Inhibitor of Differentiation/DNA Binding 1 (ID1) Inhibits Etoposide-induced Apoptosis in a c-Jun/c-Fos-dependent Manner

N6-methyladenosine methylation analysis of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in 5-FU-resistant colon cancer cells

N6 methyladenosine (m6A), methylation at the sixth N atom of adenosine, is the most common and abundant modification in mammalian mRNAs and non-coding RNAs. Increasing evidence shows that the alteration of m6A modification level could regulate tumour proliferation, metastasis, self-renewal, and immune infiltration by regulating the related expression of tumour genes. However, the role of m6A modification in colorectal cancer (CRC) drug resistance is unclear. Here, MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq techniques were utilized to obtain mRNA, lncRNA expression, and their methylation profiles in 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant colon cancer HCT-15 cells and control cells. In addition, we performed detailed bioinformatics analysis as well as in vitro experiments of lncRNA to explore the function of lncRNA with differential m6A in CRC progression and drug resistance. In this study, we obtained the m6A methylomic landscape of CRC cells and resistance group cells by MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq. We identified 3698 differential m6A peaks, of which 2224 were hypermethylated, and 1474 were hypomethylated. Among the lncRNAs, 60 were hypermethylated, and 38 were hypomethylated. GO and KEGG analysis annotations showed significant enrichment of endocytosis and MAPK signalling pathways. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA ADIRF-AS1 and AL139035.1 promoted CRC proliferation and invasive metastasis in vitro. lncRNA- mRNA network showed that ADIRF-AS1 and AL139035.1 May play a key role in regulating drug resistance formation. We provide the first m6A methylation profile in 5-FU resistance CRC cells and analyse the functions of differential m6A-modified mRNAs and lncRNAs. Our results indicated that differential m6A RNAs were significantly associated with MAPK signalling and endocytosis after induction of 5-FU resistance. Knockdown of LncRNA ADIRF-AS1 and AL139035.1 promotes CRC progression and might be critical in regulating drug resistance formation.

Autophagy-mediated ID1 turnover dictates chemo-resistant fate in ovarian cancer stem cells

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms enabling dynamic shifts between drug-resistant and drug-sensitive states in cancer cells are still underexplored. This study investigated the role of targeted autophagic protein degradation in regulating ovarian cancer stem cell (CSC) fate decisions and chemo-resistance.

METHODS

Autophagy levels were compared between CSC-enriched side population (SP) and non-SP cells (NSP) in multiple ovarian cancer cell lines using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. The impact of autophagy modulation on CSC markers and differentiation was assessed by flow cytometry, immunoblotting and qRT-PCR. In silico modeling and co-immunoprecipitation identified ID1 interacting proteins. Pharmacological and genetic approaches along with Annexin-PI assay, ChIP assay, western blotting, qRT-PCR and ICP-MS were used to evaluate effects on cisplatin sensitivity, apoptosis, SLC31A1 expression, promoter binding, and intracellular platinum accumulation in ID1 depleted backdrop. Patient-derived tumor spheroids were analyzed for autophagy and SLC31A1 levels.

RESULTS

Ovarian CSCs exhibited increased basal autophagy compared to non-CSCs. Further autophagy stimulation by serum-starvation and chemical modes triggered proteolysis of the stemness regulator ID1, driving the differentiation of chemo-resistant CSCs into chemo-sensitive non-CSCs. In silico modeling predicted TCF12 as a potent ID1 interactor, which was validated by co-immunoprecipitation. ID1 depletion freed TCF12 to transactivate the cisplatin influx transporter SLC31A1, increasing intracellular cisplatin levels and cytotoxicity. Patient-derived tumor spheroids exhibited a functional association between autophagy, ID1, SLC31A1, and platinum sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a novel autophagy-ID1-TCF12-SLC31A1 axis where targeted autophagic degradation of ID1 enables rapid remodeling of CSCs to reverse chemo-resistance. Modulating this pathway could counter drug resistance in ovarian cancer.

Molecular cloning, biological description, and functional analysis of Ajfos transcription factor in pathogen-induced Apostichopus japonicus

Activator protein-1 subfamily member c-Fos wields significant influence over cellular activities, such as regulation of cell growth and division, cell death, and immune responses under various extracellular situations. In this study, the full-length c-Fos of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Ajfos) was successfully cloned and analyzed. The anticipated 306 amino acid sequences of Ajfos displayed a basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) domain, similar to invertebrate counterparts. In addition, the qPCR results suggested Ajfos expressed in all tissues, with the highest level in coelomocytes from polian vesicle (vesicle lumen cells), followed by coelomocytes from coelom (coelomocytes). Moreover, the expression levels of Ajfos in the coelomocytes and vesicle lumen cells of sea cucumber showed significant changes after the Vibrio splendidus challenge, especially reaching a peak at 6 h. Compared with the silencing negative control RNA interference (siNC) group, silencing Ajfos (siAjfos) in vivo decreased the downstream proliferation-related gene expression of vesicle lumen cells after infection with V. splendidus while no significant influence was observed on coelomocytes. Furthermore, the proliferation proportion of vesicle lumen cells in the siAjfos group was significantly reduced under pathogen stimulation conditions. Finally, based on the fluctuation trend of total coelomocyte density (TCD) from coelom and polian vesicle previously discovered, it is evident that Ajfos played a critical role in facilitating the swift proliferation of vesicle lumen cells in response to V. splendidus stimulation. Altogether, this research provided an initial reference of the function of Ajfos in echinoderms, unveiling its participation in host coelomocyte proliferation of sea cucumbers during bacterial challenges.

