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Hoisington ZW, Salvi A, Laguesse S, Ehinger Y, Shukla C, Phamluong K, Ron D. The Small G-Protein Rac1 in the Dorsomedial Striatum Promotes Alcohol-Dependent Structural Plasticity and Goal-Directed Learning in Mice. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1644232024. [PMID: 38886056 PMCID: PMC11255432 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1644-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The small G-protein Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) promotes the formation of filamentous actin (F-actin). Actin is a major component of dendritic spines, and we previously found that alcohol alters actin composition and dendritic spine structure in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). To examine if Rac1 contributes to these alcohol-mediated adaptations, we measured the level of GTP-bound active Rac1 in the striatum of mice following 7 weeks of intermittent access to 20% alcohol. We found that chronic alcohol intake activates Rac1 in the DMS of male mice. In contrast, Rac1 is not activated by alcohol in the NAc and DLS of male mice or in the DMS of female mice. Similarly, closely related small G-proteins are not activated by alcohol in the DMS, and Rac1 activity is not increased in the DMS by moderate alcohol or natural reward. To determine the consequences of alcohol-dependent Rac1 activation in the DMS of male mice, we inhibited endogenous Rac1 by infecting the DMS of mice with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing a dominant negative form of the small G-protein (Rac1-DN). We found that overexpression of AAV-Rac1-DN in the DMS inhibits alcohol-mediated Rac1 signaling and attenuates alcohol-mediated F-actin polymerization, which corresponded with a decrease in dendritic arborization and spine maturation. Finally, we provide evidence to suggest that Rac1 in the DMS plays a role in alcohol-associated goal-directed learning. Together, our data suggest that Rac1 in the DMS plays an important role in alcohol-dependent structural plasticity and aberrant learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary W Hoisington
- Alcohol and Addiction Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94107
| | - Alexandra Salvi
- Alcohol and Addiction Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94107
| | - Sophie Laguesse
- GIGA-Stem Cells and GIGA-Neurosciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Yann Ehinger
- Alcohol and Addiction Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94107
| | - Chhavi Shukla
- Alcohol and Addiction Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94107
| | - Khanhky Phamluong
- Alcohol and Addiction Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94107
| | - Dorit Ron
- Alcohol and Addiction Research Group, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94107
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Chen H, Hu J, Xiong X, Chen H, Liao Q, Lin B, Chen Y, Peng Y, Li Y, Cheng D, Li Z. SETD8 inhibits apoptosis and ferroptosis of Ewing's sarcoma through YBX1/RAC3 axis. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:494. [PMID: 38987564 PMCID: PMC11237091 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06882-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) represents a rare yet exceedingly aggressive neoplasm that poses a significant health risk to the pediatric and adolescent population. The clinical outcomes for individuals with relapsed or refractory ES are notably adverse, primarily attributed to the constrained therapeutic alternatives available. Despite significant advancements in the field, molecular pathology-driven therapeutic strategies have yet to achieve a definitive reduction in the mortality rates associated with ES. Consequently, there exists an imperative need to discover innovative therapeutic targets to effectively combat ES. To reveal the mechanism of the SETD8 (also known as lysine methyltransferase 5A) inhibitor UNC0379, cell death manners were analyzed with different inhibitors. The contributions of SETD8 to the processes of apoptosis and ferroptosis in ES cells were evaluated employing the histone methyltransferase inhibitor UNC0379 in conjunction with RNA interference techniques. The molecular regulatory mechanisms of SETD8 in ES were examined through the application of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Moreover, nude mouse xenograft models were established to explore the role of SETD8 in ES in vivo. SETD8, a sole nucleosome-specific methyltransferase that catalyzes mono-methylation of histone H4 at lysine 20 (H4K20me1), was found to be upregulated in ES, and its overexpression was associated with dismal outcomes of patients. SETD8 knockdown dramatically induced the apoptosis and ferroptosis of ES cells in vitro and suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that SETD8 facilitated the nuclear translocation of YBX1 through post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, which subsequently culminated in the transcriptional upregulation of RAC3. In summary, SETD8 inhibits the apoptosis and ferroptosis of ES cells through the YBX1/RAC3 axis, which provides new insights into the mechanism of tumorigenesis of ES. SETD8 may be a potential target for clinical intervention in ES patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimou Chen
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xilin Xiong
- Department of Oncology, Medical Centre of Pediatric, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Hongling Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China
| | - Qiaofang Liao
- Department of Oncology, Huizhou First Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong, 516000, China
| | - Biaojun Lin
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yusong Chen
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yanting Peng
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Oncology, Medical Centre of Pediatric, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Di Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Zhihua Li
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 107 Yanjiang Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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Li H, Ma H, Ma J, Qin F, Fan S, Kong S, Zhao S, Ma J. Unveiling the role of RAC3 in the growth and invasion of cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18473. [PMID: 38847477 PMCID: PMC11157678 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, and its morbidity and mortality rates have been increasing over the years. However, how RAC family small GTPase 3 (RAC3) affects the proliferation, migration and invasion of cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells remains unclear. Bioinformatics techniques were used to investigate the expression of RAC3 in bladder cancer tissues. Influences of RAC3 in the grade, stage, distant metastasis, and survival rate of bladder cancer were also examined. Analysis of the relationship between RAC3 expression and the immune microenvironment (TIME), genomic mutations, and stemness index. In normal bladder cancer cells (T24, 5637, and BIU-87) and cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells (BIU-87-DDP), the expression of RAC3 was detected separately with Western blotting. Plasmid transfection was used to overexpress or silence the expression of RAC3 in bladder cancer cells resistant to cisplatin (BIU-87-DDP). By adding activators and inhibitors, the activities of the JNK/MAPK signalling pathway were altered. Cell viability, invasion, and its level of apoptosis were measured in vitro using CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry. The bioinformatics analyses found RAC3 levels were elevated in bladder cancer tissues and were associated with a poor prognosis in bladder cancer. RAC3 in BIU-87-DDP cells expressed a higher level than normal bladder cancer cells. RAC3 overexpression promoted BIU-87-DDP proliferation. The growth of BIU-87-DDP cells slowed after the knockdown of RAC3, and RAC3 may have had an impact on the activation of the JNK/MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haodong Li
- Department of UrologyHebei Medical University Third HospitalShijiazhuangChina
| | - Hongxuan Ma
- Faculty of Health and Behavioural SciencesThe University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
| | - JianHua Ma
- Geriatrics DepartmentHebei Chengde Central HospitalChengdeChina
| | - Fei Qin
- Department of UrologyHebei Medical University Third HospitalShijiazhuangChina
| | - Siqi Fan
- Department of UrologyHebei Medical University Third HospitalShijiazhuangChina
| | - Shaopeng Kong
- Department of UrologyHebei Medical University Third HospitalShijiazhuangChina
| | - Sitao Zhao
- Department of UrologyHebei Medical University Third HospitalShijiazhuangChina
| | - Jianguo Ma
- Department of UrologyHebei Medical University Third HospitalShijiazhuangChina
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Hoisington ZW, Salvi A, Laguesse S, Ehinger Y, Shukla C, Phamluong K, Ron D. The small G-protein Rac1 in the dorsomedial striatum promotes alcohol-dependent structural plasticity and goal-directed learning in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.30.555562. [PMID: 37693512 PMCID: PMC10491244 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.30.555562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The small G-protein Rac1 promotes the formation of filamentous actin (F-Actin). Actin is a major component of dendritic spines, and we previously found that alcohol alters actin composition and dendritic spine structure in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). To examine if Rac1 contributes to these alcohol-mediated adaptations, we measured the level of GTP-bound active Rac1 in the striatum of mice following 7 weeks of intermittent access to 20% alcohol. We found that chronic alcohol intake activates Rac1 in the DMS of male mice. In contrast, Rac1 is not activated by alcohol in the NAc and DLS of male mice, or in the DMS of female mice. Similarly, closely related small G-proteins are not activated by alcohol in the DMS, and Rac1 activity is not increased in the DMS by moderate alcohol or natural reward. To determine the consequences of alcohol-dependent Rac1 activation in the DMS of male mice, we inhibited endogenous Rac1 by infecting the DMS of mice with an AAV expressing a dominant negative form of the small G-protein (Rac1-DN). We found that overexpression of AAV-Rac1-DN in the DMS inhibits alcohol-mediated Rac1 signaling and attenuates alcohol-mediated F-actin polymerization, which corresponded with a decrease in dendritic arborization and spine maturation. Finally, we provide evidence to suggest that Rac1 in the DMS plays a role in alcohol-associated goal-directed learning. Together, our data suggest that Rac1 in the DMS plays an important role in alcohol-dependent structural plasticity and aberrant learning. Significance Statement Addiction, including alcohol use disorder, is characterized by molecular and cellular adaptations that promote maladaptive behaviors. We found that Rac1 was activated by alcohol in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) of male mice. We show that alcohol-mediated Rac1 signaling is responsible for alterations in actin dynamics and neuronal morphology. We also present data to suggest that Rac1 is important for alcohol-associated learning processes. These results suggest that Rac1 in the DMS is an important contributor to adaptations that promote alcohol use disorder.
