1
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Bi HE, Zhang J, Yao Y, Wang S, Yao J, Shao Z, Jiang Q. Expression and functional significance of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 in uveal melanoma. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:196. [PMID: 38670942 PMCID: PMC11053060 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UVM), an uncommon yet potentially life-threatening ocular cancer, arises from melanocytes in the uveal tract of the eye. The exploration of novel oncotargets for UVM is of paramount importance. In this study, we show that PCK1 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1) expression is upregulated in various UVM tissues as well as in primary UVM cells and immortalized lines. Furthermore, bioinformatics studies reveal that PCK1 overexpression in UVM correlates with advanced disease stages and poor patient survival. Genetic silencing (utilizing viral shRNA) or knockout (via CRISPR/Cas9) of PCK1 significantly curtailed cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, and motility, while provoking apoptosis in primary and immortalized UVM cells. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of PCK1, achieved through a viral construct, bolstered UVM cell proliferation and migration. Gαi3 expression and Akt phosphorylation were reduced following PCK1 silencing or knockout, but increased after PCK1 overexpression in UVM cells. Restoring Akt phosphorylation through a constitutively active mutant Akt1 (S473D) ameliorated the growth inhibition, migration suppression, and apoptosis induced by PCK1 silencing in UVM cells. Additionally, ectopic expression of Gαi3 restored Akt activation and counteracted the anti-UVM cell effects by PCK1 silencing. In vivo, the growth of subcutaneous xenografts of primary human UVM cells was significantly inhibited following intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus (aav) expressing PCK1 shRNA. PCK1 depletion, Gαi3 downregulation, Akt inhibition, proliferation arrest, and apoptosis were detected in PCK1-silenced UVM xenografts. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that PCK1 promotes UVM cell growth possibly by modulating the Gαi3-Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-E Bi
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yujia Yao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Suyu Wang
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Yao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Zhijiang Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Qin Jiang
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Yang X, Tao Y, Xu Y, Cai W, Shao Q. SLC35A2 expression drives breast cancer progression via ERK pathway activation. FEBS J 2024; 291:1483-1505. [PMID: 38143314 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in glycosylation are associated with breast tumor formation and progression. Nevertheless, the specific functions and mechanisms of the human major UDP-galactose transporter-encoding gene solute carrier family 35 member A2 (SLC35A2) in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) have not been fully determined. Here, we report that SLC35A2 promotes BRCA progression by activating extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). SLC35A2 expression and prognosis-predictive significance in pan-cancer were evaluated using public databases. The upstream non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of SLC35A2 were analyzed, and their expression and regulations were validated in breast tissues and cell lines by a quantitative PCR and dual-luciferase assays. We used bioinformatic tools to assess the link between SLC35A2 expression and immune infiltration and performed immunohistochemistry for validation. Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, transwell, flow cytometer and western blotting were used to assess the proliferation, motility, cell cycle and apoptosis of BRCA cells in vitro. The xenograft models were constructed to assess the effect of SLC35A2 on BRCA tumor growth in vivo. The results indicated that SLC35A2 expression was upregulated and linked to an unfavorable prognosis in BRCA. The most likely upstream ncRNA-associated pathway of SLC35A2 in BRCA was the AC074117.1/hsa-let-7b-5p axis. SLC35A2 expression had positive correlations with the presence of Th2 cells, regulatory T cells and immune checkpoints. Knockdown of SLC35A2 could reduce BRCA cell proliferation, motility, and cause G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis via ERK signaling. Moreover, ERK activation can rescue the inhibitory effects of knockdown SLC35A2 in BRCA. In conclusion, AC074117.1/hsa-let-7b-5p axis-mediated high expression of SLC35A2 acts as a tumor promoter in BRCA via ERK signaling, which provides a potential target for BRCA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
| | - Yukai Tao
- Clinical Research & Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
| | - Weili Cai
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, The Digestive and Reproductive System Cancers Precise Prevention Engineering Research Center of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, China
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Clinical Research & Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, China
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, The Digestive and Reproductive System Cancers Precise Prevention Engineering Research Center of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai'an, China
