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Liu A, Yu C, Qiu C, Wu Q, Huang C, Li X, She X, Wan K, Liu L, Li M, Wang Z, Chen Y, Hu F, Song D, Li K, Zhao C, Deng H, Sun X, Xu F, Lai S, Luo X, Hu J, Wang G. PRMT5 methylating SMAD4 activates TGF-β signaling and promotes colorectal cancer metastasis. Oncogene 2023; 42:1572-1584. [PMID: 36991117 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02674-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Perturbations in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling can lead to a plethora of diseases, including cancer. Mutations and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of the partner of SMAD complexes contribute to the dysregulation of TGF-β signaling. Here, we reported a PTM of SMAD4, R361 methylation, that was critical for SMAD complexes formation and TGF-β signaling activation. Through mass spectrometric, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescent (IF) assays, we found that oncogene protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) interacted with SMAD4 under TGF-β1 treatment. Mechanically, PRMT5 triggered SMAD4 methylation at R361 and induced SMAD complexes formation and nuclear import. Furthermore, we emphasized that PRMT5 interacting and methylating SMAD4 was required for TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, and SMAD4 R361 mutation diminished PRMT5 and TGF-β1-induced metastasis. In addition, highly expressed PRMT5 or high level of SMAD4 R361 methylation indicated worse outcomes in clinical specimens analysis. Collectively, our study highlights the critical interaction of PRMT5 and SMAD4 and the roles of SMAD4 R361 methylation for controlling TGF-β signaling during metastasis. We provided a new insight for SMAD4 activation. And this study indicated that blocking PRMT5-SMAD4 signaling might be an effective targeting strategy in SMAD4 wild-type CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyi Liu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Chengxin Yu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Cheng Qiu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Qi Wu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Changsheng Huang
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Xun Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Xiaowei She
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Kairui Wan
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Lang Liu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Mao Li
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Yaqi Chen
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Fuqing Hu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Da Song
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
- Department of Emergency and Trauma Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Kangdi Li
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Chongchong Zhao
- Protein Chemistry and Proteomics Facility, Tsinghua University Technology Center for Protein Research, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- Protein Chemistry and Proteomics Facility, Tsinghua University Technology Center for Protein Research, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Xuling Sun
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, PR China
| | - Feng Xu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Senyan Lai
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Xuelai Luo
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Junbo Hu
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Guihua Wang
- GI Cancer Research Institute, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
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Han Y, Dong Q, Liu T, Chen X, Yu C, Zhang Y. The novel mechanism of Med12-mediated drug resistance in a TGFBR2-independent manner. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 610:1-7. [PMID: 35461070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Inevitable emergence of drug resistance is the biggest hurdle to both chemotherapies and targeted therapies. Understanding the resistance mechanisms will contribute to identification of biomarkers for predicting response to therapy and design new therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance in human cancers. The type II transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor gene (TGFBR2) is frequently frameshift mutated in several cancer types, especially in colorectal, endometrium and gastric cancers cells. Here, we found that Med12, a component of the transcriptional mediator complex, plays a role in modulating chemosensitivity in TGFBR2 deficient cancer cells. Loss of Med12 leads to chemoresistance in multiple TGFBR2 deficient cancer cells. Interestingly, RNA sequencing data revealed that interferon IFN-related DNA damage resistance signature (IRDS) is upregulated in Med12 knockdown cancer cells. And the expression of IRDS pattern is negatively correlated with chemosensitivity. Therefore, our study identifies a novel mechanism of Med12-mediated drug resistance, which is a TGFBR-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Han
- The CAS_Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Qian Dong
- Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- The CAS_Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China; Central Research Institute, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- The CAS_Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Chunhong Yu
- The CAS_Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yongfeng Zhang
- The CAS_Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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3
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Chiavarina B, Costanza B, Ronca R, Blomme A, Rezzola S, Chiodelli P, Giguelay A, Belthier G, Doumont G, Van Simaeys G, Lacroix S, Yokobori T, Erkhem-Ochir B, Balaguer P, Cavailles V, Fabbrizio E, Di Valentin E, Gofflot S, Detry O, Jerusalem G, Goldman S, Delvenne P, Bellahcène A, Pannequin J, Castronovo V, Turtoi A. Metastatic colorectal cancer cells maintain the TGFβ program and use TGFBI to fuel angiogenesis. Theranostics 2021; 11:1626-1640. [PMID: 33408771 PMCID: PMC7778592 DOI: 10.7150/thno.51507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells are traditionally considered unresponsive to TGFβ due to mutations in the receptors and/or downstream signaling molecules. TGFβ influences CRC cells only indirectly via stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts. However, CRC cell ability to directly respond to TGFβ currently remains unexplored. This represents a missed opportunity for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Methods: We examined whether cancer cells from primary CRC and liver metastases respond to TGFβ by inducing TGFβ-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI) expression, and the contribution of canonical and non-canonical TGFβ signaling pathways to this effect. We then investigated in vitro and in vivo TGFBI impact on metastasis formation and angiogenesis. Using patient serum samples and an orthotopic mouse model of CRC liver metastases we assessed the diagnostic/tumor targeting value of novel antibodies against TGFBI. Results: Metastatic CRC cells, such as circulating tumor cells, directly respond to TGFβ. These cells were characterized by the absence of TGFβ receptor mutations and the frequent presence of p53 mutations. The pro-tumorigenic program orchestrated by TGFβ in CRC cells was mediated through TGFBI, the expression of which was positively regulated by non-canonical TGFβ signaling cascades. TGFBI inhibition was sufficient to significantly reduce liver metastasis formation in vivo. Moreover, TGFBI pro-tumorigenic function was linked to its ability to stimulate angiogenesis. TGFBI levels were higher in serum samples from untreated patients with CRC than in patients who were receiving chemotherapy. A radiolabeled anti-TGFBI antibody selectively targeted metastatic lesions in vivo, underscoring its diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Conclusions: TGFβ signaling in CRC cells directly contributes to their metastatic potential and stromal cell-independence. Proteins downstream of activated TGFβ, such as TGFBI, represent novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for more specific anti-metastatic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Chiavarina
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Tumor Microenvironment and Resistance to Treatment Laboratory, INSERM U1194, Montpellier, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Brunella Costanza
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, GIGA Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Roberto Ronca
- University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arnaud Blomme
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, GIGA Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Sara Rezzola
- University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Chiodelli
- University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ambre Giguelay
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Tumor Microenvironment and Resistance to Treatment Laboratory, INSERM U1194, Montpellier, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Cancer Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Team, INSERM U1194, Montpellier, France
| | - Guillame Belthier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Montpellier, France
| | - Gilles Doumont
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), rue Adrienne Bolland 8, B-6041 Charleroi (Gosselies), Belgium
| | - Gaetan Van Simaeys
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), rue Adrienne Bolland 8, B-6041 Charleroi (Gosselies), Belgium
- Nuclear Medicine department, ULB Hôpital Érasme, route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Lacroix
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), rue Adrienne Bolland 8, B-6041 Charleroi (Gosselies), Belgium
- Nuclear Medicine department, ULB Hôpital Érasme, route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Takehiko Yokobori
- Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, International Open Laboratory, Universities of Liege and Montpellier Laboratory, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Bilguun Erkhem-Ochir
- Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, International Open Laboratory, Universities of Liege and Montpellier Laboratory, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Hormone Signaling and Cancer Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Cavailles
