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HUS1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Urothelial Cancer. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082208. [PMID: 35456300 PMCID: PMC9031773 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard of care with concern to first-line systemic therapy for metastatic disease in urothelial cancer (UC). Resistance to chemotherapy despite an initial response is linked with the ability to remove platinum-based DNA adducts and to repair chemotherapy-induced DNA lesions by various DNA repair proteins. The Rad9-Rad1-HUS1 complex that is loaded onto DNA at sites of damage is involved in checkpoint activation as well as DNA repair. Here, we addressed for the first time the potential influence of HUS1 expression in urothelial carcinogenesis (using two human basal urothelial cancer cell lines UM-UC-3 and HT1197) and its role as a potential therapeutic target for predicting responses to platinum-based chemotherapy. Specific inhibition of HUS1 expression in both cell lines was achieved by specific siRNA and validated by Western blot. In order to define the possible importance of HUS1 in the regulation of cellular proliferation, parental and resistant cells were treated with increasing concentrations of either control or HUS1 siRNA. HUS1 protein expression was observed in both human basal urothelial cancer cell lines UM-UC-3 and HT1197. In cisplatin-sensitive cells, knock-down of HUS1 inhibited cellular proliferation in the presence of cisplatin. On the contrary, knock-down of HUS1 in resistant cells did not result in a re-sensitization to cisplatin. Finally, RNAseq data from the Cancer Genome Atlas provided evidence that HUS1 expression is a significant prognostic factor for poor survival in UC patients. In summary, HUS1 may acts as an oncogene in UC and might be a key determinant of the cellular response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
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Lieberman HB, Rai AJ, Friedman RA, Hopkins KM, Broustas CG. Prostate cancer: unmet clinical needs and RAD9 as a candidate biomarker for patient management. Transl Cancer Res 2018; 7:S651-S661. [PMID: 30079300 PMCID: PMC6071673 DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2018.01.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a complex disease, with multiple subtypes and clinical presentations. Much progress has been made in recent years to understand the underlying genetic basis that drives prostate cancer. Such mechanistic information is useful for development of novel therapeutic targets, to identify biomarkers for early detection or to distinguish between aggressive and indolent disease, and to predict treatment outcome. Multiple tests have become available in recent years to address these clinical needs for prostate cancer. We describe several of these assays, summarizing test details, performance characteristics, and acknowledging their limitations. There is a pressing unmet need for novel biomarkers that can demonstrate improvement in these areas. We introduce one such candidate biomarker, RAD9, describe its functions in the DNA damage response, and detail why it can potentially fill this void. RAD9 has multiple roles in prostate carcinogenesis, making it potentially useful as a clinical tool for men with prostate cancer. RAD9 was originally identified as a radioresistance gene, and subsequent investigations revealed several key functions in the response of cells to DNA damage, including involvement in cell cycle checkpoint control, at least five DNA repair pathways, and apoptosis. Further studies indicated aberrant overexpression in approximately 45% of prostate tumors, with a strong correlation between RAD9 abundance and cancer stage. A causal relationship between RAD9 and prostate cancer was first demonstrated using a mouse model, where tumorigenicity of human prostate cancer cells after subcutaneous injection into nude mice was diminished when RNA interference was used to reduce the normally high levels of the protein. In addition to activity needed for the initial development of tumors, cell culture studies indicated roles for RAD9 in promoting prostate cancer progression by controlling cell migration and invasion through regulation of ITGB1 protein levels, and anoikis resistance by modulating AKT activation. Furthermore, RAD9 enhances the resistance of human prostate cancer cells to radiation in part by regulating ITGB1 protein abundance. RAD9 binds androgen receptor and inhibits androgen-induced androgen receptor's activity as a transcription factor. Moreover, RAD9 also acts as a gene-specific transcription factor, through binding p53 consensus sequences at target gene promoters, and this likely contributes to its oncogenic activity. Given these diverse and extensive activities, RAD9 plays important roles in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer and can potentially serve as a valuable biomarker useful in the management of patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard B. Lieberman
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex J. Rai
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Special Chemistry Laboratories, Columbia University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard A. Friedman
- Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin M. Hopkins
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Constantinos G. Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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Song L, Ma L, Cong F, Shen X, Jing P, Ying X, Zhou H, Jiang J, Fu Y, Yan H. Radioprotective effects of genistein on HL-7702 cells via the inhibition of apoptosis and DNA damage. Cancer Lett 2015; 366:100-11. [PMID: 26095601 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Radiation induced normal tissue damage is the most important limitation for the delivery of a high potentially curative radiation dose. Genistein (GEN), one of the main soy isoflavone components, has drawn wide attention for its bioactivity in alleviating radiation damage. However, the effects and molecular mechanisms underlying the radioprotective effects of GEN remain unclear. In the present study, we showed that low concentration of GEN (1.5 µM) protected L-02 cells against radiation damage via inhibition of apoptosis, alleviation of DNA damage and chromosome aberration, down-regulation of GRP78 and up-regulation of HERP, HUS1 and hHR23A. In contrast, high concentration of GEN (20 µM) demonstrated radiosensitizing characteristics through the promotion of apoptosis and chromosome aberration, impairment of DNA repair, up-regulation of GRP78, and down-regulation of HUS1, SIRT1, RAD17, RAD51 and RNF8. These findings shed light on using low, but not high-concentration GEN, as a potential candidate for adjuvant therapy to alleviate radiation-induced injuries to human recipients of ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Song