Systematic analysis of apoptosis-related genes in the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma: a combined single-cell RNA sequencing study

Background

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has a poor prognosis and lacks appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies. Apoptosis dysregulation is associated with tumor occurrence and drug resistance, but the prognostic value of apoptosis-related genes (ARGs) in LUSC remains unclear.

Methods

Using univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and multivariate Cox regression analysis based on differentially expressed ARGs, we constructed an ARG-related prognostic model for LUSC survival rates. We conducted correlation analysis of prognostic ARGs by incorporating the dataset of normal lung tissue from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database. We then constructed a risk model, and the predictive ability of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequently, these data were subjected to single-cell analysis. Cell subgroups were determined and annotated by dimensionality reduction clustering, and the cell subgroups in disease development were identified via pseudotemporal analysis with the Monocle 2 algorithm.

Results

We identified four significantly prognostic ARGs and constructed a stable prognostic risk model. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis (P<0.05). Furthermore, the ROC analysis of 3-, 5- and 7-year survival rates confirmed that the model had good predictive value for patients with LUSC. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed the prognostic ARGS were enriched in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and T cells. Pseudotime analysis was used to infer the differentiation process and time sequence of cells.

Conclusions

This study identified ARGs that are associated with prognosis in LUSC, and a risk model based on these prognostic genes was constructed that could accurately predict the prognosis of LUSC. Single-cell sequencing analysis provided new insights into the cellular-level development of tumors. These findings provide more guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with LUSC.

Exploring the mechanism of ellagic acid against gastric cancer based on bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenolic compound. Recent studies have shown that EA has potential anticancer properties against gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to reveal the potential targets and mechanisms of EA against GC. This study adopted methods of bioinformatics analysis and network pharmacology, including the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curve analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). A total of 540 EA targets were obtained. Through WGCNA, we obtained a total of 2914 GC clinical module genes, combined with the disease database for screening, a total of 606 GC-related targets and 79 intersection targets of EA and GC were obtained by constructing Venn diagram. PPI network was constructed to identify 14 core candidate targets; TP53, JUN, CASP3, HSP90AA1, VEGFA, HRAS, CDH1, MAPK3, CDKN1A, SRC, CYCS, BCL2L1 and CDK4 were identified as the key targets of EA regulation of GC by ROC and KM curve analysis. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways of key targets was performed, and they were mainly enriched in p53 signalling pathway, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. The results of molecular docking and MDS showed that EA could effectively bind to 13 key targets to form stable protein-ligand complexes. This study revealed the key targets and molecular mechanisms of EA against GC and provided a theoretical basis for further study of the pharmacological mechanism of EA against GC.

Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of raw Pinellia ternate in treating esophageal cancer

Background

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a grim prognosis and high mortality rates, primarily treated through surgery and radiotherapy. Herbal remedies are emerging as complementary approaches in cancer therapy. Here, we explore the potential therapeutic benefits of Chinese medicine raw Pinellia ternata (RP) in EC using web-based pharmacological methods and cellular experiments.

Methods

The chemical components of RP were obtained by data mining via searches of the systematic pharmacology database, analysis platform, and literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The properties of the main components of RP were calculated using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The potential targets of the components were mined and collected through multiple databases, and the relevant potential targets of efficacy were imported into Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database to obtain protein interactions. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the potential targets were performed through Metascape. A target-pathway network was established using Cytoscape, and topological analysis was performed on the network so as to obtain the relevant targets and pathways of RP in the treatment of EC. The inhibitory effect of RP on human EC cells was verified by cell experiments.

Results

Thirteen bioactive components of RP were screened, 87 related targets were obtained by construction, and 68 co-targets were obtained after taking intersection with EC related genes. The results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of the targets showed that the pharmacodynamic targets of hemicellulose might be closely related to the signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, FOS/JUN, and HIF-1. Meanwhile, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that PI3K-Akt was also significantly enriched. The in vitro cellular experiments further indicated that raw hemicrania could inhibit EC through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Conclusions

The pharmacodynamic mechanism of RP in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma was preliminarily revealed, which provided ideas and the basis for further experimental study of RP in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma.

Gli1 depletion induces oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells via Fos in intervertebral disc degeneration

Background

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common chronic disease. Oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells disrupt intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis, which is the main cause of IDD. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is an important transcription factor in the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Depletion of Gli1 accelerates the occurrence and development of degenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of aging related Gli1 depletion in the progression of IDD.

Methods

The relationship between aging related Gli1 depletion and IDD was studied in the NP tissues of human and rats of different ages, and the levels of oxidative stress and NP cell apoptosis during IDD were explored. Gli1 depletion of NP cells were established by targeting inhibitor GANT61 or lentivirus-coated Gli1 sh-RNA (sh-Gli1) to explore the role of Gli1 in NP cells and underlying mechanism. Exogenous Gli1 depletion induced IDD of rats was established by intraperitoneal injection of GANT61. Also, the roles of Fos in the Gli1 depletion induced NP cell oxidative stress, apoptosis and IDD were investigated.