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Kong Y, Li X, Zhang H, Fu B, Jiang HY, Yang HL, Dai J. Targeting POLRMT by a first-in-class inhibitor IMT1 inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:57. [PMID: 38228583 PMCID: PMC10791695 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive form of bone cancer that predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. In this study, we have undertaken an investigation into the potential anti-OS cell activity of IMT1 (inhibitor of mitochondrial transcription 1), a first-in-class inhibitor of RNA polymerase mitochondrial (POLRMT). IMT1 exhibited a profound inhibitory effect on cell survival, proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration in primary and immortalized OS cells. Furthermore, this POLRMT inhibitor elicited apoptosis in the OS cells, without, however, inducing cytotoxicity in human osteoblasts or osteoblastic cells. IMT1 disrupted mitochondrial functions in OS cells, resulting in mitochondrial depolarization, oxidative injury, lipid peroxidation, and ATP reduction in OS cells. Silencing POLRMT using targeted shRNA closely mimicked the actions of IMT1 and exerted potent anti-OS cell activity. Importantly, IMT1's effectiveness was diminished in POLRMT-silenced OS cells. Subsequent investigations revealed that IMT1 suppressed the activation of the Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) cascade in OS cells. IMT1 treatment or POLRMT silencing in primary OS cells led to a significant reduction in Akt1-S6K-S6 phosphorylation. Conversely, it was enhanced upon POLRMT overexpression. The restoration of Akt-mTOR activation through the introduction of a constitutively active S473D mutant Akt1 (caAkt1) mitigated IMT1-induced cytotoxicity in OS cells. In vivo, oral administration of IMT1 robustly curtailed the growth of OS xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, IMT1 suppressed POLRMT activity, impaired mitochondrial function, repressed Akt-mTOR activation, and induced apoptosis within xenograft tissues. Collectively, these findings underscore the potent growth-inhibitory effects attributed to IMT1 via targeted POLRMT inhibition. The utilization of this POLRMT inhibitor carries substantial therapeutic promise in the context of OS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Kong
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics, The First People's Hospital of ChuZhou, ChuZhou, China
| | - Xiangrong Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Kongjiang Hospital of Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanle Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hua-Ye Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hui-Lin Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- Orthopedic Institute, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Jin Dai
- Department of Orthopedics, Suzhou Wujiang District Children's Hospital, Suzhou, China.
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Cheng F, Tang YF, Cao Y, Peng SQ, Zhu XR, Sun Y, Wang SH, Wang B, Lu YM. KCNAB2 overexpression inhibits human non-small-cell lung cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:382. [PMID: 37852974 PMCID: PMC10584983 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01679-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. NSCLC patients often have poor prognosis demanding urgent identification of novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. KCNAB2 (regulatory beta subunit2 of voltage-gated potassium channel), encoding aldosterone reductase, plays a pivotal role in regulating potassium channel activity. In this research, we tested the expression of KCNAB2 as well as its potential functions in human NSCLC. Bioinformatics analysis shows that expression of KCNAB2 mRNA is significantly downregulated in human NSCLC, correlating with poor overall survival. In addition, decreased KCNAB2 expression was detected in different NSCLC cell lines and local human NSCLC tissues. Exogenous overexpression of KCNAB2 potently suppressed growth, proliferation and motility of established human NSCLC cells and promoted NSCLC cells apoptosis. In contrast, CRISPR/Cas9-induced KCNAB2 knockout further promoted the malignant biological behaviors of NSCLC cells. Protein chip analysis in the KCNAB2-overexpressed NSCLC cells revealed that KCNAB2 plays a possible role in AKT-mTOR cascade activation. Indeed, AKT-mTOR signaling activation was potently inhibited following KCNAB2 overexpression in NSCLC cells. It was however augmented by KCNAB2 knockout. In vivo, the growth of subcutaneous KCNAB2-overexpressed A549 xenografts was significantly inhibited. Collectively, KCNAB2 could be a novel effective gene for prognosis prediction of NSCLC. Targeting KCNAB2 may lead to the development of advanced therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Huzhou Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Respiratory Diseases, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu-Fei Tang
- Department of Soochow Medical college, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Respiratory, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Shi-Qing Peng
- Clinical Research and Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Xiao-Ren Zhu
- Clinical Research and Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Clinical Research and Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Shu-Hang Wang
- Clinical Research and Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yi-Min Lu
- Department of Respiratory, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China.
