Actin like-6A promotes glioma progression through stabilization of transcriptional regulators YAP/TAZ

Xenotropic and polytropic retrovirus receptor 1 (XPR1) promotes progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma via the BRAF-ERK1/2-P53 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Xenotropic and polytropic retrovirus receptor 1 (XPR1), identified as a cellular receptor, plays roles in many pathophysiological processes. However, the underlying function and molecular mechanisms of XPR1 in PTC remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the role of XPR1 in the process of PTC and the potential mechanisms.

METHODS

RNA-sequencing was performed for gene differential expression analysis in PTC patients' tissues. Immunohistochemical assay, real-time PCR, and western blotting assay were used to determine the expression of XPR1, BRAF, and P53 in PTC tissues. The function of XPR1 on the progression of PTC was explored using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The molecular mechanism of XPR1 was investigated using gene silencing, ELISA, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and real-time PCR assays.

RESULTS

We found that XPR1 was markedly upregulated in PTC tissues compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues, suggesting that high expression of XPR1 could be correlated with poor patient disease-free survival in PTC. In addition, the expression of BRAF and P53 in PTC tissues was substantially higher than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. Silencing of XPR1 reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of TPC-1 cells in vitro and effectively inhibited the tumorigenecity of PTC in vivo. More importantly, silencing of XPR1 in TPC-1 cells significantly decreased the expression of XPR1, BRAF, and P53 both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, we demonstrated that XPR1 may positively activate the BRAF-ERK-P53 signaling pathway, further promoting PTC progression.

CONCLUSION

The findings reveal a crucial role of XPR1 in PTC progression and prognosis via the BRAF-ERK1/2-P53 signaling pathway, providing potential therapeutic targets for treating PTC.

Actin like 6A is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune cell infiltration in cancers

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of Actin like 6 A (ACTL6A) in cancer and explore the potential mechanism of its function.

METHODS

Differential expression of ACTL6A was analyzed using Oncomine and TIMER database. Then, we downloaded data sets from TCGA database. The correlation between ACTL6A expression and survival in pan-cancer were analyzed by "survival", "survminer" R package and PrognoScan database. STRING (v 11.0) and stringAPP for Cytoscape v3.7.2 were used to predict ACTL6A associated genes. Copy number and methylation alterations of ACTL6A were analyzed using cBioPortal and GSCALite. Transcription factors were downloaded from The Human Transcription Factors Database and analyzed using "limma" R package, JASPAR and PROMO database. Correlations analysis between ACTL6A and immune cells were performed using TIMER and GEPIA database.

RESULTS

In our studies, we found that ACTL6A was widely upregulated in cancers, which might be attributed to its gene amplifications. Moreover, ACTL6A might regulated by transcription factors (TFs), including E2F1, YY1, CDX2 and HOXD10. In addition, high ACTL6A expression was associated with poor prognosis in most cancers. Meanwhile, ACTL6A was associated with the infiltration of immune cells, especially in liver hepatocellular carcinoma and brain lower grade glioma.

CONCLUSION

Amplification of ACTL6A is correlated with poor prognosis and contribute to immune cells infiltration in LIHC and LGG, which may provide immune-related therapeutic targets to guide clinical strategies.

Sulforaphane suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in glioma via the ACTL6A/PGK1 axis

This study aimed to examine the expression and biological functions of ACTL6A in glioma cells (U251), the effects of sulforaphane on the growth of U251 cells and the involvement of the ACTL6A/PGK1 pathway in those effects. The U251 cell line was transfected with ACTL6A over-expression plasmids to upregulate the protein, or with ACTL6A inhibitor to underexpress it, then treated with different concentrations of sulforaphane. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were assessed using standard assays, and levels of mRNAs encoding ACTL6A, PGK1, cyclin D1, Myc, Bax or Bcl-2 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). ACTL6A and PGK1 were expressed at higher levels in glioma cell lines than in normal HEB cells. ACTL6A overexpression upregulated PGK1, whereas ACTL6A inhibition had the opposite effect. ACTL6A overexpression induced proliferation, whereas its inhibition repressed proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and halted the cell cycle. Moreover, sulforaphane suppressed the growth of U251 cells by inactivating the ACTL6A/PGK1 axis. ACTL6A acts via PGK1 to play a critical role in glioma cell survival and proliferation, and sulforaphane targets it to inhibit glioma.

ACTL6A: unraveling its prognostic impact and paving the way for targeted therapeutics in carcinogenesis

Introduction: Increased Actin-like 6A (ACTL6A) expression is associated with various cancers, but its comprehensive investigation across different malignancies is lacking. We aimed to analyze ACTL6A as a potential oncogene and therapeutic target using bioinformatics tools. Methods: We comprehensively analyzed ACTL6A expression profiles across human malignancies, focusing on correlations with tumor grade, stage, metastasis, and patient survival. Genetic alterations were examined, and the epigenetic landscape of ACTL6A was assessed using rigorous methods. The impact of ACTL6A on immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment was evaluated, along with molecular docking studies and machine learning models. Results: Our analysis revealed elevated ACTL6A expression in various tumors, correlating with poor prognostic indicators such as tumor grade, stage, metastasis, and patient survival. Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications were identified, along with associations with immune cell infiltration and key cellular pathways. Machine learning models demonstrated ACTL6A's potential for cancer detection. Discussion: ACTL6A emerges as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target in cancer, with implications for prognosis and therapy. Our study provides comprehensive insights into its carcinogenic actions, highlighting its potential as both a prognostic indicator and a target for anti-cancer therapy. This integrative approach enhances our understanding of ACTL6A's role in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.

Gene amplification of chromatin remodeling factor SMARCC2 and low protein expression of ACTL6A are unfavorable factors in ovarian high‑grade serous carcinoma

Ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (OHGSC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer worldwide. Genome sequencing has identified mutations in chromatin remodeling factors (CRFs) in gynecological cancer, such as clear cell carcinoma, endometrioid carcinoma and endometrial serous carcinoma. However, to the best of our knowledge, the association between CRFs and OHGSC remains unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of CRF dysfunction in OHGSC. CRF alterations were analyzed through numerous methods, including the analysis of public next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from 585 ovarian serous carcinoma cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and DNA copy number assays, which were performed on 203 surgically resected OHGSC samples. In the public NGS dataset, the most frequent genetic alteration was actin-like protein 6A (ACTL6A) amplification at 19.5%. Switch/sucrose non-fermentable related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily c member 2 (SMARCC2) amplification (3.1%) was associated with significantly decreased overall survival (OS). In addition, chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 4 (CHD4) amplification (5.7%) exhibited unfavorable outcome trends, although not statistically significant. IHC revealed the protein expression loss of ARID1A (2.5%), SMARCA2 (2.5%) and SMARCA4 (3.9%). The protein expression levels of ACTL6A, SMARCC2 and CHD4 were evaluated using H-score. Patients with low protein expression levels of ACTL6A showed a significantly decreased OS. Copy number gain or gene amplification was demonstrated in ACTL6A (66.2%) and SMARCC2 (33.5%), while shallow deletion or deep deletion was demonstrated in CHD4 (70.7%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in protein levels of these CRFs, between the different copy number alterations (CNAs). Overall, OHGSC exhibited CNAs and protein loss, indicating possible gene alterations in CRFs. Moreover, there was a significant association between the protein expression levels of ACTL6A and poor prognosis. Based on these findings, it is suggested that CRFs could serve as prognostic markers for OHGSC.

