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Adámik M, Soldánová Z, Drotárová M, Brečková K, Petr M, Helma R, Jenner LP, Vorlíčková M, Sýkorová E, Brázdová M. Human ARMC6 binds in vitro to both cancer genes and telomeric RNA, favoring G-quadruplex structure recognition. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195050. [PMID: 39029558 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Armadillo repeat-containing proteins (ARMCs) are a large family found throughout eukaryotes, which play prominent roles in cell adhesion, signaling and cytoskeletal regulation. The ARMC6 protein is highly conserved in primates, including humans, but to date does not have a clear function beyond initial hints of a link to cancer and telomerase activity. We report here in vitro experiments showing ARMC6 binding to DNA promoter sequences from several cancer-related genes (e.g., EGFR, VEGF and c-MYC), and also to the telomeric RNA repeat (TERRA). ARMC6 binding activity appears to recognize G-quadruplex motifs, which are being increasingly implicated as structure-based protein binding sites in chromosome maintenance and repair. In vivo investigation of ARMC6 function revealed that when this protein is overexpressed in human cell lines, there is different expression of genes connected with oncogenic pathways and those implicated in downstream non-canonical telomerase pathways (e.g., VEGF, hTERT, c-MYC, ESM1, MMP3). ARMC6 is already known to interact with human shelterin protein TRF2 and telomerase. The protein binds G-quadruplex structures and does so preferentially to RNA over DNA. As such, this protein may be an example of how a non-canonical nucleic acid structural motif allows mediation between gene regulation and telomeric chromatin rearrangement pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Adámik
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Soldánová
- Department of Molecular Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Magdaléna Drotárová
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Brečková
- Department of Molecular Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Petr
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Helma
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Leon P Jenner
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Vorlíčková
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Sýkorová
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Brázdová
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Královopolská 135, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Molecular Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Zheng X, Shen J, Jiang H, Tian M, Wang Q, Guo K, Chen R, Xia Q, Yan Q, Du L, Duan S. Exploring the multifaceted role of GCN1: Implications in cellular responses and disease pathogenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116681. [PMID: 38705128 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
GCN1 is a highly conserved protein present widely across eukaryotes. As an upstream activator of protein kinase GCN2, GCN1 plays a pivotal role in integrated stress responses, such as amino acid starvation and oxidative stress. Through interaction with GCN2, GCN1 facilitates the activation of GCN2, thus initiating downstream signaling cascades in response to cellular stressors. In these contexts, the activation of GCN2 necessitates the presence and action of GCN1. Notably, GCN1 also operates as a ribosome collision sensor, contributing significantly to the translation quality control pathway. These discoveries offer valuable insights into cellular responses to internal stresses, vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Additionally, GCN1 exhibits the ability to regulate the cell cycle and suppress inflammation, among other processes, independently of GCN2. Our review outlines the structural characteristics and biological functions of GCN1, shedding light on its significant involvement in the onset and progression of various cancer and non-cancer diseases. Our work underscores the role of GCN1 in the context of drug therapeutic effects, hinting at its potential as a promising drug target. Furthermore, our work delves deep into the functional mechanisms of GCN1, promising innovative avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the future. The exploration of GCN1's multifaceted roles not only enhances our understanding of its mechanisms but also paves the way for novel therapeutic interventions. The ongoing quest to unveil additional functions of GCN1 holds the promise of further enriching our comprehension of its mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Zheng
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Jinze Shen
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Hongting Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Mei Tian
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China; Geriatric Medicine Center, Department of Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Qurui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Kailin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Ruixiu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Qing Xia
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Qibin Yan
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, China
| | - Lihua Du
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, 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 310015, China.
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Zhan S, Siu J, Wang Z, Yu H, Bezabeh T, Deng Y, Du W, Fei P. Focal Point of Fanconi Anemia Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12976. [PMID: 34884777 PMCID: PMC8657418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Among human genetic diseases, Fanconi Anemia (FA) tops all with its largest number of health complications in nearly all human organ systems, suggesting the significant roles played by FA genes in the maintenance of human health. With the accumulated research on FA, the encoded protein products by FA genes have been building up to the biggest cell defense signaling network, composed of not only 22+ FA proteins but also ATM, ATR, and many other non-FA proteins. The FA D2 group protein (FANCD2) and its paralog form the focal point of FA signaling to converge the effects of its upstream players in response to a variety of cellular insults and simultaneously with downstream players to protect humans from contracting diseases, including aging and cancer. In this review, we update and discuss how the FA signaling crucially eases cellular stresses through understanding its focal point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudong Zhan
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA; (S.Z.); (Z.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Jolene Siu
- Student Research Experience Program of University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;
| | - Zhanwei Wang
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA; (S.Z.); (Z.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Herbert Yu
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA; (S.Z.); (Z.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Tedros Bezabeh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA;
| | - Youping Deng
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA;
| | - Wei Du
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA;
| | - Peiwen Fei
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA; (S.Z.); (Z.W.); (H.Y.)
- Student Research Experience Program of University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;
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