1
|
Zeng Z, Peng Q, Yang F, Wu J, Guo H, Deng H, Zhao L, Long K, Wang X. Transcriptome analysis of pigeon pituitary gland: expression changes of genes encoding protein and peptide hormones at different breeding stages. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103742. [PMID: 38670056 PMCID: PMC11068619 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103742] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Unlike other poultry, parent pigeons produce "pigeon milk" in their crops to nurture their squabs, which is mainly controlled by prolactin (PRL). Exception for PRL, the pituitary gland may also release various other peptide and protein hormones. However, whether these hormones change during pigeon crop lactation and their potential physiological functions remain unclear. Here, to identify potential peptide or protein hormone genes that regulate crop lactation, we conducted transcriptome analysis of pigeon pituitary glands at 3 different breeding stages (the ceased stage-nonincubation and non-nurturing stage, the 11th d of the incubation, and the 1st d of the nurturing stage) using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Our analysis identified a total of 15,191 mRNAs and screened out 297 differentially expressed genes (DEG), including PRL, VIP, etc. The expression abundance of PRL mRNA on the 1st d of the nurturing stage was respectively 4.93 and 3.62 folds higher when compared to the ceased stage and the 11th d of the incubation stage. Additionally, the expression abundance of VIP is higher in the 1st d of the nurturing stage than in the ceased stage. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) analysis identified several vital DEGs (e.g., GHRHR, VIP, etc.), being closely linked with hormone and enriched in neuropeptide signaling pathway and response to the hormone. Expression pattern analysis revealed that these DEGs exhibited 4 distinct expression patterns (profile 10, 16, 18, 19). Genes in profile 10 and 19 presented a trend with the highest expression level on 1st d of the nurturing stage, and functional enrichment analysis indicated that these genes are involved in neuropeptide hormone activity, receptor-ligand activity, and the extracellular matrix, etc. Taken together, being consistent with PRL, some genes encoding peptide and protein hormones (e.g., VIP) presented differentially expressed in different breeding stages. It suggests that these hormones may be involved in regulation of the crop lactation process or corresponding behavior in domestic pigeons. The results of this study help to gain new insights into the role of pituitary gland in regulating pigeon lactation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanggui Zeng
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China
| | - Qiyi Peng
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China
| | - Fuxing Yang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China
| | - Jie Wu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China
| | - Hongrui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. of China
| | - Huidan Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. of China
| | - Ling Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. of China
| | - Keren Long
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China
| | - Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shen S, Radhakrishnan SK, Harrell JC, Puchalapalli M, Koblinski J, Clevenger C. The Human Intermediate Prolactin Receptor I-tail Contributes Breast Oncogenesis by Targeting Ras/MAPK Pathway. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae039. [PMID: 38713636 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Prolactin and its receptor (PRLr) in humans are significantly involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. The intermediate form of human PRLr (hPRLrI) is produced by alternative splicing and has a novel 13 amino acid tail ("I-tail") gain. hPRLrI induces significant proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of normal mammary epithelia in vitro when coexpressed with the long form hPRLr (hPRLrL). hPRLrL and hPRLrI coexpression is necessary to induce the transformation of mammary epithelia in vivo. The I-tail is associated with the ubiquitin-like protein neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8. Treatment with the neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8-activating enzyme inhibitor pevonedistat resulted in increased hPRLrL and the death of breast cancer cells. The goal of this study was to determine the function of the hPRLrI I-tail in hPRLrL/hPRLrI-mediated mammary transformation. hPRLrL/hPRLrI and hPRLrL/hPRLrIΔ13 (I-tail removal mutant) were delivered to MCF10AT cells. Cell proliferation was decreased when hPRLrI I-tail was removed. I-tail deletion decreased anchorage-independent growth and attenuated cell migration. The I-tail was involved in Ras/MAPK signaling but not PI3K/Akt signaling pathway as shown by western blot. I-tail removal resulted in decreased hPRLrI stability. RNA-sequencing data revealed that I-tail removal resulted in differential gene expression induced by prolactin. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the activity of ERK was attenuated. Treatment of breast cancer cells with ERK1/2 inhibitor ulixertinib resulted in decreased colony-forming ability and less proliferation. These studies suggest that the hPRLrI I-tail contributed to breast oncogenesis and may be a promising target for the development of new breast cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanwei Shen
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Senthil K Radhakrishnan
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - J Chuck Harrell
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Madhavi Puchalapalli
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jennifer Koblinski
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Charles Clevenger
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu Z, Ishikawa K, Sanada E, Semba K, Li J, Li X, Osada H, Watanabe N. Identification of antimycin A as a c-Myc degradation accelerator via high-throughput screening. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105083. [PMID: 37495110 PMCID: PMC10470004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105083] [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: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Myc is a critical regulator of cell proliferation and growth. Elevated levels of c-Myc cause transcriptional amplification, leading to various types of cancers. Small molecules that specifically inhibit c-Myc-dependent regulation are potentially invaluable for anticancer therapy. Because c-Myc does not have enzymatic activity or targetable pockets, researchers have attempted to obtain small molecules that inhibit c-Myc cofactors, activate c-Myc repressors, or target epigenetic modifications to regulate the chromatin of c-Myc-addicted cancer without any clinical success. In this study, we screened for c-Myc inhibitors using a cell-dependent assay system in which the expression of c-Myc and its transcriptional activity can be inferred from monomeric Keima and enhanced GFP fluorescence, respectively. We identified one mitochondrial inhibitor, antimycin A, as a hit compound. The compound enhanced the c-Myc phosphorylation of threonine-58, consequently increasing the proteasome-mediated c-Myc degradation. The mechanistic analysis of antimycin A revealed that it enhanced the degradation of c-Myc protein through the activation of glycogen synthetic kinase 3 by reactive oxygen species (ROS) from damaged mitochondria. Furthermore, we found that the inhibition of cell growth by antimycin A was caused by both ROS-dependent and ROS-independent pathways. Interestingly, ROS-dependent growth inhibition occurred only in the presence of c-Myc, which may reflect the representative features of cancer cells. Consistently, the antimycin A sensitivity of cells was correlated to the endogenous c-Myc levels in various cancer cells. Overall, our study provides an effective strategy for identifying c-Myc inhibitors and proposes a novel concept for utilizing ROS inducers for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Liu
- Bioprobe Application Research Unit, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Ishikawa
- Japan Biological Informatics Consortium (JBiC), Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emiko Sanada
- Bioprobe Application Research Unit, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Chemical Biology Research Group, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kentaro Semba
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Medical-Industrial Translational Research Center, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Jiang Li
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Biology Research Group, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan.
| | - Nobumoto Watanabe
- Bioprobe Application Research Unit, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan; Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN CSRS, Wako, Saitama, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Molina-Salinas G, Langley E, Cerbon M. Prolactin-induced neuroprotection against excitotoxicity is mediated via PI3K/AKT and GSK3β/NF-κB in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. Peptides 2023; 166:171037. [PMID: 37301481 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone that has been reported to play a significant role in neuroprotection against neuronal excitotoxicity produced by glutamate (Glu) or kainic acid (KA) in both, in vitro and in vivo models. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in PRL's neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus have not been completely elucidated. The aim of the present study was to assess the signaling pathways involved in PRL neuroprotection against excitotoxicity. Primary rat hippocampal neuronal cell cultures were used to assess PRL-induced signaling pathway activation. The effects of PRL on neuronal viability, as well as its effects on activation of key regulatory pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinases/Protein Kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β / nuclear factor kappa B (GSK3β/NF-κB), were evaluated under conditions of Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Additionally, the effect on downstream regulated genes such as Bcl-2 and Nrf2, was assessed. Here, we show that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is activated by PRL treatment during excitotoxicity, promoting neuronal survival through upregulation of active AKT and GSK3β/NF-κB, resulting in induction of Bcl-2 and Nrf2 gene expression. Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway abrogated the protective effect of PRL against Glu-induced neuronal death. Overall, results indicate that the neuroprotective actions of PRL are mediated in part, by the activation of the AKT pathway and survival genes. Our data support the idea that PRL could be useful as a potential neuroprotective agent in different neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Molina-Salinas
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México 04510, Mexico
| | - E Langley
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, CDMX, México 14080, Mexico