Targeting VPS72 inhibits ACTL6A/MYC axis activity in HCC progression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

HCC is a highly heterogeneous disease that is caused largely by genomic copy number variations. Herein, the mechanistic and therapeutically targeted role of vacuolar protein sorting 72 homologue (VPS72), a novel copy number variation cis-driven gained gene identified by genome-wide copy number variation and transcriptome analyses in HCC, is not well understood.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

First, overexpression of VPS72 enhanced the initiation and progression of HCC in vitro and in vivo . Mechanistically, VPS72 interacted with the oncoproteins MYC and actin-like 6A (ACTL6A) and promoted the formation of the ACTL6A/MYC complex. Furthermore, ACTL6A regulated VPS72 protein stability by weakening the interaction between tripartite motif containing 21 (TRIM21) and VPS72. Thus, the interaction between VPS72 and ACTL6A enhanced the affinity of MYC for its target gene promoters and promoted their transcription, thereby contributing to HCC progression, which was inhibited by adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against VPS72.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals the molecular mechanism of ACTL6A/VPS72/MYC in HCC, providing a theoretical basis and therapeutic target for this malignancy.

Beta-Transducin Repeats-Containing Proteins as an Anticancer Target

Beta-transducin repeat-containing proteins (β-TrCPs) are E3-ubiquitin-ligase-recognizing substrates and regulate proteasomal degradation. The degradation of β-TrCPs' substrates is tightly controlled by various external and internal signaling and confers diverse cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and DNA damage response. In addition, β-TrCPs function to regulate transcriptional activity and stabilize a set of substrates by distinct mechanisms. Despite the association of β-TrCPs with tumorigenesis and tumor progression, studies on the mechanisms of the regulation of β-TrCPs' activity have been limited. In this review, we studied publications on the regulation of β-TrCPs themselves and analyzed the knowledge gaps to understand and modulate β-TrCPs' activity in the future.

YAP/TAZ: Molecular pathway and disease therapy

The Yes-associated protein and its transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) are two homologous transcriptional coactivators that lie at the center of a key regulatory network of Hippo, Wnt, GPCR, estrogen, mechanical, and metabolism signaling. YAP/TAZ influences the expressions of downstream genes and proteins as well as enzyme activity in metabolic cycles, cell proliferation, inflammatory factor expression, and the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. YAP/TAZ can also be regulated through epigenetic regulation and posttranslational modifications. Consequently, the regulatory function of these mechanisms implicates YAP/TAZ in the pathogenesis of metabolism-related diseases, atherosclerosis, fibrosis, and the delicate equilibrium between cancer progression and organ regeneration. As such, there arises a pressing need for thorough investigation of YAP/TAZ in clinical settings. In this paper, we aim to elucidate the signaling pathways that regulate YAP/TAZ and explore the mechanisms of YAP/TAZ-induce diseases and their potential therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, we summarize the current clinical studies investigating treatments targeting YAP/TAZ. We also address the limitations of existing research on YAP/TAZ and propose future directions for research. In conclusion, this review aims to provide fresh insights into the signaling mediated by YAP/TAZ and identify potential therapeutic targets to present innovative solutions to overcome the challenges associated with YAP/TAZ.

ACTL6A protects gastric cancer cells against ferroptosis through induction of glutathione synthesis

Gastric cancer (GC), one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, exhibits a rapid metastasis rate and causes high mortality. Diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for GCs are urgently needed. Here we show that Actin-like protein 6 A (ACTL6A), encoding an SWI/SNF subunit, is highly expressed in GCs. ACTL6A is found to be critical for regulating the glutathione (GSH) metabolism pathway because it upregulates γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) expression, thereby reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inhibiting ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by the accumulation of lipid-based ROS. Mechanistic studies show that ACTL6A upregulates GCLC as a cotranscription factor with Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) and that the hydrophobic region of ACTL6A plays an important role. Our data highlight the oncogenic role of ACTL6A in GCs and indicate that inhibition of ACTL6A or GCLC could be a potential treatment strategy for GCs.

Angelicin impedes the progression of glioblastoma via inactivation of YAP signaling pathway

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a human malignant tumor with low survival and high recurrence rate. Angelicin, an active furanocoumarin compound, has been reported to possess potential antitumor activity towards various malignancies. However, the effect of angelicin on GBM cells and its mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we found that angelicin inhibited the proliferation of GBM by inducing the cell cycle arrested in G1 phase and suppressed the migration of GBM cells in vitro. Mechanically, we found that angelicin downregulated the expression of YAP and decreased the nuclear localization of YAP, and suppressed the expression of β-catenin. Furthermore, overexpression of YAP partially restored the inhibitory effect of angelicin on GBM cells in vitro. Finally, we found that angelicin could inhibit the growth of tumor and reduce the expression of YAP in the subcutaneous xenograft model of GBM in nude mice and the syngeneic intracranial orthotopic model of GBM in C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, our results suggest that the natural product angelicin exerts its anticancer effects on GBM via YAP signaling pathway, and is expected to be a promising compound for the treatment of GBM.

A Comprehensive Analysis Revealing FBXW9 as a Potential Prognostic and Immunological Biomarker in Breast Cancer

The WD40 repeat-containing F-box proteins (FBXWs) family belongs to three major classes of F-box proteins. Consistent with the function of other F-box proteins, FBXWs are E3 ubiquitin ligases to mediate protease-dependent protein degradation. However, the roles of several FBXWs remain elusive. In the present study, via integrative analysis of transcriptome profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, we found that FBXW9 was upregulated in the majority of cancer types, including breast cancer. FBXW expression was correlated with the prognosis of patients with various types of cancers, especially for FBXW4, 5, 9, and 10. Moreover, FBXWs were associated with infiltration of immune cells, and expression of FBXW9 was associated with poor prognosis of patients receiving anti-PD1 therapy. We predicted several substrates of FBXW9, and TP53 was the hub gene in the list. Downregulation of FBXW9 increased the expression of p21, a target of TP53, in breast cancer cells. FBXW9 was also strongly correlated with cancer cell stemness, and genes correlated with FBXW9 were associated with several MYC activities according to gene enrichment analysis in breast cancer. Cell-based assays showed that silencing of FBXW9 inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in breast cancer cells. Our study highlights the potential role of FBXW9 as a biomarker and promising target for patients with breast cancer.

