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Xu S, Cao B, Xuan G, Xu S, An Z, Zhu C, Li L, Tang C. Function and regulation of Rab GTPases in cancers. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:28. [PMID: 38695990 PMCID: PMC11065922 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09866-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The Rab small GTPases are characterized by the distinct intracellular localization and modulate various endocytic, transcytic and exocytic transport pathways. Rab proteins function as scaffolds that connect signaling pathways and intracellular membrane trafficking processes through the recruitment of effectors, such as tethering factors, phosphatases, motors and kinases. In different cancers, Rabs play as either an onco-protein or a tumor suppressor role, highly dependending on the context. The molecular mechanistic research has revealed that Rab proteins are involved in cancer progression through influences on migration, invasion, metabolism, exosome secretion, autophagy, and drug resistance of cancer cells. Therefore, targeting Rab GTPases to recover the dysregulated vesicle transport systems may provide potential strategy to restrain cancer progression. In this review, we discuss the regulation of Rab protein level and activity in modulating pathways involved in tumor progression, and propose that Rab proteins may serve as a prognostic factor in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouying Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Bin Cao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ge Xuan
- Department of Gynaecology, Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, No.339 Liuting Road, Ningbo, 315012, China
| | - Shu Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Zihao An
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Chongying Zhu
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Urology, Third Affiliated Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China.
| | - Chao Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, China.
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Ning S, Liu C, Wang K, Cai Y, Ning Z, Li M, Zeng L. NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 drives breast cancer metastasis through the up-regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the mTORC1 pathway. J Transl Med 2023; 21:362. [PMID: 37277807 PMCID: PMC10243030 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reprogramming lipid metabolism for tumor metastasis is essential in breast cancer, and NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 plays a crucial role in regulating energy metabolism. Its high expression is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Here, we studied whether NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 promotes breast cancer metastasis through reprogramming cholesterol metabolism. METHODS ELISA was employed to measure the concentration of Nesfatin-1 in the serum of breast cancer patients and the control group. Database analysis suggested that NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 might be acetylated in breast cancer, which was confirmed by treating the breast cancer cells with acetyltransferase inhibitors. Transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assays were conducted, and nude mouse lung metastasis models were established to examine the effect of NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 on breast cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. The Affymetrix gene expression chip results were analyzed using IPA software to identify the critical pathway induced by NUCB2/Nesfatin-1. We evaluated the effect of NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 on cholesterol biosynthesis through the mTORC1-SREBP2-HMGCR axis by utilizing mTORC1 inhibitor and rescue experiments. RESULTS NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 was found to be overexpressed in the breast cancer patients, and its overexpression was positively correlated with poor prognosis. NUCB2 was potentially acetylated, leading to high expression in breast cancer. NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 promoted metastasis in vitro and in vivo, while Nesfatin-1 rescued impaired cell metastasis induced by NUCB2 depletion. Mechanistically, NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 upregulated cholesterol synthesis via the mTORC1 signal pathway, contributing to breast cancer migration and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that the NUCB2/Nesfatin-1/mTORC1/SREBP2 signal pathway is critical in regulating cholesterol synthesis, essential for breast cancer metastasis. Thus, NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 might be utilized as a diagnostic tool and also used in cancer therapy for breast cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Ning
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410028, China
| | - Caiying Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410028, China
| | - Kangtao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410028, China
| | - Yubo Cai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410028, China
| | - Zhicheng Ning
- Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, 410031, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410028, China.
