MYBL2 promotes proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer through transactivation of CDCA3

Role of cell division cycle-associated proteins in regulating cell cycle and promoting tumor progression

The cell division cycle-associated protein (CDCA) family is important in regulating cell division. High CDCA expression is significantly linked to tumor development. This review summarizes clinical and basic studies on CDCAs conducted in recent decades. Furthermore, it systematically introduces the molecular expression and function, key mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, and roles of CDCAs in tumor development, cell proliferation, drug resistance, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, it presents the latest research on tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment targeting CDCAs. These findings are pivotal for further in-depth studies on the role of CDCAs in promoting tumor development and provide theoretical support for their application as new anti-tumor targets.

The correlation between the MYBL2/CDCA8 signaling pathway of malignant melanoma

Objective

Investigating the effects of MYB proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2)-mediated regulation of Cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) expression on the biological activity of cutaneous malignant melanoma cells.

Methods

A375 cells with MYBL2 and CDCA8 overexpression and knockdown were evaluated using migration, invasion, and proliferation assays. Besides, cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. To investigate the tumorigenic effects of MYBL2 knockdown in vivo, A375 cells with MYBL2 knockdown were injected in BALB/C nude mice.

Results

The levels of MYBL2 and CDCA8 gene expression were notably elevated in A375 cells in comparison to HaCat cells (P < 0.05). Downregulation of MYBL2 led to a notable reduction in the migratory and invasive capability of A375 cells in vitro (P < 0.001). On the contrary, overexpression of MYBL2 enhanced migration and invasion ability (P < 0.001). There existed a positive correlation between CDCA8 and MYBL2 gene and protein expression levels after overexpression or knockdown of MYBL2 (P < 0.001). In the in vivo tumorigenic study, the MYBL2 knockdown group displayed a substantial decrease in tumor volume (P < 0.01) and exhibited decreased CDCA8 expression in tumors in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion

We arrived at such a conclusion that MYBL2 promoted the migration, invasion and proliferation ability of cutaneous malignant melanoma cells by targeted regulation of CDCA8 expression in this study.

CDCA gene family promotes progression and prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The cell division cycle-associated (CDCA) family participates in the cell cycle, and the dysregulation of its expression is associated with the development of several types of cancers. However, the roles of CDCAs in lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) have not been investigated in systematic research.

METHODS

Using data retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the expression of CDCAs in LUAD and normal tissues was compared, and survival analysis was performed using the data. Also, the correlation between clinical characteristics and the expression of CDCAs was assessed. Using data from cBioPortal, we investigated genetic alterations in CDCAs and their prognostic implications. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to validate our findings from TCGA data. Following this, we created a risk score model to develop a nomogram. We also performed gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), gene ontology, and KEGG pathway analysis. We used Timer to analyze the correlation between immune cell infiltration, tumor purity, and expression data.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that all CDCAs were expressed at high levels in LUAD; this could be associated with poor overall survival, as indicated in TCGA data. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses revealed that CDCA4/5 could serve as independent risk factors. The results of immunohistochemical analyses confirmed our results. Based on the estimation of expression levels, clinical characteristics, alterations, and immune infiltration, the low-risk group of CDCA4/5 had a better prognosis than the high-risk group. Immune therapy is also a potential treatment option.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings indicate that CDCAs play important roles in LUAD, and CDCA4/5 can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in LUAD.

Construction and verification of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-related prognostic model for endometrial cancer based on WGCNA and machine learning algorithms

Background

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress arises from the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins within the cell and is intricately linked to the initiation and progression of various tumors and their therapeutic strategies. However, the precise role of ER stress in uterine corpus endometrial cancer (UCEC) remains unclear.

Methods

Data on patients with UCEC and control subjects were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Using differential expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we identified pivotal differentially expressed ER stress-related genes (DEERGs). Further validation of the significance of these genes in UCEC was achieved through consensus clustering and bioinformatic analyses. Using Cox regression analysis and several machine learning algorithms (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator [LASSO], eXtreme Gradient Boosting [XGBoost], support vector machine recursive feature elimination [SVM-RFE], and Random Forest), hub DEERGs associated with patient prognosis were effectively identified. Based on the four identified hub genes, a prognostic model and nomogram were constructed. Additionally, a drug sensitivity analysis and in vitro validation experiments were performed.

Results

A total of 94 DEERGs were identified in patients with UCEC and healthy controls. Consensus clustering analysis revealed significant differences in prognosis, typical immune checkpoints, and tumor microenvironments between the subtypes. Using Cox regression analysis and machine learning, four hub DEERGs, MYBL2, RADX, RUSC2, and CYP46A1, were identified to construct a prognostic model. The reliability of the model was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the superior predictive ability of the nomogram in terms of 3- and 5-year survival, compared with that of other clinical indicators. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed increased sensitivity to dactinomycin, docetaxel, selumetinib, and trametinib in the low-risk group. The expressions of RADX, RUSC2, and CYP46A1 were downregulated, whereas that of MYBL2 was upregulated in UCEC tissues, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence assays.

