The protein kinase B/Akt signalling pathway in human malignancy

A new method for network bioinformatics identifies novel drug targets for mucinous ovarian carcinoma

Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a subtype of ovarian cancer that is distinct from all other ovarian cancer subtypes and currently has no targeted therapies. To identify novel therapeutic targets, we developed and applied a new method of differential network analysis comparing MOC to benign mucinous tumours (in the absence of a known normal tissue of origin). This method mapped the protein-protein network in MOC and then utilised structural bioinformatics to prioritise the proteins identified as upregulated in the MOC network for their likelihood of being successfully drugged. Using this protein-protein interaction modelling, we identified the strongest 5 candidates, CDK1, CDC20, PRC1, CCNA2 and TRIP13, as structurally tractable to therapeutic targeting by small molecules. siRNA knockdown of these candidates performed in MOC and control normal fibroblast cell lines identified CDK1, CCNA2, PRC1 and CDC20, as potential drug targets in MOC. Three targets (TRIP13, CDC20, CDK1) were validated using known small molecule inhibitors. Our findings demonstrate the utility of our pipeline for identifying new targets and highlight potential new therapeutic options for MOC patients.

Reactive Oxygen Species Modulation in the Current Landscape of Anticancer Therapies

Significance: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, and are tightly controlled through homeostatic mechanisms to maintain intracellular redox, regulating growth and proliferation in healthy cells. However, ROS production is perturbed in cancers where abnormal accumulation of ROS leads to oxidative stress and genomic instability, triggering oncogenic signaling pathways on one hand, while increasing oxidative damage and triggering ROS-dependent death signaling on the other. Recent Advances: Our review illuminates how critical interactions between ROS and oncogenic signaling, the tumor microenvironment, and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways have led to interest in ROS modulation as a means of enhancing existing anticancer strategies and developing new therapeutic opportunities. Critical Issues: ROS equilibrium exists via a delicate balance of pro-oxidant and antioxidant species within cells. "Antioxidant" approaches have been explored mainly in the form of chemoprevention, but there is insufficient evidence to advocate its routine application. More progress has been made via the "pro-oxidant" approach of targeting cancer vulnerabilities and inducing oxidative stress. Various therapeutic modalities have employed this approach, including direct ROS-inducing agents, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, DDR therapies, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Finally, emerging delivery systems such as "nanosensitizers" as radiotherapy enhancers are currently in development. Future Directions: While approaches designed to induce ROS have shown considerable promise in selectively targeting cancer cells and dealing with resistance to conventional therapies, most are still in early phases of development and challenges remain. Further research should endeavor to refine treatment strategies, optimize drug combinations, and identify predictive biomarkers of ROS-based cancer therapies.

Discovery, identification and mechanism of chemosensitivity-relate biomarker inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 in metastatic colorectal cancer

Predictive biomarkers of response to chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are needed to better characterize tumors and enable more tailored therapies. Here we used serum proteomics to screen for chemotherapy predictive markers. We found that higher baseline serum inter-α-trypsin inhibitor Heavy Chain 4 (ITIH4) expression in newly diagnosed mCRC patients was associated with poorer response to standard first-line chemotherapy. In addition, the higher expression of ITIH4 in CRC tissue also suggested poorer prognosis mCRC patients. Moreover, the overexpression of ITIH4 could promote the proliferation of CRC cells and reduce the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by inhibiting apoptosis in vivo and vitro. Through RNA-seq combined with bioinformatics analysis, we speculated that ITIH4 may activate phosphatidyl 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) pathway to inhibit apoptosis, thereby reducing the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-FU. In conclusion, our findings unveil that ITIH4 is associated with CRC resistance to 5-FU, and may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for the sensitivity of advanced CRC patients to standard first-line chemotherapy regimens, and also provide a potential therapeutic target to render 5-FU resistance in CRC patients.

Fatty acid synthase: A key driver of ovarian cancer metastasis and a promising therapeutic target

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a critical enzyme essential for the production of fats in the body. The abnormal expression of FASN is associated with different types of malignancies, including ovarian cancer. FASN plays a crucial role in cell growth and survival as a metabolic oncogene, although the specific processes that cause its dysregulation are still unknown. FASN interacts with signaling pathways linked to the progression of cancer. Pharmacologically inhibiting or inactivating the FASN gene has shown potential in causing the death of cancer cells, offering a possible treatment approach. This review examines the function of FASN in ovarian cancer, namely its level of expression, influence on the advancement of the disease, and its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.

14-3-3 Family of Proteins: Biological Implications, Molecular Interactions, and Potential Intervention in Cancer, Virus and Neurodegeneration Disorders

The 14-3-3 family of proteins are highly conserved acidic eukaryotic proteins (25-32 kDa) abundantly present in the body. Through numerous binding partners, the 14-3-3 is responsible for many essential cellular pathways, such as cell cycle regulation and gene transcription control. Hence, its dysregulation has been linked to the onset of critical illnesses such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and viral infections. Interestingly, explorative studies have revealed an inverse correlation of 14-3-3 protein in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and the direct manipulation of 14-3-3 by virus to enhance infection capacity has dramatically extended its significance. Of these, COVID-19 has been linked to the 14-3-3 proteins by the interference of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein during virion assembly. Given its predisposition towards multiple essential host signalling pathways, it is vital to understand the holistic interactions between the 14-3-3 protein to unravel its potential therapeutic unit in the future. As such, the general structure and properties of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, as well as their known biological functions and implications in cancer, neurodegeneration, and viruses, were covered in this review. Furthermore, the potential therapeutic target of 14-3-3 proteins in the associated diseases was discussed.

Chitinase 3 like-1 activates the Akt pathway, inducing NF-κB-dependent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the proliferative ability in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Chitinase 3 like-1 (CHI3L1) has been reported to function as an oncogene in many types of cancer. However, the biological function of CHI3L1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NPC tissues in GSE64634 and GSE12452 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). CHI3L1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) mRNA expression was examined by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 and EdU incorporation assays. Western blot analysis was used to measure the changes of CHI3L1, nuclear factor-κappaB (NF-κB), and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed using DAVID database.

RESULTS

We identified 3 overlapping DEGs using Draw Venn diagram, among which CHI3L1 was chosen for the following analyses. CHI3L1 was upregulated in NPC tissues and cells. CHI3L1 silencing suppressed inflammatory response by inactivating the NF-κB pathway and inhibited cell proliferation in NPC cells. On the contrary, CHI3L1 overexpression induced inflammatory response by activating the NF-κB pathway and promoted cell proliferation in NPC cells. According to GO and KEGG analyses, CHI3L1 positive regulates Akt signaling and is enriched in the PI3K-Akt pathway. CHI3L1 knockdown inhibited the Akt pathway, and CHI3L1 overexpression activated the Akt pathway in NPC cells. Akt overexpression abolished the effects of CHI3L1 knockdown on inflammatory response, NF-κB pathway, and proliferation in NPC cells. On the contrary, Akt knockdown abolished the effects of CHI3L1 overexpression on inflammatory response, NF-κB pathway, and proliferation in NPC cells.

CONCLUSION

CHI3L1 knockdown inhibited NF-κB-dependent inflammatory response and promoting proliferation in NPC cells by inactivating the Akt pathway.

