressed LUAD cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. USP54 directly interacted with p53 protein and the levels of ubiquitinated p53 were inversely related to USP54 levels, consistent with a role of USP54 in deubiquitinating p53 in p53-WT LUAD cells. Moreover, up-regulation of the USP54 expression inhibited aerobic glycolysis in LUAD cells. Importantly, we confirmed that USP54 inhibited aerobic glycolysis and the growth of tumor cells by a p53-mediated decrease in glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression in p53-WT LUAD cells. Altogether, we determined a novel mechanism of survival in the p53-WT LUAD cells to endure the malnourished tumor microenvironment and provided insights into the role of USP54 in the adaptation of p53-WT LUAD cells to metabolic stress.

Robotic Actuation-Mediated Quantitative Mechanogenetics for Noninvasive and On-Demand Cancer Therapy

Cell mechanotransduction signals are important targets for physical therapy. However, current physiotherapy heavily relies on ultrasound, which is generated by high-power equipment or amplified by auxiliary drugs, potentially causing undesired side effects. To address current limitations, a robotic actuation-mediated therapy is developed that utilizes gentle mechanical loads to activate mechanosensitive ion channels. The resulting calcium influx precisely regulated the expression of recombinant tumor suppressor protein and death-associated protein kinase, leading to programmed apoptosis of cancer cell line through caspase-dependent pathway. In stark contrast to traditional gene therapy, the complete elimination of early- and middle-stage tumors (volume ≤ 100 mm3) and significant growth inhibition of late-stage tumor (500 mm3) are realized in tumor-bearing mice by transfecting mechanogenetic circuits and treating daily with quantitative robotic actuation in a form of 5 min treatment over the course of 14 days. Thus, this massage-derived therapy represents a quantitative strategy for cancer treatment.

Metabolic heterogeneity in tumor microenvironment - A novel landmark for immunotherapy

The surrounding non-cancer cells and tumor cells that make up the tumor microenvironment (TME) have various metabolic rhythms. TME metabolic heterogeneity is influenced by the intricate network of metabolic control within and between cells. DNA, protein, transport, and microbial levels are important regulators of TME metabolic homeostasis. The effectiveness of immunotherapy is also closely correlated with alterations in TME metabolism. The response of a tumor patient to immunotherapy is influenced by a variety of variables, including intracellular metabolic reprogramming, metabolic interaction between cells, ecological changes within and between tumors, and general dietary preferences. Although immunotherapy and targeted therapy have made great strides, their use in the accurate identification and treatment of tumors still has several limitations. The function of TME metabolic heterogeneity in tumor immunotherapy is summarized in this article. It focuses on how metabolic heterogeneity develops and is regulated as a tumor progresses, the precise molecular mechanisms and potential clinical significance of imbalances in intracellular metabolic homeostasis and intercellular metabolic coupling and interaction, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of targeted metabolism used in conjunction with immunotherapy. This offers insightful knowledge and important implications for individualized tumor patient diagnosis and treatment plans in the future.

Modeling of Intracellular Taurine Levels Associated with Ovarian Cancer Reveals Activation of p53, ERK, mTOR and DNA-damage-sensing-dependent Cell Protection

Taurine, a non-proteogenic amino acid, and commonly used nutritional supplement can protect various tissues from degeneration associated with the action of the DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Whether and how taurine protects human ovarian cancer (OC) cells from DNA damage caused by cisplatin is not well understood. We have found that OC ascites-derived cells contained significantly more intracellular taurine than cell cultures modeling OC. In culture, elevation of intracellular taurine concentration to OC ascites-cells-associated levels suppressed proliferation of various OC cell lines and patient-derived organoids, reduced glycolysis, and induced cell protection from cisplatin. Taurine cell protection was associated with decreased DNA damage in response to cisplatin. A combination of RNA sequencing, reverse phase protein arrays, live-cell microscopy, flow cytometry, and biochemical validation experiments provided evidence for taurine-mediated induction of mutant- or wild-type p53 binding to DNA, and activation of p53 effectors involved in negative regulation of the cell cycle (p21), and glycolysis (TIGAR). Paradoxically, taurine's suppression of cell proliferation was associated with activation of pro-mitogenic signal transduction including ERK, mTOR, and increased mRNA expression of major DNA damage sensing molecules such as DNAPK, ATM and ATR. While inhibition of ERK or p53 did not interfere with taurine's ability to protect cells from cisplatin, suppression of mTOR with Torin2, a clinically relevant inhibitor that also targets DNAPK and ATM/ATR, broke taurine's cell protection. Our studies implicate that elevation of intracellular taurine could suppress cell growth, metabolism, and activate cell protective mechanisms involving mTOR and DNA damage sensing signal transduction.

Integrating p53-associated genes and infiltrating immune cell characterization as a prognostic biomarker in multiple myeloma

Background

Tumor genetic anomalies and immune dysregulation are pivotal in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Accurate patient stratification is essential for effective MM management, yet current models fail to comprehensively incorporate both molecular and immune profiles.

