Myoferlin controls mitochondrial structure and activity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and affects tumor aggressiveness

Mitochondrial signaling pathways and their role in cancer drug resistance

Mitochondria, traditionally known as cellular powerhouses, now emerge as critical signaling centers influencing cancer progression and drug resistance. The review highlights the role that apoptotic signaling, DNA mutations, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism play in the development of resistance mechanisms and the advancement of cancer. Targeted approaches are discussed, with an emphasis on managing mitophagy, fusion, and fission of the mitochondria to make resistant cancer cells more susceptible to traditional treatments. Additionally, metabolic reprogramming can be used to effectively target metabolic enzymes such GLUT1, HKII, PDK, and PKM2 in order to avoid resistance mechanisms. Although there are potential possibilities for therapy, the complex structure of mitochondria and their subtle role in tumor development hamper clinical translation. Novel targeted medicines are put forth, providing fresh insights on combating drug resistance in cancer. The study also emphasizes the significance of glutamine metabolism, mitochondrial respiratory complexes, and apoptotic pathways as potential targets to improve treatment effectiveness against drug-resistant cancers. Combining complementary and nanoparticle-based techniques to target mitochondria has demonstrated encouraging results in the treatment of cancer, opening doors to reduce resistance and enable individualized treatment plans catered to the unique characteristics of each patient. Suggesting innovative approaches such as drug repositioning and mitochondrial drug delivery to enhance the efficacy of mitochondria-targeting therapies, presenting a pathway for advancements in cancer treatment. This thorough investigation is a major step forward in the treatment of cancer and has the potential to influence clinical practice and enhance patient outcomes.

Recruited atypical Ly6G+ macrophages license alveolar regeneration after lung injury

The lung is constantly exposed to airborne pathogens and particles that can cause alveolar damage. Hence, appropriate repair responses are essential for gas exchange and life. Here, we deciphered the spatiotemporal trajectory and function of an atypical population of macrophages after lung injury. Post-influenza A virus (IAV) infection, short-lived monocyte-derived Ly6G-expressing macrophages (Ly6G+ Macs) were recruited to the alveoli of lung perilesional areas. Ly6G+ Macs engulfed immune cells, exhibited a high metabolic potential, and clustered with alveolar type 2 epithelial cells (AT2s) in zones of active epithelial regeneration. Ly6G+ Macs were partially dependent on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 receptor signaling and were essential for AT2-dependent alveolar regeneration. Similar macrophages were recruited in other models of injury and in the airspaces of lungs from patients with suspected pneumonia. This study identifies perilesional alveolar Ly6G+ Macs as a spatially restricted, short-lived macrophage subset promoting epithelial regeneration postinjury, thus representing an attractive therapeutic target for treating lung damage.

Predictive value of CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT features on spread through air space in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, demands precise prognostic indicators for effective management. The presence of spread through air space (STAS) indicates adverse tumor behavior. However, comparative differences between 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography(PET)/computed tomography(CT) and CT in predicting STAS in lung adenocarcinoma remain inadequately explored. This retrospective study analyzes preoperative CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT features to predict STAS, aiming to identify key predictive factors and enhance clinical decision-making.

METHODS

Between February 2022 and April 2023, 100 patients (108 lesions) who underwent surgery for clinical lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled. All these patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT, thin-section chest CT scan, and pathological biopsy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT image characteristics. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to identify a cut-off value.

RESULTS

Sixty lesions were positive for STAS, and 48 lesions were negative for STAS. The STAS-positive was frequently observed in acinar predominant. However, STAS-negative was frequently observed in minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. Univariable analysis results revealed that CT features (including nodule type, maximum tumor diameter, maximum solid component diameter, consolidation tumor ratio, pleural indentation, lobulation, spiculation) and all 18F-FDG PET/CT characteristics were statistically significant difference in STAS-positive and STAS-negative lesions. And multivariate logistic regression results showed that the maximum tumor diameter and SUVmax were the independent influencing factors of CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in STAS, respectively. The area under the curve of maximum tumor diameter and SUVmax was 0.68 vs. 0.82. The cut-off value for maximum tumor diameter and SUVmax was 2.35 vs. 5.05 with a sensitivity of 50.0% vs. 68.3% and specificity of 81.2% vs. 87.5%, which showed that SUVmax was superior to the maximum tumor diameter.

CONCLUSION

The radiological features of SUVmax is the best model for predicting STAS in lung adenocarcinoma. These radiological features could predict STAS with excellent specificity but inferior sensitivity.

Identification of myoferlin as a mitochondria-associated membranes component required for calcium signaling in PDAC cell lines

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer type with one of the lowest survival rates due to late diagnosis and the absence of effective treatments. A better understanding of PDAC biology will help researchers to discover the Achilles' heel of cancer cells. In that regard, our research team investigated the function of an emerging oncoprotein known as myoferlin. Myoferlin is overexpressed in PDAC and its silencing/targeting has been shown to affect cancer cell proliferation, migration, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism. Nevertheless, our comprehension of myoferlin functions in cells remains limited. In this study, we aimed to understand the molecular mechanism linking myoferlin silencing to mitochondrial dynamics.

METHODS

Experiments were performed on two pancreas cancer cell lines, Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2. Myoferlin localization on mitochondria was evaluated by immunofluorescence, proximity ligation assay, and cell fractionation. The presence of myoferlin in mitochondria-associated membranes was assessed by cell fractionation and its function in mitochondrial calcium transfer was evaluated using calcium flow experiments, proximity ligation assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and timelapse fluorescence microscopy in living cells.

RESULTS

Myoferlin localization on mitochondria was investigated. Our results suggest that myoferlin is unlikely to be located on mitochondria. Instead, we identified myoferlin as a new component of mitochondria-associated membranes. Its silencing significantly reduces the mitochondrial calcium level upon stimulation, probably through myoferlin interaction with the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors 3.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, myoferlin was specifically demonstrated to be located in mitochondria-associated membranes where it participates to calcium flow. We hypothesized that this function explains our previous results on mitochondrial dynamics. This study improves our comprehension of myoferlin localization and function in cancer biology.