Targeting Transcription Factors in Cancer: From "Undruggable" to "Druggable"

Deregulation of transcription factors is critical to hallmarks of cancer. Genetic mutations, gene fusions, amplifications or deletions, epigenetic alternations, and aberrant post-transcriptional modification of transcription factors are involved in the regulation of various stages of carcinogenesis, including cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Thus, targeting the dysfunctional transcription factors may lead to new cancer therapeutic strategies. However, transcription factors are conventionally considered as "undruggable." Here, we summarize the recent progresses in understanding the regulation of transcription factors in cancers and strategies to target transcription factors and co-factors for preclinical and clinical drug development, particularly focusing on c-Myc, YAP/TAZ, and β-catenin due to their significance and interplays in cancer.

Signaling pathways governing glioma cancer stem cells behavior

Glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor that develops in the glial tissue. Several studies have identified that glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs) play important roles in tumor-initiating features in malignant gliomas. GCSCs are a small population in the brain that presents an essential role in the metastasis of glioma cells to other organs. These cells can self-renew and differentiate, which are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of glioma. Therefore, targeting GCSCs might be a novel strategy for the treatment of glioma. Accumulating evidence revealed that several signaling pathways, including Notch, TGF-β, Wnt, STAT3, AKT, and EGFR mediated GCSC growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Besides, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, circular RNAs, and long ncRNAs have been found to play pivotal roles in the regulation of GCSC pathogenesis and drug resistance. Therefore, targeting these pathways could open a new avenue for glioma management. In this review, we summarized critical signaling pathways involved in the stimulation or prevention of GCSCs tumorigenesis and invasiveness.

BAF53A drives colorectal cancer development by regulating DUSP5-mediated ERK phosphorylation

BAF53A, an important subunit of the SWI/SNF epigenetic chromatin regulatory complex, has been implicated as the driver of diverse cancers. However, the role of BAF53A in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the expression of BAF53A in CRC samples and observed that BAF53A was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared with paired adjacent normal tissues. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that ectopic expression of BAF53A promoted colorectal cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and tumorigenesis, whereas knockdown of BAF53A hindered these cellular functions. DUSP5 (dual-specificity phosphatase 5), an ERK1/2-specific endogenous phosphatase, was expressed at low levels in CRC. We found a negative correlation between BAF53A and DUSP5 expression in a set of CRC samples. Mechanistic studies revealed that P63 was a potential transcription repressor of DUSP5. BAF53A could interact with P63, decreasing the DUSP5 expression level and subsequently promoting ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Thus, our study provides insights into the applicability of the BAF53A-DUSP5-ERK1/2 axis as a potential therapeutic target in CRC.

The interplay between noncoding RNA and YAP/TAZ signaling in cancers: molecular functions and mechanisms

The Hippo signaling pathway was found coordinately modulates cell regeneration and organ size. Its dysregulation contributes to uncontrolled cell proliferation and malignant transformation. YAP/TAZ are two critical effectors of the Hippo pathway and have been demonstrated essential for the initiation or growth of most tumors. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, have been shown to play critical roles in the development of many cancers. In the past few decades, a growing number of studies have revealed that ncRNAs can directly or indirectly regulate YAP/TAZ signaling. YAP/TAZ also regulate ncRNAs expression in return. This review summarizes the interactions between YAP/TAZ signaling and noncoding RNAs together with their biological functions on cancer progression. We also try to describe the complex feedback loop existing between these components.

TAZ ameliorates the microglia-mediated inflammatory response via the Nrf2-ROS-NF-κB pathway

Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), one of core modules of the Hippo pathway, involves inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver, but little information is available regarding its physiological function in the microglia-mediated inflammatory response. Here we revealed that activation of TAZ prevented microglia production of proinflammatory cytokines, indicating TAZ’s importance in anti-inflammation. After translocation into the nucleus, TAZ interacted with transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) and bound to the promoter of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), whose blockage caused inability of TAZ to improve inflammation, implying that Nrf2 is a direct target of TAZ. Further analysis showed that TAZ induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation to enhance antioxidant capacity with attenuation of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. Under inflammatory conditions, TAZ impeded mitochondrial dysfunction, as indicated by amelioration of ATP levels, mtDNA copy numbers, and mitochondrial membrane potential with an obvious reduction in mitochondrial superoxide, but this impediment was neutralized by blockage of Nrf2. TAZ hindered opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, restrained release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, and was sufficient to rescue microglia from apoptosis dependent on Nrf2. Nrf2 acted as a downstream target of TAZ to repress NF-κB activation by enhancing antioxidant capacity. Collectively, TAZ might ameliorate the microglia-mediated inflammatory response through the Nrf2-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway.

Functions of Yes-association protein (YAP) in cancer progression and anticancer therapy resistance

The Hippo pathway, a highly conserved kinase cascade, regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, organ size, and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of this pathway reportedly plays an important role in the progression of various human cancers. Yes-association protein (YAP), the Hippo pathway’s core effector, is considered a marker for cancer therapy and patient prognosis. In addition, studies have indicated that YAP is involved in promoting anticancer drug resistance. This review summarizes current knowledge on YAP’s role in cancer progression, anticancer drug resistance, and advances in the development of YAP-targeting drugs. A thorough understanding of the complex interactions among molecular, cellular, and environmental factors concerning YAP function in cancer progression may provide new insight into the underlying mechanism of anticancer drug resistance. It might lead to improved prognosis through novel combined therapies.

Upregulated Expression of Actin-Like 6A is a Risk Factor Affecting the Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose

Actin-like 6A (ACTL6A), a regulatory subunit of the ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex SWI/SNF, acts as an oncogenic factor. This study is aimed at evaluating the correlation between ACTL6A expression and clinicopathological parameters in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients.

Methods

The differences of Actl6a mRNA expression between PC tissues and normal pancreatic tissues were analyzed in public databases, and ACTL6A expression was then determined and confirmed in 60 paired tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry staining. The association analysis between ACTL6A expression and the clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed, as well as Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors in the overall survival (OS) of patients with PC.

Results

The mRNA expression of Actl6a showed significantly higher in PC compared to normal controls (p < 0.05) from public databases. The score of immunohistochemistry staining further confirmed that ACTL6A expression was significantly upregulated in PC tissues (p < 0.001) through immunohistochemistry staining. High ACTL6A expression was associated with lymphovascular space invasion of PC. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the high expression of ACTL6A was markedly associated with poor OS. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that ACTL6A acted as an independent risk factor for PC prognosis.

Conclusion

ACTL6A is upregulated in PC and acts as a risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with PC, and therefore clinicians could around it design preventive measures and individualized treatment to improve mortality in patients with PC.

