GFAT1-linked TAB1 glutamylation sustains p38 MAPK activation and promotes lung cancer cell survival under glucose starvation

TRIM14 suppressed the progression of NSCLC via hexosamine biosynthesis pathway

Tripartite Motif 14 (TRIM14) is an oncoprotein that belongs to the E3 ligase TRIM family, which is involved in the progression of various tumors except for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, little is currently known regarding the function and related mechanisms of TRIM14 in NSCLC. Here, we found that the TRIM14 protein was downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues compared with the adjacent tissues, which can suppress tumor cell proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, TRIM14 can directly bind to glutamine fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase 1 (GFAT1), which in turn results in the degradation of GFAT1 and reduced O-glycosylation levels. GFAT1 is a key enzyme in the rate-limiting step of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP). Replenishment of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine can successfully reverse the inhibitory effect of TRIM14 on the NSCLC cell growth and migration as expected. Collectively, our data revealed that TRIM14 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and migration through ubiquitination and degradation of GFAT1, providing a new regulatory role for TRIM14 on HBP.

Revealing prognostic insights of programmed cell death (PCD)-associated genes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The management of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant challenges due to cancer cells' intricate and heterogeneous nature. Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways are crucial in diverse biological processes. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance of cell death in NSCLC remains incompletely understood. Our study aims to investigate the prognostic importance of PCD genes and their ability to precisely stratify and evaluate the survival outcomes of patients with advanced NSCLC. We employed Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses for prognostic gene screening. Ultimately, we identified seven PCD-related genes to establish the PCD-related risk score for the advanced NSCLC model (PRAN), effectively stratifying overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced NSCLC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the PRAN was the independent prognostic factor than clinical baseline factors. It was positively related to specific metabolic pathways, including hexosamine biosynthesis pathways, which play crucial roles in reprogramming cancer cell metabolism. Furthermore, drug prediction for different PRAN risk groups identified several sensitive drugs explicitly targeting the cell death pathway. Molecular docking analysis suggested the potential therapeutic efficacy of navitoclax in NSCLC, as it demonstrated strong binding with the amino acid residues of C-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14), carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3), and C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) proteins. The PRAN provides a robust personalized treatment and survival assessment tool in advanced NSCLC patients. Furthermore, identifying sensitive drugs for distinct PRAN risk groups holds promise for advancing targeted therapies in NSCLC.

Lactate dehydrogenase A promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression through the TAK1/NF-κB Axis

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that originates in the nasopharyngeal mucosa and is common in China and Southeast Asian countries. Cancer cells reprogram glycolytic metabolism to promote their growth, survival and metastasis. Glycolysis plays an important role in NPC development, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is a crucial glycolytic enzyme, catalyzing the last step of glycolysis. This study aims to investigate the exact role of LDHA, which catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate into lactate, in NPC development.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The western blot and immunohistochemical (IHC) results indicated that LDHA was significantly upregulated in NPC cells and clinical samples. LDHA knockdown by shRNA significantly inhibited NPC cell proliferation and invasion. Further knockdown of LDHA dramatically weakened the tumorigenicity of NPC cells in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that LDHA activated TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and subsequent nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling to promote NPC cell proliferation and invasion. Exogenous lactate supplementation restored NPC cell proliferation and invasion inhibited by LDHA knockdown, and this restorative effect was reversed by NF-κB inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) or TAK1 inhibitor (5Z-7-oxozeaenol) treatment. Moreover, clinical sample analyses showed that LDHA expression was positively correlated with TAK1 Thr187 phosphorylation and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that LDHA and its major metabolite lactate drive NPC progression by regulating TAK1 and its downstream NF-κB signaling, which could become a therapeutic target in NPC.

maresin2 fine-tunes ULK1 O-GlcNAcylation to improve post myocardial infarction remodeling

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the common causes of hospitalization and death all over the world. Maresin2 (MaR2), a specialized pro-solving mediator of inflammation, has been consolidated to be a novel cytokine fine-tuning inflammatory cascade. However, the precise mechanism is still unknown. Here, we demonstrated that maresin2 relieved myocardial damage via ULK1 O-GlcNAc modification during MI.