Mangiferin, a component of Mangifera indica leaf extracts, inhibits lipid synthesis in human sebocytes

Inhibition of lipid synthesis in sebocytes is essential for acne treatments. The effects of natural product-derived substances on lipid synthesis are unknown. This study investigated the effects of water extract of Mangifera indica leaves (WEML) on lipid synthesis in human sebocytes. Sebocyte differentiation in low serum conditions increased lipid accumulation and proliferator-activated receptor γ expression. WEML treatment significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and adipogenic mRNA expression in sebocytes. Mangiferin, a bioactive compound in WEML, also reduced lipid accumulation and adipogenic mRNA expression via the AKT pathway. Thus, WEML and mangiferin effectively inhibit lipid synthesis in sebocytes, showing promise for acne treatment.

TFE3/PI3K/Akt/mTOR Axis in Renal Cell Carcinoma Affects Tumor Microenvironment

The role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapies has not been investigated thoroughly. Transcription factor E3 (TFE3) expression is related to a poorer prognosis and tumor microenvironment in patients with RCC. This study aimed to determine the relationship between TFE3 and the PI3K/Akt pathway. TFE3 down-regulation was achieved by transient transfection of siRNA and shRNA in UOK146 cells. TFE3 overexpression was induced by transient transfection with pcDNA3.1 encoding the constitutively active form of TFE3. The cells were treated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and PI3K inhibitors. Western blot was performed to detect TFE3, programmed death-ligand 1, phospho-Akt, and Akt. Phospho-Akt expression increased significantly upon TFE3 down-regulation, and decreased significantly upon up-regulation. When RCC cells were treated with a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), TFE3 expression increased and phospho-Akt expression decreased. Data from this study indicate that TFE3 plays a role in the PI3K/Akt pathway in RCC. The results of this study suggest that PI3K/Akt inhibitors may aid in the treatment of patients with RCC by affecting the tumor microenvironment.

Fufang Duzheng tablet attenuates adjuvant rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting arthritis inflammation and gut microbiota disturbance in rats

Objective

To explore the treatment effect and potential mechanism on gut microbiota, nutrition, and metabolism of Fufang Duzheng Tablet (DZGP) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Collagen-induced arthritis rats' models were established and divided into three groups: model control group (FK), DZGP group (FZ, 0.45 g/kg/d), and methotrexate group (FM, 1.35 mg/kg), which were treated by gavage for 28 days. The physiopathologic changes of joints and body weight in each group were recorded; the morphology of synovial and ankle tissues was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the level of serum TNF-α and IL-1β was tested by ELISA. UPLC/MS-MS and network pharmacological analysis were used to identify the serum components, and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis was applied to the intestinal contents of rats.

Results

DZGP treatment significantly alleviated arthritis symptoms, pathological manifestations, toe thickness, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in RA rats. We identified 105 metabolites and 18 components in the serum of DZGP-group rats. The main therapeutic targets of DZGP for anti-RA were TP53, epidermal growth factor receptor, and AKT1. Molecular docking showed that there was good binding efficiency between core components and main targets. 16S rDNA sequencing showed that DZGP treatment regulated the structure of the gut microbiota.

Conclusion

DZGP showed a good anti-inflammatory effect on RA and played an important role in improving the structure of the gut microbiota in RA rats.

Stratifin promotes the malignant progression of HCC via binding and hyperactivating AKT signaling

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. In this study, we reveal the pivotal role of Stratifin (SFN), also recognized as 14-3-3σ, in driving HCC progression. Our investigation underscores a substantial upregulation of SFN within HCC tissues, manifesting a significant association with worse prognostic outcomes among HCC patients. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that SFN overexpression significantly amplifies proliferation, mitigates sorafenib-induced effects on HCC cells, and enhances tumorigenesis. While SFN silencing exerts converse effects on HCC progression. Additionally, we unveil a critical interaction between SFN and AKT, where SFN boosts AKT kinase activity by disrupting the binding of PHLPP2 and AKT, thereby intensifying the malignant progression of HCC cells. In conclusion, this study identifies the oncogenic role of SFN and elucidates the regulatory mechanism of the SFN/AKT axis in HCC, which may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of HCC progression and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Inhibition of ABI2 ubiquitination-dependent degradation suppresses TNBC cell growth via down-regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of cancer that lacks receptor expression and has complex molecular mechanisms. Recent evidence shows that the ubiquitin-protease system is closely related to TNBC. In this study, we obtain a key ubiquitination regulatory substrate-ABI2 protein by bioinformatics methods, which is also closely related to the survival and prognosis of TNBC. Further, through a series of experiments, we demonstrated that ABI2 expressed at a low level in TNBC tumors, and it has the ability to control cell cycle and inhibit TNBC cell migration, invasion and proliferation. Molecular mechanism studies proved E3 ligase CBLC could increase the ubiquitination degradation of ABI2 protein. Meanwhile, RNA-seq and IP experiments indicated that ABI2, acting as a crucial factor of tumor suppression, can significantly inhibit PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via the interaction with Rho GTPase RAC1. Finally, based on TNBC drug target ABI2, we screened and found that FDA-approved drug Colistimethate sodium(CS) has significant potential in suppressing the proliferation of TNBC cells and inducing cell apoptosis, making it a promising candidate for impeding the progression of TNBC.

Integrating UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and Network Pharmacology to Explore the Potential Mechanisms of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. in the Treatment of Blood Stasis Syndrome

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP) is thought to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. This study used blood component analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular docking to predict the mechanism of PLP in the treatment of blood stasis syndrome (BSS). PLP was processed into Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA) and Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR). PRA and PRR could significantly reduce whole blood viscosity (WBV) at 1/s shear rates and could increase the erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), plasma viscosity (PV), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of rats with acute blood stasis. They prolonged the prothrombin time (PT), and PRR prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). PRA and PRR increased the thrombin time (TT) and decreased the fibrinogen (FBG) content. All the results were significant (p < 0.05). Ten components of Paeoniflorin, Albiflorin, Paeonin C, and others were identified in the plasma of rats using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). A protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis showed that AKT1, EGFR, SRC, MAPK14, NOS3, and KDR were key targets of PLP in the treatment of BSS, and the molecular docking results further verified this. This study indicated that PLP improves BSS in multiple ways and that the potential pharmacological mechanisms may be related to angiogenesis, vasoconstriction and relaxation, coagulation, and the migration and proliferation of vascular cells.

Genomic Characterization of Preclinical Prostate Cancer Cell Line Models

As we move into the era of precision medicine, the growing relevance of genetic alterations to prostate cancer (PCa) development and treatment demonstrates the importance of characterizing preclinical models at the genomic level. Our study investigated the genomic characterization of eight PCa cell lines to understand which models are clinically relevant. We designed a custom AmpliSeq DNA gene panel that encompassed key molecular pathways targeting AR signaling, apoptosis, DNA damage repair, and PI3K/AKT/PTEN, in addition to tumor suppressor genes. We examined the relationship between cell line genomic alterations and therapeutic response. In addition, using DepMap's Celligner tool, we identified which preclinical models are most representative of specific prostate cancer patient populations on cBioPortal. These data will help investigators understand the genetic differences in preclinical models of PCa and determine which ones are relevant for use in their translational research.