Results

Gli1 was down-regulated in the tissues of degenerative NP, and the level of Gli1 was negatively correlated with the severity of aging related IDD in human and rats. Furthermore, we found enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis in degenerative NP tissues. Gli1 depletion promoted oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells and resulted in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreased ECM synthesis. Transcriptome sequencing showed that Gli1 depletion caused Fos activation in NP cells. the effect of Gli1 depletion on the oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells were retarded by Fos inhibitor. In vivo, Fos inhibition alleviated the IDD induced by exogenous Gli1 depletion.

Conclusions

This study revealed for the first time that Gli1 is gradually depleted in NP with IDD progression. Exogenous Gli1 depletion causes oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells both in vivo and in vitro. Fos suppression effectively retards the destructive effects of Gli1 depletion on IVD homoeostasis.The translational potential of this article: This study may provide new potential targets for preventing and reversing IDD. Maintaining Gli1 expression in NP and suppressing Fos activation may be an effective treatment strategy for IDD.

YAP-TEAD up-regulates IRS2 expression to induce and deteriorate oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer (EC) represents a significant cause of cancer worldwide. Yes‐associated protein (YAP) is reported to correlate with the initiation of multiple cancers including EC, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. The current study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of YAP‐TEAD in the occurrence and progression of EC. EC tissues and cells were obtained, followed by determination of the expression of YAP, c‐Jun, pc‐Jun and IRS2. The effect of YAP‐TEAD on the biological EC cell processes was explored through gain‐ and loss‐of‐function approaches. The interaction between YAP and TEAD was detected by co‐immunoprecipitation. The binding of TEAD to the c‐Jun promoter was determined using chromatin immunoprecipitation. Tumour formation in the nude mice was detected in order to ascertain the effect of YAP and IRS2 in vivo. We found elevated YAP in the EC tissues and cells. YAP silencing led to a decrease in EC cell proliferation, invasion and sphere formation. YAP‐TEAD complex bound to the promotor of c‐Jun, and c‐Jun led to an increase in the expression of IRS2 through the JNK/c‐Jun pathway. Additionally, pc‐Jun and phosphorylated JNK were localized in the nuclear in addition to displaying enhanced expression in the EC tissues. IRS2 overexpression negated the inhibition of cell proliferation, invasion and sphere formation triggering YAP silencing. YAP up‐regulated IRS2 and aggravated EC in vivo. Taken together, YAP‐TEAD activates the JNK/c‐Jun pathway to up‐regulate IRS2, ultimately promoting EC progression. Therefore, YAP‐TEAD inhibition could be a promising therapeutic approach for EC treatment.

Regorafenib inhibits migration, invasion, and vasculogenic mimicry of hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting ID1-mediated EMT

Regorafenib is approved for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following sorafenib. However, the effect of regorafenib on HCC metastasis and its mechanism are poorly understood. Here, our data showed that regorafenib significantly restrained the migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) of HCC cells, and downregulated the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/VM-related molecules. Using RNA-seq and cellular thermal shift assays, we found that inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) was a key target of regorafenib. In HCC tissues, the protein expression of ID1 was positively correlated with EMT and VM formation (CD34- /PAS+ ). Functionally, ID1 knockdown inhibited HCC cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and VM formation in vitro and in vivo, with upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of Snail and VE-cadherin. Moreover, Snail overexpression promoted the migration, invasion, and VM formation of ID1 knockdown cells. Snail knockdown reduced the migration, invasion, and VM formation of ID1 overexpression cells. Finally, regorafenib suppressed VM formation and decreased the expression of ID1, VE-cadherin and Snail in HCC PDX model. In conclusion, we manifested that regorafenib distinctly inhibited EMT in HCC cells via targeting ID1, leading to the suppression of cell migration, invasion and VM formation. These findings suggest that regorafenib may be developed as a suitable therapeutic agent for HCC metastasis.

Upregulation of LAMB1 via ERK/c-Jun Axis Promotes Gastric Cancer Growth and Motility

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide with a poor survival rate. Therefore, it is important to identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers of gastric cancer. Laminin subunit beta 1 (LAMB1) is involved in attachment, migration, and organization during development, and its elevated expression has been associated with several cancers. However, the role and mechanism of LAMB1 in gastric cancer remains unknown. Here, we determined that LAMB1 is upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and contributes to cell growth and motility. Using a public database, we showed that LAMB1 expression was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer compared to normal tissues. LAMB1 was also found to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Overexpression of LAMB1 elevated cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; however, knockdown of LAMB1 decreased these effects in gastric cancer cells. U0126, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, regulated the expression of LAMB1 in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, we showed that c-Jun directly binds to the LAMB1 promoter as a transcription factor and regulates its gene expression via the ERK pathway in gastric cancer cells. Therefore, our study indicates that LAMB1 promotes cell growth and motility via the ERK/c-Jun axis and is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target of gastric cancer.

Cetuximab enhances the anti-tumor function of macrophages in an IL-6 dependent manner

AIMS

Cetuximab improves the survival of patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, how cetuximab affects the tumor microenvironment has not been sufficiently understood. This study was to investigate whether cetuximab could inhibit the pro-tumor function of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by suppressing the EGFR/IL-6 pathway.