Methods

We examined 776 samples from the MMRF CoMMpass database, employing univariate regression with LASSO and CIBERSORT algorithms to identify 15 p53-related genes and six immune cells with prognostic significance in MM. A p53-TIC (tumor-infiltrating immune cells) classifier was constructed by calculating scores using the bootstrap-multicox method, which was further validated externally (GSE136337) and through ten-fold internal cross-validation for its predictive reliability and robustness.

Results

The p53-TIC classifier demonstrated excellent performance in predicting the prognosis in MM. Specifically, patients in the p53low/TIChigh subgroup had the most favorable prognosis and the lowest tumor mutational burden (TMB). Conversely, those in the p53high/TIClow subgroup, with the least favorable prognosis and the highest TMB, were predicted to have the best anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 response rate (40 %), which can be explained by their higher expression of PD1 and CTLA4. The three-year area under the curve (AUC) was 0.80 in the total sample.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the potential of an integrated analysis of p53-associated genes and TIC in predicting prognosis and aiding clinical decision-making in MM patients. This finding underscores the significance of comprehending the intricate interplay between genetic abnormalities and immune dysfunction in MM. Further research into this area may lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies.

Relationship of mTORC1 and ferroptosis in tumors

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed death, dependent on iron ions and oxidative stress, with a predominant intracellular form of lipid peroxidation. In recent years, ferroptosis has gained more and more interest of people in the treatment mechanism of targeted tumors. mTOR, always overexpressed in the tumor, and controlling cell growth and metabolic activities, has an important role in both autophagy and ferroptosis. Interestingly, the selective types of autophay plays an important role in promoting ferroptosis, which is related to mTOR and some metabolic pathways (especially in iron and amino acids). In this paper, we list the main mechanisms linking ferroptosis with mTOR signaling pathway and further summarize the current compounds targeting ferroptosis in these ways. There are growing experimental evidences that targeting mTOR and ferroptosis may have effective impact in many tumors, and understanding the mechanisms linking mTOR to ferroptosis could provide a potential therapeutic approach for tumor treatment.

SBFI26 induces triple-negative breast cancer cells ferroptosis via lipid peroxidation

SBFI26, an inhibitor of FABP5, has been shown to suppress the proliferation and metastasis of tumour cells. However, the underlying mechanism by which SBFI26 induces ferroptosis in breast cancer cells remains largely unknown. Three breast cancer cell lines were treated with SBFI26 and CCK-8 assessed cytotoxicity. Transcriptome was performed on the Illumina platform and verified by qPCR. Western blot evaluated protein levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), Fe, glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were measured. SBFI26 induced cell death time- and dose-dependent, with a more significant inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. Fer-1, GSH and Vitamin C attenuated the effects but not erastin. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that SBFI26 treatment significantly enriched differentially expressed genes related to ferroptosis. Furthermore, SBFI26 increased intracellular MDA, iron ion, and GSSG levels while decreasing T-SOD, total glutathione (T-GSH), and GSH levels.SBFI26 dose-dependently up-regulates the expression of HMOX1 and ALOX12 at both gene and protein levels, promoting ferroptosis. Similarly, it significantly increases the expression of SAT1, ALOX5, ALOX15, ALOXE3 and CHAC1 that, promoting ferroptosis while downregulating the NFE2L2 gene and protein that inhibit ferroptosis. SBFI26 leads to cellular accumulation of fatty acids, which triggers excess ferrous ions and subsequent lipid peroxidation for inducing ferroptosis.

PANoptosis-related genes function as efficient prognostic biomarkers in colon adenocarcinoma

Background

PANoptosis is a newly discovered cell death type, and tightly associated with immune system activities. To date, the mechanism, regulation and application of PANoptosis in tumor is largely unknown. Our aim is to explore the prognostic value of PANoptosis-related genes in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).

Methods

Analyzing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas-COAD (TCGA-COAD) involving 458 COAD cases, we concentrated on five PANoptosis pathways from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) and a comprehensive set of immune-related genes. Our approach involved identifying distinct genetic COAD subtype clusters and developing a prognostic model based on these parameters.

Results

The research successfully identified two genetic subtype clusters in COAD, marked by distinct profiles in PANoptosis pathways and immune-related gene expression. A prognostic model, incorporating these findings, demonstrated significant predictive power for survival outcomes, underscoring the interplay between PANoptosis and immune responses in COAD.

Conclusion

This study enhances our understanding of COAD's genetic framework, emphasizing the synergy between cell death pathways and the immune system. The development of a prognostic model based on these insights offers a promising tool for personalized treatment strategies. Future research should focus on validating and refining this model in clinical settings to optimize therapeutic interventions in COAD.

Cell fate regulation governed by p53: Friends or reversible foes in cancer therapy

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Targeted therapies aimed at key oncogenic driver mutations in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as immunotherapy have benefited cancer patients considerably. Tumor protein p53 (TP53), a crucial tumor suppressor gene encoding p53, regulates numerous downstream genes and cellular phenotypes in response to various stressors. The affected genes are involved in diverse processes, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, cellular senescence, metabolic homeostasis, apoptosis, and autophagy. However, accumulating recent studies have continued to reveal novel and unexpected functions of p53 in governing the fate of tumors, for example, functions in ferroptosis, immunity, the tumor microenvironment and microbiome metabolism. Among the possibilities, the evolutionary plasticity of p53 is the most controversial, partially due to the dizzying array of biological functions that have been attributed to different regulatory mechanisms of p53 signaling. Nearly 40 years after its discovery, this key tumor suppressor remains somewhat enigmatic. The intricate and diverse functions of p53 in regulating cell fate during cancer treatment are only the tip of the iceberg with respect to its equally complicated structural biology, which has been painstakingly revealed. Additionally, TP53 mutation is one of the most significant genetic alterations in cancer, contributing to rapid cancer cell growth and tumor progression. Here, we summarized recent advances that implicate altered p53 in modulating the response to various cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, we also discussed potential strategies for targeting p53 as a therapeutic option for cancer.