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Hormone Signaling and Cancer Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Fabbrizio
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Oncogenic Pathways in Cancer Laboratory, INSERM U1194, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Detry
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Guy Jerusalem
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Serge Goldman
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), rue Adrienne Bolland 8, B-6041 Charleroi (Gosselies), Belgium
- Nuclear Medicine department, ULB Hôpital Érasme, route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Delvenne
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Akeila Bellahcène
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, GIGA Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Julie Pannequin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Castronovo
- Metastasis Research Laboratory, GIGA Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier, Tumor Microenvironment and Resistance to Treatment Laboratory, INSERM U1194, Montpellier, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Montpellier, France
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, International Open Laboratory, Universities of Liege and Montpellier Laboratory, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
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4
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Yoo SY, Lee JA, Shin Y, Cho NY, Bae JM, Kang GH. Clinicopathological Characterization and Prognostic Implication of SMAD4 Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma. J Pathol Transl Med 2019; 53:289-297. [PMID: 31237997 PMCID: PMC6755646 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2019.06.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) has gained attention as a promising prognostic factor of colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as a key molecule to understand the tumorigenesis and progression of CRC. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1,281 CRC cases immunohistochemically for their expression status of SMAD4, and correlated this status with clinicopathologic and molecular features of CRCs. Results A loss of nuclear SMAD4 was significantly associated with frequent lymphovascular and perineural invasion, tumor budding, fewer tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, higher pT and pN category, and frequent distant metastasis. In contrast, tumors overexpressing SMAD4 showed a significant association with sporadic microsatellite instability. After adjustment for TNM stage, tumor differentiation, adjuvant chemotherapy, and lymphovascular invasion, the loss of SMAD4 was found to be an independent prognostic factor for worse 5-year progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.60; p=.042) and 7-year cancer-specific survival (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.99; p=.022). Conclusions We confirmed the value of determining the loss of SMAD4 immunohistochemically as an independent prognostic factor for CRC in general. In addition, we identified some histologic and molecular features that might be clues to elucidate the role of SMAD4 in colorectal tumorigenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Yeon Yoo
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Ae Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunjoo Shin
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nam-Yun Cho
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Mo Bae
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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5
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Moon JR, Oh SJ, Lee CK, Chi SG, Kim HJ. TGF-β1 protects colon tumor cells from apoptosis through XAF1 suppression. Int J Oncol 2019; 54:2117-2126. [PMID: 31081052 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine that functions as a growth suppressor in normal epithelial cells and early stage tumors, but acts as a tumor promoter during malignant progression. However, the molecular basis underlying the conversion of TGF‑β1 function remains largely undefined. X‑linked inhibitor of apoptosis‑associated factor 1 (XAF1) is a pro‑apoptotic tumor suppressor that frequently displays epigenetic inactivation in various types of human malignancies, including colorectal cancer. The present study explored whether the anti‑apoptotic effect of TGF‑β1 is linked to its regulatory effect on XAF1 induction in human colon cancer cells under stressful conditions. The results revealed that TGF‑β1 treatment protected tumor cells from various apoptotic stresses, including 5‑fluorouracil, etoposide and γ‑irradiation. XAF1 expression was activated at the transcriptional level by these apoptotic stresses and TGF‑β1 blocked the stress‑mediated activation of the XAF1 promoter. The study also demonstrated that mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase inhibition or extracellular signal‑activated kinase (Erk)1/2 depletion induced XAF1 induction, while the activation of K‑Ras (G12C) led to its reduction. In addition, TGF‑β1 blocked the stress‑mediated XAF1 promoter activation and induction of apoptosis. This effect was abrogated if Erk1/2 was depleted, indicating that TGF‑β1 represses XAF1 transcription through Erk activation, thereby protecting tumor cells from apoptotic stresses. These findings point to a novel molecular mechanism underlying the tumor‑promoting function of TGF‑β1, which may be utilized in the development of a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Rock Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Ju Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Kyun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Gil Chi
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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6
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Short SP, Thompson JJ, Bilotta AJ, Chen X, Revetta FL, Washington MK, Williams CS. Serine Threonine Kinase 17A Maintains the Epithelial State in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:882-894. [PMID: 30655319 PMCID: PMC6941354 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-0990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Serine threonine kinase 17A (STK17A) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase originally identified as a regulator of apoptosis; however, whether it functionally contributes to colorectal cancer has not been established. Here, we have analyzed STK17A in colorectal cancer and demonstrated decreased expression of STK17A in primary tumors, which is further reduced in metastatic lesions, indicating a potential role in regulating the metastatic cascade. Interestingly, changes in STK17A expression did not modify proliferation, apoptosis, or sensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines to treatment with the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. Instead, STK17A knockdown induced a robust mesenchymal phenotype consistent with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including spindle-like cell morphology, decreased expression of adherens junction proteins, and increased migration and invasion. Additionally, overexpression of STK17A decreased cell size and induced widespread membrane blebbing, a phenotype often associated with activation of cell contractility. Indeed, STK17A-overexpressing cells displayed heightened phosphorylation of myosin light chain in a manner dependent on STK17A catalytic activity. Finally, patient-derived tumor organoid cultures were used to more accurately determine STK17A's effect in primary human tumor cells. Loss of STK17A induced morphologic changes, decreased E-cadherin, increased invasion, and augmented organoid attachment on 2D substrates, all together suggesting a more metastatic phenotype. Collectively, these data indicate a novel role for STK17A in the regulation of epithelial phenotypes and indicate its functional contribution to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. IMPLICATIONS: Loss of serine threonine kinase 17A occurs in colorectal cancer metastasis, induces mesenchymal morphologies, and contributes to tumor cell invasion and migration in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah P Short
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joshua J Thompson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Anthony J Bilotta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Public Health Sciences and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Frank L Revetta
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - M Kay Washington
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Christopher S Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, Tennessee
- Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Abstract
PAX8 is a lineage-restricted transcription factor that is expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) precursor tissues, and in the major EOC histotypes. Frequent overexpression of PAX8 in primary EOCs suggests this factor functions as an oncogene during tumorigenesis, however, the biological role of PAX8 in EOC development is poorly understood. We found that stable knockdown of PAX8 in EOC models significantly reduced cell proliferation and anchorage dependent growth in vitro, and attenuated tumorigenicity in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and transcriptional profiling were used to create genome-wide maps of PAX8 binding and putative target genes. PAX8 binding sites were significantly enriched in promoter regions (p < 0.05) and superenhancers (p < 0.05). MEME-ChIP analysis revealed that PAX8 binding sites overlapping superenhancers or enhancers, but not promoters, were enriched for JUND/B and ARNT/AHR motifs. Integrating PAX8 ChIP-seq and gene expression data identified PAX8 target genes through their associations within shared topological association domains. Across two EOC models we identified 62 direct regulatory targets based on PAX8 binding in promoters and 1,330 putative enhancer regulatory targets. SEPW1, which is involved in oxidation-reduction, was identified as a PAX8 target gene in both cell line models. While the PAX8 cistrome exhibits a high degree of cell-type specificity, analyses of PAX8 target genes and putative cofactors identified common molecular targets and partners as candidate therapeutic targets for EOC.