| | - M Cerbon
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México 04510, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Taghi Khani A, Kumar A, Sanchez Ortiz A, Radecki KC, Aramburo S, Lee SJ, Hu Z, Damirchi B, Lorenson MY, Wu X, Gu Z, Stohl W, Sanz I, Meffre E, Müschen M, Forman SJ, Koff JL, Walker AM, Swaminathan S. Isoform-specific knockdown of long and intermediate prolactin receptors interferes with evolution of B-cell neoplasms. Commun Biol 2023; 6:295. [PMID: 36941341 PMCID: PMC10027679 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04667-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is elevated in B-cell-mediated lymphoproliferative diseases and promotes B-cell survival. Whether PRL or PRL receptors drive the evolution of B-cell malignancies is unknown. We measure changes in B cells after knocking down the pro-proliferative, anti-apoptotic long isoform of the PRL receptor (LFPRLR) in vivo in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)- and B-cell lymphoma-prone mouse models, and the long plus intermediate isoforms (LF/IFPRLR) in human B-cell malignancies. To knockdown LF/IFPRLRs without suppressing expression of the counteractive short PRLR isoforms (SFPRLRs), we employ splice-modulating DNA oligomers. In SLE-prone mice, LFPRLR knockdown reduces numbers and proliferation of pathogenic B-cell subsets and lowers the risk of B-cell transformation by downregulating expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase. LFPRLR knockdown in lymphoma-prone mice reduces B-cell numbers and their expression of BCL2 and TCL1. In overt human B-cell malignancies, LF/IFPRLR knockdown reduces B-cell viability and their MYC and BCL2 expression. Unlike normal B cells, human B-cell malignancies secrete autocrine PRL and often express no SFPRLRs. Neutralization of secreted PRL reduces the viability of B-cell malignancies. Knockdown of LF/IFPRLR reduces the growth of human B-cell malignancies in vitro and in vivo. Thus, LF/IFPRLR knockdown is a highly specific approach to block the evolution of B-cell neoplasms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeleh Taghi Khani
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Ashly Sanchez Ortiz
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Kelly C Radecki
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Soraya Aramburo
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Sung June Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Zunsong Hu
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Behzad Damirchi
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Mary Y Lorenson
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Zhaohui Gu
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - William Stohl
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Ignacio Sanz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Eric Meffre
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Markus Müschen
- Center of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, 06520, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jean L Koff
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ameae M Walker
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Srividya Swaminathan
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Al-Karagholi MAM, Kalatharan V, Ghanizada H, Gram C, Dussor G, Ashina M. Prolactin in headache and migraine: A systematic review of clinical studies. Cephalalgia 2023; 43:3331024221136286. [PMID: 36718026 DOI: 10.1177/03331024221136286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systemically review clinical studies investigating the role of prolactin and its receptors in headache and migraine. BACKGROUND Migraine prevalence is more common in women compared to men. As prolactin is a crucial regulator of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, prolactin and its receptors might contribute to signaling mechanisms underlying migraine. METHODS In this systematic review, we searched PubMed and EMBASE with the terms: prolactin, hyperprolactinemia, macroprolactinemia, hypoprolactinemia, migraine, headache, head pain and trigeminal pain pathway for clinical studies investigating prolactin signaling in headache and migraine. Two reviewers independently screened 841 articles for population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design. Studies were restricted to the English language and were excluded if they had a nonexperimental methodology. RESULTS Nineteen clinical studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis. The main findings were that serum prolactin levels were found to be higher in individuals with migraine compared to healthy controls, and prolactinomas (prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas) were correlated with higher incidence of headache in otherwise healthy individuals and migraine attacks in individuals with migraine. CONCLUSION Considerable evidence suggests a key role of prolactin and its receptors in migraine pathophysiology. Further randomized and placebo-controlled clinical studies targeting prolactin signaling are needed to further clarify influences of prolactin in migraine attack initiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Al-Mahdi Al-Karagholi
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet- Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Veberka Kalatharan
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet- Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Hashmat Ghanizada
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet- Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Christian Gram
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet- Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Gregory Dussor
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, USA
| | - Messoud Ashina
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet- Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.,Danish Headache Knowledge Center on Headache Disorders, Rigshospitalet - Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhu J, Teng X, Wang L, Zheng M, Meng Y, Liu T, Liu Y, Huan H, Gong D, Xie P. Prolactin promotes crop epithelial proliferation of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) through the Hippo signaling pathway. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad312. [PMID: 37721785 PMCID: PMC10576522 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad312] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether prolactin (PRL) regulates the proliferation of pigeon crop epithelium through the Hippo signaling pathway during the breeding cycle. Twenty-four pairs of adult pigeons were allotted to four groups by different breeding stages, and their crops and serum were sampled. Eighteen pairs of young pigeons were selected and divided into three groups for the injection experiments. The results showed that the serum PRL content and crop epithelial thickness of pigeons increased significantly at day 17 of incubation (I17) and day 1 of chick-rearing (R1). In males, the mRNA levels of yes-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP) and snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2) were peaked at I17, and the gene levels of large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1), serine/threonine kinase 3 (STK3), TEA domain transcription factor 3 (TEAD3), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), MYC proto-oncogene (c-Myc) and SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) reached the maximum value at R1. In females, the gene expression of YAP, STK3, TEAD3, and SOX2 reached the greatest level at I17, the expression profile of SAV1, CTGF, and c-Myc were maximized at R1. In males, the protein levels of LATS1 and YAP were maximized at R1 and the CTGF expression was upregulated at I17. In females, LATS1, YAP, and CTGF reached a maximum value at I17, and the expression level of phosphorylated YAP was minimized at I17 in males and females. Subcutaneous injection of prolactin (injected for 6 d, 10 μg per kg body weight every day) on the left crop of pigeons can promote the proliferation of crop epithelium by increasing the CTGF level and reducing the phosphorylation level of YAP. YAP-TEAD inhibitor verteporfin (injection for 6 d, 2.5 mg per kg body weight every day) can inhibit the proliferation of crop epithelium induced by prolactin by inhibiting YAP and CTGF expression. In conclusion, PRL can participate in crop cell proliferation of pigeons by promoting the expression of YAP and CTGF in Hippo pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Zhu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, P.R.China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, P.R.China
| | - Xingyi Teng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266000, P.R.China
| | - Liuxiong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, P.R.China
| | - Mingde Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, P.R.China
| | - Yu Meng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, P.R.China
| | - Tingwu Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, P.R.China
| | - Ying Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, P.R.China
| | - Haixia Huan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, P.R.China
| | - Daoqing Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, P.R.China
| | - Peng Xie
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian 223300, P.R.China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Clevenger CV, Rui H. Breast Cancer and Prolactin - New Mechanisms and Models. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6654897. [PMID: 35922139 PMCID: PMC9419691 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of breast cancer is driven by multiple hormones and growth factors. One of these, prolactin (PRL), contributes to both mammary differentiation and oncogenesis, and yet the basis for these disparate effects has remained unclear. The focus of this review is to examine and place into context 2 recent studies that have provided insight into the roles of PRL receptors and PRL in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. One study provides novel evidence for opposing actions of PRL in the breast being mediated in part by differential PRL receptor (PRLr) isoform utilization. Briefly, homomeric complexes of the long isoform of the PRLr (PRLrL-PRLrL) promotes mammary differentiation, while heteromeric complexes of the intermediate and long PRLr (PRLrI-PRLrL) isoforms trigger mammary oncogenesis. Another study describes an immunodeficient, prolactin-humanized mouse model, NSG-Pro, that facilitates growth of PRL receptor-expressing patient-derived breast cancer xenografts. Evidence obtained with this model supports the interactions of physiological levels of PRL with estrogen and ERBB2 gene networks, the modulatory effects of PRL on drug responsiveness, and the pro-metastatic effects of PRL on breast cancer. This recent progress provides novel concepts, mechanisms and experimental models expected to renew interest in harnessing/exploiting PRLr signaling for therapeutic effects in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles V Clevenger
- Correspondence: Charles V. Clevenger, Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall St, Sanger 4-006A, Richmond, VA, 23298-06629, USA.