METHODS

The myocardial infarction model was established by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Echocardiography, histopathology, transmission electron microscope, and Western blot were used to evaluate cardiac function and remodeling. Furthermore, primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were cultivated, and immunoprecipitation (IP) assays were performed to explore the specific mechanism.

RESULTS

As suggested, maresin2 treatment protected cardiac function and ameliorated adverse cardiac remodeling. Furthermore, we found that maresin2 facilitated autophagy and inhibited apoptosis under the modulation of O-GlcNAcylation-dependent ULK1 activation. Meanwhile, we discovered that maresin2 treatment ameliorated the inflammation of myocardial cells by inhibiting the interaction of TAK1 and TAB1.

CONCLUSIONS

Maresin2 is likely to promote autophagy while relieving apoptosis and inflammation of myocardial cells, thereby exerting a protective effect on the heart after MI.

Down-regulated TAB1 suppresses the replication of Coxsackievirus B5 via activating the NF-κB pathways through interaction with viral 3D polymerase

Coxsackievirus Group B type 5 (CVB5), an important pathogen of hand-foot-mouth disease, is also associated with neurological complications and poses a public health threat to young infants. Among the CVB5 proteins, the nonstructural protein 3D, known as the Enteroviral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is mainly involved in viral genome replication and transcription. In this study, we performed immunoprecipitation coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify host proteins that interacted with CVB5 3D polymerase. A total of 116 differentially expressed proteins were obtained. Gene Ontology analysis identified that the proteins were involved in cell development and cell adhesion, distributed in the desmosome and envelope, and participated in GTPase binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis further revealed they participated in nerve diseases, such as Parkinson disease. Among them, 35 proteins were significantly differentially expressed and the cellular protein TGF-BATA-activated kinase1 binding protein 1 (TAB1) was found to be specifically interacting with the 3D polymerase. 3D polymerase facilitated the entry of TAB1 into the nucleus and down-regulated TAB1 expression via the lysosomal pathway. In addition, TAB1 inhibited CVB5 replication via inducing inflammatory factors and activated the NF-κB pathway through IκBα phosphorylation. Moreover, the 90-96aa domain of TAB1 was an important structure for the function. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the mechanism by which cellular TAB1 inhibits the CVB5 replication via activation of the host innate immune response, providing a novel insight into the virus-host innate immunity.

The crosstalk among the physical tumor microenvironment and the effects of glucose deprivation on tumors in the past decade

The occurrence and progression of tumors are inseparable from glucose metabolism. With the development of tumors, the volume increases gradually and the nutritional supply of tumors cannot be fully guaranteed. The tumor microenvironment changes and glucose deficiency becomes the common stress environment of tumors. Here, we discuss the mutual influences between glucose deprivation and other features of the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia, immune escape, low pH, and oxidative stress. In the face of a series of stress responses brought by glucose deficiency, different types of tumors have different coping mechanisms. We summarize the tumor studies on glucose deficiency in the last decade and review the genes and pathways that determine the fate of tumors under harsh conditions. It turns out that most of these genes help tumor cells survive in glucose-deprivation conditions. The development of related inhibitors may bring new opportunities for the treatment of tumors.

Current knowledge and potential intervention of hexosamine biosynthesis pathway in lung cancer

Lung cancer is a highly prevalent malignancy characterized by significant metabolic alterations. Understanding the metabolic rewiring in lung cancer is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) is a metabolic pathway that plays a vital role in cellular metabolism and has been implicated in various cancers, including lung cancer. Abnormal activation of HBP is involved in the proliferation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumor cells. In this review, we will discuss the function and regulation of metabolic enzymes related to HBP in lung cancer. Furthermore, the implications of targeting the HBP for lung cancer treatment are also discussed, along with the challenges and future directions in this field. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the role and intervention of HBP in lung cancer. Future research focusing on the HBP in lung cancer is essential to uncover novel treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Impact of Airborne Pathogen-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Macrophages Revealed by Raman Spectroscopy and Multiomics