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8
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Massafra V, Milona A, Vos HR, Burgering BMT, van Mil SWC. Quantitative liver proteomics identifies FGF19 targets that couple metabolism and proliferation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171185. [PMID: 28178326 PMCID: PMC5298232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is a gut-derived peptide hormone that is produced following activation of Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR). FGF19 is secreted and signals to the liver, where it contributes to the homeostasis of bile acid (BA), lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. FGF19 is a promising therapeutic target for the metabolic syndrome and cholestatic diseases, but enthusiasm for its use has been tempered by FGF19-mediated induction of proliferation and hepatocellular carcinoma. To inform future rational design of FGF19-variants, we have conducted temporal quantitative proteomic and gene expression analyses to identify FGF19-targets related to metabolism and proliferation. Mice were fasted for 16 hours, and injected with human FGF19 (1 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle. Liver protein extracts (containing “light” lysine) were mixed 1:1 with a spike-in protein extract from 13C6-lysine metabolically labelled mouse liver (containing “heavy” lysine) and analysed by LC-MS/MS. Our analyses provide a resource of FGF19 target proteins in the liver. 189 proteins were upregulated (≥ 1.5 folds) and 73 proteins were downregulated (≤ -1.5 folds) by FGF19. FGF19 treatment decreased the expression of proteins involved in fatty acid (FA) synthesis, i.e., Fabp5, Scd1, and Acsl3 and increased the expression of Acox1, involved in FA oxidation. As expected, FGF19 increased the expression of proteins known to drive proliferation (i.e., Tgfbi, Vcam1, Anxa2 and Hdlbp). Importantly, many of the FGF19 targets (i.e., Pdk4, Apoa4, Fas and Stat3) have a dual function in both metabolism and cell proliferation. Therefore, our findings challenge the development of FGF19-variants that fully uncouple metabolic benefit from mitogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Massafra
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandra Milona
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Harmjan R. Vos
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Jung B, Staudacher JJ, Beauchamp D. Transforming Growth Factor β Superfamily Signaling in Development of Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology 2017; 152:36-52. [PMID: 27773809 PMCID: PMC5550896 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cytokines signal via a complex network of pathways to regulate proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, and other functions in many cell types. A high percentage of colorectal tumors contain mutations that disrupt TGF-β family member signaling. We review how TGF-β family member signaling is altered during development of colorectal cancer, models of study, interaction of pathways, and potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Jung
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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10
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Stromal uptake and transmission of acid is a pathway for venting cancer cell-generated acid. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E5344-53. [PMID: 27543333 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1610954113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Proliferation and invasion of cancer cells require favorable pH, yet potentially toxic quantities of acid are produced metabolically. Membrane-bound transporters extrude acid from cancer cells, but little is known about the mechanisms that handle acid once it is released into the poorly perfused extracellular space. Here, we studied acid handling by myofibroblasts (colon cancer-derived Hs675.T, intestinal InMyoFib, embryonic colon-derived CCD-112-CoN), skin fibroblasts (NHDF-Ad), and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (HCT116, HT29) grown in monoculture or coculture. Expression of the acid-loading transporter anion exchanger 2 (AE2) (SLC4A2 product) was detected in myofibroblasts and fibroblasts, but not in CRC cells. Compared with CRC cells, Hs675.T and InMyoFib myofibroblasts had very high capacity to absorb extracellular acid. Acid uptake into CCD-112-CoN and NHDF-Ad cells was slower and comparable to levels in CRC cells, but increased alongside SLC4A2 expression under stimulation with transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), a cytokine involved in cancer-stroma interplay. Myofibroblasts and fibroblasts are connected by gap junctions formed by proteins such as connexin-43, which allows the absorbed acid load to be transmitted across the stromal syncytium. To match the stimulatory effect on acid uptake, cell-to-cell coupling in NHDF-Ad and CCD-112-CoN cells was strengthened with TGFβ1. In contrast, acid transmission was absent between CRC cells, even after treatment with TGFβ1. Thus, stromal cells have the necessary molecular apparatus for assembling an acid-venting route that can improve the flow of metabolic acid through tumors. Importantly, the activities of stromal AE2 and connexin-43 do not place an energetic burden on cancer cells, allowing resources to be diverted for other activities.
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de Miranda NFCC, van Dinther M, van den Akker BEWM, van Wezel T, ten Dijke P, Morreau H. Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells With Microsatellite Instability Despite Biallelic Mutations in TGFBR2. Gastroenterology 2015; 148:1427-37.e8. [PMID: 25736321 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Most colorectal cancer (CRC) cells with high levels of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) accumulate mutations at a microsatellite sequence in the gene encoding transforming growth factor β receptor II (TGFBR2). TGFβ signaling therefore is believed to be defective in these tumors, although CRC cells with TGFBR2 mutations have been reported to remain sensitive to TGFβ. We investigated how TGFβ signaling might continue in MSI-H CRC cells. METHODS We sequenced the 10-adenines microsatellite sequence in the TGFBR2 gene of 32 MSI-H colon cancer tissues and 6 cell lines (HCT116, LS180, LS411N, RKO, SW48, and SW837). Activation of TGFβ signaling was detected by SMAD2 phosphorylation and through use of a TGFβ-responsive reporter construct in all CRC cell lines. Transcripts of TGFBR2 were knocked-down in CRC cells using short hairpin RNA. Full-length and mutant forms of TGFBR2 were expressed in LS411N cells, which do not respond to TGFβ, and their activities were measured. RESULTS SMAD2 was phosphorylated in most MSI-H CRC tissues (strong detection in 44% and weak detection in 34% of MSI-H tumors). Phosphorylation of SMAD2 in MSI-H cells required TGFBR2—even the form encoding a frameshift mutation. Transcription and translation of TGFBR2 with a 1-nucleotide deletion at its microsatellite sequence still produced a full-length TGFBR2 protein. However, protein expression required preservation of the TGFBR2 microsatellite sequence; cells in which this sequence was replaced with a synonymous nonmicrosatellite sequence did not produce functional TGFBR2 protein. CONCLUSION TGFβ signaling remains active in some MSI-H CRC cells despite the presence of frameshift mutations in the TGFBR2 gene because the mutated gene still expresses a functional protein. Strategies to reactivate TGFβ signaling in colorectal tumors might not be warranted, and the functional effects of mutations at other regions of microsatellite instability should be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maarten van Dinther
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tom van Wezel
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Hans Morreau
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Fucosylated TGF-β receptors transduces a signal for epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cells. Br J Cancer 2013; 110:156-63. [PMID: 24253505 PMCID: PMC3887298 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a major inducer of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in different cell types. TGF-β-mediated EMT is thought to contribute to tumour cell spread and metastasis. Sialyl Lewis antigens synthesised by fucosyltransferase (FUT) 3 and FUT6 are highly expressed in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and are utilised as tumour markers for cancer detection and evaluation of treatment efficacy. However, the role of FUT3 and FUT6 in augmenting the malignant potential of CRC induced by TGF-β is unclear. Methods: Colorectal cancer cell lines were transfected with siRNAs for FUT3/6 and were examined by cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays. The expression and phosphorylation status of TGF-β downstream molecules were analysed by western blot. Fucosylation of TGF-β receptor (TβR) was examined by lectin blot analysis. Results: Inhibition of FUT3/6 expression by siRNAs suppressed the fucosylation of type I TβR and phosphorylation of the downstream molecules, thereby inhibiting the invasion and migration of CRC cells by EMT. Conclusion: Fucosyltransferase 3/6 has an essential role in cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells by upregulation of sialyl Lewis antigens and also by enhancement of cancer cell migration through TGF-β-mediated EMT.
