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Shen J, Su X, Wang S, Wang Z, Zhong C, Huang Y, Duan S. RhoJ: an emerging biomarker and target in cancer research and treatment. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00792-6. [PMID: 38858534 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
RhoJ is a Rho GTPase that belongs to the Cdc42 subfamily and has a molecular weight of approximately 21 kDa. It can activate the p21-activated kinase family either directly or indirectly, influencing the activity of various downstream effectors and playing a role in regulating the cytoskeleton, cell movement, and cell cycle. RhoJ's expression and activity are controlled by multiple upstream factors at different levels, including expression, subcellular localization, and activation. High RhoJ expression is generally associated with a poor prognosis for cancer patients and is mainly due to an increased number of tumor blood vessels and abnormal expression in malignant cells. RhoJ promotes tumor progression through several pathways, particularly in tumor angiogenesis and drug resistance. Clinical data also indicates that high RhoJ expression is closely linked to the pathological features of tumor malignancy. There are various cancer treatment methods that target RhoJ signaling, such as direct binding to inhibit the RhoJ effector pocket, inhibiting RhoJ expression, blocking RhoJ upstream and downstream signals, and indirectly inhibiting RhoJ's effect. RhoJ is an emerging cancer biomarker and a significant target for future cancer clinical research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinze Shen
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinming Su
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shana Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenming Zhong
- Medical Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Bou Malhab LJ, Nair VA, Qaisar R, Pintus G, Abdel-Rahman WM. Towards Understanding the Development of Breast Cancer: The Role of RhoJ in the Obesity Microenvironment. Cells 2024; 13:174. [PMID: 38247865 PMCID: PMC10814036 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020174] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a growing pandemic with an increasing risk of inducing different cancer types, including breast cancer. Adipose tissue is proposed to be a major player in the initiation and progression of breast cancer in obese people. However, the mechanistic link between adipogenicity and tumorigenicity in breast tissues is poorly understood. We used in vitro and in vivo approaches to investigate the mechanistic relationship between obesity and the onset and progression of breast cancer. In obesity, adipose tissue expansion and remodeling are associated with increased inflammatory mediator's release and anti-inflammatory mediators' reduction.. In order to mimic the obesity micro-environment, we cultured cells in an enriched pro-inflammatory cytokine medium to which we added a low concentration of beneficial adipokines. Epithelial cells exposed to the obesity micro-environment were phenotypically transformed into mesenchymal-like cells, characterized by an increase in different mesenchymal markers and the acquisition of the major hallmarks of cancerous cells; these include sustained DNA damage, the activation of the ATR-Chk2 pathway, an increase in proliferation rate, cell invasion, and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that several genes, including RhoJ, CCL7, and MMP9, acted as potential major players in the observed phenomenon. The transcriptomics findings were confirmed in vitro using qRT-PCR and in vivo using high-fat-diet-fed mice. Our data suggests RhoJ as a potential novel molecular driver of tumor development in breast tissues and a mediator of cell resistance to conventional chemotherapy through PAK1 activation. These data propose that RhoJ is a potential target for therapeutic interventions in obese breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara J. Bou Malhab
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Vidhya A. Nair
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Rizwan Qaisar
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Wael M. Abdel-Rahman
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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3
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Jahid S, Ortega JA, Vuong LM, Acquistapace IM, Hachey SJ, Flesher JL, La Serra MA, Brindani N, La Sala G, Manigrasso J, Arencibia JM, Bertozzi SM, Summa M, Bertorelli R, Armirotti A, Jin R, Liu Z, Chen CF, Edwards R, Hughes CCW, De Vivo M, Ganesan AK. Structure-based design of CDC42 effector interaction inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110641. [PMID: 35385746 PMCID: PMC9127750 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
CDC42 family GTPases (RHOJ, RHOQ, CDC42) are upregulated but rarely mutated in cancer and control both the ability of tumor cells to invade surrounding tissues and the ability of endothelial cells to vascularize tumors. Here, we use computer-aided drug design to discover a chemical entity (ARN22089) that has broad activity against a panel of cancer cell lines, inhibits S6 phosphorylation and MAPK activation, activates pro-inflammatory and apoptotic signaling, and blocks tumor growth and angiogenesis in 3D vascularized microtumor models (VMT) in vitro. Additionally, ARN22089 has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and can inhibit the growth of BRAF mutant mouse melanomas and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. ARN22089 selectively blocks CDC42 effector interactions without affecting the binding between closely related GTPases and their downstream effectors. Taken together, we identify a class of therapeutic agents that influence tumor growth by modulating CDC42 signaling in both the tumor cell and its microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Jahid
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jose A Ortega
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Linh M Vuong
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Isabella Maria Acquistapace
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stephanie J Hachey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jessica L Flesher
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Maria Antonietta La Serra
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Brindani
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Sala
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manigrasso
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jose M Arencibia