ACTL6A suppresses p21Cip1 tumor suppressor expression to maintain an aggressive mesothelioma cancer cell phenotype

Mesothelioma is a poor prognosis cancer of the mesothelial lining that develops in response to exposure to various agents including asbestos. Actin-Like Protein 6A (ACTL6A, BAF53a) is a SWI/SNF regulatory complex protein that is elevated in cancer cells and has been implicated as a driver of cancer cell survival and tumor formation. In the present study, we show that ACTL6A drives mesothelioma cancer cell proliferation, spheroid formation, invasion, and migration, and that these activities are markedly attenuated by ACTL6A knockdown. ACTL6A expression reduces the levels of the p21^Cip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and tumor suppressor protein. DNA binding studies show that ACTL6A interacts with Sp1 and p53 binding DNA response elements in the p21^Cip1 gene promoter and that this is associated with reduced p21^Cip1 promoter activity and p21^Cip1 mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, ACTL6A suppression of p21^Cip1 expression is required for maintenance of the aggressive mesothelioma cancer cell phenotype suggesting that p21^Cip1 is a mediator of ACTL6A action. p53, a known inducer of p21^Cip1 expression, is involved ACTL6A in regulation of p21^Cip1 in some but not all mesothelioma cells. In addition, ACTL6A knockout markedly reduces tumor formation and this is associated with elevated tumor levels of p21^Cip1. These findings suggest that ACTL6A suppresses p21^Cip1 promoter activity to reduce p21^Cip1 protein as a mechanism to maintain the aggressive mesothelioma cell phenotype.

Cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) promotes malignant progression of human gliomas through inhibition of the Hippo signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Gliomas are the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumors and are associated with high mortality and incidence in humans. Despite rigorous multi-modal therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, patients with malignant glioma survive an average of 12-15 months following primary diagnosis. Therefore, new molecular biomarkers are urgently needed for diagnosis and targeted therapy. Here, we find that suppression of CKAP4 might inhibit glioma growth through regulation of Hippo signaling.

METHODS

We examined the expression levels of CKAP4 through analysis of RNA sequencing data from GEPIA and CGGA databases. Then, Lentivirus was used to construct stable cell lines with knockout or overexpression of CKAP4. Next, the function of CKAP4 on glioma was investigated in vitro and in an orthotopic brain tumor model in mice. Lastly, luciferase reporter assay, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were performed to explore the potential mechanism of how CKAP4 affects gliomas.

RESULTS

CKAP4 is highly upregulated in glioma and high CKAP4 expressing tumors were associated with poor patient survival. And CKAP4 promotes malignant progression of gliomas via inhibiting Hippo signaling.

CONCLUSION

CKAP4 has potential as a promising biomarker and can predict the prognosis of patients with gliomas. And targeting CKAP4 expression may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human gliomas.

Emerging roles for the YAP/TAZ transcriptional regulators in brain tumour pathology and targeting options

The transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein 1/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) have emerged as significant regulators of a wide variety of cellular and organ functions with impact in early embryonic development, especially during the expansion of the neural progenitor cell pool. YAP/TAZ signalling regulates organ size development, tissue homeostasis, wound healing and angiogenesis by participating in a complex network of various pathways. However, recent evidence suggests an association of these physiologic regulatory effects of YAP/TAZ with pro-oncogenic activities. Herein, we discuss the physiological functions of YAP/TAZ as well as the extensive network of signalling pathways that control their expression and activity, leading to brain tumour development and progression. Furthermore, we describe current targeting approaches and drug options including direct YAP/TAZ and YAP-TEA domain transcription factor (TEAD) interaction inhibitors, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) signalling modulators and kinase inhibitors, which may be used to successfully attack YAP/TAZ-dependent tumours.

Potential Role of SWI/SNF Complex Subunit Actin-Like Protein 6A in Cervical Cancer

SWI/SNF complex subunit Actin-like protein 6A (ACTL6A) has been regarded as an oncogene, regulating the proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. However, the expression pattern and biological role of ACTL6A in cervical cancer have not been reported. In this study, the mRNA expression and protein level of ACTL6A in cervical cancer samples were determined by public database and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. The effects of ACTL6A on cervical cancer cells were investigated via MTT, colony-formation assay, tumor xenografts and flow cytometry. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the potential mechanism of ACTL6A in regulating tumorigenesis of cervical cancer. The results revealed that ACTL6A was markedly upregulated in cervical cancer tissues. Silencing ACTL6A expression resulted in decreased cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that knockdown of ACTL6A induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, ACTL6A-mediated proliferation and cell cycle progression were c-Myc dependent. Our study provides the role of ACTL6A in cervical oncogenesis and reveals a potential target for therapeutic intervention in this cancer type.

ACTL6A promotes the growth in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating Hippo/Yap pathway

Purpose: To delve into the related molecular mechanism of ACTL6A on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell growth and apoptosis.Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and western blot assays were employed to examine ACTL6A mRNA and protein expression in four NSCLC cell line (NCI-H2170, LTEP-s, NCI-H1703, and PC-9) and normal lung cell line (BEAS-2B). CCK-8 cell viability assays and clone formation assay were applied to verify the cell proliferation of NCI-H2170 cell line after knockdown of ACTL6A. Flow cytometry assays were applied to check the role of ACTL6A in the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. The western blot assays were employed to examine the protein expression of WWC1, YAP, TAZ, and CYR61 in NCI-H2170 after knockdown of ACTL6A. Finally, xenograft tumor was taken out and checked the tumor volumes and weight. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assays were employed to examine cell proliferation and apoptosis of NSCLC in vivo.Results: In this study, the results showed that the mRNA and protein expression level of ACTL6A was higher in four NSCLC cell line than normal lung cell line, respectively. Suppression of ACTL6A inhibited the growth and promoted apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, ACTL6A promotes tumor growth and inhibits apoptosis of NSCLC in vivo via Hippo/YAP signaling pathway.Conclusion: ACTL6A promotes the proliferation in NSCLC by regulating Hippo/YAP pathway.

Recent insight into the role of RING-finger E3 ligases in glioma

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) serves as the major posttranslational modification system for the maintenance of protein homeostasis. The ubiquitin ligases (E3s) are responsible for the recognition and recruitment of specific substrate proteins for polyubiquitination. Really interesting new gene (RING) finger E3s account for the majority of E3s. The human genome encodes more than 600 RING E3s, which are divided into three subclasses: single polypeptide E3s, cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) and other multisubunit E3s. The abnormal regulation of RING E3s has been reported to disrupt normal biological processes and induce the occurrence of many human malignancies. Glioma is the most common type of malignant primary brain tumor. In the last few decades, patient prognosis has improved as novel targeted therapeutic agents have developed. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge about the dysregulation of RING E3s and the altered stability of their substrates in glioma. We will further introduce and discuss the current status and future perspectives of the application of small inhibitors and proteolysis-targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs) interfering with RING E3s as potential anticancer agents for glioma.

Actin-like protein 6A/MYC/CDK2 axis confers high proliferative activity in triple-negative breast cancer

Background

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with high proliferative activity. TNBC tumors exhibit elevated MYC expression and altered expression of MYC regulatory genes, which are associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis; however, the underlying mechanisms by which MYC retains its high expression and mediates TNBC tumorigenesis require further exploration.