MAIN METHODS

The azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) and tumor xenograft mouse models were used to assess the effect of cetuximab on TAMs. Flow cytometry, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and ELISA were used to assess the prevalence of M2 and M1 phenotypes. Publicly available datasets of CRC patients were used to assess the relevance of EGFR and IL-6 expression as prognostic indicators.

KEY FINDINGS

The two mouse models showed that cetuximab could attenuate the pro-tumor function of TAMs and decrease tumor burden. Cetuximab repolarized TAMs from M2-like to M1-like phenotypes, mainly by suppressing the IL-6 expression through NFκB and STAT3 pathways. Analysis of public scRNA-seq data indicated EGFR was mainly expressed on the surface of macrophage infiltration into tumor microenvironment. The public transcriptomics datasets showed that the expression level of IL-6 was positively correlated with EGFR in CRC patients, and PROGgeneV2 analysis indicated that IL-6 and CD206 both predicted poor recurrence-free and overall survival of CRC patients. Furthermore, the inhibition efficacy of cetuximab was significantly attenuated in IL-6 knockout CRC mice model.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results indicate a new macrophage-based molecular mechanism explaining the effect of cetuximab in treatment of colorectal cancer.

UBE2N Regulates Paclitaxel Sensitivity of Ovarian Cancer via Fos/P53 Axis

Background

Chemo-resistance is still considered one of the key factors in the mortality of ovarian cancer. In this work, we found that ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 N (UBE2N) is downregulated in paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cells. It suggests UBE2N to be critical in the regulation of paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer.

Materials and Methods

Ovarian cancer cells with stably overexpressed UBE2N were injected into nude mice to assess tumor growth and paclitaxel sensitivity in vivo. The MTT assay was applied to observe the effect of UBE2N expression on paclitaxel sensitivity. A real-time PCR array, specific for human cancer drug resistance, was used to examine the potential downstream target genes of UBE2N. The expression of UBE2N and potential downstream target genes was determined by Western blotting. The analysis of Gene Ontology and protein–protein interactions of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed using online tools. To evaluate the prognostic value of hub genes expression for ovarian cancer patients treated with paclitaxel, we applied the online survival analysis tool.

Results

Overexpressed UBE2N enhanced the paclitaxel sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Thirteen upregulated DEGs and 11 downregulated DEGs were identified when we knockdown UBE2N. Meanwhile, 9 hub genes with a high degree of connectivity were selected. Only Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (Fos), was overexpressed upon decreasing UBE2N levels, indicating a poor outcome for patients treated with paclitaxel. Moreover, reduced UBE2N could increase Fos expression and reduce P53. Furthermore, reversed regulation of Fos and P53 based on UBE2N reduction could reverse paclitaxel sensitivity, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that UBE2N could be used as a therapeutic agent for paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer through Fos/P53 pathway. Further studies are needed to elucidate the specific mechanism.

Systems biology approach to exploring the effect of cyclic stretching on cardiac cell physiology

Although mechanical forces are involved in pressure-overloaded cardiomyopathy, their effects on gene transcription profiles are not fully understood. Here, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate changes in genomic profiles after cyclic mechanical stretching of human cardiomyocytes. We found that 85, 87, 32, 29, and 28 genes were differentially expressed after 1, 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours of stretching. Furthermore, 10 of the 29 genes that were up-regulated and 11 of the 28 that were down-regulated after 24 h showed the same changes after 48 h. We then examined expression of the genes that encode serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1), DNA-binding protein inhibitor 1 (ID1), DNA-binding protein inhibitor 3 (ID3), and CCL2, a cytokine that acts as chemotactic factor in monocytes, in an RT-PCR experiment. The same changes were observed for all four genes after all cyclic stretching durations, confirming the NGS results. Taken together, these findings suggest that cyclical stretching can alter cardiac cell physiology by activating cardiac cell metabolism and impacting cholesterol biosynthesis signaling.

The HBx and HBc of hepatitis B virus can influence Id1 and Id3 by reducing their transcription and stability

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is closely related with the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in which Hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx) and core protein (HBc) play crucial roles. Additionally, inhibitors of differentiation (Id) proteins exhibited significant correlation with liver cancer development. Here, we identified that HBV dramatically inhibited the expression of Id1 and Id3 in both protein and transcriptional levels for the first time, whereas there was little effect of the virus on Id2. Additionally, two HBV coded protein, HBc and HBx, could reduce the expression of Id1 and Id3 distinctly, whereas the other two viral proteins, HBs and HBp were unable to affect Id1 and Id3 proteins. Both the activity inhibitors and activators further confirmed that HBc inhibited the expression of Id1 and Id3 by BMP/Smad signaling pathway. HBx could interact with both Id1 and Id3 at residues 112-136 of HBx protein, and it could inhibit the two Id proteins by accelerating their degradation. This is the first report about HBc and HBx regulating Id1 and Id3, whereas the detailed mechanism associated with above needed further experiments to clarify.

The functions and regulation of Smurfs in cancers

Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) and Smurf2 are HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligases, and both Smurfs were initially identified to regulate Smad protein stability in the TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway. In recent years, Smurfs have exhibited E3 ligase-dependent and -independent activities in various kinds of cells. Smurfs act as either potent tumor promoters or tumor suppressors in different tumors by regulating biological processes, including metastasis, apoptosis, cell cycle, senescence and genomic stability. The regulation of Smurfs activity and expression has therefore emerged as a hot spot in tumor biology research. Further, the Smurf1- or Smurf2-deficient mice provide more in vivo clues for the functional study of Smurfs in tumorigenesis and development. In this review, we summarize these milestone findings and, in turn, reveal new avenues for the prevention and treatment of cancer by regulating Smurfs.