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Chen Y, Huang M, Lu J, Zhang Q, Wu J, Peng S, Chen S, Zhang Y, Cheng L, Lin T, Chen X, Huang J. Establishment of a prognostic model to predict chemotherapy response and identification of RAC3 as a chemotherapeutic target in bladder cancer. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:509-528. [PMID: 37310098 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is considered the primary treatment option for patients with advanced bladder cancer (BCa). However, the objective response rate to chemotherapy is often unsatisfactory, leading to a poor 5-year survival rate. Furthermore, current strategies for evaluating chemotherapy response and prognosis are limited and inefficient. In this study, we aimed to address these challenges by establishing a chemotherapy response type gene (CRTG) signature consisting of 9 genes and verified the prognostic value of this signature using TCGA and GEO BCa cohorts. The risk scores based on the CRTG signature were found to be associated with advanced clinicopathological status and demonstrated favorable predictive power for chemotherapy response in the TCGA cohort. Meanwhile, tumors with high risk scores exhibited a tendency toward a "cold tumor" phenotype. These tumors showed a low abundance of T cells, CD8+ T cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes, along with a high abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, they displayed higher mRNA levels of these immune checkpoints: CD200, CD276, CD44, NRP1, PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2), and TNFSF9. Furthermore, we developed a nomogram that integrated the CRTG signature with clinicopathologic risk factors. This nomogram proved to be a more effective tool for predicting the prognosis of BCa patients. Additionally, we identified Rac family small GTPase 3 (RAC3) as a biomarker in our model. RAC3 was found to be overexpressed in chemoresistant BCa tissues and enhance the chemotherapeutic resistance of BCa cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the PAK1-ERK1/2 pathway. In conclusion, our study presents a novel CRTG model for predicting chemotherapy response and prognosis in BCa. We also highlight the potential of combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy as a promising strategy for chemoresistant BCa and that RAC3 might be a latent target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuelong Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, PR China
| | - Ming Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Junlin Lu
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Jilin Wu
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shengmeng Peng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Siting Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yangjie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Tianxin Lin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Urological Diseases, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Urological Diseases, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Urological Diseases, Guangzhou, PR China
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Lu Y, He W, Huang X, Xiao X. Pulsatilla saponin D regulates ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 3 (RAC3) to overcome resistance to paclitaxel in lung adenocarcinoma cells. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:55. [PMID: 38200409 PMCID: PMC10777557 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11841-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paclitaxel, a tubulin-binding agent, is a Food and Drug Administration-approved first-line drug for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), for both squamous and non-squamous cell lung carcinoma, with paclitaxel/carboplatin + bevacizumab a common chemotherapy regimen for stage IV non-squamous NSCLC; however, primary or acquired resistance to paclitaxel is gradually increasing, leading to treatment failure. METHODS Our results show that Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 3 (RAC3) is overexpressed in cultured paclitaxel-resistant cells and that RAC3 expression levels are negatively correlated with sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to paclitaxel. Pulsatilla saponin D could inhibit RAC3 expression, and we hypothesize that it may block paclitaxel resistance. Further, we found that treatment with paclitaxel combined with Pulsatilla saponin D, can overcome lung adenocarcinoma cell resistance to paclitaxel alone in cell culture and mouse xenograft models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Lu
- Laboratory Department of Orthopedic Spine Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Wubin He
- Key Laboratory of Surgery of Liaoning Province of The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoxu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology and New Drug Development of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Xuyang Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China.
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Skjervold AH, Valla M, Ytterhus B, Bofin AM. PAK1 copy number in breast cancer-Associations with proliferation and molecular subtypes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287608. [PMID: 37368917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is known to be overexpressed in several human tumour types, including breast cancer (BC). It is located on chromosome 11 (11q13.5-q14.1) and plays a significant role in proliferation in BC. In this study we aimed to assess PAK1 gene copy number (CN) in primary breast tumours and their corresponding lymph node metastases, and associations between PAK1 CN and proliferation status, molecular subtype, and prognosis. In addition, we aimed to study associations between CNs of PAK1 and CCND1. Both genes are located on the long arm of chromosome 11 (11q13). METHODS Fluorescence in situ hybridization for PAK1 and Chromosome enumeration probe (CEP)11 were used on tissue microarray sections from a series of 512 BC cases. Copy numbers were estimated by counting the number of fluorescent signals for PAK1 and CEP11 in 20 tumour cell nuclei. Pearson's x2 test was performed to assess associations between PAK1 CN and tumour features, and between PAK1 and CCND1 CNs. Cumulative risk of death from BC and hazard ratios were estimated in analysis of prognosis. RESULTS We found mean PAK1 CN ≥4<6 in 26 (5.1%) tumours, and CN ≥ 6 in 22 (4.3%) tumours. The proportion of cases with copy number increase (mean CN ≥4) was highest among HER2 type and Luminal B (HER2-) tumours. We found an association between PAK1 CN increase, and high proliferation, and high histological grade, but not prognosis. Of cases with PAK1 CN ≥ 6, 30% also had CCND1 CN ≥ 6. CONCLUSIONS PAK1 copy number increase is associated with high proliferation and high histological grade, but not with prognosis. PAK1 CN increase was most frequent in the HER2 type and Luminal B (HER2-) subtype. PAK1 CN increase is associated with CN increase of CCND1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette H Skjervold
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marit Valla
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Pathology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Borgny Ytterhus
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna M Bofin
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Zhang Y, Li G, Zhao Y. Advances in the development of Rho GTPase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 90:117337. [PMID: 37253305 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Rho guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GTPases), as members of the Ras superfamily, are GDP/GTP binding proteins that behave as molecular switches for the transduction of signals from external stimuli. Rho GTPases play essential roles in a number of cellular processes including cell cycle, cell polarity as well as cell migration. The dysregulations of Rho GTPases are related with various diseases, especially with cancers. Accumulating evidence supports that Rho GTPases play important roles in cancer development and progression. Rho GTPases become potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. And a number of inhibitors targeting Rho GTPases have been developed. In this review, we discuss their structural features, summarize their roles in cancer, and focus on the recent progress of their inhibitors, which are beneficial for the drug discovery targeting Rho GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guanyi Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yaxue Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Hemida AS, Abdelaziz RA, Abd El-Wahed MM, Asaad NY, Serag El-Dien MM, Elshahat Ali HA. Significance of RCC2, Rac1 and p53 Expression in Breast Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma; An Immunohistochemical Study. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 19:177-192. [PMID: 39118792 PMCID: PMC11304461 DOI: 10.30699/ijp.2024.2014367.3198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Background & Objective The regulator of chromosome condensation 2 (RCC2) and RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) have been implicated in the promotion of breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. The signaling pathway involving p53/RCC2/Rac1 has been proposed to contribute to the regulation of colon cancer metastasis. However, until now, this pathway has not been thoroughly investigated in breast cancer. This study seeks to explore the influence of immunohistochemical expression and the correlation among RCC2, Rac1, and p53 in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). Methods Immunostaining was performed on 120 breast IDC specimens using RCC2, Rac1, and p53 antibodies. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the correlations between these antibodies. Results A Positive expression of RCC2, Rac1, and p53 was observed in 116 (96.7%), 120 (100%), and 33 (27.5%) of the breast cancer cases, respectively. RCC2, Rac1, and p53 demonstrated association with poor prognostic parameters such as frequent mitoses, high Ki-67 status, positive lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and advanced tumor stage. A highly significant direct correlation was found between each immunohistochemical marker and the other two markers. Shorter overall survival was linked to multifocal tumors (P=0.017), advanced tumor stage (T3) (P=0.010), Luminal B subtype (P=0.015), progressive disease (P=0.003), positive Her2neu status (P=0.008), and metastasis to distant organs (P<0.001). However, RCC2, Rac1, and p53 did not exhibit a significant association with overall survival. Conclusion The high expression levels of RCC2, Rac1, and p53 in breast IDC suggest their potential role in tumor behavior. The association of RCC2 and Rac1 with poor prognostic parameters may serve as predictive indicators for aggressive tumors, thus implying that targeted therapy could be beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiat Shaban Hemida
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Reham Ahmed Abdelaziz
- Department of Clinical Oncology& Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Nancy Yousef Asaad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Hend Ali Elshahat Ali
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
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Wu Q, Tian R, Liu J, Ou C, Li Y, Fu X. Deciphering comprehensive features of tumor microenvironment controlled by chromatin regulators to predict prognosis and guide therapies in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1139126. [PMID: 36936912 PMCID: PMC10022674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1139126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dysregulation of chromatin regulators (CRs) can perturb the tumor immune microenvironment, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We focused on uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) and used gene expression data from TCGA-UCEC to investigate this mechanism. Methods We used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and consensus clustering algorithm to classify UCEC patients into Cluster_L and Cluster_H. TME-associated CRs were identified using WGCNA and differential gene expression analysis. A CR risk score (CRRS) was constructed using univariate Cox and LASSO-Cox regression analyses. A nomogram was developed based on CRRS and clinicopathologic factors to predict patients' prognosis. Results Lower CRRS was associated with lower grade, more benign molecular subtypes, and improved survival. Patients with low CRRS showed abundant immune infiltration, a higher mutation burden, fewer CNVs, and better response to immunotherapy. Moreover, low CRRS patients were more sensitive to 24 chemotherapeutic agents. Conclusion A comprehensive assessment of CRRS could identify immune activation and improve the efficacy of UCEC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihui Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Ruotong Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunlin Ou