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Itatani Y, Kawada K, Fujishita T, Kakizaki F, Hirai H, Matsumoto T, Iwamoto M, Inamoto S, Hatano E, Hasegawa S, Maekawa T, Uemoto S, Sakai Y, Taketo MM. Loss of SMAD4 from colorectal cancer cells promotes CCL15 expression to recruit CCR1+ myeloid cells and facilitate liver metastasis. Gastroenterology 2013; 145:1064-1075.e11. [PMID: 23891973 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Loss of the tumor suppressor SMAD4 correlates with progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). In mice, colon tumors that express CCL9 recruit CCR1(+) myeloid cells, which facilitate tumor invasion and metastasis by secreting matrix metalloproteinase 9. METHODS We used human CRC cell lines to investigate the ability of SMAD4 to regulate expression of CCL15, a human ortholog of mouse CCL9. We used immunohistochemistry to compare levels of CCL15 and other proteins in 141 samples of human liver metastases. RESULTS In human CRC cell lines, knockdown of SMAD4 increased CCL15 expression, and overexpression of SMAD4 decreased it. SMAD4 bound directly to the promoter region of the CCL15 gene to negatively regulate its expression; transforming growth factor-β increased binding of SMAD4 to the CCL15 promoter and transcriptional repression. In livers of nude mice, SMAD4-deficient human CRC cells up-regulated CCL15 to recruit CCR1(+) cells and promote metastasis. In human tumor samples, there was a strong inverse correlation between levels of CCL15 and SMAD4; metastases that expressed CCL15 contained 3-fold more CCR1(+) cells than those without CCL15. Patients with CCL15-expressing metastases had significantly shorter times of disease-free survival than those with CCL15-negative metastases. CCR1(+) cells in the metastases expressed the myeloid cell markers CD11b and myeloperoxidase, and also matrix metalloproteinase 9. CONCLUSIONS In human CRC cells, loss of SMAD4 leads to up-regulation of CCL15 expression. Human liver metastases that express CCL15 contain higher numbers CCR1(+) cells; patients with these metastases have shorter times of disease-free survival. Reagents designed to block CCL15 recruitment of CCR1(+) cells could prevent metastasis of CRC to liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiro Itatani
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Wong SH, Sung JJY, Chan FKL, To KF, Ng SSM, Wang XJ, Yu J, Wu WKK. Genome-wide association and sequencing studies on colorectal cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2013; 23:502-11. [PMID: 24096009 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding its genetic mechanisms is key to improving risk prediction, prognostication and treatment. Results from genome-wide association studies have engendered a growing list of colorectal cancer susceptibility genes whereas the application of genome-wide mutational analysis has enabled the depiction of mutational landscape of colorectal cancer at high resolution. The development of novel technologies, such as metagenomic and single-cell sequencing, is expected to have positive impact on future genetic studies. However, challenges remain to address the changing epidemiology of colorectal cancer, issues on genetic testing, and clinical utilization of genomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny H Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease and State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics and LKS Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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15
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Transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFBR2) changes sialylation in the microsatellite unstable (MSI) Colorectal cancer cell line HCT116. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57074. [PMID: 23468914 PMCID: PMC3584148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant glycosylation is a common feature of many malignancies including colorectal cancers (CRCs). About 15% of CRC show the microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype that is associated with a high frequency of biallelic frameshift mutations in the A10 coding mononucleotide microsatellite of the transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFBR2) gene. If and how impaired TGFBR2 signaling in MSI CRC cells affects cell surface glycan pattern is largely unexplored. Here, we used the TGFBR2-deficient MSI colon carcinoma cell line HCT116 as a model system. Stable clones conferring doxycycline (dox)-inducible expression of a single copy wildtype TGFBR2 transgene were generated by recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE). In two independent clones, dox-inducible expression of wildtype TGFBR2 protein and reconstitution of its signaling function was shown. Metabolic labeling experiments using the tritiated sialic acid precursor N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) revealed a significant decline (∼30%) of its incorporation into newly synthesized sialoglycoproteins in a TGFBR2-dependent manner. In particular, we detected a significant decrease of sialylated ß1-integrin upon reconstituted TGFBR2 signaling which did not influence ß1-integrin protein turnover. Notably, TGFBR2 reconstitution did not affect the transcript levels of any of the known human sialyltransferases when examined by real-time RT- PCR analysis. These results suggest that reconstituted TGFBR2 signaling in an isogenic MSI cell line model system can modulate sialylation of cell surface proteins like ß1-integrin. Moreover, our model system will be suitable to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms of altered MSI tumor glycobiology.
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Roy S, Majumdar AP. Signaling in colon cancer stem cells. J Mol Signal 2012; 7:11. [PMID: 22866952 PMCID: PMC3485105 DOI: 10.1186/1750-2187-7-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer worldwide and ranks third among the cancer-related deaths in the US and other Western countries. It occurs with equal frequency in men and women, constituting 10% of new cancer cases in men and 11% in women. Despite recent advancement in therapeutics, the survival rates from metastatic are less than 5%. Growing evidence supports the contention that epithelial cancers including colorectal cancer, the incidence of which increases with aging, are diseases driven by the pluripotent, self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs). Dysregulation of Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog and/or TGF-β signaling pathways that are involved in proliferation and maintenance of CSCs leads to the development of CRC. This review focuses on the signaling pathways relevant for CRC to understand the mechanisms leading to tumor progression and therapy resistance, which may help in the development of therapeutic strategies for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchita Roy
- John D Dingell VA Medical Centre, 4646 John R; Room: B-4238, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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17
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de Miranda NFCC, Hes FJ, van Wezel T, Morreau H. Role of the microenvironment in the tumourigenesis of microsatellite unstable and MUTYH-associated polyposis colorectal cancers. Mutagenesis 2012; 27:247-53. [DOI: 10.1093/mutage/ger077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Isaksson-Mettävainio M, Palmqvist R, Dahlin AM, Van Guelpen B, Rutegård J, Oberg A, Henriksson ML. High SMAD4 levels appear in microsatellite instability and hypermethylated colon cancers, and indicate a better prognosis. Int J Cancer 2011; 131:779-88. [PMID: 21964812 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in western countries. CRC are commonly divided in cancers showing microsatellite stability (MSS) or microsatellite instability (MSI). A more novel classification is dependent on promoter hypermethylation of CpG islands (the CpG island methylator phenotype, CIMP), where cancers show high, low or negative methylation status. SMAD4, located on chromosome 18q, has been thoroughly investigated during the last years. Loss of SMAD4 expression has been reported to correlate with poor CRC patient prognosis. In this study, we analyze the impact of SMAD4 expression on prognosis in relation to MSI screening status and CIMP status. Four hundred and seventy-nine paraffin-embedded specimens of CRC were examined for nuclear SMAD4 expression using immunohistochemistry. The tumors were scored loss (-), moderate (+) and high (++) expressing tumors. Loss of SMAD4 correlated significantly with decreased survival in all colon cancer patients. High SMAD4 expression, however, was significantly associated with increased survival, especially in colon cancer patients, which has undergone potential curative surgery. In addition, in MSI tumors and CIMP-high tumors, high SMAD4 expression was significantly related to increase in survival, while loss of SMAD4 resulted in a significantly poorer prognosis. SMAD4 expression was not correlated to prognosis in rectal cancer cases. We conclude, loss of SMAD4 indicates a poor prognosis in colon cancer patients. The novel findings that high SMAD4 expression predicts a better prognosis suggests that SMAD4 immunohistochemistry could constitute a prognostic marker in combination with CIMP and MSI screening status.
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19
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Lampropoulos P, Zizi-Sermpetzoglou A, Rizos S, Kostakis A, Nikiteas N, Papavassiliou AG. TGF-beta signalling in colon carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett 2011; 314:1-7. [PMID: 22018778 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer remains the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Europe. There are a number of pathways that have been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis, including TGF-beta (TGF-β)/Smad signalling pathway. The TGF-β pathway is involved in several biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Here we review the role of TGF-β signalling cascade in colorectal carcinogenesis and provide some new molecular insights that may aid efforts towards targeted antitumor therapies.