Over-Expression of Inhibitor of Differentiation 2 Attenuates Post-Infarct Cardiac Fibrosis Through Inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad3/HIF-1α/IL-11 Signaling Pathway

Background: Cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction mainly causes cardiac diastolic and systolic dysfunction, which results in fatal arrhythmias or even sudden death. Id2, a transcriptional repressor, has been shown to play an important role in the development of fibrosis in various organs, but its effects on cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of Id2 on cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction and its possible mechanisms.

Methods: This study was performed in four experimental groups: control group, treatment group (including TGF-β1, hypoxia or MI), treatment+GFP group and treatment+Id2 group. In vitro anoxic and fibrotic models were established by subjecting CFs or NRVMs to a three-gas incubator or TGF-β1, respectively. An animal myocardial infarction model was established by ligating of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by directly injecting of Id2 adenovirus into the myocardial infarct’s marginal zone.

Results: The results showed that Id2 significantly improved cardiac EF and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy. The mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA, Collagen I, Collagen III, MMP2 and TIMP1 were higher in treatment+Id2 group than those in treatment group as well as in treatment+GFP group both in vivo and in vitro. Immunofluorescence revealed that both α-SMA and vimentin were co-expressed in the treatment group and GFP group, but the co-expression were not detected in the control group and Id2 group. Additionally, our findings illustrated that Id2 had protective effects demonstrated by its ability to inhibit the TGF-β1/Smad3/HIF-1α/IL-11 signaling pathways. Besides, over-expression of Id2 reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that over-expression of Id2 preserved cardiac function and ameliorated adverse cardiac remodeling, which might be a promising treatment target for cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis.

Evaluation of changes in expression pattern of oxidative stress genes under the influence of adalimumab

The psoriasis therapy consists of the inhibition of cytokines involved in inducing and development of this disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in the expression of genes related to the oxidative stress phenomenon in the culture of normal human dermal fibroblasts of Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) exposed to adalimumab. NHDF culture was exposed to adalimumab for 2-, 8-, and 24-hr periods. The control consisted of the same cells not exposed to adalimumab. The oligonucleotide microarrays HG-U133A 2.0 were used to analyze the changes in gene expression in NHDF culture. Analysis showed that there are 3,881 ID mRNA involved in the induction and development of oxidative stress, the expression of which changes significantly due to the exposure of NHDF cells to adalimumab (p < .05) among 1,369 ID mRNA of them. These include genes associated with apoptosis, the p38 MAPK pathway and the PDGF pathway, and above all with pathways not yet classified. Studies have shown that two genes: NR4A2 and IL1RN, whose expression has changed the most, expressed as Fold Change (FC) seem to be the most promising molecular markers to monitor therapy and loss of cell sensitivity to treatment.

Curcumin Inhibits ERK/c-Jun Expressions and Phosphorylation against Endometrial Carcinoma

Curcumin has been shown to have anticancer effects in a variety of tumors. However, there are fewer studies on the role of curcumin in endometrial carcinoma (EC). The purpose of this experiment was to examine the inhibitory effect of curcumin on endometrial carcinoma cells and ERK/c-Jun signaling pathway. We first predicted the mechanism of action of curcumin on endometrial carcinoma by network pharmacology. Then, we found that curcumin can decrease the cell viability of Ishikawa cells, inhibit the migration of cancer cells, induce apoptosis, and cause cell cycle arrest in the S phase. For molecular mechanism, curcumin reduced the mRNA expression levels of ERK2 and JUN genes and inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and c-Jun. This suggests that curcumin inhibits the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma cells by downregulating ERK/c-Jun signaling pathway activity.

The Redox Role of G6PD in Cell Growth, Cell Death, and Cancer

The generation of reducing equivalent NADPH via glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is critical for the maintenance of redox homeostasis and reductive biosynthesis in cells. NADPH also plays key roles in cellular processes mediated by redox signaling. Insufficient G6PD activity predisposes cells to growth retardation and demise. Severely lacking G6PD impairs embryonic development and delays organismal growth. Altered G6PD activity is associated with pathophysiology, such as autophagy, insulin resistance, infection, inflammation, as well as diabetes and hypertension. Aberrant activation of G6PD leads to enhanced cell proliferation and adaptation in many types of cancers. The present review aims to update the existing knowledge concerning G6PD and emphasizes how G6PD modulates redox signaling and affects cell survival and demise, particularly in diseases such as cancer. Exploiting G6PD as a potential drug target against cancer is also discussed.

ID1 Is Critical for Tumorigenesis and Regulates Chemoresistance in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. While the introduction of temozolomide chemotherapy has increased long-term survivorship, treatment failure and rapid tumor recurrence remains universal. The transcriptional regulatory protein, inhibitor of DNA-binding-1 (ID1), is a key regulator of cell phenotype in cancer. We show that CRISPR-mediated knockout of ID1 in glioblastoma cells, breast adenocarcinoma cells, and melanoma cells dramatically reduced tumor progression in all three cancer systems through transcriptional downregulation of EGF, which resulted in decreased EGFR phosphorylation. Moreover, ID1-positive cells were enriched by chemotherapy and drove tumor recurrence in glioblastoma. Addition of the neuroleptic drug pimozide to inhibit ID1 expression enhanced the cytotoxic effects of temozolomide therapy on glioma cells and significantly prolonged time to tumor recurrence. Conclusively, these data suggest ID1 could be a promising therapeutic target in patients with glioblastoma. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that the transcriptional regulator ID1 is critical for glioblastoma initiation and chemoresistance and that inhibition of ID1 enhances the effect of temozolomide, delays tumor recurrence, and prolongs survival.