Ferroptosis: Potential opportunities for natural products in cancer therapy

Cancer cells often exhibit defects in the execution of cell death, resulting in poor clinical outcomes for patients with many cancer types. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death characterized by intracellular iron overload and lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane. Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis is closely associated with a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes, particularly in cancer. Notably, various bioactive natural products have been shown to induce the initiation and execution of ferroptosis in cancer cells, thereby exerting anticancer effects. In this review, we summarize the core regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis and the multifaceted roles of ferroptosis in cancer. Importantly, we focus on natural products that regulate ferroptosis in cancer cells, such as terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, steroids, quinones, and polysaccharides. The clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and drug-drug interactions of these natural products need to be evaluated in further high-quality studies to accelerate their application in cancer treatment.

Exercise-induced Musclin determines the fate of fibro-adipogenic progenitors to control muscle homeostasis

The effects of exercise on fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are unclear, and the direct molecular link is still unknown. In this study, we reveal that exercise reduces the frequency of FAPs and attenuates collagen deposition and adipose formation in injured or disused muscles through Musclin. Mechanistically, Musclin inhibits FAP proliferation and promotes apoptosis in FAPs by upregulating FILIP1L. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR confirms that FoxO3a is the transcription factor of FILIP1L. In addition, the Musclin/FILIP1L pathway facilitates the phagocytosis of apoptotic FAPs by macrophages through downregulating the expression of CD47. Genetic ablation of FILIP1L in FAPs abolishes the effects of exercise or Musclin on FAPs and the benefits on the reduction of fibrosis and fatty infiltration. Overall, exercise forms a microenvironment of myokines in muscle and prevents the abnormal accumulation of FAPs in a Musclin/FILIP1L-dependent manner. The administration of exogenous Musclin exerts a therapeutic effect, demonstrating a potential therapeutic approach for muscle atrophy or acute muscle injury.

Engineered a dual-targeting HA-TPP/A nanoparticle for combination therapy against KRAS-TP53 co-mutation in gastrointestinal cancers

KRAS-TP53 co-mutation is strongly associated with poor prognosis and high malignancy in gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, a novel approach to oncotherapy may lie in combination therapy targeting both KRAS and TP53. Herein, we present a novel self-assembled nanoparticle (HA-TPP/A) that are functionalized nano-carrier hyaluronic acid (HA)-TPP conjugate (HA-TPP) to degrade mutant p53 proteins (mutp53) and co-deliver AMG510 for treating KRAS-TP53 co-alteration of gastrointestinal cancers by inhibiting the mutant KRAS and mutp53 signaling pathways. The HA-TPP/A nanoparticles led to ubiquitination-dependent proteasomal degradation of mutp53 by targeting damage to mitochondria. Furthermore, these nanoparticles abrogated the gain-of-function (GOF) phenotypes of mutp53 and increased sensitivity to AMG510-induced cell killing, thereby reducing cell proliferation and migration in gastrointestinal cancer with KRAS-TP53 co-mutation. The co-loaded HA-TPP/A nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable therapeutic efficacy in a tumor-bearing mouse model, particularly in KRAS-TP53 double mutant expressing cancer cells, compared with single drug and combined free drug groups. Notably, HA-TPP/A is the first reported nanoparticle with an ability to co-target KRAS-TP53, providing a promising approach for therapy in highly malignant gastrointestinal tumors and potentially expanding clinical indications for AMG510 targeted therapies in gastrointestinal tumors.

Mechanistic Insights about Sorafenib-, Valproic Acid- and Metformin-Induced Cell Death in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the main causes of death by cancer worldwide, representing about 80-90% of all liver cancers. Treatments available for advanced HCC include atezolizumab, bevacizumab, sorafenib, among others. Atezolizumab and bevacizumab are immunological options recently incorporated into first-line treatments, along with sorafenib, for which great treatment achievements have been reached. However, sorafenib resistance is developed in most patients, and therapeutical combinations targeting cancer hallmark mechanisms and intracellular signaling have been proposed. In this review, we compiled evidence of the mechanisms of cell death caused by sorafenib administered alone or in combination with valproic acid and metformin and discussed them from a molecular perspective.

P53 together with ferroptosis: a promising strategy leaving cancer cells without escape

TP53, functioning as the keeper of the genome, assumes a pivotal function in the inhibition of tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed that p53 regulates ferroptosis pathways within tumor cells and is closely related to tumorigenesis. Therefore, we summarize the pathways and mechanisms by which p53 regulates ferroptosis and identify a series of upstream and downstream molecules involved in this process. Furthermore, we construct a p53-ferroptosis network centered on p53. Finally, we present the progress of drugs to prevent wild-type p53 (wtp53) degeneration and restore wtp53, highlighting the deficiencies of drug development and the prospects for p53 in cancer treatment. These findings provide novel strategies and directions for future cancer therapy.