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Khalek FJA, Gallicano GI, Mishra L. Colon cancer stem cells. GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER RESEARCH : GCR 2010:S16-S23. [PMID: 21472043 PMCID: PMC3047031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. Aggressive research in the last decade has led to a wealth of information about this disease; for example, we now know that more than 80% of sporadic colon tumors contain mutations in the Wnt and TGFβ signaling pathways. The latest avenue of research is revealing the existence of and role for the cancer stem cell (CSC) model, which promotes the idea that malignancies originate from a small fraction of cancer cells that show self-renewal and multi- or pluripotency. The model also endorses that CSCs are capable of initiating and sustaining tumor growth. The body of evidence in favor of the CSC model is rapidly growing and includes analyses from flow cytometry of numerous CSC biomarkers, abnormal signaling pathways, symmetric division, dietary augmentation, and analysis of the behavior of these cells in spheroid culture formation. Although the incidence of death from CRC remains high, fervent research, both basic and translational, is beginning to improve patient outcomes. This paper focuses on stem cell biology in the context of CRC to help understand the mechanisms leading to tumor development and therapy resistance, with possible therapeutic indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feras J. Abdul Khalek
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Division of Internal Medicine The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX
| | - G. Ian Gallicano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology Georgetown University Medical School Washington, DC
| | - Lopa Mishra
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Division of Internal Medicine The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX
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Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Twin studies suggest that 35% of all colorectal cancer cases are inherited. High-penetrance tumor susceptibility genes account for at most 3-6% of all colorectal cancer cases and the remainder of the unexplained risk is likely due to a combination of low to moderate penetrance genes. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several SNPs near genes belonging to the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily such as GREM1 and SMAD7. Together with the recent discovery that constitutively decreased TGFBR1 expression is a potent modifier of colorectal cancer risk, these findings strongly suggest that germline variants of the TGF-beta superfamily may account for a sizeable proportion of colorectal cancer cases. The TGF-beta superfamily signaling pathways mediate many different biological processes during embryonic development, and in adult organisms they play a role in tissue homeostasis. TGF-beta has a central role in inhibiting cell proliferation and also modulates processes such as cell invasion, immune regulation, and microenvironment modification. Mutations in the TGF-beta type II receptor (TGFBR2) are estimated to occur in approximately 30% of colorectal carcinomas. Mutations in SMAD4 and BMPR1A are found in patients with familial juvenile polyposis, an autosomal dominant condition associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. This chapter provides an overview of the genetic basis of colorectal cancer and discusses recent discoveries related to alterations in the TGF-beta pathways and their role in the development of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Bellam
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294-3300, USA
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Abstract
The recent identification of tumor-initiating colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells in the pathogenesis of CRC has provided a potential target for novel therapeutics. Many details about CRC stem cells, however, remain poorly understood. Several potential markers of CRC stem cells have been proposed, including CD133, CD44, and, recently, Lgr5. Attention also has been drawn to control of stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation by the Wnt and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathways. Disruption of Wnt signaling, via loss of APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), is among the earliest events in the multistage progression of CRC and likely occurs in basal crypt stem cells, generating a neoplastic cell population that then expands upward to occupy the rest of the crypt. TGF-β signaling is a key tumor suppressor pathway, and mutations in the type II receptor and Smad4 are observed in CRC specimens and are associated with more aggressive disease in tumors with disrupted Wnt signaling. Loss of the TGF-β adaptor protein β(2)-spectrin is associated with loss of colonic cell polarity and architecture, and its expression parallels that of Smad4. This review suggests rational approaches to target CRC stem cells as a novel and effective way to treat advanced and difficult-to-treat CRC.
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Song H, Guo B, Zhang J, Song C. Transforming Growth Factor-β Suppressed Id-1 Expression in a smad3-Dependent Manner in LoVo Cells. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2009; 293:42-7. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.21012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Matsuzaki K, Kitano C, Murata M, Sekimoto G, Yoshida K, Uemura Y, Seki T, Taketani S, Fujisawa JI, Okazaki K. Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylated at both linker and COOH-terminal regions transmit malignant TGF-beta signal in later stages of human colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 2009; 69:5321-30. [PMID: 19531654 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-4203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta initially inhibits growth of mature epithelial cells. Later, however, autocrine TGF-beta signaling acts in concert with the Ras pathway to induce a proliferative and invasive phenotype. TGF-beta activates not only TGF-beta type I receptor (TbetaRI) but also Ras-associated kinases, which differentially phosphorylate the mediators Smad2 and Smad3 to create distinct phosphorylated forms: COOH-terminally phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2C and pSmad3C) and both linker and COOH-terminally phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C). In this study, we investigated actions of pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C in cancer progression. TGF-beta inhibited cell growth by down-regulating c-Myc oncoprotein through the pSmad2C and pSmad3C pathway; TGF-beta signaling, in turn, enhanced cell growth by up-regulating c-Myc through the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4-dependent pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C pathways in cell nuclei. Alternatively, TbetaRI and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) together created cytoplasmic pSmad2L/C, which entered the nucleus and stimulated cell invasion, partly by up-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-9. In 20 clinical samples, pSmad2L/C and pSmad3L/C showed nuclear localization at invasion fronts of all TGF-beta-producing human metastatic colorectal cancers. In vitro kinase assay confirmed that nuclear CDK4 and cytoplasmic JNK obtained from the tumor tissue could phosphorylate Smad2 or Smad3 at their linker regions. We suggest that CDK4, together with JNK, alters tumor-suppressive TGF-beta signaling to malignant characteristics in later stages of human colorectal cancer. The linker phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 may represent a target for intervention in human metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Matsuzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 10-15 Fumizonocho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8506, Japan.
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Kodach LL, Wiercinska E, de Miranda NFCC, Bleuming SA, Musler AR, Peppelenbosch MP, Dekker E, van den Brink GR, van Noesel CJM, Morreau H, Hommes DW, Ten Dijke P, Offerhaus GJA, Hardwick JCH. The bone morphogenetic protein pathway is inactivated in the majority of sporadic colorectal cancers. Gastroenterology 2008; 134:1332-41. [PMID: 18471510 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2006] [Accepted: 01/31/2008] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The finding of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor 1a mutations in juvenile polyposis suggests that BMPs are important in colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated the BMP pathway in sporadic CRC. METHODS We investigated BMP receptor (BMPR) expression using immunoblotting and sequenced BMPR2 in CRC cell lines. We assessed the expression of BMPRs, SMAD4, and pSMAD1/5/8 in 72 sporadic CRCs using a tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. We assessed the effect of reintroduction of wild-type BMPR2 on BMP pathway activity and the effect of wild-type or mutated BMPR2 3' untranslated region (UTR) sequences on protein expression by attachment to pCMV-Luc. RESULTS BMPR2 and SMAD4 protein expression is abrogated in microsatellite unstable (MSI) and microsatellite stable (MSS) cell lines, respectively. BMPR2 3'UTR is mutated in all MSI and in none of the MSS cell lines. Mutant BMPR2 3'UTR sequences reduced luciferase expression 10-fold compared with wild-type BMPR2 3'UTR. BMPR2 expression is impaired more frequently in MSI CRCs than MSS (85% vs 29%; P < .0001) and shows a mutually exclusive pattern of impaired expression compared with SMAD4. Nine of 11 MSI cancers with impaired expression of BMPR2 have microsatellite mutations. The BMP pathway is inactivated, as judged by nuclear pSMAD1/5/8 expression, in 70% of CRCs, and this correlates with BMPR and SMAD4 loss. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the BMP pathway is inactivated in the majority of sporadic CRCs. In MSI CRC this is associated predominantly with impaired BMPR2 expression and in MSS CRC with impaired SMAD4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liudmila L Kodach
- Department of Gastroenterology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Axin and GSK3- control Smad3 protein stability and modulate TGF- signaling. Genes Dev 2008; 22:106-20. [PMID: 18172167 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1590908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The broad range of biological responses elicited by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in various types of tissues and cells is mainly determined by the expression level and activity of the effector proteins Smad2 and Smad3. It is not fully understood how the baseline properties of Smad3 are regulated, although this molecule is in complex with many other proteins at the steady state. Here we show that nonactivated Smad3, but not Smad2, undergoes proteasome-dependent degradation due to the concerted action of the scaffolding protein Axin and its associated kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta (GSK3-beta). Smad3 physically interacts with Axin and GSK3-beta only in the absence of TGF-beta. Reduction in the expression or activity of Axin/GSK3-beta leads to increased Smad3 stability and transcriptional activity without affecting TGF-beta receptors or Smad2, whereas overexpression of these proteins promotes Smad3 basal degradation and desensitizes cells to TGF-beta. Mechanistically, Axin facilitates GSK3-beta-mediated phosphorylation of Smad3 at Thr66, which triggers Smad3 ubiquitination and degradation. Thr66 mutants of Smad3 show altered protein stability and hence transcriptional activity. These results indicate that the steady-state stability of Smad3 is an important determinant of cellular sensitivity to TGF-beta, and suggest a new function of the Axin/GSK3-beta complex in modulating critical TGF-beta/Smad3-regulated processes during development and tumor progression.
