CHD1L prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatocellular carcinomar cell death by activating hnRNP A2/B1-nmMYLK axis

Ginsenoside Rh4 inhibits inflammation-related hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting HDAC4/IL-6/STAT3 signaling

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ginsenoside Rh4 (Rh4) on inflammation-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and the underlying mechanism. HCC cells (HUH7 and LM3) were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish an inflammatory environment in the absence or presence of Rh4. CCK-8, wound healing and transwell assays were employed to analyze the viability, migration and invasion of HCC cells. Ki67 expression was detected by immunofluorescence method. Besides, the levels of glucose and lactic acid were tested by kits. The expression of proteins related to migration, glycolysis and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4)/IL-6/STAT3 signaling was measured with western blot. The transplantation tumor model of HCC in mice was established to observe the impacts of Rh4 on the tumor growth. Results indicated that Rh4 restricted the viability and Ki67 expression in HCC cells exposed to LPS. The elevated migration and invasion of HCC cells triggered by LPS were reduced by Rh4. Additionally, Rh4 treatment remarkably decreased the contents of glucose and lactic acid and downregulated LDHA and GLUT1 expression. The database predicated that Rh4 could target HDAC4, and our results revealed that Rh4 downregulated HDAC4, IL-6 and p-STAT3 expression. Furthermore, the enforced HDAC4 expression alleviated the effects of Rh4 on the proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of HCC cells stimulated by LPS. Taken together, Rh4 could suppress inflammation-related HCC progression by targeting HDAC4/IL-6/STAT3 signaling. These findings clarify a new anti-cancer mechanism of Rh4 on HCC and provide a promising agent to limit HCC development.

Alternative splicing: a bridge connecting NAFLD and HCC

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming the most important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Understanding the progression of benign diseases to HCC is crucial for early prevention and reversal of malignant transformation. Alternative splicing (AS) of RNA plays a role in the pathogenicity, initiation, and transformation of liver disease. We summarize the changes or mutations in the activity of splicing factors in NAFLD and HCC, as well as the impact of AS mediated by epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, RNA methylation, histone modification, and protein phosphorylation on liver cell fate. We also summarize therapeutic methods and drugs that are helpful for treating NAFLD, HCC, and the early stages of NAFLD progression to HCC.

CRNDE mediated hnRNPA2B1 stability facilitates nuclear export and translation of KRAS in colorectal cancer

Development of colorectal cancer (CRC) involves activation of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) signaling. However, the post-transcriptional regulation of KRAS has yet to be fully characterized. Here, we found that the colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE)/heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1) axis was notably elevated in CRC and was strongly associated with poor prognosis of patients, while also significantly promoting CRC cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CRNDE maintained the stability of hnRNPA2B1 protein by inhibiting E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 mediated K63 ubiquitination-dependent protein degradation. CRNDE/hnRNPA2B1 axis facilitated the nuclear export and translation of KRAS mRNA, which specifically activated the MAPK signaling pathway, eventually accelerating the malignant progression of CRC. Our findings provided insight into the regulatory network for stable hnRNPA2B1 protein expression, and the molecular mechanisms by which the CRNDE/hnRNPA2B1 axis mediated KRAS nucleocytoplasmic transport and translation, deeply underscoring the bright future of hnRNPA2B1 as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC. By hindering hnRNPA2B1 from binding to the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21, whose mediated ubiquitin-dependent degradation was thereby inhibited, CRNDE protected the stability of hnRNPA2B1's high protein expression in CRC. Supported by the high level of the oncogenic molecule CRNDE, hnRNPA2B1 bound to KRAS mRNA and promoted KRAS mRNA nucleus export to enter the ribosomal translation program, subsequently activating the MAPK signaling pathway and ultimately accelerating the malignant progression of CRC.

Identification of a novel heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1) ligand that disrupts HnRNPA2B1/nucleic acid interactions to inhibit the MDMX-p53 axis in gastric cancer

Gastric carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor that still lacks effective molecular targets. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1) is an essential oncogenic driver overexpressed in various cancers. The potential role of hnRNPA2B1 in oncotherapy has not been revealed because of the absence of active chemical molecules. In this study, we identified the pseudourea derivative XI-011 as a novel hnRNPA2B1 ligand using chemical proteomics. An interaction study indicated that XI-011 could bind the nucleotide-binding domain to disrupt the recruitment of hnRNPA2B1 to the promoter and untranslated region of the murine double minute X (MDMX) gene, thereby inhibiting its transcription. In addition, chemical targeting of hnRNPA2B1 recovered inactivated p53 and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of apatinib in vivo. This work presented a novel strategy to restore p53 activity for the treatment of gastric cancers via chemically targeting hnRNPA2B1.

Emerging roles of hnRNP A2B1 in cancer and inflammation

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a group of RNA-binding proteins with important roles in multiple aspects of nucleic acid metabolism, including the packaging of nascent transcripts, alternative splicing, transactivation of gene expression, and regulation of protein translation. As a core component of the hnRNP complex in mammalian cells, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNP A2B1) participates in and coordinates various molecular events. Given its regulatory role in inflammation and cancer progression, hnRNP A2B1 has become a novel player in immune response, inflammation, and cancer development. Concomitant with these new roles, a surprising number of mechanisms deemed to regulate hnRNP A2B1 functions have been identified, including post-translational modifications, changes in subcellular localization, direct interactions with multiple DNAs, RNAs, and proteins or the formation of complexes with them, which have gradually made hnRNP A2B1 a molecular target for multiple drugs. In light of the rising interest in the intersection between cancer and inflammation, this review will focus on recent knowledge of the biological roles of hnRNP A2B1 in cancer, immune response, and inflammation.

Constructing a novel prognostic signature of tumor driver genes for breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

To systematically explore the function and prognostic ability of tumor-driver genes (TDGs) in breast carcinoma (BRCA).

METHODS

Functional enrichment analysis of BRCA differentially expressed TDGs was assesed. We used univariate Cox, lasso, and multivariate Cox regression to identify the independent prognostic TDGs of BRCA. Then we constructed a prognostic signature and verified its predictive performance. Gene set enrichment analysis of the signal pathway revealed the differences between the prognostic signature high- and low-risk groups. Finally, a nomogram related to the prognostic model was established and verified.

RESULTS

A total of 595 differentially expressed TDGs were identified, which are related to various molecular mechanisms of BRCA progression. We identified 8 independent prognostic TDGs for BRCA and validated their expression and prognosis with public data and clinical samples. The BRCA cohort was divided into training and validation cohorts, and prognostic signatures were constructed separately. The log-rank test showed that the survival rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group in the prognostic signature (P<0.001); the AUC in the three cohorts were 0.805, 0.712, and 0.760, respectively; the nomogram also showed better predictive performance. Analyzing the difference between the two risk subtypes, the high-risk group is mainly enriched in angiogenesis, MTORC1, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and glycolysis, which means it is highly malignant.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic signature and nomogram was confirmed to accurately predict the prognosis of patients with BRCA and we validated the hub genes, suggesting their potential as future therapeutic targets.