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Zhu Z, Ding D, Hu H, He T. Pen2/ErbB4 signaling regulates stemness of pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167316. [PMID: 38901650 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167316] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical for progression, invasion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Presenilin enhancer 2 (Pen2), a vital component of the gamma-secretase complex, is overexpressed in various cancers and plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated the association between Pen2 expression and the stem-like properties of PDAC cells. We analyzed Pen2 and its downstream target, Erb-B2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 4 (ErbB4), using public databases. The expression of Pen2 in CSC populations, marked by CD133+, CD44+, or epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)+, was evaluated. Pen2-positive cells were sorted from Pen2-negative ones in PDAC cells transduced with a vector designed to express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the Pen2 promoter. Stemness was examined in vitro and in vivo in Pen2-positive versus Pen2-negative cells. Our results showed that Pen2 was significantly upregulated, while ErbB4 was significantly downregulated in PDAC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissues, with an inverse relationship between Pen2 and Erbb4 levels. PDACs with high Pen2 expression are associated with considerably poorer patient survival. The CSC populations identified by CD133+, CD44+, and EpCAM+ markers displayed significantly higher Pen2 and lower EpCAM levels. Compared to Pen2-negative PDAC cells, Pen2-positive cells formed more tumor spheres, were more invasive and migratory, and showed significantly increased resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Altering Pen2 levels reversed these oncogenic effects. In vivo, Pen2-positive cells formed larger tumors in immunodeficient mice. Overall, our findings suggest that Pen2 is highly expressed in CSCs within PDAC cells, being a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongfei Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Dan Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Tianlin He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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2
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Mackenzie SC, Rahmioglu N, Romaniuk L, Collins F, Coxon L, Whalley HC, Vincent K, Zondervan KT, Horne AW, Whitaker LHR. Genome-wide association reveals a locus in neuregulin 3 associated with gabapentin efficacy in women with chronic pelvic pain. iScience 2024; 27:110370. [PMID: 39258169 PMCID: PMC11384074 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women with no obvious pelvic pathology has few evidence-based treatment options. Our recent multicenter randomized controlled trial (GaPP2) in women with CPP and no obvious pelvic pathology showed that gabapentin did not relieve pain overall and was associated with more side effects than placebo. We conducted an exploratory genome-wide association study using eligible GaPP2 participants aiming to identify genetic variants associated with gabapentin response. One genome-wide significant association with gabapentin analgesic response was identified, rs4442490, an intron variant located in Neuregulin 3 (NRG3) (p = 2·11×10-8; OR = 18·82 (95% CI 4·86-72·83). Analysis of a large sample of UK Biobank participants demonstrated phenome-wide significant brain imaging features of rs4442490, particularly implicating the orbitofrontal cortex. NRG3 is expressed predominantly in central nervous system tissues and plays a critical role in nervous system development, maintenance, and repair, suggesting a neurobiologically plausible role in gabapentin efficacy and potential for personalized analgesic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Mackenzie
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Nilufer Rahmioglu
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Liana Romaniuk
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
| | - Frances Collins
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Lydia Coxon
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Heather C Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Generation Scotland, Institute for Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Katy Vincent
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Krina T Zondervan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Andrew W Horne
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Lucy H R Whitaker
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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Singh K, Das S, Sutradhar S, Howard J, Ray K. Insulin signaling accelerates the anterograde movement of Rab4 vesicles in axons through Klp98A/KIF16B recruitment via Vps34-PI3Kinase. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.24.590898. [PMID: 38895253 PMCID: PMC11185528 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.24.590898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Rab4 GTPase organizes endosomal sorting essential for maintaining the balance between recycling and degradative pathways. Rab4 localizes to many cargos whose transport in neurons is critical for regulating neurotransmission and neuronal health. Furthermore, elevated Rab4 levels in the CNS are associated with synaptic atrophy and neurodegeneration in Drosophila and humans, respectively. However, how the transport of Rab4-associated vesicles is regulated in neurons remains unknown. Using in vivo time-lapse imaging of Drosophila larvae, we show that activation of insulin signaling via Dilp2 and dInR increases the anterograde velocity, run length, and flux of Rab4 vesicles in the axons. Molecularly, we show that activation of neuronal insulin signaling further activates Vps34, elevates the levels of PI(3)P on Rab4-associated vesicles, recruits Klp98A (a PI(3)P-binding kinesin-3 motor) and activates their anterograde transport. Together, these observations delineate the role of insulin signaling in regulating axonal transport and synaptic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaldeep Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT - 06520, United States
| | - Semanti Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India
| | - Sabyasachi Sutradhar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT - 06520, United States
| | - Jonathon Howard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT - 06520, United States
| | - Krishanu Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai - 400005, India
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana – 122051, India
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Georgiev SV, Rizzoli SO. The long-loop recycling (LLR) of synaptic components as a question of economics. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 126:103862. [PMID: 37236414 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103862] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The pre- and post-synaptic compartments contain a variety of molecules that are known to recycle between the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. The recycling steps have been amply described in functional terms, with, for example, synaptic vesicle recycling being essential for neurotransmitter release, and postsynaptic receptor recycling being a fundamental feature of synaptic plasticity. However, synaptic protein recycling may also serve a more prosaic role, simply ensuring the repeated use of specific components, thereby minimizing the energy expenditure on the synthesis of synaptic proteins. This type of process has been recently described for components of the extracellular matrix, which undergo long-loop recycling (LLR), to and from the cell body. Here we suggest that the energy-saving recycling of synaptic components may be more widespread than is generally acknowledged, potentially playing a role in both synaptic vesicle protein usage and postsynaptic receptor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svilen Veselinov Georgiev
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center, Göttingen, Germany; Excellence Cluster Multiscale Bioimaging, Göttingen, Germany.