Mitochondria act as a key regulatory factor in cancer progression: Current concepts on mutations, mitochondrial dynamics, and therapeutic approach

The diversified impacts of mitochondrial function vs. dysfunction have been observed in almost all disease conditions including cancers. Mitochondria play crucial roles in cellular homeostasis and integrity, however, mitochondrial dysfunctions influenced by alterations in the mtDNA can disrupt cellular balance. Many external stimuli or cellular defects that cause cellular integrity abnormalities, also impact mitochondrial functions. Imbalances in mitochondrial activity can initiate and lead to accumulations of genetic mutations and can promote the processes of tumorigenesis, progression, and survival. This comprehensive review summarizes epigenetic and genetic alterations that affect the functionality of the mitochondria, with considerations of cellular metabolism, and as influenced by ethnicity. We have also reviewed recent insights regarding mitochondrial dynamics, miRNAs, exosomes that play pivotal roles in cancer promotion, and the impact of mitochondrial dynamics on immune cell mechanisms. The review also summarizes recent therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondria in anti-cancer treatment strategies.

miR-3200 accelerates the growth of liver cancer cells by enhancing Rab7A

Researches indicate miR-3200 is closely related to tumorigenesis, However, the role of miR-3200 in human hepatocarcinogenesis is still unclear. In this study, we clearly demonstrate that miR-3200 accelerates the growth of liver cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Obviously, these findings are noteworthy that miR-3200 affects the transcriptional regulation for several genes, including DSP，BABAM2, Rab7A,SQSTM1,PRKAG2,CDK1,ABCE1,BECN1,PTEN,UPRT. And miR-3200 affects the transcriptional ability of several genes, such as, upregulating CADPS, DSP,FBXO32, PPCA,SGK1, PATXN7L1, PLK2,ITGB5,FZD3,HOXC8,HSPA1A,C-Myc,CyclnD1,CyclinE,PCNA and down -regulating SUV39H1, MYO1G, OLFML3, CBX5, PPDE2A, HOXA7, RAD54L, CDC45,SHMT7,MAD2L1,P27,IQGAP3,PTEN,P57,SCAMP3,etc...On the other hand, it is obvious that miR-3200 affects the translational ability of several genes, such as, upregulating GNS,UPRT,EIFAD,YOS1,SGK1,K-Ras,PKM2,C-myc,Pim1,CyclinD1,mTOR,erbB-2,CyclinE,PCNA,RRAS,ARAF,RAPH1,etc.. and down-regulating KDM2A, AATF, TMM17B, RAB8B, MYO1G,P21WAF1/Cip1,GADD45,PTEN,P27,P18,P57,SERBP1,RPL34,UFD1,Bax,ANXA6,GSK3β. Strikingly, miR-3200 affects some signaling pathway in liver cancer, including carbon metabolism signaling pathway, DNA replication pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, serine and threonine metabolism signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, Fatty acid biosynthesis signaling pathway, carcinogenesis-receptor activation signaling pathway, autophagy signaling pathway. Furthermore, our results suggest that miR-3200 enhances expression of RAB7A, and then Rab7A regulates the carcinogenic function of miR-3200 by increasing telomere remodeling in human liver cancer. These results are of great significance for the prevention and treatment of human liver cancer.

Acidosis-induced regulation of adipocyte G0S2 promotes crosstalk between adipocytes and breast cancer cells as well as tumor progression

Bidirectional interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment govern tumor progression. Among the stromal cells in this microenvironment, adipocytes have been reported to upregulate cancer cell migration and invasion by producing fatty acids. Conversely, cancer cells alter adipocyte phenotype notably via increased lipolysis. We aimed to identify the mechanisms through which cancer cells trigger adipocyte lipolysis and evaluate the functional consequences on cancer progression. Here, we show that cancer cell-induced acidification of the extracellular medium strongly promotes preadipocyte lipolysis through a mechanism that does not involve lipophagy but requires adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) activity. This increased lipolysis is triggered mainly by attenuation of the G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2)-induced inhibition of ATGL. G0S2-mediated regulation in preadipocytes affects their communication with breast cancer cells, modifying the phenotype of the cancer cells and increasing their resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the adipocyte-specific overexpression of G0S2 impairs mammary tumor growth and lung metastasis formation in vivo. Our results highlight the importance of acidosis in cancer cell-adipocyte crosstalk and identify G0S2 as the main regulator of cancer-induced lipolysis, regulating tumor establishment and spreading.

Ferroptosis in gastrointestinal cancer: From mechanisms to implications

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that is initiated by excessive lipid peroxidation that results in plasma membrane damage and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns. In recent years, ferroptosis has gained significant attention in cancer research due to its unique mechanism compared to other forms of regulated cell death, especially caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer encompasses malignancies that arise in the digestive tract, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, colon, liver, rectum, anus, and biliary system. These cancers are a global health concern, with high incidence and mortality rates. Despite advances in medical treatments, drug resistance caused by defects in apoptotic pathways remains a persistent challenge in the management of GI cancer. Hence, exploring the role of ferroptosis in GI cancers may lead to more efficacious treatment strategies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the core mechanism of ferroptosis and discuss its function, regulation, and implications in the context of GI cancers.

Robust identification of common genomic biomarkers from multiple gene expression profiles for the prognosis, diagnosis, and therapies of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally. So, identification of potential molecular signatures is required for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapies of PC. In this study, we detected 71 common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs) between PC and control samples from four microarray gene-expression datasets (GSE15471, GSE16515, GSE71989, and GSE22780) by using robust statistical and machine learning approaches, since microarray gene-expression datasets are often contaminated by outliers due to several steps involved in the data generating processes. Then we detected 8 cDEGs (ADAM10, COL1A2, FN1, P4HB, ITGB1, ITGB5, ANXA2, and MYOF) as the PC-causing key genes (KGs) by the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. We validated the expression patterns of KGs between case and control samples by box plot analysis with the TCGA and GTEx databases. The proposed KGs showed high prognostic power with the random forest (RF) based prediction model and Kaplan-Meier-based survival probability curve. The KGs regulatory network analysis detected few transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators for KGs. The cDEGs-set enrichment analysis revealed some crucial PC-causing molecular functions, biological processes, cellular components, and pathways that are associated with KGs. Finally, we suggested KGs-guided five repurposable drug molecules (Linsitinib, CX5461, Irinotecan, Timosaponin AIII, and Olaparib) and a new molecule (NVP-BHG712) against PC by molecular docking. The stability of the top three protein-ligand complexes was confirmed by molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies. The cross-validation and some literature reviews also supported our findings. Therefore, the finding of this study might be useful resources to the researchers and medical doctors for diagnosis, prognosis and therapies of PC by the wet-lab validation.

Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Diversity Shapes Tumor Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer

Despite extensive research, the 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) patients remains at only 9%. Patients often show poor treatment response, due partly to a highly complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) heterogeneity is characteristic of the pancreatic TME, where several CAF subpopulations have been identified, such as myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs), and antigen presenting CAFs (apCAFs). In PDAC, cancer cells continuously adapt their metabolism (metabolic switch) to environmental changes in pH, oxygenation, and nutrient availability. Recent advances show that these environmental alterations are all heavily driven by stromal CAFs. CAFs and cancer cells exchange cytokines and metabolites, engaging in a tight bidirectional crosstalk, which promotes tumor aggressiveness and allows constant adaptation to external stress, such as chemotherapy. In this review, we summarize CAF diversity and CAF-mediated metabolic rewiring, in a PDAC-specific context. First, we recapitulate the most recently identified CAF subtypes, focusing on the cell of origin, activation mechanism, species-dependent markers, and functions. Next, we describe in detail the metabolic crosstalk between CAFs and tumor cells. Additionally, we elucidate how CAF-driven paracrine signaling, desmoplasia, and acidosis orchestrate cancer cell metabolism. Finally, we highlight how the CAF/cancer cell crosstalk could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.

The transcription factor c-Jun inhibits RBM39 to reprogram pre-mRNA splicing during genotoxic stress

Genotoxic agents, that are used in cancer therapy, elicit the reprogramming of the transcriptome of cancer cells. These changes reflect the cellular response to stress and underlie some of the mechanisms leading to drug resistance. Here, we profiled genome-wide changes in pre-mRNA splicing induced by cisplatin in breast cancer cells. Among the set of cisplatin-induced alternative splicing events we focused on COASY, a gene encoding a mitochondrial enzyme involved in coenzyme A biosynthesis. Treatment with cisplatin induces the production of a short isoform of COASY lacking exons 4 and 5, whose depletion impedes mitochondrial function and decreases sensitivity to cisplatin. We identified RBM39 as a major effector of the cisplatin-induced effect on COASY splicing. RBM39 also controls a genome-wide set of alternative splicing events partially overlapping with the cisplatin-mediated ones. Unexpectedly, inactivation of RBM39 in response to cisplatin involves its interaction with the AP-1 family transcription factor c-Jun that prevents RBM39 binding to pre-mRNA. Our findings therefore uncover a novel cisplatin-induced interaction between a splicing regulator and a transcription factor that has a global impact on alternative splicing and contributes to drug resistance.

Discovery of 1,5-diaryl-1,2,4-triazole derivatives as myoferlin inhibitors and their antitumor effects in pancreatic cancer

Aim: The first inhibitor targeting myoferlin (MYOF), WJ460, bears poor metabolic stability and water solubility. Therefore, this study aimed to improve the druglike properties of WJ460. Materials & methods: The authors synthesized an array of 1,5-diaryl-1,2,4-triazole analogs and appraised the binding activities with MYOF and their antiproliferative and antimigratory activities against pancreatic cancer cells. Results: Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance results showed that E4 was directly bound to the MYOF-C2D domain. E4 effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. In silico study suggested that the water solubility of E4 was improved by about 22-times than that of WJ460. Conclusion: The findings suggested that the druglike ability of E4 was significantly improved.

Myoferlin disturbs redox equilibrium to accelerate gastric cancer migration

Objective

In contrast to normal cells, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are maintained in redox equilibrium, cancer cells are characterized by ectopic ROS accumulation. Myoferlin, a newly identified oncogene, has been associated with tumor metastasis, intracellular ROS production, and energy metabolism. The mechanism by which myoferlin regulates gastric cancer cell migration and ROS accumulation has not been determined.

Methods

Myoferlin expression, intracellular ROS levels, the ratios of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH/NADP+) and migratory ability were measured in gastric cancer cells in vitro and in the TCGA and GEO databases in silico.

Results

Myoferlin was found to be more highly expressed in tumor than in normal tissues of gastric cancer patients, with higher expression of Myoferlin associated with shorter survival time. Myoferlin was associated with significantly higher intracellular ROS levels and enhanced migration of gastric cancer cells. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a potent inhibitor of ROS, inhibited Myoferlin-induced ROS accumulation and cell migration.

Conclusions

Myoferlin is a candidate prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer and plays an essential role in regulating redox equilibrium and gastric cancer cell migration. Myoferlin may also be a new target for treatment of patients with gastric cancer.

Role of Constitutive STAR in Mitochondrial Structure and Function in MA-10 Leydig Cells

The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR; STARD1) is critical for the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria for hormone-induced steroidogenesis. Steroidogenic cells express STAR under control conditions (constitutive STAR). On hormonal stimulation, STAR localizes to the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) where it facilitates cholesterol transport and where it is processed to its mature form. Here, we show that knockout of Star in MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells (STARKO1) causes defects in mitochondrial structure and function under basal conditions. We also show that overexpression of Star in STARKO1 cells exacerbates, rather than recovers, mitochondrial structure and function, which further disrupts the processing of STAR at the OMM. Our findings suggest that constitutive STAR is necessary for proper mitochondrial structure and function and that mitochondrial dysfunction leads to defective STAR processing at the OMM.

Paladin, overexpressed in colon cancer, is required for actin polymerisation and liver metastasis dissemination

Introduction

Colorectal cancer remains a public health issue and most colon cancer patients succumb to the development of metastases. Using a specific protocol of pressure-assisted interstitial fluid extrusion to recover soluble biomarkers, we identified paladin as a potential colon cancer liver metastases biomarker.

Methods

Using shRNA gene knockdown, we explored the biological function of paladin in colon cancer cells and investigated the phospho-proteome within colon cancer cells. We successively applied in vitro migration assays, in vivo metastasis models and co-immunoprecipitation experiments.

Results

We discovered that paladin is required for colon cancer cell migration and metastasis, and that paladin depletion altered the phospho-proteome within colon cancer cells. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD030803. Thanks to immunoprecipitation experiments, we demonstrated that paladin, was interacting with SSH1, a phosphatase involved in colon cancer metastasis. Finally, we showed that paladin depletion in cancer cells results in a less dynamic actin cytoskeleton.

Conclusions

Paladin is an undervalued protein in oncology. This study highlights for the first time that, paladin is participating in actin cytoskeleton remodelling and is required for efficient cancer cell migration.