| | - Hallgeir Rui
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gu W, Mitsuhashi A, Kobayashi T, Shozu M. Metformin attenuates the production and proliferative effects of prolactin induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate during fertility-sparing treatment for endometrial cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:753. [PMID: 35820883 PMCID: PMC9277913 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progestin is used for fertility-sparing treatment in cases of endometrial cancer (EC). Progestin can induce hyperprolactinemia by increasing pituitary secretion and endometrial decidualization. However, progestin induces prolactin (PRL) secretion, which stimulates cell proliferation and deleteriously affects treatment. To date, the detrimental effect of PRL, the secretion of which is induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) during fertility-sparing treatment, has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of PRL on EC cells during combined treatment with progestin and metformin. Methods In total, 71 patients with EC/endometrial atypical hyperplasia who underwent fertility-sparing treatment at our institution from 2009–2019 were enrolled. Serum PRL levels were determined using enzyme immunoassays; mRNA levels in endometrial tissues were determined using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. To evaluate MPA-induced decidualization, cancer-associated stromal cells were enzymatically released from surgically removed specimens of six patients with EC. To examine PRL-induced cell proliferation, the EC cell lines Ishikawa, HEC1B, and HEC265 were used. In vitro cell proliferation was evaluated using the WST assay; protein levels of signaling molecules were determined using western blotting. Results MPA administration significantly increased serum PRL levels at 3 and 6 months and upregulated IGFBP-1 and PRL mRNA expression in tissues at 3 months of fertility-sparing treatment. Metformin significantly reduced MPA-induced IGFBP-1 and PRL mRNA expression during fertility-sparing treatment and significantly inhibited the upregulation of IGFBP-1 and PRL mRNA and PRL levels due to decidualization induced by MPA and cAMP treatment in primary cultured EC stromal cells. In vitro, PRL increased cell proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels, whereas metformin attenuated these increases. Conclusions MPA upregulated PRL levels in serum and endometrial tissues during fertility-sparing treatment. Metformin co-administration reduced PRL production and attenuated PRL-induced cell-proliferation activity. This study may provide valuable insights on the application of metformin to improve the outcomes of fertility-sparing treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09858-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Gu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akira Mitsuhashi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Kobayashi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Makio Shozu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Martínez-Alarcón O, García-López G, Guerra-Mora JR, Molina-Hernández A, Diaz-Martínez NE, Portillo W, Díaz NF. Prolactin from Pluripotency to Central Nervous System Development. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:201-214. [PMID: 33934093 DOI: 10.1159/000516939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is a versatile hormone that exerts more than 300 functions in vertebrates, mainly associated with physiological effects in adult animals. Although the process that regulates early development is poorly understood, evidence suggests a role of PRL in the early embryonic development regarding pluripotency and nervous system development. Thus, PRL could be a crucial regulator in oocyte preimplantation and maturation as well as during diapause, a reversible state of blastocyst development arrest that shares metabolic, transcriptomic, and proteomic similarities with pluripotent stem cells in the naïve state. Thus, we analyzed the role of the hormone during those processes, which involve the regulation of its receptor and several signaling cascades (Jak/Mapk, Jak/Stat, and PI3k/Akt), resulting in either a plethora of physiological actions or their dysregulation, a factor in developmental disorders. Finally, we propose models to improve the knowledge on PRL function during early development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omar Martínez-Alarcón
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe García-López
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - José Raúl Guerra-Mora
- Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Cirugia Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Nutrición, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Anayansi Molina-Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Néstor Emmanuel Diaz-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular y Bioingeniería de Tejidos, Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica CONACYT, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Wendy Portillo
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, UNAM, Quéretaro, Mexico
| | - Néstor Fabián Díaz
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Duc Nguyen H, Pal Yu B, Hoang NHM, Jo WH, Young Chung H, Kim MS. Prolactin and Its Altered Action in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:427-445. [PMID: 34126620 DOI: 10.1159/000517798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolactin (PRL) is one of the most diverse pituitary hormones and is known to modulate normal neuronal function and neurodegenerative conditions. Many studies have described the influence that PRL has on the central nervous system and addressed its contribution to neurodegeneration, but little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the effects of PRL on neurodegenerative disorders, especially on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). SUMMARY We review and summarize the existing literature and current understanding of the roles of PRL on various PRL aspects of AD and PD. KEY MESSAGES In general, PRL is viewed as a promising molecule for the treatment of AD and PD. Modulation of PRL functions and targeting of immune mechanisms are needed to devise preventive or therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai Duc Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Pal Yu
- Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ngoc Hong Minh Hoang
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Hee Jo
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Young Chung
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Sun Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Meisaprow P, Aksorn N, Vinayanuwattikun C, Chanvorachote P, Sukprasansap M. Caffeine Induces G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibits Migration through Integrin αv, β3, and FAK/Akt/c-Myc Signaling Pathway. Molecules 2021; 26:7659. [PMID: 34946741 PMCID: PMC8706725 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is recognized as a major cause of mortality worldwide owing to its metastatic activity. Given the lack of solid information regarding the possible effects of caffeine, one of the most consumed natural psychoactive substances, on molecular signaling pathways implicated in the aggressive behavior of lung cancer, our study aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanism of caffeine on metastasis-related mechanisms. The results revealed that caffeine treatment at concentrations of 0-500 µM caused no direct cytotoxic effects on NCI-H23 cells. Treatment of cells with caffeine showed good potential to inhibit cell proliferation at 48 h and induced significant cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Concerning metastasis, caffeine was shown to reduce filopodia formation, inhibit migration and invasion capability, and reduce the ability of cancer cells to survive and grow in an anchorage-independent manner. Moreover, caffeine could attenuate the formation of 3D tumor spheroids in cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched populations. With regard to mechanisms, we found that caffeine significantly altered the integrin pattern of the treated cells and caused the downregulation of metastasis-associated integrins, namely, integrins αv and β3. Subsequently, the downstream signals, including protein signaling and transcription factors, namely, phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42), and c-Myc, were significantly decreased in caffeine-exposed cells. Taken together, our novel data on caffeine-inhibiting mechanism in relation to metastasis in lung cancer could provide insights into the impact of caffeine intake on human diseases and conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pichitchai Meisaprow
- Graduate Student in Master of Science Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital and Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Nithikoon Aksorn
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand;
| | - Chanida Vinayanuwattikun
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Pithi Chanvorachote
- Cell-Based Drug and Health Product Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Monruedee Sukprasansap
- Food Toxicology Unit, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jayakumar P, Martínez-Moreno CG, Lorenson MY, Walker AM, Morales T. Prolactin Attenuates Neuroinflammation in LPS-Activated SIM-A9 Microglial Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Pathways Via ERK1/2. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:2171-2186. [PMID: 33821330 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01087-2] [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: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is a pleiotropic hormone with multiple functions in several tissues and organs, including the brain. PRL decreases lesion-induced microgliosis and modifies gene expression related to microglial functions in the hippocampus, thereby providing a possible mechanism through which it might participate in neuroimmune modulatory responses and prevent neuronal cell damage. However, the direct contribution of microglial cells to PRL-mediated neuroprotection is still unclear and no studies have yet documented whether PRL can directly activate cellular pathways in microglial cells. The aim of this study is to elucidate in vitro actions of PRL on the immortalized SIM-A9 microglia cell line in basal and LPS-stimulated conditions. PRL alone induced a time-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation. Pretreatment with PRL attenuated LPS (200 ng/ml) stimulated pro-inflammatory markers: nitric oxide (NO) levels, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukins (IL)-6, -1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) expression at 20 nM dosage. PRL suppressed LPS-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κappaB (NF-κB) p65 subunit phosphorylation and its upstream p-ERK1/2 activity. In conclusion, PRL exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated SIM-A9 microglia by downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators corresponding to suppression of LPS-activated ERK1/2 and NF-κB phosphorylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Preethi Jayakumar
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Carlos G Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Mary Y Lorenson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Ameae M Walker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Teresa Morales
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Decoding signaling pathways involved in prolactin-induced neuroprotection: A review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 61:100913. [PMID: 33766566 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
It has been well recognized that prolactin (PRL), a pleiotropic hormone, has many functions in the brain, such as maternal behavior, neurogenesis, and neuronal plasticity, among others. Recently, it has been reported to have a significant role in neuroprotection against excitotoxicity. Glutamate excitotoxicity is a common alteration in many neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, leading to neuronal death. In this sense, several efforts have been made to decrease the progression of these pathologies. Despite various reports of PRL's neuroprotective effect against excitotoxicity, the signaling pathways that underlie this mechanism remain unclear. This review aims to describe the most recent and relevant studies on the molecular signaling pathways, particularly, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, and JAK2/STAT5, which are currently under investigation and might be implicated in the molecular mechanisms that explain the PRL effects against excitotoxicity and neuroprotection. Remarkable neuroprotective effects of PRL might be useful in the treatment of some neurological diseases.
Collapse
|
15
|
Reproductive status impact on tau phosphorylation induced by chronic stress. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100241. [PMID: 33344697 PMCID: PMC7739034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex and exposure to chronic stress have been identified as risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although AD has been demonstrated to be more prevalent in females, sex is often overlooked in research studies, likely due to the complexity of the hormonal status. In female rats, the reproductive status can modulate the well-known increase in tau phosphorylation (pTau) caused by the exposure to acute physical and psychological stressors. To test the hypothesis that reproductive status can impact hippocampal pTau induced by chronic stress, cohorts of virgin, lactating (4–5 days pp), and post-maternal (1-month post-weaned) rats were subjected to a daily 30-min episode of restraint stress for 14 days and were sacrificed either 20 min or 24 h after their last stress/handling episode. Western blot analysis of two well-characterized AD-relevant pTau epitopes (AT8 and PHF-1) and upstream pTau mechanisms (e.g. GSK3β) analysis, showed that stressed post-maternal rats have increased pTau in comparison to stressed lactating rats 20 min after their last stress episode. Furthermore, an increase in pTau was also seen 24 h after the last stress episode in stressed post-maternal rats in comparison to their non-stressed controls in the detergent-soluble fraction. GSK3 analysis showed an increase in total levels of GSK3β in virgin rats and an increase of inactive levels of GSK3β in post-maternal rats, which suggests a different stress response in pTau after the rat has gone through the maternal experience. Interestingly, post-maternal rats also presented the more variability in their estrous cycles in response to stress. Besides no differences in pTau, non-stressed lactating rats showed an increase in inactive GSK3β 24 h after the last handling episode. Immunohistochemical detection of the PHF-1 epitope revealed increased pTau in the CA4/hilar subfield of the hippocampus of virgin and post-maternal rats exposed to chronic stress shortly after their last stress episode. Overall, lactating rats remained unresponsive to chronic restraint stress. These results suggest increased sensitivity of the virgin and post-maternal rats to hippocampal stress-induced pTau with chronic restraint stress compared to lactating rats. Because no differences were detected in response to stress by lactating rats and an exaggerated response was observed in post-maternal rats, current results support the hypothesis that lactation affects tau processing in the brain of the female. pTau increases in the hippocampus of stressed virgin and especially post-maternal rats but not in that of lactating dams. The hippocampal area CA4 of virgin and post-maternal rats is most affected by the chronic restraint stress. GSK3β overall levels and activity are modified by the reproductive condition and stress. Reproductive experience modifies pTau induced by chronic stress.
Collapse
|
16
|
Targeting SRC Kinase Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207437. [PMID: 33050159 PMCID: PMC7588004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The proto-oncogene nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase SRC is a member of the SRC family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs), and its activation and overexpression have been shown to play a protumorigenic role in multiple solid cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is currently the seventh-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and, by 2030, it is predicted to become the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. PDAC is characterized by its high lethality (5-year survival of rate of <10%), invasiveness, and chemoresistance, all of which have been shown to be due to the presence of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PaCSCs) within the tumor. Due to the demonstrated overexpression of SRC in PDAC, we set out to determine if SRC kinases are important for PaCSC biology using pharmacological inhibitors of SRC kinases (dasatinib or PP2). Treatment of primary PDAC cultures established from patient-derived xenografts with dasatinib or PP2 reduced the clonogenic, self-renewal, and tumor-initiating capacity of PaCSCs, which we attribute to the downregulation of key signaling factors such as p-FAK, p-ERK1-2, and p-AKT. Therefore, this study not only validates that SRC kinases are relevant and biologically important for PaCSCs but also suggests that inhibitors of SRC kinases may represent a possible future treatment option for PDAC patients, although further studies are still needed.