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodan Fu, ; ; Yimin Li, ; Chunlin Ou,
| | - Yimin Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodan Fu, ; ; Yimin Li, ; Chunlin Ou,
| | - Xiaodan Fu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodan Fu, ; ; Yimin Li, ; Chunlin Ou,
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11
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Wang L, Shi J, Liu S, Huang Y, Ding H, Zhao B, Liu Y, Wang W, Yang J, Chen Z. RAC3 Inhibition Induces Autophagy to Impair Metastasis in Bladder Cancer Cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:915240. [PMID: 35847878 PMCID: PMC9279623 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.915240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most frequent malignant tumors globally, with a significant morbidity and mortality rate. Gene expression dysregulation has been proven to play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate3 (RAC3), which is overexpressed in several malignancies and promotes tumor progression, has been identified as an oncogene. However, RAC3 has important but not fully understood biological functions in cancer. Our research aims to reveal the new functions and potential mechanisms of RAC3 involved in BCa progression. Methods We explored the expression level of RAC3 and its relationship with prognosis by publicly accessible BCa datasets, while the correlation of RAC3 expression with clinicopathological variables of patients was analyzed. In vitro and in vivo proliferation, migration, autophagy, and other phenotypic changes were examined by constructing knockdown(KD)/overexpression(OE) RAC3 cells and their association with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was explored by adding autophagy-related compounds. Results Compared with non-tumor samples, RAC3 was highly expressed in BCa and negatively correlated with prognosis. KD/OE RAC3 inhibited/promoted the proliferation and migration of BCa cells. Knockdown RAC3 caused cell cycle arrest and decreased adhesion without affecting apoptosis. Inhibition of RAC3 activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR mediated autophagy and inhibits proliferation and migration of BCa cells in vivo and in vitro. Autophagy inhibitor 3MA can partially rescue the metastasis and proliferation inhibition effect caused by RAC3 inhibition. Inhibit/activate mTOR enhanced/impaired autophagy, resulting in shRAC3-mediated migration defect exacerbated/rescued. Conclusion RAC3 is highly expressed in BCa. It is associated with advanced clinicopathological variables and poor prognosis. Knockdown RAC3 exerts an antitumor effect by enhancing PI3K/AKT/mTOR mediated autophagy. Targeting RAC3 and autophagy simultaneously is a potential therapeutic strategy for inhibiting BCa progression and prolonging survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Wang
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Unit 32357 of People’s Liberation Army, Pujiang, China
| | - Jiazhong Shi
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yaqin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Ding
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Baixiong Zhao
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wuxing Wang
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiwen Chen
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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12
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Ebrahimi N, Kharazmi K, Ghanaatian M, Miraghel SA, Amiri Y, Seyedebrahimi SS, Mobarak H, Yazdani E, Parkhideh S, Hamblin MR, Aref AR. Role of the Wnt and GTPase pathways in breast cancer tumorigenesis and treatment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:11-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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13
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Chen M, Nie Z, Cao H, Gao Y, Wen X, Zhang C, Zhang S. Rac3 Expression and its Clinicopathological Significance in Patients With Bladder Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:598460. [PMID: 34257551 PMCID: PMC8262164 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.598460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 3 (Rac3) is overexpressed in malignancies and promotes tumor progression. However, the correlations between Rac3 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses of patients with bladder cancer (BC) remain unclear. Methods: Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to analyze Rac3 expression in BC and normal bladder tissues and validated using the Oncomine database, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between Rac3 expression and the prognosis of patients with BC. Cox univariate and multivariate analyses of BC patients overall survival (OS) were performed. Signaling pathways that potentially mediate Rac3 activity in BC were then analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Results: The Rac3 expression in BC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal bladder tissues. Rac3 expression was significantly correlated with grade and stage. Overexpression of Rac3 was associated with a poor prognosis. GSEA showed that the cell cycle, DNA replication, p53 signaling pathway and mismatch repair were differentially enriched in the high Rac3 expression phenotype. The qRT-PCR and western blot results confirmed that the Rac3 expression in BC tissues was higher than that in normal bladder tissues. Conclusion: Rac3 is highly expressed in BC, which is related to the advanced clinicopathological variables and adverse prognosis of patients with BC. These results provide a new therapeutic target for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Chen
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhenyu Nie
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuanhui Gao
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaohong Wen
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Urology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
| | - Shufang Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
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14
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Zheng W, Zhang J, Song Q, Xu Y, Zhu M, Ma J. Rac Family Small GTPase 3 Correlates with Progression and Poor Prognosis in Bladder Cancer. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:469-481. [PMID: 33600260 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2020.5613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is a common genitourinary malignancy worldwide. However, the molecular pathogenesis of BC remains unclear. The current study conducted bioinformatic analyses to discover key genes involved in BC progression. A total of 375 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in the GEO database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, which were further evaluated by the core level in the protein-protein interaction network. RAC3 (Rac family small GTPase 3), one of the top hub genes, was focused on for its gene expression and prognostic value in BC. Immunohistochemical assays indicated elevated RAC3 levels in BC tissues compared with normal tissues. Overexpression of RAC3 expression was closely associated with poor differentiation (p = 0.035), advanced TNM stage (p = 0.014), lymph metastasis (p = 0.033), and recurrence (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses demonstrated that high RAC3 expression indicated poor survival of BC patients, which could serve as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR = 3.159, p = 0.023) and disease-free survival (HR = 4.633, p = 0.002). Moreover, bioinformatic analyses indicated that RAC3 might be correlated with malignant phenotypes and immune infiltration of BC. Taken together, RAC3 could be a novel prognostic biomarker for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, One Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yuqing Xu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mengqi Zhu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jianguo Ma
- Department of Urology, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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15
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Zhu J, Wang H, Ma T, He Y, Shen M, Song W, Wang JJ, Shi JP, Wu MY, Liu C, Wang WJ, Huang YQ. Identification of immune-related genes as prognostic factors in bladder cancer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19695. [PMID: 33184436 PMCID: PMC7661532 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76688-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The immune response and immune cell infiltration play crucial roles in tumour progression. Immunotherapy has delivered breakthrough achievements in the past decade in bladder cancer. Differentially expressed genes and immune-related genes (DEIRGs) were identified by using the edgeR package. Gene ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed for functional enrichment analysis of DEIRGs. Survival-associated IRGs were identified by univariate Cox regression analysis. A prognostic model was established by univariate COX regression analysis, and verified by a validation prognostic model based on the GEO database. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median risk score value for immune cell infiltration and clinicopathological analyses. A regulatory network of survival-associated IRGs and potential transcription factors was constructed to investigate the potential regulatory mechanisms of survival-associated IRGs. Nomogram and ROC curve to verify the accuracy of the model. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to validate the expression of relevant key genes in the prognostic model. A total of 259 differentially expressed IRGs were identified in the present study. KEGG pathway analysis of IRGs showed that the “cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction” pathway was the most significantly enriched pathway. Thirteen survival-associated IRGs were selected to establish a prognostic index for bladder cancer. In both TCGA prognostic model and GEO validation model, patients with high riskscore had worse prognosis compared to low riskscore group. A high infiltration level of macrophages was observed in high-risk patients. OGN, ELN, ANXA6, ILK and TGFB3 were identified as hub survival-associated IRGs in the network. EBF1, WWTR1, GATA6, MYH11, and MEF2C were involved in the transcriptional regulation of these survival-associated hub IRGs. The present study identified several survival-associated IRGs of clinical significance and established a prognostic index for bladder cancer outcome evaluation for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Changzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Oncology, Jining Tumour Hospital, Jining, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Ma
- Department of Oncology, Changzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan He
- Department of Radio-Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Shen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery II, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Jing Wang
- Department of Oncology, Taizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ping Shi
- Department of Radio-Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Yao Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jie Wang
- Department of Radio-Oncology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yue-Qing Huang
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
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16
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Rho GTPases: Big Players in Breast Cancer Initiation, Metastasis and Therapeutic Responses. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102167. [PMID: 32992837 PMCID: PMC7600866 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases, a family of the Ras GTPase superfamily, are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. They were originally thought to primarily affect cell migration and invasion; however, recent advances in our understanding of the biology and function of Rho GTPases have demonstrated their diverse roles within the cell, including membrane trafficking, gene transcription, migration, invasion, adhesion, survival and growth. As these processes are critically involved in cancer initiation, metastasis and therapeutic responses, it is not surprising that studies have demonstrated important roles of Rho GTPases in cancer. Although the majority of data indicates an oncogenic role of Rho GTPases, tumor suppressor functions of Rho GTPases have also been revealed, suggesting a context and cell-type specific function for Rho GTPases in cancer. This review aims to summarize recent progresses in our understanding of the regulation and functions of Rho GTPases, specifically in the context of breast cancer. The potential of Rho GTPases as therapeutic targets and prognostic tools for breast cancer patients are also discussed.