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Research Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center, School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lijun Ma
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Fengsong Cong
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200020, China
| | - Xiuhua Shen
- Nutrition Department, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200020, China
| | - Pu Jing
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Research Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center, School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiong Ying
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Research Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center, School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Haiyue Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Research Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center, School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture, Research Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Bor S. Luh Food Safety Research Center, School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yongye Fu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changhai Hosipital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hongli Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changhai Hosipital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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Abstract
DNA damage response genes play vital roles in the maintenance of a healthy genome. Defects in cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair genes, especially mutation or aberrant downregulation, are associated with a wide spectrum of human disease, including a predisposition to the development of neurodegenerative conditions and cancer. On the other hand, upregulation of DNA damage response and repair genes can also cause cancer, as well as increase resistance of cancer cells to DNA damaging therapy. In recent years, it has become evident that many of the genes involved in DNA damage repair have additional roles in tumorigenesis, most prominently by acting as transcriptional (co-)factors. Although defects in these genes are causally connected to tumor initiation, their role in tumor progression is more controversial and it seems to depend on tumor type. In some tumors like melanoma, cell cycle checkpoint/DNA repair gene upregulation is associated with tumor metastasis, whereas in a number of other cancers the opposite has been observed. Several genes that participate in the DNA damage response, such as RAD9, PARP1, BRCA1, ATM and TP53 have been associated with metastasis by a number of in vitro biochemical and cellular assays, by examining human tumor specimens by immunohistochemistry or by DNA genome-wide gene expression profiling. Many of these genes act as transcriptional effectors to regulate other genes implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. Furthermore, they are aberrantly expressed in numerous human tumors and are causally related to tumorigenesis. However, whether the DNA damage repair function of these genes is required to promote metastasis or another activity is responsible (e.g., transcription control) has not been determined. Importantly, despite some compelling in vitro evidence, investigations are still needed to demonstrate the role of cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair genes in regulating metastatic phenotypes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos G. Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032
| | - Howard B. Lieberman
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
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Kawamura K, Kawamura N, Kawagoe Y, Kumagai J, Fujimoto T, Terada Y. Suppression of hydatidiform molar growth by inhibiting endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase B signaling. Endocrinology 2012; 153:3972-81. [PMID: 22719055 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) receptor signaling promotes trophoblast growth in normal and abnormal pregnancy. It also regulates the growth of malignant trophoblastic, choriocarcinoma cells. However, possible involvement of this signaling system in hydatidiform mole, another major gestational trophoblastic disease, has not been determined. Here, we found the expression of BDNF in syncytiotrophoblasts and its receptor, TrkB, in cytotrophoblasts of hydatidiform mole using real-time RT-PCR and immunoassays. In molar explant cultures, treatment with soluble TrkB ectodomain or a Trk receptor inhibitor K252a inhibited trophoblast outgrowth as well as decreased cytotrophoblast proliferation and cellular viability based on histopathological analyses and glucose metabolism monitoring. These inhibitors also increased apoptosis and caspase-3/7 activities. In an in vivo model of hydatidiform molar growth based on xenotransplantation of molar tissues into kidney capsules of SCID mice, treatment with K252a suppressed molar growth as reflected by decreased trophoblast proliferation and their invasion into mouse kidney, reduced tissue levels of chorionic gonadotropin-β, and increased apoptosis. Based on PCR array analyses to identify changes in expression profiles of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes in cultured molar explants, suppression of endogenous TrkB signaling led to decreases in key cell cycle-stimulatory and checkpoint genes together with the down-regulation of different antiapoptotic genes. Our findings demonstrate the importance of paracrine signaling by the BDNF/TrkB system in the proliferation and survival of molar trophoblasts. Inhibition of BDNF/TrkB signaling could provide a novel medical treatment for hydatidiform mole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Kawamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