Collapse
|
17
|
Li W, Wang J. Uncovering the Underlying Mechanisms of Cancer Metabolism through the Landscapes and Probability Flux Quantifications. iScience 2020; 23:101002. [PMID: 32276228 PMCID: PMC7150521 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer metabolism is critical for understanding the mechanism of tumorigenesis, yet the understanding is still challenging. We studied gene-metabolism regulatory interactions and quantified the global driving forces for cancer-metabolism dynamics as the underlying landscape and probability flux. We uncovered four steady-state attractors: a normal state attractor, a cancer OXPHOS state attractor, a cancer glycolysis state attractor, and an intermediate cancer state attractor. We identified the key regulatory interactions through global sensitivity analysis based on the landscape topography. Different landscape topographies of glycolysis switch between normal cells and cancer cells were identified. We uncovered that the normal state to cancer state transformation is associated with the peaks of the probability flux and the thermodynamic dissipation, giving dynamical and thermodynamic origin of cancer formation. We found that cancer metabolism oscillations consume more energy to support cancer malignancy. This study provides a quantitative understanding of cancer metabolism and suggests a metabolic therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130022, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Deems NP, Leuner B. Pregnancy, postpartum and parity: Resilience and vulnerability in brain health and disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100820. [PMID: 31987814 PMCID: PMC7225072 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Risk and resilience in brain health and disease can be influenced by a variety of factors. While there is a growing appreciation to consider sex as one of these factors, far less attention has been paid to sex-specific variables that may differentially impact females such as pregnancy and reproductive history. In this review, we focus on nervous system disorders which show a female bias and for which there is data from basic research and clinical studies pointing to modification in disease risk and progression during pregnancy, postpartum and/or as a result of parity: multiple sclerosis (MS), depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In doing so, we join others (Shors, 2016; Galea et al., 2018a) in aiming to illustrate the importance of looking beyond sex in neuroscience research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Deems
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fu Y, Su L, Cai M, Yao B, Xiao S, He Q, Xu L, Yang L, Zhao C, Wan T, Shao L, Wang L, Huang X. Downregulation of CPA4 inhibits non small-cell lung cancer growth by suppressing the AKT/c-MYC pathway. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:2026-2039. [PMID: 31397502 PMCID: PMC6851884 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4) is a member of the metallocarboxypeptidase family. A previous study indicated that CPA4 may participate in the modulation of peptide hormone activity and hormone-regulated tissue growth and differentiation. However, the role of CPA4 in lung tumorigenesis remains unclear. Our study revealed that CPA4 expression was higher in both lung cancer cells and tumor tissues. We performed 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays, colony-formation assays, and Cellomics ArrayScan Infinity analysis to demonstrate that CPA4 knockdown inhibited non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation. Conversely, ectopic expression of CPA4 enhanced lung cancer cell proliferation. Consistent with these observations, we generated xenograft tumor models to confirm that CPA4 downregulation suppressed NSCLC cell growth. Mechanistically, we revealed that CPA4 downregulation may induce apoptosis and G1-S arrest by suppressing the protein kinase B/c-MYC pathway. These results suggest that CPA4 has an oncogenic effect on lung cancer growth. Taken together, we identified a novel gene in lung cancer that might provide a basis for new therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Fu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lihuang Su
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengsi Cai
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Boyang Yao
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sisi Xiao
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinlian He
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Le Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lehe Yang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chengguang Zhao
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingting Wan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lianyou Shao
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liangxing Wang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abramicheva PA, Smirnova OV. Prolactin Receptor Isoforms as the Basis of Tissue-Specific Action of Prolactin in the Norm and Pathology. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2019; 84:329-345. [PMID: 31228925 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297919040011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The review describes functional and structural features of different isoforms of prolactin receptor, mechanisms of signaling pathway activation, and molecular messengers involved in the transmission and termination of signal from the prolactin receptor isoforms. Changes in the ratio between prolactin receptor isoforms, key mediators of prolactin signal transduction and termination in various organs and tissues, are analyzed. Special attention is given to the role of molecular mediators and the ratio between the isoforms in normal physiological functions and pathologies. Approaches for therapeutic correction of prolactin signaling impairments are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P A Abramicheva
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - O V Smirnova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
A miR-567-PIK3AP1-PI3K/AKT-c-Myc feedback loop regulates tumour growth and chemoresistance in gastric cancer. EBioMedicine 2019; 44:311-321. [PMID: 31078520 PMCID: PMC6603849 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) ranks the fifth most common cancer, and chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for GC. However, chemoresistance limits the effectiveness of chemotherapy and leads to treatment failure. This study aims to investigate the biological effect of miR-567 on gastric tumourigenesis and chemoresistance and reveal the possible mechanism. Methods We measured the expression of miR-567 in 37 paired normal and stomach tumour specimens, as well as GC cell lines by Real-time PCR. The functional effects of miR-567 were validated using in vitro and in vivo assays. Dual-luciferase report assays and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were conducted for target evaluation, western blot assay was used to confirm the relationships. Findings Our data showed that miR-567 was downregulated in gastric tissues and gastric cancer cells compared with normal tissues and gastric epithelial cells. In vitro, Gain- and lose-of-function assays showed miR-567 not only weakened cells proliferative ability, but also sensitized GC cells to 5-FU and oxaliplatin. In vivo, miR-567 overexpression significantly repressed the tumourigenesis of GC cells compared with the vector control. Mechanistic analysis showed that PIK3AP1 activated AKT phosphorylation in GC. Meanwhile, miR-567 directly targeted PIK3AP1 to inactivate PI3K/AKT/c-Myc pathway and c-Myc inversely regulated miR-567 expression, thus forming a miR-567-PIK3AP1- PI3K/AKT-c-Myc feedback loop explaining the function of miR-567. Interpretation Our studies revealed that miR-567 acts as a tumour suppressor gene and suppresses GC tumorigenesis and chemoresistance via a miR-567-PIK3AP1- PI3K/AKT-c-Myc feedback loop. These results suggest that miR-567 may serve as a target for chemoresistance and a potential prognostic biomarker for GC. miR-567 sensitized GC cells to 5-FU and oxaliplatin, suggesting that it can be a target for chemoresistance. miR-567 functions as a suppressor in GC progression and may serve as a novel prognostic and therapeutic biomarker for GC. miR-567 directly targeted PIK3AP1 to inactivate PI3K/AKT/c-Myc and regulated its own expression. These findings uncover a plausible mechanism for AKT/PI3K signalling activation in cancer progression.
Collapse
|
22
|
Cao X, Xu C, Zhang Y, Wei H, Liu Y, Cao J, Zhao W, Bao K, Wu Q. Comparative transcriptome analysis of embryo invasion in the mink uterus. Placenta 2019; 75:16-22. [PMID: 30712661 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In mink, as many as 65% of embryos die during gestation. The causes and the mechanisms of embryonic mortality remain unclear. The purpose of our study was to examine global gene expression changes during embryo invasion in mink, and thereby to identify potential signaling pathways involved in implantation failure and early pregnancy loss. METHODS Illumina's next-generation sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in implantation (IMs) and inter-implantation sites (inter-IMs) of uterine tissue. RESULTS We identified a total of 606 DEGs, including 420 up- and 186 down-regulated genes in IMs compared to inter-IMs. Gene annotation analysis indicated multiple biological pathways to be significantly enriched for DEGs, including immune response, ECM complex, cytokine activity, chemokine activity and protein binding. The KEGG pathway including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Jak-STAT, TNF and the chemokine signaling pathway were the most enriched. A gene network was constructed, and hub nodes such as CSF3, ICAM1, FOS, IL1B, IL8, CD14 and MYC were found through network analysis. DISCUSSION This report provides a valuable resource for understanding the mechanisms of embryo implantation in mink.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Cao
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China.
| | - Chao Xu
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Yufei Zhang
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Haijun Wei
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation of Anhui Province, College of Biological and Food Engineering, Fuyang Teachers College, Fuyang, China
| | - Junguo Cao
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Weigang Zhao
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Kun Bao
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Muñoz-Mayorga D, Guerra-Araiza C, Torner L, Morales T. Tau Phosphorylation in Female Neurodegeneration: Role of Estrogens, Progesterone, and Prolactin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:133. [PMID: 29643836 PMCID: PMC5882780 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are important to consider when studying different psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). These disorders can be affected by dimorphic changes in the central nervous system and be influenced by sex-specific hormones and neuroactive steroids. In fact, AD is more prevalent in women than in men. One of the main characteristics of AD is the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, composed of the phosphoprotein Tau, and neuronal loss in specific brain regions. The scope of this work is to review the existing evidence on how a set of hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin) affect tau phosphorylation in the brain of females under both physiological and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Muñoz-Mayorga
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Christian Guerra-Araiza
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luz Torner
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Michoacán, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Morelia, Mexico
| | - Teresa Morales
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Teresa Morales,
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Long F, Dong C, Jiang K, Xu Y, Chi X, Sun D, Liang R, Gao Z, Shao S, Wang L. Melatonin enhances the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib via AKT/p27-mediated cell cycle arrest in hepatocarcinoma cell lines. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra02113e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Proposed model elucidating the role of MT in regulating the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells treated with sorafenib.