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Peng SQ, Zhu XR, Zhao MZ, Zhang YF, Wang AR, Chen MB, Ye ZY. Identification of matrix-remodeling associated 5 as a possible molecular oncotarget of pancreatic cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:157. [PMID: 36828810 PMCID: PMC9958022 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05684-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis. Here we examined expression, potential functions and underlying mechanisms of MXRA5 (matrix remodeling associated 5) in pancreatic cancer. Bioinformatics studies revealed that MXRA5 transcripts are significantly elevated in pancreatic cancer tissues, correlating with the poor overall survival, high T-stage, N1 and pathologic stage of the patients. MXRA5 mRNA and protein expression is significantly elevated in microarray pancreatic cancer tissues and different pancreatic cancer cells. In primary and immortalized (BxPC-3 and PANC-1 lines) pancreatic cancer cells, shRNA-induced MXRA5 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MXRA5 knockout suppressed cell survival, proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while provoking cell apoptosis. Conversely, forced overexpression of MXRA5 further promoted pancreatic cancer cell progression and EMT. Bioinformatics studies and the protein chip analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in MXRA5-overexpressed primary pancreatic cancer cells were enriched in the PI3K-Akt-mTOR cascade. Indeed, Akt-mTOR activation in primary human pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by MXRA5 shRNA or knockout, but was augmented following MXRA5 overexpression. In vivo, the growth of MXRA5 KO PANC-1 xenografts was largely inhibited in nude mice. Moreover, intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus-packed MXRA5 shRNA potently inhibited primary pancreatic cancer cell growth in nude mice. Akt-mTOR activation was also largely inhibited in the MXRA5-depleted pancreatic cancer xenografts. Contrarily MXRA5 overexpression promoted primary pancreatic cancer cell growth in nude mice. Together, overexpressed MXRA5 is important for pancreatic cancer cell growth possibly through promoting EMT and Akt-mTOR activation. MXRA5 could be a potential therapeutic oncotarget for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Qing Peng
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Xiao-Ren Zhu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Ming-Zhi Zhao
- Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease and Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi-Fan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - An-Ran Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Min-Bin Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China.
| | - Zhen-Yu Ye
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Identification of G protein subunit alpha i2 as a promising therapeutic target of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:143. [PMID: 36805440 PMCID: PMC9941495 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05675-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem. Its incidence and mortality are increasing. Exploring novel therapeutic targets against HCC is important and urgent. We here explored the expression and potential function of Gαi2 (G protein subunit alpha i2) in HCC. The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) database shows that the number of Gαi2 transcripts in HCC tissues is significantly higher than that in the normal liver tissues. Moreover, Gαi2 overexpression in HCC correlates with poor prognosis of the patients. Gαi2 mRNA and protein expression are also elevated in local HCC tissues and different human HCC cells. In patient-derived primary HCC cells and immortalized HepG2 cells, Gαi2 silencing (by targeted shRNA) or knockout (KO, by the dCas9-sgRNA method) largely suppressed cell proliferation and motility, while inducing cell cycle arrest and caspase-apoptosis activation. Moreover, Gαi2 silencing or KO-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative injury in primary and HepG2 HCC cells. Whereas different antioxidants ameliorated Gαi2-shRNA-induced anti-HCC cell activity. Using a lentiviral construct, Gαi2 overexpression further augmented proliferation and motility of primary and immortalized HCC cells. Further studies revealed that the binding between the transcription factor early growth response zinc finger transcription factor 1 (EGR1) and Gαi2 DNA promoter was significantly increased in HCC tissues and cells. In vivo, intratumoral injection of Gαi2 shRNA adeno-associated virus significantly hindered HCC xenograft growth in nude mice. Moreover, the growth of Gαi2-KO HCC xenografts in the nude mice was remarkably slow. Gαi2 depletion, oxidative injury, and apoptosis induction were detected in Gαi2-silenced or Gαi2-KO HCC xenografts. Together, overexpressed Gαi2 is required for HCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo, representing as a novel and promising diagnosis marker and therapeutic target of HCC.