E4orf1: The triple agent of adenovirus - Unraveling its roles in oncogenesis, infectious obesity and immune responses in virus replication and vector therapy

Human Adenoviruses (HAdV) are nearly ubiquitous pathogens comprising numerous sub-types that infect various tissues and organs. Among many encoded proteins that facilitate viral replication and subversion of host cellular processes, the viral E4orf1 protein has emerged as an intriguing yet under-investigated player in the complex interplay between the virus and its host. E4orf1 has gained attention as a metabolism activator and oncogenic agent, while recent research is showing that E4orf1 may play a more important role in modulating cellular pathways such as PI3K-Akt-mTOR, Ras, the immune response and further HAdV replication stages than previously anticipated. In this review, we aim to explore the structure, molecular mechanisms, and biological functions of E4orf1, shedding light on its potentially multifaceted roles during HAdV infection, including metabolic diseases and oncogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss the role of functional E4orf1 in biotechnological applications such as Adenovirus (AdV) vaccine vectors and oncolytic AdV. By dissecting the intricate relationships between HAdV types and E4orf1 proteins, this review provides valuable insights into viral pathogenesis and points to promising areas of future research.

Hydroxychloroquine interaction with phosphoinositide 3-kinase modulates prostate cancer growth in bone microenvironment: In vitro and molecular dynamics based approach

Patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) are more likely to develop bone metastases. Tumor cells thrive in the bone microenvironment, interacting with osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Given the PI3K/AKT pathway's metastatic potential and signal integration's ability to modulate cell fates in PCa development, drugs targeting this system have great therapeutic promise. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an anti-malarial medication commonly used to treat clinical conditions such as rheumatology and infectious disorders. We explored the anti-neoplastic effect of HCQ on PC3 and C4-2B cell lines in the bone microenvironment. Interestingly, HCQ treatment substantially decreases the viability, proliferation, and migration potential of PCa cells in the bone microenvironment. HCQ induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, even in the presence of osteoblast-secreted factors. Mechanistically, HCQ inhibited the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which ultimately regulates the proliferation and migration of PCa cells in the bone. The binding energy for docking HCQ with PI3K was -6.7 kcal/mol, and the complex was stabilized by hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic forces, and van der Waals forces. Molecular simulations further validated the structural integrity of the HCQ-PI3K complex without altering PI3K's secondary structure. Our findings underscore the efficacy of HCQ as a potential therapeutic agent in treating PCa.

Review: The PI3K-AKT-mTOR signal transduction pathway in canine cancer

Tumors in dogs and humans share many similar molecular and genetic features, incentivizing a better understanding of canine neoplasms not only for the purpose of treating companion animals, but also to facilitate research of spontaneously developing tumors with similar biologic behavior and treatment approaches in an immunologically competent animal model. Multiple tumor types of both species have similar dysregulation of signal transduction through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB; AKT), and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), collectively known as the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. This review aims to delineate the pertinent aspects of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway in health and in tumor development. It will then present a synopsis of current understanding of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling in important canine cancers and advancements in targeted inhibitors of this pathway.

RB1 loss induces quiescent state through downregulation of RAS signaling in mammary epithelial cells

While loss of function (LOF) of retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) tumor suppressor is known to drive initiation of small-cell lung cancer and retinoblastoma, RB1 mutation is rarely observed in breast cancers at their initiation. In this study, we investigated the impact on untransformed mammary epithelial cells given by RB1 LOF. Depletion of RB1 in anon-tumorigenic MCF10A cells induced reversible growth arrest (quiescence) featured by downregulation of multiple cyclins and MYC, upregulation of p27KIP1, and lack of expression of markers which indicate cellular senescence or epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We observed a similar phenomenon in human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) as well. Additionally, we found that RB1 depletion attenuated the activity of RAS and the downstream MAPK pathway in an RBL2/p130-dependent manner. The expression of farnesyltransferase β, which is essential for RAS maturation, was found to be downregulated following RB1 depletion also in an RBL2/p130-dependent manner. These findings unveiled an unexpected mechanism whereby normal mammary epithelial cells resist to tumor initiation upon RB1 LOF.

Strategies to enhance the ability of nerve guidance conduits to promote directional nerve growth

Severely damaged peripheral nerves will regenerate incompletely due to lack of directionality in their regeneration, leading to loss of nerve function. To address this problem, various nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have been developed to provide guidance for nerve repair. However, their clinical application is still limited, mainly because its effect in promoting nerve repair is not as good as autologous nerve transplantation. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the ability of NGCs to promote directional nerve growth. Strategies include preparing various directional structures on NGCs to provide contact guidance, and loading various substances on them to provide electrical stimulation or neurotrophic factor concentration gradient to provide directional physical or biological signals.

Polo-like kinase 4 promotes tumorigenesis and glucose metabolism in glioma by activating AKT1 signaling

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely aggressive tumor associated with a poor prognosis that impacts the central nervous system. Increasing evidence suggests an inherent association between glucose metabolism dysregulation and the aggression of GBM. Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4), a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, was found to relate to glioma progression and unfavorable prognosis. As revealed by the integration of proteomics and phosphoproteomics, PLK4 was found to be involved in governing metabolic processes and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. For the first time, this study supports evidence demonstrating that PLK4 activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling through direct binding to AKT1 and subsequent phosphorylating AKT1 at S124, T308, and S473 to promote tumorigenesis and glucose metabolism in glioma. In addition, PLK4-mediated phosphorylation of AKT1 S124 significantly augmented the phosphorylation of AKT1 S473. Therefore, PLK4 exerted an influence on glucose metabolism by stimulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Additionally, the expression of PLK4 protein exhibited a positive correlation with AKT1 phosphorylation in glioma patient tissues. These findings highlight the pivotal role of PLK4-mediated phosphorylation of AKT1 in glioma tumorigenesis and dysregulation of glucose metabolism.

Uncovering Cell Cycle Dysregulations and Associated Mechanisms in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Glimpse of Hope for Repurposed Drugs

The cell cycle is the sequence of events orchestrated by a complex network of cell cycle proteins. Unlike normal cells, mature neurons subsist in a quiescent state of the cell cycle, and aberrant cell cycle activation triggers neuronal death accompanied by neurodegeneration. The periodicity of cell cycle events is choreographed by various mechanisms, including DNA damage repair, oxidative stress, neurotrophin activity, and ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Given the relevance of cell cycle processes in cancer and neurodegeneration, this review delineates the overlapping cell cycle events, signaling pathways, and mechanisms associated with cell cycle aberrations in cancer and the major neurodegenerative disorders. We suggest that dysregulation of some common fundamental signaling processes triggers anomalous cell cycle activation in cancer cells and neurons. We discussed the possible use of cell cycle inhibitors for neurodegenerative disorders and described the associated challenges. We propose that a greater understanding of the common mechanisms driving cell cycle aberrations in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders will open a new avenue for the development of repurposed drugs.

The antagonistic effect of FTO on METTL14 promotes AKT3 m6A demethylation and the progression of esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

As the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays vital roles in many biological processes.

METHODS

Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and transcriptomic RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were used to screen for m6A targets in esophageal cancer cells and patients. The role of m6A RNA methylase in esophageal cancer was also analyzed using bioinformatics. In vitro and in vivo experiments were used to analyze gene expression and function. CCK-8, colony formation, cell apoptosis and immunofluorescence staining assays were performed to evaluate the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells, respectively. Western blot analysis, RNA stability, RIP and luciferase reporter assays were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism involved.