Identification of crucial miRNAs and genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by miRNA-mRNA integrated analysis

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignancy that severely threatens human health and carries a high incidence rate and a low 5-year survival rate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are commonly accepted as a key regulatory function in human cancer, but the potential regulatory mechanisms of miRNA-mRNA related to ESCC remain poorly understood.The GSE55857, GSE43732, and GSE6188 miRNA microarray datasets and the gene expression microarray datasets GSE70409, GSE29001, and GSE20347 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained using GEO2R. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for DEGs were performed by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional modules were established using the STRING database and were visualized by Cytoscape. Kaplan-Meier analysis was constructed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.In total, 26 DEMs and 280 DEGs that consisted of 96 upregulated and 184 downregulated genes were screened out. A functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the ECM-receptor interaction and cytochrome P450 metabolic pathways. In addition, MMP9, PCNA, TOP2A, MMP1, AURKA, MCM2, IVL, CYP2E1, SPRR3, FOS, FLG, TGM1, and CYP2C9 were considered to be hub genes owing to high degrees in the PPI network. MiR-183-5p was with the highest connectivity target genes in hub genes. FOS was predicted to be a common target gene of the significant DEMs. Hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-34c-3p and FOS were related to patient prognosis and higher expression of the transcripts were associated with a poor OS in patients with ESCC.Our study revealed the miRNA-mediated hub genes regulatory network as a model for predicting the molecular mechanism of ESCC. This may provide novel insights for unraveling the pathogenesis of ESCC.

Inhibitor of DNA binding proteins: implications in human cancer progression and metastasis

Inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins are a class of helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription regulatory factors that act as dominant-negative antagonists of other basic HLH proteins through the formation of non-functional heterodimers. These proteins have been shown to play critical roles in a wide range of tumor-associated processes, including cell differentiation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, stemness, chemoresistance, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. The aberrant expression of ID proteins has not only been detected in many types of human cancers, but is also associated with advanced tumor stages and poor clinical outcome. In this review, we provide an overview of the key biological functions of ID proteins including affiliated signaling pathways. We also describe the regulation of ID proteins in cancer progression and metastasis, and elaborate on expression profiles in cancer and the implications for prognosis. Lastly, we outline strategies for the therapeutic targeting of ID proteins as a promising and effective approach for anticancer therapy.

Smurfs in Protein Homeostasis, Signaling, and Cancer

Protein ubiquitination is an evolutionary conserved highly-orchestrated enzymatic cascade essential for normal cellular functions and homeostasis maintenance. This pathway relies on a defined set of cellular enzymes, among them, substrate-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s). These ligases are the most critical players, as they define the spatiotemporal nature of ubiquitination and confer specificity to this cascade. Smurf1 and Smurf2 (Smurfs) are the C2-WW-HECT-domain E3 ubiquitin ligases, which recently emerged as important determinants of pivotal cellular processes. These processes include cell proliferation and differentiation, chromatin organization and dynamics, DNA damage response and genomic integrity maintenance, gene expression, cell stemness, migration, and invasion. All these processes are intimately connected and profoundly altered in cancer. Initially, Smurf proteins were identified as negative regulators of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways. However, recent studies have extended the scope of Smurfs' biological functions beyond the BMP/TGF-β signaling regulation. Here, we provide a critical literature overview and updates on the regulatory roles of Smurfs in molecular and cell biology, with an emphasis on cancer. We also highlight the studies demonstrating the impact of Smurf proteins on tumor cell sensitivity to anticancer therapies. Further in-depth analyses of Smurfs' biological functions and influences on molecular pathways could provide novel therapeutic targets and paradigms for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Significance of expression of ID-1, ID-3, and NF-κB in colorectal adenocarcinoma

AIM

To detect the expression of inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding (ID)-1, ID-3, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in colorectal adenocarcinoma and to analyze their clinical significance.

METHODS

Eighty-eight colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues, 43 colorectal high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia tissues, and 34 normal colonic mucosal tissues (>5 cm away from the edge of tumor) were collected. Expression of ID-1, ID-3, and NF-κB in these tissue samples was detected by immunochemistry.

RESULTS

Expression of ID-1, ID-3, and NF-κB differed significantly between colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and control tissues. Expression of ID-1, ID-3, and NF-κB was correlated with proliferation index and lesion depth. Expression of ID-1 and ID-3 was correlated with tumor differentiation. Expression of NF-κB was correlated with metastasis. There was a positive correlation between ID-1 and ID-3 expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues.

CONCLUSION

High expression of ID-1, ID-3 and NF-κB can promote the formation and progression of colorectal adenocarcinoma. ID-1 and ID-3 may have a synergistic effect.

