ANLN, Regulated by SP2, Promotes Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Proliferation via PI3K/AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathway

Anillin interacts with RhoA to promote tumor progression in anaplastic thyroid cancer by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive thyroid malignancy and has an extremely poor prognosis, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the role of anillin (ANLN) in ATC, focusing on its impact on tumor growth and metastasis through the RhoA/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

METHODS

TCGA and GEO datasets were analyzed to identify key molecular alterations in thyroid cancer. ANLN expression was assessed in clinical samples. Functional assays, including CCK-8, colony formation, scratch, and Transwell invasion assays, and mouse xenograft models, were conducted to evaluate the biological role of ANLN. Coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and active Rho GTPase pull-down assays, as well as phosphorylation antibody arrays, were used to explore the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

Analysis of TCGA and GEO datasets revealed that ANLN is upregulated in thyroid cancers, including ATC and PTC, with higher ANLN expression correlating with worse survival outcomes. Functional studies demonstrated that ANLN promoted ATC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In vivo, ANLN knockdown inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models. Mechanistically, ANLN directly interacted with RhoA, facilitating its activation and subsequent stimulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The tumorigenic effects of ANLN were suppressed by AKT inhibition with afuresertib or RhoA silencing.

CONCLUSION

ANLN plays a crucial role in ATC progression by activating the RhoA/PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in ATC.

Silencing ANLN hinders the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The actin-binding protein anillin (ANLN) functions as an oncogene in various cancers but has not been fully studied in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to investigate the expression of ANLN in OSCC tissues and cell lines, to better understand its role in mediating proliferative, angiogenic, invasive, and metastatic capabilities in this type of cancer.

METHODS

ANLN mRNA and protein levels were assessed using qPCR and western immunoblotting. The expression intensity of ANLN was evaluated using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Biological functional assays were employed to characterize the behavior of OSCC cells influenced by ANLN. Additionally, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, including GO analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis, was performed on differentially expressed genes in ANLN-mediated pathways.

RESULTS

OSCC tumors and cell lines exhibited higher ANLN expression. Silencing of ANLN significantly suppressed OSCC cell proliferation, as evidenced by a significant reduction in the Ki-67 index both in vitro and in vivo. The migration and invasive ability of OSCC cells were markedly diminished, coinciding with a decrease in epithelial-mesenchymal transition activity. ANLN was also found to promote angiogenic activity in OSCC cells, partly through synergistic effects mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Downregulation of ANLN expression led to decreased VEGFA levels, resulting in reduced angiogenesis characterized by fewer vascular branches.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the promising role of ANLN as a biomarker for both diagnostic and prognostic in OSCC. Targeting ANLN with inhibitory strategies could impede the oncogenesis processes at the core of OSCC development, presenting significant opportunities for advancing therapeutic interventions.

Hsa_circ_0079875 functions as a competitive endogenous RNA to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Circular RNA (circRNA) can influence the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA). However, there are still many circRNAs whose functions are unknown. Our research explores the role of a novel circRNA, hsa_circ_0079875, in HCC. The expression of hsa_circ_0079875 in HCC was verified by next-generation sequencing, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The distribution of hsa_circ_0079875 in HCC cells was investigated by RNA subcellular isolation and FISH assays. The functional effects on HCC proliferation, invasion, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis were verified by overexpression and knockdown of hsa_circ_0079875. Moreover, xenograft mouse models and immunohistochemistry experiments were used to assess the function of hsa_circ_0079875 in vivo. Hsa_circ_0079875 was up-regulated in HCC tissues and mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. Higher hsa_circ_0079875 leads to larger tumor tissue, more microvascular invasion(MVI) and higher AFP levels, which in turn leads to a poor prognosis. Overexpression of hsa_circ_0079875 can promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells and inhibit apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Knocking down hsa_circ_0079875 has the opposite effect. Sequencing and biological information predicted the target miRNA and mRNA of hsa_circ_0079875. Further bioinformatics and clinical correlation analysis revealed that hsa_circ_0079875 promote the malignant biological behaviors of HCC through hsa_circ_0079875/miR-519d-59/NRAS ceRNA net. Therefore, hsa_circ_0079875 can be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Effects of a novel ANLN E841K mutation associated with SRNS on podocytes and its mechanism

BACKGROUND

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is characterized by unrelieved proteinuria after an initial 4-8 weeks of glucocorticoid therapy. Genes in podocytes play an important role in causing SRNS.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report a pathogenic mutation in SRNS patients and investigate its effects on podocytes, as well as the pathogenic mechanism.

METHODS

We screened out a novel mutation by using whole-exon sequencing in the SRNS cohort and verified it via Sanger sequencing. Conservative analysis and bioinformatic analysis were used to predict the pathogenicity of the mutation. In vitro, stable podocyte cell lines were constructed to detect the effect of the mutation on the function of the podocyte. Moreover, an in vivo mouse model of podocyte ANLN gene knockout (ANLNpodKO) was used to confirm clinical manifestations. Transcriptome analysis was performed to identify differential gene expression and related signaling pathways.