RESULTS

We found that the m6A demethylase FTO was significantly upregulated in esophageal cancer cell lines and patient tissues. In vivo and in vitro assays demonstrated that FTO was involved in the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. Moreover, we found that the m6A methyltransferase METTL14 negatively regulates FTO function in esophageal cancer progression. FTO alone is not related to the prognosis of esophageal cancer, and its function is antagonized by METTL14. By using transcriptome-wide m6A-seq and RNA-seq assays, we revealed that AKT3 is a downstream target of FTO and acts in concert to regulate the tumorigenesis and metastasis of esophageal cancer. Taken together, these findings provide insight into m6A-mediated tumorigenesis in esophageal cancer and could lead to the design of new therapeutic strategies.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated disturbance of iron metabolism is blunted by swim training-role of AKT signaling pathway

Swim training has increased the life span of the transgenic animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Conversely, the progress of the disease is associated with the impairment of iron metabolism and insulin signaling. We used transgenic hmSOD1 G93A (ALS model) and non-transgenic mice in the present study. The study was performed on the muscles taken from trained (ONSET and TERMINAL) and untrained animals at three stages of the disease: BEFORE, ONSET, and TERMINAL. In order to study the molecular mechanism of changes in iron metabolism, we used SH-SY5Y and C2C12 cell lines expression vector pcDNA3.1 and transiently transfected with specific siRNAs. The progress of ALS resulted in decreased P-Akt/Akt ratio, which is associated with increased proteins responsible for iron storage ferritin L, ferritin H, PCBP1, and skeletal muscle iron at ONSET. Conversely, proteins responsible for iron export- TAU significantly decrease. The training partially reverses changes in proteins responsible for iron metabolism. AKT silencing in the SH-SY5Y cell line decreased PCBP2 and ferroportin and increased ferritin L, H, PCBP1, TAU, transferrin receptor 1, and APP. Moreover, silencing APP led to an increase in ferritin L and H. Our data suggest that swim training in the mice ALS model is associated with significant changes in iron metabolism related to AKT activity. Down-regulation of AKT mainly upregulates proteins involved in iron import and storage but decreases proteins involved in iron export.

Changes in Cells Associated with Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a polypeptide hormone synthesized and secreted by pancreatic β-cells. It plays an important role as a metabolic hormone. Insulin influences the metabolism of glucose, regulating plasma glucose levels and stimulating glucose storage in organs such as the liver, muscles and adipose tissue. It is involved in fat metabolism, increasing the storage of triglycerides and decreasing lipolysis. Ketone body metabolism also depends on insulin action, as insulin reduces ketone body concentrations and influences protein metabolism. It increases nitrogen retention, facilitates the transport of amino acids into cells and increases the synthesis of proteins. Insulin also inhibits protein breakdown and is involved in cellular growth and proliferation. On the other hand, defects in the intracellular signaling pathways of insulin may cause several disturbances in human metabolism, resulting in several chronic diseases. Insulin resistance, also known as impaired insulin sensitivity, is due to the decreased reaction of insulin signaling for glucose levels, seen when glucose use in response to an adequate concentration of insulin is impaired. Insulin resistance may cause, for example, increased plasma insulin levels. That state, called hyperinsulinemia, impairs metabolic processes and is observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Hyperinsulinemia may increase the risk of initiation, progression and metastasis of several cancers and may cause poor cancer outcomes. Insulin resistance is a health problem worldwide; therefore, mechanisms of insulin resistance, causes and types of insulin resistance and strategies against insulin resistance are described in this review. Attention is also paid to factors that are associated with the development of insulin resistance, the main and characteristic symptoms of particular syndromes, plus other aspects of severe insulin resistance. This review mainly focuses on the description and analysis of changes in cells due to insulin resistance.

The Various Roles of PEDF in Cancer

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a natural immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-tumour growth and anti-metastasis factor, which can enhance tumour response to PEDF but can also conversely have pro-cancerous effects. Inflammation is a major cause of cancer, and it has been proven that PEDF has anti-inflammatory properties. PEDF's functional activity can be investigated through measuring metastatic and metabolic biomarkers that will be discussed in this review.

Network Pharmacology and In vitro Experimental Verification to Explore the Mechanism of Chaiqin Qingning Capsule in the Treatment of Pain

BACKGROUND

Chaiqin Qingning capsule (CQQNC) has been used to relieve pain in practice. However, the active components, pain targets, and molecular mechanisms for pain control are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the active components and potential mechanisms of the analgesic effect of CQQNC through network pharmacology and in vitro experiments.

METHODS

The main active components and the corresponding targets of CQQNC were screened from the TCMSP and the SwissTargetPrediction databases. Pain-related targets were selected in the OMIM, Gene- Cards, and DrugBank databases. These targets were intersected to obtain potential analgesic targets. The analgesic targets were imported into the STRING and DAVID databases for protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene ontology (GO) function enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Cytoscape software (V3.7.1) was used to construct an active component-intersection network. Finally, the key components were docked with the core targets. The analgesic mechanism of CQQNC was verified by RAW264.7 cell experiment.

RESULTS

30 active CQQNC components, 617 corresponding targets, and 3,214 pain-related target genes were found. The main active components were quercetin, kaempferol, and chenodeoxycholic acid etc. The key targets were ALB, AKT1, TNF, IL6, TP53, IL1B, and SRC. CQQNC can exert an analgesic effect through PI3K-Akt, MAPK signaling pathways, etc. Molecular docking showed that these active components had good binding activities with key targets. The results of in vitro experiments showed that CQQNC could exert antiinflammatory and analgesic effects through MAPK/AKT/NF-kB signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

CQQNC exerts pain control through inhibiting MAPK/AKT/NF-kB signaling pathways.

Therapeutic Path to Triple Knockout: Investigating the Pan-inhibitory Mechanisms of AKT, CDK9, and TNKS2 by a Novel 2-phenylquinazolinone Derivative in Cancer Therapy- An In-silico Investigation Therapy

BACKGROUND

Blocking the oncogenic Wnt//β-catenin pathway has of late been investigated as a viable therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancer. This involves the multi-targeting of certain members of the tankyrase-kinase family; Tankyrase 2 (TNKS2), Protein Kinase B (AKT), and Cyclin- Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9), which propagate the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.

METHODS

During a recent investigation, the pharmacological activity of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro- 3H-quinazolin-4-one was repurposed to serve as a 'triple-target' inhibitor of TNKS2, AKT and CDK9. Yet, the molecular mechanism that surrounds its multi-targeting activity remains unanswered. As such, this study aims to explore the pan-inhibitory mechanism of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro-3H-quinazolin- 4-one towards AKT, CDK9, and TNKS2, using in silico techniques.

RESULTS

Results revealed favourable binding affinities of -34.17 kcal/mol, -28.74 kcal/mol, and -27.30 kcal/mol for 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro-3H-quinazolin-4-one towards TNKS2, CDK9, and AKT, respectively. Pan-inhibitory binding of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro-3H-quinazolin-4-one is illustrated by close interaction with specific residues on tankyrase-kinase. Structurally, 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro- 3H-quinazolin-4-one had an impact on the flexibility, solvent-accessible surface area, and stability of all three proteins, which was illustrated by numerous modifications observed in the unbound as well as the bound states of the structures, which evidenced the disruption of their biological function. Prediction of the pharmacokinetics and physicochemical properties of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro-3H-quinazolin-4- one further established its inhibitory potential, evidenced by the favourable absorption, metabolism, excretion, and minimal toxicity properties.