The inhibition of FTO attenuates the antifibrotic effect of leonurine in rat cardiac fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common pathological condition in cardiovascular diseases that often causes severe cardiac dysfunction. MF is characterized by changes in cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), levels of collagen (Col) -1, -3, and overdeposition of the extracellular matrix. Our previous research showed that leonurine (LE) effectively inhibits collagen synthesis and differentiation of CFs, but the mechanism is not fully elucidated. Recent evidence indicates that fat mass and obesity-associated proteins (FTO) regulates the occurrence and development of MF. This study aimed to explore the role of FTO in the antifibrotic effects of LE.

METHODS

Neonatal rat CFs were isolated, and induced using angiotensin II (Ang II) to establish a cell model of MF. Cell viability, wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect cell activity and migration ability. The protein and mRNA levels of MF-related factors were measured following stimulation with Ang II and LE under normal conditions or after FTO knockdown. The RNA methylation level was measured by dot blot assay.

RESULTS

The results showed that LE (20, 40 μM) was not toxic to normal CFs. LE reduced the proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis of Ang II-induced CFs. Further investigation showed that FTO was downregulated by Ang II stimulation, whereas LE reversed this effect. FTO knockdown facilitated the migration of CFs, upregulated the protein levels of Col-3, α-SMA and Col-1 in Ang II and LE-stimulated CFs, and enhanced the fluorescence intensity of α-SMA. Furthermore, LE reduced N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, which was partially blocked by FTO knockdown. FTO knockdown also reduced the expression levels of p53 protein in Ang II and LE-stimulated CFs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the inhibition of FTO may attenuate the antifibrotic effect of LE in CFs, suggesting that FTO may serve as a key protein for anti-MF of LE.

Doxorubicin Attenuates Free Fatty Acid-Induced Lipid Accumulation via Stimulation of p53 in HepG2 Cells

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, and there is a global increase in its incidence owing to changes in lifestyle and diet. Recent findings suggest that p53 is involved in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; however, the association between p53 expression and the disease remains unclear. Doxorubicin, an anticancer agent, increases the expression of p53. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of doxorubicin-induced p53 upregulation in free fatty acid (FFA)-induced intracellular lipid accumulation. HepG2 cells were pretreated with 0.5 μg/mL of doxorubicin for 12 h, followed by treatment with FFA (0.5 mM) for 24 h to induce steatosis. Doxorubicin pretreatment upregulated p53 expression and downregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress- and lipid synthesis-associated genes in the FFA -treated HepG2 cells. Additionally, doxorubicin treatment upregulated the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase, a key modulator of lipid metabolism. Notably, siRNA-targeted p53 knockdown reversed the effects of doxorubicin in HepG2 cells. Moreover, doxorubicin treatment suppressed FFA -induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 spheroids. Conclusively, these results suggest that doxorubicin possesses potential application for the regulation of lipid metabolism by enhance the expression of p53 an in vitro NAFLD model.

Mechanism of ferroptosis in breast cancer and research progress of natural compounds regulating ferroptosis

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide and its incidence increases with age, posing a significant threat to women's health globally. Due to the clinical heterogeneity of breast cancer, the majority of patients develop drug resistance and metastasis following treatment. Ferroptosis, a form of programmed cell death dependent on iron, is characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides, elevated levels of iron ions and lipid peroxidation. The underlying mechanisms and signalling pathways associated with ferroptosis are intricate and interconnected, involving various proteins and enzymes such as the cystine/glutamate antiporter, glutathione peroxidase 4, ferroptosis inhibitor 1 and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Consequently, emerging research suggests that ferroptosis may offer a novel target for breast cancer treatment; however, the mechanisms of ferroptosis in breast cancer urgently require resolution. Additionally, certain natural compounds have been reported to induce ferroptosis, thereby interfering with breast cancer. Therefore, this review not only discusses the molecular mechanisms of multiple signalling pathways that mediate ferroptosis in breast cancer (including metastasis, invasion and proliferation) but also elaborates on the mechanisms by which natural compounds induce ferroptosis in breast cancer. Furthermore, this review summarizes potential compound types that may serve as ferroptosis inducers in future tumour cells, providing lead compounds for the development of ferroptosis-inducing agents. Last, this review proposes the potential synergy of combining natural compounds with traditional breast cancer drugs in the treatment of breast cancer, thereby suggesting future directions and offering new insights.