Methods

ACTL6A regulation of MYC and its target gene, CDK2, was defined using Co-IP, mass spectrometry and ChIP assays. To study the role of ACTL6A in TNBC, we performed soft-agar, colony formation, flow cytometry and tumor formation in nude mice. CDK2 inhibitor and paclitaxel were used in testing combination therapy in vitro and in vivo.

Results

ACTL6A bound MYC to suppress glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β)-induced phosphorylation on MYC T58, which inhibited ubiquitination of MYC and stabilized it. Moreover, ACTL6A promoted the recruitment of MYC and histone acetyltransferase KAT5 on CDK2 promoters, leading to hyperactivation of CDK2 transcription. ACTL6A overexpression promoted, while silencing ACTL6A suppressed cell proliferation and tumor growth in TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo, which was dependent on MYC signaling. Furthermore, co-therapy with paclitaxel and CDK2 inhibitor showed synergistic effects in tumor suppression. Notably, ACTL6A/MYC/CDK2 axis was specifically up-regulated in TNBC and high expression of ACTL6A was correlated to shorter survival in patients with TNBC.

Conclusions

These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which ACTL6A prolongs the retention of MYC in TNBC and suggest that pharmacological targeting ACTL6A/MYC/CDK2 axis might have therapeutic potential in patients with TNBC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01856-3.

Hippo Signaling Pathway in Gliomas

The Hippo signaling pathway is a highly conserved pathway involved in tissue development and regeneration that controls organ size through the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The core Hippo pathway is composed of a block of kinases, MST1/2 (Mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 1/2) and LATS1/2 (Large tumor suppressor 1/2), which inhibits nuclear translocation of YAP/TAZ (Yes-Associated Protein 1/Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) and its downstream association with the TEAD (TEA domain) family of transcription factors. This pathway was recently shown to be involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis in several cancers such as lung, breast, or colorectal cancers but is still poorly investigated in brain tumors. Gliomas are the most common and the most lethal primary brain tumors representing about 80% of malignant central nervous system neoplasms. Despite intensive clinical protocol, the prognosis for patients remains very poor due to systematic relapse and treatment failure. Growing evidence demonstrating the role of Hippo signaling in cancer biology and the lack of efficient treatments for malignant gliomas support the idea that this pathway could represent a potential target paving the way for alternative therapeutics. Based on recent advances in the Hippo pathway deciphering, the main goal of this review is to highlight the role of this pathway in gliomas by a state-of-the-art synthesis.

ACTL6A Promotes the Proliferation of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells and Correlates with Poor Clinical Outcomes

Background

ACTL6A, a regulatory subunit of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes SWI/SNF, has been identified as a central oncogenic driver in many tumor types.

Materials and Methods

We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect ACTL6A expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. Then, the effect of ACTL6A on proliferation and DNA synthesis was explored by using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and EdU retention assays. The potential oncogenic mechanism of ACTL6A in ESCC cells was also analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blotting. We further established an ESCC xenograft mouse model to validate the in vitro results.

Results

ACTL6A expression, localized in cancer cell nuclei, was markedly higher in ESCC tissues than in the corresponding noncancerous tissues (P<0.001) and was positively associated with tumor size, histological differentiation, T stage and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that high ACTL6A expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) (P = 0.008, HR= 2.562, 95% CI: 1.241–5.289), and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated that ACTL6A could increase the clinical prognostic efficiency of the original clinical prediction model. Further in vitro experiments showed that ACTL6A knockdown led to inhibition of cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in ESCC cell lines, while overexpression of ACTL6A had the opposite effects. ACTL6A knockdown resulted in G1 phase arrest, with downregulation of cyclin D1, CDK2 and S6K1/pS6 pathway proteins and upregulation of p21 and p27, while overexpression of ACTL6A facilitated the entry of more cells into S phase with upregulated cyclin D1, CDK2 and S6K1/pS6 pathway proteins and downregulated p21 and p27. Finally, a xenograft mouse model of ESCC cells validated the results in vitro.

Conclusion

ACTL6A expression may affect the proliferation and DNA synthesis of ESCC cells by facilitating ESCC cell cycle redistribution via the S6K1/pS6 pathway. Therefore, ACTL6A may potentially become an alternative therapeutic target for ESCC.

NUSAP1 Promotes Gastric Cancer Tumorigenesis and Progression by Stabilizing the YAP1 Protein

The Yes-associated protein (YAP1) is a main effector of the canonical Hippo pathway, which contributes greatly to tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis in multiple cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). Due to limited knowledge of YAP1 upregulation in cancer, it is a great challenge of therapeutic targets toward the Hippo-YAP1 pathway. Here, we identify nucleolar spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) as a novel binding partner of YAP1. The upregulation of NUSAP1 is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in GC patients, and NUSAP1 depletion impairs its oncogenic properties in vitro and in a xenograft model. Mechanistically, we discovered that NUSAP1 functions as a positive regulator of YAP1 protein stability, thereby inducing the transcription of Hippo pathway downstream target genes, such as CTGF and CYR61. More interestingly, we find that the cancer-promoting effects of NUSAP1 on GC cell growth, migration, and invasion are mainly mediated by YAP1. Furthermore, aberrant expression of NUSAP1 and YAP1 is highly correlated in GC cell lines and tissues. We herein clarify the role of the oncogenic NUSAP1-YAP1 axis in GC tumorigenesis and progression and, therefore, provide novel therapeutic targets for GC treatment.

ACTL6A knockdown inhibits cell migration by suppressing the AKT signaling pathway and enhances the sensitivity of glioma cells to temozolomide

Molecular-targeted therapy has had a significant impact on glioma. Notably, actin-like 6A (ACTL6A) has been indicated to be essential for embryonic development and tumor progression. However, the role of ACTL6A in glioma remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ACTL6A on glioma cell migration and sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ). The expression levels of ACTL6A were analyzed in patients with glioma, and survival curves were created using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. U251 and T98G cells were transfected with short hairpin (sh)RNA for use in loss-of-function experiments to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanisms of ACTL6A. Furthermore, an MTT assay was used to assess the effect of ACTL6A on the sensitivity of glioma cells to TMZ. The results demonstrated that ACTL6A was expressed at higher levels in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues. Furthermore, high expression of ACTL6A was associated with a poor prognosis. The knockdown of ACTL6A significantly inhibited the migration phenotype in glioma cells and significantly decreased the levels of phosphorylated AKT in glioma cells. The AKT signaling activator SC79 partly attenuated the inhibitory effects of ACTL6A shRNA on glioma cell migration. Additionally, the knockdown of ACTL6A enhanced the sensitivity of glioma cells to TMZ. In conclusion, these results suggest that ACTL6A knockdown inhibited the migration of human glioma cells, at least in part through inactivation of the AKT signaling pathway, and increased the sensitivity of glioma cells to TMZ. Therefore, ACTL6A may be a potential therapeutic target for glioma.