Collapse
|
25
|
Espada J, Martín-Pérez J. An Update on Src Family of Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases Biology. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 331:83-122. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
26
|
Quan Y, Wang N, Chen Q, Xu J, Cheng W, Di M, Xia W, Gao WQ. SIRT3 inhibits prostate cancer by destabilizing oncoprotein c-MYC through regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Oncotarget 2016; 6:26494-507. [PMID: 26317998 PMCID: PMC4694917 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SIRT3 is involved in aging-related diseases including cancer, but its role in prostate cancer and detailed regulatory function are not known. We found that SIRT3 was moderately down-regulated in prostate carcinomas. Overexpression of SIRT3 by lentiviral transfection inhibited prostate cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockdown of SIRT3 increased prostate tumor growth. Mechanistically, the tumor suppression effect of SIRT3 was achieved via its inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Notably, upregulation of SIRT3 suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt, leading to the ubiquitination and degradation of oncoprotein c-MYC; this could be attenuated by constitutive activation of PI3K/Akt signaling. Collectively, our results unveiled SIRT3's tumor suppressive function and the underlying mechanism in prostate cancer, which might provide therapeutic implications for the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Naitao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Urology, First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meijuan Di
- Department of Pathology, First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiliang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Steinmetz D, Ramos E, Campbell SN, Morales T, Rissman RA. Reproductive Stage and Modulation of Stress-Induced Tau Phosphorylation in Female Rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2015; 27:827-34. [PMID: 26510116 PMCID: PMC4625411 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress is implicated as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Although the specific mechanisms linking stress exposure and AD vulnerability have yet to be fully determined, our laboratory and others have shown that acute and repeated restraint stress in rodents leads to an increase in hippocampal tau phosphorylation (tau-P) and tau insolubility, a critical component of tau pathology in AD. Although tau phosphorylation induced by acute psychological stress is dependent on intact signaling through the type 1 corticotropin-releasing factor receptor, how sex steroids or other modulators contribute to this effect is unknown. A naturally occurring attenuation of the stress response is observed in female rats at the end of pregnancy and throughout lactation. To test the hypothesis that decreased sensitivity to stress during lactation modulates stress-induced tau-P, cohorts of virgin, lactating and weaned female rats were subjected to 30 min of restraint stress or no stress (control) and were killed 20 min or 24 h after the episode. Exposure to restraint stress induced a significant decrease in tau-P in the hippocampus of lactating rats killed 20 min after stress compared to lactating controls and virgins subjected to stress treatment. Lactating rats killed 24 hr after restraint stress exposure showed significant elevation in tau-P compared to lactating cohorts killed 20 min after stress. Levels of tau-P in these latter cohorts did not differ signficantly from control animals. Furthermore, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3-α levels were significantly decreased in stressed lactating animals at both timepoints. This suggests a steep, yet transient stress-induced dephosphorylation of tau, influenced by GSK3, in the hippocampus of lactating rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Steinmetz
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Eugenia Ramos
- Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Shannon N. Campbell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Teresa Morales
- Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Robert A. Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Queretaro, Mexico
- Correspondence to: Robert A. Rissman, Ph.D., Department of Neurosciences, UCSD School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, MTF 314 M/C 0624, La Jolla, CA 92093-0624; Tel: 858-246-0140; Fax: 858-246-0139;
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Yang X, Friedl A. A positive feedback loop between prolactin and STAT5 promotes angiogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 846:265-80. [PMID: 25472543 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-12114-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The signal transduction events that orchestrate cellular activities required for angiogenesis remain incompletely understood. We and others recently described that proangiogenic mediators such as fibroblast growth factors can activate members of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family. STAT5 activation is necessary and sufficient to induce migration, invasion and tube formation of endothelial cells. STAT5 effects on endothelial cells require the secretion of the prolactin (PRL) family member proliferin-1 (PLF1) in mice and PRL in humans. In human endothelial cells, PRL activates the PRL receptor (PRLR) resulting in MAPK and STAT5 activation, thus closing a positive feedback loop. In vivo, endothelial cell-derived PRL is expected to combine with PRL of tumor cell and pituitary origin to raise the concentration of this polypeptide hormone in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, PRL may stimulate tumor angiogenesis via autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine pathways. The disruption of tumor angiogenesis by interfering with PRL signaling may offer an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinhai Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 6051 WIMR, MC-2275, 1111 Highland Avenue, 53705, Madison, WI, USA,
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Prolactin (PRL) in Adipose Tissue: Regulation and Functions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 846:1-35. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-12114-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
30
|
Abstract
PURPOSE The in vitro and in vivo effects of pyrvinium pamoate (PP), a newly identified WNT signaling inhibitor, were evaluated against colon cancer cell lines and primary colon cancer samples. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Antiproliferative activity of PP and its effects on protein and RNA levels of WNT targets were evaluated on adenomatous polyposis coli (APC (mut)) and β-catenin(mut) cell lines, one WNT(wt) colon cancer cell line, as well as six primary colon cancer samples with mutant APC in vitro. In addition, the effect of PP on the growth of liver metastasis was examined. RESULTS PP blocked colon cancer cell growth in vitro in a dose-dependent manner with great differences in the inhibitory concentration (IC(50)), ranging from 0.6 × 10(-6) to 65 × 10(-6) mol/L for colon cancer cells with mutations in WNT signaling. In addition, PP demonstrated a cytotoxic effect on primary colon cancer samples. A combined cytotoxic effect of PP with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was observed for two cell lines. PP decreased messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of known WNT target genes as c-MYC and thereby led to the induction of p21. PP inhibited the migration of HCT116 colon cancer cells in vitro and decreased tumor growth in vivo after intraportal injection of HCT116 cells in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS PP displays promising anticancer activity against a broad panel of human colon cancer cell lines, as well as primary colon cancer samples. However, our findings do not demonstrate a predominant cytotoxic effect of PP on colon cancer cells with mutations in WNT signaling.
Collapse
|
31
|
Bretones G, Delgado MD, León J. Myc and cell cycle control. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2014; 1849:506-16. [PMID: 24704206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 483] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Soon after the discovery of the Myc gene (c-Myc), it became clear that Myc expression levels tightly correlate to cell proliferation. The entry in cell cycle of quiescent cells upon Myc enforced expression has been described in many models. Also, the downregulation or inactivation of Myc results in the impairment of cell cycle progression. Given the frequent deregulation of Myc oncogene in human cancer it is important to dissect out the mechanisms underlying the role of Myc on cell cycle control. Several parallel mechanisms account for Myc-mediated stimulation of the cell cycle. First, most of the critical positive cell cycle regulators are encoded by genes induced by Myc. These Myc target genes include Cdks, cyclins and E2F transcription factors. Apart from its direct effects on the transcription, Myc is able to hyperactivate cyclin/Cdk complexes through the induction of Cdk activating kinase (CAK) and Cdc25 phosphatases. Moreover, Myc antagonizes the activity of cell cycle inhibitors as p21 and p27 through different mechanisms. Thus, Myc is able to block p21 transcription or to induce Skp2, a protein involved in p27 degradation. Finally, Myc induces DNA replication by binding to replication origins and by upregulating genes encoding proteins required for replication initiation. Myc also regulates genes involved in the mitotic control. A promising approach to treat tumors with deregulated Myc is the synthetic lethality based on the inhibition of Cdks. Thus, the knowledge of the Myc-dependent cell cycle regulatory mechanisms will help to discover new therapeutic approaches directed against malignancies with deregulated Myc. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Myc proteins in cell biology and pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Bretones
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-SODERCAN and Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - M Dolores Delgado
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-SODERCAN and Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Javier León
