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Zhang W, Wang J, Shan C. The eEF1A protein in cancer: Clinical significance, oncogenic mechanisms, and targeted therapeutic strategies. Pharmacol Res 2024; 204:107195. [PMID: 38677532 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) is among the most abundant proteins in eukaryotic cells. Evolutionarily conserved across species, eEF1A is in charge of translation elongation for protein biosynthesis as well as a plethora of non-translational moonlighting functions for cellular homeostasis. In malignant cells, however, eEF1A becomes a pleiotropic driver of cancer progression via a broad diversity of pathways, which are not limited to hyperactive translational output. In the past decades, mounting studies have demonstrated the causal link between eEF1A and carcinogenesis, gaining deeper insights into its multifaceted mechanisms and corroborating its value as a prognostic marker in various cancers. On the other hand, an increasing number of natural and synthetic compounds were discovered as anticancer eEF1A-targeting inhibitors. Among them, plitidepsin was approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma whereas metarrestin was currently under clinical development. Despite significant achievements in these two interrelated fields, hitherto there lacks a systematic examination of the eEF1A protein in the context of cancer research. Therefore, the present work aims to delineate its clinical implications, molecular oncogenic mechanisms, and targeted therapeutic strategies as reflected in the ever expanding body of literature, so as to deepen mechanistic understanding of eEF1A-involved tumorigenesis and inspire the development of eEF1A-targeted chemotherapeutics and biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicheng Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiyan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Changliang Shan
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
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Sato Y, Asahi T, Kataoka K. Integrative single-cell RNA-seq analysis of vascularized cerebral organoids. BMC Biol 2023; 21:245. [PMID: 37940920 PMCID: PMC10634128 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01711-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral organoids are three-dimensional in vitro cultured brains that mimic the function and structure of the human brain. One of the major challenges for cerebral organoids is the lack of functional vasculature. Without perfusable vessels, oxygen and nutrient supplies may be insufficient for long-term culture, hindering the investigation of the neurovascular interactions. Recently, several strategies for the vascularization of human cerebral organoids have been reported. However, the generalizable trends and variability among different strategies are unclear due to the lack of a comprehensive characterization and comparison of these vascularization strategies. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of different vascularization strategies on the nervous system and vasculature in human cerebral organoids. RESULTS We integrated single-cell RNA sequencing data of multiple vascularized and vascular organoids and fetal brains from publicly available datasets and assessed the protocol-dependent and culture-day-dependent effects on the cell composition and transcriptomic profiles in neuronal and vascular cells. We revealed the similarities and uniqueness of multiple vascularization strategies and demonstrated the transcriptomic effects of vascular induction on neuronal and mesodermal-like cell populations. Moreover, our data suggested that the interaction between neurons and mesodermal-like cell populations is important for the cerebrovascular-specific profile of endothelial-like cells. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the current challenges to vascularization strategies in human cerebral organoids and offers a benchmark for the future fabrication of vascularized organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Sato
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Asahi
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
- Comprehensive Research Organization, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kosuke Kataoka
- Comprehensive Research Organization, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Ma C, Zhang N, Wang T, Guan H, Huang Y, Huang L, Zheng Y, Zhang L, Han L, Huo Y, Yang Y, Zheng H, Yang M. Inflammatory cytokine-regulated LNCPTCTS suppresses thyroid cancer progression via enhancing Snail nuclear export. Cancer Lett 2023; 575:216402. [PMID: 37741431 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216402] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Lymph node metastases are commonly observed in diverse malignancies where they promote cancer progression and poor outcomes, although the molecular basis is incompletely understood. Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine neoplasm characterized by high frequency of lymph node metastases. Here, we uncover an inflammatory cytokines-controlled epigenetic program during thyroid cancer progression. LNCPTCTS acts as a novel tumor suppressive lncRNA with remarkably decreased expression in thyroid cancer specimens, especially in metastatic lymph nodes. Inflammatory cytokines TNFα or CXCL10, which are released from tumor microenvironment (TME), impair binding capabilities of the transcription factor (TF) EGR1 to the LNCPTCTS promoter and reduce the lncRNA expression in cells. Notably, LNCPTCTS binds to eEF1A2 protein and facilitates the interaction between eEF1A2 and Snail, which promotes Snail nucleus export via the RanGTP-Exp5-aa-tRNA-eEF1A2 complex. Loss of LNCPTCTS in tumors leads to accumulation of Snail in the nucleus, suppressed transcription of E-cadherin and PEBP1, reduced E-cadherin and PEBP1 protein levels, and activated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and MAPK signaling. Our results reveal what we believe to be a novel paradigm between TME and epigenetic reprogram in cancer cells which drives lymph node metastases, therefore illuminating the suitability of LNCPTCTS as a targetable vulnerability in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ma