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Xu Y, Pasche B. TGF-beta signaling alterations and susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Hum Mol Genet 2007; 16 Spec No 1:R14-20. [PMID: 17613544 PMCID: PMC2637552 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddl486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2006, more than 55,000 patients died of colorectal cancer in the US, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer deaths. Despite significant progress in screening combined with the development of novel effective therapies, colorectal cancer ranks second to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death. Twin studies indicate that 35% of all colorectal cancers are inherited, but high-penetrance tumor susceptibility genes only account for approximately 3-6% of all cases. The remainder of the unexplained familial risk is presumably due to other high-penetrance genes, but polygenic mechanisms and low-penetrance tumor susceptibility genes are likely to account for a greater proportion of familial colorectal cancers. In this regard, there is growing evidence that a common hypomorphic variant of the type I TGF-beta receptor, TGFBR1*6A, may account for approximately 3% of all colorectal cancer cases, a fraction higher than that attributable to mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Furthermore, TGFBR1*6A is emerging as a potent modifier of colorectal cancer risk among individuals with a strong family of colorectal cancer. The TGF-beta signaling pathway plays a central but paradoxical role in the predisposition and progression of colorectal cancer. TGF-beta is a potent inhibitor of normal colonic epithelial cells acting as a tumor suppressor. However, TGF-beta promotes the survival, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells, thereby acting as an oncogene. Understanding how selective alterations of the TGF-beta signaling pathway contribute to colorectal cancer development and progression will likely permit the identification of an additional fraction of inherited colorectal cancer cases and provide novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Xu
- Cancer Genetics Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department o Medicine, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Baker K, Raut P, Jass JR. Microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer cell lines with truncating TGFβRII mutations remain sensitive to endogenous TGFβ. J Pathol 2007; 213:257-65. [PMID: 17893910 DOI: 10.1002/path.2235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions to the TGFbeta signalling pathway have been implicated in most human adenocarcinomas. As cancers progress, many acquire resistance to the growth-suppressing properties of TGFbeta while retaining sensitivity to its tumour-promoting effects. Microsatellite unstable colorectal cancers (MSI-H CRCs) possess truncating mutations in the type II TGFbeta receptor (TGFbetaRII) gene that have been assumed to render these tumours insensitive to TGFbeta. However, numerous reports of TGFbetaRII bypass exist and this study was thus undertaken in order to clarify the true extent of TGFbeta sensitivity in MSI-H CRCs. Using stimulation with exogenous TGFbeta, we demonstrated that, while MSI-H CRCs are capable of binding soluble TGFbeta, two out of three cell lines examined remain refractory to its signalling effects. In contrast, use of a specific inhibitor of the type I TGFbeta receptor (TGFbetaRI) revealed that all remain sensitive to signalling by endogenously produced TGFbeta. Specifically, autocrine signalling via TGFbetaRI mediates constitutive activation of Smad2 as well as repression of Erk signalling. Real-time PCR confirmed that these effects are sufficient to affect the expression level of various TGFbeta-modulated genes. An invasion assay revealed that autocrine TGFbetaRI signalling also promotes the invasion capacity of MSI-H CRCs to an extent similar to that seen in their non-MSI-H counterparts. Independent TGFbetaRI signalling, however, has no effect on the rate of proliferation of MSI-H CRC cells. Together, these results demonstrate that MSI-H CRC cell lines are not completely refractory to TGFbeta, despite lacking functional TGFbetaRII. In addition to clarifying the true consequences of natural TGFbetaRII loss and the independent function of TGFbetaRI, our results highlight the selective nature of TGFbeta resistance developed by cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Baker
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 2B4, Canada.
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Deacu E, Mori Y, Sato F, Yin J, Olaru A, Sterian A, Xu Y, Wang S, Schulmann K, Berki A, Kan T, Abraham JM, Meltzer SJ. Activin type II receptor restoration in ACVR2-deficient colon cancer cells induces transforming growth factor-beta response pathway genes. Cancer Res 2004; 64:7690-6. [PMID: 15520171 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-2082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The activin type II receptor (ACVR2) gene is a putative tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in microsatellite-unstable colon cancers (MSI-H colon cancers). ACVR2 is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta type II receptor (TGFBR2) family and controls cell growth and differentiation. SMAD proteins are major intracellular effectors shared by ACVR2 and TGFBR2 signaling; however, additional shared effector mechanisms remain to be explored. To discover novel mechanisms transmitting the ACVR2 signal, we restored ACVR2 function by transfecting wild-type ACVR2 (wt-ACVR2) into a MSI-H colon cancer cell line carrying an ACVR2 frameshift mutation. The effect of ACVR2 restoration on cell growth, SMAD phosphorylation, and global molecular phenotype was then evaluated. Decreased cell growth was observed in wt-ACVR2 transfectants relative to ACVR2-deficient vector-transfected controls. Western blotting revealed higher expression of phosphorylated SMAD2 in wt-ACVR2 transfectants versus controls, suggesting cells deficient in ACVR2 had impaired SMAD signaling. Microarray-based differential expression analysis revealed substantial ACVR2-induced overexpression of genes implicated in the control of cell growth and tumorigenesis, including the activator protein (AP)-1 complex genes JUND, JUN, and FOSB, as well as the small GTPase signal transduction family members, RHOB, ARHE, and ARHGDIA. Overexpression of these genes is shared with TGFBR2 activation. This observed similarity between the activin and TGF-beta signaling systems suggests that activin may serve as an alternative activator of TGF-beta effectors, including SMADs, and that frameshift mutation of ACVR2 may contribute to MSI-H colon tumorigenesis via disruption of alternate TGF-beta effector pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Deacu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
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Wang H, Radjendirane V, Wary KK, Chakrabarty S. Transforming growth factor β regulates cell–cell adhesion through extracellular matrix remodeling and activation of focal adhesion kinase in human colon carcinoma Moser cells. Oncogene 2004; 23:5558-61. [PMID: 15133493 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta is a potent regulator of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesions (collectively termed cellular adhesions). Cellular adhesions play crucial roles in controlling the differentiation of epithelial cells and in maintaining the integrity of the epithelium. Loss of TGF beta-responsiveness is thought to be an important early initiating event in the malignant progression of epithelial cancer. In the TGFbeta-responsive human colon adenocarcinoma Moser cells, TGFbeta promotes cellular adhesions and suppresses their malignant phenotype. TGFbeta promotes cell-matrix adhesion by inducing the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion molecules and the expression of integrin receptors for these molecules (termed ECM remodeling). TGFbeta promotes cell-cell adhesion through the induction of E-cadherin expression, an epithelial associated homotypic cell-cell adhesion molecule, which also functions as a tumor suppressor in colon cancer. How TGFbeta regulates E-cadherin expression is not known. In this study, we showed that the induction of E-cadherin by TGFbeta was mediated through the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a major signaling molecule in focal adhesion contacts and that the activation of FAK was due to ECM remodeling and increased cell-matrix interactions. Thus, TGFbeta regulates cell-cell adhesion through its ability to remodel the ECM and to activate FAK through ECM remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Wang
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Molecular Pathology, the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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31
