Linc01133 contributes to gastric cancer growth by enhancing YES1-dependent YAP1 nuclear translocation via sponging miR-145-5p

Activation of the G Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor TGR5 Modulates the HCP5/miR-139-5p/DDIT4 Axis to Antagonize Cervical Cancer Progression

A growing body of evidence indicates that the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor, TGR5, plays a critical role in multiple physiological processes ranging from metabolic disorders to cancers. However, the biological functions of TGR5 in cervical cancer (CC) have not been elucidated. Here, using TGR5 knockout mice, we found that a deficiency of TGR5 leads to greater sensitivity to the progression of cervical inflammation. Activation of TGR5 by its specific ligands significantly attenuated the malignant behavior of CC cells. In addition, we found that TGR5 can negatively modulate the expression of lncRNA HCP5 by blocking its transcription activation when mediated by p65. HCP5 was highly expressed in CC tissues, which was positively correlated with the poor prognosis of CC patients. HCP5 knockdown notably restrained CC cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, HCP5 can function as the molecular sponge for miR-139-5p to upregulate DNA damage-induced transcript 4 (DDIT4) in CC cells. Murine xenograft studies demonstrated that TGR5 suppressed the tumor formation of CC cells and downregulated HCP5 and DDIT4 while increasing miR-139-5p in the xenografts. Taken together, these findings, for the first time, indicate that TGR5 inhibits CC progression by regulating the HCP5/miR-139-5p/DDIT4 axis, suggesting that it may represent a novel and potent target for CC treatment.

CBX4 counteracts cellular senescence to desensitize gastric cancer cells to chemotherapy by inducing YAP1 SUMOylation

AIMS

As our comprehension of the intricate relationship between cellular senescence and tumor biology continues to evolve, the therapeutic potential of cellular senescence is gaining increasing recognition. Here, we identify chromobox 4 (CBX4), a Small Ubiquitin-related Modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase, as an antagonist of cellular senescence and elucidate a novel mechanism by which CBX4 promotes drug resistance and malignant progression of gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

In vitro and in vivo models were conducted to investigate the manifestation and impact of CBX4 on cellular senescence and chemoresistance. High-throughput sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and co-immunoprecipitation techniques were utilized to identify the upstream regulators and downstream effectors associated with CBX4, revealing its intricate regulatory network.

RESULTS

CBX4 diminishes the sensitivity of GC cells to cellular senescence, facilitating chemoresistance and GC development by deactivating the senescence-related Hippo pathway. Mechanistically, low-dose cisplatin transcriptionally downregulates CBX4 through CEBPB. In addition, CBX4 preserves the stability and cytoplasm-nuclear transport of YAP1, the key player of Hippo pathway, by inducing SUMO1 modification at K97 and K280, which competitively inhibits YAP1-S127 phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the anti-senescence role of CBX4 and suggests that CBX4 inhibition in combination with low-dose cisplatin has the potential to overcome chemoresistance and effectively restrict GC progression.

LINC01133 promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediated by SPP1 through binding to Arp3

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with limited treatment methods. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found involved in tumorigenic and progression. The present study revealed that LINC01133, a fewly reported lncRNA, was one of 16 hub genes that could predict PDAC patients' prognosis. LINC01133 was over-expressed in PDAC tumors compared to adjacent pancreas and could promote PDAC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, as well as inhibit PDAC apoptosis. LINC01133 expression positively correlated to secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) expression, leading to an enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. LINC01133 bound with actin-related protein 3 (Arp3), the complex reduced SPP1 mRNA degradation which increased SPP1 mRNA level, ultimately leading to PDAC proliferation. This research revealed a novel mechanism of PDAC development and provided a potential prognosis indicator that may benefit PDAC patients.

Uncovering periodontitis-associated markers through the aggregation of transcriptomics information from diverse sources

Introduction

Periodontitis, a common chronic inflammatory disease, significantly impacted oral health. To provide novel biological indicators for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis, we analyzed public microarray datasets to identify biomarkers associated with periodontitis.

Method

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets GSE16134 and GSE106090 were downloaded. We performed differential analysis and robust rank aggregation (RRA) to obtain a list of differential genes. To obtain the core modules and core genes related to periodontitis, we evaluated differential genes through enrichment analysis, correlation analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis. Potential biomarkers for periodontitis were identified through comparative analysis of dual networks (PPI network and ceRNA network). PPI network analysis was performed in STRING. The ceRNA network consisted of RRA differentially expressed messenger RNAs (RRA_DEmRNAs) and RRA differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (RRA_DElncRNAs), which regulated each other's expression by sharing microRNA (miRNA) target sites.