Effect and mechanism of RNAi targeting WWTR1 on biological activity of gastric cancer cells SGC7901

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. It is essential to develop novel targets and therapeutic approaches for GC, which requires identification of novel functional molecules. WW‑domain containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1) may activate many transcriptional factors and exhibit an important role in the development of various tissues in mammals. The results of the present study demonstrated that mRNA and protein levels of WWTR1 are increased in GC tissues and cell lines. The SGC7901 cell line was selected to perform RNA interference (RNAi) targeting WWTR1, and for subsequent study. Compared with control groups (cells without any treatment) and mock groups (cells treated with nonspecific siRNA), cell proliferation of siWWTR1 cells (cells treated with WWTR1 siRNA) was detected using a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay at 12, 24 and 48 h, and decreased in a time‑dependent manner. Cell cycle and apoptosis status were determined by flow cytometry, and it was demonstrated that G1/S transition was blocked in the cell cycle and apoptosis promoted in siWWTR1 cells, compared with control and mock cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of cell cycle and apoptosis‑associated factors. The expression of Cyclin D1, cancer Myc and B cell lymphoma/leukemia‑2 (Bcl‑2) decreased and Bcl‑2 associated X protein increased significantly in siWWRT1 cells, at the mRNA and protein level, compared with control and mock cells. With the exception of the Hippo pathway, siWWTR1 regulated downstream factors, including mothers against decapentaplegic homolog family member 3 (SMAD3) and inhibitor of DNA binding 1, HLH protein (ID1), HLH protein in the transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β pathway. The expression of asparagine synthetase was decreased whereas ID1, SMAD3 (proteins that participate in intracellular TGF‑β transduction) and betacellulin increased notably in siWWRT1 cells. In conclusion, WWTR1 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of GC cells by regulating cell cycle/apoptosis‑associated factors, and effectors in the TGF‑β pathway.

ID1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation and confers chemoresistance to oxaliplatin by activating pentose phosphate pathway

Background

Drug resistance is one of the major concerns in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the present study was to determine whether aberrant high expression of the inhibitor of differentiation 1(ID1) confers oxaliplatin-resistance to HCC by activating the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP).

Methods

Aberrant high expression of ID1 was detected in two oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines MHCC97H–OXA(97H–OXA) and Hep3B–OXA(3B–OXA). The lentiviral shRNA or control shRNA was introduced into the two oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines. The effects of ID1 on cell proliferation, apoptosis and chemoresistance were evaluated in vitro and vivo. The molecular signaling mechanism underlying the induction of HCC proliferation and oxaliplatin resistance by ID1 was explored. The prognostic value of ID1/G6PD signaling in HCC patients was assessed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Results

ID1 was upregulated in oxaliplaitin-resistant HCC cells and promoted HCC cell proliferation and oxaliplatin resistance. Silencing ID1 expression in oxaliplaitin-resistant HCC cell lines inhibited cell proliferation and sensitized oxaliplaitin-resistant cells to death. ID1 knockdown significantly decreased the expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a key enzyme of the PPP. Silencing ID1 expression blocked the activation of G6PD, decreased the production of PPP NADPH, and augmented reactive oxygen and species (ROS), thus inducing cell apoptosis. Study of the molecular mechanism showed that ID1 induced G6PD promoter transcription and activated PPP through Wnt/β-catenin/c-MYC signaling. In addition, ID1/G6PD signaling predicted unfavorable prognosis of HCC patients on the basis of TCGA.

Conclusions

Our study provided the first evidence that ID1 conferred oxaliplatin resistance in HCC by activating the PPP. This newly defined pathway may have important implications in the research and development of new more effective anti-cancer drugs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-017-0637-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Overexpression of miR-216b sensitizes NSCLC cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis by targeting c-Jun

Platinum-based chemotherapy is still be the standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, studies demonstrate that some kinds of microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with chemosensitivity of NSCLC cells to platinum-based treatment. Unfortunately, cancer cells usually change their expression profile of miRNAs to form drug resistance against chemotherapy. In the present study, we focused on miR-216b to investigate whether miR-216b determined sensitivity of NSCLC cells to cisplatin. We observed that expression level of miR-216b was significantly decreased in NSCLC cell lines when they were under the cisplatin treatment. However, restore of miR-216b by transfecting with its mimics was found to increase the cytotoxicity of cisplatin to NSCLC cells. Studies on mechanisms elucidated that miR-216b targeted c-Jun in NSCLC. Overexpression of miR-216b can suppress the cisplatin-induced upregulation of c-Jun. As the downstream, overexpression of Bcl-xl induced by c-Jun/ATF2 heterodimers was inhibited in miR-216b transfected NSCLC cells. Since Bcl-xl is a key anti-apoptotic protein, we found that sensitivity of NSCLC cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis was significantly increased because of the overexpression of miR-216b.