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-SODERCAN and Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Munari E, Fujita K, Faraj S, Chaux A, Gonzalez-Roibon N, Hicks J, Meeker A, Nonomura N, Netto GJ. Dysregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Hum Pathol 2013; 44:2668-76. [PMID: 24074531 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) accounts for 5% to 10% of all urothelial carcinomas. Despite many shared features, key clinical and molecular genetic differences between upper tract and bladder urothelial carcinomas are becoming apparent. We have previously demonstrated alterations of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in bladder carcinoma with a potential impact on biological behavior. In the current study, we evaluated the expression status and prognostic significance of mTOR pathway members in UTUC. Archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 99 primary UTUCs were retrieved from one of the authors' institution. Tissue microarrays were constructed with triplicate tumor samples and paired nonneoplastic urothelium. Tissue microarrays were analyzed using immunohistochemistry for mTOR pathway members: PTEN, phos-AKT, phos-mTOR, phos-S6, phos-4EBP1, and related markers p27 and c-MYC; correlation with clinicopathologic parameters and outcome was performed. We found significantly lower expression of PTEN, phos-AKT, phos-mTOR, phos-S6, phos-4EBP1, p27, and c-MYC in UTUC compared with paired benign urothelium (P < .0005). We found a strong positive correlation between PTEN and phos-AKT. Moderate correlation was observed between phos-mTOR and phos-S6, PTEN and p27, phos-AKT and p27, phos-S6 and p27, phos-mTOR and c-MYC, phos-S6 and c-MYC, and p27 and c-MYC. None of the evaluated biomarkers were associated with increased hazard ratios for tumor recurrence or for cancer-specific mortality, when adjusting for relevant clinicopathologic variables. Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway was observed in UTUC compared with normal urothelium, implicating a potential pathogenic role in tumor development. In our cohort, expression of the evaluated biomarkers had no prognostic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Faraj SF, Albadine R, Chaux A, Gonzalez-Roibon N, Hicks J, Humphreys E, Partin A, Netto GJ. Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway markers in minute adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Urology 2013; 82:1083-9. [PMID: 24035134 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 07/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To asses the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in minute prostatic adenocarcinoma on the basis of the previously reported role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) inactivation and mTOR pathway activation as a negative prognosticator in prostatic cancer. METHODS Tissue microarrays were constructed from 42 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens with minute prostatic adenocarcinoma. Standard immunohistochemistry analysis for mTOR pathway members PTEN, phos-S6, phos-4E-BP1, phos-mTOR, phos-AKT, p27, and ERG was performed. For all markers, histologic expression score was calculated as the sum of intensity × extent of expression. In addition, for PTEN, presence of "markedly decreased" expression (any focal absence of expression) was also assessed. Expression status of all biomarkers was compared between tumor and paired benign tissue. Intercorrelation among markers was also performed. RESULTS PTEN expression was seen in all 36 evaluable minute prostatic adenocarcinoma. Cytoplasmic phos-S6 was present in 32 of 36 tumors (89%). phos-S6 expression levels were higher in tumors compared with paired benign tissue (P = .007). Cytoplasmic and nuclear phos-4E-BP1 was present in all 34 evaluable tumors. phos-4E-BP1 was significantly higher in cancer compared with normal tissue (P <.0001). Only a minority of tumors demonstrating higher phos-S6 expression and phos-4E-BP1 (2 of 32 and 2 of 34, respectively) had associated "markedly decreased" PTEN expression. CONCLUSION We found evidence of activation of mTOR pathway in minute prostatic adenocarcinoma that appears to be unrelated to "markedly decreased" PTEN expression. The latter finding suggests an alternative signaling mechanism controlling mTOR activation in minute prostate carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheila F Faraj
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dysregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Hum Pathol 2012; 44:612-22. [PMID: 23084634 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2012.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma is a rare but aggressive variant of bladder cancer with no clear therapeutic guidelines. Dysregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been linked to oncogenesis in conventional bladder cancer. Several antineoplastic agents targeting mTOR pathway are currently available. This study assesses mTOR pathway status as well as c-myc and p27 expression. We retrieved 19 archival cases of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma from two institutions. Whole tissue sections were evaluated for immunoexpression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), phosphorylated mTOR, phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated S6, c-myc, and p27. We evaluated intensity (0 to 3+) and extent (0%-100%) of expression for all markers. An H score was calculated as the sum of products of intensity and extent for each marker and used during analysis. In addition, PTEN loss was defined as absence of expression in >10% of tumor cells. We encountered PTEN loss in 28%. Higher H score for nuclear phosphorylated AKT and a lower H score for phosphorylated S6 was encountered in muscle invasive tumors compared to non-muscle invasive tumors (P = .007 and P = .009, respectively). Although a trend for negative prognostic impact on overall survival for higher phosphorylated mTOR expression was noted (P = .051), markers expression levels failed to predict survival in our cohort. We found dysregulation of mTOR pathway members in urinary bladder plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma, suggesting that the use of mTOR pathway inhibitors might be beneficial for patients with this aggressive tumor.
Collapse
|
35
|
Pello OM, Chèvre R, Laoui D, De Juan A, Lolo F, Andrés-Manzano MJ, Serrano M, Van Ginderachter JA, Andrés V. In vivo inhibition of c-MYC in myeloid cells impairs tumor-associated macrophage maturation and pro-tumoral activities. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45399. [PMID: 23028984 PMCID: PMC3447925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are involved in tumor growth and metastasis, the mechanisms controlling their pro-tumoral activities remain largely unknown. The transcription factor c-MYC has been recently shown to regulate in vitro human macrophage polarization and be expressed in macrophages infiltrating human tumors. In this study, we exploited the predominant expression of LysM in myeloid cells to generate c-Mycfl/fl LysMcre/+ mice, which lack c-Myc in macrophages, to investigate the role of macrophage c-MYC expression in cancer. Under steady-state conditions, immune system parameters in c-Mycfl/fl LysMcre/+ mice appeared normal, including the abundance of different subsets of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, precursors and circulating cells, macrophage density, and immune organ structure. In a model of melanoma, however, TAMs lacking c-Myc displayed a delay in maturation and showed an attenuation of pro-tumoral functions (e.g., reduced expression of VEGF, MMP9, and HIF1α) that was associated with impaired tissue remodeling and angiogenesis and limited tumor growth in c-Mycfl/fl LysMcre/+ mice. Macrophage c-Myc deletion also diminished fibrosarcoma growth. These data identify c-Myc as a positive regulator of the pro-tumoral program of TAMs and suggest c-Myc inactivation as an attractive target for anti-cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar M Pello
- Department of Epidemiology, Atherothrombosis and Imaging, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Radhakrishnan A, Raju R, Tuladhar N, Subbannayya T, Thomas JK, Goel R, Telikicherla D, Palapetta SM, Rahiman BA, Venkatesh DD, Urmila KK, Harsha HC, Mathur PP, Prasad TSK, Pandey A, Shemanko C, Chatterjee A. A pathway map of prolactin signaling. J Cell Commun Signal 2012; 6:169-73. [PMID: 22684822 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-012-0168-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
|
37
|
Sánchez-Bailón MP, Calcabrini A, Gómez-Domínguez D, Morte B, Martín-Forero E, Gómez-López G, Molinari A, Wagner KU, Martín-Pérez J. Src kinases catalytic activity regulates proliferation, migration and invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Cell Signal 2012; 24:1276-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
38
|
Lei W, Feng XH, Deng WB, Ni H, Zhang ZR, Jia B, Yang XL, Wang TS, Liu JL, Su RW, Liang XH, Qi QR, Yang ZM. Progesterone and DNA damage encourage uterine cell proliferation and decidualization through up-regulating ribonucleotide reductase 2 expression during early pregnancy in mice. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:15174-92. [PMID: 22403396 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.308023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation into the maternal uterus is a crucial step for the successful establishment of mammalian pregnancy. Following the attachment of embryo to the uterine luminal epithelium, uterine stromal cells undergo steroid hormone-dependent decidualization, which is characterized by stromal cell proliferation and differentiation. The mechanisms underlying steroid hormone-induced stromal cell proliferation and differentiation during decidualization are still poorly understood. Ribonucleotide reductase, consisting of two subunits (RRM1 and RRM2), is a rate-limiting enzyme in deoxynucleotide production for DNA synthesis and plays an important role in cell proliferation and tumorgenicity. Based on our microarray analysis, Rrm2 expression was significantly higher at implantation sites compared with interimplantation sites in mouse uterus. However, the expression, regulation, and function of RRM2 in mouse uterus during embryo implantation and decidualization are still unknown. Here we show that although both RRM1 and RRM2 expression are markedly induced in mouse uterine stromal cells undergoing decidualization, only RRM2 is regulated by progesterone, a key regulator of decidualization. Further studies showed that the induction of progesterone on RRM2 expression in stromal cells is mediated by the AKT/c-MYC pathway. RRM2 can also be induced by replication stress and DNA damage during decidualization through the ATR/ATM-CHK1-E2F1 pathway. The weight of implantation sites and deciduoma was effectively reduced by specific inhibitors for RRM2. The expression of decidual/trophoblast prolactin-related protein (Dtprp), a reliable marker for decidualization in mice, was significantly reduced in deciduoma and steroid-induced decidual cells after HU treatment. Therefore, RRM2 may be an important effector of progesterone signaling to induce cell proliferation and decidualization in mouse uterus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lei
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Immunoexpression status and prognostic value of mTOR and hypoxia-induced pathway members in primary and metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Am J Surg Pathol 2011; 35:1549-56. [PMID: 21881486 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0b013e31822895e5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The need for effective targeted therapies for renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) has fueled the interest for understanding molecular pathways involved in the oncogenesis of kidney tumors. Aiming to analyze the expression status and prognostic significance of mTOR and hypoxia-induced pathway members in patients with clear cell RCC (ccRCC), tissue microarrays were constructed from 135 primary and 41 metastatic ccRCCs. Immunoexpression levels were compared and correlated with clinicopathologic parameters and outcome. PTEN levels were significantly lower in primary and metastatic ccRCCs compared with benign tissues (P<0.001). Levels of phos-AKT, phos-S6, and 4E-binding protein-1 (4EBP1) were higher in metastatic ccRCC (P≤0.001). For phos-S6 and 4EBP1, levels were higher in primary ccRCC compared with benign tissues (P<0.001). c-MYC levels were higher in metastatic ccRCC (P<0.0001), and incremental p27 levels were observed in benign, primary ccRCC, and metastatic ccRCC (P<0.0001). HIF-1α levels were significantly higher in primary and metastatic ccRCCs compared with benign tissues (P<0.0001). In primary ccRCC, levels of all mTOR and hypoxia-induced pathway members were significantly associated with pT stage (P≤0.036), p27 levels with Fuhrman grade (P=0.031), and 4EBP1, p27, and HIF-1α levels with tumor size (P≤0.025). Tumor size, HIF-1α, and phos-S6 levels were associated with disease-specific survival (DSS) (P≤0.032) and tumor progression (P≤0.043). In conclusion, both mTOR and hypoxia-induced pathways were activated in primary and metastatic ccRCC. PTEN loss seems to be an early event during tumorigenesis. Tumor size, HIF-1α, and phos-S6 expression were found to be independent predictors of both DSS and tumor progression in primary ccRCC.