Ferroptosis: an important player in the inflammatory response in diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects millions of diabetic patients worldwide. The key to treating of DN is early diagnosis and prevention. Once the patient enters the clinical proteinuria stage, renal damage is difficult to reverse. Therefore, developing early treatment methods is critical. DN pathogenesis results from various factors, among which the immune response and inflammation play major roles. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered type of programmed cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and excessive ROS production. Recent studies have demonstrated that inflammation activation is closely related to the occurrence and development of ferroptosis. Moreover, hyperglycemia induces iron overload, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal fibrosis, all of which are related to DN pathogenesis, indicating that ferroptosis plays a key role in the development of DN. Therefore, this review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, and the mutual regulatory processes involved in the occurrence and development of DN and inflammation. By discussing and analyzing the relationship between ferroptosis and inflammation in the occurrence and development of DN, we can deepen our understanding of DN pathogenesis and develop new therapeutics targeting ferroptosis or inflammation-related regulatory mechanisms for patients with DN.

Emerging role and therapeutic implications of p53 in intervertebral disc degeneration

Lower back pain (LBP) is a common degenerative musculoskeletal disease that imposes a huge economic burden on both individuals and society. With the aggravation of social aging, the incidence of LBP has increased globally. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the primary cause of LBP. Currently, IDD treatment strategies include physiotherapy, medication, and surgery; however, none can address the root cause by ending the degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs). However, in recent years, targeted therapy based on specific molecules has brought hope for treating IDD. The tumor suppressor gene p53 produces a transcription factor that regulates cell metabolism and survival. Recently, p53 was shown to play an important role in maintaining IVD microenvironment homeostasis by regulating IVD cell senescence, apoptosis, and metabolism by activating downstream target genes. This study reviews research progress regarding the potential role of p53 in IDD and discusses the challenges of targeting p53 in the treatment of IDD. This review will help to elucidate the pathogenesis of IDD and provide insights for the future development of precision treatments.

Ferroptosis in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure

Heart failure has become a public health problem that we cannot avoid choosing to face in today's context. In the case of heart failure, pathological cardiac hypertrophy plays a major role because of its condition of absolute increase in ventricular mass under various stresses. Ferroptosis, it could be defined as regulatory mechanisms that regulate cell death in the absence of apoptosis in iron-dependent cells. This paper introduces various new research findings on the use of different regulatory mechanisms of cellular ferroptosis for the treatment of heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy, providing new therapeutic targets and research directions for clinical treatment. The role and mechanism of ferroptosis in the field of heart failure has been increasingly demonstrated, and the relationship between cardiac hypertrophy, which is one of the causes of heart failure, is also an area of research that we should focus on. In addition, the latest applications and progress of inducers and inhibitors of ferroptosis are reported in this paper, updating the breakthroughs in their fields.

Ebselen, Iron Uptake Inhibitor, Alleviates Iron Overload-Induced Senescence-Like Neuronal Cells SH-SY5Y via Suppressing the mTORC1 Signaling Pathway

Increasing evidence highlights that excessive iron accumulation in the brain plays a vital role in neuronal senescence and is implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, the chemical compounds that eliminate an iron overload may provide better protection against oxidative stress conditions that cause the accumulation of senescent cells during brain aging. Ebselen has been identified as a strongly useful compound in the research on redox biology mechanisms. We hypothesized that ebselen could alleviate an iron overload-induced oxidative stress and consequently reverses the senescence-like phenotypes in the neuronal cells. In the present study, SH-SY5Y cells were treated with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) before ebselen, and the evaluation of the cellular iron homeostasis, the indicators of oxidative stress, and the onset of senescence phenotypes and mechanisms were carried out accordingly. Our findings showed that ebselen ameliorated the FAC-mediated iron overload by decreasing the expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferritin light chain (FT-L) proteins. In contrast, it increased the expression of ferroportin 1 (FPN1) protein and its correlation led to a decrease in the expression of the cytosolic labile iron pool (LIP). Furthermore, ebselen significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and rescued the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Notably, ebselen restored the biomarkers of cellular senescence by reducing the number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells and senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP). This also suppressed the expression of p53 protein targeting DNA damage response (DDR)/p21 cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor through a mTORC1 signaling pathway. Potentially, ebselen could be a therapeutic agent for treating brain aging and AD by mitigating iron accumulation and restoring senescence in SH-SY5Y cells.

Role of cytokine in malignant T-cell metabolism and subsequent alternation in T-cell tumor microenvironment

T cells are an important component of adaptive immunity and T-cell-derived lymphomas are very complex due to many functional sub-types and functional elasticity of T-cells. As with other tumors, tissues specific factors are crucial in the development of T-cell lymphomas. In addition to neoplastic cells, T- cell lymphomas consist of a tumor micro-environment composed of normal cells and stroma. Numerous studies established the qualitative and quantitative differences between the tumor microenvironment and normal cell surroundings. Interaction between the various component of the tumor microenvironment is crucial since tumor cells can change the microenvironment and vice versa. In normal T-cell development, T-cells must respond to various stimulants deferentially and during these courses of adaptation. T-cells undergo various metabolic alterations. From the stage of quiescence to attention of fully active form T-cells undergoes various stage in terms of metabolic activity. Predominantly quiescent T-cells have ATP-generating metabolism while during the proliferative stage, their metabolism tilted towards the growth-promoting pathways. In addition to this, a functionally different subset of T-cells requires to activate the different metabolic pathways, and consequently, this regulation of the metabolic pathway control activation and function of T-cells. So, it is obvious that dynamic, and well-regulated metabolic pathways are important for the normal functioning of T-cells and their interaction with the microenvironment. There are various cell signaling mechanisms of metabolism are involved in this regulation and more and more studies have suggested the involvement of additional signaling in the development of the overall metabolic phenotype of T cells. These important signaling mediators include cytokines and hormones. The impact and role of these mediators especially the cytokines on the interplay between T-cell metabolism and the interaction of T-cells with their micro-environments in the context of T-cells lymphomas are discussed in this review article.