| | - Liang Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Medical Center for South Central Region, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
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Liu HH, Wang J, Zhang Y, Fan YC, Wang K. Prognostic potential of the small GTPase Ran and its methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:248-256. [PMID: 35367146 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high mortality. The prognostic significance of Ran, a member of Ras superfamily, remains unclear in HCC patients. METHODS Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), we analyzed the correlations among Ran expression, promoter methylation and immune cell infiltration. We also investigated the Ran expression levels in HCC tissues and normal tissues by using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Ran mRNA expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues compared with the normal tissues (P < 0.001). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that Ran expression had predictive value of the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival for HCC patients, and the areas under the curves (AUC) were 0.747, 0.634 and 0.704, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that Ran expression was an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients (HR = 1.492, 95% CI: 1.129-1.971, P = 0.005). We also found a negative relationship between Ran mRNA expression and its promoter methylation (r = -0.36, P < 0.001). High Ran expression and promoter hypomethylation predicted worse overall survival and progression-free survival (P < 0.05) and were involved in the progression of HCC. Ran expression exhibited significant correlations with immune infiltrates and prognostic immune-related genes. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides further insight into the prognosis of HCC, and Ran could serve as a biomarker for predicting the survival of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Ju Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518000, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518000, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China.
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Wu C, Wei W, Li J, Peng S. The Impacts of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs)-Derived Periostin on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) of Cervical Cancer Cells. J BIOMATER TISS ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbt.2022.2958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely related to the migrating and invading behaviors of cells. Periostin is one of the essential components in the extracellular matrix and can induce EMT of cells and their sequential metastasis. But its underlying mechanism is unclear.
The Hela and BMSC cell lines were assigned into Periostin-mimic group, Periostin-Inhibitor group and Periostin-NC group followed by analysis of cell migration and invasion, expression of E-Cadherin, Vimentin, β-Catenin, Snail, MMP-2, MMP-9, PTEN, and p-PTEN. Cells in Periostin-mimic
group exhibited lowest migration, least number of invaded cells, as well as lowest levels of Vimentin, β-Catenin, Snail, MMP-2, MMP-9, p-PTEN, Akt, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, p-PDK1 and p-cRcf, along with highest levels of E-cadherin and PTEN. Moreover, cells in Periostin-NC
group had intermediate levels of these above indicators, while, the Periostin-Inhibitor group exhibited the highest migration rate, the most number of invaded cells, and the highest levels of these proteins (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs-derived Periostin can influence the EMT
of cervical cancer cells possibly through restraining the activity of the PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathway, indicating that Periostin might be a target of chemotherapy in clinics for the treatment of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyong Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yichun People’s Hospital, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, China
| | - Weifeng Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514000, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, 514000, China
| | - Shenglin Peng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Yichun People’s Hospital, Yichun, Jiangxi, 336000, China
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Samanta S, Mahata R, Santra MK. The Cross-Talk between Epigenetic Gene Regulation and Signaling Pathways Regulates Cancer Pathogenesis. Subcell Biochem 2022; 100:427-472. [PMID: 36301502 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07634-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer begins due to uncontrolled cell division. Cancer cells are insensitive to the signals that control normal cell proliferation. This uncontrolled cell division is due to the accumulation of abnormalities in different factors associated with the cell division, including different cyclins, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, and cellular signaling. Cellular signaling pathways are aberrantly activated in cancer mainly due to epigenetic regulation and post-translational regulation. In this chapter, the role of epigenetic regulation in aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT, Ras, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, JAK/STAT, and mTOR signaling pathways in cancer progression is discussed. The role of epigenetic regulators in controlling the upstream regulatory proteins and downstream effector proteins responsible for abnormal cellular signaling-mediated cancer progression is covered in this chapter. Similarly, the role of signaling pathways in controlling epigenetic gene regulation-mediated cancer progression is also discussed. We have tried to ascertain the current status of potential epigenetic drugs targeting several epigenetic regulators to prevent different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Samanta
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rumpa Mahata
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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Brunel A, Bégaud G, Auger C, Durand S, Battu S, Bessette B, Verdier M. Autophagy and Extracellular Vesicles, Connected to rabGTPase Family, Support Aggressiveness in Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1330. [PMID: 34072080 PMCID: PMC8227744 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though cancers have been widely studied and real advances in therapeutic care have been made in the last few decades, relapses are still frequently observed, often due to therapeutic resistance. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are, in part, responsible for this resistance. They are able to survive harsh conditions such as hypoxia or nutrient deprivation. Autophagy and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) secretion are cellular processes that help CSC survival. Autophagy is a recycling process and EVs secretion is essential for cell-to-cell communication. Their roles in stemness maintenance have been well described. A common pathway involved in these processes is vesicular trafficking, and subsequently, regulation by Rab GTPases. In this review, we analyze the role played by Rab GTPases in stemness status, either directly or through their regulation of autophagy and EVs secretion.