ACTL6A suppresses p21Cip1 expression to enhance the epidermal squamous cell carcinoma phenotype

Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common and highly invasive form of cancer. SCC arises due to ultraviolet light exposure and is associated with increased expression of pro-cancer genes and reduced expression of cancer suppressors. Actin-Like Protein 6A (ACTL6A, BAF53a) is an important protein subunit of the SWI/SNF epigenetic chromatin regulatory complex. ACTL6A is elevated in cancer cells and has been implicated as a driver of cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. In the present study, we show that ACTL6A drives SCC cell proliferation, spheroid formation, invasion and migration, and that these activities are markedly reduced by ACTL6A knockdown. We further show that ACTL6A expression is associated with reduced levels of the p21^Cip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and tumor suppressor protein. Molecular studies show that ACTL6A interacts with p53 DNA response elements in the p21^Cip1 gene promoter to suppress p21^Cip1 promoter activity and mRNA and protein level. Additional studies show that an increase in p21^Cip1 expression in ACTL6A knockdown cells is required for suppression of the SCC cell phenotype, suggesting that p21^Cip1 is a mediator of ACTL6A action. We further show that this regulation is p53 independent. These findings suggest that ACTL6A suppresses p21^Cip1 promoter activity to reduce p21^Cip1 protein as a mechanism to maintain the aggressive epidermal SCC phenotype.

miR-550-1 functions as a tumor suppressor in acute myeloid leukemia via the hippo signaling pathway

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) are known to serve as key regulators of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our previous microarray analysis indicated miR-550-1 was significantly downregulated in AML. The specific biological roles of miR-550-1 and its indirect interactions and regulation of m⁶A in AML, however, remain poorly understood. At the present study, we found that miR-550-1 was significantly down-regulated in primary AML samples from human patients, likely owing to hypermethylation of the associated CpG islands. When miR-550-1 expression was induced, it impaired AML cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, thus suppressing tumor development. When ectopically expressed, miR-550-1 drove the G0/1 cell cycle phase arrest, differentiation, and apoptotic death of affected cells. We confirmed mechanistically that WW-domain containing transcription regulator-1 (WWTR1) gene was a downstream target of miR-550-1. Moreover, we also identified Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), a vital component of the m⁶A methyltransferase complex, as a target of miR-550-1. These data indicated that miR-550-1 might mediate a decrease in m⁶A levels via targeting WTAP, which led to a further reduction in WWTR1 stability. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we were able to determine that miR-550-1 disrupted the proliferation and tumorigenesis of AML cells at least in part via the direct targeting of WWTR1. Taken together, our results provide direct evidence that miR-550-1 acts as a tumor suppressor in the context of AML pathogenesis, suggesting that efforts to bolster miR-550-1 expression in AML patients may thus be a viable clinical strategy to improve patient outcomes.

Tissue stiffness contributes to YAP activation in bladder cancer patients undergoing transurethral resection

Changes in the cellular microenvironment play a critical role in the development of bladder cancer (BC). Yes-associated protein (YAP), a central mediator of the Hippo pathway, functions as a nuclear sensor of mechanotransduction that can be induced by stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including stiffness resulting from surgical manipulations. We aimed to clarify the possible association between surgically-related ECM stiffness and YAP activation in BC patients. We compared 30 bladder cancer tissues with grade II (n = 15 recurrent and n = 15 newly diagnosed) with 30 adjacent healthy tissues. Atomic force microscopy showed that patients with recurrent BC had stiffer ECM than newly diagnosed patients (P < 0.05). Gene expression profiles showed that β1 integrin (ITGB1), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), CDC42, and YAP were upregulated in cancerous tissues (P < 0.05); additionally, β1 integrin activation was confirmed using a specific antibody. Nuclear localization of YAP was higher in recurrent cancerous tissues compared with newly diagnosed and it was positively associated with higher stiffness (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that postsurgery-induced ECM stiffness can influence integrin-FAK-YAP activity and thereby YAP trafficking to the nucleus where it contributes to BC progression and relapse.

MiR-216a-3p suppresses the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer through downregulation of ACTL6A-mediated YAP signaling

The tumor-suppressive role of microRNA-216a-3p (miR-216a-3p) has been evidenced in multiple tumors. Yet, the relevance of miR-216a-3p in cervical cancer remains undermined. The current study was designed to determine the expression and potential function of miR-216a-3p in cervical cancer. Expression of miR-216a-3p was markedly decreased in cervical cancer and functional assays revealed an inhibitory effect of miR-216a-3p on the proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of cervical cancer. Actin-like 6A (ACTL6A) was identified as a target gene of miR-216a-3p. Elevated ACTL6A expression was detected in cervical cancer, and ACTL6A inhibition exhibited a tumor-suppressive effect. ACTL6A inhibition increased yes-associated protein (YAP) phosphorylation and downregulated YAP-mediated transcriptional activity. ACTL6A restoration or YAP reactivation partially abrogated the miR-216a-3p-mediated antitumor effect in cervical cancer cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that miR-216a-3p acts as a potential tumor-suppressive miRNA in cervical cancer, which exerts its function through inhibition of YAP signaling via targeting ACTL6A.

Recent Advances of the Hippo/YAP Signaling Pathway in Brain Development and Glioma

The Hippo signaling pathway is highly conserved from Drosophila melanogaster to mammals and plays a crucial role in organ size control, tissue regeneration, and tumor suppression. The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an important transcriptional co-activator that is negatively regulated by the Hippo signaling pathway. The Hippo signaling pathway is also regulated by various upstream regulators, such as cell polarity, adhesion proteins, and other signaling pathways (the Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and MAPK pathways). Recently, accumulated evidence suggests that the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway plays important roles in central nervous system development and brain tumor, including glioma. In this review, we summarize the results of recent studies on the physiological effect of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in neural stem cells, neural progenitor cells, and glial cells. In particular, we also focus on the expression of MST1/2, LATS1/2, and the downstream effector YAP, in glioma, and offer a review of the latest research of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in glioma pathogenesis. Finally, we also present future research directions and potential therapeutic strategies for targeting the Hippo/YAP signaling in glioma.

Variant WWTR1 gene fusions in epithelioid hemangioendothelioma-A genetic subset associated with cardiac involvement

The genetic hallmark of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a recurrent WWTR1-CAMTA1 fusion, which is present in most cases bearing a conventional histology. A subset of cases is characterized by a distinct morphology and harbors instead of YAP1-TFE3 fusion. Nevertheless, isolated cases lack these canonical fusions and remain difficult to classify. Triggered by an index case of a left atrial mass in a 76-year-old female with morphologic features typical of EHE, but which showed a WWTR1-MAML2 fusion by targeted RNA sequencing, we searched our files for similar cases displaying alternative WWTR1 fusions. A total of 6 EHE cases were identified with variant WWTR1 fusions, four of them presenting within the heart. There were three females and three males, with a wide age range at diagnosis (21-76 years, mean 62, median 69). The four cardiac cases occurred in older adults (mean age of 72, equal gender distribution); three involved the left atrium and one the right ventricle. One case presented in the vertebral bone and one in pelvic soft tissue. Microscopically, all tumors had morphologic features within the spectrum of classic EHE; two of the cases appeared overtly malignant. All cases were tested by FISH and four were investigated by targeted RNA sequencing. Two tumors harbored WWTR1-MAML2 fusions, one WWTR1-ACTL6A, and in three cases, no WWTR1 partner was identified. Of the four patients with follow-up, two died of disease, one was alive with lung metastases, and the only patient free of disease was s/p resection of a T11 vertebral mass. Our findings report on additional genetic variants involving WWTR1 rearrangements, with WWTR1-MAML2 being a recurrent event, in a small subset of EHE, which appears to have predilection for the heart.

