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Zhang K, Wang J, He Z, Qiu X, Sa R, Chen L. Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040559. [PMID: 37111316 PMCID: PMC10142462 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although biologically targeted therapies based on key oncogenic mutations have made significant progress in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer, the challenges of drug resistance are urging us to explore other potentially effective targets. Herein, epigenetic modifications in thyroid cancer, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, chromatin remodeling and RNA alterations, are reviewed and epigenetic therapeutic agents for the treatment of thyroid cancer, such as DNMT (DNA methyltransferase) inhibitors, HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors, BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4) inhibitors, KDM1A (lysine demethylase 1A) inhibitors and EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) inhibitors, are updated. We conclude that epigenetics is promising as a therapeutic target in thyroid cancer and further clinical trials are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Junyao Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ziyan He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Xian Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin St., Changchun 130021, China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
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2
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Acuña-Ruiz A, Carrasco-López C, Santisteban P. Genomic and epigenomic profile of thyroid cancer. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 37:101656. [PMID: 35461756 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2022.101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, and its incidence has been steadily increasing. Advances in sequencing have allowed analysis of the entire cancer genome, and has provided new information on the genetic lesions and modifications responsible for the onset, progression, dedifferentiation and metastasis of thyroid carcinomas. Moreover, integrated genomics has advanced our understanding of the development of cancer and its behavior, and has facilitated the identification of new genetic mutations and molecular pathways. The functional analysis of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation and non-coding RNAs, have contributed to define new regulatory mechanisms that control cell malignancy in thyroid cancer, especially aggressive forms. Here we review the most recent advances in genomics and epigenomics of thyroid cancer, which have resulted in a new classification and interpretation of the initiation and progression of thyroid tumors, providing new tools and opportunities for further investigation and for the clinical development of new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Acuña-Ruiz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Carrasco-López
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pilar Santisteban
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
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Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase in Head and Neck Tumors: A Comprehensive Review. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11111594. [PMID: 34827592 PMCID: PMC8615955 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The head and neck tumors (HNT) are a heterogeneous group of diseases ranging from benign to malignant lesions, with distinctive molecular and clinical behaviors. Several studies have highlighted the presence of an altered metabolic phenotype in HNT, such as the upregulation of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). However, its biological effects have not been completely disclosed and the role of NNMT in cancer cell metabolism remains unclear. Therefore, this comprehensive review aims to evaluate the available literature regarding the biological, diagnostic, and prognostic role of NNMT in HNT. NNMT was shown to be significantly overexpressed in all of the evaluated HNT types. Moreover, its upregulation has been correlated with cancer cell migration and adverse clinical outcomes, such as high-pathological stage, lymph node metastasis, and locoregional recurrences. However, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) these associations are still debated, and several studies have failed to demonstrate the prognostic significance of NNMT. The shRNA-mediated gene silencing efficiently suppressed the NNMT gene expression and exhibited a clear inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, promoting the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and modulating the cell cycle. NNMT could represent a new molecular biomarker and a new target of molecular-based therapy, although further studies on larger patient cohorts are needed to explore its biological role in HNT.
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The Utility of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase as a Potential Biomarker to Predict the Oncological Outcomes for Urological Cancers: An Update. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081214. [PMID: 34439880 PMCID: PMC8393883 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the N-methylation reaction of nicotinamide, using S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the methyl donor. Enzyme overexpression has been described in many non-neoplastic diseases, as well as in a wide range of solid malignancies. This review aims to report and discuss evidence available in scientific literature, dealing with NNMT expression and the potential involvement in main urologic neoplasms, namely, renal, bladder and prostate cancers. Data illustrated in the cited studies clearly demonstrated NNMT upregulation (pathological vs. normal tissue) in association with these aforementioned tumors. In addition to this, enzyme levels were also found to correlate with key prognostic parameters and patient survival. Interestingly, NNMT overexpression also emerged in peripheral body fluids, such as blood and urine, thus leading to candidate the enzyme as promising biomarker for the early and non-invasive detection of these cancers. Examined results undoubtedly showed NNMT as having the capacity to promote cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness, as well as its potential participation in fundamental events highlighting cancer progression, metastasis and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. In the light of this evidence, it is reasonable to attribute to NNMT a promising role as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of urologic neoplasms, as well as a molecular target for effective anti-cancer treatment.