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Calabrese P, Tsao JL, Yatabe Y, Salovaara R, Mecklin JP, Järvinen HJ, Aaltonen LA, Tavaré S, Shibata D. Colorectal pretumor progression before and after loss of DNA mismatch repair. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2004; 164:1447-53. [PMID: 15039232 PMCID: PMC1615342 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)63231-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A pretumor progression model predicts many oncogenic cancer mutations may first accumulate in normal appearing colon. Although direct observations of early pretumor mutations are impractical, it may be possible to retrospectively reconstruct tumor histories from contemporary cancer mutations. To infer when and in what order mutations occur during occult pretumor progression, we examined 14 cancers from individuals with heterozygous germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Somatic inactivation of the normal allele occurs sometime during a lifetime and results in loss of MMR, elevated mutation rates, and subsequent widespread somatic microsatellite mutations in HNPCC cancers. Patient ages at MMR loss can be estimated because intervals between MMR loss and cancer removal can be inferred from numbers of microsatellite tumor mutations. The relative order of MMR loss during pretumor progression may also be inferred from its collective ages of occurrence. Somatic MMR loss preceded cancer removal by an average of 6.1 years, occurred relatively late in life (average of 41.6 versus 47.7 years at cancer removal), and was a surprisingly late (fifth or sixth) step. Calculations indicate five or six oncogenic mutations could accumulate with relatively normal replication fidelity in normal appearing colon. HNPCC pretumor progression essentially begins from birth and ends with MMR loss, implying elevated mutation rates and tumorigenesis may be unnecessary for most progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Calabrese
- Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansong Bian
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Abstract
Maintenance of epithelial tissues needs the stroma. When the epithelium changes, the stroma inevitably follows. In cancer, changes in the stroma drive invasion and metastasis, the hallmarks of malignancy. Stromal changes at the invasion front include the appearance of myofibroblasts, cells sharing characteristics with fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. The main precursors of myofibroblasts are fibroblasts. The transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is modulated by cancer cell-derived cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). TGF-beta causes cancer progression through paracrine and autocrine effects. Paracrine effects of TGF-beta implicate stimulation of angiogenesis, escape from immunosurveillance and recruitment of myofibroblasts. Autocrine effects of TGF-beta in cancer cells with a functional TGF-beta receptor complex may be caused by a convergence between TGF-beta signalling and beta-catenin or activating Ras mutations. Experimental and clinical observations indicate that myofibroblasts produce pro-invasive signals. Such signals may also be implicated in cancer pain. N-Cadherin and its soluble form act as invasion-promoters. N-Cadherin is expressed in invasive cancer cells and in host cells such as myofibroblasts, neurons, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. N-Cadherin-dependent heterotypic contacts may promote matrix invasion, perineural invasion, muscular invasion, and transendothelial migration; the extracellular, the juxtamembrane and the beta-catenin binding domain of N-cadherin are implicated in positive invasion signalling pathways. A better understanding of stromal contributions to cancer progression will likely increase our awareness of the importance of the combinatorial signals that support and promote growth, dedifferentiation, invasion, and ectopic survival and eventually result in the identification of new therapeutics targeting the stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology, Department of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Molecular analysis of diminutive, flat, depressed colorectal lesions: Are they precursors of polypoid adenoma or early stage carcinoma? Gastrointest Endosc 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5107(02)70114-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
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Wong NACS, Pignatelli M. Beta-catenin--a linchpin in colorectal carcinogenesis? THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2002; 160:389-401. [PMID: 11839557 PMCID: PMC1850660 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)64856-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An important role for beta-catenin pathways in colorectal carcinogenesis was first suggested by the protein's association with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein, and by evidence of dysregulation of beta-catenin protein expression at all stages of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Recent studies have, however, shown that yet more components of colorectal carcinogenesis are linked to beta-catenin pathways. Pro-oncogenic factors that also release beta-catenin from the adherens complex and/or encourage translocation to the nucleus include ras, epidermal growth factor (EGF), c-erbB-2, PKC-betaII, MUC1, and PPAR-gamma, whereas anti-oncogenic factors that also inhibit nuclear beta-catenin signaling include transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, retinoic acid, and vitamin D. Association of nuclear beta-catenin with the T cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) family of transcription factors promotes the expression of several compounds that have important roles in the development and progression of colorectal carcinoma, namely: c-myc, cyclin D1, gastrin, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (aPAR), CD44 proteins, and P-glycoprotein. Finally, genetic aberrations of several components of the beta-catenin pathways, eg, Frizzled (Frz), AXIN, and TCF-4, may potentially contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis. In discussing the above interactions, this review demonstrates that beta-catenin represents a key molecule in the development of colorectal carcinoma.
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Ougolkov AV, Yamashita K, Mai M, Minamoto T. Oncogenic beta-catenin and MMP-7 (matrilysin) cosegregate in late-stage clinical colon cancer. Gastroenterology 2002; 122:60-71. [PMID: 11781281 DOI: 10.1053/gast.2002.30306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Recent in vitro studies showed that beta-catenin translocated into the tumor cell nucleus functions as an oncogene by transactivating oncogenes, including MMP-7. We conducted a large-scale analysis of beta-catenin and MMP-7 expression in human colon cancer to determine the potential clinical importance of these molecules. METHODS In 202 colon cancer patients with known postoperative outcomes, we determined the expression of beta-catenin and MMP-7 in the tumors immunohistochemically and correlated the findings with the patients' clinicopathological characteristics and survival. RESULTS We found 2 distinct patterns of beta-catenin nuclear accumulation (NA) in the colon cancers: diffuse NA (NAd) in 89 cases (44%) and selective NA at the invasion front (NAinv) in 18 cases (9%). The presence of the NAinv pattern was significantly correlated with advanced Dukes' stage (P = 0.0187) and tumor recurrence (P = 0.0005) as well as with MMP-7 expression in the tumor invasion front (P = 0.0025), resulting in extremely unfavorable clinical outcomes. A multivariate analysis determined that the NAinv expression pattern and Dukes' C stage were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Oncogenic activation of beta-catenin in the tumor invasion front, as represented by its NAinv pattern of expression, may be an independent and reliable indicator of membership in a subset of colon cancer patients who are highly susceptible to tumor recurrence and have a less favorable survival rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei V Ougolkov
- Division of Diagnostic Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
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Woodford-Richens KL, Rowan AJ, Gorman P, Halford S, Bicknell DC, Wasan HS, Roylance RR, Bodmer WF, Tomlinson IP. SMAD4 mutations in colorectal cancer probably occur before chromosomal instability, but after divergence of the microsatellite instability pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:9719-23. [PMID: 11481457 PMCID: PMC55519 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.171321498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of chromosome 18q21 is well documented in colorectal cancer, and it has been suggested that this loss targets the DCC, DPC4/SMAD4, and SMAD2 genes. Recently, the importance of SMAD4, a downstream regulator in the TGF-beta signaling pathway, in colorectal cancer has been highlighted, although the frequency of SMAD4 mutations appears much lower than that of 18q21 loss. We set out to investigate allele loss, mutations, protein expression, and cytogenetics of chromosome 18 copy number in a collection of 44 colorectal cancer cell lines of known status with respect to microsatellite instability (MSI). Fourteen of thirty-two MSI(-) lines showed loss of SMAD4 protein expression; usually, one allele was lost and the other was mutated in one of a number of ways, including deletions of various sizes, splice site changes, and missense and nonsense point mutations (although no frameshifts). Of the 18 MSI(-) cancers with retained SMAD4 expression, four harbored missense mutations in the 3' part of the gene and showed allele loss. The remaining 14 MSI(-) lines had no detectable SMAD4 mutation, but all showed allele loss at SMAD4 and/or DCC. SMAD4 mutations can therefore account for about 50-60% of the 18q21 allele loss in colorectal cancer. No MSI(+) cancer showed loss of SMAD4 protein or SMAD4 mutation, and very few had allelic loss at SMAD4 or DCC, although many of these MSI(+) lines did carry TGFBIIR changes. Although SMAD4 mutations have been associated with late-stage or metastatic disease, our combined molecular and cytogenetic data best fit a model in which SMAD4 mutations occur before colorectal cancers become aneuploid/polyploid, but after the MSI(+) and MSI(-) pathways diverge. Thus, MSI(+) cancers may diverge first, followed by CIN(+) (chromosomal instability) cancers, leaving other cancers to follow a CIN(-)MSI(-) pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Woodford-Richens
- Molecular and Population Genetics Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, United Kingdom.