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Katz LS, Argmann C, Lambertini L, Scott DK. T3 and glucose increase expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) leading to increased β-cell proliferation. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101646. [PMID: 36455788 PMCID: PMC9731891 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Thyroid hormone (T3) and high glucose concentrations are critical components of β-cell maturation and function. In the present study, we asked whether T3 and glucose signaling pathways coordinately regulate transcription of genes important for β-cell function and proliferation. METHODS RNA-seq analysis was performed on cadaveric human islets from five different donors in response to low and high glucose concentrations and in the presence or absence of T3. Gene expression was also studies in sorted human β-cells, mouse islets and Ins-1 cells by RT-qPCR. Silencing of the thyroid hormone receptors (THR) was conducted using lentiviruses. Proliferation was assessed by ki67 immunostaining in primary human/mouse islets. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay were preformed to validate interactions of ChREBP and THR. RESULTS We found glucose-mediated expression of carbohydrate response element binding protein alpha and beta (ChREBPα and ChREBPβ) mRNAs and their target genes are highly dependent on T3 concentrations in rodent and human β-cells. In β-cells, T3 and glucose coordinately regulate the expression of ChREBPβ and PCK1 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-1) among other important genes for β-cell maturation. Additionally, we show the thyroid hormone receptor (THR) and ChREBP interact, and their relative response elements are located near to each other on mutually responsive genes. In FACS-sorted adult human β-cells, we found that high concentrations of glucose and T3 induced the expression of PCK1. Next, we show that overexpression of Pck1 together with dimethyl malate (DMM), a substrate precursor, significantly increased β-cell proliferation in human islets. Finally, using a Cre-Lox approach, we demonstrated that ChREBPβ contributes to Pck1-dependent β-cell proliferation in mouse β-cells. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that T3 and glucose act together to regulate ChREBPβ, leading to increased expression and activity of Pck1, and ultimately increased β-cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liora S. Katz
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Corresponding author. Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L Levy Place, Box 1152, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Carmen Argmann
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Department of Genetics and Genomics Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Donald K. Scott
- Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Triptonide Inhibits the Cervical Cancer Cell Growth via Downregulating the RTKs and Inactivating the Akt-mTOR Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/8550817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The high incidence and mortality of cervical cancer (CC) require an urgent need for exploring novel valuable therapeutics. Triptonide (TN) is a small molecule monomer extracted from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. Our results showed that TN, at only nanomolar concentrations, strongly inhibited growth, colony formation, proliferation, migration, and invasion of established and primary human cervical cancer cells. TN induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cervical cancer cells. Moreover, cervical cancer cell in vitro migration and invasion were suppressed by TN. It was however noncytotoxic and proapoptotic to normal cervical epithelial cells and human skin fibroblast cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of RNA sequencing data of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in TN-treated cervical cancer cells implied that DEGs were enriched in the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling and PI3K-Akt-mTOR cascade. In cervical cancer cells, RTKs, including EGFR and PDGFRα, were significantly downregulated and Akt-mTOR activation was largely inhibited after TN treatment. In vivo, oral administration of TN significantly inhibited subcutaneous cervical cancer xenograft growth in nude mice. EGFR and PDGFRα downregulation as well as Akt-mTOR inactivation was detected in TN-treated HeLa xenograft tumor tissues. Thus, TN inhibits human cervical cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Its anticervical cancer activity was associated with RTK downregulation and Akt-mTOR inactivation.