CONCLUSION

The following structural insights provide a starting point for understanding the paninhibitory activity of 2-(4-aminophenyl)-7-chloro-3H-quinazolin-4-one. Determining the criticality of the interactions that exist between the pyrimidine ring and catalytic residues could offer insight into the structure-based design of innovative tankyrase-kinase inhibitors with enhanced therapeutic effects.

miR-142: A Master Regulator in Hematological Malignancies and Therapeutic Opportunities

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA whose dysregulation is frequently associated with the onset and progression of human cancers. miR-142, an ultra-conserved miRNA with both active -3p and -5p mature strands and wide-ranging physiological targets, has been the subject of countless studies over the years. Due to its preferential expression in hematopoietic cells, miR-142 has been found to be associated with numerous types of lymphomas and leukemias. This review elucidates the multifaceted role of miR-142 in human physiology, its influence on hematopoiesis and hematopoietic cells, and its intriguing involvement in exosome-mediated miR-142 transport. Moreover, we offer a comprehensive exploration of the genetic and molecular landscape of the miR-142 genomic locus, highlighting its mutations and dysregulation within hematological malignancies. Finally, we discuss potential avenues for harnessing the therapeutic potential of miR-142 in the context of hematological malignancies.

Exploring the role of aquaporin proteins in the pre-protective action of Sanwei sandalwood decoction from adriamycin-induced chronic heart failure: A mechanistic study

This study employed network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and modern pharmacological research methods to explore the pre-protective effect and underlying mechanism, Sanwei sandalwood decoction, against Adriamycin-induced Chronic Heart Failure, with a particular focus on the involvement of aquaporins. Additionally, the study highlighted aquaporins as a significant factor, affecting processes such as cell proliferation and response to reactive oxygen species. The results of in vivo experiments demonstrated that the administration of Sanwei sandalwood decoction in rats with chronic heart failure led to an enhancement in the ejection fraction and improved heart ejection function. Additionally, the decoction significantly reduced the serum levels of Creatine Kinase, Creatine Kinase-MB, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Furthermore, the relative expression of Aquarporin-1, 4, and 7mRNAs and proteins in the hearts of rats with chronic heart failure was down-regulated upon treatment. Overall, Sanwei sandalwood decoction can have an effective cardioprotective effect in preventing Adriamycin-induced Chronic Heart Failure in rats.

A computational biology approach to identify potential protein biomarkers and drug targets for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons. The sporadic ALS (sALS) is a multigenic disorder and the complex mechanisms underlying its onset are still not fully delineated. Despite the recent scientific advancements, certain aspects of ALS pathogenic targets need to be yet clarified. The aim of the presented study is to identify potential genetic biomarkers and drug targets for sALS, by analysing gene expression profiles, presented in the publicly available GSE68605 dataset, of motor neurons cells obtained from sALS patients. We used different computational approaches including differential expression analysis, protein network mapping, candidate protein biomarker (CPB) identification, elucidation of the role of functional modules, and molecular docking analysis. The resultant top ten up- and downregulated genes were further used to construct protein-protein interaction network (PPIN). The PPIN analysis resulted in identifying four CPBs (namely RIOK2, AKT1, CTNNB1, and TNF) that commonly overlapped with one another in network parameters (degree, bottleneck and maximum neighbourhood component). The RIOK2 protein emerged as a potential mediator of top five functional modules that are associated with RNA binding, lipoprotein particle receptor binding in pre-ribosome, and interferon, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis revealed that cyclosporine exhibited the highest binding affinity (-8.6 kJ/mol) with RIOK2, and surpassed the FDA-approved ALS drugs, such as riluzole and edaravone. This suggested that cyclosporine may serve as a promising candidate for targeting RIOK2 downregulation observed in sALS patients. In order to validate our computational results, it is suggested that in vitro and in vivo studies may be conducted in future to provide a more detailed understanding of ALS diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention.

Current therapeutic targets and multifaceted physiological impacts of caffeine

Caffeine, which shares consubstantial structural similarity with purine adenosine, has been demonstrated as a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist for eliciting most of the biological functions at physiologically relevant dosages. Accumulating evidence supports caffeine's beneficial effects against different disorders, such as total cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Conversely, paradoxical effects are also linked to caffeine ingestion in humans including hypertension-hypotension and tachycardia-bradycardia. These observations suggest the association of caffeine action with its ingested concentration and/or concurrent interaction with preferential molecular targets to direct explicit events in the human body. Thus, a coherent analysis of the functional targets of caffeine, relevant to normal physiology, and disease pathophysiology, is required to understand the pharmacology of caffeine. This review provides a broad overview of the experimentally validated targets of caffeine, particularly those of therapeutic interest, and the impacts of caffeine on organ-specific physiology and pathophysiology. Overall, the available empirical and epidemiological evidence supports the dose-dependent functional activities of caffeine and advocates for further studies to get insights into the caffeine-induced changes under specific conditions, such as asthma, DNA repair, and cancer, in view of its therapeutic applications.

The Multifunctional Nature of the MicroRNA/AKT3 Regulatory Axis in Human Cancers

Serine/threonine kinase (AKT) signaling regulates diverse cellular processes and is one of the most important aberrant cell survival mechanisms associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Targeting AKT has become an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of many cancers. AKT3 (PKBγ), the least studied isoform of the AKT family, has emerged as a major contributor to malignancy. AKT3 is frequently overexpressed in human cancers, and many regulatory oncogenic or tumor suppressor small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), have recently been identified to be involved in regulating AKT3 expression. Therefore, a better understanding of regulatory miRNA/AKT3 networks may reveal novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of patients with cancer and may provide invaluable information for developing more effective therapeutic strategies. The aim of this review was to summarize current research progress in the isoform-specific functions of AKT3 in human cancers and the roles of dysregulated miRNA/AKT3 in specific types of human cancers.

AKT1 induces Nanog promoter in a SUMOylation-dependent manner in different pluripotent contexts

AKT/PKB is a kinase crucial for pluripotency maintenance in pluripotent stem cells. Multiple post-translational modifications modulate its activity. We have previously demonstrated that AKT1 induces the expression of the pluripotency transcription factor Nanog in a SUMOylation-dependent manner in mouse embryonic stem cells. Here, we studied different cellular contexts and main candidates that could mediate this induction. Our results strongly suggest the pluripotency transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 are not essential mediators. Additionally, we concluded that this induction takes place in different pluripotent contexts but not in terminally differentiated cells. Finally, the cross-matching analysis of ESCs, iPSCs and MEFs transcriptomes and AKT1 phosphorylation targets provided new clues about possible factors that could be involved in the SUMOylation-dependent Nanog induction by AKT.