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17
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Yao D, Li C, Rajoka MSR, He Z, Huang J, Wang J, Zhang J. P21-Activated Kinase 1: Emerging biological functions and potential therapeutic targets in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:9741-9766. [PMID: 32863957 PMCID: PMC7449905 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a member of serine-threonine kinases family, was initially identified as an interactor of the Rho GTPases RAC1 and CDC42, which affect a wide range of processes associated with cell motility, survival, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, and gene expression. Recently, the PAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer due to its role in many oncogenic signaling pathways. Many PAK1 inhibitors have been developed as potential preclinical agents for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of essential roles that PAK1 plays in cancer, including its structure and autoactivation mechanism, its crucial function from onset to progression to metastasis, metabolism, immune escape and even drug resistance in cancer; endogenous regulators; and cancer-related pathways. We also summarize the reported PAK1 small-molecule inhibitors based on their structure types and their potential application in cancer. In addition, we provide overviews on current progress and future challenges of PAK1 in cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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18
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Miller AE, Hu P, Barker TH. Feeling Things Out: Bidirectional Signaling of the Cell-ECM Interface, Implications in the Mechanobiology of Cell Spreading, Migration, Proliferation, and Differentiation. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901445. [PMID: 32037719 PMCID: PMC7274903 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Biophysical cues stemming from the extracellular environment are rapidly transduced into discernible chemical messages (mechanotransduction) that direct cellular activities-placing the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a potent regulator of cell behavior. Dynamic reciprocity between the cell and its associated matrix is essential to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and dysregulation of both ECM mechanical signaling, via pathological ECM turnover, and internal mechanotransduction pathways contribute to disease progression. This review covers the current understandings of the key modes of signaling used by both the cell and ECM to coregulate one another. By taking an outside-in approach, the inherent complexities and regulatory processes at each level of signaling (ECM, plasma membrane, focal adhesion, and cytoplasm) are captured to give a comprehensive picture of the internal and external mechanoregulatory environment. Specific emphasis is placed on the focal adhesion complex which acts as a central hub of mechanical signaling, regulating cell spreading, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, a wealth of available knowledge on mechanotransduction is curated to generate an integrated signaling network encompassing the central components of the focal adhesion, cytoplasm and nucleus that act in concert to promote durotaxis, proliferation, and differentiation in a stiffness-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
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19
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Brown TL, Macklin WB. The Actin Cytoskeleton in Myelinating Cells. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:684-693. [PMID: 30847860 PMCID: PMC6732044 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02753-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Myelinating cells of both the peripheral and central nervous systems (CNSs) undergo dramatic cytoskeletal reorganization in order to differentiate and produce myelin. Myelinating oligodendrocytes in the CNS show a periodic actin pattern, demonstrating tight regulation of actin. Furthermore, recent data demonstrate that actin polymerization drives early cell differentiation and that actin depolymerization drives myelin wrapping. Dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton in myelinating cells is seen in some disease states. This review highlights the cytoskeletal molecules that regulate differentiation of and myelination by cells of the PNS and CNS, informing our understanding of neural development, in particular myelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya L Brown
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells, and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Wendy B Macklin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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20
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Farzaneh Behelgardi M, Zahri S, Gholami Shahvir Z, Mashayekhi F, Mirzanejad L, Asghari SM. Targeting signaling pathways of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 as a potential target in the treatment of breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:2061-2071. [PMID: 32072404 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis allows tumor cells to grow and migrate toward the bloodstream and initiate metastasis. The interactions of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) A and B, as the important regulating factors for blood vessel growth, with VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 trigger angiogenesis process. Thus, preventing these interactions led to the effective blockade of VEGF/VEGFRs signaling pathways. In this study, the inhibitory effect of a 23-mer linear peptide (VGB4), which binds to both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, on VEGF-stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) and highly metastatic human breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 proliferation was examined using MTT assay. To assess the anti-migratory potential of VGB4, HUVECs and also MDA-MB-231 cells wound healing assay was carried out at 48 and 72 h. In addition, downstream signaling pathways of VEGF associated with cell migration and invasion were investigated by quantification of mRNA and protein expression using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot in 4T1 tumor tissues and MDA-MB-231 cells. The results revealed that VGB4 significantly impeded proliferation of HUVECs and MDA-MB-231 cells, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and migration of HUVECs and MDA-MB-231 cells for a prolonged time. We also observed statistically significant reduction of the transcripts and protein levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Paxillin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), RAS-related C3 botulinum substrate 1 (Rac1), P21-activated kinase-2 (PAK-2) and Cofilin-1 in VGB4-treated 4T1 tumor tissues compared to controls. The protein levels of phospho-VEGFR1, phospho-VEGFR2, Vimentin, β-catenin and Snail were markedly decreased in both VGB4-treated MDA-MB-231 cells and VGB4-treated 4T1 tumor tissues compared to controls as evidenced by western blotting. These results, in addition to our previous studies, confirm that dual blockage of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, due to the inactivation of diverse signaling mediators, effectively suppresses tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saber Zahri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | | | - Farhad Mashayekhi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Laleh Mirzanejad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - S Mohsen Asghari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. .,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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21
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Tripathi R, Aier I, Chakraborty P, Varadwaj PK. Unravelling the role of long non-coding RNA - LINC01087 in breast cancer. Noncoding RNA Res 2019; 5:1-10. [PMID: 31989062 PMCID: PMC6965516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is a 'programmed fate' of all cells participating in diverse physiological and pathological conditions. The role of critical regulators and their involvement in this complex multi-stage process of apoptosis weaved around non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is poorly deciphered in breast carcinoma (BC). Aberrant expression patterns of the ncRNAs and their interacting partners, either ncRNAs or coding RNAs or proteins at any point along these pathways, may lead to the malignant transformation of the affected cells, tumour metastasis and resistance to anticancer drugs. Longest non-coding type of ncRNAs (lncRNAs) have been considered as critical factors for the development and progression of breast cancer. The aim of our study was to identify set of novel lncRNAs interacting with microRNAs (miRNAs) or proteins that were significantly dysregulated in breast cancer using RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) technique in different samples acting as oncogenic drivers contributing to cancerous phenotype involved in post-transcriptional processing of RNAs. Four lncRNAs; LINC01087, lnc-CLSTN2-1:1, lnc-c7orf65-3:3 and LINC01559:2 were selected for further analysis. Gene expression analysis of over-expressed LINC01087 in vitro reduced both cell viability and apoptosis. We integrated miRNA and mRNA (hsa-miR-548 and AKT1) expression profiles with curated regulations with lncRNA (LINC01087) which has not been previously associated with any breast cancer type, using different computational tools. The network (lncRNA→ miRNA→ mRNA) is promising for the identification of carcinoma associated genes and apoptosis signaling path highlighting the potential roles of LINC01087, hsa-miR548n, AKT1 gene which may play crucial role in proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Tripathi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad, Allahabad, India
| | - Imlimaong Aier
- Department of Bioinformatics and Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad, Allahabad, India
| | - Pavan Chakraborty
- Department of Information Technology, Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad, Allahabad, India
| | - Pritish Kumar Varadwaj
- Department of Bioinformatics and Applied Sciences, Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad, Allahabad, India
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22
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The Rac3 GTPase in Neuronal Development, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091063. [PMID: 31514269 PMCID: PMC6770886 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho family small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) are important regulators of the cytoskeleton, and are critical in many aspects of cellular and developmental biology, as well as in pathological processes such as intellectual disability and cancer. Of the three members of the family, Rac3 has a more restricted expression in normal tissues compared to the ubiquitous member of the family, Rac1. The Rac3 polypeptide is highly similar to Rac1, and orthologues of the gene for Rac3 have been found only in vertebrates, indicating the late appearance of this gene during evolution. Increasing evidence over the past few years indicates that Rac3 plays an important role in neuronal development and in tumor progression, with specificities that distinguish the functions of Rac3 from the established functions of Rac1 in these processes. Here, results highlighting the importance of Rac3 in distinct aspects of neuronal development and tumor cell biology are presented, in support of the non-redundant role of different members of the two Rac GTPases in physiological and pathological processes.
