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Wang C, He J, Chen C, Luo W, Dang X, Mao L. A potential role of human esophageal cancer-related gene-4 in cardiovascular homeostasis. Gene 2024; 894:147977. [PMID: 37956966 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Human esophageal cancer related gene-4 (ECRG-4) encodes a 148-aminoacid pre-pro-peptide that can be processed tissue-dependently into multiple small peptides possessing multiple functions distinct from, similar to, or opposite to the tumor suppressor function of the full-length Ecrg4. Ecrg-4 is covalently bound to the cell surface through its signal peptide, colocalized with the innate immunity complex (TLR4-CD14-MD2), and functions as a 'sentinel' molecule in the maintenance of epithelium and leukocyte homeostasis, meaning that the presence of Ecrg-4 on the cell surface signals the maintained homeostasis, whereas the loss of Ecrg-4 due to tissue injury activates pro-inflammatory and tissue proliferative responses, and the level of Ecrg-4 gradually returns to its pre-injury level upon wound healing. Interestingly, Ecrg-4 is also highly expressed in the heart and its conduction system, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Accumulating evidence has shown that Ecrg-4 is involved in cardiac rate/rhythm control, the development of atrial fibrillation, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, the ischemic response of the heart and hypoxic response in the carotid body, the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and likely the endemic incidence of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. These preliminary discoveries suggest that Ecrg-4 may function as a 'sentinel' molecule in cardiovascular system as well. Here, we briefly review the basic characteristics of ECRG-4 as a tumor suppressor gene and its regulatory functions on inflammation and apoptosis; summarize the discoveries about its distribution in cardiovascular system and involvement in the development of CVDs, and discuss its potential as a novel therapeutic target for the maintenance of cardiovascular system homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoying Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Jianghui He
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Chunyue Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Wenjun Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, China.
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, China; Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
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Roper BWR, Tiede C, Abdul-Zani I, Cuthbert GA, Jade D, Al-Aufi A, Critchley WR, Saikia Q, Homer-Vanniasinkam S, Sawamura T, McPherson MJ, Harrison MA, Tomlinson DC, Ponnambalam S. "Affimer" synthetic protein scaffolds block oxidized LDL binding to the LOX-1 scavenger receptor and inhibit ERK1/2 activation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105325. [PMID: 37805141 PMCID: PMC10641530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105325] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, a variety of lipid-protein particles control the systemic flow of triacylglycerides, cholesterol, and fatty acids between cells in different tissues. The chemical modification by oxidation of these particles can trigger pathological responses, mediated by a group of membrane proteins termed scavenger receptors. The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1) scavenger receptor binds to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and mediates both signaling and trafficking outcomes. Here, we identified five synthetic proteins termed Affimers from a phage display library, each capable of binding recombinant LOX-1 extracellular (oxLDL-binding) domain with high specificity. These Affimers, based on a phytocystatin scaffold with loop regions of variable sequence, were able to bind to the plasma membrane of HEK293T cells exclusively when human LOX-1 was expressed. Binding and uptake of fluorescently labeled oxLDL by the LOX-1-expressing cell model was inhibited with subnanomolar potency by all 5 Affimers. ERK1/2 activation, stimulated by oxLDL binding to LOX-1, was also significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) by preincubation with LOX-1-specific Affimers, but these Affimers had no direct agonistic effect. Molecular modeling indicated that the LOX-1-specific Affimers bound predominantly via their variable loop regions to the surface of the LOX-1 lectin-like domain that contains a distinctive arrangement of arginine residues previously implicated in oxLDL binding, involving interactions with both subunits of the native, stable scavenger receptor homodimer. These data provide a new class of synthetic tools to probe and potentially modulate the oxLDL/LOX-1 interaction that plays an important role in vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby W R Roper
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Christian Tiede
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Izma Abdul-Zani
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Gary A Cuthbert
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | - Dhananjay Jade
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ahmed Al-Aufi
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Queen Saikia
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Richter M, Lalli E, Ruggiero C. Complex and pleiotropic signaling pathways regulated by the secreted protein augurin. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:69. [PMID: 37041625 PMCID: PMC10088197 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01090-8] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The secreted protein augurin, the product of the tumor suppressor gene Ecrg4, has been identified as a peptide hormone in the human proteome in 2007. Since then, a number of studies have been carried out to highlight its structure and processing and its potential roles in physiopathology. Although augurin has been shown to be implicated in a variety of processes, ranging from tumorigenesis, inflammation and infection to neural stem cell proliferation, hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis regulation and osteoblast differentiation, the molecular mechanisms of its biological effects and the signaling pathways it regulates are still poorly characterized. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of augurin-dependent signal transduction pathways. Because of their secreted nature and the potential to be manipulated pharmacologically, augurin and its derived peptides represent attractive targets for diagnostic development and discovery of new therapeutic agents for the human diseases resulting from the deregulation of the signaling cascades they modulate. From this perspective, the characterization of the precise nature of augurin derived peptides and the identification of the receptor(s) on the cell surface conveying augurin signaling to downstream effectors are crucial to develop agonists and antagonists for this protein. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Richter
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, Valbonne, France
- Universite Cote d'Azur, Valbonne, France
| | - Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, Valbonne, France
- Universite Cote d'Azur, Valbonne, France
- Inserm, Valbonne, France
| | - Carmen Ruggiero
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, Valbonne, France.