Divergent Roles of Mitochondria Dynamics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Simple Summary

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal neoplasia due to the lack of early diagnostic markers and effective therapies. The study of metabolic alterations of PDAC is of crucial importance since it would open the way to the discovery of new potential therapies. Mitochondria represent key organelles that regulate energy metabolism, and they remodel their structure by undergoing modifications by fusing with other mitochondria or dividing to generate smaller ones. The alterations of mitochondria arrangement may influence the metabolism of PDAC cells, thus supporting the proliferative needs of cancer. Shedding light on this topic regarding cancer and, more specifically, PDAC may help identify new potential strategies that hit cancer cells at their “core,” i.e., mitochondria.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive tumors; it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and is hardly treatable. These issues are strictly linked to the absence of early diagnostic markers and the low efficacy of treatment approaches. Recently, the study of the metabolic alterations in cancer cells has opened the way to important findings that can be exploited to generate new potential therapies. Within this scenario, mitochondria represent important organelles within which many essential functions are necessary for cell survival, including some key reactions involved in energy metabolism. These organelles remodel their shape by dividing or fusing themselves in response to cellular needs or stimuli. Interestingly, many authors have shown that mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium is altered in many different tumor types. However, up to now, it is not clear whether PDAC cells preferentially take advantage of fusion or fission processes since some studies reported a wide range of different results. This review described the role of both mitochondria arrangement processes, i.e., fusion and fission events, in PDAC, showing that a preference for mitochondria fragmentation could sustain tumor needs. In addition, we also highlight the importance of considering the metabolic arrangement and mitochondria assessment of cancer stem cells, which represent the most aggressive tumor cell type that has been shown to have distinctive metabolic features to that of differentiated tumor cells.

Targeting key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation for cancer therapy: Current strategies and future prospective

The key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation play convergent roles in cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction mediates aberrant gene expressions that underline the hallmarks of tumorigenesis. As tumor progression is dependent on such abnormal regulation of transcription, it is important to discover novel chemical entities as antitumor drugs that target key tumor-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. Despite most key proteins (especially transcription factors) involved in transcriptional regulation are historically recognized as undruggable targets, multiple targeting approaches at diverse levels of transcriptional regulation, such as epigenetic intervention, inhibition of DNA-binding of transcriptional factors, and inhibition of the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), have been established in preclinically or clinically studies. In addition, several new approaches have recently been described, such as targeting proteasomal degradation and eliciting synthetic lethality. This review will emphasize on accentuating these developing therapeutic approaches and provide a thorough conspectus of the drug development to target key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and their impact on future oncotherapy.

Comprehensive Analysis of Myoferlin in Human Pancreatic Cancer via Bioinformatics

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death and urgently needs biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and prognosis. It has been reported that myoferlin (MYOF) is implicated in the regulation of proliferation, invasion, and migration of tumor cells in many cancers including pancreatic cancer. To confirm the prognostic value of MYOF in pancreatic cancer, a comprehensive cancer versus healthy people analysis was conducted using public data. MYOF mRNA expression levels were compared in many kinds of cancers including pancreatic cancer via the Oncomine and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases. The results have shown that MYOF mRNA expression levels were upregulated in most types of cancers, especially in pancreatic cancer, compared with healthy people's tissues. Data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EML) database also revealed that MYOF mRNA is highly expressed in most cancer cells, particularly in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the prognostic value of MYOF was evaluated using GEPIA and Long-term Outcome and Gene Expression Profiling Database of pan-cancers (LOGpc) database. Higher expression of MYOF was associated with poorer overall survival, especially in the lower stage and lower grade. Coexpressed genes, possible regulators, and the correlation between MYOF expressions were analyzed via the GEPIA and LinkedOmics database. Nineteen coexpressed genes were identified, and most of these genes were related to cancer. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database was used to analyze the correlation between MYOF and immune response. Notably, we found that MYOF might have a potential novel immune regulatory role in tumor immunity. These results support that MYOF is a candidate prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer, which calls for further genomics research of pancreatic cancer and deeply functional studies on MYOF.

Elucidating the Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Pancreatic Cancer

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. The chance of surviving more than 5 years after initial diagnosis is less than 10%. This is due to a lack of early diagnostics, where often at the time of initial detection the tumour has already spread to different parts of the body and has developed a propensity to develop drug resistance. Therefore, to tackle this devastating disease, it is necessary to identify the key players responsible for driving pancreatic cancer. Numerous studies have found that small bubble-like packages shed by cancer cells, called extracellular vesicles, play an important role in the progression of the disease. Our knowledge on how extracellular vesicles aid in the progression, spread and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer is the focus of this review. Of note, these extracellular vesicles may serve as biomarkers for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer and could represent drug targets or drug delivery agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. This dismal survival rate can be attributed to several factors including insufficient diagnostics, rapid metastasis and chemoresistance. To identify new treatment options for improved patient outcomes, it is crucial to investigate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to pancreatic cancer progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, are critical players in pancreatic cancer progression and chemoresistance. In addition, extracellular vesicles also have the potential to serve as promising biomarkers, therapeutic targets and drug delivery tools for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this review, we aim to summarise the current knowledge on the role of extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer progression, metastasis, immunity, metabolic dysfunction and chemoresistance, and discuss their potential roles as biomarkers for early diagnosis and drug delivery vehicles for treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Regulation and function of autophagy in pancreatic cancer

Oncogenic KRAS mutation-driven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is currently the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Macroautophagy (hereafter "autophagy") is one of the lysosome-dependent degradation systems that can remove abnormal proteins, damaged organelles, or invading pathogens by activating dynamic membrane structures (e.g., phagophores, autophagosomes, and autolysosomes). Impaired autophagy (including excessive activation and defects) is a pathological feature of human diseases, including pancreatic cancer. However, dysfunctional autophagy has many types and plays a complex role in pancreatic tumor biology, depending on various factors, such as tumor stage, microenvironment, immunometabolic state, and death signals. As a modulator connecting various cellular events, pharmacological targeting of nonselective autophagy may lead to both good and bad therapeutic effects. In contrast, targeting selective autophagy could reduce potential side effects of the drugs used. In this review, we describe the advances and challenges of autophagy in the development and therapy of pancreatic cancer.Abbreviations: AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; CQ: chloroquine; csc: cancer stem cells; DAMP: danger/damage-associated molecular pattern; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; lncRNA: long noncoding RNA; MIR: microRNA; PanIN: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia; PDAC: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; PtdIns3K: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; SNARE: soluble NSF attachment protein receptor; UPS: ubiquitin-proteasome system.