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Spartalis E, Kotrotsios K, Chrysikos D, Spartalis M, Paschou SA, Schizas D, Tsamakis K, Dimitroulis D, Troupis T, Nikiteas N. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:2199-2208. [PMID: 33308111 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201211112234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) is the most common type of endocrine malignancy. Although PTC has an excellent prognosis, the recurrent or metastatic disease could affect patients' survival. Recent studies show that Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACIs) might be promising anticancer agents against PTC. The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of HDACIs as an additional modality in PTC treatment and to depict the latest trends of current research on this field. MATERIALS AND METHODS This literature review was performed using the MEDLINE database. The search strategy included terms: "thyroid cancer", "papillary", "HDAC", "histone", and "deacetylase". RESULTS Agents, such as Suberoyl Anilide Hydroxamic Acid, Trichostatin A, Valproic Acid, Sodium butyrate, Panobinostat, Belinostat, Romidepsin, CUDC907 and N-Hydroxy-7-(2-naphthylthio)-Hepanomide have shown promising anti-cancer effects on PTC cell lines but fail to trigger a major response in clinical trials. CONCLUSION HDACIs have no significant effect as monotherapy against PTC, but further research needs to be conducted in order to investigate their potential effect when used as an additional modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftherios Spartalis
- 2nd Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kotrotsios
- 2nd Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimosthenis Chrysikos
- Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Spartalis
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research "N.S. Christeas", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula A Paschou
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Aghia Sophia Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- 1st Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Tsamakis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Dimitroulis
- 2nd Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodore Troupis
- Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Nikiteas
- 2nd Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Ramsden DB, Waring RH, Barlow DJ, Parsons RB. Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase in Health and Cancer. Int J Tryptophan Res 2017; 10:1178646917691739. [PMID: 35185340 PMCID: PMC8851132 DOI: 10.1177/1178646917691739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the roles of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and its product 1-methyl nicotinamide have emerged from playing merely minor roles in phase 2 xenobiotic metabolism as actors in some of the most important scenes of human life. In this review, the structures of the gene, messenger RNA, and protein are discussed, together with the role of the enzyme in many of the common cancers that afflict people today.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Ramsden
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - David J Barlow
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Richard B Parsons
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, UK
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7
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Li JH, Qiu LQ, Zhu XJ, Cai CX. Influence of exercises using different energy metabolism systems on NNMT expression in different types of skeletal muscle fibers. Sci Sports 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scispo.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Hong CM, Ahn BC. Redifferentiation of Radioiodine Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer for Reapplication of I-131 Therapy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:260. [PMID: 29085335 PMCID: PMC5649198 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most differentiated thyroid cancers show excellent prognosis, treating radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) is challenging. Various therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, have been applied for RR-DTC but show limited effectiveness. Redifferentiation followed by radioiodine therapy is a promising alternative therapy for RR-DTC. Retinoic acids, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists are classically used as redifferentiation agents, and recent targeted molecules are also used for this purpose. Appropriate selection of redifferentiation agents for each patient, using current knowledge about genetic and biological characteristics of thyroid cancer, might increase the efficacy of redifferentiation treatment. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms of these redifferentiation agents, results of recent clinical trials, and promising preclinical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chae Moon Hong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Byeong-Cheol Ahn,
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9
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Bi HC, Pan YZ, Qiu JX, Krausz KW, Li F, Johnson CH, Jiang CT, Gonzalez FJ, Yu AM. N-methylnicotinamide and nicotinamide N-methyltransferase are associated with microRNA-1291-altered pancreatic carcinoma cell metabolome and suppressed tumorigenesis. Carcinogenesis 2014; 35:2264-72. [PMID: 25115443 PMCID: PMC4178474 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell metabolome comprises abundant information that may be predictive of cell functions in response to epigenetic or genetic changes at different stages of cell proliferation and metastasis. An unbiased ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics study revealed a significantly altered metabolome for human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells with gain-of-function non-coding microRNA-1291 (miR-1291), which led to a lower migration and invasion capacity as well as suppressed tumorigenesis in a xenograft tumor mouse model. A number of metabolites, including N-methylnicotinamide, involved in nicotinamide metabolism, and l-carnitine, isobutyryl-carnitine and isovaleryl-carnitine, involved in fatty acid metabolism, were elevated in miR-1291-expressing PANC-1. Notably, N-methylnicotinamide was elevated to the greatest extent, and this was associated with a sharp increase in nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) mRNA level in miR-1291-expressing PANC-1 cells. In addition, expression of NNMT mRNA was inversely correlated with pancreatic tumor size in the xenograft mouse model. These results indicate that miR-1291-altered PANC-1 cell function is associated with the increase in N-methylnicotinamide level and NNMT expression, and in turn NNMT may be indicative of the extent of pancreatic carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chang Bi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China, Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yu-Zhuo Pan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA and