Results

RRA_DEmRNAs were significantly enriched in inflammation-related biological processes, osteoblast differentiation, inflammatory response pathways and immunomodulatory pathways. Comparing the core ceRNA module and the core PPI module, C1QA, CENPK, CENPU and BST2 were found to be the common genes of the two core modules, and C1QA was highly correlated with inflammatory functionality. C1QA and BST2 were significantly enriched in immune-regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, LINC01133 played a significant role in regulating the expression of the core genes during the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Conclusion

The identified biomarkers C1QA, CENPK, CENPU, BST2 and LINC01133 provided valuable insight into periodontitis pathology.

LncRNA MIR181A2HG negatively regulates human keratinocytes proliferation by binding SRSF1

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of a variety of cell biological processes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of lncRNA MIR181A2HG in the proliferation of human keratinocytes. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to measure the expression levels of MIR181A2HG, SRSF1, KRT6, and KRT16 in tissue specimens and HaCaT keratinocytes. The effects of MIR181A2HG on HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation, and cell-cycle assays. RNA pulldown-mass spectrometry (MS) was applied to identify the proteins interacting with MIR181A2HG. RNA pull-down-Western blotting and RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RIP-qRT-PCR) assays were used to determine the interactions between MIR181A2HG and its RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). MIR181A2HG was down-regulated in psoriasis tissues. MIR181A2HG overexpression induced G0/G1 and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and decreased the protein levels of KRT6, KRT16, Cyclin D1, CDK4, and Cyclin A2 in HaCaT keratinocytes. MIR181A2HG knockdown showed the opposite effect. By using RNA pulldown-MS, 356 proteins were identified to interact with MIR181A2HG potentially. Bioinformatics analysis showed that NOP56 and SRSF1 may be RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that may be interact with MIR181A2HG. Furthermore, by using RNA pull-down-Western blotting and RIP-qRT-PCR, SRSF1 was determined to interact with MIR181A2HG. Moreover, silencing of SRSF1 inhibited keratinocytes proliferation, which could be reversed with the knockdown of MIR181A2HG. Our findings indicated that MIR181A2HG can negatively regulate HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation by binding SRSF1, suggesting that MIR181A2HG and SRSF1 may serve as potential targets for the treatment of psoriasis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-024-00621-6.

Decoding the regulatory landscape of lncRNAs as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for gastric and colorectal cancers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer (GC) are major contributors to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in understanding molecular mechanisms and improved drug treatments, the overall survival rate for patients remains unsatisfactory. Metastasis and drug resistance are major challenges contributing to the high mortality rate in both CRC and GC. Recent research has shed light on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development and progression of these cancers. LncRNAs regulate gene expression through various mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications and interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins. They can serve as miRNA precursors or pseudogenes, modulating gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Additionally, circulating lncRNAs have emerged as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of drug therapy response in CRC and GC. This review explores the intricate relationship between lncRNAs and CRC/GC, encompassing their roles in cancer development, progression, and chemoresistance. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets in these malignancies. The interplay between lncRNAs, miRNAs, and tumor microenvironment is also highlighted, emphasizing their impact on the complexity of cancer biology. Understanding the regulatory landscape and molecular mechanisms governed by lncRNAs in CRC and GC is crucial for the development of effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as novel therapeutic strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and paves the way for further exploration of lncRNAs as key players in the management of CRC and GC.

PIN1P1 is activated by CREB1 and promotes gastric cancer progression via interacting with YBX1 and upregulating PIN1

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the carcinogenesis and progression of cancers. However, the role and mechanism of the pseudogene lncRNA PIN1P1 in gastric carcinoma remain unclear. The expression and effects of lncRNA PIN1P1 in gastric cancer were investigated. The transcriptional regulation of CREB1 on PIN1P1 was determined by ChIP and luciferase assays. The mechanistic model of PIN1P1 in gastric cancer was further explored by RNA pull-down, RIP and western blot analysis. PIN1P1 was overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues, and upregulated PIN1P1 predicted poor prognosis in patients. CREB1 was directly combined with the promoter region of PIN1P1 to promote the transcription of PIN1P1. CREB1-mediated enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion could be partially reversed by downregulation of PIN1P1. Overexpressed PIN1P1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, whereas decreased PIN1P1 showed the opposite effects. PIN1P1 directly interacted with YBX1 and promoted YBX1 protein expression, leading to upregulation of PIN1, in which E2F1 may be involved. Silencing of YBX1 during PIN1P1 overexpression could partially rescue PIN1 upregulation. PIN1, the parental gene of PIN1P1, was elevated in gastric cancer tissues, and its upregulation was correlated with poor patient outcomes. PIN1 facilitated gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. To sum up, CREB1-activated PIN1P1 could promote gastric cancer progression through YBX1 and upregulating PIN1, suggesting that it is a potential target for gastric cancer.