Long-term exposure to the indoor environment may pose threats to human health due to the presence of pathogenic bacteria and their byproducts. Nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) extensively secreted from pathogenic bacteria can traverse biological barriers and affect physio-pathological processes. However, the potential health impact of EVs from indoor dust and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, Raman spectroscopy combined with multiomics (genomics and proteomics) was used to address these issues. Genomic analysis revealed that Pseudomonas was an efficient producer of EVs that harbored 68 types of virulence factor-encoding genes. Upon exposing macrophages to environmentally relevant doses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1-derived EVs, macrophage internalization was observed, and release of inflammatory factors was determined by RT-PCR. Subsequent Raman spectroscopy and unsupervised surprisal analysis of EV-affected macrophages distinguished metabolic alterations, particularly in proteins and lipids. Proteomic analysis further revealed differential expression of proteins in inflammatory and metabolism-related pathways, indicating that EV exposure induced macrophage metabolic reprogramming and inflammation. Collectively, our findings revealed that pathogen-derived EVs in the indoor environments can act as a new mediator for pathogens to exert adverse health effects. Our method of Raman integrated with multiomics offers a complementary approach for rapid and in-depth understanding of EVs' impact.

The Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway: Regulation and Function

The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) produces uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl glucosamine, UDP-GlcNAc, which is a key metabolite that is used for N- or O-linked glycosylation, a co- or post-translational modification, respectively, that modulates protein activity and expression. The production of hexosamines can occur via de novo or salvage mechanisms that are catalyzed by metabolic enzymes. Nutrients including glutamine, glucose, acetyl-CoA, and UTP are utilized by the HBP. Together with availability of these nutrients, signaling molecules that respond to environmental signals, such as mTOR, AMPK, and stress-regulated transcription factors, modulate the HBP. This review discusses the regulation of GFAT, the key enzyme of the de novo HBP, as well as other metabolic enzymes that catalyze the reactions to produce UDP-GlcNAc. We also examine the contribution of the salvage mechanisms in the HBP and how dietary supplementation of the salvage metabolites glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine could reprogram metabolism and have therapeutic potential. We elaborate on how UDP-GlcNAc is utilized for N-glycosylation of membrane and secretory proteins and how the HBP is reprogrammed during nutrient fluctuations to maintain proteostasis. We also consider how O-GlcNAcylation is coupled to nutrient availability and how this modification modulates cell signaling. We summarize how deregulation of protein N-glycosylation and O-GlcNAcylation can lead to diseases including cancer, diabetes, immunodeficiencies, and congenital disorders of glycosylation. We review the current pharmacological strategies to inhibit GFAT and other enzymes involved in the HBP or glycosylation and how engineered prodrugs could have better therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of diseases related to HBP deregulation.

Heterostructures with Built-in Electric Fields for Long-lasting Chemodynamic Therapy

Sustained signal activation by hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) has great significance, especially for tumor treatment, but remains challenging. Here, a built-in electric field (BIEF)-driven strategy was proposed for sustainable generation of ⋅OH, thereby achieving long-lasting chemodynamic therapy (LCDT). As a proof of concept, a novel Janus-like Fe@Fe₃ O₄ -Cu₂ O heterogeneous catalyst was designed and synthesized, in which the BIEF induced the transfer of electrons in the Fe core to the surface, reducing ≡Cu²⁺ to ≡Cu⁺ , thus achieving continuous Fenton-like reactions and ⋅OH release for over 18 h, which is approximately 12 times longer than that of Fe₃ O₄ -Cu₂ O and 72 times longer than that of Cu₂ O nanoparticles. In vitro and in vivo antitumor results indicated that sustained ⋅OH levels led to persistent extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signal activation and irreparable oxidative damage to tumor cells, which promoted irreversible tumor apoptosis. Importantly, this strategy provides ideas for developing long-acting nanoplatforms for various applications.