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Vullhorst D, Bloom MS, Akella N, Buonanno A. ER-PM Junctions on GABAergic Interneurons Are Organized by Neuregulin 2/VAP Interactions and Regulated by NMDA Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2908. [PMID: 36769244 PMCID: PMC9917868 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuregulins (NRGs) signal via ErbB receptors to regulate neural development, excitability, synaptic and network activity, and behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders. Bidirectional signaling between NRG2/ErbB4 and NMDA receptors is thought to homeostatically regulate GABAergic interneurons in response to increased excitatory neurotransmission or elevated extracellular glutamate levels. Unprocessed proNRG2 forms discrete clusters on cell bodies and proximal dendrites that colocalize with the potassium channel Kv2.1 at specialized endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane (ER-PM) junctions, and NMDA receptor activation triggers rapid dissociation from ER-PM junctions and ectodomain shedding by ADAM10. Here, we elucidate the mechanistic basis of proNRG2 clustering at ER-PM junctions and its regulation by NMDA receptors. Importantly, we demonstrate that proNRG2 promotes the formation of ER-PM junctions by directly binding the ER-resident membrane tether VAP, like Kv2.1. The proNRG2 intracellular domain harbors two non-canonical, low-affinity sites that cooperatively mediate VAP binding. One of these is a cryptic and phosphorylation-dependent VAP binding motif that is dephosphorylated following NMDA receptor activation, thus revealing how excitatory neurotransmission promotes the dissociation of proNRG2 from ER-PM junctions. Therefore, proNRG2 and Kv2.1 can independently function as VAP-dependent organizers of neuronal ER-PM junctions. Based on these and prior studies, we propose that proNRG2 and Kv2.1 serve as co-regulated downstream effectors of NMDA receptors to homeostatically regulate GABAergic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Detlef Vullhorst
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Duński E, Pękowska A. Keeping the balance: Trade-offs between human brain evolution, autism, and schizophrenia. Front Genet 2022; 13:1009390. [DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1009390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique qualities of the human brain are a product of a complex evolutionary process. Evolution, famously described by François Jacob as a “tinkerer,” builds upon existing genetic elements by modifying and repurposing them for new functions. Genetic changes in DNA may lead to the emergence of new genes or cause altered gene expression patterns. Both gene and regulatory element mutations may lead to new functions. Yet, this process may lead to side-effects. An evolutionary trade-off occurs when an otherwise beneficial change, which is important for evolutionary success and is under strong positive selection, concurrently results in a detrimental change in another trait. Pleiotropy occurs when a gene affects multiple traits. Antagonistic pleiotropy is a phenomenon whereby a genetic variant leads to an increase in fitness at one life-stage or in a specific environment, but simultaneously decreases fitness in another respect. Therefore, it is conceivable that the molecular underpinnings of evolution of highly complex traits, including brain size or cognitive ability, under certain conditions could result in deleterious effects, which would increase the susceptibility to psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diseases. Here, we discuss possible trade-offs and antagonistic pleiotropies between evolutionary change in a gene sequence, dosage or activity and the susceptibility of individuals to autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. We present current knowledge about genes and alterations in gene regulatory landscapes, which have likely played a role in establishing human-specific traits and have been implicated in those diseases.
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