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, Yantai 264000, Shandong Province, China; Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Nasha Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China; Departemnt of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Teng Wang
- Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haixia Guan
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yizhou Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Linying Huang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanxiu Zheng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Linyu Han
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanfei Huo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanting Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haitao Zheng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, Yantai 264000, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Ming Yang
- Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Khwanraj K, Prommahom A, Dharmasaroja P. eEF1A2 siRNA Suppresses MPP+-Induced Activation of Akt and mTOR and Potentiates Caspase-3 Activation in a Parkinson’s Disease Model. ScientificWorldJournal 2023; 2023:1335201. [PMID: 37051183 PMCID: PMC10085650 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1335201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The tissue-specific protein eEF1A2 has been linked to the development of neurological disorders. The role of eEF1A2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the potential neuroprotective effects of eEF1A2 in an MPP+ model of PD. Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with eEF1A2 siRNA, followed by MPP+ exposure. The expression of p-Akt1 and p-mTORC1 was determined using Western blotting. The expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 was evaluated using qRT-PCR. Cleaved caspase-3 levels and Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry were used to determine apoptosis. The effects of PI3K inhibition were examined. The results showed that eEF1A2 siRNA significantly reduced the eEF1A2 expression induced by MPP+. MPP+ treatment activated Akt1 and mTORC1; however, eEF1A2 knockdown suppressed this activation. In eEF1A2-knockdown cells, MPP+ treatment increased the expression of p53 and caspase-3 mRNA levels as well as increased apoptotic cell death when compared to MPP+ treatment alone. In cells exposed to MPP+, upstream inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathway, by either LY294002 or wortmannin, inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt1 and mTORC1. Both PI3K inhibitors increased eEF1A2 expression in cells, whether or not they were also treated with MPP+. In conclusion, eEF1A2 may function as a neuroprotective factor against MPP+, in part by regulating the Akt/mTOR pathway upstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawinthra Khwanraj
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Athinan Prommahom
- Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Samut Prakan, Thailand
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Romaus-Sanjurjo D, Saikia JM, Kim HJ, Tsai KM, Le GQ, Zheng B. Overexpressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) proteins to promote corticospinal axon repair after injury. Cell Death Discov 2022; 8:390. [PMID: 36123349 PMCID: PMC9485247 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01186-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although protein synthesis is hypothesized to have a pivotal role in axonal repair after central nervous system (CNS) injury, the role of core components of the protein synthesis machinery has not been examined. Notably, some elongation factors possess non-canonical functions that may further impact axonal repair. Here, we examined whether overexpressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) proteins enhances the collateral sprouting of corticospinal tract (CST) neurons after unilateral pyramidotomy, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that overexpressing eEF1A proteins in CST neurons increased the levels of pS6, an indicator for mTOR activity, but not pSTAT3 and pAKT levels, in neuronal somas. Strikingly, overexpressing eEF1A2 alone, but neither eEF1A1 alone nor both factors simultaneously, increased protein synthesis and actin rearrangement in CST neurons. While eEF1A1 overexpression only slightly enhanced CST sprouting after pyramidotomy, eEF1A2 overexpression substantially enhanced this sprouting. Surprisingly, co-overexpression of both eEF1A1 and eEF1A2 led to a sprouting phenotype similar to wild-type controls, suggesting an antagonistic effect of overexpressing both proteins. These data provide the first evidence that overexpressing a core component of the translation machinery, eEF1A2, enhances CST sprouting, likely by a combination of increased protein synthesis, mTOR signaling and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Romaus-Sanjurjo
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- NeuroAging Group (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratories (LINCs), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Junmi M Saikia
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hugo J Kim
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kristen M Tsai
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Geneva Q Le
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Binhai Zheng
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- VA San Diego Research Service, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA.
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