Involvement of c-Fos in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in osteosarcoma cells accompanied by altered expression of Wnt2 and Fzd9

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone tumor, and proto-oncogene c-Fos is involved in this lethal disease. However, the role and molecular mechanism of c-Fos in the development and progression of OS remain enigmatic. As one of the Wnt family members, Wnt2 is closely associated with the development of several malignant tumors. In the present study, the expression of c-Fos, Wnt2, and its receptor Fzd9 in human OS tissues, MG63 OS cell line, and human osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell line was detected by Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical staining, or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The role of c-Fos in the OS was clarified by treating MG63 cells with small interfering RNA to knockdown c-Fos. Then, cell migration and invasion were assayed by transwell assays and wound healing assay; cell proliferation was assayed by MTS method and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine DNA proliferation in vitro detection; cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometric method. Co-immunoprecipitation kit was used to confirm the relationship between c-Fos and Wnt2/Fzd9. We found that the expression of c-Fos, Wnt2, and Fzd9 protein was distinctly higher in human OS tissues than that in the adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and their expression in the MG63 OS cell line was markedly increased compared with that in the human osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell line. Knockdown of c-Fos inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MG63 cells, and promoted the apoptosis of MG63 cells. Moreover, knockdown of c-Fos inhibited the expression of Wnt2 and Fzd9 mRNA and protein. Our data enforced the evidence that knockdown of c-Fos inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted the apoptosis of OS cells accompanied by altered expression of Wnt2 and Fzd9. These findings offer new clues for OS development and progression, and c-Fos may be a potential therapeutic target for OS.

The Id-protein family in developmental and cancer-associated pathways

Inhibitors of DNA binding and cell differentiation (Id) proteins are members of the large family of the helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors, but they lack any DNA-binding motif. During development, the Id proteins play a key role in the regulation of cell-cycle progression and cell differentiation by modulating different cell-cycle regulators both by direct and indirect mechanisms. Several Id-protein interacting partners have been identified thus far, which belong to structurally and functionally unrelated families, including, among others, the class I and II bHLH transcription factors, the retinoblastoma protein and related pocket proteins, the paired-box transcription factors, and the S5a subunit of the 26 S proteasome. Although the HLH domain of the Id proteins is involved in most of their protein-protein interaction events, additional motifs located in their N-terminal and C-terminal regions are required for the recognition of diverse protein partners. The ability of the Id proteins to interact with structurally different proteins is likely to arise from their conformational flexibility: indeed, these proteins contain intrinsically disordered regions that, in the case of the HLH region, undergo folding upon self- or heteroassociation. Besides their crucial role for cell-fate determination and cell-cycle progression during development, other important cellular events have been related to the Id-protein expression in a number of pathologies. Dysregulated Id-protein expression has been associated with tumor growth, vascularization, invasiveness, metastasis, chemoresistance and stemness, as well as with various developmental defects and diseases. Herein we provide an overview on the structural properties, mode of action, biological function and therapeutic potential of these regulatory proteins.

The Id-protein family in developmental and cancer-associated pathways

Inhibitors of DNA binding and cell differentiation (Id) proteins are members of the large family of the helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors, but they lack any DNA-binding motif. During development, the Id proteins play a key role in the regulation of cell-cycle progression and cell differentiation by modulating different cell-cycle regulators both by direct and indirect mechanisms. Several Id-protein interacting partners have been identified thus far, which belong to structurally and functionally unrelated families, including, among others, the class I and II bHLH transcription factors, the retinoblastoma protein and related pocket proteins, the paired-box transcription factors, and the S5a subunit of the 26 S proteasome. Although the HLH domain of the Id proteins is involved in most of their protein-protein interaction events, additional motifs located in their N-terminal and C-terminal regions are required for the recognition of diverse protein partners. The ability of the Id proteins to interact with structurally different proteins is likely to arise from their conformational flexibility: indeed, these proteins contain intrinsically disordered regions that, in the case of the HLH region, undergo folding upon self- or heteroassociation. Besides their crucial role for cell-fate determination and cell-cycle progression during development, other important cellular events have been related to the Id-protein expression in a number of pathologies. Dysregulated Id-protein expression has been associated with tumor growth, vascularization, invasiveness, metastasis, chemoresistance and stemness, as well as with various developmental defects and diseases. Herein we provide an overview on the structural properties, mode of action, biological function and therapeutic potential of these regulatory proteins.

Involvement of c-Fos in the Promotion of Cancer Stem-like Cell Properties in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Although improvements in surgical techniques, chemotherapy and radiation delivery, and supportive care have improved quality of life for patients with HNSCC, regional and distant recurrence remain common. Recent evidence suggests that cancer stem-like cells (CSC) play a significant role in recurrence and chemoresistance. We previously observed that c-Fos was highly upregulated in the HNSCC sphere-forming cells. Consequences of c-Fos upregulation for the biology of HNSCC-CSCs are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of c-Fos in renewal of stemness of HNSCC and tumor growth.Experimental Design and Results: We generated stable HNSCC cell lines ectopically expressing the c-Fos gene. Exogenous expression of c-Fos in nontumorigenic MDA1386Tu cells makes these cells tumorigenic in nude mice. Furthermore, subcutaneous transplantation of c-Fos-overexpressing Cal27 cells (tumorigenic) into immunocompromised mice enhanced tumor growth as compared with parental cells. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that c-Fos overexpression enhanced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) state and expression of CSC markers (Nanog, c-Myc, Sox2, and Notch1). Ectopic expression of c-Fos in HNSCC cells also displays increased sphere formation. We further observed that overexpression of c-Fos increased the expression of pERK and cyclin D1 in HNSCC cells.Conclusions: Together, our results strongly suggest a novel role of c-Fos as a regulator of EMT and cancer stem cell reprogramming in HNSCC cells, which may hold potential as a CSC-directed therapeutic approach to improve HNSCC treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 3120-8. ©2016 AACR.