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rongsheng Jin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Chi-Fen Chen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Robert Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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Mosaddeghzadeh N, Ahmadian MR. The RHO Family GTPases: Mechanisms of Regulation and Signaling. Cells 2021; 10:1831. [PMID: 34359999 PMCID: PMC8305018 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Much progress has been made toward deciphering RHO GTPase functions, and many studies have convincingly demonstrated that altered signal transduction through RHO GTPases is a recurring theme in the progression of human malignancies. It seems that 20 canonical RHO GTPases are likely regulated by three GDIs, 85 GEFs, and 66 GAPs, and eventually interact with >70 downstream effectors. A recurring theme is the challenge in understanding the molecular determinants of the specificity of these four classes of interacting proteins that, irrespective of their functions, bind to common sites on the surface of RHO GTPases. Identified and structurally verified hotspots as functional determinants specific to RHO GTPase regulation by GDIs, GEFs, and GAPs as well as signaling through effectors are presented, and challenges and future perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstrasse 1, Building 22.03.05, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
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Wang M, Jiang X, Yang Y, Chen H, Zhang C, Xu H, Qi B, Yao C, Xia H. Rhoj Is a Novel Target for Progression and Invasion of Glioblastoma by Impairing Cytoskeleton Dynamics. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:2028-2040. [PMID: 32822001 PMCID: PMC7851251 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00910-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPase family members were identified as critical regulators of cell morphology, actin cytoskeleton organization, cell movement, and cell cycle and also contributed to tumor progression, which have been implicated in various types of cancer metastasis and growth. Here, we firstly reported the dysregulation of Rhoj in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of Rhoj in GBM. We analyzed the expression of 21 Rho GTPases family members and validated the expression of Rhoj in GBM by immunohistochemistry. We further investigated the role and mechanism of Rhoj in GBM both in vitro and in vivo. We observed that Rhoj is significantly overexpressed in GBM and associated with patients' survival. However, the role and underlying molecular mechanism of Rhoj in GBM are still unclear. We demonstrated that transcription factor c-Jun regulated the expression of Rhoj, and Rhoj interacted with moesin to promote GBM cell proliferation and migration by potentiating the activation of Rac1/PAK pathway and cytoskeletal dynamics. Rhoj may promote migration and invasion of GBM cells by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like process. In conclusion, the Rhoj/Rac1/PAK signaling mediates invasion and progression of GBM and is a potential therapeutic target for GBM treatment. Rhoj may also be a promising biomarker for GBM diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiaochun Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China
| | - Yongbo Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Hongjin Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chengfei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Haojun Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Bin Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Chengyun Yao
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, 2100092, China.
| | - Hongping Xia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Sir Run Run Hospital & State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China.
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, 2100092, China.
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Role of glutamine synthetase in angiogenesis beyond glutamine synthesis. Nature 2018; 561:63-69. [PMID: 30158707 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine synthetase, encoded by the gene GLUL, is an enzyme that converts glutamate and ammonia to glutamine. It is expressed by endothelial cells, but surprisingly shows negligible glutamine-synthesizing activity in these cells at physiological glutamine levels. Here we show in mice that genetic deletion of Glul in endothelial cells impairs vessel sprouting during vascular development, whereas pharmacological blockade of glutamine synthetase suppresses angiogenesis in ocular and inflammatory skin disease while only minimally affecting healthy adult quiescent endothelial cells. This relies on the inhibition of endothelial cell migration but not proliferation. Mechanistically we show that in human umbilical vein endothelial cells GLUL knockdown reduces membrane localization and activation of the GTPase RHOJ while activating other Rho GTPases and Rho kinase, thereby inducing actin stress fibres and impeding endothelial cell motility. Inhibition of Rho kinase rescues the defect in endothelial cell migration that is induced by GLUL knockdown. Notably, glutamine synthetase palmitoylates itself and interacts with RHOJ to sustain RHOJ palmitoylation, membrane localization and activation. These findings reveal that, in addition to the known formation of glutamine, the enzyme glutamine synthetase shows unknown activity in endothelial cell migration during pathological angiogenesis through RHOJ palmitoylation.
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Florke RR, Young GT, Hamann MJ. Unraveling a model of TCL/RhoJ allosterism using TC10 reverse chimeras. Small GTPases 2017; 11:138-145. [PMID: 28696829 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1347599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to the classical regulation of GTPase activity by effector proteins, investigating the variations in the amino acid sequence and structures of GTPases often provides insights into regulatory mechanisms that are more GTPase-specific. TCL/RhoJ is a Rho GTPase most closely related to Cdc42 and TC10; however, its nucleotide exchange activity is distinctly influenced by N-terminal amino acids 17-20 and the more distal amino acids 121-129. In this short study, we have further explored the differences between TCL and its homolog TC10 and show that its unique mode of allosteric regulation requires broader diversification of its amino acid sequence than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grace T Young
- Biology Department, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN, USA
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