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Hawley RG, Chen Y, Riz I, Zeng C. An Integrated Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Approach Identifies New BH3-Only Protein Candidates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 5:6-16. [PMID: 22754595 DOI: 10.2174/1874196701205010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we utilized an integrated bioinformatics and computational biology approach in search of new BH3-only proteins belonging to the BCL2 family of apoptotic regulators. The BH3 (BCL2 homology 3) domain mediates specific binding interactions among various BCL2 family members. It is composed of an amphipathic α-helical region of approximately 13 residues that has only a few amino acids that are highly conserved across all members. Using a generalized motif, we performed a genome-wide search for novel BH3-containing proteins in the NCBI Consensus Coding Sequence (CCDS) database. In addition to known pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins, 197 proteins were recovered that satisfied the search criteria. These were categorized according to α-helical content and predictive binding to BCL-xL (encoded by BCL2L1) and MCL-1, two representative anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members, using position-specific scoring matrix models. Notably, the list is enriched for proteins associated with autophagy as well as a broad spectrum of cellular stress responses such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, antiviral defense, and the DNA damage response. Several potential novel BH3-containing proteins are highlighted. In particular, the analysis strongly suggests that the apoptosis inhibitor and DNA damage response regulator, AVEN, which was originally isolated as a BCL-xL-interacting protein, is a functional BH3-only protein representing a distinct subclass of BCL2 family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Hawley
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Czabotar PE, Lee EF, Thompson GV, Wardak AZ, Fairlie WD, Colman PM. Mutation to Bax beyond the BH3 domain disrupts interactions with pro-survival proteins and promotes apoptosis. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:7123-31. [PMID: 21199865 PMCID: PMC3044969 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.161281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-survival members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins restrain the pro-apoptotic activity of Bax, either directly through interactions with Bax or indirectly by sequestration of activator BH3-only proteins, or both. Mutations in Bax that promote apoptosis can provide insight into how Bax is regulated. Here, we describe crystal structures of the pro-survival proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-x(L) in complex with a 34-mer peptide from Bax that encompasses its BH3 domain. These structures reveal canonical interactions between four signature hydrophobic amino acids from the BaxBH3 domain and the BH3-binding groove of the pro-survival proteins. In both structures, Met-74 from the Bax peptide engages with the BH3-binding groove in a fifth hydrophobic interaction. Various Bax Met-74 mutants disrupt interactions between Bax and all pro-survival proteins, but these Bax mutants retain pro-apoptotic activity. Bax/Bak-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblast cells reconstituted with several Bax Met-74 mutants are more sensitive to the BH3 mimetic compound ABT-737 as compared with cells expressing wild-type Bax. Furthermore, the cells expressing Bax Met-74 mutants are less viable in colony assays even in the absence of an external apoptotic stimulus. These results support a model in which direct restraint of Bax by pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins is a barrier to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Czabotar
- From the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
| | - Erinna F. Lee
- From the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
| | - Geoff V. Thompson
- From the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
| | - Ahmad Z. Wardak
- From the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
| | - W. Douglas Fairlie
- From the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Peter M. Colman
- From the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia and
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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ChIP-Seq of ERalpha and RNA polymerase II defines genes differentially responding to ligands. EMBO J 2009; 28:1418-28. [PMID: 19339991 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Accepted: 03/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We used ChIP-Seq to map ERalpha-binding sites and to profile changes in RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) occupancy in MCF-7 cells in response to estradiol (E2), tamoxifen or fulvestrant. We identify 10 205 high confidence ERalpha-binding sites in response to E2 of which 68% contain an estrogen response element (ERE) and only 7% contain a FOXA1 motif. Remarkably, 596 genes change significantly in RNAPII occupancy (59% up and 41% down) already after 1 h of E2 exposure. Although promoter proximal enrichment of RNAPII (PPEP) occurs frequently in MCF-7 cells (17%), it is only observed on a minority of E2-regulated genes (4%). Tamoxifen and fulvestrant partially reduce ERalpha DNA binding and prevent RNAPII loading on the promoter and coding body on E2-upregulated genes. Both ligands act differently on E2-downregulated genes: tamoxifen acts as an agonist thus downregulating these genes, whereas fulvestrant antagonizes E2-induced repression and often increases RNAPII occupancy. Furthermore, our data identify genes preferentially regulated by tamoxifen but not by E2 or fulvestrant. Thus (partial) antagonist loaded ERalpha acts mechanistically different on E2-activated and E2-repressed genes.
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Cell-cycle control in the face of damage--a matter of life or death. Trends Cell Biol 2009; 19:89-98. [PMID: 19168356 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2008.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2008] [Revised: 12/09/2008] [Accepted: 12/09/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cells respond to DNA damage or defects in the mitotic spindle by activating checkpoints that arrest the cell cycle. Alternatively, damaged cells can undergo cell death by the process of apoptosis. The correct balance between these pathways is important for the maintenance of genomic integrity while preventing unnecessary cell death. Although the molecular mechanisms of the cell cycle and apoptosis have been elucidated, the links between them have not been clear. Recent work, however, indicates that common components directly link the regulation of apoptosis with cell-cycle checkpoints operating during interphase, whereas in mitosis, the control of apoptosis is directly coupled to the cell-cycle machinery. These findings shed new light on how the balance between cell-cycle progression and cell death is controlled.
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