LncRNA12097.1 contributes to endometrial cell growth by enhancing YES1 activating β-catenin via sponging miR-145-5p

Despite previous investigations elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in endometrial function and reproductive disorders, the precise pathways through which lncRNAs impact endometrial functions and fertility remain unclear. In this study, we performed an expression profile analysis of lncRNAs in the endometrial tissue of Hu sheep with different prolificacy, identifying 13,707 lncRNAs. We discovered a bidirectional lncRNA, designated lncRNA12097.1, exhibiting significant up-regulation exclusively in the endometrium of Hu sheep with high fecundity. Functional analyses revealed lncRNA12097.1 significantly enhanced proliferation and cell cycle progression in both endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) and stromal cells (ESC), while inhibiting apoptosis in these cell types. Mechanistically, we demonstrated a directly interaction between lncRNA12097.1 and miR-145-5p, with YES proto-oncogene 1 (YES1) being identified as a validated target of miR-145-5p. Interference with lncRNA12097.1 resulted in suppressed cell growth through down-regulation of YES1 expression, which could be rescued by miR-145-5p. Furthermore, lncRNA12097.1 functions as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-145-5p in ESCs, sequestering miR-145-5p and preventing its binding to the 3'UTR of YES1 mRNA. This interaction led to increased expression of YES1 and subsequent activation of downstream β-catenin signaling, thereby promoting ESC growth in Hu sheep. These findings provide novel molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep.

LINC01133 can induce acquired ferroptosis resistance by enhancing the FSP1 mRNA stability through forming the LINC01133-FUS-FSP1 complex

Due to a lack of research on the critical non-coding RNAs in regulating ferroptosis, our study aimed to uncover the crucial ones involved in the process. We found that LINC01133 could make pancreatic cancer cells more resistant to ferroptosis. A higher expression of LINC01133 was associated with a higher IC50 of sorafenib in clinical samples. Furthermore, we discovered that LINC01133 induced this process through enhancing the mRNA stability of FSP1. CEBPB was the transcription factor to increase the expression of LINC01133. A higher CEBPB could also indicate a higher IC50 of sorafenib in patients with cancer. Moreover, we confirmed that LINC01133 could form a triple complex with FUS and FSP1 to increase the mRNA stability of FSP1.

A renaissance for YES in cancer

Most of our understanding regarding the involvement of SRC-family tyrosine kinases in cancer has stemmed from studies focused on the prototypical SRC oncogene. However, emerging research has shed light on the important role of YES signaling in oncogenic transformation, tumor growth, metastatic progression, and resistance to various cancer therapies. Clinical evidence indicates that dysregulated expression or activity of YES is a frequent occurrence in human cancers and is associated with unfavorable outcomes. These findings provide a compelling rationale for specifically targeting YES in certain cancer subtypes. Here, we review the crucial role of YES in cancer and discuss the challenges associated with translating preclinical observations into effective YES-targeted therapies.

Emerging roles of miR-145 in gastrointestinal cancers: A new paradigm

Gastrointestinal (GI) carcinomas are a group of cancers affecting the GI tract and digestive organs, such as the gastric, liver, bile ducts, pancreas, small intestine, esophagus, colon, and rectum. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small functional non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which are involved in regulating the expression of multiple target genes; mainly at the post-transcriptional level, via complementary binding to their 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Increasing evidence has shown that miRNAs have critical roles in modulating of various physiological and pathological cellular processes and regulating the occurrence and development of human malignancies. Among them, miR-145 is recognized for its anti-oncogenic properties in various cancers, including GI cancers. MiR-145 has been implicated in diverse biological processes of cancers through the regulation of target genes or signaling, including, proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. In this review, we have summarized the role of miR-145 in selected GI cancers and also its downstream molecules and cellular processes targets, which could lead to a better understanding of the miR-145 in these cancers. In conclusion, we reveal the potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value of miR-145 in GI cancer, and hope to provide new ideas for its application as a biomarker as well as a therapeutic target for the treatment of these cancer.

The Hippo signaling pathway in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive malignant disease which still lacks effective early diagnosis markers and targeted therapies, representing the fourth-leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. The Hippo signaling pathway plays crucial roles in organ size control and tissue homeostasis under physiological conditions, yet its aberrations have been closely associated with several hallmarks of cancer. The last decade witnessed a burst of investigations dissecting how Hippo dysregulation contributes to tumorigenesis, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway for tumor intervention. In this review, we systemically document studies on the Hippo pathway in the contexts of gastric tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, acquired drug resistance, and the emerging development of Hippo-targeting strategies. By summarizing major open questions in this field, we aim to inspire further in-depth understanding of Hippo signaling in GC development, as well as the translational implications of targeting Hippo for GC treatment.