Bifenox induces programmed cell death in bovine mammary epithelial cells by impairing calcium homeostasis, triggering ER stress, and altering the signaling cascades of PI3K/AKT and MAPK

Bifenox (methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate), a nitrophenyl ether herbicide, was first introduced in the 1980s to control broadleaf weeds. As a result of its wide and frequent application in diverse agricultural settings and reports on residual traces, potential adverse effects of bifenox have been studied extensively in rat hepatocytes, bovine peripheral lymphocytes, and mice. Despite the reported risks of bifenox exposure in dairy cows, the toxicity of bifenox on bovine lactation system has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, we used bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells to study the toxic effects of bifenox on mammary glands. We found that bifenox inhibited MAC-T cells proliferation and disturbed the cell cycle, especially in the sub-G1 and G1 phases. Bifenox also disrupted the calcium homeostasis within the cell and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential. We also examined phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. The findings indicated hyperactivation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT), p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K), S6, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and c-Jun, as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by bifenox treatment. In conclusion, based on our in vitro study employing MAC-T cells, we report that bifenox can induce damage to the bovine mammary glands, potentially impacting milk production.

Inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in human malignancies; trend of current clinical trials

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway regulates proliferation, survival and metabolism, and its dysregulation is one of the most frequent oncogenic events across human malignancies. Over the last two decades, there has been significant focus on the clinical development of PI3K pathway inhibitors. More than 40 different inhibitors of this axis have reached various stages of clinical trials, but only a few of them have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cancer treatment. These clinical results, however, could be improved given the importance of PI3K signaling in cancer and its role in linking cancer growth with metabolism. In this systematic review, after a glance at PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its different inhibitors, we retrieved registered clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors on Clinicaltrials.gov. Following the extraction of the data, finally we analyzed 2250 included studies in multiple steps, beginning with an overview and moving on to the details about type of malignancies, inhibitors, and treatment strategies. We also took a closer look at more than 100 phase III-IV clinical trials to pinpoint promising therapies, hoping that presenting a comprehensive picture of current clinical trials casts a flash of light on what remains to be done in future clinical trials of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in human malignancies.

Proteomic investigation of ALS motor cortex identifies known and novel pathogenetic mechanisms

The key pathological feature in ALS is death of motor neurones from the brain and spinal cord, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this degeneration remain unknown. Quantifying the motor cortex proteome in autopsy brain and comparing tissues from ALS cases and non-ALS controls is critical to understanding these mechanisms. We used Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Mass Spectra (SWATH-MS) to characterize the proteomes of the motor cortex from ALS cases (n = 8) and control subjects (n = 8). A total of 1427 proteins were identified at a critical local false discovery rate < 5%; 187 of these exhibited significant expression differences between ALS cases and controls. Of these, 91 proteins were significantly upregulated and 96 proteins were significantly downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these proteins are involved in molecular transport, protein trafficking, free radical scavenging, lipid metabolism, cell death and survival, nucleic acid metabolism, inflammatory response or amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Differentially expressed proteins were subjected to pathway analysis. This revealed abnormalities in pathways involving mitochondrial function, sirtuin signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, phagosome maturation, SNARE signaling, redox regulation and several others. Core analysis revealed mitochondrial dysfunction to be the top canonical pathway. The top-enriched networks involved JNK activation and inhibition of AKT signaling, suggesting that disruption of these signaling pathways could lead to demise of motor neurons in the ALS motor cortex.

Exploring the Mechanisms of Modified Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi Decoction for COPD-Related Osteoporosis Therapy via Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology Approach

Purpose

To investigate the effectiveness of modified Bu-Shen-Yi-Qi decoction (MBSYQ) in the treatment of osteoporosis associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its underlying mechanisms of action.

Methods

Disease targets, active ingredients and targets were predicted by TTD, CTD, DisGeNET, HERB (BenCaoZuJian as its Chinese name), and multiple-TCM databases; In addition, the screened targets were performed via the online platforms DAVID 6.8 and Metascape for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis; The relationship between the MBSYQ and core targets were verified by molecular docking technique. Then we established a COPD-associated osteoporosis rat model by passive 24-week cigarette exposure. We assessed the efficacy of MBSYQ by lung histopathology assessment and distal femur/the first lumbar vertebra (L1) microstructural assay. In addition, we performed tibial RNA sequencing, which was validated by RT-PCR and Western blot.

Results

Screening revealed that the 350 active compounds of MBSYQ anchored 228 therapeutic targets for COPD-related osteoporosis; KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the key targets mainly regulated MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In vivo studies showed that MBSYQ treatment alleviated pathological alterations in lung tissue, and reversed the bone loss and microstructure damage in the femur/L1 of model rats. The RNA seq indicated that MBSYQ could upregulate genes associated with anti-oxidative stress and aerobic respiration. The GSEA analysis displayed that MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways were inhibited by CS exposure and activated by MBSYQ.

Conclusion

MBSYQ is effective in the prevention and treatment of COPD-related osteoporosis, partially achieved by improving oxygen metabolism and activating MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Pleiotropy of PCSK9: Functions in Extrahepatic Tissues

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a central role in the metabolism of LDL receptors and mainly acts in the liver. However, there are accumulating data that PCSK9 involves in several functions in different organs beyond the liver. Herein we aimed to summarize the effects of PCSK9 in tissues other than the liver.

RECENT FINDINGS

PCSK9 has crucial roles in heart, brain and kidney in addition to the cholesterol metabolism. Targeting PCSK9 for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is effective in the prevention from cardiovascular diseases and PCSK9 inhibitors are getting to be administered in more cases. Therefore understanding the effects of PCSK9 in other tissues gained importance in the use of PCSK9 inhibitors era. PCSK9 participates in cardiac, renal, and neurologic functions however, current literature reveals that use of PSCSK9 inhibitors have beneficial or neutral effects on these organs. Inhibition of PCSK9 is assigned to be associated with new onset diabetes in experimental studies whereas real world data with PCSK9 inhibitors established no relationship between PCSK9 inhibitors and new onset diabetes. PCSK9 might be used as a target for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome and heart failure in the future.

Role of chemotherapeutic drugs in immunomodulation of cancer

The immune system has a variety of potential effects on a tumor microenvironment and the course of chemotherapy may vary according to that. Anticancer treatments can encourage the release of unwanted signals from senescent tumor cells or the removal of immune-suppressive cells, which can lead to immune system activation. Hence, by inducing an immunological response and conversely making cancer cells more vulnerable to immune attack, chemotherapeutic agents can destroy cancer cells. Furthermore, chemotherapy can activate anticancer immune effectors directly or indirectly by thwarting immunosuppressive pathways. Therefore, in this review, we discuss how chemotherapeutic agents take part in immunomodulation and the molecular mechanisms underlying them. We also focus on the importance of carefully addressing the conflicting effects of chemotherapy on immune responses when developing successful combination treatments based on chemotherapy and immune modulators.

DNAJB3 attenuates ER stress through direct interaction with AKT

Metabolic stress involved in several dysregulation disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) results in down regulation of several heat shock proteins (HSPs) including DNAJB3. This down regulation of HSPs is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and interventions which induce the heat shock response (HSR) help to increase the insulin sensitivity. Metabolic stress leads to changes in signaling pathways through increased activation of both c-jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1) and the inhibitor of κB inflammatory kinase (IKKβ) which in turn leads to inactivation of insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2). DNAJB3 interacts with both JNK1 and IKKβ kinases to mitigate metabolic stress. In addition DNAJB3 also activates the PI3K-PKB/AKT pathway through increased phosphorylation of AKT1 and its substrate AS160, a Rab GTPase-activating protein, which results in mobilization of GLUT4 transporter protein and improved glucose uptake. We show through pull down that AK T1 is an interacting partner of DNAJB3, further confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) which quantified the avidity of AKT1 for DNAJB3. The binding interface was identified by combining protein modelling with docking of the AKT1-DNAJB3 complex. DNAJB3 is localized in the cytoplasm and ER, where it interacts directly with AKT1 and mobilizes AS160 for glucose transport. Inhibition of AKT1 resulted in loss of GLUT4 translocation activity mediated by DNAJB3 and also abolished the protective effect of DNAJB3 on tunicamycin-induced ER stress. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for a direct protein-protein interaction between DNAJB3 and AKT1 upon which DNAJB3 alleviates ER stress and promotes GLUT4 translocation.