| | - Jing-Xin Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Kristopher W Krausz
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Fei Li
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Chang-Tao Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ai-Ming Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA and
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Zhang Z, Liu D, Murugan AK, Liu Z, Xing M. Histone deacetylation of NIS promoter underlies BRAF V600E-promoted NIS silencing in thyroid cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2014; 21:161-73. [PMID: 24243688 PMCID: PMC3920838 DOI: 10.1530/erc-13-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The BRAF V600E mutation causes impaired expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and radioiodine refractoriness of thyroid cancer, but the underlying mechanism remains undefined. In this study, we hypothesized that histone deacetylation at the NIS (SLC5A5) promoter was the mechanism. Using the chromatin immunoprecipitation approach, we examined histone acetylation status on the lysine residues H3K9/14, H3K18, total H4, and H4K16 at the NIS promoter under the influence of BRAF V600E. We found that expression of stably or transiently transfected BRAF V600E inhibited NIS expression while the deacetylase inhibitor SAHA stimulated NIS expression in PCCL3 rat thyroid cells. Although BRAF V600E enhanced global histone acetylation, it caused histone deacetylation at the NIS promoter while SAHA caused acetylation in the cells. In human thyroid cancer BCPAP cells harboring homozygous BRAF V600E mutation, BRAF V600E inhibitor, PLX4032, and MEK inhibitor, AZD6244, increased histone acetylation of the NIS promoter, suggesting that BRAF V600E normally maintained histone in a deacetylated state at the NIS promoter. The regions most commonly affected with deacetylation by BRAF V600E were the transcriptionally active areas upstream of the translation start that contained important transcription factor binding sites, including nucleotides -297/-107 in the rat NIS promoter and -692/-370 in the human NIS promoter. Our findings not only reveal an epigenetic mechanism for BRAF V600E-promoted NIS silencing involving histone deacetylation at critical regulatory regions of the NIS promoter but also provide further support for our previously proposed combination therapy targeting major signaling pathways and histone deacetylase to restore thyroid gene expression for radioiodine treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongjing Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid ResearchJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine1830 East Monument Street, Suite 333, Baltimore, Maryland, 21287USA
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismChangzheng Hospital, the Second Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dingxie Liu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid ResearchJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine1830 East Monument Street, Suite 333, Baltimore, Maryland, 21287USA
| | - Avaniyapuram Kannan Murugan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid ResearchJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine1830 East Monument Street, Suite 333, Baltimore, Maryland, 21287USA
| | - Zhimin Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismChangzheng Hospital, the Second Military Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Mingzhao Xing
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid ResearchJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine1830 East Monument Street, Suite 333, Baltimore, Maryland, 21287USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Xing
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Sartini D, Muzzonigro G, Milanese G, Pozzi V, Vici A, Morganti S, Rossi V, Mazzucchelli R, Montironi R, Emanuelli M. Upregulation of tissue and urinary nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in bladder cancer: potential for the development of a urine-based diagnostic test. Cell Biochem Biophys 2013; 65:473-83. [PMID: 23097023 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-012-9451-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Carcinoma of the bladder is one of the most common urologic malignancies occurring worldwide. Diagnosis and monitoring of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) are based on cystoscopy and urinary cytology. However, these diagnostic methods still have some limitations, mainly related to invasive nature and lack of sensitivity. New reliable and non-invasive biomarkers for bladder cancer detection are therefore required. To explore the involvement of enzymes of drug metabolism in bladder cancer, in the present study, we analyzed the gene expression profiles of tumor and normal looking tissues obtained from the same patient by cDNA macroarray. The enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) was identified as a highly expressed gene in bladder cancer. RT-PCR, Real-Time PCR, Western blot analysis, and catalytic activity assay, performed on a large cohort of patients with bladder UC, confirmed NNMT upregulation. NNMT mRNA and protein levels were also determined in urine specimens obtained from patients with bladder UC and healthy subjects. We found that NNMT expression levels were significantly higher in patients with bladder tumor compared to controls that showed very low or undetectable amounts of NNMT transcript and protein. Our results indicate that a marked NNMT increase is a peculiar feature of bladder UC and suggest the potential suitability of urine NNMT expression levels determination for early and non-invasive diagnosis of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Sartini