RESULTS

ANLN E841K was screened from three unrelated families. ANLN E841K occurred in the functional domain and was predicted to be harmful. The pathological type of A-II-1 renal biopsy was minimal change disease, and the expression of ANLN was decreased. Cells in the mutation group showed disordered cytoskeleton, faster cell migration, decreased adhesion, increased endocytosis, slower proliferation, increased apoptosis, and weakened interaction with CD2 association protein. ANLNpodKO mice exhibited more obvious proteinuria, more severe mesangial proliferation, glomerular atrophy, foot process fusion, and increased tissue apoptosis levels than ANLNflox/flox mice after tail vein injection of adriamycin. Upregulated differentially expressed genes in cells of the mutation group were mainly enriched in the PI3K-AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

The novel mutation known as ANLN E841K affected the function of the ANLN protein by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/apoptosis pathway, thus resulting in structural and functional changes in podocytes. Our study indicated that ANLN played a vital role in maintaining the normal function of podocytes. Video Abstract.

Bioinformatics Analysis of RNA-seq Data Reveals Genes Related to Cancer Stem Cells in Colorectal Cancerogenesis

Cancer stem cells (CSC) play one of the crucial roles in the pathogenesis of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Although great efforts have been made regarding our understanding of the cancerogenesis of CRC, CSC involvement in CRC development is still poorly understood. Using bioinformatics and RNA-seq data of normal mucosa, colorectal adenoma, and carcinoma (n = 106) from GEO and TCGA, we identified candidate CSC genes and analyzed pathway enrichment analysis (PEI) and protein–protein interaction analysis (PPI). Identified CSC-related genes were validated using qPCR and tissue samples from 47 patients with adenoma, adenoma with early carcinoma, and carcinoma without and with lymph node metastasis and were compared to normal mucosa. Six CSC-related genes were identified: ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, PDGFD, TNC, and TNXB. ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, and TNC were differentially expressed between adenoma and adenoma with early carcinoma. TNC was differentially expressed in CRC without lymph node metastases whereas ANLN, CDK1, and PDGFD were differentially expressed in CRC with lymph node metastases compared to normal mucosa. ANLN and PDGFD were differentially expressed between carcinoma without and with lymph node metastasis. Our study identified and validated CSC-related genes that might be involved in early stages of CRC development (ANLN, CDK1, ECT2, TNC) and in development of metastasis (ANLN, PDGFD).

Studies on Chemical Composition of Pueraria lobata and Its Anti-Tumor Mechanism

Fourteen compounds were isolated from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi by column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography; the structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis and compared with data reported in the literature. Seven compounds were isolated and identified from Pueraria lobata for the first time: Linoleic acid, Sandwicensin, Isovanillin, Ethyl ferulate, Haginin A, Isopterofuran, 3′.7-Dihydroxyisoflavan. The other 10 compounds were structurally identified as follows: Lupenone, Lupeol, β-sitosterol, Genistein, Medicarpin, Coniferyl Aldehyde, Syringaldehyde. All compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit SW480 and SW620 cells using the CCK-8 method; compound 5 (Sandwicensin) had the best activity, and compounds 6, 9, 11 and 12 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity. In addition, the targets and signaling pathways of Sandwicensin treatment for CRC were mined using network pharmacology, and MAPK3, MTOR, CCND1 and CDK4 were found to be closely associated with Sandwicensin treatment for CRC; the GO and KEGG analysis showed that Sandwicensin may directly regulate the cycle, proliferation and apoptosis of CRC cells through cancer-related pathways.

Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis reveals the prognostic value, predictive value, and immunological roles of ANLN in human cancers

Anillin (ANLN) is a unique scaffolding, actin-binding protein, which is essential for the integrity and ingression of the cleavage furrow. It is mainly involved in the cytokinesis process, while its role in various tumors has not been fully addressed and remains largely elusive. To provide a thorough perspective of ANLN’s roles among diverse malignancies, we conducted a comprehensive, pan-cancer analysis about ANLN, including but not limited to gene expression levels, prognostic value, biological functions, interacting proteins, immune-related analysis, and predictive value. As a result, when compared to normal tissues, ANLN expression is elevated in most cancers, and its expression also differs in different immune subtypes and molecular subtypes in diverse cancers. In addition, in 17 types of cancer, ANLN expression is increased in early tumor stages, and higher ANLN expression predicts worse survival outcomes in more than ten cancers. Furthermore, ANLN shows close correlations with the infiltration levels of most immune cells, and enrichment analysis using ANLN co-expressed genes reveals that ANLN plays essential roles in cell cycle, mitosis, cellular senescence, and p53 signaling pathways. In the final, ANLN exhibits high accuracy in predicting many cancers, and subsequent multivariate analysis suggests ANLN could be an independent prognostic factor in specific cancer types. Taken together, ANLN is proved to be a novel and promising biomarker for its excellent predictive utility, promising prognostic value, and potential immunological roles in pan-cancer. Targeting ANLN might be an attractive approach to tumor treatment.