Dual targeting of melanoma translation by MNK/eIF4E and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors

Melanoma is relatively resistant to chemotherapy, and no targeted therapies are fully effective. The most common mutations in melanoma result in hyperactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K/AKT/ mTOR pathways responsible for initiating and controlling oncogenic protein translation. This makes both the signaling pathways potentially important therapeutic targets in melanoma. Our studies were carried out on human melanoma cell lines WM793 and 1205 LU with similar genomic alteration (BRAFV600E and PTEN loss). We used a highly specific PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, dactolisib (NVP-BEZ235), and Mnk inhibitor - CGP57380 alone and in combination. Here, we explore the mechanism of action of these drugs alone and in combination, as well as their effect on the viability and invasiveness of melanoma cells. Although when used independently, both drugs suppressed cell proliferation and migration, their combination has additional antitumor effects. We demonstrate that simultaneous inhibition of both pathways may prevent possible drug resistance.

The activity and surface presence of organic cation/carnitine transporter OCTN2 (SLC22A5) in breast cancer cells depends on AKT kinase

l-carnitine is indispensable for transfer of fatty acids to mitochondria for the process of β-oxidation, a process, whose significance in cancer has drawn attention in recent years. In humans majority of carnitine is delivered by diet and enters the cell due to activity of solute carriers (SLCs), mainly by ubiquitously expressed organic cation/carnitine transporter (OCTN2/SLC22A5). In control and cancer human breast epithelial cell lines the major fraction of OCTN2 is present as a not matured non-glycosylated form. Studies on overexpressed OCTN2 demonstrated an exclusive interaction with SEC24C, as the cargo-recognizing subunit of coatomer II in transporter exit from endoplasmic reticulum. Co-transfection with SEC24C dominant negative mutant completely abolished presence of the mature form of OCTN2, pointing to a possibility of trafficking regulation. SEC24C was previously shown to be phosphorylated by serine/threonine kinase AKT, known to be activated in cancer. Further studies on breast cell lines showed that inhibition of AKT with MK-2206 in control and cancer lines decreased level of OCTN2 mature form. Proximity ligation assay showed that phosphorylation of OCTN2 on threonine was significantly abolished by AKT inhibition with MK-2206. Carnitine transport was positively correlated with the level of OCTN2 phosphorylated by AKT on threonine moiety. The observed regulation of OCTN2 by AKT places this kinase in the center of metabolic control. This points to both proteins, AKT and OCTN2, as druggable targets, in particular in a combination therapy of breast cancer.

Bifurcaria bifurcata extract exerts antioxidant effects on human Caco-2 cells

The present research study investigated the potential protective effect of Bifurcaria bifurcata extract on cell viability and antioxidant defences of cultured human Caco-2 cells submitted to oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tert-BOOH). Aqueous extracts were firstly characterized in terms of total phenolic contents. Concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production, antioxidant enzymes activities [NADPH quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)], caspase 3/7 activity and gene expression linked to apoptosis, proinflammation and oxidative stress signaling pathways were used as markers of cellular oxidative status. B. bifurcata extract prevented the cytotoxicity, the decrease of GSH, the increase of MDA levels and the ROS generation induced by tert-BOOH. B. bifurcata extract prevented the significant decrease of NQO1 and GST activities, and the significant increase of caspase 3/7 activity induced by tert-BOOH. B. bifurcata extract also caused an over-expression of GSTM2, Nrf2 and AKT1 transcriptors, as well as reduced ERK1, JNK1, Bax, BNIP3, NFκB1, IL-6 and HO-1 gene expressions induced by tert-BOOH suggesting an increase in cellular resistance against oxidative stress. The results of the biomarkers analyzed show that treatment of Caco-2 cells with B. bifurcata extract enhance antioxidant defences, which imply an improved cell response to an oxidative challenge. B. bifurcata extract possesses strong antioxidant properties and may be a potential effective alternative to oxidant agents in the functional food industry.

Molecular insights into the behavior of the allosteric and ATP-competitive inhibitors in interaction with AKT1 protein: A molecular dynamics study

AKT1 is a family of serine/threonine kinases that play a key role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Two significant classes of AKT1 inhibitors (allosteric and ATP-competitive) are used in clinical development, and both of them could be effective in specific conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of several different inhibitors on two conformations of the AKT1 by computational approach. We studied the effects of four inhibitors, including MK-2206, Miransertib, Herbacetin, and Shogaol, on the inactive conformation of AKT1 protein and the effects of four inhibitors, Capivasertib, AT7867, Quercetin, and Oridonin molecules on the active conformation of AKT1 protein. The results of simulations showed that each inhibitor creates a stable complex with AKT1 protein, although AKT1/Shogaol and AKT1/AT7867 complexes showed less stability than other complexes. Based on RMSF calculations, the fluctuation of residues in the mentioned complexes is higher than in other complexes. As compared to other complexes in either of its two conformations, MK-2206 has a stronger binding free energy affinity in the inactive conformation, -203.446 kJ/mol. MM-PBSA calculations showed that the van der Waals interactions contribute more than the electrostatic interactions to the binding energy of inhibitors to AKT1 protein.

Monitoring AKT activity and targeting in live tissue and disease contexts using a real-time Akt-FRET biosensor mouse

Aberrant AKT activation occurs in a number of cancers, metabolic syndrome, and immune disorders, making it an important target for the treatment of many diseases. To monitor spatial and temporal AKT activity in a live setting, we generated an Akt-FRET biosensor mouse that allows longitudinal assessment of AKT activity using intravital imaging in conjunction with image stabilization and optical window technology. We demonstrate the sensitivity of the Akt-FRET biosensor mouse using various cancer models and verify its suitability to monitor response to drug targeting in spheroid and organotypic models. We also show that the dynamics of AKT activation can be monitored in real time in diverse tissues, including in individual islets of the pancreas, in the brown and white adipose tissue, and in the skeletal muscle. Thus, the Akt-FRET biosensor mouse provides an important tool to study AKT dynamics in live tissue contexts and has broad preclinical applications.

SUMOylation and the oncogenic E17K mutation affect AKT1 subcellular distribution and impact on Nanog-binding dynamics to chromatin in embryonic stem cells

AKT/PKB is a kinase involved in the regulation of a plethora of cell processes. Particularly, in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), AKT is crucial for the maintenance of pluripotency. Although the activation of this kinase relies on its recruitment to the cellular membrane and subsequent phosphorylation, multiple other post-translational modifications (PTMs), including SUMOylation, fine-tune its activity and target specificity. Since this PTM can also modify the localization and availability of different proteins, in this work we explored if SUMOylation impacts on the subcellular compartmentalization and distribution of AKT1 in ESCs. We found that this PTM does not affect AKT1 membrane recruitment, but it modifies the AKT1 nucleus/cytoplasm distribution, increasing its nuclear presence. Additionally, within this compartment, we found that AKT1 SUMOylation also impacts on the chromatin-binding dynamics of NANOG, a central pluripotency transcription factor. Remarkably, the oncogenic E17K AKT1 mutant produces major changes in all these parameters increasing the binding of NANOG to its targets, also in a SUMOylation dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that SUMOylation modulates AKT1 subcellular distribution, thus adding an extra layer of regulation of its function, possibly by affecting the specificity and interaction with its downstream targets.