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Zhu XR, Zhu JQ, Chen YF, Liu YY, Lu JJ, Sun J, Peng SQ, Chen MB, Du YP. Bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification of the prognostic and biological significance mediated by fatty acid metabolism related genes for hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:972744. [PMID: 35982956 PMCID: PMC9378871 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.972744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cancer is among the leading causes of death related to cancer around the world. The most frequent type of human liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fatty acid (FA) metabolism is an emerging hallmark that plays a promoting role in numerous malignancies. This study aimed to discover a FA metabolism-related risk signature and formulate a better model for HCC patients’ prognosis prediction. Methods We collected mRNA expression data and clinical parameters of patients with HCC using the TCGA databases, and the differential FA metabolism-related genes were explored. To create a risk prognostic model, we carried out the consensus clustering as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. 16 genes were used to establish a prognostic model, which was then validated in the ICGC dataset. The accuracy of the model was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, decision curve analysis (DCA) and nomogram. The immune cell infiltration level of risk genes was evaluated with single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) algorithm. To reflect the response to immunotherapy, immunophenoscore (IPS) was obtained from TCGA-LIHC. Then, the expression of the candidate risk genes (p < 0.05) was validated by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and single-cell transcriptomics. Cellular function assays were performed to revealed the biological function of HAVCR1. Results According to the TCGA-LIHC cohort analysis, the majority of the FA metabolism-related genes were expressed differentially in the HCC and normal tissues. The prognosis of patients with high-risk scores was observed to be worse. Multivariate COX regression analysis confirmed that the model can be employed as an independent prognosis factor for HCC patients. Furthermore, ssGSEA analysis revealed a link between the model and the levels of immune cell infiltration. Our model scoring mechanism also provides a high predictive value in HCC patients receiving anti-PDL1 immunotherapy. One of the FA metabolism-related genes, HAVCR1, displays a significant differential expression between normal and HCC cell lines. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7, and HepG2) proliferation, motility, and invasion were all remarkably inhibited by HAVCR1 siRNA. Conclusion Our study identified a novel FA metabolism-related prognostic model, revealing a better potential treatment and prevention strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ren Zhu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Medical School of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Jia-Qi Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Cardiothoracic Diseases and Research Institution of Translational Medicine in Cardiothoracic Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yu-Fei Chen
- Department of Hepatology, Infectious Diseases Hospital Affiliated with Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Liu
- Clinical Research and Lab Center, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Jing-Jing Lu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Medical School of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Shi-Qing Peng
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Medical School of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Min-Bin Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
- *Correspondence: Min-Bin Chen, ; Yi-Ping Du,
| | - Yi-Ping Du
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
- *Correspondence: Min-Bin Chen, ; Yi-Ping Du,
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10
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Yao J, Wu XY, Yu Q, Yang SF, Yuan J, Zhang ZQ, Xue JS, Jiang Q, Chen MB, Xue GH, Cao C. The requirement of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 for angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn6928. [PMID: 35622925 PMCID: PMC9140980 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn6928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We here examined the potential biological function of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) in angiogenesis. shRNA- or CRISPR-Cas9-induced PCK1 depletion potently inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, sprouting, and tube formation, whereas ectopic PCK1 overexpression exerted opposite activity. In HUVECs, Gαi3 expression and Akt activation were decreased following PCK1 depletion, but were augmented by ectopic PCK1 overexpression. In vivo, retinal expression of PCK1 gradually increased from postnatal day 1 (P1) to P5. The intravitreous injection of endothelial-specific PCK1 shRNA adenovirus at P1 potently inhibited the radial extension of vascular plexus at P5. Conditional endothelial knockdown of PCK1 in adult mouse retina increased vascular leakage and the number of acellular capillaries while decreasing the number of RGCs in murine retinas. In diabetic retinopathy patients, PCK1 mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in retinal tissues. Together, PCK1 is essential for angiogenesis possibly by mediating Gαi3 expression and Akt activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Yao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin-yuan Wu
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Yu
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuo-fei Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Yuan
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-qing Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jin-song Xue
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qin Jiang
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min-bin Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
| | - Guan-hua Xue
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Cao
- The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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11