3D Collagen-Nanocellulose Matrices Model the Tumour Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer

Three-dimensional (3D) cancer models are invaluable tools designed to study tumour biology and new treatments. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest types of cancer, has been progressively explored with bioengineered 3D approaches by deconstructing elements of its tumour microenvironment. Here, we investigated the suitability of collagen-nanocellulose hydrogels to mimic the extracellular matrix of PDAC and to promote the formation of tumour spheroids and multicellular 3D cultures with stromal cells. Blending of type I collagen fibrils and cellulose nanofibres formed a matrix of controllable stiffness, which resembled the lower profile of pancreatic tumour tissues. Collagen-nanocellulose hydrogels supported the growth of tumour spheroids and multicellular 3D cultures, with increased metabolic activity and matrix stiffness. To validate our 3D cancer model, we tested the individual and combined effects of the anti-cancer compound triptolide and the chemotherapeutics gemcitabine and paclitaxel, resulting in differential cell responses. Our blended 3D matrices with tuneable mechanical properties consistently maintain the growth of PDAC cells and its cellular microenvironment and allow the screening of anti-cancer treatments.

The E3 ligase COP1 promotes ERα signaling and suppresses EMT in breast cancer

ERα signaling drives proliferation, survival and cancer initiation in the mammary gland. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate mechanisms by which ERα expression is regulated. We show that the tumor suppressor E3 ligase COP1 promotes the degradative polyubiquitination of the microtubule-associated protein HPIP. As such, COP1 negatively regulates estrogen-dependent AKT activation in breast cancer cells. However, COP1 also induces ERα expression and ERα-dependent gene transcription, at least through c-Jun degradation. COP1 and ERα levels are positively correlated in clinical cases of breast cancer. COP1 also supports the metabolic reprogramming by estrogens, including glycolysis. On the other hand, COP1 suppresses EMT in breast cancer cells. COP1 deficiency also contributes to Tamoxifen resistance, at least through protective autophagy. Therefore, COP1 acts as an oncogenic E3 ligase by promoting ERα signaling but also acts as a tumor suppressor candidate by preventing EMT, which reflects a dual role of COP1 in breast cancer.

Overcoming chemoresistance by targeting reprogrammed metabolism: the Achilles' heel of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death due to its late diagnosis that removes the opportunity for surgery and metabolic plasticity that leads to resistance to chemotherapy. Metabolic reprogramming related to glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism in PDAC not only enables the cancer to thrive and survive under hypovascular, nutrient-poor and hypoxic microenvironments, but also confers chemoresistance, which contributes to the poor prognosis of PDAC. In this review, we systematically elucidate the mechanism of chemotherapy resistance and the relationship of metabolic programming features with resistance to anticancer drugs in PDAC. Targeting the critical enzymes and/or transporters involved in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism may be a promising approach to overcome chemoresistance in PDAC. Consequently, regulating metabolism could be used as a strategy against PDAC and could improve the prognosis of PDAC.

Extracellular Vesicles and Pancreatic Cancer: Insights on the Roles of miRNA, lncRNA, and Protein Cargos in Cancer Progression

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the most devastating digestive tract cancers worldwide. This cancer is characterized by poor diagnostic detection, lack of therapy, and difficulty in predicting tumorigenesis progression. Although mutations of key oncogenes and oncosuppressor involved in tumor growth and in immunosurveillance escape are known, the underlying mechanisms that orchestrate PC initiation and progression are poorly understood or still under debate. In recent years, the attention of many researchers has been concentrated on the role of extracellular vesicles and of a particular subset of extracellular vesicles, known as exosomes. Literature data report that these nanovesicles are able to deliver their cargos to recipient cells playing key roles in the pathogenesis and progression of many pancreatic precancerous conditions. In this review, we have summarized and discussed principal cargos of extracellular vesicles characterized in PC, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, and several proteins, to offer a systematic overview of their function in PC progression. The study of extracellular vesicles is allowing to understand that investigation of their secretion and analysis of their content might represent a new and potential diagnostic and prognostic tools for PC.

An Emerging Therapeutic Approach by Targeting Myoferlin (MYOF) for Malignant Tumors

Myoferlin (MYOF), as a member of the ferlin family, is a type II transmembrane protein with a single transmembrane domain at the carbon terminus. Studies have shown that MYOF is involved in pivotal physiological functions related to numerous cell membranes, such as extracellular secretion, endocytosis cycle, vesicle trafficking, membrane repair, membrane receptor recycling, and secreted protein efflux. Recently, the studies have also revealed that MYOF is overexpressed in a variety of cancers such as colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, gastric cancer, and non-small-cell lung cancer. High expression of MYOF is associated with the high invasion of tumors and poor clinical prognosis. MYOF medicates the expression, secretion, and distribution of proteins, which were closely related to cancers, as well as the energy utilization of cancer cells, lipid metabolism and other physiological activities by regulating the physiological processes of membrane transport. In this short article, we briefly summarize the latest progress related to MYOF, indicating that small molecule inhibitors targeting the MYOF-C2D domain can selectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of cancer cells, and MYOF may be a promising target for the treatment of malignant tumors.

Seven Glycolysis-Related Genes Predict the Prognosis of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives

To identify the key glycolysis-related genes (GRGs) in the occurrence and development of pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC), and to construct a glycolysis-related gene model for predicting the prognosis of PDAC patients.

Methodology

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) data and that of normal individuals were downloaded from the TCGA database and Genotype-Tissue Expression database, respectively. GSEA analysis of glycolysis-related pathways was then performed on PDAC data to identify significantly enriched GRGs. The genes were combined with other patient’s clinical information and used to construct a glycolysis-related gene model using cox regression analysis. The model was further evaluated using data from the validation group. Mutations in the model genes were subsequently identified using the cBioPortal. In the same line, the expression levels of glycolysis related model genes in PDAC were analyzed and verified using immunohistochemical images. Model prediction for PDAC patients with different clinical characteristics was then done and the relationship between gene expression level, clinical stage and prognosis further discussed. Finally, a nomogram map of the predictive model was constructed to evaluate the prognosis of patients with PDAC.

