1
|
Bortoletto S, Nunes-Souza E, Marchi R, Ruthes MO, Okano LM, Tofolo MV, Centa A, Fonseca AS, Rosolen D, Cavalli LR. MicroRNAs role in telomere length maintenance and telomerase activity in tumor cells. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:1089-1100. [PMID: 39042290 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02467-z] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
MiRNAs, a class of non-coding RNA molecules, have emerged as critical modulators of telomere length and telomerase activity by finely tuning the expression of target genes (and not gene targets) within signaling pathways involved in telomere homeostasis. The primary objective of this systematic review was to compile and synthesize the existing body of knowledge on the role, association, and involvement of miRNAs in telomere length. Additionally, the review explored the regulation, function, and activation mechanism of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene and telomerase activity in tumor cells. A comprehensive analysis of 47 selected articles revealed 40 distinct miRNAs involved in these processes. These miRNAs were shown to exert their function, in both clinical cases and cell line models, either directly or indirectly, regulating hTERT and telomerase activity through distinct molecular mechanisms. The regulatory roles of these miRNAs significantly affected major cancer phenotypes, with outcomes largely dependent on the tissue type and the cellular actions within the tumor cells, whereby they functioned as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. These findings strongly support the pivotal role of miRNAs in modulating telomere length and telomerase activity, thereby contributing to the intricate and complex regulation of telomere homeostasis in tumor cells. Moreover, they emphasize the potential of targeting miRNAs and key regulatory genes as therapeutic strategies to disrupt cancer cell growth and promote senescence, offering promising avenues for novel cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéfanne Bortoletto
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle Nunes-Souza
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Rafael Marchi
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Mayara Oliveira Ruthes
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Larissa M Okano
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Maria Vitoria Tofolo
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Ariana Centa
- Universidade Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe (UNIARP), Caçador, SC, Brazil
| | - Aline S Fonseca
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Daiane Rosolen
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Luciane R Cavalli
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Research Institute Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
- Oncology Department, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gu L, Liu M, Zhang Y, Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu ZX. Telomere-related DNA damage response pathways in cancer therapy: prospective targets. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1379166. [PMID: 38910895 PMCID: PMC11190371 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1379166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the structural integrity of genomic chromosomal DNA is an essential role of cellular life and requires two important biological mechanisms: the DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism and telomere protection mechanism at chromosome ends. Because abnormalities in telomeres and cellular DDR regulation are strongly associated with human aging and cancer, there is a reciprocal regulation of telomeres and cellular DDR. Moreover, several drug treatments for DDR are currently available. This paper reviews the progress in research on the interaction between telomeres and cellular DNA damage repair pathways. The research on the crosstalk between telomere damage and DDR is important for improving the efficacy of tumor treatment. However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liting Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingdi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yap XL, Chen JA. Elucidation of how the Mir-23-27-24 cluster regulates development and aging. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1263-1271. [PMID: 38871817 PMCID: PMC11263685 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01266-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are pivotal regulators of gene expression and are involved in biological processes spanning from early developmental stages to the intricate process of aging. Extensive research has underscored the fundamental role of miRNAs in orchestrating eukaryotic development, with disruptions in miRNA biogenesis resulting in early lethality. Moreover, perturbations in miRNA function have been implicated in the aging process, particularly in model organisms such as nematodes and flies. miRNAs tend to be clustered in vertebrate genomes, finely modulating an array of biological pathways through clustering within a single transcript. Although extensive research of their developmental roles has been conducted, the potential implications of miRNA clusters in regulating aging remain largely unclear. In this review, we use the Mir-23-27-24 cluster as a paradigm, shedding light on the nuanced physiological functions of miRNA clusters during embryonic development and exploring their potential involvement in the aging process. Moreover, we advocate further research into the intricate interplay among miRNA clusters, particularly the Mir-23-27-24 cluster, in shaping the regulatory landscape of aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Le Yap
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jun-An Chen
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Huifu H, Shefrin S, Yang S, Zhang Z, Kaul SC, Sundar D, Wadhwa R. Cucurbitacin-B inhibits cancer cell migration by targeting mortalin and HDM2: computational and in vitro experimental evidence. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2643-2652. [PMID: 37129211 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2206914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis, a highly complex process wherein cancer cells move from the primary site to other sites in the body, is a major hurdle in its therapeutics. A large array of synthetic chemotherapeutic molecules used for the treatment of metastatic cancers, besides being extremely expensive and unaffordable, are known to cause severe adverse effects leading to poor quality of life (QOL) of the patients. In this premise, natural compounds (considered safe, easily available and economic) that possess the potential to inhibit migration of cancer cells are deemed useful and hence are on demand. Cucurbitacin-B (19-(10→9β)-abeo-10-lanost-5-ene triterpene, called Cuc-B) is a steroid mostly found in plants of Cucurbitaceae family. It has been shown to possess anticancer activity although the molecular mechanism remains poorly defined. We present evidence that Cuc-B has the ability to interact with mortalin and HDM2 proteins that are enriched in cancer cells, suppress wild type p53 function and promote cancer cell migration. Computational analyses showed that Cuc-B interacts with mortalin similar to MKT077 and Withanone, both have been shown to reactivate p53 function and inhibit cell migration. Furthermore, Cuc-B interacted with HDM2 similar to Y30, a well-known inhibitor of HDM2. Experimental cell and molecular analyses demonstrated the downregulation of several proteins, critically involved in cell migration in Cuc-B (low non-toxic doses)-treated cancer cells and exhibited inhibition of cell migration. The data suggested that Cuc-B is a potential natural drug that warrants further mechanistic and clinical studies for its use in the management of metastatic cancers.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- He Huifu