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23
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Durand-Onaylı V, Haslauer T, Härzschel A, Hartmann TN. Rac GTPases in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19124041. [PMID: 30558116 PMCID: PMC6321480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19124041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that crosstalk between hematologic tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment contributes to leukemia and lymphoma cell migration, survival, and proliferation. The supportive tumor cell-microenvironment interactions and the resulting cellular processes require adaptations and modulations of the cytoskeleton. The Rac subfamily of the Rho family GTPases includes key regulators of the cytoskeleton, with essential functions in both normal and transformed leukocytes. Rac proteins function downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases, chemokine receptors, and integrins, orchestrating a multitude of signals arising from the microenvironment. As such, it is not surprising that deregulation of Rac expression and activation plays a role in the development and progression of hematological malignancies. In this review, we will give an overview of the specific contribution of the deregulation of Rac GTPases in hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Durand-Onaylı
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Theresa Haslauer
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Andrea Härzschel
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Tanja Nicole Hartmann
- Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Paracelsus Medical University, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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Zhang C, Liu T, Wang G, Wang H, Che X, Gao X, Liu H. Rac3 Regulates Cell Invasion, Migration and EMT in Lung Adenocarcinoma through p38 MAPK Pathway. J Cancer 2017; 8:2511-2522. [PMID: 28900489 PMCID: PMC5595081 DOI: 10.7150/jca.18161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The role of Rac3 in cell proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma has been tackled in our previous study. However, the role of Rac3 in cell invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma is still not clear. Methods: The expression of Rac3 in lung adenocarcinoma specimens and paired noncancerous normal tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to silence Rac3 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and H1299. A p38 MAPK inhibitor (LY2228820) was employed to inhibit activity of p38 MAPK pathway. Cell invasion and migration in vitro were examined by invasion and migration assays, respectively. PathScan® intracellular signaling array kit and western blot were employed in mechanism investigation. Results: Rac3 expression was frequently higher in lung adenocarcinoma than paired noncancerous normal tissues. Rac3 expression was an independent risk factor for lymphonode metastasis, and was associated with worse survival outcome. Silencing of Rac3 inhibited cell invasion and cell migration in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Knockdown of Rac3 decreased activity of p38 MAPK pathway. LY2228820, which was an important p38 MAPK inhibitor, inhibited Rac3-induced cell invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma. E-cadherin expression was increased and vimentin expression was decreased after silencing of Rac3 or following the treatment of LY2228820. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Rac3 regulates cell invasion, migration and EMT via p38 MAPK pathway. Rac3 may be a potential biomarker of invasion and metastasis for lung adenocarcinoma, and knockdown of Rac3 may potentially serve as a promising therapeutic target for lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Tieqin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Gebang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, NO.155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofang Che
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, NO.155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Xinghua Gao
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University and Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, NO.155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Hongxu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang 110042, Liaoning, P.R. China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, NO.155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning, P.R. China
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Kumar A, Sundaram S, Rayala SK, Venkatraman G. UnPAKing RUNX3 functions-Both sides of the coin. Small GTPases 2017. [PMID: 28628382 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1322667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post translational modifications of RUNX3 have been shown to play an important role in directing RUNX3 functions. In this review we highlight the phosphorylation dependent functions of RUNX3 as regulated by PAK1 and its implications on tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar
- a Department of Biotechnology , Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) , Chennai , India
| | - Sandhya Sundaram
- b Departments of Pathology , Sri Ramachandra University , Porur, Chennai , India
| | - Suresh K Rayala
- a Department of Biotechnology , Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) , Chennai , India
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- c Departments of Human Genetics , Sri Ramachandra University , Porur, Chennai , India
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26
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Chen L, Yang J, Xing Z, Yuan F, Shu Y, Zhang Y, Kong X, Huang T, Li H, Cai YD. An integrated method for the identification of novel genes related to oral cancer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175185. [PMID: 28384236 PMCID: PMC5383255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide. Complete identification of genes related to one type of cancer facilitates earlier diagnosis and effective treatments. In this study, two widely used algorithms, the random walk with restart algorithm and the shortest path algorithm, were adopted to construct two parameterized computational methods, namely, an RWR-based method and an SP-based method; based on these methods, an integrated method was constructed for identifying novel disease genes. To validate the utility of the integrated method, data for oral cancer were used, on which the RWR-based and SP-based methods were trained, thereby building two optimal methods. The integrated method combining these optimal methods was further adopted to identify the novel genes of oral cancer. As a result, 85 novel genes were inferred, among which eleven genes (e.g., MYD88, FGFR2, NF-κBIA) were identified by both the RWR-based and SP-based methods, 70 genes (e.g., BMP4, IFNG, KITLG) were discovered only by the RWR-based method and four genes (L1R1, MCM6, NOG and CXCR3) were predicted only by the SP-based method. Extensive analyses indicate that several novel genes have strong associations with cancers, indicating the effectiveness of the integrated method for identifying disease genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihao Xing
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Yuan
- Department of Science & Technology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Shu
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - YunHua Zhang
- School of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - XiangYin Kong
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Huang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (TH); (HPL); (YDC)
| | - HaiPeng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (TH); (HPL); (YDC)
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (TH); (HPL); (YDC)
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Moreno-Layseca P, Ucar A, Sun H, Wood A, Olabi S, Gilmore AP, Brennan K, Streuli CH. The requirement of integrins for breast epithelial proliferation. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:227-239. [PMID: 28363396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cells forming mammary gland ducts and alveoli require adhesion to the extracellular matrix for their function. Mammary epithelial cells need β1-integrins for normal cell cycle regulation. However, the role of β1-integrins in tumorigenesis has not been fully resolved. β1-integrin is necessary for tumour formation in transgenic mice expressing the Polyomavirus Middle T antigen, but it is dispensable in those overexpressing ErbB2. This suggests that some oncogenes can manage without β1-integrin to proliferate and form tumours, while others still require it. Here we have developed a model to test whether expression of an oncogene can surpass the need for β1-integrin to drive proliferation. We co-expressed the ErbB2 or Akt oncogenes with shRNA to target β1-integrin in mammary epithelial cells, and found that they show a differential dependence on β1-integrin for cell division. Moreover, we identified a key proliferative role of the Rac1-Pak axis downstream of β1-integrin signalling. Our data suggest that, in mammary epithelial cells, oncogenes with the ability to signal to Pak surpass the requirement of integrins for malignant transformation. This highlights the importance of using the correct combination therapy for breast cancer, depending on the oncogenes expressed in the tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Moreno-Layseca
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Ahmet Ucar
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Heyuan Sun
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Amber Wood
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Safiah Olabi
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P Gilmore
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Keith Brennan
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Charles H Streuli
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
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28
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Rosenberg BJ, Gil-Henn H, Mader CC, Halo T, Yin T, Condeelis J, Machida K, Wu YI, Koleske AJ. Phosphorylated cortactin recruits Vav2 guanine nucleotide exchange factor to activate Rac3 and promote invadopodial function in invasive breast cancer cells. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:1347-1360. [PMID: 28356423 PMCID: PMC5426849 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-12-0885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of cortactin downstream of the EGF receptor–Src-Arg kinase cascade triggers maturation of invadopodia, actin-rich protrusions that breast cancer cells use to invade the extracellular matrix. Phosphocortactin recruits Vav2 to invadopodia to activate Rac3 and support actin polymerization, matrix degradation, and invasion. Breast carcinoma cells use specialized, actin-rich protrusions called invadopodia to degrade and invade through the extracellular matrix. Phosphorylation of the actin nucleation–promoting factor and actin-stabilizing protein cortactin downstream of the epidermal growth factor receptor–Src-Arg kinase cascade is known to be a critical trigger for invadopodium maturation and subsequent cell invasion in breast cancer cells. The functions of cortactin phosphorylation in this process, however, are not completely understood. We identify the Rho-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2 in a comprehensive screen for human SH2 domains that bind selectively to phosphorylated cortactin. We demonstrate that the Vav2 SH2 domain binds selectively to phosphotyrosine-containing peptides corresponding to cortactin tyrosines Y421 and Y466 but not to Y482. Mutation of the Vav2 SH2 domain disrupts its recruitment to invadopodia, and an SH2-domain mutant form of Vav2 cannot support efficient matrix degradation in invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We show that Vav2 function is required for promoting invadopodium maturation and consequent actin polymerization, matrix degradation, and invasive migratory behavior. Using biochemical assays and a novel Rac3 biosensor, we show that Vav2 promotes Rac3 activation at invadopodia. Rac3 knockdown reduces matrix degradation by invadopodia, whereas a constitutively active Rac3 can rescue the deficits in invadopodium function in Vav2-knockdown cells. Together these data indicate that phosphorylated cortactin recruits Vav2 to activate Rac3 and promote invadopodial maturation in invasive breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hava Gil-Henn