Conclusion

This study developed a stable and accurate prognostic model based on multiple bioinformatics analyses, which can be used to assess the prognosis of UCEC. This model may contribute to future research on the risk stratification of patients with UCEC and the formulation of novel treatment strategies.

LINK-A: unveiling its functional role and clinical significance in human tumors

LINK-A, also recognized as LINC01139, has emerged as a key oncological lncRNA in cancer. LINK-A is upregulated in solid and liquid tumor samples, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, glioma, non-small-cell lung cancer, and mantle cell lymphoma. Notably, LINK-A is involved in regulating critical cancer-related pathways, such as AKT and HIF1α signaling, and is implicated in a range of oncogenic activities, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell invasion and migration, and glycolysis reprogramming. LINK-A's differential expression and its correlation with clinical features enable it to be a promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and the stratification of tumor progression. Additionally, LINK-A's contribution to the development of resistance to cancer therapies, including AKT inhibitors and immunotherapy, underscores its potential as a therapeutic target. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available data on LINK-A, focusing on its molecular regulatory pathways and clinical significance. By exploring the multifaceted nature of LINK-A in cancer, the review aims to offer a valuable resource for future research directions, potentially guiding the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting this lncRNA in cancer treatment.

The oncogene MYBL2 promotes the malignant phenotype and suppresses apoptosis through hedgehog signaling pathway in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Multiple cancers have been associated with MYB-related protein B (MYBL2), its involvement in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has yet to be demonstrated. Our study revealed a significant upregulation of MYBL2 in ccRCC tissues, correlating with clinicopathological features and patient prognosis. Increased MYBL2 expression promoted cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. RNA-seq analysis unveiled a reduction in smoothened (SMO) expression upon MYBL2 silencing. However, luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrated MYBL2's positive regulation of SMO expression by directly targeting the SMO promoter. Reintroduction of SMO expression in MYBL2-knocked down cells partially restored cell proliferation and mitigated apoptosis inhibition. Overall, these results indicate that MYBL2 facilitates ccRCC progression by enhancing SMO expression, suggesting its potential as an intriguing drug target for ccRCC therapy.

From modulation of cellular plasticity to potentiation of therapeutic resistance: new and emerging roles of MYB transcription factors in human malignancies

MYB transcription factors are encoded by a large family of highly conserved genes from plants to vertebrates. There are three members of the MYB gene family in human, namely, MYB, MYBL1, and MYBL2 that encode MYB/c-MYB, MYBL1/A-MYB, and MYBL2/B-MYB, respectively. MYB was the first member to be identified as a cellular homolog of the v-myb oncogene carried by the avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) causing leukemia in chickens. Under the normal scenario, MYB is predominantly expressed in hematopoietic tissues, colonic crypts, and neural stem cells and plays a role in maintaining the undifferentiated state of the cells. Over the years, aberrant expression of MYB genes has been reported in several malignancies and recent years have witnessed tremendous progress in understanding of their roles in processes associated with cancer development. Here, we review various MYB alterations reported in cancer along with the roles of MYB family proteins in tumor cell plasticity, therapy resistance, and other hallmarks of cancer. We also discuss studies that provide mechanistic insights into the oncogenic functions of MYB transcription factors to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Molecular profile of metastasis, cell plasticity and EMT in pancreatic cancer: a pre-clinical connection to aggressiveness and drug resistance

The metastasis is a multistep process in which a small proportion of cancer cells are detached from the colony to enter into blood cells for obtaining a new place for metastasis and proliferation. The metastasis and cell plasticity are considered major causes of cancer-related deaths since they improve the malignancy of cancer cells and provide poor prognosis for patients. Furthermore, enhancement in the aggressiveness of cancer cells has been related to the development of drug resistance. Metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells has been considered one of the major causes of death in patients and their undesirable prognosis. PC is among the most malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and in addition to lifestyle, smoking, and other factors, genomic changes play a key role in its progression. The stimulation of EMT in PC cells occurs as a result of changes in molecular interaction, and in addition to increasing metastasis, EMT participates in the development of chemoresistance. The epithelial, mesenchymal, and acinar cell plasticity can occur and determines the progression of PC. The major molecular pathways including STAT3, PTEN, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt participate in regulating the metastasis of PC cells. The communication in tumor microenvironment can provide by exosomes in determining PC metastasis. The components of tumor microenvironment including macrophages, neutrophils, and cancer-associated fibroblasts can modulate PC progression and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.