PMEPA1 isoform a drives progression of glioblastoma by promoting protein degradation of the Hippo pathway kinase LATS1

The Hippo signaling pathway controls organ development and is also known, in cancer, to have a tumor suppressing role. Within the Hippo pathway, we here demonstrate, in human gliomas, a functional interaction of a transmembrane protein, prostate transmembrane protein, androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1) with large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1). We show that PMEPA1 is upregulated in primary human gliomas. The PMEPA1 isoform PMEPA1a was predominantly expressed in glioma specimens and cell lines, and ectopic expression of the protein promoted glioma growth and invasion in vitro and in an orthotopic xenograft model in nude mice. In co-immunoprecipitation experiments, PMEPA1a associated with the Hippo tumor suppressor kinase LATS1. This interaction led to a proteasomal degradation of LATS1 through recruitment of the ubiquitin ligase, neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 4 (NEDD4), which led to silencing of Hippo signaling. Alanine substitution in PMEPA1a at PY motifs resulted in failed LATS1 degradation. Targeting of a downstream component in the Hippo signaling pathway, YAP, with shRNA, interfered with the growth promoting activities of PMEPA1a in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the presented work shows that PMEPA1a contributes to glioma progression by a dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway and thus represents a promising target for the treatment of gliomas.

ACTL6A regulates follicle-stimulating hormone-driven glycolysis in ovarian cancer cells via PGK1

Enhanced glycolysis has been identified as a hallmark of cancer. As a novel oncogene, ACTL6A is aberrantly amplified in several types of human cancers and has been shown to regulate tumor growth and progression. However, the roles of ACTL6A in the development of ovarian cancer and the regulation of cancer glucose metabolism are mostly unknown. Here we show that ACTL6A is overexpressed in ovarian cancers compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues, and that ACTL6A overexpression correlates with poor prognosis. Silencing of ACTL6A in vitro inhibits proliferation, clonal growth, and migration, and decreases glucose utilization, lactate production, and pyruvate levels of ovarian cancer cells. We found a positive correlation between ACTL6A and PGK1 expression in ovarian cancer tissues. Enforced ACTL6A expression increased PGK1 expression, whereas knockdown of ACTL6A had the opposite effect. Altered ACTL6A expression inhibits the tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells in vivo by downregulating PGK1. In addition, the expression of ACTL6A is regulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation via PI3K/AKT pathway. Importantly, ACTL6A regulates FSH-enhanced glycolysis in ovarian cancer. Taken together, our findings highlight the critical role of ACTL6A in ovarian cancer development and identify its contribution to glucose metabolism of cancer cells.

Enhanced blood-brain-barrier penetrability and tumor-targeting efficiency by peptide-functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimer for the therapy of gliomas

Glioblastoma is one of the most common primary tumor types of central nervous system (CNS) with high malignance and lethality. Although many treatment options are currently available, the therapy of brain cancers remains challenging because of blood-brain-barrier (BBB) which prevents most of the chemotherapeutics into the CNS. In this work, a poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based carrier was fabricated and modified with angiopep-2 (Ang2) peptide that has been demonstrated to bind to low density lipoprotein receptor-relative protein-1 (LRP1) on the endothelial cells of BBB and could therefore induce BBB penetration of the carrier. To improve tumor-targeting effect towards the glioma sites, the dendrimer was simultaneously functionalized with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting peptide (EP-1) which was screened from a "one-bead one-compound" (OBOC) combinatorial library. EP-1 peptide was demonstrated to have high affinity and specificity to EGFR at both the molecular and cellular levels. The dual-targeting dendrimer exhibited outstanding BBB penetrability and glioma targeting efficiency both in vitro and in vivo, which strikingly enhanced the anti-gliomas effect of the drugs and prolonged the survival of gliomas-bearing mice. These results show the potential of the dual-targeting dendrimer-based carrier in the therapy of gliomas through enhancing BBB penetrability and tumor targeting.

The genetic alteration spectrum of the SWI/SNF complex: The oncogenic roles of BRD9 and ACTL6A

SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable (SWI/SNF) is a set of multi-subunits chromatin remodeling complexes, playing important roles in a variety of biological processes. Loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding SWI/SNF subunits have been reported in more than 20% of human cancers. Thus, it was widely considered as a tumor suppressor in the past decade. However, recent studies reported that some genes encoding subunits of SWI/SNF complexes were amplified and play oncogenic roles in human cancers. In present study, we summarized the genetic alteration spectrum of SWI/SNF complexes, and firstly systematically estimated both the copy number variations and point mutations of all 30 genes encoding the subunits in this complex. Additionally, the bioinformatics analyses were performed for two significantly amplified genes, ACTL6A and BRD9, to investigate their oncogenic roles in human cancers. Our findings may lay a foundation for the discovery of potential treatment targets in SWI/SNF complexes of cancers.

Long Noncoding RNA SChLAP1 Forms a Growth-Promoting Complex with HNRNPL in Human Glioblastoma through Stabilization of ACTN4 and Activation of NF-κB Signaling

PURPOSE

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have essential roles in diverse cellular processes, both in normal and diseased cell types, and thus have emerged as potential therapeutic targets. A specific member of this family, the SWI/SNF complex antagonist associated with prostate cancer 1 (SChLAP1), has been shown to promote aggressive prostate cancer growth by antagonizing the SWI/SNF complex and therefore serves as a biomarker for poor prognosis. Here, we investigated whether SChLAP1 plays a potential role in the development of human glioblastoma (GBM).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

RNA-ISH and IHC were performed on a tissue microarray to assess expression of SChLAP1 and associated proteins in human gliomas. Proteins complexed with SChLAP1 were identified using RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry. Lentiviral constructs were used for functional analysis in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

SChLAP1 was increased in primary GBM samples and cell lines, and knockdown of the lncRNA suppressed growth. SChLAP1 was found to bind heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (HNRNPL), which stabilized the lncRNA and led to an enhanced interaction with the protein actinin alpha 4 (ACTN4). ACTN4 was also highly expressed in primary GBM samples and was associated with poorer overall survival in glioma patients. The SChLAP1-HNRNPL complex led to stabilization of ACTN4 through suppression of proteasomal degradation, which resulted in increased nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of NF-κB and activation of NF-κB signaling, a pathway associated with cancer development.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results implicated SChLAP1 as a driver of GBM growth as well as a potential therapeutic target in treatment of the disease.

