DEAD-box helicase 56 functions as an oncogene promote cell proliferation and invasion in gastric cancer via the FOXO1/p21 Cip1/c-Myc signaling pathway

DDX19A promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

DEAD-box RNA helicase 19 A (DDX19A) is overexpressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. However, its role in gastric cancer remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanism of DDX19A in the development of gastric cancer.

METHODS

The expression of DDX19A in gastric cancer and paracancerous tissues was evaluated through quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. The biological functions of DDX19A in gastric cancer were determined using CCK8, plate colony-forming, and Transwell migration assays. The specific mechanism of DDX19A in gastric cancer cells was studied using western blotting, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, mRNA half-life detection, and nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA isolation.

RESULTS

DDX19A was highly expressed in gastric cancer and positively associated with malignant clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. Additionally, DDX19A promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotypes. Mechanistically, DDX19A activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PIK3CA) expression. Furthermore, DDX19A interacted with PIK3CA mRNA, stabilized it, and facilitated its export from the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals a novel mechanism whereby DDX19A promotes the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by enhancing the stability and nuclear export of PIK3CA mRNA, thereby activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

DDX56 promotes EMT and cancer stemness via MELK-FOXM1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global cause of death, with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties contributing to its metastasis. DEAD box helicase 56 (DDX56) is involved in carcinogenesis, but its role in EMT induction and stem phenotype maintenance is unclear. This study assessed the impact of DDX56 absence on HCC cell stemness and EMT. DDX56 was found to be overexpressed in HCC tissues, correlating with disease stage and prognosis. In vitro, DDX56 stimulated tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and stemness. It also enhanced maternal embryonic leucine-zipper kinase (MELK)-mediated forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) expression, regulating cancer stemness and malignant traits. In vivo, DDX56 knockdown in tumor-bearing mice reduced tumorigenicity and lung metastasis by modulating the MELK-FOXM1 signaling pathway. Collectively, DDX56 initiates stem cell-like traits in HCC and promotes EMT via MELK-FOXM1 activation, shedding light on HCC pathogenesis and suggesting a potential anti-cancer therapeutic target.

A Comprehensive Study to Investigate the Tumor-Suppressive Role of Radix Bupleuri on Gastric Cancer with Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common fatal malignancy. The aim of this study was to explore and validate the tumor-suppressive role and mechanism of Radix Bupleuri in GC.

Methods

The active constituents of Radix Bupleuri were screened using TCMSP database. SwissTargetPrediction database was used to predict potential target genes of the compounds. GeneCards, TTD, DisGeNET, OMIM, and PharmGKB databases were used to search for GC-related targets. STRING database and Cytoscape 3.10 software were used for protein-protein interaction network construction and screening of core targets. DAVID database was used for GO and KEGG analyses. Core targets were validated using molecular docking. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using CCK-8 and flow cytometry after GC cells were treated with isorhamnetin. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes were detected using qRT PCR and Western blot. The metastasis potential of GC cells was evaluated in a nude mouse model.

Results

A total of 371 potential targets were retrieved by searching the intersection of Radix Bupleuri and GC targets. Petunidin, 3',4',5',3,5,6,7-Heptamethoxyflavone, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin were identified as the main bioactive compounds in Radix Bupleuri. SRC, HSP90AA1, AKT1, and EGFR, were core targets through which Radix Bupleuri suppressed GC. The tumor-suppressive effect of Radix Bupleuri on GC was mediated by multiple pathways, including PI3K-AKT, cAMP, and TNF signaling. The key compounds of Radix Bupleuri had good binding affinity with the core target. Isorhamnetin, a key component of Radix Bupleuri, could inhibit proliferation and metastasis, and induces apoptosis of GC cells. In addition, isorhamnetin could also reduce the mRNA expression of core targets, and the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway.

Conclusion

This study identified potential targets and pathways of Radix Bupleuri against GC through network pharmacology and molecular docking, providing new insights into the pharmacological mechanisms of Radix Bupleuri in GC treatment.

DDX24 promotes tumor progression by mediating hexokinase-1 induced glycolysis in gastric cancer

Metabolic reprogramming allows tumor cells to meet high demand of biogenesis and increased energy for rapid proliferation. Gastric cancer (GC) ranks among the most prevalent malignancies globally. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of glycolytic reprogramming in GC could provide new therapeutic target for GC treatment. Here, we showed that DEAD-box helicase 24 (DDX24) played a critical role in hexokinase-1 (HK1) induced glycolysis. DDX24 expression was significantly elevated in GC tissues and was closely associated with worse survival in GC patients. In addition, DDX24 promoted glucose uptake and lactate production in GC cells. Mechanistically, DDX24 could bind the HK1 mRNA and positively regulated HK1 level at the transcriptional level. Moreover, DDX24 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of GC cells by upregulating HK1. Collectively, these results suggested that DDX24 was a critical player in the regulation of glycolytic reprogramming and also implicated DDX24 as a valuable therapeutic target for GC.

DDX52 gene expression in LUAD tissues indicates potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally. While DDX52, an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, plays a role in several biological processes, its specific involvement in LUAD is yet to be elucidated. We utilized ROC curves to determine DDX52's predictive potential for LUAD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, along with univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, assessed the prognostic implications of DDX52 in LUAD. We constructed nomogram models to further delineate DDX52's influence on prognosis, employed GSEA for functional analysis, and used qRT-PCR to examine DDX52 expression in LUAD tissues. DDX52 expression was notably higher in LUAD tissues, suggesting its potential as a negative prognostic marker. We observed a direct relationship between DDX52 expression and advanced T and N stages, as well as higher grading and staging in LUAD patients. Cox analyses further underscored DDX52's role as an independent prognostic determinant for LUAD. GSEA insights indicated DDX52's influence on LUAD progression via multiple signaling pathways. Our nomogram, founded on DDX52 expression, effectively projected LUAD patient survival, as validated by calibration curves. Elevated DDX52 expression in LUAD tissues signals its potential as a poor prognostic marker. Our findings emphasize DDX52's role not only as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD but also as a significant influencer in its progression through diverse signaling pathways. The constructed nomogram also underscores the feasibility of predicting LUAD patient survival based on DDX52 expression.

Synthetic lethal interactions of DEAD/H-box helicases as targets for cancer therapy

DEAD/H-box helicases are implicated in virtually every aspect of RNA metabolism, including transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, ribosomes biogenesis, nuclear export, translation initiation, RNA degradation, and mRNA editing. Most of these helicases are upregulated in various cancers and mutations in some of them are associated with several malignancies. Lately, synthetic lethality (SL) and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) approaches, where genetic interactions of cancer-related genes are exploited as therapeutic targets, are emerging as a leading area of cancer research. Several DEAD/H-box helicases, including DDX3, DDX9 (Dbp9), DDX10 (Dbp4), DDX11 (ChlR1), and DDX41 (Sacy-1), have been subjected to SL analyses in humans and different model organisms. It remains to be explored whether SDL can be utilized to identity druggable targets in DEAD/H-box helicase overexpressing cancers. In this review, we analyze gene expression data of a subset of DEAD/H-box helicases in multiple cancer types and discuss how their SL/SDL interactions can be used for therapeutic purposes. We also summarize the latest developments in clinical applications, apart from discussing some of the challenges in drug discovery in the context of targeting DEAD/H-box helicases.