The Regulation of Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in the Development of Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer predominantly occurs in adenocarcinoma form and is characterized by uncontrolled growth and metastases of gastric epithelial cells. The growth of gastric cells is regulated by the action of several major cell cycle regulators including Cyclins and Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which act sequentially to modulate the life cycle of a living cell. It has been reported that inadequate or over-activity of these molecules leads to disturbances in cell cycle dynamics, which consequently results in gastric cancer development. Manny studies have reported the key roles of Cyclins and CDKs in the development and progression of the disease in either in vitro cell culture studies or in vivo models. We aimed to compile the evidence of molecules acting as regulators of both Cyclins and CDKs, i.e., upstream regulators either activating or inhibiting Cyclins and CDKs. The review entails an introduction to gastric cancer, along with an overview of the involvement of cell cycle regulation and focused on the regulation of various Cyclins and CDKs in gastric cancer. It can act as an extensive resource for developing new hypotheses for future studies.

Hippo pathway dysregulation in gastric cancer: from Helicobacter pylori infection to tumor promotion and progression

The Hippo pathway plays a critical role for balancing proliferation and differentiation, thus regulating tissue homeostasis. The pathway acts through a kinase cascade whose final effectors are the Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog transcriptional co‑activator with PDZ‑binding motif (TAZ). In response to a variety of upstream signals, YAP and TAZ activate a transcriptional program that modulates cellular proliferation, tissue repair after injury, stem cell fate decision, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Hippo pathway signaling is often dysregulated in gastric cancer and in Helicobacter pylori-induced infection, suggesting a putative role of its deregulation since the early stages of the disease. In this review, we summarize the architecture and regulation of the Hippo pathway and discuss how its dysregulation fuels the onset and progression of gastric cancer. In this setting, we also focus on the crosstalk between Hippo and other established oncogenic signaling pathways. Lastly, we provide insights into the therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant YAP/TAZ activation and discuss the related clinical perspectives and challenges.

Placental stem cells-derived exosomes stimulate cutaneous wound regeneration via engrailed-1 inhibition

Introduction: Skin wounds generally heal by scarring, a fibrotic process mediated by the Engrailed-1 (EN1) fibroblast lineage. Scar is detrimental to tissue structure and function, but perfect healing in clinical settings remains to be explored. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation can reduce scarring Methods: Here, we investigated the effects of placental MSCs (pMSCs) and exosomes derived from pMSCs (pMSC-exos) on wound healing using a full-thickness rat model. Results: The results showed that placental MSCs significantly accelerated the wound healing rate. Moreover, placental MSCs improved the quality of wound healing, including regenerating cutaneous appendages (hair follicles and sebaceous glands), decreasing collagen I and increasing collagen III, and improving collagen pattern (basket-wave-like) in the healed skin. placental MSCs treatment also increased the regeneration of blood vessels. Importantly, all these listed effects of placental MSCs were comparable to those of exosomes derived from pMSCs, but significantly stronger than those of adipose MSC-derived exosomes (aMSC-exos). Further studies showed that the effects of placental MSCs and exosomes derived from pMSCs on wound regeneration may be mainly achieved via the down-regulation of the Yes-associated protein signaling pathway, thus inhibiting the activation of EN1. Discussion: In summary, placental MSCs could effectively stimulate wound regeneration, and their effect could be achieved through their exosomes. This suggests that exosomes derived from pMSCs treatment could be used as a novel cell-free approach to induce wound regeneration in clinical settings.

Long non‑coding RNA 01614 hyperactivates WNT/β‑catenin signaling to promote pancreatic cancer progression by suppressing GSK‑3β