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Wang H, Chakrabarty S. Requirement of protein kinase Calpha, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell-matrix interaction for transforming growth factorbeta-regulated expression of E-cadherin and catenins. J Cell Physiol 2001; 187:188-95. [PMID: 11267998 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.1068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of transforming growth factorbeta (TGFbeta) action is the induction of the synthesis and secretion of extracellular-matrix adhesion molecules and induction of the cell-surface expression of integrin receptors for these molecules (termed extracellular-matrix remodeling). The signal pathways leading to extracellular-matrix remodeling and the significance of extracellular-matrix remodeling in TGFbeta function is not well-understood. In the epithelium-derived human colon cancer cell line Moser, TGFbeta induces extracellular-matrix remodeling in a protein kinase Calpha-dependent manner. In this study we showed that TGFbeta was a potent inducer of the homotypic cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin and its undercoat-associated proteins, the catenins and dramatically increased the amount of E-cadherin/gamma-catenin complex formation. We found that the induction of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin by TGFbeta was also dependent on protein kinase Calpha, whereas the induction of gamma-catenin was independent of protein kinase Calpha but dependent on other protein kinase C isoforms. We also found that protein kinase Calpha-dependent induction of extracellular-matrix remodeling and subsequent cell-matrix interaction requiring both fibronectin and laminin were a prerequisite for the induction of E-cadherin (and alpha- and beta-catenin but not gamma-catenin) by TGFbeta. We therefore concluded that two signal pathways exist in TGFbeta-regulated expression of E-cadherin and the catenins. We also concluded that a functional significance of TGFbeta-induced extracellular matrix remodeling is the activation of signal transduction mechanisms through increased interaction between extracellular matrix fibronectin and laminin and their cell-surface integrin receptors, which lead to the induction of E-cadherin (and alpha- and beta-catenin).
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wang
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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39
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an effective and ubiquitous mediator of cell growth. The significance of this cytokine in cancer susceptibility, cancer development and progression has become apparent over the past few years. TGF-beta plays various roles in the process of malignant progression. It is a potent inhibitor of normal stromal, hematopoietic, and epithelial cell growth. However, at some point during cancer development the majority of transformed cells become either partly or completely resistant to TGF-beta growth inhibition. There is growing evidence that in the later stages of cancer development TGF-beta is actively secreted by tumor cells and not merely acts as a bystander but rather contributes to cell growth, invasion, and metastasis and decreases host-tumor immune responses. Subtle alteration of TGF-beta signaling may also contribute to the development of cancer. These various effects are tissue and tumor dependent. Identifying and understanding TGF-beta signaling pathway abnormalities in various malignancies is a promising avenue of study that may yield new modalities to both prevent and treat cancer. The nature, prevalence, and significance of TGF-beta signaling pathway alterations in various forms of human cancer as well as potential preventive and therapeutic interventions are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Pasche
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, 710 North Fairbanks, Room 8410, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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40
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an effective and ubiquitous mediator of cell growth. The significance of this cytokine in cancer susceptibility, cancer development and progression has become apparent over the past few years. TGF-beta plays various roles in the process of malignant progression. It is a potent inhibitor of normal stromal, hematopoietic, and epithelial cell growth. However, at some point during cancer development the majority of transformed cells become either partly or completely resistant to TGF-beta growth inhibition. There is growing evidence that in the later stages of cancer development TGF-beta is actively secreted by tumor cells and not merely acts as a bystander but rather contributes to cell growth, invasion, and metastasis and decreases host-tumor immune responses. Subtle alteration of TGF-beta signaling may also contribute to the development of cancer. These various effects are tissue and tumor dependent. Identifying and understanding TGF-beta signaling pathway abnormalities in various malignancies is a promising avenue of study that may yield new modalities to both prevent and treat cancer. The nature, prevalence, and significance of TGF-beta signaling pathway alterations in various forms of human cancer as well as potential preventive and therapeutic interventions are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Pasche
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, 710 North Fairbanks, Room 8410, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Lehmann K, Janda E, Pierreux CE, Rytömaa M, Schulze A, McMahon M, Hill CS, Beug H, Downward J. Raf induces TGFbeta production while blocking its apoptotic but not invasive responses: a mechanism leading to increased malignancy in epithelial cells. Genes Dev 2000; 14:2610-22. [PMID: 11040215 PMCID: PMC316988 DOI: 10.1101/gad.181700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
c-Raf-1 is a major effector of Ras proteins, responsible for activation of the ERK MAP kinase pathway and a critical regulator of both normal growth and oncogenic transformation. Using an inducible form of Raf in MDCK cells, we have shown that sustained activation of Raf alone is able to induce the transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype. Raf promoted invasive growth in collagen gels, a characteristic of malignant cells; this was dependent on the operation of an autocrine loop involving TGFbeta, whose secretion was induced by Raf. TGFbeta induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in normal MDCK cells: Activation of Raf led to inhibition of the ability of TGFbeta to induce apoptosis but not growth retardation. ERK has been reported previously to inhibit TGFbeta signaling via phosphorylation of the linker region of Smads, which prevents their translocation to the nucleus. However, we found no evidence in this system that ERK can significantly influence the function of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 at the level of nuclear translocation, DNA binding, or transcriptional activation. Instead, strong activation of Raf caused a broad protection of these cells from various apoptotic stimuli, allowing them to respond to TGFbeta with increased invasiveness while avoiding cell death. The Raf-MAP kinase pathway thus synergizes with TGFbeta in promoting malignancy but does not directly impair TGFbeta-induced Smad signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Lehmann
- Signal Transduction, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London WC2A 3PX, UK
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Efstathiou JA, Liu D, Wheeler JM, Kim HC, Beck NE, Ilyas M, Karayiannakis AJ, Mortensen NJ, Kmiot W, Playford RJ, Pignatelli M, Bodmer WF. Mutated epithelial cadherin is associated with increased tumorigenicity and loss of adhesion and of responsiveness to the motogenic trefoil factor 2 in colon carcinoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1999; 96:2316-21. [PMID: 10051639 PMCID: PMC26781 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.5.2316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/1998] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial (E)-cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenins) are important mediators of epithelial cell-cell adhesion and intracellular signaling. Much evidence exists suggesting a tumor/invasion suppressor role for E-cadherin, and loss of expression, as well as mutations, has been described in a number of epithelial cancers. To investigate whether E-cadherin gene (CDH1) mutations occur in colorectal cancer, we screened 49 human colon carcinoma cell lines from 43 patients by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and direct sequencing. In addition to silent changes, polymorphisms, and intronic variants in a number of the cell lines, we detected frameshift single-base deletions in repeat regions of exon 3 (codons 120 and 126) causing premature truncations at codon 216 in four replication-error-positive (RER+) cell lines (LS174T, HCT116, GP2d, and GP5d) derived from 3 patients. In LS174T such a mutation inevitably contributes to its lack of E-cadherin protein expression and function. Transfection of full-length E-cadherin cDNA into LS174T cells enhanced intercellular adhesion, induced differentiation, retarded proliferation, inhibited tumorigenicity, and restored responsiveness to the migratory effects induced by the motogenic trefoil factor 2 (human spasmolytic polypeptide). These results indicate that, although inactivating E-cadherin mutations occur relatively infrequently in colorectal cancer cell lines overall (3/43 = 7%), they are more common in cells with an RER+ phenotype (3/10 = 30%) and may contribute to the dysfunction of the E-cadherin-catenin-mediated adhesion/signaling system commonly seen in these tumors. These results also indicate that normal E-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion can restore the ability of colonic tumor cells to respond to trefoil factor 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Efstathiou
- Cancer and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
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