Novel mechanisms underlying inhibition of inflammation-induced angiogenesis by dexamethasone and gentamicin via PI3K/AKT/NF-κB/VEGF pathways in acute radiation proctitis

Acute radiation proctitis (ARP) is one of the most common complications of pelvic radiotherapy attributed to radiation exposure. The mechanisms of ARP are related to inflammation, angiogenesis, and so on. In this study we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone (DXM) combined with gentamicin (GM) enema on ARP mice, and explored its possible mechanisms by transcriptome sequencing, western blot and immunohistochemistry. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: healthy control group, ARP model group, and DXM + GM enema treatment group. ARP mice were established by using a single 6 MV X-ray dose of 27 Gy pelvic local irradiation. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that 979 genes were co-upregulated and 445 genes were co-downregulated in ARP mice compared to healthy mice. According to gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, we firstly found that PI3K/AKT/NF-κB/VEGF pathways were mostly correlated with the inflammation-induced angiogenesis in ARP mice. PI3K/AKT pathway leads to the activation of NF-κB, which promotes the transcription of VEGF and Bcl-2. Interestingly, symptoms and pathological changes of ARP mice were ameliorated by DXM + GM enema treatment. DXM + GM enema inhibited inflammation by downregulating NF-κB and upregulating AQP3, as well as inhibited angiogenesis by downregulating VEGF and AQP1 in ARP mice. Moreover, DXM + GM enema induced apoptosis by increasing Bax and suppressing Bcl-2. The novel mechanisms may be related to the downregulation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB/VEGF pathways.

A Four-Gene Prognostic Signature Based on the TEAD4 Differential Expression Predicts Overall Survival and Immune Microenvironment Estimation in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) is a member of the transcriptional enhancer factor (TEF) family of transcription factors, which is studied to be linked to the tumorigenesis and progression of various forms of cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the specific function of this gene in the progression of LUAD remains to be explored.

Method: A total of 19 genes related to the Hippo pathway were analyzed to identify the significant genes involved in LUAD progression. The TCGA-LUAD data (n = 585) from public databases were mined, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with the differential level of TEAD4 were identified. The univariate Cox regression, zero LASSO regression coefficients, and multivariate Cox regression were performed to identify the independent prognostic signatures. The immune microenvironment estimation in the two subgroups, including immune cell infiltration, HLA family genes, and immune checkpoint genes, was assessed. The Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and GO were conducted to analyze the functional enrichment of DEGs between the two risk groups. The potential drugs for the high-risk subtypes were forecasted via the mode of action (moa) module of the connectivity map (CMap) database.

Results:TEAD4 was found to be significantly correlated with poor prognosis in LUAD-patients. A total of 102 DEGs in TEAD4-high vs. TEAD4-low groups were identified. Among these DEGs, four genes (CPS1, ANLN, RHOV, and KRT6A) were identified as the independent prognostic signature to conduct the Cox risk model. The immune microenvironment estimation indicated a strong relationship between the high TEAD4 expression and immunotherapeutic resistance. The GSEA and GO showed that pathways, including cell cycle regulation, were enriched in the high-risk group, while immune response-related and metabolism biological processes were enriched in the low-risk group. Several small molecular perturbagens targeting CFTR or PLA2G1B, by the mode of action (moa) modules of the glucocorticoid receptor agonist, cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and NFkB pathway inhibitor, were predicted to be suited for the high-risk subtypes based on the high TEAD4 expression.

Conclusion: The current study revealed TEAD4 is an immune regulation–related predictor of prognosis and a novel therapeutic target for LUAD.

ZDQ-0620, a Novel Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Inhibitor, Inhibits Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Suppresses Angiogenesis by Attenuating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway

The PI3K/AKT pathway plays a central role in human cancers, aberrant activation of this pathway is associated with tumorigenesis, cancer progression and angiogenesis. Based on the importance of the PI3K/AKT pathway in malignancies, we developed a 4-aminoquinazoline derivative, ZDQ-0620, initially envisioned as a novel pan-PI3K inhibitor. This study aimed to evaluate the potential target of ZDQ-0620 and its anticancer effect in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC). PI3K-kinase activity test showed IC50 of ZDQ-0620 against PI3Ka was 0.5 nM; molecular docking, CETSA assay and western blotting was further performed to predict ZDQ-0620 was a PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor by targeting PI3K. To identify the effect of ZDQ-0620 on CRC cells, Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, flow cytometry, and Cell morphology analysis were conducted. The results showed that ZDQ-0620 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells, induced apoptosis through G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial pathway. Additionally, ZDQ-0620 inhibited the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo, neovascularization of rat aortic ring and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) induced by VEGF was diminished when treated with ZDQ-0620. These results indicate that ZDQ-0620 induce apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis via inhibits the PI3K/AKT pathway. We suggest that the great potential of ZDQ-0620 as an effective treatment candidate against CRC.