Identifying Ferroptosis-Related Genes Associated with Weight Loss Outcomes and Regulation of Adipocyte Microenvironment

SCOPE

The study is about the influence of ferroptosis-related genes combined with the immune microenvironment exerted on weight control outcomes and systematic analysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT) samples from 11 subjects with good outcome and 10 subjects with poor outcome in weight management are obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The results are validated in vivo in animal models with different weight loss outcomes. The CIBERSORT algorithm is used to evaluate the differences in immune cell infiltration in each sample. Patients with poor outcome have higher levels of ferroptosis in the adipose tissue. Remarkable differences in cytokine production, nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB) transcription factor activity, leukocyte migration involved in the inflammatory response, and other biological processes are also observed compared to that in the well-controlled group. Aldo-keto reductase family 1-member C1(AKR1C1), nuclear receptor coactivator 4(NCOA4), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit(GCLC) are identified as core predictive markers and their expression patterns are confirmed in animal models.

CONCLUSIONS

Ferroptosis and its mediated inflammation play an important role in long-term weight control, and analyses of the role of ferroptosis-related genes(FRGs) in weight control may provide new potential therapeutic targets for long-term weight control. Anti-inflammatory diets that mitigate inflammatory responses and affect ferroptosis may be considered in the future to improve weight control.

Ferroptosis, a subtle talk between immune system and cancer cells: To be or not to be?

Ferroptosis, an established form of programmed cell death discovered in 2012, is characterized by an imbalance in iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant metabolism. Activated CD8 + T cells can trigger ferroptosis in tumor cells by releasing interferon-γ, which initiates the ferroptosis program. Despite the remarkable progress made in treating various tumors with immunotherapy, such as anti-PD1/PDL1, there are still significant challenges to overcome, including limited treatment options and drug resistance. In this review, we exam the potential biological significance of the ferroptosis phenotype using bioinformatics and review the latest advancements in understanding the mechanism of ferroptosis-mediated anti-tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, we revisit the host immune system, immune microenvironment, ferroptotic defense system, metabolic reprogramming, and key genes that regulate the occurrence and resistance of ferroptosis of tumor cell. Additionally, several immune-combined ferroptosis treatment strategies were put forward to improve immunotherapy efficacy and to provide new insights into reversing anti-tumor immune drug resistance.

An effective prognostic model in colon adenocarcinoma composed of cuproptosis-related epigenetic regulators

Background: Colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a common malignant tumor with little effective prognostic markers. Cuproptosis is a newly discovered mode of cell death that may be related to epigenetic regulators. This study aimed to explore the association between epigenetic regulators and cuproptosis, and to establish a prognostic prediction model for COAD based on epigenetic regulators associated with cuproptosis (EACs). Methods: RNA sequencing data and clinical data of 524 COAD patients were obtained from the TCGA-COAD database, cuproptosis-related genes were from the FerrDb database, and epigenetic-related genes were from databases such as GO and EpiFactors. LASSO regression analysis and other methods were used to screen out epigenetic regulators associated with cuproptosis and prognosis. The risk score of each patient was calculated and the patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. Next, the survival difference, functional enrichment analyses, tumor mutation burden, chemotherapy drug sensitivity and other indicators between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: We found 716 epigenetic regulators closely related to cuproptosis, among which 35 genes were related to prognosis of COAD. We further screened out 7 EACs from the 35 EACs to construct a prognostic prediction model. We calculated the risk score of each patient based on these 7 genes, and divided the patients into high-risk group and low-risk group. We found that the overall survival rate and progression-free survival rate of the high-risk group were significantly lower than those of the low-risk group. This model showed good predictive ability in the training set, test set and overall data set. We also constructed a prognostic prediction model based on risk score and other clinical features, and drew the corresponding Nomogram. In addition, we found significant differences between the high-risk group and the low-risk group in tumor mutation burden, chemotherapy drug sensitivity and other clinical aspects. Conclusion: We established an effective predictive prediction model for COAD based on EACs, revealing the association between epigenetic regulators and cuproptosis in COAD. We hope that this model can not only facilitate the treatment decision of COAD patients, but also promote the research progress in the field of cuproptosis.

AI-powered discovery of a novel p53-Y220C reactivator

Introduction

The p53-Y220C mutation is one of the most common mutations that play a major role in cancer progression.

Methods

In this study, we applied artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual screening to identify small-molecule compounds that specifically restore the wild-type p53 conformation from p53-Y220C. From 10 million compounds, the AI algorithm selected a chemically diverse set of 83 high-scoring hits, which were subjected to several experimental assays using cell lines with different p53 mutations.