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311520, Israel
| | | | - Tiffany Halo
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Taofei Yin
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030
| | - John Condeelis
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Kazuya Machida
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030
| | - Yi I Wu
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030
| | - Anthony J Koleske
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 .,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
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Eron SJ, Raghupathi K, Hardy JA. Dual Site Phosphorylation of Caspase-7 by PAK2 Blocks Apoptotic Activity by Two Distinct Mechanisms. Structure 2016; 25:27-39. [PMID: 27889207 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Caspases, the cysteine proteases that execute apoptosis, are tightly regulated via phosphorylation by a series of kinases. Although all apoptotic caspases work in concert to promote apoptosis, different kinases regulate individual caspases. Several sites of caspase-7 phosphorylation have been reported, but without knowing the molecular details, it has been impossible to exploit or control these complex interactions, which normally prevent unwanted proliferation. During dysregulation, PAK2 kinase plays an alternative anti-apoptotic role, phosphorylating caspase-7 and promoting unfettered cell growth and chemotherapeutic resistance. PAK2 phosphorylates caspase-7 at two sites, inhibiting activity using two different molecular mechanisms, before and during apoptosis. Phosphorylation of caspase-7 S30 allosterically obstructs its interaction with caspase-9, preventing intersubunit linker processing, slowing or preventing caspase-7 activation. S239 phosphorylation renders active caspase-7 incapable of binding substrate, blocking later events in apoptosis. Each of these mechanisms is novel, representing new opportunities for synergistic control of caspases and their counterpart kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Eron
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 104 LGRT, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Kishore Raghupathi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 104 LGRT, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jeanne A Hardy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 104 LGRT, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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30
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Wang G, Wang H, Zhang C, Liu T, Li Q, Lin X, Xie J, Liu H. Rac3 regulates cell proliferation through cell cycle pathway and predicts prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:12597-12607. [PMID: 27402308 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5126-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is still the leading cause of malignant deaths in the world. It is of great importance to find novel functional genes for the tumorigenesis of lung cancer. We demonstrated that Rac3 could promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the function and mechanism of Rac3 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed in 107 lung adenocarcinoma tissues and matched non-tumor tissues. Multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to investigate the correlation between Rac3 expression and the clinical outcomes. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry analysis were employed to determine the proliferative ability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis in H1299 and H1975 cell lines. Gene expression microarray and pathway analysis between the Rac3-siRNA group and the control group in A549 cells were performed to investigate the pathways and mechanism of Rac3 regulation. Rac3 was shown to be positively expressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and the expression of Rac3 associates with longer survival in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Silencing of Rac3 significantly induced cell growth inhibition, colony formation decrease, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, which accompanied by obvious downregulation of CCND1, MYC, and TFDP1 of cell cycle pathway involving in the tumorigenesis of lung adenocarcinoma based on the gene expression microarray. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Rac3 has the potential of being a therapeutic target for lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Chenlei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Tieqin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Qingchang Li
- Department of Pathology, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Xuyong Lin
- Department of Pathology, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Hongxu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China. .,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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31
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Porter AP, Papaioannou A, Malliri A. Deregulation of Rho GTPases in cancer. Small GTPases 2016; 7:123-38. [PMID: 27104658 PMCID: PMC5003542 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1173767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro and in vivo studies and evidence from human tumors have long implicated Rho GTPase signaling in the formation and dissemination of a range of cancers. Recently next generation sequencing has identified direct mutations of Rho GTPases in human cancers. Moreover, the effects of ablating genes encoding Rho GTPases and their regulators in mouse models, or through pharmacological inhibition, strongly suggests that targeting Rho GTPase signaling could constitute an effective treatment. In this review we will explore the various ways in which Rho signaling can be deregulated in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. Porter
- Cell Signaling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexandra Papaioannou
- Cell Signaling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- “Cellular and Genetic Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Disease” Graduate Program, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Angeliki Malliri
- Cell Signaling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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32
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Kumar R, Li DQ. PAKs in Human Cancer Progression: From Inception to Cancer Therapeutic to Future Oncobiology. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 130:137-209. [PMID: 27037753 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the initial recognition of a mechanistic role of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in breast cancer invasion, PAK1 has emerged as one of the widely overexpressed or hyperactivated kinases in human cancer at-large, allowing the PAK family to make in-roads in cancer biology, tumorigenesis, and cancer therapeutics. Much of our current understanding of the PAK family in cancer progression relates to a central role of the PAK family in the integration of cancer-promoting signals from cell membrane receptors as well as function as a key nexus-modifier of complex, cytoplasmic signaling network. Another core aspect of PAK signaling that highlights its importance in cancer progression is through PAK's central role in the cross talk with signaling and interacting proteins, as well as PAK's position as a key player in the phosphorylation of effector substrates to engage downstream components that ultimately leads to the development cancerous phenotypes. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances in PAK cancer research and its downstream substrates in the context of invasion, nuclear signaling and localization, gene expression, and DNA damage response. We discuss how a deeper understanding of PAK1's pathobiology over the years has widened research interest to the PAK family and human cancer, and positioning the PAK family as a promising cancer therapeutic target either alone or in combination with other therapies. With many landmark findings and leaps in the progress of PAK cancer research since the infancy of this field nearly 20 years ago, we also discuss postulated advances in the coming decade as the PAK family continues to shape the future of oncobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kumar
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States; Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
| | - D-Q Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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NOTCH1 intracellular domain negatively regulates PAK1 signaling pathway through direct interaction. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1863:179-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Dey N, De P, Brian LJ. Evading anti-angiogenic therapy: resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy in solid tumors. Am J Transl Res 2015; 7:1675-98. [PMID: 26692917 PMCID: PMC4656750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) dependent tumor angiogenesis is an essential step for the initiation and promotion of tumor progression. The hypothesis that VEGF-driven tumor angiogenesis is necessary and sufficient for metastatic progression of the tumor, has been the major premise of the use of anti-VEGF therapy for decades. While the success of anti-VEGF therapy in solid tumors has led to the success of knowledge-based-therapies over the past several years, failures of this therapeutic approach due to the development of inherent/acquired resistance has led to the increased understanding of VEGF-independent angiogenesis. Today, tumor-angiogenesis is not a synonymous term to VEGF-dependent function. The extensive study of VEGF-independent angiogenesis has revealed several key factors responsible for this phenomenon including the role of myeloid cells, and the contribution of entirely new phenomenon like vascular mimicry. In this review, we will present the cellular and molecular factors related to the development of anti-angiogenic resistance following anti-VEGF therapy in different solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Dey
- Department of Molecular & Experimental Medicine, Precision Oncology Center, Avera Research Institute Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Pradip De
- Department of Molecular & Experimental Medicine, Precision Oncology Center, Avera Research Institute Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Leyland-Jones Brian
- Department of Molecular & Experimental Medicine, Precision Oncology Center, Avera Research Institute Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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35
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Siu MKY, Kong DSH, Ngai SYP, Chan HY, Jiang L, Wong ESY, Liu SS, Chan KKL, Ngan HYS, Cheung ANY. p21-Activated Kinases 1, 2 and 4 in Endometrial Cancers: Effects on Clinical Outcomes and Cell Proliferation. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26218748 PMCID: PMC4517872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (Paks) are serine/threonine protein kinases involved in biological events linked to malignant tumor progression. In this study, expression of Pak1, p-Pak2 Ser20, Pak4, pPak4 Ser474 in 21 normal endometrium, 16 hyperplastic endometrium without atypia, 17 atypical complex hyperplasia and 67 endometrial cancers was assessed by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. We also accessed the proliferative role and downstream targets of Pak1 in endometrial cancer. Pak1 was expressed in cytoplasm whereas Pak4 and p-Pak4 were expressed in both cytoplasm and nucleus of endometrial tissues. In normal endometrium, significantly higher Pak1 (P = 0.028) and cytoplasmic p-Pak2 (P = 0.048) expression was detected in proliferative endometrium than secretory endometrium. Pak1, cytoplasmic and nuclear Pak4 and nuclear p-Pak4 was significantly overexpressed in endometrial cancer when compared to atrophic endometrium (all P<0.05). Moreover, type I endometrioid carcinomas showed significantly higher Pak1 expression than type II non-endometrioid carcinomas (P<0.001). On the other hand, Pak1, Pak4 and p-Pak4 expression negatively correlated with histological grade (all P<0.05) while p-Pak2 and cytoplasmic Pak4 expression inversely correlated with myometrial invasion (all P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with endometrial cancers with lower cytoplasmic Pak4 expression showed poorer survival (P = 0.026). Multivariate analysis showed cytoplasmic Pak4 is an independent prognostic factor. Functionally, knockdown of Pak1, but not Pak4, in endometrial cancer cell line led to reduced cell proliferation along with reduced cyclin D1, estrogen receptor (ERα) and progestogen receptor (PR) expression. Significant correlation between Pak1 and PR expression was also detected in clinical samples. Our findings suggest that Pak1 and cytoplasmic p-Pak2 may promote cell proliferation in normal endometrium during menstral cycle. Pak1, cytoplasmic and nuclear Pak4 and nuclear p-Pak4 are involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer especially in postmenopausal women. Pak1 promote endometrial cancer cell proliferation, particular in type I endometrioid carcinoma. Cytoplasmic Pak4 can be potential prognostic marker in endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K. Y. Siu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- * E-mail: (MKYS); (ANYC)