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Ma X, Gao Y, Liu JH, Xu L, Liu WL, Huna A, Wang XL, Gong WJ. Low expression of PCK2 in breast tumors contributes to better prognosis via inducing senescence of cancer cells. IUBMB Life 2022; 74:896-907. [PMID: 35580079 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cell cycle arrest, one of the main character of cellular senescence, has been described as a crucial barrier that needs to be bypassed for cancer progression. Typically, cellular senescence can be induced by multiple stresses including telomere shortening, oncogenic activation as well as therapy treatment; and contributes to the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor suppression or progression depending on the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) components. However, the mechanisms underlying cancer cell senescence remain partially understood. Here, according to METABRIC database, we identified that patients with senescent-like breast tumors show better short term survival, lower tendency of neoplasm histological grades, lower tumor stages and negative status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) comparing with non-senescent ones. Interestingly, kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis identified insulin signaling was significantly repressed in senescent breast tumors. Further verification in cultured breast cancer cells indicated that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) was significantly inhibited after therapy treatment. In addition, knockdown of PCK2 induced a senescent phenotype of breast cancer cells. Moreover, comparing with non-senescent group, the senescent breast cancers displayed lower EMT capacity both in patients and breast cancer cell lines after knocking down PCK2. In conclusion, we described for the first time that low expression level of PCK2 may contribute to better prognosis via triggering senescent phenotype and thereby inhibiting EMT capacity in breast cancers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjie Ma
- Department of Intensive Care, Department of The Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hua Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Intensive Care, Department of The Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Li Liu
- Department of Intensive Care, Department of The Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Anda Huna
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Léon Bérard Center, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Xiao-Ling Wang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Juan Gong
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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12
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Rangwala AM, Mingione VR, Georghiou G, Seeliger MA. Kinases on Double Duty: A Review of UniProtKB Annotated Bifunctionality within the Kinome. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050685. [PMID: 35625613 PMCID: PMC9138534 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation facilitates the regulation of all fundamental biological processes, which has triggered extensive research of protein kinases and their roles in human health and disease. In addition to their phosphotransferase activity, certain kinases have evolved to adopt additional catalytic functions, while others have completely lost all catalytic activity. We searched the Universal Protein Resource Knowledgebase (UniProtKB) database for bifunctional protein kinases and focused on kinases that are critical for bacterial and human cellular homeostasis. These kinases engage in diverse functional roles, ranging from environmental sensing and metabolic regulation to immune-host defense and cell cycle control. Herein, we describe their dual catalytic activities and how they contribute to disease pathogenesis.
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13
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The pro-tumorigenic activity of p38γ overexpression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:210. [PMID: 35246508 PMCID: PMC8897421 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04637-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
It is urgent to identify and validate biomarkers for early diagnosis and efficient treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Recent studies have proposed p38 gamma (p38γ) as a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-like kinase that phosphorylates retinoblastoma (Rb) to promote cyclins expression and tumorigenesis. Here the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database and results from the local NPC tissues demonstrate that p38γ is significantly upregulated in NPC tissues, correlating with poor overall survival. Furthermore, p38γ mRNA and protein expression is elevated in established NPC cell lines (CNE-1 HONE-1 and CNE-2) and primary human NPC cells, but low expression detected in human nasal epithelial cells. In established and primary NPC cells, p38γ depletion, using the shRNA strategy or the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing method, largely inhibited cell growth, proliferation and migration, and induced significant apoptosis activation. Contrarily, ectopic p38γ overexpression exerted opposite activity and promoted NPC cell proliferation and migration. Retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation and cyclin E1/A expression were decreased in NPC cells with p38γ silencing or knockout, but increased after p38γ overexpression. Moreover, mitochondrial subcellular p38γ localization was detected in NPC cells. Significantly, p38γ depletion disrupted mitochondrial functions, causing mitochondrial depolarization, reactive oxygen species production, oxidative injury and ATP depletion in NPC cells. In vivo, intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus-packed p38γ shRNA potently inhibited primary human NPC xenograft growth in nude mice. In p38γ shRNA virus-injected NPC xenograft tissues, p38γ expression, Rb phosphorylation, cyclin E1/A expression and ATP levels were dramatically decreased. Taken together, we conclude that p38γ overexpression is required for NPC cell growth, acting as a promising therapeutic target of NPC.
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