Results

GSEA results of the training set revealed that genes in the training set were significantly related to glycolysis pathway and iconic glycolysis pathway. There were 108 differentially expressed GRGs. Among them, 29 GRGs were closely related to prognosis based on clinical survival time. Risk regression analysis further revealed that there were seven significantly expressed glycolysis related genes. The genes were subsequently used to construct a predictive model. The model had an AUC value of more than 0.85. It was also significantly correlated with survival time. Further expression analysis revealed that CDK1, DSC2, ERO1A, MET, PYGL, and SLC35A3 were highly expressed in PDAC and CHST12 was highly expressed in normal pancreatic tissues. These results were confirmed using immunohistochemistry images of normal and diseases cells. The model could effectively evaluate the prognosis of PDAC patients with different clinical characteristics.

Conclusion

The constructed glycolysis-related gene model effectively predicts the occurrence and development of PDAC. As such, it can be used as a prognostic marker to diagnose patients with PDAC.

Extracellular HMGB1 blockade inhibits tumor growth through profoundly remodeling immune microenvironment and enhances checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy

Background

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a multifunctional redox-sensitive protein involved in various intracellular (eg, chromatin remodeling, transcription, autophagy) and extracellular (inflammation, autoimmunity) processes. Regarding its role in cancer development/progression, paradoxical results exist in the literature and it is still unclear whether HMGB1 mainly acts as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor.

Methods

HMGB1 expression was first assessed in tissue specimens (n=359) of invasive breast, lung and cervical cancer and the two distinct staining patterns detected (nuclear vs cytoplasmic) were correlated to the secretion profile of malignant cells, patient outcomes and the presence of infiltrating immune cells within tumor microenvironment. Using several orthotopic, syngeneic mouse models of basal-like breast (4T1, 67NR and EpRas) or non-small cell lung (TC-1) cancer, the efficacy of several HMGB1 inhibitors alone and in combination with immune checkpoint blockade antibodies (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) was then investigated. Isolated from retrieved tumors, 14 immune cell (sub)populations as well as the activation status of antigen-presenting cells were extensively analyzed in each condition. Finally, the redox state of HMGB1 in tumor-extruded fluids and the influence of different forms (oxidized, reduced or disulfide) on both dendritic cell (DC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) activation were determined.

Results

Associated with an unfavorable prognosis in human patients, we clearly demonstrated that targeting extracellular HMGB1 elicits a profound remodeling of tumor immune microenvironment for efficient cancer therapy. Indeed, without affecting the global number of (CD45⁺) immune cells, drastic reductions of monocytic/granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T lymphocytes, a higher M1/M2 ratio of macrophages as well as an increased activation of both DC and pDC were continually observed following HMGB1 inhibition. Moreover, blocking HMGB1 improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 cancer monoimmunotherapy. We also reported that a significant fraction of HMGB1 encountered within cancer microenvironment (interstitial fluids) is oxidized and, in opposite to its reduced isoform, oxidized HMGB1 acts as a tolerogenic signal in a receptor for advanced glycation endproducts-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Collectively, we present evidence that extracellular HMGB1 blockade may complement first-generation cancer immunotherapies by remobilizing antitumor immune response.

Lysosomal retargeting of Myoferlin mitigates membrane stress to enable pancreatic cancer growth

Lysosomes must maintain the integrity of their limiting membrane to ensure efficient fusion with incoming organelles and degradation of substrates within their lumen. Pancreatic cancer cells upregulate lysosomal biogenesis to enhance nutrient recycling and stress resistance, but it is unknown whether dedicated programmes for maintaining the integrity of the lysosome membrane facilitate pancreatic cancer growth. Using proteomic-based organelle profiling, we identify the Ferlin family plasma membrane repair factor Myoferlin as selectively and highly enriched on the membrane of pancreatic cancer lysosomes. Mechanistically, lysosomal localization of Myoferlin is necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of lysosome health and provides an early acting protective system against membrane damage that is independent of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-mediated repair network. Myoferlin is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer, predicts poor survival and its ablation severely impairs lysosome function and tumour growth in vivo. Thus, retargeting of plasma membrane repair factors enhances the pro-oncogenic activities of the lysosome.

The Role of Mitochondria in the Chemoresistance of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

The first-line chemotherapies for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC) are 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine therapy. However, due to chemoresistance the prognosis of patients with PC has not been significantly improved. Mitochondria are essential organelles in eukaryotes that evolved from aerobic bacteria. In recent years, many studies have shown that mitochondria play important roles in tumorigenesis and may act as chemotherapeutic targets in PC. In addition, according to recent studies, mitochondria may play important roles in the chemoresistance of PC by affecting apoptosis, metabolism, mtDNA metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics. Interfering with some of these factors in mitochondria may improve the sensitivity of PC cells to chemotherapeutic agents, such as gemcitabine, making mitochondria promising targets for overcoming chemoresistance in PC.

A potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of myoferlin attenuates colorectal cancer progression

As a pivotal vesicular trafficking protein, Myoferlin (MYOF) has become an attractive target for cancer therapy. However, the roles of MYOF in colorectal cancer invasion remain enigmatic, and MYOF-targeted therapy in this malignancy has not been explored. In the present study, we provided the first functional evidence that MYOF promoted the cell invasion of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, we identified a novel small molecule inhibitor of MYOF (named YQ456) that showed high binding affinity to MYOF (KD  = 37 nM) and excellent anti-invasion capability (IC50  = 110 nM). YQ456 was reported for the first time to interfere with the interactions between MYOF and Ras-associated binding (Rab) proteins at low nanomolar levels. This interference disrupted several vesicle trafficking processes, including lysosomal degradation, exosome secretion, and mitochondrial dynamics. Further, YQ456 exhibited excellent inhibitory effects on the growth and invasiveness of colorectal cancer. As the first attempt, the anticancer efficacy of YQ456 in the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model indicated that targeting MYOF may serve as a novel and practical therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer.