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Cancer-driving mutations and variants of components of the membrane trafficking core machinery. Life Sci 2020; 264:118662. [PMID: 33127517 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The core machinery for vesicular membrane trafficking broadly comprises of coat proteins, RABs, tethering complexes and SNAREs. As cellular membrane traffic modulates key processes of mitogenic signaling, cell migration, cell death and autophagy, its dysregulation could potentially results in increased cell proliferation and survival, or enhanced migration and invasion. Changes in the levels of some components of the core machinery of vesicular membrane trafficking, likely due to gene amplifications and/or alterations in epigenetic factors (such as DNA methylation and micro RNA) have been extensively associated with human cancers. Here, we provide an overview of association of membrane trafficking with cancer, with a focus on mutations and variants of coat proteins, RABs, tethering complex components and SNAREs that have been uncovered in human cancer cells/tissues. The major cellular and molecular cancer-driving or suppression mechanisms associated with these components of the core membrane trafficking machinery shall be discussed.
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Maurizi E, Schiroli D, Zini R, Limongelli A, Mistò R, Macaluso C, Pellegrini G. A fine-tuned β-catenin regulation during proliferation of corneal endothelial cells revealed using proteomics analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13841. [PMID: 32796906 PMCID: PMC7427785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70800-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal endothelial (CE) dysfunction is the main indication for corneal transplantation, an invasive procedure with several limitations. Developing novel strategies to re-activate CE regenerative capacity is, therefore, of fundamental importance. This goal has proved to be challenging as corneal endothelial cells (CEnC) are blocked in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle in vivo and, albeit retaining proliferative capacity in vitro, this is further hindered by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Herein we investigated the mechanisms regulating CEnC proliferation in vitro. Comparing the proteome of non-proliferating (in vivo-G0/G1) and proliferating (in vitro-G2/M) rabbit CEnC (rCEnC), 77 proteins, out of 3,328 identified, were differentially expressed in the two groups (p < 0.005). Literature and Gene Ontology analysis revealed β-catenin and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) pathways to be correlated with the identified proteins. Treatment of rCEnC with a β-catenin activator and inhibitor showed that β-catenin activation was necessary during rCEnC proliferation, but not sufficient for its induction. Furthermore, both pro-proliferative activity of basic fibroblast growth factor and anti-proliferative effects of TGF-β were regulated through β-catenin. Overall, these results provide novel insights into the molecular basis underlying the proliferation process that CEnC re-activate in vitro, consolidating the role of β-catenin and TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Maurizi
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine "S. Ferrari", Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry Center, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Davide Schiroli
- Transfusion Medicine Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberta Zini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine "S. Ferrari", Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudio Macaluso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry Center, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Graziella Pellegrini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine "S. Ferrari", Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Zhu H, Zhu H, Tian M, Wang D, He J, Xu T. DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation in Cervical Cancer: Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment. Front Genet 2020; 11:347. [PMID: 32328088 PMCID: PMC7160865 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent discoveries have led to the development of novel ideas and techniques that have helped elucidate the correlation between epigenetics and tumor biology. Nowadays, the field of tumor genetics has evolved to include a new type of regulation by epigenetics. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the importance of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in specific genes in the progression of cervical cancer. Determining the methylation and hydroxymethylation profiles of these genes will help in the early prevention and diagnosis, monitoring recurrence, prognosis, and treatment of patients with cervical cancer. In this review, we focus on the significance of aberrant DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in cervical cancer and the use of these epigenetic signatures in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongming Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Miao Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiaxing He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tianmin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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