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Ranieri 65, 60131, Ancona, Italy
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12
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Sazci A, Ozel MD, Ergul E, Aygun C. Association of nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase gene rs694539 variant with patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2013; 17:849-53. [PMID: 23964925 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2013.0309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal hepatic steatosis in the absence of a history of alcohol use and with a prevalence of 15%-45% in developed nations. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced stage of NAFLD with a pronounced major inflammatory component. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) gene rs694539 variant in the development of NASH. Therefore, we analyzed 80 NASH patients and 183 healthy controls using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method developed in our laboratory. The NNMT rs694539 variant was found to be significantly associated with NASH (χ(2)=9.349, p=0.009). The individuals with the GG genotype had protection against NASH (χ(2)=3.793, p=0.051, odds ratio [OR]=0.580, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.334-1.006), whereas the individuals with the AA genotype showed statistically significant increased risk for NASH (χ(2)=7.748, p=0.005, OR=7.338, 95% CI=1.448-37.190). Moreover, the G allele was protective against NASH (χ(2)=7.748, p=0.005, OR=0.136, and 95% CI=0.027-0.691). On the other hand, the A allele was a risk factor for NASH (χ(2)=3.793, p=0.051, OR=1.725, and 95% CI=0.994-2.996). Consequently, the rs694539 variant of NNMT gene is a genetic risk factor for developing NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Sazci
- 1 Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kocaeli , Kocaeli, Turkey
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13
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RNA-mediated gene silencing of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase is associated with decreased tumorigenicity in human oral carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71272. [PMID: 23990942 PMCID: PMC3749215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer. Despite progress in the treatment of OSCC, overall survival has not improved substantially in the last three decades. Therefore, identification of reliable biomarkers becomes essential to develop effective anti-cancer therapy. In this study, we focused on the enzyme Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), which plays a fundamental role in the biotransformation of many xenobiotics. Although several tumors have been associated with abnormal NNMT expression, its role in cancer cell metabolism remains largely unknown. In this report, 7 human oral cancer cell lines were examined for NNMT expression by Real-Time PCR, Western blot and HPLC-based catalytic assay. Subsequently, we evaluated the in vitro effect of shRNA-mediated silencing of NNMT on cell proliferation. In vivo tumorigenicity of oral cancer cells with stable knockdown of NNMT was assayed by using xenograft models. High expression levels of NNMT were found in PE/CA PJ-15 cells, in keeping with the results of Western blot and catalytic activity assay. PE/CA PJ-15 cell line was stably transfected with shRNA plasmids against NNMT and analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and soft agar Assays. Transfected and control cells were injected into athymic mice in order to evaluate the effect of NNMT silencing on tumor growth. NNMT downregulation resulted in decreased cell proliferation and colony formation ability on soft agar. In athymic mice, NNMT silencing induced a marked reduction in tumour volume. Our results show that the downregulation of NNMT expression in human oral carcinoma cells significantly inhibits cell growth in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. All these experimental data seem to suggest that NNMT plays a critical role in the proliferation and tumorigenic capacity of oral cancer cells, and its inhibition could represent a potential molecular approach to the treatment of oral carcinoma.
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14
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Yoshioka K, Kunitomo M, Yanai K, Shimizu H, Nakasono S, Negishi T, Dateki M. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β induced by chemical stress accelerates cell proliferation and increases genomic instability in mouse liver. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2011; 31:132-8. [DOI: 10.3109/10799893.2010.538852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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15
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Snykers S, Henkens T, De Rop E, Vinken M, Fraczek J, De Kock J, De Prins E, Geerts A, Rogiers V, Vanhaecke T. Role of epigenetics in liver-specific gene transcription, hepatocyte differentiation and stem cell reprogrammation. J Hepatol 2009; 51:187-211. [PMID: 19457566 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2009.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Controlling both growth and differentiation of stem cells and their differentiated somatic progeny is a challenge in numerous fields, from preclinical drug development to clinical therapy. Recently, new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms have unveiled key regulatory roles of epigenetic marks driving cellular pluripotency, differentiation and self-renewal/proliferation. Indeed, the transcription of genes, governing cell-fate decisions during development and maintenance of a cell's differentiated status in adult life, critically depends on the chromatin accessibility of transcription factors to genomic regulatory and coding regions. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic control of (liver-specific) gene-transcription and the intricate interplay between chromatin modulation, including histone (de)acetylation and DNA (de)methylation, and liver-enriched transcription factors. Special attention is paid to their role in directing hepatic differentiation of primary hepatocytes and stem cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Snykers
- Department of Toxicology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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