| | - Daniel S. H. Kong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Sheila Y. P. Ngai
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Hoi Yan Chan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Lili Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Esther S. Y. Wong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Stephanie S. Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Karen K. L. Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Hextan Y. S. Ngan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Annie N. Y. Cheung
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- * E-mail: (MKYS); (ANYC)
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Humphries-Bickley T, Castillo-Pichardo L, Corujo-Carro F, Duconge J, Hernandez-O'Farrill E, Vlaar C, Rodriguez-Orengo JF, Cubano L, Dharmawardhane S. Pharmacokinetics of Rac inhibitor EHop-016 in mice by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2015; 981-982:19-26. [PMID: 25594952 PMCID: PMC4306626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2014.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The Rho GTPase Rac is an important regulator of cancer cell migration and invasion; processes required for metastatic progression. We previously characterized the small molecule EHop-016 as a novel Rac inhibitor in metastatic breast cancer cells and recently found that EHop-016 was effective at reducing tumor growth in nude mice at 25 mg/kg bodyweight (BW). The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of EHop-016 at different dosages in a single dose input scheme (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg BW) following intraperitoneal (IP) and oral gavage (PO) administration to nude mice. We developed and validated a rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of EHop-016 in mouse plasma by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS). Separation was carried out on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (3.0 mm × 50 mm) using organic and aqueous mobile phases. EHop-016 was identified from its accurate mass and retention time from the acquired full-scan chromatogram and quantified by its peak area. The validated method was linear (R(2)>0.995) over the range of 5-1000 ng/mL (1/x(2) weighting). Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by non-compartmental analysis using WinNonlin. The area under the curve (AUC₀-∞) ranged from 328 to 1869 ng h/mL and 133-487 ng h/mL for IP and PO dosing, respectively. The elimination half-life (t₁/₂) ranged from 3.8-5.7 h to 3.4-26.8 h for IP and PO dosing, respectively. For both IP and PO administration, the AUC₀-∞values were proportional to the tested doses demonstrating linear PK profiles. The relative bioavailability of EHop-016 after oral gavage administration ranged from 26% to 40%. These results support further preclinical evaluation of EHop-016 as a new anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Humphries-Bickley
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Linette Castillo-Pichardo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, PR, United States
| | | | - Jorge Duconge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Eliud Hernandez-O'Farrill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Cornelis Vlaar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Jose F Rodriguez-Orengo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States; Fundacion de Investigacion, Rio Piedras, PR, United States
| | - Luis Cubano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, PR, United States
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, United States.
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Hammer A, Diakonova M. Tyrosyl phosphorylated serine-threonine kinase PAK1 is a novel regulator of prolactin-dependent breast cancer cell motility and invasion. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 846:97-137. [PMID: 25472536 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-12114-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite efforts to discover the cellular pathways regulating breast cancer metastasis, little is known as to how prolactin (PRL) cooperates with extracellular environment and cytoskeletal proteins to regulate breast cancer cell motility and invasion. We implicated serine-threonine kinase p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) as a novel target for PRL-activated Janus-kinase 2 (JAK2). JAK2-dependent PAK1 tyrosyl phosphorylation plays a critical role in regulation of both PAK1 kinase activity and scaffolding properties of PAK1. Tyrosyl phosphorylated PAK1 facilitates PRL-dependent motility via at least two mechanisms: formation of paxillin/GIT1/βPIX/pTyr-PAK1 complexes resulting in increased adhesion turnover and phosphorylation of actin-binding protein filamin A. Increased adhesion turnover is the basis for cell migration and phosphorylated filamin A stimulates the kinase activity of PAK1 and increases actin-regulating activity to facilitate cell motility. Tyrosyl phosphorylated PAK1 also stimulates invasion of breast cancer cells in response to PRL and three-dimensional (3D) collagen IV via transcription and secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in a MAPK-dependent manner. These data illustrate the complex interaction between PRL and the cell microenvironment in breast cancer cells and suggest a pivotal role for PRL/PAK1 signaling in breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Hammer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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Castillo-Pichardo L, Humphries-Bickley T, De La Parra C, Forestier-Roman I, Martinez-Ferrer M, Hernandez E, Vlaar C, Ferrer-Acosta Y, Washington AV, Cubano LA, Rodriguez-Orengo J, Dharmawardhane S. The Rac Inhibitor EHop-016 Inhibits Mammary Tumor Growth and Metastasis in a Nude Mouse Model. Transl Oncol 2014; 7:546-55. [PMID: 25389450 PMCID: PMC4225654 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic disease still lacks effective treatments, and remains the primary cause of cancer mortality. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop better strategies to inhibit metastatic cancer. The Rho family GTPase Rac is an ideal target for anti-metastatic cancer therapy, because Rac is a key molecular switch that is activated by a myriad of cell surface receptors to promote cancer cell migration/invasion and survival. Previously, we reported the design and development of EHop-016, a small molecule compound, which inhibits Rac activity of metastatic cancer cells with an IC50 of 1 μM. EHop-016 also inhibits the activity of the Rac downstream effector p21-activated kinase (PAK), lamellipodia extension, and cell migration in metastatic cancer cells. Herein, we tested the efficacy of EHop-016 in a nude mouse model of experimental metastasis, where EHop-016 administration at 25 mg/kg body weight (BW) significantly reduced mammary fat pad tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. As quantified by UPLC MS/MS, EHop-016 was detectable in the plasma of nude mice at 17 to 23 ng/ml levels at 12 h following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 10 to 25 mg/kg BW EHop-016. The EHop-016 mediated inhibition of angiogenesis In Vivo was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of excised tumors and by In Vitro tube formation assays of endothelial cells. Moreover, EHop-016 affected cell viability by down-regulating Akt and Jun kinase activities and c-Myc and Cyclin D expression, as well as increasing caspase 3/7 activities in metastatic cancer cells. In conclusion, EHop-016 has potential as an anticancer compound to block cancer progression via multiple Rac-directed mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linette Castillo-Pichardo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
| | - Tessa Humphries-Bickley
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Columba De La Parra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Ingrid Forestier-Roman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Magaly Martinez-Ferrer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Eliud Hernandez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Cornelis Vlaar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | | | - Luis A Cubano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
| | - Jose Rodriguez-Orengo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Kuroda K, Asakuma J, Asano T, Horiguchi A, Isono M, Tsujita Y, Sato A, Seguchi K, Ito K, Asano T. Clinical significance of p21-activated kinase 1 expression level in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2014; 45:103-10. [DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyu163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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40
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Huff LP, DeCristo MJ, Cox AD. Effector recruitment method to study spatially regulated activation of Ras and Rho GTPases. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1120:263-83. [PMID: 24470032 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-791-4_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Ras and Rho family GTPases control a wide variety of cellular processes, and the signaling downstream of these GTPases is influenced by their subcellular localization when activated. Since only a minority of total cellular GTPases is active, observation of the total subcellular distribution of GTPases does not reveal where active GTPases are localized. In this chapter, we describe the use of effector recruitment assays to monitor the subcellular localization of active Ras and Rho family GTPases. The recruitment assay relies on preferential binding of downstream effectors to active GTPases versus inactive GTPases. Tagging the GTPase-binding-domain (GBD) of a downstream effector with a fluorescent protein produces a probe that is recruited to compartments where GTPases are active. We describe an example of a recruitment assay using the GBD of PAK1 to monitor Rac1 activity and explain how the assay can be expanded to determine the subcellular localization of activation of other GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren P Huff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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41
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Hegde SM, Srivastava K, Tiwary E, Srivastava OP. Molecular mechanism of formation of cortical opacity in CRYAAN101D transgenic mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:6398-408. [PMID: 25146988 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The CRYAAN101D transgenic mouse model expressing deamidated αA-crystallin (deamidation at N101 position to D) develops cortical cataract at the age of 7 to 9 months. The present study was carried out to explore the molecular mechanism that leads to the development of cortical opacity in CRYAAN101D lenses. METHODS RNA sequence analysis was carried out on 2- and 4-month-old αA-N101D and wild type (WT) lenses. To understand the biologic relevance and function of significantly altered genes, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was done. To elucidate terminal differentiation defects, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analyses were carried out. RESULTS RNA sequence and IPA data suggested that the genes belonging to gene expression, cellular assembly and organization, and cell cycle and apoptosis networks were altered in N101D lenses. In addition, the tight junction signaling and Rho A signaling were among the top three canonical pathways that were affected in N101D mutant. Immunohistochemical analysis identified a series of terminal differentiation defects in N101D lenses, specifically, increased proliferation and decreased differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LEC) and decreased denucleation of lens fiber cells (LFC). The expression of Rho A was reduced in different-aged N101D lenses, and, conversely, Cdc42 and Rac1 expressions were increased in the N101D mutants. Moreover, earlier in development, the expression of major membrane-bound molecular transporter Na,K-ATPase was drastically reduced in N101D lenses. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the terminal differentiation defects, specifically, increased proliferation and decreased denucleation are responsible for the development of lens opacity in N101D lenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shylaja M Hegde