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal type of cancer for which effective therapies are limited. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a critical type of regulator category, mediating the tumorigenesis and development of various tumor types, including PC. However, the expression patterns and functions of numerous lncRNAs in PC remain poorly understood. In the present study, linc01614 was identified as a PC-related lncRNA. linc01614 was notably upregulated in PC tissues and cell lines and was associated with the poor disease-free survival of patients with PC according to the analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas-derived datasets. Functionally, linc01614 knockdown suppressed PC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and inhibited tumor proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, linc01614 overexpression stabilized the level of β-catenin protein to hyperactivate the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in PC cells. Further analyses revealed that linc01614 bound to GSK-3β and perturbed the interaction between GSK-3β and AXIN1, thereby preventing the formation of the β-catenin degradation complex and reducing the degradation of β-catenin. In summary, the present findings reveal that linc01614 may function as an oncogene and promote the progression of PC and may thus be considered as a potential therapeutic target in the future.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Pyroptosis-Related lncRNAs Signature Associated With Prognosis and Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Background: Globally, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a common and highly devastating gastrointestinal malignancy that seriously threatens human health. Pyroptosis refers to an emerging form of programmed cell death that has been discovered in recent years, and studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may act as a moderator in the pyroptosis process of cancer cells. However, relevant explorations about lncRNAs and pyroptosis are still insufficient in PAAD. Therefore, our research is designed to make a comprehensive analysis of the potential values of pyroptosis-related lncRNAs in PAAD.

Methods: By integrating the RNA-sequencing, somatic mutation, and copy number variation (CNV) datasets, as well as the clinicopathological features, we established and validated a risk signature based on pyroptosis-related lncRNAs, and comprehensively analyzed its clinical significance and the potential connection with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).

Consequences: The genetic variation landscape displayed that the somatic mutations were rare while CNV changes were general and mainly concentrated on copy number amplification of these 52 pyroptosis-related genes. Subsequently, a risk signature consisting of 10 lncRNAs (TRAF3IP2-AS1, LINC00519, LINC01133, LINC02251, AC005332.6, AL590787.1, AC090114.2, TRPC7-AS1, MIR223HG, and MIR3142HG) was constructed and patients were divided into different subgroups according to the median risk score; patients with high-risk scores presented worse outcomes compared to those with low-risk scores in the training, testing, and entire cohorts. Furthermore, patients at low-risk scores possessed a higher infiltration abundance of immune cells compared with high-risk patients, which was consistent with the expression levels of lncRNAs between the high/low-risk groups. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that low-risk scores were related to anti-cancer agents like AICAR and Axitinib, whereas high-risk scores were connected with certain drugs such as AUY922. These results demonstrated that our risk signature could be used for prognosis prediction; additionally, it was also related to the TIME that might act as a potential indicator to instruct immunotherapeutic strategies.

Conclusion: This work explored the significance of the risk model constructed by pyroptosis-related lncRNAs in prognosis prediction and its internal link with the immune microenvironment of PAAD. The results are expected to assist in the diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and management of patients with PAAD.

YES1: a novel therapeutic target and biomarker in cancer

YES1 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that belongs to the SRC family of kinases (SFKs) and controls multiple cancer signaling pathways. YES1 is amplified and overexpressed in many tumor types, where it promotes cell proliferation, survival and invasiveness. Therefore, YES1 has been proposed as an emerging target in solid tumors. In addition, studies have shown that YES1 is a prognostic biomarker and a predictor of dasatinib activity. Several SFKs-targeting drugs have been developed and some of them have reached clinical trials. However, these drugs have encountered challenges to their utilization in the clinical practice in unselected patients due to toxicity and lack of efficacy. In the case of YES1, novel specific inhibitors have been developed and tested in preclinical models, with impressive antitumor effects. In this review, we summarize the structure and activation of YES1 and describe its role in cancer as a target and prognostic and companion biomarker. We also address the efficacy of SFKs inhibitors that are currently in clinical trials, highlighting the main hindrances for their clinical use. Current available information strongly suggests that inhibiting YES1 in tumors with high expression of this protein is a promising strategy against cancer.

Bioactive Phytoconstituents as Potent Inhibitors of Tyrosine-Protein Kinase Yes (YES1): Implications in Anticancer Therapeutics

Tyrosine-protein kinase Yes (YES1) belongs to the Tyrosine-protein kinase family and is involved in several biological activities, including cell survival, cell–cell adhesion, cell differentiation, and cytoskeleton remodeling. It is highly expressed in esophageal, lung, and bladder cancers, and thus considered as an attractive drug target for cancer therapy. In this study, we performed a virtual screening of phytoconstituents from the IMPPAT database to identify potential inhibitors of YES1. Initially, the molecules were retrieved on their physicochemical properties following the Lipinski rule of five. Then binding affinities calculation, PAINS filter, ADMET, and PASS analyses followed by an interaction analysis to select safe and clinically better hits. Finally, two compounds, Glabrene and Lupinisoflavone C (LIC), with appreciable affinities and a specific interaction towards the AlphaFold predicted structure of YES1, were identified. Their time-evolution analyses were carried out using an all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, principal component analysis, and free energy landscapes. Altogether, we propose that Glabrene and LIC can be further explored in clinical settings to develop anticancer therapeutics targeting YES1 kinase.