DLGAP5 triggers proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer by stabilizing E2F1 via USP11

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most widespread malignancies worldwide, and displays significant tumor heterogeneity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms exploitable for treating aggressive BLCA represents a crucial objective. Despite the involvement of DLGAP5 in tumors, its precise molecular role in BLCA remains unclear. BLCA tissues exhibit a substantial increase in DLGAP5 expression compared with normal bladder tissues. This heightened DLGAP5 expression positively correlated with the tumor's clinical stage and significantly affected prognosis negatively. Additionally, experiments conducted in vitro and in vivo revealed that alterations in DLGAP5 expression notably influence cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, the findings demonstrated that DLGAP5 was a direct binding partner of E2F1 and that DLGAP5 stabilized E2F1 by preventing the ubiquitination of E2F1 through USP11. Furthermore, as a pivotal transcription factor, E2F1 fosters the transcription of DLGAP5, establishing a positive feedback loop between DLGAP5 and E2F1 that accelerates BLCA development. In summary, this study identified DLGAP5 as an oncogene in BLCA. Our research unveils a novel oncogenic mechanism in BLCA and offers a potential target for both diagnosing and treating BLCA.

USP43 stabilizes c-Myc to promote glycolysis and metastasis in bladder cancer

A hallmark of tumor cells, including bladder cancer (BLCA) cells, is metabolic reprogramming toward aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). The classical oncogene MYC, which is crucial in regulating glycolysis, is amplified and activated in BLCA. However, direct targeting of the c-Myc oncoprotein, which regulates glycolytic metabolism, presents great challenges and necessitates the discovery of a more clarified regulatory mechanism to develop selective targeted therapy. In this study, a siRNA library targeting deubiquitinases identified a candidate enzyme named USP43, which may regulate glycolytic metabolism and c-Myc transcriptional activity. Further investigation using functional assays and molecular studies revealed a USP43/c-Myc positive feedback loop that contributes to the progression of BLCA. Moreover, USP43 stabilizes c-Myc by deubiquitinating c-Myc at K148 and K289 primarily through deubiquitinase activity. Additionally, upregulation of USP43 protein in BLCA increased the chance of interaction with c-Myc and interfered with FBXW7 access and degradation of c-Myc. These findings suggest that USP43 is a potential therapeutic target for indirectly targeting glycolytic metabolism and the c-Myc oncoprotein consequently enhancing the efficacy of bladder cancer treatment.

PLAGL2 promotes bladder cancer progression via RACGAP1/RhoA GTPase/YAP1 signaling

PLAGL2 is upregulated in various tumors, including bladder cancer (BCa). However, the mechanisms underlying the tumorigenic effects of PLAGL2 in BCa remain unclear. In our study, we proved that PLAGL2 was overexpressed in BCa tissues and correlated with decreased survival. Functionally, PLAGL2 deficiency significantly suppressed the proliferation and metastasis of BCa cells in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing, qRT‒PCR, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence staining, luciferase reporter, and ChIP assays revealed that overexpressed PLAGL2 disrupted the Hippo pathway and increased YAP1/TAZ activity by transactivating RACGAP1. Further investigations demonstrated that PLAGL2 activated YAP1/TAZ signaling via RACGAP1-mediated RhoA activation. Importantly, the RhoA inhibitor simvastatin or the YAP1/TAZ inhibitor verteporfin abrogated the proproliferative and prometastatic effects of BCa enhanced by PLAGL2. These findings suggest that PLAGL2 promotes BCa progression via RACGAP1/RhoA GTPase/YAP1 signaling. Hence, the core nodes of signaling may be promising therapeutic targets for BCa.

Disulfidptosis classification of hepatocellular carcinoma reveals correlation with clinical prognosis and immune profile

A new mode of cell death, disulfidptosis, has been discovered. Clinical prognostic significance of disulfidptosis related pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). In this study, a risk score model was established based on disulfidptosis model to analyze the role of risk score in clinical prognosis, immune cell infiltration, drug sensitivity and immunotherapy response. Disulfidptosis subtype were constructed based on the transcriptional profiles of 15 disulfidptosis-related genes(DRGs). All 601 samples were defined as high risk group(HRG) and low risk group(LRG) based on the disulfidptosis risk score. Drug sensitivity and response to immunotherapy were calculated by immunophenotypic score(IPS), tumor prediction, tumor immune dysfunction and rejection(TIDE). RT-qPCR was used to determine the mRNA level of disulfidptosis prognostic gene. Risk groups was identified as potential predictors of immune cell infiltration, drug sensitivity, and immunotherapy responsiveness. HRG may benefit from immunotherapy. Classification is very effective in predicting the prognosis and therapeutic effect of patients, and provides a reference for accurate individualized treatment. This study suggests that new biomarkers related to Disulfidptosis can be used in clinical diagnosis of liver cancer to predict prognosis and treatment targets.