- Department of Vision Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Kiran Srivastava
- Department of Vision Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Ekta Tiwary
- Department of Vision Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Om P Srivastava
- Department of Vision Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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42
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Evading anti-angiogenic therapy: resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy in solid tumours. Br J Cancer 2014. [DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Tse EYT, Ching YP. The role of p21-activated kinases in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis. J Mol Signal 2014; 9:7. [PMID: 25093037 PMCID: PMC4121300 DOI: 10.1186/1750-2187-9-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are downstream effectors of the Rho family small GTPases as well as a wide variety of mitogenic factors and have been implicated in cancer formation, development and metastasis. PAKs phosphorylate a wide spectrum of substrates to mediate extracellular signals and regulate cytoskeletal remodeling, cell motility and survival. In this review, we aim to summarize the findings regarding the oncogenic role and the underlying mechanisms of PAKs signaling in various cancers, and in particular highlight the prime importance of PAKs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and metastasis. Recent studies exploring the potential therapeutic application of PAK inhibitors will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Yuk Ting Tse
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yick Pang Ching
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Murali A, Rajalingam K. Small Rho GTPases in the control of cell shape and mobility. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1703-21. [PMID: 24276852 PMCID: PMC11113993 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1519-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Rho GTPases are a class of evolutionarily conserved proteins comprising 20 members, which are predominantly known for their role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. They are primarily regulated by binding of GTP/GDP, which is again controlled by regulators like GEFs, GAPs, and RhoGDIs. Rho GTPases are thus far well known for their role in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton and migration. Here we present an overview on the role of Rho GTPases in regulating cell shape and plasticity of cell migration. Finally, we discuss the emerging roles of ubiquitination and sumoylation in regulating Rho GTPases and cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Murali
- Cell Death Signaling Group, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Medical School, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Krishnaraj Rajalingam
- Cell Death Signaling Group, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Medical School, Frankfurt, Germany
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Abstract
Rho GTPases are a family of small GTPases, which play an important role in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Not surprisingly, Rho GTPases are crucial for cell migration and therefore highly important for cancer cell invasion and the formation of metastases. In addition, Rho GTPases are involved in growth and survival of tumor cells, in the interaction of tumor cells with their environment, and they are vital for the cancer supporting functions of the tumor stroma. Recent research has significantly improved our understanding of the regulation of Rho GTPase activity, the specificity of Rho GTPases, and their function in tumor stem cells and tumor stroma. This review summarizes these novel findings and tries to define challenging questions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- University of Copenhagen, BRIC, BMI, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mohamed A, Deng X, Khuri FR, Owonikoko TK. Altered glutamine metabolism and therapeutic opportunities for lung cancer. Clin Lung Cancer 2014; 15:7-15. [PMID: 24377741 PMCID: PMC3970234 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2013.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Disordered cancer metabolism was described almost a century ago as an abnormal adaptation of cancer cells to glucose utilization especially in hypoxic conditions; the so-called Warburg effect. Greater research interest in this area in the past two decades has led to the recognition of the critical coupling of specific malignant phenotypes such as increased proliferation and resistance to programmed cell death (apoptosis) with altered metabolic handling of key molecules that are essential for normal cellular metabolism. The altered glucose metabolism frequently encountered in cancer cells has already been exploited for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The role of other glycolytic pathway intermediates and alternative pathways for energy generation and macromolecular synthesis in cancer cells has only become recognized more recently. Especially, the important role of altered glutamine metabolism in the malignant behavior of cancer cells and the potential exploitation of this cellular adaptation for therapeutic targeting has now emerged as an important area of cancer research. Expectedly, attempts to exploit this understanding for diagnostic and therapeutic ends are running apace with the elucidation of the complex metabolic alterations that accompany neoplastic transformation. Because lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death with limited curative therapy options, careful elucidation of the mechanism and consequences of disordered cancer metabolism in lung cancer is warranted. This review provides a concise, systematic overview of the current understanding of the role of altered glutamine metabolism in cancer, and how these findings intersect with current and future approaches to lung cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Mohamed
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Xingming Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
| | - Fadlo R Khuri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
| | - Taofeek K Owonikoko
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA.
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Bachmann VA, Bister K, Stefan E. Interplay of PKA and Rac: fine-tuning of Rac localization and signaling. Small GTPases 2013; 4:247-51. [PMID: 24322054 PMCID: PMC4011821 DOI: 10.4161/sgtp.27281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular membrane receptors sense environmental changes and relay the reshaped signal through spatially and temporally organized protein-protein interactions (PPI). Many of such PPI are transient and occur in a certain cell-dependent context. Molecular switches such as kinases and GTPases are engaged in versatile PPI. Recently, we have identified dynamic interaction and reciprocal regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and Rho-GTPase Rac signaling. We demonstrated that GTP-activated Rac acts as a dual kinase-tuning scaffold for p21-activated kinase (PAK) and PKA activities. We showed that receptor-triggered PKA trans-phosphorylation of GTP-Rac-organized PAK contributes to elevations of nuclear Erk1/2 signaling and proliferation. We discuss these recent observations and we provide additional insights how the cAMP-PKA axis might also participate in the regulation of Rac localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena A Bachmann
- Institute of Biochemistry; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Klaus Bister
- Institute of Biochemistry; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Biochemistry; University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
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Abstract
The Rac inhibitor EHop-016 was developed as a compound with the potential to inhibit cancer metastasis. Inhibition of the first step of metastasis, migration, is an important strategy for metastasis prevention. The small GTPase Rac acts as a pivotal binary switch that is turned "on" by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) via a myriad of cell surface receptors, to regulate cancer cell migration, survival, and proliferation. Unlike the related GTPase Ras, Racs are not usually mutated, but overexpressed or overactivated in cancer. Therefore, a rational Rac inhibitor should block the activation of Rac by its upstream effectors, GEFs, and the Rac inhibitor NSC23766 was developed using this rationale. However, this compound is ineffective at inhibiting the elevated Rac activity of metastatic breast cancer cells. Therefore, a panel of small molecule compounds were derived from NSC23766 and screened for Rac activity inhibition in metastatic cancer cells. EHop-016 was identified as a compound that blocks the interaction of Rac with the GEF Vav in metastatic human breast cancer cells with an IC50 of ~1μM. At higher concentrations (10μM), EHop-016 inhibits the related Rho GTPase Cdc42, but not Rho, and also reduces cell viability. Moreover, EHop-016 inhibits the activation of the Rac downstream effector p21-activated kinase, extension of motile actin-based structures, and cell migration. Future goals are to develop EHop-016 as a therapeutic to inhibit cancer metastasis, either individually or in combination with current anticancer compounds. The next generation of EHop-016-based Rac inhibitors is also being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.
| | - Eliud Hernandez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Cornelis Vlaar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
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Synthesis and structure–activity relationship of 2-arylamino-4-aryl-pyrimidines as potent PAK1 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:4072-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.05.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Rider L, Oladimeji P, Diakonova M. PAK1 regulates breast cancer cell invasion through secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in response to prolactin and three-dimensional collagen IV. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 27:1048-64. [PMID: 23744893 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-Activated serine-threonine kinase (PAK1) is implicated in breast cancer. We have shown previously that PAK1 is tyrosyl phosphorylated by prolactin (PRL)-activated Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK2). Although a role for both PRL and PAK1 in breast cancer is widely acknowledged, the mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study, PRL-activated PAK1 stimulates the invasion of TMX2-28 human breast cancer cells through Matrigel. Three-dimensional (3D) collagen IV stimulates the secretion of the matrix proteases, metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and -3 that is further enhanced by the PRL-dependent tyrosyl phosphorylation of PAK1. 3D collagen IV also stimulates the expression and secretion of MMP-2, but in contrast to MMP-1 and -3, PRL/PAK1 signaling down-regulates MMP-2 expression and secretion. In contrast, MMP-9 expression and secretion are stimulated by 3D collagen I, not collagen IV, and are not affected by PRL but are down-regulated by PAK1. MMP-1 and -3 are required and MMP-2 contributes to PRL-dependent invasion. ERK1/2 signaling appears to be required for the enhanced expression and secretion of MMP-1 and -3 and enhanced PRL-dependent invasion. p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 pathways participate in production of MMP-1 and -3 as well as in PRL/PAK1-dependent cell invasion. Together, these data illustrate the complex interaction between the substratum and PRL/PAK1 signaling in human breast cancer cells and suggest a pivotal role for PRL-dependent PAK1 tyrosyl phosphorylation in MMP secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Rider
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390, USA
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