Collapse
|
40
|
Role of c-MYC in alternative activation of human macrophages and tumor-associated macrophage biology. Blood 2011; 119:411-21. [PMID: 22067385 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-02-339911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to microenvironmental signals, macrophages undergo different activation, including the "classic" proinflammatory phenotype (also called M1), the "alternative" activation induced by the IL-4/IL-13 trigger, and the related but distinct heterogeneous M2 polarization associated with the anti-inflammatory profile. The latter is induced by several stimuli, including IL-10 and TGF-β. Macrophage-polarized activation has profound effects on immune and inflammatory responses and in tumor biology, but information on the underlying molecular pathways is scarce. In the present study, we report that alternative polarization of macrophages requires the transcription factor c-MYC. In macrophages, IL-4 and different stimuli sustaining M2-like polarization induce c-MYC expression and its translocation to the nucleus. c-MYC controls the induction of a subset (45%) of genes associated with alternative activation. ChIP assays indicate that c-MYC directly regulates some genes associated with alternative activation, including SCARB1, ALOX15, and MRC1, whereas others, including CD209, are indirectly regulated by c-MYC. c-MYC up-regulates the IL-4 signaling mediators signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ, is also expressed in tumor-associated macrophages, and its inhibition blocks the expression of protumoral genes including VEGF, MMP9, HIF-1α, and TGF-β. We conclude that c-MYC is a key player in alternative macrophage activation, and is therefore a potential therapeutic target in pathologies related to these cells, including tumors.
Collapse
|
41
|
De Salvo M, Maresca G, D'agnano I, Marchese R, Stigliano A, Gagliassi R, Brunetti E, Raza GH, De Paula U, Bucci B. Temozolomide induced c-Myc-mediated apoptosis via Akt signalling in MGMT expressing glioblastoma cells. Int J Radiat Biol 2011; 87:518-33. [PMID: 21405945 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2011.556173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effect of Temozolomide (TMZ) in both O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) depleted as well as undepleted glioblastoma cell lines. Since TMZ is used in clinics in combination with radiotherapy, we also studied the effects of TMZ in combination with ionising radiation (IR). METHODS Cell colony-forming ability was measured using a clonogenic assay. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis were evaluated by Flow Cytometry (FCM). Proteins involved in cell cycle control were detected by Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS Our data showed that TMZ, independent of MGMT expression, inhibited glioblastoma cell growth via an irreversible G(2) block in MGMT depleted cells or the induction of apoptosis in MGMT normal expressing cells. When TMZ was administered in combination with IR, apoptosis was greater than observed with either agent separately. This TMZ-induced apoptosis in the MGMT expressing cells occurred through Akt/Glycogen-Synthase-Kinase-3ß (GSK3ß) signalling and was mediated by Myelocytomatosis (c-Myc) oncoprotein. Indeed, TMZ phosphorylated/activated Akt led to phosphorylation/inactivation of GSK3ß which resulted in the stabilisation of c-Myc protein and subsequent modulation of the c-Myc target genes involved in the apoptotic processes. CONCLUSION C-Myc expression could be considered a good indicator of TMZ effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria De Salvo
- Centro Ricerca S. Pietro, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Via Cassia 600, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Schultz L, Albadine R, Hicks J, Jadallah S, DeMarzo AM, Chen YB, Nielsen ME, Neilsen ME, Gonzalgo ML, Sidransky D, Schoenberg M, Netto GJ. Expression status and prognostic significance of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway members in urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder after cystectomy. Cancer 2010; 116:5517-26. [PMID: 20939013 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.25502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Revised: 05/28/2010] [Accepted: 06/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder urothelial carcinoma has high rates of mortality and morbidity. Identifying novel molecular prognostic factors and targets of therapy is crucial. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a pivotal role in establishing cell shape, migration, and proliferation. METHODS Tissue microarrays were constructed from 132 cystectomies (1994-2002). Immunohistochemistry was performed for Pten, c-myc, p27, phosphorylated (phos)Akt, phosS6, and 4E-BP1. Markers were evaluated for pattern, percentage, and intensity of staining. RESULTS Mean length of follow-up was 62.6 months (range, 1-182 months). Disease progression, overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 42%, 60%, and 68%, respectively. Pten showed loss of expression in 35% of bladder urothelial carcinoma. All markers showed lower expression in invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma compared with benign urothelium with the exception of 4E-BP1. Pten, p27, phosAkt, phosS6, and 4E-BP1 expression correlated with pathologic stage (pathological stage; P<.03). Pten, 4E-BP1, and phosAkt expression correlated with divergent aggressive histology and invasion. phosS6 expression inversely predicted OS (P=.01), DSS (P=.001), and progression (P=.05). c-myc expression inversely predicted progression (P=.01). In a multivariate analysis model that included TNM stage grouping, divergent aggressive histology, concomitant carcinoma in situ, phosS6, and c-myc expression, phosS6 was an independent predictor of DSS (P=.03; hazard ratio [HR], -0.19), whereas c-myc was an independent predictor of progression (P=.02; HR, -0.38). In a second model substituting organ-confined disease and lymph node status for TNM stage grouping, phosS6 and c-myc remained independent predictors of DSS (P=.03; HR, -0.21) and progression (P=.03; HR, -0.34), respectively. CONCLUSIONS We found an overall down-regulation of mTOR pathway in bladder urothelial carcinoma. phosS6 independently predicted DSS, and c-myc independently predicted progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Schultz
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Janus kinase 2 is required for the initiation but not maintenance of prolactin-induced mammary cancer. Oncogene 2010; 29:5359-69. [PMID: 20639901 PMCID: PMC2997721 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The prolactin receptor (PRLR), its associated kinase Jak2, and Stat5 are essential for normal mammary gland development. Due to the upregulation of the PRLR and the local synthesis of its ligand in neoplastic cells, it has been proposed that PRL can act as a local growth factor in human breast cancers. This notion is supported by experimental evidence in transgenic mice that demonstrated that the mammary-specific expression of PRL contributes to carcinogenesis in vivo. To assess the importance of Jak2/Stat5 signaling during mammary cancer initiation and progression, we generated a PRL-induced mammary cancer model that allows the functional ablation of the Jak2 gene in the mammary epithelium prior to and after neoplastic transformation. Collectively, the results of this study show that the functional ablation of Jak2 protects against the onset of PRL-induced mammary tumorigenesis, suggesting that targeting this Janus kinase is a relevant strategy for mammary cancer prevention. Surprisingly, Jak2 deficiency did not affect the growth and survival of PRL-induced mammary cancer cells in culture and in vivo. Consequently, Jak2 cannot be a sole therapeutic target to treat the established disease. PRL-induced mammary cancers exhibited an upregulation of ErbB2 and other ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases that may supersede the functionality of PRLR signaling through Jak2.
Collapse
|
44
|
Fang F, Zheng J, Galbaugh TL, Fiorillo AA, Hjort EE, Zeng X, Clevenger CV. Cyclophilin B as a co-regulator of prolactin-induced gene expression and function in breast cancer cells. J Mol Endocrinol 2010; 44:319-29. [PMID: 20237142 PMCID: PMC2965652 DOI: 10.1677/jme-09-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The effects of prolactin (PRL) during the pathogenesis of breast cancer are mediated in part though Stat5 activity enhanced by its interaction with its transcriptional inducer, the prolyl isomerase cyclophilin B (CypB). We have demonstrated that knockdown of CypB decreases cell growth, proliferation, and migration, and CypB expression is associated with malignant progression of breast cancer. In this study, we examined the effect of CypB knockdown on PRL signaling in breast cancer cells. CypB knockdown with two independent siRNAs was shown to impair PRL-induced reporter expression in breast cancer cell line. cDNA microarray analysis was performed on these cells to assess the effect of CypB reduction, and revealed a significant decrease in PRL-induced endogenous gene expression in two breast cancer cell lines. Parallel functional assays revealed corresponding alterations of both anchorage-independent cell growth and cell motility of breast cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that CypB expression levels significantly modulate PRL-induced function in breast cancer cells ultimately resulting in enhanced levels of PRL-responsive gene expression, cell growth, and migration. Given the increasingly appreciated role of PRL in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, the actions of CypB detailed here are of biological significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Fang
- Department of Pathology Division of Rheumatology Division of Hematology/Oncology, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Lurie 4-107, 303 East Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
A non-catalytic function of the Src family tyrosine kinases controls prolactin-induced Jak2 signaling. Cell Signal 2010; 22:415-26. [PMID: 19892015 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2009.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2009] [Accepted: 10/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine prolactin (PRL) plays important roles in the proliferation and differentiation of the mammary gland and it has been implicated in tumorigenesis. The prolactin receptor (PRLR) is devoid of catalytic activity and its mitogenic response is controlled by cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the Src (SFK) and Jak families. How PRLR uses these kinases for signaling is not well understood. Previous studies indicated that PRLR-induced Jak2 activation does not require SFK catalytic activity in favor of separate signaling operating on this cellular response. Here we show that, nevertheless, PRLR requires Src-SH2 and -SH3 domains for Jak2 signaling. In W53 lymphoid cells, conditional expression of two c-Src non-catalytic mutants, either SrcK295M/Y527F or SrcK, whose SH3 and SH2 domains are exposed, controls Jak2/Stat5 activation by recruiting Jak2, avoiding its activation by endogenous active SFK. In contrast, the kinase inactive SrcK295M mutant, with inaccessible SH3 and SH2 domains, does not. Furthermore, all three mutants attenuate PRLR-induced Akt and p70S6K activation. Accordingly, PRLR-induced Jak2/Stat5 signaling is inhibited in MCF7 breast cancer cells by Src depletion, expression of SrcK295M/Y527F or active Src harboring an inactive SH2 (SrcR175L) or SH3 domain (SrcW118A). Finally, Jak2/Stat5 pathway is also reduced in Src-/- mice mammary glands. We thus conclude that, in addition to Akt and p70S6K, SFK regulate PRLR-induced Jak2 signaling through a kinase-independent mechanism.