Results

We identified one compound, H3, that preferentially killed cells with the p53-Y220C mutation compared to cells with other p53 mutations. H3 increased the amount of folded mutant protein with wild-type p53 conformation, restored its transcriptional functions, and caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, H3 reduced tumorigenesis in a mouse xenograft model with p53-Y220C-positive cells.

Conclusion

AI enabled the discovery of the H3 compound that selectively reactivates the p53-Y220C mutant and inhibits tumor development in mice.

Construction of a prognostic model based on genes associated with mitochondrial energy metabolic pathway in colon adenocarcinoma and its clinical significance

Mitochondria are the main sites of oxidative metabolism and energy release of sugars, fats and amino acids in the body. According to studies, malignant tumor occurrence and development have been linked to abnormal mitochondrial energy metabolism (MEM). However, the feasible role of abnormal MEM in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is poorly understood. In this work, we obtained COAD patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as the training set, and GSE103479 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) as the validation set. Combined with the mitochondrial energy metabolic pathway (MEMP)-related genes in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, a risk prognostic model was constructed by utilizing Cox regression analysis to identify 6 feature genes (CYP4A11, PGM2, PKLR, PPARGC1A, CPT2 and ACAT2) that were significantly associated with MEMP in COAD. By stratifying the samples based on riskscore, two distinct groups, namely the high- and low-risk groups, were identified. The model demonstrated accurate assessment of the prognosis risk in COAD patients and exhibited independent prognostic capability, as evidenced by the survival curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A nomogram was plotted based on clinical information and riskscore. We proved it could predict the survival time of COAD patients effectively combined with the calibration curve of risk prediction. Subsequently, based on the immune evaluation and mutation frequency analysis performed on COAD patients, patients in high-risk group had observably higher immune scores, immune activity and PDCD1 expression level than low-risk group. In general, the prognostic model developed using MEMP-related genes served as a valuable biomarker for forecasting the prognosis of COAD patients, which offered a reference for the prognosis evaluation and clinical cure of COAD patients.

Ferroptosis: a novel regulated cell death participating in cellular stress response, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death mode triggered by iron-dependent toxic membrane lipid peroxidation. As a novel cell death modality that is morphologically and mechanistically different from other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis and necrosis, ferroptosis has attracted extensive attention due to its association with various diseases. Evidence on ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic strategy has accumulated with the rapid growth of research on targeting ferroptosis for tumor suppression in recent years.

METHODS

We summarize the currently known characteristics and major regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis and present the role of ferroptosis in cellular stress responses, including ER stress and autophagy. Furthermore, we elucidate the potential applications of ferroptosis in radiotherapy and immunotherapy, which will be beneficial in exploring new strategies for clinical tumor treatment.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

Based on specific biomarkers and precise patient-specific assessment, targeting ferroptosis has great potential to be translated into practical new approaches for clinical cancer therapy, significantly contributing to the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer.

Glucose-induced CRL4COP1-p53 axis amplifies glycometabolism to drive tumorigenesis

The diabetes-cancer association remains underexplained. Here, we describe a glucose-signaling axis that reinforces glucose uptake and glycolysis to consolidate the Warburg effect and overcome tumor suppression. Specifically, glucose-dependent CK2 O-GlcNAcylation impedes its phosphorylation of CSN2, a modification required for the deneddylase CSN to sequester Cullin RING ligase 4 (CRL4). Glucose, therefore, elicits CSN-CRL4 dissociation to assemble the CRL4^COP1 E3 ligase, which targets p53 to derepress glycolytic enzymes. A genetic or pharmacologic disruption of the O-GlcNAc-CK2-CSN2-CRL4^COP1 axis abrogates glucose-induced p53 degradation and cancer cell proliferation. Diet-induced overnutrition upregulates the CRL4^COP1-p53 axis to promote PyMT-induced mammary tumorigenesis in wild type but not in mammary-gland-specific p53 knockout mice. These effects of overnutrition are reversed by P28, an investigational peptide inhibitor of COP1-p53 interaction. Thus, glycometabolism self-amplifies via a glucose-induced post-translational modification cascade culminating in CRL4^COP1-mediated p53 degradation. Such mutation-independent p53 checkpoint bypass may represent the carcinogenic origin and targetable vulnerability of hyperglycemia-driven cancer.

Dual targeting of wild-type p53 and gut microbiota by Magnolol represses key metabolic process and kills CRC cells

Cancer cells consume considerable glucose quantities and majorly employ glycolysis for ATP generation. This metabolic signature (the Warburg effect) allows cancer cells to channel glucose to biosynthesis to support and maintain their dramatic growth along with proliferation. Currently, our understanding of the metabolic and mechanistic implications of the Warburg effect along with its relationship with biosynthesis remains unclear. Herein, we illustrate that the tumor repressor p53 mediate Magnolol (MAG) triggers colon cancer cell apoptosis. And MAG regulates the glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation steps through transcriptional modulation of its downstream genes TP53-induced glycolysis modulator and biosynthesis of cytochrome c oxidase, attenuating cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, we show that MAG cooperates with its own intestinal microflora characteristic metabolites to repress tumors, especially remarkably declined kynurenine (Kyn)/tryptophan (Trp) ratio. Besides, strong relationships of MAG influenced genes, microbiota, as well as metabolites, were explored. Therefore, we established that p53-microbiota-metabolites function as a mechanism, which enable therapy approaches against metabolism-implicated colorectal cancer, in particular MAG as a prospective candidate for treating colorectal cancer.