The potential roles of exosomes in pancreatic cancer initiation and metastasis

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is an insidious and highly metastatic malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. So far, the pathogenesis and progression mechanisms of PaCa have been poorly characterized. Exosomes correspond to a class of extracellular nanovesicles, produced by a broad range of human somatic and cancerous cells. These particular nanovesicles are mainly composed by proteins, genetic substances and lipids, which mediate signal transduction and material transport. A large number of studies have indicated that exosomes may play decisive roles in the occurrence and metastatic progression of PaCa. This article summarizes the specific functions of exosomes and their underlying molecular mechanisms in mediating the initiation and metastatic capability of PaCa.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) and Pancreatic Cancer: From the Role of EVs to the Interference with EV-Mediated Reciprocal Communication

Pancreatic cancer is malignant and the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are—at most—moderately effective, indicating the need for new and different kinds of therapies to manage this disease. It has been proposed that the biologic properties of pancreatic cancer cells are finely tuned by the dynamic microenvironment, which includes extracellular matrix, cancer-associated cells, and diverse immune cells. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an essential role in communication between heterogeneous subpopulations of cells by transmitting multiplex biomolecules. EV-mediated cell–cell communication ultimately contributes to several aspects of pancreatic cancer, such as growth, angiogenesis, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we discuss the role of extracellular vesicles and their cargo molecules in pancreatic cancer. We also present the feasibility of the inhibition of extracellular biosynthesis and their itinerary (release and uptake) for a new attractive therapeutic strategy against pancreatic cancer.

Myoferlin Is a Yet Unknown Interactor of the Mitochondrial Dynamics' Machinery in Pancreas Cancer Cells

Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers where surgery remains the main survival factor. Mitochondria were described to be involved in tumor aggressiveness in several cancer types including pancreas cancer. We have previously reported that myoferlin controls mitochondrial structure and function, and demonstrated that myoferlin depletion disturbs the mitochondrial dynamics culminating in a mitochondrial fission. In order to unravel the mechanism underlying this observation, we explored the myoferlin localization in pancreatic cancer cells and showed a colocalization with the mitochondrial dynamic machinery element: mitofusin. This colocalization was confirmed in several pancreas cancer cell lines and in normal cell lines as well. Moreover, in pancreas cancer cell lines, it appeared that myoferlin interacted with mitofusin. These discoveries open-up new research avenues aiming at modulating mitofusin function in pancreas cancer.

The role of mitochondrial dynamics in human cancers

Mitochondria are crucial cellular organelles. Under extracellular stimulations, mitochondria undergo constant fusion and fission dynamics to meet different cellular demands. Mitochondrial dynamics is regulated by specialized proteins and lipids. Dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics has been linked to the initiation and progression of diverse human cancers, affecting aspects such as cancer metastasis, drug resistance and cancer stem cell survival, suggesting that targeting mitochondrial dynamics is a potential therapeutic strategy. In the present review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying fusion and fission dynamics and discuss the effects of mitochondrial dynamics on the development of human cancers.

A kinome-wide screen identifies a CDKL5-SOX9 regulatory axis in epithelial cell death and kidney injury

Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) perform the essential function of maintaining the constancy of body fluid composition and volume. Toxic, inflammatory, or hypoxic-insults to RTECs can cause systemic fluid imbalance, electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic waste accumulation- manifesting as acute kidney injury (AKI), a common disorder associated with adverse long-term sequelae and high mortality. Here we report the results of a kinome-wide RNAi screen for cellular pathways involved in AKI-associated RTEC-dysfunction and cell death. Our screen and validation studies reveal an essential role of Cdkl5-kinase in RTEC cell death. In mouse models, genetic or pharmacological Cdkl5 inhibition mitigates nephrotoxic and ischemia-associated AKI. We propose that Cdkl5 is a stress-responsive kinase that promotes renal injury in part through phosphorylation-dependent suppression of pro-survival transcription regulator Sox9. These findings reveal a surprising non-neuronal function of Cdkl5, identify a pathogenic Cdkl5-Sox9 axis in epithelial cell-death, and support CDKL5 antagonism as a therapeutic approach for AKI.

Protein kinases have emerged as critical regulators of disease pathogenesis. Here, the authors have utilized kinome-wide screening approaches to reveal a pathogenic role of CDKL5 kinase in acute kidney injury, which is dependent on suppression of a SOX9-associated transcriptional network.

Methylglyoxal Scavengers Resensitize KRAS-Mutated Colorectal Tumors to Cetuximab

The use of cetuximab anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) antibodies has opened the era of targeted and personalized therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). Poor response rates have been unequivocally shown in mutant KRAS and are even observed in a majority of wild-type KRAS tumors. Therefore, patient selection based on mutational profiling remains problematic. We previously identified methylglyoxal (MGO), a by-product of glycolysis, as a metabolite promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Mutant KRAS cells under MGO stress show AKT-dependent survival when compared with wild-type KRAS isogenic CRC cells. MGO induces AKT activation through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin 2 (mTORC2) and Hsp27 regulation. Importantly, the sole induction of MGO stress in sensitive wild-type KRAS cells renders them resistant to cetuximab. MGO scavengers inhibit AKT and resensitize KRAS-mutated CRC cells to cetuximab in vivo. This study establishes a link between MGO and AKT activation and pinpoints this oncometabolite as a potential target to tackle EGFR-targeted therapy resistance in CRC.

Mitochondrial Protein UQCRC1 is Oncogenic and a Potential Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a malignant disease with a poor prognosis. One prominent aspect of PDAC that contributes to its aggressive behavior is its altered cellular metabolism. The aim of this study was to characterize the oncogenic effects of ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein I (UQCRC1), a key component of mitochondrial complex III, in PDAC development and to assess its potential as a therapeutic target for PDAC.

Experimental Design: The expression of UQCRC1 in human PDAC tissues and p48-Cre/p53Flox/WT/LSL-KrasG12D (KPC) mouse pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) was determined by immunohistochemistry. The role of UQCRC1 in promoting PDAC growth was evaluated in vitro in PANC-1 and CFPAC-1 cells and in vivo in transplanted mouse models of PDAC. Extracellular flux and RNA-Seq analyses were applied to investigate the mechanism of UQCRC1 in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism and PDAC cell growth. The therapeutic potential of UQCRC1 in PDAC was assessed by knockdown of UQCRC1 using an RNA interference approach.

Results: UQCRC1 expression showed a gradual increase during the progression from PanIN stages to PDAC in KPC mice. Elevated expression of UQCRC1 was observed in 72.3% of PDAC cases and was correlated with poor prognosis of the disease. UQCRC1 promoted PDAC cell growth in both in vitro experiments and in vivo subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models. UQCRC1 overexpression resulted in increased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and ATP production. The overproduced ATP was released into the extracellular space via the pannexin 1 channel and then functioned as an autocrine or paracrine agent to promote cell proliferation through the ATP/P2Y2-RTK/AKT axis. UQCRC1 knockdown or ATP release blockage could effectively inhibit PDAC growth.