Leveraging a disulfidptosis-based signature to improve the survival and drug sensitivity of bladder cancer patients

Background

Disulfidptosis is a recently discovered form of cell death. However, its biological mechanisms in bladder cancer (BCa) are yet to be understood.

Methods

Disulfidptosis-related clusters were identified by consensus clustering. A disulfidptosis-related gene (DRG) prognostic model was established and verified in various datasets. A series of experiments including qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, IHC, CCK-8, EdU, wound-healing, transwell, dual-luciferase reporter, and ChIP assays were used to study the biological functions.

Results

We identified two DRG clusters, which exhibited distinct clinicopathological features, prognosis, and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) landscapes. A DRG prognostic model with ten features (DCBLD2, JAM3, CSPG4, SCEL, GOLGA8A, CNTN1, APLP1, PTPRR, POU5F1, CTSE) was established and verified in several external datasets in terms of prognosis and immunotherapy response prediction. BCa patients with high DRG scores may be characterized by declined survival, inflamed TIME, and elevated tumor mutation burden. Besides, the correlation between DRG score and immune checkpoint genes and chemoradiotherapy-related genes indicated the implication of the model in personalized therapy. Furthermore, random survival forest analysis was performed to select the top important features within the model: POU5F1 and CTSE. qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry assays showed the enhanced expression of CTSE in BCa tumor tissues. A series of phenotypic assays revealed the oncogenetic roles of CTSE in BCa cells. Mechanically, POU5F1 can transactivate CTSE, promoting BCa cell proliferation and metastasis.

Conclusions

Our study highlighted the disulfidptosis in the regulation of tumor progression, sensitivity to therapy, and survival of BCa patients. POU5F1 and CTSE may be potential therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of BCa.

Roles of non-coding RNAs in the metabolism and pathogenesis of bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is featured as the second most common malignancy of the urinary tract worldwide with few treatments leading to high incidence and mortality. It stayed a virtually intractable disease, and efforts to identify innovative and effective therapies are urgently needed. At present, more and more evidence shows the importance of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) for disease-related study, diagnosis, and treatment of diverse types of malignancies. Recent evidence suggests that dysregulated functions of ncRNAs are closely associated with the pathogenesis of numerous cancers including BC. The detailed mechanisms underlying the dysregulated role of ncRNAs in cancer progression are still not fully understood. This review mainly summarizes recent findings on regulatory mechanisms of the ncRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs, in cancer progression or suppression and focuses on the predictive values of ncRNAs-related signatures in BC clinical outcomes. A deeper understanding of the ncRNA interactive network could be compelling framework for developing biomarker-guided clinical trials.

MYBL2 alternative splicing-related genetic variants reduce the risk of triple-negative breast cancer in the Chinese population

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant subtype of breast cancer, and studies have found an association between the Myb proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2) gene and TNBC development; however, the specific mechanisms underlying development remain unknown. Recent studies have reported the association of alternative splicing (AS) with cancer, providing new approaches to elucidate the carcinogenesis mechanism. This study aimed to identify MYBL2 AS-related genetic variants that influence the risk of developing TNBC, providing new ideas for probing the mechanism of TNBC and novel biomarkers for TNBC prevention. Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 217 patients with TNBC and 401 cancer-free controls. The CancerSplicingQTL database and HSF software were used to screen for MYBL2 AS-related genetic variants. The association of sample genotypes with the risk of TNBC development and with clinicopathological features was analysed via unconditional logistic regression. Combining multiple platforms, the candidate sites were subjected to biological function analysis. Results: Two AS-associated SNPs, rs285170 and rs405660, were identified using bioinformatics analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed that both rs285170 (OR = 0.541; 95% CI = 0.343-0.852; p = 0.008) and rs405660 (OR = 0.642; 95% CI = 0.469-0.879; p = 0.006) exhibited protective effects against TNBC under the additive model. Stratification analysis showed that these two SNPs had more significant protective effects in the Chinese population aged ≧50 years. Additionally, we found that rs405660 was associated with the risk of lymph node metastasis (OR = 0.396, 95% CI = 0.209-0.750, p = 0.005) in TNBC. Functional analysis revealed that both rs285170 and rs405660 are associated with splicing of exon 3 and that the exon 3-deleted spliceosome does not increase breast cancer risk. Conclusion: We found for the first time that MYBL2 AS-related genetic variants are associated with reduced TNBC susceptibility in the Chinese population, especially in women aged ≧50 years.