Collapse
|
46
|
Rohan JNP, Weigel NL. 1Alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduces c-Myc expression, inhibiting proliferation and causing G1 accumulation in C4-2 prostate cancer cells. Endocrinology 2009; 150:2046-54. [PMID: 19164469 PMCID: PMC2671895 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
There is an inverse correlation between exposure to sunlight (the major source of vitamin D) and the risk for prostate cancer, the most common noncutaneous cancer and second most common cause of death from cancer in American men. The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] acting through the vitamin D receptor decreases prostate cancer cell growth and invasiveness. The precise mechanisms by which 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibits growth in prostate cancer have not been fully elucidated. Treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) causes an accumulation in the G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle in several prostate cancer cell lines. One potential target known to regulate the G(0)/G(1) to S phase transition is c-Myc, a transcription factor whose overexpression is associated with a number of cancers including prostate cancer. We find that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) reduces c-Myc expression in multiple prostate epithelial cell lines, including C4-2 cells, an androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line. Reducing c-Myc expression to the levels observed after 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment resulted in a comparable decrease in proliferation and G(1) accumulation demonstrating that down-regulation of c-Myc is a major component in the growth-inhibitory actions of 1,25(OH)2D(3). Treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) resulted in a 50% decrease in c-Myc mRNA but a much more extensive reduction in c-Myc protein. Treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) decreased c-Myc stability by increasing the proportion of c-Myc phosphorylated on T58, a glycogen synthase kinase-3beta site that serves as a signal for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Thus, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) reduces both c-Myc mRNA levels and c-Myc protein stability to inhibit growth of prostate cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- JoyAnn N Phillips Rohan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Utama FE, Tran TH, Ryder A, LeBaron MJ, Parlow AF, Rui H. Insensitivity of human prolactin receptors to nonhuman prolactins: relevance for experimental modeling of prolactin receptor-expressing human cells. Endocrinology 2009; 150:1782-90. [PMID: 19022890 PMCID: PMC2659276 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) receptors are expressed in a broad range of human cell types and in a majority of human breast and prostate cancers. Experimentally, normal and malignant human cells are typically cultured in vitro in media containing bovine PRL (bPRL) from fetal bovine serum or as xenotransplants in vivo in the presence of murine PRL (mPRL). The biological efficacy of bPRL toward hPRL receptors (hPRLR) is controversial, and hPRLR are insensitive to mPRL, but the mechanism is not known. To clarify limitations of current in vitro and in vivo experimental model systems for studies of hPRLR-expressing cells, we tested human and relevant subprimate prolactins in multiple hPRLR bioassays. bPRL and ovine PRL were 10-fold less potent hPRLR agonists than hPRL, although maximal responses at high ligand concentrations (efficacies) equaled that of hPRL. mPRL and rat PRL had greater than 50-fold lower potencies toward hPRLR than hPRL and had 50% reduced efficacies. In fact, mPRL and rat PRL were less effective hPRLR agonists than murine GH. Unexpectedly, mPRL was an effective competitive inhibitor of hPRL binding to hPRLR with an inhibitory constant of 1.3 nm and showed partial antagonist activity, suggesting reduced site-2 binding. Collectively, low bioactivities of bPRL and mPRL toward hPRLR suggest that existing laboratory cancer cell lines grown in 10% bovine serum-supplemented media or in mice are selected for growth under lactogen-depleted conditions. The biology and drug responsiveness of existing human cell lines may therefore not be representative of clinical cancers that are sensitive to circulating PRL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fransiscus E Utama
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Fang F, Rycyzyn MA, Clevenger CV. Role of c-Myb during prolactin-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a signaling in breast cancer cells. Endocrinology 2009; 150:1597-606. [PMID: 19036881 PMCID: PMC2659289 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 11/14/2008] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, prolactin (PRL) mediates its function in part through the prolactin receptor (PRLr)-associated Janus kinase 2 (Jak2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat5) signaling complex. To delineate the mechanisms of Stat5a regulation in breast cancer, transcription factor-transcription factor (TF-TF) array analysis was employed to identify associated transcriptional regulators. These analyses revealed a PRL-inducible association of Stat5a with the transcription factor and protooncogene c-Myb. Confirmatory co-immunoprecipitation studies using lysates from both T47D and MCF7 breast cancer cells revealed a PRL-inducible association between these transcription factors. Ectopic expression of c-Myb enhanced the PRL-induced expression from both composite and synthetic Stat5a-responsive luciferase reporters. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays also revealed a PRL-inducible association between c-Myb and endogenous Stat5a-responsive CISH promoter, which was associated with an enhanced expression of CISH gene product at the RNA and protein levels. Small interfering RNA-mediated c-Myb knockdown impaired the PRL-induced mRNA expression of five Stat5-responsive genes. DNA binding-defective mutants of c-Myb, incapable of activating expression from a c-Myb-responsive reporter, maintained their ability to enhance a Stat5a-responsive reporter. At a cellular level, ectopic expression of c-Myb resulted in an increase in T47D proliferation. Taken together, these results indicate that c-Myb potentiates Stat5a-driven gene expression, possibly functioning as a Stat5a coactivator, in human breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Fang
- Department of Pathology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lee JG, Zheng R, McCafferty-Cepero JM, Burnstein KL, Nanus DM, Shen R. Endothelin-1 enhances the expression of the androgen receptor via activation of the c-myc pathway in prostate cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2009; 48:141-9. [PMID: 18623111 PMCID: PMC4280021 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that androgen independent prostate cancer (PC) maintains a functional androgen receptor (AR) pathway despite the low levels of circulating androgen following androgen withdrawal, the molecular mechanisms of which are not well defined yet. To address this question, we investigated the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on AR expression. Western analysis and RT-PCR revealed that in the presence of ET-1, levels of AR significantly increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner in LNCaP cells. Pretreatments with inhibitors of Src and phosphoinositide kinase 3 (PI-3K) suppressed ET-1-induced AR expression. As ET-1 was reported to cause a transient increase in c-myc mRNA levels, we examined the involvement of c-myc in ET-1-mediated AR expression. Transient transfection of c-myc siRNA neutralized ET-1-induced AR expression, suggesting that AR induction by ET-1 is c-myc dependent. AR can regulate the transcription of its own gene via a mechanism in which c-myc plays a crucial role. Therefore, we assessed if ET-1-induced-c-myc leads to the enhancement of AR transcription. Reporter gene assays using the previously identified AR gene enhancer containing a c-myc binding site were conducted in LNCaP cells. We found that ET-1 induced reporter gene activity from the construct containing the wild-type but not mutant c-myc binding site. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that ET-1 increased interaction between c-myc and c-myc binding sites in AR enhancer, suggesting that ET-1-induced AR transcription occurs via c-myc-mediated AR transcription. Together, these data support the notion that ET-1, via Src/PI-3K signaling, augments c-myc expression leading to enhanced AR expression in PC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- June G Lee
- Urologic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Rong Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Jennifer M McCafferty-Cepero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida 33101
| | - Kerry L Burnstein
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida 33101
| | - David M Nanus
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Ruoqian Shen
- Urologic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Luo W, Hankenson KD, Woolf PJ. Learning transcriptional regulatory networks from high throughput gene expression data using continuous three-way mutual information. BMC Bioinformatics 2008; 9:467. [PMID: 18980677 PMCID: PMC2613931 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-9-467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2008] [Accepted: 11/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Probability based statistical learning methods such as mutual information and Bayesian networks have emerged as a major category of tools for reverse engineering mechanistic relationships from quantitative biological data. In this work we introduce a new statistical learning strategy, MI3 that addresses three common issues in previous methods simultaneously: (1) handling of continuous variables, (2) detection of more complex three-way relationships and (3) better differentiation of causal versus confounding relationships. With these improvements, we provide a more realistic representation of the underlying biological system. Results We test the MI3 algorithm using both synthetic and experimental data. In the synthetic data experiment, MI3 achieved an absolute sensitivity/precision of 0.77/0.83 and a relative sensitivity/precision both of 0.99. In addition, MI3 significantly outperformed the control methods, including Bayesian networks, classical two-way mutual information and a discrete version of MI3. We then used MI3 and control methods to infer a regulatory network centered at the MYC transcription factor from a published microarray dataset. Models selected by MI3 were numerically and biologically distinct from those selected by control methods. Unlike control methods, MI3 effectively differentiated true causal models from confounding models. MI3 recovered major MYC cofactors, and revealed major mechanisms involved in MYC dependent transcriptional regulation, which are strongly supported by literature. The MI3 network showed that limited sets of regulatory mechanisms are employed repeatedly to control the expression of large number of genes. Conclusion Overall, our work demonstrates that MI3 outperforms the frequently used control methods, and provides a powerful method for inferring mechanistic relationships underlying biological and other complex systems. The MI3 method is implemented in R in the "mi3" package, available under the GNU GPL from and from the R package archive CRAN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|