Conclusion: UQCRC1 has a protumor function and may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for PDAC.

CircRNA Role and circRNA-Dependent Network (ceRNET) in Asthenozoospermia

The role of circRNA in reproduction is under investigation. CircRNAs are expressed in human testis, spermatozoa (SPZ), and seminal plasma. Their involvement in embryo development has also been suggested. Asthenozoospermia, a common cause of male infertility, is characterized by reduced or absent sperm motility in fresh ejaculate. While abnormal mitochondrial function, altered sperm tail, and genomic causes have been deeply investigated, the epigenetic signature of asthenozoospermic derived SPZ still remains unexplored. CircRNAs may take part in the repertoire of differentially expressed molecules in infertile men. Considering this background, we carried out a circRNA microarray, identifying a total of 9,138 transcripts, 22% of them novel based and 83.5% with an exonic structure. Using KEGG analysis, we evaluated the circRNA contribution in pathways related to mitochondrial function and sperm motility. In order to discriminate circRNAs with a differential expression in SPZ with differential morphological parameters, we separated sperm cells by Percoll gradient and analyzed their differential circRNA payload. A bioinformatic approach was then utilized to build a circRNA/miRNA/mRNA network. With the aim to demonstrate a dynamic contribution of circRNAs to the sperm epigenetic signature, we verified their modulation as a consequence of an oral amino acid supplementation, efficacious in improving SPZ motility.

Myoferlin, a Membrane Protein with Emerging Oncogenic Roles

Myoferlin (MYOF), initially identified in muscle cells, is a member of the Ferlin family involved in membrane fusion, membrane repair, and membrane trafficking. Dysfunction of this protein is associated with muscular dysfunction. Recently, a growing body of studies have identified MYOF as an oncogenic protein. It is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and promotes tumorigenesis, tumor cell motility, proliferation, migration, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis as well as metastasis. Clinically, MYOF overexpression is associated with poor outcome in various cancers. It can serve as a prognostic marker of human malignant disease. MYOF drives the progression of cancer in various processes, including surface receptor transportation, endocytosis, exocytosis, intercellular communication, fit mitochondrial structure maintenance and cell metabolism. Depletion of MYOF demonstrates significant antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that targeting MYOF may produce promising clinical benefits in the treatment of malignant disease. In the present article, we reviewed the physiological function of MYOF as well as its role in cancer, thus providing a general understanding for further exploration of this protein.

Myoferlin, a multifunctional protein in normal cells, has novel and key roles in various cancers

Myoferlin, a protein of the ferlin family, has seven C2 domains and exhibits activity in some cells, including myoblasts and endothelial cells. Recently, myoferlin was identified as a promising target and biomarker in non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, melanoma, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma. This evidence indicated that myoferlin was involved in the proliferation, invasion and migration of tumour cells, the mechanism of which mainly included promoting angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry, energy metabolism reprogramming, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and modulating exosomes. The roles of myoferlin in both normal cells and cancer cells are of great significance to provide novel and efficient methods of tumour treatment. In this review, we summarize recent studies and findings of myoferlin and suggest that myoferlin is a novel potential candidate for clinical diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy.

Ferlin Overview: From Membrane to Cancer Biology

In mammal myocytes, endothelial cells and inner ear cells, ferlins are proteins involved in membrane processes such as fusion, recycling, endo- and exocytosis. They harbour several C2 domains allowing their interaction with phospholipids. The expression of several Ferlin genes was described as altered in several tumoural tissues. Intriguingly, beyond a simple alteration, myoferlin, otoferlin and Fer1L4 expressions were negatively correlated with patient survival in some cancer types. Therefore, it can be assumed that membrane biology is of extreme importance for cell survival and signalling, making Ferlin proteins core machinery indispensable for cancer cell adaptation to hostile environments. The evidences suggest that myoferlin, when overexpressed, enhances cancer cell proliferation, migration and metabolism by affecting various aspects of membrane biology. Targeting myoferlin using pharmacological compounds, gene transfer technology, or interfering RNA is now considered as an emerging therapeutic strategy.

Myoferlin Contributes to the Metastatic Phenotype of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Enhancing Their Migratory Capacity through the Control of Oxidative Phosphorylation

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies with an overall survival of 5% and is the second cause of death by cancer, mainly linked to its high metastatic aggressiveness. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms sustaining the PDAC metastatic phenotype remains a priority. In this study, we generated and used a murine in vivo model to select clones from the human Panc-1 PDAC cell line that exhibit a high propensity to seed and metastasize into the liver. We showed that myoferlin, a protein previously reported to be overexpressed in PDAC, is significantly involved in the migratory abilities of the selected cells. We first report that highly metastatic Panc-1 clones expressed a significantly higher myoferlin level than the corresponding low metastatic ones. Using scratch wound and Boyden’s chamber assays, we show that cells expressing a high myoferlin level have higher migratory potential than cells characterized by a low myoferlin abundance. Moreover, we demonstrate that myoferlin silencing leads to a migration decrease associated with a reduction of mitochondrial respiration. Since mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation has been shown to be implicated in the tumor progression and dissemination, our data identify myoferlin as a valid potential therapeutic target in PDAC.

Human colon cancer cells highly express myoferlin to maintain a fit mitochondrial network and escape p53-driven apoptosis

Colon adenocarcinoma is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second deadliest one. Metabolic reprogramming, described as an emerging hallmark of malignant cells, includes the predominant use of glycolysis to produce energy. Recent studies demonstrated that mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitor reduced colon cancer tumour growth. Accumulating evidence show that myoferlin, a member of the ferlin family, is highly expressed in several cancer types, where it acts as a tumour promoter and participates in the metabolic rewiring towards oxidative metabolism. In this study, we showed that myoferlin expression in colon cancer lesions is associated with low patient survival and is higher than in non-tumoural adjacent tissue. Human colon cancer cells silenced for myoferlin exhibit a reduced oxidative phosphorylation activity associated with mitochondrial fission leading, ROS accumulation, decreased cell growth, and increased apoptosis. We observed the triggering of a DNA damage response culminating to a cell cycle arrest in wild-type p53 cells. The use of a p53 null cell line or a compound able to restore p53 activity (Prima-1) reverted the effects induced by myoferlin silencing, confirming the involvement of p53. The recent identification of a compound interacting with a myoferlin C2 domain and bearing anticancer potency identifies, together with our demonstration, this protein as a suitable new therapeutic target in colon cancer.