Role of p53 in promoting BMP9‑induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through TGF‑β1

Known as a tumour suppressor gene, p53 also plays a key role in controlling the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) has been identified as a potent factor in inducing osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, but its relationship with p53 remains unclear. The present study revealed that TP53 was expressed at higher levels in MSCs from patients with osteoporosis and was associated with the top 10 core central genes found in the current osteoporosis genetic screen. p53 was expressed in C2C12, C3H10T1/2, 3T3-L1, MEFs, and MG-63 cell lines, and could be upregulated by BMP9, as measured by western blotting and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, overexpression of p53 increased the mRNA and protein levels of osteogenic marker Runx2 and osteopontin, as evaluated by western blotting and RT-qPCR in BMP9-induced MSCs, whereas the p53 inhibitor pifithrin (PFT)-α attenuated these effects. The same trend was found in alkaline phosphatase activities and matrix mineralization, as measured by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red S staining. Moreover, p53 overexpression reduced adipo-differentiation markers of PPARγ and lipid droplet formation, as measured by western blotting, RT-qPCR and oil red O staining, respectively, whereas PFT-α facilitated adipo-differentiation in MSCs. In addition, p53 promoted TGF-β1 expression and inhibition of TGF-β1 by LY364947 partially attenuated the effects of p53 on promoting BMP9-induced MSC osteo-differentiation and inhibiting adipo-differentiation. The inhibitory effect of PFT-α on osteogenic markers and the promoting effect on adipogenic markers can be reversed when combined with TGF-β1. TGF-β1 may enhance the promotion of osteo-differentiation of MSCs by p53 through inhibition of adipo-differentiation. Collectively, by promoting BMP9-induced MSCs bone differentiation and inhibiting adipose differentiation, p53 may be a novel therapeutic target for bone-related diseases.

The Metabolic Landscape of Breast Cancer and Its Therapeutic Implications

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor globally as of 2020 and remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among female individuals worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming is well recognized as a hallmark of malignancy owing to the rewiring of multiple biological processes, notably, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, pentose phosphate pathway, as well as lipid metabolism, which support the demands for the relentless growth of tumor cells and allows distant metastasis of cancer cells. Breast cancer cells are well documented to reprogram their metabolism via mutations or inactivation of intrinsic factors such as c-Myc, TP53, hypoxia-inducible factor, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway or crosstalk with the surrounding tumor microenvironments, including hypoxia, extracellular acidification and interaction with immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and adipocytes. Furthermore, altered metabolism contributes to acquired or inherent therapeutic resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the metabolic plasticity underlying breast cancer progression as well as to dictate metabolic reprogramming that accounts for the resistance to standard of care. This review aims to illustrate the altered metabolism in breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms, as well as metabolic interventions in breast cancer treatment, with the intention to provide strategies for developing novel therapeutic treatments for breast cancer.

p53 protects against alcoholic fatty liver disease via ALDH2 inhibition

The tumor suppressor p53 is critical for tumor suppression, but the regulatory role of p53 in alcohol-induced fatty liver remains unclear. Here, we show a role for p53 in regulating ethanol metabolism via acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), a key enzyme responsible for the oxidization of alcohol. By repressing ethanol oxidization, p53 suppresses intracellular levels of acetyl-CoA and histone acetylation, leading to the inhibition of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) gene expression. Mechanistically, p53 directly binds to ALDH2 and prevents the formation of its active tetramer and indirectly limits the production of pyruvate that promotes the activity of ALDH2. Notably, p53-deficient mice exhibit increased lipid accumulation, which can be reversed by ALDH2 depletion. Moreover, liver-specific knockdown of SCD1 alleviates ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis caused by p53 loss. By contrast, overexpression of SCD1 in liver promotes ethanol-induced fatty liver development in wild-type mice, while it has a mild effect on p53-/- or ALDH2-/- mice. Overall, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized function of p53 in alcohol-induced fatty liver and uncover pyruvate as a natural regulator of ALDH2.

JMJD5 inhibits lung cancer progression by regulating glucose metabolism through the p53/TIGAR pathway

Metabolic reprogramming is considered one of the main driving forces for tumor progression, providing energy and substrates of biosynthesis to support rapid neoplastic proliferation. Particularly, the tumor suppressor protein p53 was shown to revert the Warburg effect and play complex roles in regulating glucose metabolism. Jumonji C domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5) has previously been reported as a negative regulator of p53. However, the role of JMJD5 in p53-mediated metabolic reprogramming remains elusive. Here, we discovered that knockdown of JMJD5 significantly enhances TIGAR expression in p53 wild-type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, which could further suppress glycolysis and promote the pentose phosphate pathway. Besides, JMJD5 knockdown promotes the NSCLC cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo, while silencing TIGAR can abolish this effect. Low JMJD5 expression levels are associated with elevated TIGAR levels and correlates with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Taken together, our findings suggest that JMJD5 is a key regulator of tumor glucose metabolism by targeting the p53/TIGAR metabolic pathway.