- Universite Cote d'Azur, Valbonne, France.
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Loss of Ecrg4 improves calcium oxalate nephropathy. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275972. [PMID: 36227903 PMCID: PMC9560046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275972] [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: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney stone is one of the most frequent urinary tract diseases, affecting 10% of the population and displaying a high recurrence rate. Kidney stones are the result of salt supersaturation, including calcium and oxalate. We have previously identified Esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (Ecrg4) as being modulated by hypercalciuria. Ecrg4 was initially described as a tumor suppressor gene in the esophagus. Lately, it was shown to be involved as well in apoptosis, cell senescence, cell migration, inflammation and cell responsiveness to chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, nothing is known about ECRG4's function in the renal tissue and its relationship with calciuria. We hypothesized that the increased expression of Ecrg4 mRNA is triggered by hypercalciuria and might modulate intratubular calcium-oxalate precipitation. In this study, we have first (i) validated the increased Ecrg4 mRNA in several types of hypercalciuric mouse models, then (ii) described the Ecrg4 mRNA expression along the nephron and (iii) assessed ECRG4's putative role in calcium oxalate nephropathy. For this, Ecrg4 KO mice were challenged with a kidney stone-inducing diet, rich in calcium and oxalate precursor. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Ecrg4's expression is restricted mainly to the distal part of the nephron and that the Ecrg4 KO mice develop less signs of tubular obstruction and less calcium-oxalate deposits. This promotes Ecrg4 as a modulator of renal crystallization and may open the way to new therapeutic possibilities against calcium oxalate nephropathy.
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Kurabi A, Hur DG, Pak K, Gibson M, Webster NJG, Baird A, Eliceiri BP, Ryan AF. The ECRG4 cleavage product augurin binds the endotoxin receptor and influences the innate immune response during otitis media. Front Genet 2022; 13:932555. [PMID: 36092940 PMCID: PMC9461705 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.932555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Otitis media (OM), the most common disease of childhood, is typically characterized by bacterial infection of the middle ear (ME). Prominent features of OM include hyperplasia of the ME mucosa, which transforms from a monolayer of simple squamous epithelium with minimal stroma into a full-thickness respiratory epithelium in 2-3 days after infection. Analysis of the murine ME transcriptome during OM showed down-regulation of the tumor suppressor gene Ecrg4 that was temporally related to mucosal hyperplasia and identified stromal cells as the primary ECRG4 source. The reduction in Ecrg4 gene expression coincided with the cleavage of ECRG4 protein to release an extracellular fragment, augurin. The duration of mucosal hyperplasia during OM was greater in Ecrg4 -/- mice, the number of infiltrating macrophages was enhanced, and ME infection cleared more rapidly. ECRG4-null macrophages showed increased bacterial phagocytosis. Co-immunoprecipitation identified an association of augurin with TLR4, CD14 and MD2, the components of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor. The results suggest that full-length ECRG4 is a sentinel molecule that potentially inhibits growth of the ME stroma. Processing of ECRG4 protein during inflammation, coupled with a decline in Ecrg4 gene expression, also influences the behavior of cells that do not express the gene, limiting the production of growth factors by epithelial and endothelial cells, as well as the activity of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Kurabi
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Arwa Kurabi,
| | - Dong Gu Hur
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, South Korea
| | - Kwang Pak
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Madeline Gibson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas J. G. Webster
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States,San Diego Veterans Administration Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andrew Baird
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Brian P. Eliceiri
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Allen F. Ryan
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States,San Diego Veterans Administration Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
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Xie Z, Li W, Ai J, Xie J, Zhang X. C2orf40 inhibits metastasis and regulates chemo-resistance and radio-resistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by influencing cell cycle and activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. J Transl Med 2022; 20:264. [PMID: 35676661 PMCID: PMC9175486 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03446-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor of epithelial origin in head and neck with high incidence rate in Southern China. C2orf40 has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene in many cancers. However, the roles of C2orf40 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma has not been studied. Methods In this study, a bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes in NPC. The quantitative methylation levels was detected using pyrosequencing. qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression level of related RNA and proteins. Cell proliferation was detected using CCK-8 assay, and colony formation capability was detected using colony formation assays. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed using wound-healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The apoptosis level of cells was assessed using TUNEL staining. Endogenous DNA damage and repair were assessed by the comet assay. Cell cycle analyses carried out by flow cytometry. Finally, We used a xenograft nude mouse to verify the roles of C2orf40 in chemoresistance and radioresistance in vivo. Results We found that the C2orf40 expression was significantly downregulated in NPC tissues and inversely associated with a poor prognosis. In vivo and in vitro functional experiments confirmed that overexpression of C2orf40 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of NPC cells, and promoted their sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of NPC cells. Mechanically, the expression level of C2orf40 was negatively correlated with the expression levels of CCNE1 and CDK1. Overexpression of C2orf40 induced cell cycle arrest of NPC cells at G/M phase. In addition, C2orf40 can down-regulated the expression levels of homologous recombination-related proteins (BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, and CDC25A) and inhibited the activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Conclusion The results clarified the biological functions and mechanisms of C2orf40, as a tumor suppressor gene, in NPC, and provided a potential molecular target for improving the sensitivity of NPC to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
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Long D, Chen C, Li W, Peng W, Li D, Zhou R, Dang X. Cardiac Expression of Esophageal Cancer-Related Gene-4 is Regulated by Sp1 and is a Potential Early Target of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2022; 22:404-418. [PMID: 35129819 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-022-09722-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal Cancer-Related Gene 4 (Ecrg4) expressed in cardiomyocytes and the cardiac conduction system is downregulated during cardiac ischemia and atrial fibrillation. To explore whether Ecrg4 plays any role in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Rats and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were employed to study the effect of DOX on Ecrg4 transcription. Bioinformatics combined with promoter analysis were used to map the rat Ecrg4 promoter. ChIP assay was used to evaluate the binding of Sp1 to the Ecrg4 promoter. Transient transfection was used to study the effect of Sp1 on the expression of endogenous Ecrg4. DOX decreased endogenous Ecrg4 gene expression in the heart and cultured NRCMs. In silico analysis showed that the 5'UTR immediately upstream of the start codon ATG, harbors a putative promoter that is GC-rich, and contains CpG islands, multiple overlapping Sp1sites. Transcription is initiated mainly on the 'C' at - 15. Serial 5'-deletion combined with dual-luciferase assays showed that the rat Ecrg4 core promoter resides at - 1/- 800. Sp1 transactivated Ecrg4 gene, which was almost abolished by DOX. Furthermore, ChIP assay showed that Sp1 specifically bound to the Ecrg4 promoter was interrupted by DOX. Finally, DOX suppressed Sp1 protein expression, and restoration of Sp1 increased Ecrg4 expression that was resistant to DOX-induced Ecrg4 downregulation. Importantly, cardiomyocyte-specific loss of Ecrg4 significantly enriched the differentially expressed proteins in the signaling pathways commonly involved in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Our results indicate that Sp1 mediates DOX-induced suppression of Ecrg4, which may contribute indirectly to its cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Long
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyue Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Wanling Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Dongmei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, 1-1 Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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Li Y, Huang R, Chen L, Li Y, Li Y, Liao L, He L, Zhu Z, Wang Y. Characterization of SR-B2a and SR-B2b genes and their ability to promote GCRV infection in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 124:104202. [PMID: 34246624 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Scavenger receptor class B type 2 (SR-B2) is a pattern recognition receptor involved in innate immunity in mammals; however, the immunological function of SR-Bs in fish remains unclear. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequences of SR-B2a and SR-B2b from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) were cloned and designated as CiSR-B2a and CiSR-B2b. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic analyses deduced that CiSR-B2a and CiSR-B2b had the highest evolutionary conservation and were closely related to the zebrafish (Danio rerio) homologs, DrSR-B2a and DrSR-B2b, respectively. Both CiSR-B2a and CiSR-B2b were expressed in all the tested tissues, with the highest expression levels found in the hepatopancreas. In Ctenopharyngodon idellus kidney cells (CIK), CiSR-B2a and CiSR-B2b were mainly located in the cytoplasm, and a small amount located on the plasma membrane. After challenge with Grass Carp Reovirus (GCRV), the expression of CiSR-B2a and CiSR-B2b were significantly upregulated in the spleen (about 10.27 and 27.19 times higher than that at 0 day, p < 0.01). With CiSR-B2a or CiSR-B2b overexpressed in CIK, the relative copy number of GCRV in the cells was both significantly increased compared to that in the control group, indicating that CiSR-B2a and CiSR-B2b may be important proteins during the infection processes of GCRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Liangming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yongming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Lanjie Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Libo He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zuoyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
