The promoter hypermethylation of SULT2B1 accelerates esophagus tumorigenesis via downregulated PER1

Human sulfotransferase SULT2B1 physiological role and the impact of genetic polymorphism on enzyme activity and pathological conditions

Human SULT2B1gene is responsible for expressing SULT2B1a and SULT2B1b enzymes, which are phase II metabolizing enzymes known as pregnenolone and cholesterol sulfotransferase (SULT), respectively. They are expressed in several tissues and contribute to steroids and hydroxysteroids homeostasis. Genetic variation of the SULT2B1 is reported to be associated with various pathological conditions, including autosomal recessive ichthyosis, cardiovascular disease, and different types of cancers. Understanding the pathological impact of SULT2B1 genetic polymorphisms in the human body is crucial to incorporating these findings in evaluating clinical conditions or improving therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, this paper summarized the most relevant reported studies concerning SULT2B1 expression, tissue distribution, substrates, and reported genetic polymorphisms and their mechanisms in enzyme activity and pathological conditions.

Complex roles for sulfation in the toxicities of polychlorinated biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic toxicants derived from legacy pollution sources and their formation as inadvertent byproducts of some current manufacturing processes. Metabolism of PCBs is often a critical component in their toxicity, and relevant metabolic pathways usually include their initial oxidation to form hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs). Subsequent sulfation of OH-PCBs was originally thought to be primarily a means of detoxication; however, there is strong evidence that it may also contribute to toxicities associated with PCBs and OH-PCBs. These contributions include either the direct interaction of PCB sulfates with receptors or their serving as a localized precursor for OH-PCBs. The formation of PCB sulfates is catalyzed by cytosolic sulfotransferases, and, when transported into the serum, these metabolites may be retained, taken up by other tissues, and subjected to hydrolysis catalyzed by intracellular sulfatase(s) to regenerate OH-PCBs. Dynamic cycling between PCB sulfates and OH-PCBs may lead to further metabolic activation of the resulting OH-PCBs. Ultimate toxic endpoints of such processes may include endocrine disruption, neurotoxicities, and many others that are associated with exposures to PCBs and OH-PCBs. This review highlights the current understanding of the complex roles that PCB sulfates can have in the toxicities of PCBs and OH-PCBs and research on the varied mechanisms that control these roles.

Sulfotransferase SULT2B1 facilitates colon cancer metastasis by promoting SCD1-mediated lipid metabolism

Metastasis is responsible for at least 90% of colon cancer (CC)-related deaths. Lipid metabolism is a critical factor in cancer metastasis, yet the underlying mechanism requires further investigation. Herein, through the utilisation of single-cell sequencing and proteomics, we identified sulfotransferase SULT2B1 as a novel metastatic tumour marker of CC, which was associated with poor prognosis. CC orthotopic model and in vitro assays showed that SULT2B1 promoted lipid metabolism and metastasis. Moreover, SULT2B1 directly interacted with SCD1 to facilitate lipid metabolism and promoted metastasis of CC cells. And the combined application of SCD1 inhibitor CAY with SULT2B1- konockout (KO) demonstrated a more robust inhibitory effect on lipid metabolism and metastasis of CC cells in comparison to sole application of SULT2B1-KO. Notably, we revealed that lovastatin can block the SULT2B1-induced promotion of lipid metabolism and distant metastasis in vivo. Further evidence showed that SMC1A transcriptionally upregulated the expression of SULT2B1. Our findings unveiled the critical role of SULT2B1 in CC metastasis and provided a new perspective for the treatment of CC patients with distant metastasis.

Mechanisms of radiotherapy resistance and radiosensitization strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with more than half of them occurred in China. Radiotherapy (RT) has been widely used for treating ESCC. However, radiation-induced DNA damage response (DDR) can promote the release of cytokines and chemokines, and triggers inflammatory reactions and changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby inhibiting the immune function and causing the invasion and metastasis of ESCC. Radioresistance is the major cause of disease progression and mortality in cancer, and it is associated with heterogeneity. Therefore, a better understanding of the radioresistance mechanisms may generate more reversal strategies to improve the cure rates and survival periods of ESCC patients. We mainly summarized the possible mechanisms of radioresistance in order to reveal new targets for ESCC therapy. Then we summarized and compared the current strategies to reverse radioresistance.

The Advances in Epigenetics for Cancer Radiotherapy

Cancer is an important factor threatening human life and health; in recent years, its morbidity and mortality remain high and demosntrate an upward trend. It is of great significance to study its pathogenesis and targeted therapy. As the complex mechanisms of epigenetic modification has been increasingly discovered, they are more closely related to the occurrence and development of cancer. As a reversible response, epigenetic modification is of great significance for the improvement of classical therapeutic measures and the discovery of new therapeutic targets. It has become a research focusto explore the multi-level mechanisms of RNA, DNA, chromatin and proteins. As an important means of cancer treatment, radiotherapy has made great progress in technology, methods, means and targeted sensitization after years of rapid development, and even research on radiotherapy based on epigenetic modification is rampant. A series of epigenetic effects of radiation on DNA methylation, histone modification, chromosome remodeling, RNA modification and non-coding RNA during radiotherapy affects the therapeutic effects and prognosis. Starting from the epigenetic mechanism of tumorigenesis, this paper reviews the latest progress in the mechanism of interaction between epigenetic modification and cancer radiotherapy and briefly introduces the main types, mechanisms and applications of epigenetic modifiers used for radiotherapy sensitization in order to explore a more individual and dynamic approach of cancer treatment based on epigenetic mechanism. This study strives to make a modest contribution to the progress of human disease research.