RNA splicing factor USP39 promotes glioma progression by inducing TAZ mRNA maturation

Increasing evidence demonstrates that ubiquitin specific protease 39 (USP39) plays an oncogenic role in various human tumors. Here, using expression analysis of the publicly available Oncomine database, clinical glioma patient samples, and glioma cells, we found that USP39 was overexpressed in human gliomas. Knockdown of USP39 in glioma cells demonstrated that the protein promoted cell growth, invasion and migration in vitro and in a tumor model in nude mice. To identify mediators of USP39 growth-promoting properties, we used luciferase reporter constructs under transcriptional control of various promoters specific to seven canonical cancer-associated pathways. Luciferase activity from a synthetic TEAD-dependent YAP/TAZ-responsive reporter, as a direct readout of the Hippo signaling pathway, was decreased by 92% in cells with USP39 knockdown, whereas the luciferase activities from the other six cancer pathways, including MAPK/ERK, MAPK/JNK, NFκB, Notch, TGFβ, and Wnt, remained unchanged. TAZ protein expression however was decreased independent of canonical Hippo signaling. Immunohistochemistry revealed a positive correlation between USP39 and TAZ proteins in orthotopic xenografts derived from modified glioma cells expressing USP39 shRNAs and primary human glioma samples (p < 0.05). Finally, loss of USP39 decreased TAZ pre-mRNA splicing efficiency in glioma cells in vitro, which led to reduced levels of TAZ protein. In summary, USP39 has oncogenic properties that increase TAZ protein levels by inducing maturation of its mRNA. USP39 therefore provides a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of human glioma.

Central neurocytoma: SNP array analyses, subtel FISH, and review of the literature

The central neurocytoma (CN) is a rare brain tumor with a frequency of 0.1-0.5% of all brain tumors. According to the World Health Organization classification, it is a benign grade II tumor with good prognosis. However, some CN occur as histologically "atypical" variant, combined with increasing proliferation and poor clinical outcome. Detailed genetic knowledge could be helpful to characterize a potential atypical behavior in CN. Only few publications on genetics of CN exist in the literature. Therefore, we performed cytogenetic analysis of an intraventricular neurocytoma WHO grade II in a 39-year-old male patient by use of genome-wide high-density single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) and subtelomere FISH. Applying these techniques, we could detect known chromosomal aberrations and identified six not previously described chromosomal aberrations, gains of 1p36.33-p36.31, 2q37.1-q37.3, 6q27, 12p13.33-p13.31, 20q13.31-q13.33, and loss of 19p13.3-p12. Our case report contributes to the genetic knowledge about CN and to increased understanding of "typical" and "atypical" variants.

TAZ sensitizes EGFR wild-type non-small-cell lung cancer to gefitinib by promoting amphiregulin transcription

Comparatively less toxic and more tolerated, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are recommendable for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations. Some EGFR wild-type patients with specific biomarkers also show a response to the drug. TAZ is an oncogene closely associated with the therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKIs. However, this association remains to be clarified. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism through which TAZ sensitizes EGFR wild-type NSCLC to gefitinib. We used CCK-8 assays and in vivo experiments to investigate the influence of TAZ on gefitinib in EGFR wild-type NSCLC. To further validate the tumorigenic role of TAZ, we performed Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation and migration assays. Luciferase reporter assays, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), immunoblotting and Chromatin immunoprecipitation collaborated with qPCR illuminated the mechanism through which TAZ caused those phenotypes. The results showed TAZ promoted the angiogenesis of NSCLC cell lines and improved gefitinib sensitivity in EGFR wild-type NSCLC in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase reporter assays and ChIP-qPCR experiments showed TAZ upregulated AREG by promoting its transcription. EGFR signaling pathway was activated as TAZ was highly expressed. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm the indispensable role of AREG in tumorigenesis and gefitinib sensitivity regulated by TAZ. Our study concluded that TAZ sensitized EGFR wild-type NSCLC to gefitinib through promoting amphiregulin transcription.

ACTL6A interacts with p53 in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell lines to affect differentiation via the Sox2/Notch1 signaling pathway

Actin-like 6A (ACTL6A), a component of BAF chromatin remodeling complexes, is important for cell differentiation. Nevertheless, its role and mechanism in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has not been reported. To identify the genes that may participate in the development of APL, we analyzed data from an APL cDNA microarray (GSE12662) in the NCBI database, and found that ACTL6A was up-regulated in APL patients. Subsequently, we investigated the function and mechanisms of ACTL6A in myeloid cell development. The expression of ACTL6A was gradually decreased during granulocytic differentiation in all-trans retinoic acid-treated NB4 and HL-60 cells, and phorbol myristate acetate-treated HL-60 cells. We also found that knockdown of ACTL6A promoted differentiation in NB4 and HL-60 cells, and decreased the levels of Sox2 and Notch1. Mechanistically, ACTL6A interacted with and was co-localized with Sox2 and p53. Meanwhile, CBL0137, an activator of p53, decreased the expression of ACTL6A and promoted differentiation in NB4 and HL-60 cells. These findings suggest that the inhibition of ACTL6A promotes differentiation via the Sox2 and Notch1 signaling pathways. Furthermore, the differentiation promoted by inhibiting ACTL6A could be regulated by p53 via its physical interaction with ACTL6A.

Analysis of chromatin accessibility uncovers TEAD1 as a regulator of migration in human glioblastoma

The intrinsic drivers of migration in glioblastoma (GBM) are poorly understood. To better capture the native molecular imprint of GBM and its developmental context, here we isolate human stem cell populations from GBM (GSC) and germinal matrix tissues and map their chromatin accessibility via ATAC-seq. We uncover two distinct regulatory GSC signatures, a developmentally shared/proliferative and a tumor-specific/migratory one in which TEAD1/4 motifs are uniquely overrepresented. Using ChIP-PCR, we validate TEAD1 trans occupancy at accessibility sites within AQP4, EGFR, and CDH4. To further characterize TEAD’s functional role in GBM, we knockout TEAD1 or TEAD4 in patient-derived GBM lines using CRISPR-Cas9. TEAD1 ablation robustly diminishes migration, both in vitro and in vivo, and alters migratory and EMT transcriptome signatures with consistent downregulation of its target AQP4. TEAD1 overexpression restores AQP4 expression, and both TEAD1 and AQP4 overexpression rescue migratory deficits in TEAD1-knockout cells, implicating a direct regulatory role for TEAD1–AQP4 in GBM migration.

The intrinsic drivers of glioblastoma (GBM) migration are still poorly understood. Here the authors purify GBM stem cells (GSCs) from patients and profile chromatin accessibility in these cells, identifying TEAD1 as a regulator of migration in human glioblastoma.