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Glioblastoma-initiating cell heterogeneity generated by the cell-of-origin, genetic/epigenetic mutation and microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 82:176-183. [PMID: 33453403 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) and other malignant tumours consist of heterogeneous cancer cells, including GBM-initiating cells (GICs). This heterogeneity is likely to arise from the following: different sets of genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications, which GICs gain in the transformation process; differences in cells of origin, such as stem cells, precursor cells or differentiated cells; and the cancer microenvironment, in which GICs communicate with neural cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. Furthermore, considering that various types of GICs can be generated at different time points of the transformation process, GBM very likely consists of heterogeneous GICs and their progeny. Because cancer cell heterogeneity is responsible for therapy resistance, it is crucial to develop methods of reducing such heterogeneity. Here, I summarize how GIC heterogeneity is generated in the transformation process and present how cell heterogeneity in cancer can be addressed based on recent findings.
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Dorschner RA, Lee J, Cohen O, Costantini T, Baird A, Eliceiri BP. ECRG4 regulates neutrophil recruitment and CD44 expression during the inflammatory response to injury. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaay0518. [PMID: 32195341 PMCID: PMC7065879 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay0518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The complex molecular microenvironment of the wound bed regulates the duration and degree of inflammation in the wound repair process, while its dysregulation leads to impaired healing. Understanding factors controlling this response provides therapeutic targets for inflammatory disease. Esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (ECRG4) is a candidate chemokine that is highly expressed on leukocytes. We used ECRG4 knockout (KO) mice to establish that the absence of ECRG4 leads to defective neutrophil recruitment with a delay in wound healing. An in vitro human promyelocyte model identified an ECRG4-mediated suppression of the hyaluronic acid receptor, CD44, a key receptor mediating inflammation resolution. In ECRG4 KO mouse leukocytes, there was an increase in CD44 expression, consistent with a model in which ECRG4 negatively regulates CD44 levels. Therefore, we propose a previously unidentified mechanism in which ECRG4 regulates early neutrophil recruitment and subsequent CD44-mediated resolution of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Dorschner
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jisook Lee
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Burn, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Olga Cohen
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Burn, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Todd Costantini
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Burn, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Baird
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Burn, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Brian P. Eliceiri
- Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Burn, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Dang X, Coimbra R, Mao L, Podvin S, Li X, Yu H, Costantini TW, Zeng X, Larocca D, Eliceiri BP, Baird A. Open reading frame mining identifies a TLR4 binding domain in the primary sequence of ECRG4. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:5027-5039. [PMID: 31190084 PMCID: PMC11105628 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03159-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The embedding of small peptide ligands within large inactive pre-pro-precursor proteins encoded by orphan open reading frames (ORFs) makes them difficult to identify and study. To address this problem, we generated oligonucleotide (< 100-400 base pair) combinatorial libraries from either the epidermal growth factor (EGF) ORF that encodes the > 1200 amino acid EGF precursor protein or the orphan ECRG4 ORF, that encodes a 148 amino acid Esophageal Cancer Related Gene 4 (ECRG4), a putative cytokine precursor protein of up to eight ligands. After phage display and 3-4 rounds of biopanning for phage internalization into prostate cancer epithelial cells, sequencing identified the 53-amino acid EGF ligand encoded by the 5' region of the EGF ORF and three distinct domains within the primary sequence of ECRG4: its membrane targeting hydrophobic signal peptide, an unanticipated amino terminus domain at ECRG437-63 and a C-terminus ECRG4133-148 domain. Using HEK-blue cells transfected with the innate immunity receptor complex, we show that both ECRG437-63 and ECRG4133-148 enter cells by interaction with the TLR4 immune complex but neither stimulate NFkB. Taken together, the results help establish that phage display can be used to identify cryptic domains within ORFs of the human secretome and identify a novel TLR4-targeted internalization domain in the amino terminus of ECRG4 that may contribute to its effects on cell migration, immune cell activation and tumor suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Dang
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Raul Coimbra
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Sonia Podvin
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Xue Li
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Hua Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Todd W Costantini
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Xiaorong Zeng
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | | | - Brian P Eliceiri
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
| | - Andrew Baird
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 98896, USA.