Gene expression variability in long-term survivors of childhood cancer and cancer-free controls in response to ionizing irradiation

BACKGROUND

Differential expression analysis is usually adjusted for variation. However, most studies that examined the expression variability (EV) have used computations affected by low expression levels and did not examine healthy tissue. This study aims to calculate and characterize an unbiased EV in primary fibroblasts of childhood cancer survivors and cancer-free controls (N0) in response to ionizing radiation.

METHODS

Human skin fibroblasts of 52 donors with a first primary neoplasm in childhood (N1), 52 donors with at least one second primary neoplasm (N2 +), as well as 52 N0 were obtained from the KiKme case-control study and exposed to a high (2 Gray) and a low dose (0.05 Gray) of X-rays and sham- irradiation (0 Gray). Genes were then classified as hypo-, non-, or hyper-variable per donor group and radiation treatment, and then examined for over-represented functional signatures.

RESULTS

We found 22 genes with considerable EV differences between donor groups, of which 11 genes were associated with response to ionizing radiation, stress, and DNA repair. The largest number of genes exclusive to one donor group and variability classification combination were all detected in N0: hypo-variable genes after 0 Gray (n = 49), 0.05 Gray (n = 41), and 2 Gray (n = 38), as well as hyper-variable genes after any dose (n = 43). While after 2 Gray positive regulation of cell cycle was hypo-variable in N0, (regulation of) fibroblast proliferation was over-represented in hyper-variable genes of N1 and N2+. In N2+, 30 genes were uniquely classified as hyper-variable after the low dose and were associated with the ERK1/ERK2 cascade. For N1, no exclusive gene sets with functions related to the radiation response were detected in our data.

CONCLUSION

N2+ showed high degrees of variability in pathways for the cell fate decision after genotoxic insults that may lead to the transfer and multiplication of DNA-damage via proliferation, where apoptosis and removal of the damaged genome would have been appropriate. Such a deficiency could potentially lead to a higher vulnerability towards side effects of exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, but following low-dose applications employed in diagnostics, as well.

The inhibitory effect and mechanism of Resina Draconis on the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells: a network pharmacology-based analysis

Resina Draconis (RD) is known as the "holy medicine for promoting blood circulation" and possesses antitumor properties against various types of cancer, including breast cancer (BC); however, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. To explore the potential mechanism of RD against BC using network pharmacology and experimental validation, data on bioactive compounds, potential targets of RD, and related genes of BC were obtained from multiple public databases. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses were performed via the DAVID database. Protein interactions were downloaded from the STRING database. The mRNA and protein expression levels and survival analysis of the hub targets were analyzed using the UALCAN, HPA, Kaplan‒Meier mapper, and cBioPortal databases. Subsequently, molecular docking was used to verify the selected key ingredients and hub targets. Finally, the predicted results of network pharmacology methods were verified by cell experiments. In total, 160 active ingredients were obtained, and 148 RD target genes for the treatment of BC were identified. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that RD exerted its therapeutic effects on BC by regulating multiple pathways. Of these, the PI3K-AKT pathway was indicated to play an important role. In addition, RD treatment of BC seemed to involve the regulation of hub targets that were identified based on PPI interaction network analysis. Validation in different databases showed that AKT1, ESR1, HSP90AA1, CASP3, SRC and MDM2 may be involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of BC and that ESR1, IGF1 and HSP90AA1 were correlated with worse overall survival (OS) in BC patients. Molecular docking results showed that 103 active compounds have good binding activity with the hub targets, among which flavonoid compounds were the most important active components. Therefore, the sanguis draconis flavones (SDF) were selected for subsequent cell experiments. The experimental results showed that SDF significantly inhibited the cell cycle and cell proliferation of MCF-7 cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway and induced MCF-7 cell apoptosis. This study has preliminarily reported on the active ingredients, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of RD against BC, and RD was shown to exert its therapeutic effects on BC by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and related gene targets. Importantly, our work could provide a theoretical basis for further study of the complex anti-BC mechanism of RD.

COL1A2 inhibition suppresses glioblastoma cell proliferation and invasion

OBJECTIVE

An extracellular matrix such as collagen is an essential component of the tumor microenvironment. Collagen alpha-2(I) chain (COL1A2) is a chain of type I collagen whose triple helix comprises two alpha-1 chains and one alpha-2 chain. The authors' proteomics data showed that COL1A2 is significantly higher in the blood of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) compared with healthy controls. COL1A2 has many different functions in various types of cancers. However, the functions of COL1A2 in GBM are poorly understood. In this study, the authors analyzed the functions of COL1A2 and its signaling pathways in GBM.

METHODS

Surgical specimens and GBM cell lines (T98, U87, and U251) were used. The expression level of COL1A2 was examined using GBM tissues and normal brain tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The clinical significance of these levels was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and small hairpin RNA of COL1A2 were transfected into GBM cell lines to investigate the function of COL1A2 in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry was introduced to analyze the alteration of cell cycles. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

The expression level of COL1A2 was upregulated in GBM compared with normal brain tissues. A higher expression of COL1A2 was correlated with poor progression-free survival and overall survival. COL1A2 inhibition significantly suppressed cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, likely due to G1 arrest. The invasion ability was notably deteriorated by inhibiting COL1A2. Cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 1, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4, which are involved in the cell cycle, were all downregulated after blockade of COL1A2 in vitro and in vivo. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor reduced the expression of COL1A2. Although downregulation of COL1A2 decreased the protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, Akt activator can phosphorylate Akt in siRNA-treated cells. This finding suggests that Akt phosphorylation is partially dependent on COL1A2.

CONCLUSIONS

COL1A2 plays an important role in driving GBM progression. COL1A2 inhibition attenuated GBM proliferation by promoting cell cycle arrest, indicating that COL1A2 could be a promising therapeutic target for GBM treatment.

Ginsenoside Rk1 attenuates radiation-induced intestinal injury through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) frequently occurs during radiotherapy; however, methods for treating RIII are limited. Ginsenoside Rk1 (RK1) is a substance that is derived from ginseng, and it has several biological activities, such as antiapoptotic, antioxidant and anticancer activities. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of Rk1 on RIII and the potential mechanisms. The results showed that RK1 treatment significantly improved the survival rate of the irradiated rats and markedly ameliorated the structural injury of the intestinal mucosa observed by histology. Treatment with RK1 significantly alleviated radiation-induced intestinal epithelial cell oxidative stress apoptosis. Moreover, RNA-Seq identified 388 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and showed that the PI3K-AKT pathway might be a key signaling pathway by which RK1 exerts its therapeutic effects on RIII. The western blotting results showed that the p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR expression levels, which were increased by radiation, were markedly inhibited by Rk1, and these effects were reversed by IGF-1. The present study demonstrates that Rk1 can alleviate RIII and that the mechanism underlying the antiapoptotic effects of RK1 may involve the suppression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. This study provides a promising therapeutic agent for RIII.