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Seyad Shefrin
- DAILAB, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shi Yang
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Zhenya Zhang
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sunil C Kaul
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Durai Sundar
- DAILAB, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Renu Wadhwa
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Meng S, Wang YU, Wang S, Qian W, Shao Q, Dou M, Zhao S, Wang J, Li M, An Y, He L, Zhang C. Establishment and characterization of an immortalized bovine intestinal epithelial cell line. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad215. [PMID: 37351870 PMCID: PMC10347977 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad215] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary bovine intestinal epithelial cells (PBIECs) are an important model for studying the molecular and pathogenic mechanisms of diseases affecting the bovine intestine. It is difficult to obtain and grow PBIECs stably, and their short lifespan greatly limits their application. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to create a cell line for exploring the mechanisms of pathogen infection in bovine intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. We isolated and cultured PBIECs and established an immortalized BIEC line by transfecting PBIECs with the pCI-neo-hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) recombinant plasmid. The immortalized cell line (BIECs-21) retained structure and function similar to that of the PBIECs. The marker proteins characteristic of epithelial cells, cytokeratin 18, occludin, zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), E-cadherin and enterokinase, were all positive in the immortalized cell line, and the cell structure, growth rate, karyotype, serum dependence and contact inhibition were normal. The hTERT gene was successfully transferred into BIECs-21 where it remained stable and was highly expressed. The transport of short-chain fatty acids and glucose uptake by the BIECs-21 was consistent with PBIECs, and we showed that they could be infected with the intestinal parasite, Neospora caninum. The immortalized BIECs-21, which have exceeded 80 passages, were structurally and functionally similar to the primary BIECs and thus provide a valuable research tool for investigating the mechanism of pathogen infection of the bovine intestinal epithelium in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudan Meng
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
- Innovative Research Team of Livestock Intelligent Breeding and Equipment, Longmen Laboratory, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Y uexin Wang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Weifeng Qian
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Qi Shao
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Mengying Dou
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Shujuan Zhao
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Jianguo Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Mengyun Li
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Yongsheng An
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Lei He
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Welfare and Health Breeding, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry Eerging Disease Detection and Control, Luoyang 471023, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gao J, Pickett HA. Targeting telomeres: advances in telomere maintenance mechanism-specific cancer therapies. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:515-532. [PMID: 35790854 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells establish replicative immortality by activating a telomere-maintenance mechanism (TMM), be it telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Targeting telomere maintenance represents an intriguing opportunity to treat the vast majority of all cancer types. Whilst telomerase inhibitors have historically been heralded as promising anticancer agents, the reality has been more challenging, and there are currently no therapeutic options for cancer types that use ALT despite their aggressive nature and poor prognosis. In this Review, we discuss the mechanistic differences between telomere maintenance by telomerase and ALT, the current methods used to detect each mechanism, the utility of these tests for clinical diagnosis, and recent developments in the therapeutic strategies being employed to target both telomerase and ALT. We present notable developments in repurposing established therapeutic agents and new avenues that are emerging to target cancer types according to which TMM they employ. These opportunities extend beyond inhibition of telomere maintenance, by finding and exploiting inherent weaknesses in the telomeres themselves to trigger rapid cellular effects that lead to cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixuan Gao
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tawfik HO, El-Hamaky AA, El-Bastawissy EA, Shcherbakov KA, Veselovsky AV, Gladilina YA, Zhdanov DD, El-Hamamsy MH. New Genetic Bomb Trigger: Design, Synthesis, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and Biological Evaluation of Novel BIBR1532-Related Analogs Targeting Telomerase against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040481. [PMID: 35455478 PMCID: PMC9025901 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres serve a critical function in cell replication and proliferation at every stage of the cell cycle. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein, responsible for maintaining the telomere length and chromosomal integrity of frequently dividing cells. Although it is silenced in most human somatic cells, telomere restoration occurs in cancer cells because of telomerase activation or alternative telomere lengthening. The telomerase enzyme is a universal anticancer target that is expressed in 85–95% of cancers. BIBR1532 is a selective non-nucleoside potent telomerase inhibitor that acts by direct noncompetitive inhibition. Relying on its structural features, three different series were designed, and 30 novel compounds were synthesized and biologically evaluated as telomerase inhibitors using a telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Target compounds 29a, 36b, and 39b reported the greatest inhibitory effect on telomerase enzyme with IC50 values of 1.7, 0.3, and 2.0 μM, respectively, while BIBR1532 displayed IC50 = 0.2 μM. Compounds 29a, 36b, and 39b were subsequently tested using a living-cell TRAP assay and were able to penetrate the cell membrane and inhibit telomerase inside living cancer cells. Compound 36b was tested for cytotoxicity against 60 cancer cell lines using the NCI (USA) procedure, and the % growth was minimally impacted, indicating telomerase enzyme selectivity. To investigate the interaction of compound 36b with the telomerase allosteric binding site, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haytham O. Tawfik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
- Correspondence: (H.O.T.); (D.D.Z.)
| | - Anwar A. El-Hamaky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| | - Eman A. El-Bastawissy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| | - Kirill A. Shcherbakov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Alexander V. Veselovsky
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (H.O.T.); (D.D.Z.)
| | - Mervat H. El-Hamamsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| |
Collapse
|