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12
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Potential functions of esophageal cancer-related gene-4 in the cardiovascular system. Front Med 2019; 13:639-645. [PMID: 31468282 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-019-0701-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer-related gene-4 (Ecrg4) is cloned from the normal epithelium of the esophagus. It is constitutively expressed in quiescent epithelial cells and downregulated during tumorigenesis, and Ecrg4 expression levels are inversely correlated with the malignant phenotype of tumor cells, validating that Ecrg4 is a real tumor suppressor gene. Unlike other tumor suppressor genes that usually encode membrane or intracellular proteins, Ecrg4 encodes a 148-amino acid pre-pro-peptide that is tethered on the cell surface in epithelial cells, specialized epithelial cells, and human leukocytes, where it can be processed tissue dependently into several small peptides upon cell activation. Ecrg4 is expressed in a wide variety of other cells/tissues, including cardiomyocytes and conduction system of the heart, the glomus cells of the carotid body, adrenal glands, choroid plexus, and leukocytes among others, where it exerts distinct functions, such as promoting/suppressing inflammation, inducing neuron senescence, stimulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, maintaining the stemness of stem cells, participating in the rhythm and rate control of the heart, and possibly gauging the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system (CVS) to hypoxia, in addition to tumor suppression. Here, we briefly review the latest discoveries on Ecrg4 and its underlying molecular mechanisms as a tumor suppressor and focus on the emerging roles of Ecrg4 in the CVS.
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13
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Huang W, Zhou R, Mao L, Deng C, Dang X. Esophageal cancer related gene-4 inhibits the migration and proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma through BC200 lncRNA/MMP-9 and -13 signaling pathway. Cell Signal 2019; 62:109327. [PMID: 31152845 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer related gene-4 (ECRG4) inhibits the malignant phenotype of oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. Using the tongue carcinoma cell line, TCA8113 as a cell model, we showed that forced expression of ECRG4 down-regulated the expression of the BC200 long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9 and MMP-13). Restoration of BC200 lncRNA rescued ECRG4-mediated down-regulation of MMP-9 and -13. Furthermore, over-expression of Ecrg4 inhibited cell proliferation and migration, which was abolished by forced expression of BC200 lncRNA in TCA8113 cells. Our results indicate that ECRG4 inhibits the malignant phenotype of TCA8113 cells most likely through suppression of BC200 lncRNA/MMPs signaling pathway, rationalizing that BC200 lncRNA may be a potential target for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Liang Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Chenliang Deng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai 6th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Xitong Dang
- The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
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Nakatani Y, Kiyonari H, Kondo T. Ecrg4 deficiency extends the replicative capacity of neural stem cells in a Foxg1-dependent manner. Development 2019; 146:dev.168120. [PMID: 30745428 DOI: 10.1242/dev.168120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The self-renewal activity of neural stem cells (NSCs) has been suggested to decrease with aging, resulting in age-dependent declines in brain function, such as presbyopia and memory loss. The molecular mechanisms underlying decreases in NSC proliferation with age need to be elucidated in more detail to develop treatments that promote brain function. We have previously reported that the expression of esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (Ecrg4) was upregulated in aged NSCs, whereas its overexpression decreased NSC proliferation, suggesting a functional relationship between Ecrg4 and NSC aging. Using Ecrg4-deficient mice in which the Ecrg4 locus was replaced with the lacZ gene, we here show that Ecrg4 deficiency recovered the age-dependent decline in NSC proliferation and enhanced spatial learning and memory in the Morris water-maze paradigm. We demonstrate that the proliferation of Ecrg4-deficient NSCs was partly maintained by the increased expression of Foxg1. Collectively, these results determine Ecrg4 as a NSC aging factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Nakatani
- Division of Bio-Function Dynamics Imaging, Center for Life Science Technology, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kiyonari
- Animal Resource Development Unit and Genetic Engineering Team, Center for Life Science Technology, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Toru Kondo
- Division of Stem Cell Biology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan
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Macron C, Lane L, Núñez Galindo A, Dayon L. Deep Dive on the Proteome of Human Cerebrospinal Fluid: A Valuable Data Resource for Biomarker Discovery and Missing Protein Identification. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:4113-4126. [PMID: 30124047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a body fluid of choice for biomarker studies of brain disorders but remains relatively under-studied compared with other biological fluids such as plasma, partly due to the more invasive means of its sample collection. The present study establishes an in-depth CSF proteome through the analysis of a unique CSF sample from a pool of donors. After immunoaffinity depletion, the CSF sample was fractionated using off-gel electrophoresis and analyzed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (MS) using the latest generation of hybrid Orbitrap mass spectrometers. The shotgun proteomic analysis allowed the identification of 20 689 peptides mapping on 3379 proteins. To the best of our knowledge, the obtained data set constitutes the largest CSF proteome published so far. Among the CSF proteins identified, 34% correspond to genes whose transcripts are highly expressed in brain according to the Human Protein Atlas. The principal Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (e.g., tau protein, amyloid-β, apolipoprotein E, and neurogranin) were detected. Importantly, our data set significantly contributes to the Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP), and 12 proteins considered as missing are proposed for validation in accordance with the HPP guidelines. Of these 12 proteins, 8 proteins are based on 2 to 6 uniquely mapping peptides from this CSF analysis, and 4 match a new peptide with a "stranded" single peptide in PeptideAtlas from previous CSF studies. The MS proteomic data are available to the ProteomeXchange Consortium ( http://www.proteomexchange.org/ ) with the data set identifier PXD009646.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Macron
- Proteomics , Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Lydie Lane
- CALIPHO Group , SIB-Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics , CMU, rue Michel-Servet 1 , 1211 Geneva 4 , Switzerland.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Geneva , rue Michel-Servet 1 , 1211 Geneva 4 , Switzerland
| | | | - Loïc Dayon
- Proteomics , Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
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16
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ECRG4: a new potential target in precision medicine. Front Med 2018; 13:540-546. [PMID: 30003403 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0637-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Given the rapid development in precision medicine, tremendous efforts have been devoted to discovering new biomarkers for disease diagnosis and treatment. Esophageal cancer-related gene-4 (ECRG4), which is initially known as a new candidate tumor suppressor gene, is emerging as a sentinel molecule for gauging tissue homeostasis. ECRG4 is unique in its cytokine-like functional pattern and epigenetically-regulated gene expression pattern. The gene can be released from the cell membrane upon activation and detected in liquid biopsy, thus offering considerable potential in precision medicine. This review provides an updated summary on the biology of ECRG4, with emphasis on its important roles in cancer diagnosis and therapy. The future perspectives of ECRG4 as a potential molecular marker in precision medicine are also discussed in detail.
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17
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Mao L, Li X, Gong S, Yuan H, Jiang Y, Huang W, Sun X, Dang X. Serum exosomes contain ECRG4 mRNA that suppresses tumor growth via inhibition of genes involved in inflammation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Cancer Gene Ther 2018; 25:248-259. [PMID: 29983418 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0032-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer related gene-4 (Ecrg4) has been shown to be a tumor suppressor in many organs. Exosomes are naturally secreted nanosized particles that carry signal molecules including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) among others. Upon internalization, exosomes unload their cargos that in turn modulate the biology of the recipient cells. Mounting evidence has shown that exosomal miRNAs are functional. However, reports that exosomes carry functional mRNAs remain scarce. We found that serum exosomes contain ECRG4 open reading frame. To simulate serum exosomal ECRG4, stable cell line expressing ECRG4 was created, from which exosomes were isolated and characterized, and the internalization and the resulting biological effects of exosomal ECRG4 were evaluated. Results showed that serum exosomes contain higher levels of ECRG4 mRNA in healthy individuals than their cancer counterparts. Exosomal ECRG4 can be internalized and unload the encapsulated ECRG4 into recipient cells, which subsequently suppressed cell proliferation in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, ECRG4-containing exosomes, when internalized, suppressed the expression of genes commonly implicated in inflammation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Given that exosome is an ideal vehicle for therapeutics delivery and that ECRG4 is a tumor suppressor gene, the exosomal ECRG4 can be exploited as a formulation for cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Mao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Xue Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Shu Gong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Haiyang Yuan
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Wenjun Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Xingwang Sun
- Department of Pathology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Xitong Dang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, The Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
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