1
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Atri Y, Bharti H, Sahani N, Sarkar DP, Nag A. CUL4A silencing attenuates cervical carcinogenesis and improves Cisplatin sensitivity. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:1041-1058. [PMID: 37285039 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04776-2] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
CUL4A is an ubiquitin ligase deregulated in numerous pathologies including cancer and even hijacked by viruses for facilitating their survival and propagation. However, its role in Human papilloma virus (HPV)-mediated cervical carcinogenesis remains elusive. The UALCAN and GEPIA datasets were analyzed to ascertain the transcript levels of CUL4A in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) patients. Subsequently, various biochemical assays were employed to explore the functional contribution of CUL4A in cervical carcinogenesis and to shed some light on its involvement in Cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer. Our UALCAN and GEPIA datasets analyses reveal elevated CUL4A transcript levels in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) patients that correlate with adverse clinicopathological parameters such as tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier plot and GEPIA assessment depict poor prognosis of CESC patients having high CUL4A expression. Varied biochemical assays illustrate that CUL4A inhibition severely curtails hallmark malignant properties such as cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells. We also show that CUL4A knockdown in HeLa cells causes increased susceptibility and better apoptotic induction toward Cisplatin, a mainstay drug used in cervical cancer treatment. More interestingly, we find reversion of Cisplatin-resistant phenotype of HeLa cells and an augmented cytotoxicity towards the platinum compound upon CUL4A downregulation. Taken together, our study underscores CUL4A as a cervical cancer oncogene and illustrates its potential as a prognosis indicator. Our investigation provides a novel avenue in improving current anti-cervical cancer therapy and overcoming the bottle-neck of Cisplatin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yama Atri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Hina Bharti
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Nandini Sahani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Debi P Sarkar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India
| | - Alo Nag
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India.
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2
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Kreienbühl J, Changkhong S, Orlowski V, Kirschner MB, Opitz I, Meerang M. Cullin 4B Ubiquitin Ligase Is Important for Cell Survival and Regulates TGF-β1 Expression in Pleural Mesothelioma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13410. [PMID: 37686215 PMCID: PMC10487616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that cullin 4B (CUL4B) upregulation was associated with worse outcomes of pleural mesothelioma (PM) patients, while the overexpression of its paralog CUL4A was not associated with clinical outcomes. Here, we aimed to identify the distinct roles of CUL4B and CUL4A in PM using an siRNA approach in PM cell lines (ACC Meso-1 and Mero82) and primary culture. The knockdown of CUL4B and CUL4A resulted in significantly reduced colony formation, increased cell death, and delayed cell proliferation. Furthermore, similar to the effect of CUL4A knockdown, downregulation of CUL4B led to reduced expression of Hippo pathway genes including YAP1, CTGF, and survivin. Interestingly, CUL4B and not CUL4A knockdown reduced TGF-β1 and MMP2 expression, suggesting a unique association of CUL4B with this pathway. However, the treatment of PM cells with exogenous TGF-β1 following CUL4B knockdown did not rescue PM cell growth. We further analyzed ACC Meso-1 xenograft tumor tissues treated with the cullin inhibitor, pevonedistat, which targets protein neddylation, and observed the downregulation of human TGF-β1 and MMP2. In summary, our data suggest that CUL4B overexpression is important for tumor cell growth and survival and may drive PM aggressiveness via the regulation of TGF-β1 expression and, furthermore, reveal a new mechanism of action of pevonedistat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mayura Meerang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland (V.O.); (M.B.K.); (I.O.)
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3
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Lung J, Chen YC, Lin YC, Li YC, You L, Jablons DM, Mao JH, Yang CT, Hung MS. The effect of cullin 4A on lung cancer cell chemosensitivity to paclitaxel through p33ING1b regulation. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:11194-11208. [PMID: 34786051 PMCID: PMC8581858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cullin 4A (Cul4A) reportedly has oncogenic roles in several cancer types by regulating tumor suppressors through the ubiquitination and proteolysis of the tumor suppressor. In addition, Cul4A is associated with chemosensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. This study investigated the association between Cul4A and lung cancer cell chemosensitivity to paclitaxel, particularly with respect to the role of the p33 inhibitor of the growth 1 (p33ING1b) tumor suppressor. The results showed that the Cul4A knockdown upregulated the p33ING1b expression in lung cancer cells and increased the lung cancer cell and mice tumor xenograft chemosensitivity to paclitaxel. The Cul4A knockdown also inhibited the growth and increased the apoptosis in the tumor xenografts treated with paclitaxel. Notably, the p33ING1b overexpression increased the lung cancer cell chemosensitivity to paclitaxel, but the p33ING1b knockdown reduced the chemosensitivity. A further analysis demonstrated that Cul4A regulates the expression of p33ING1b through protein-protein interactions, ubiquitination, and protein degradation. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that Cul4A mediates the chemosensitivity of lung cancer cells to paclitaxel by regulating p33ING1b. These findings may offer novel insights into future therapeutic strategies for lung cancer that target Cul4A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jrhau Lung
- Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi BranchChiayi 61363, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chuan Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Madou Sin-Lau Hospital, The Presbyterian Church in TaiwanTainan 72100, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Lin
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung UniversityTaoyuan 33323, Taiwan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi BranchChiayi 61363, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi CampusChiayi 61363, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi BranchChiayi 61363, Taiwan
| | - Liang You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David M Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Sciences DivisionOne Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California, CA 94720, USA
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Chang Gung UniversityTaoyuan 33323, Taiwan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan BranchTaoyuan 33378, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Szu Hung
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung UniversityTaoyuan 33323, Taiwan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi BranchChiayi 61363, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi CampusChiayi 61363, Taiwan
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4
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Wang S, Li Z, Gao S. Key regulators of sensitivity to immunomodulatory drugs in cancer treatment. Biomark Res 2021; 9:43. [PMID: 34090534 PMCID: PMC8180172 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) include thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide, which have shown significant efficacy in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with deletion of chromosome 5q (del(5q)) and other hematological malignancies. IMiDs hijack the CRL4CRBN ubiquitin ligase to target cellular proteins for ubiquitination and degradation, which is responsible for their clinical activity in MM and MDS with del(5q). However, intrinsic and acquired resistance frequently limit the efficacy of IMiDs. Recently, many efforts have been made to explore key regulators of IMiD sensitivity, resulting in great advances in the understanding of the regulatory networks related to this class of drugs. In this review, we describe the mechanism of IMiDs in cancer treatment and summarize the key regulators of IMiD sensitivity. Furthermore, we introduce genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screenings, through which the regulatory networks of IMiD sensitivity could be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shichao Wang
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 3 Kangfu Front Street, 450052, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Zhiyue Li
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Shaobing Gao
- The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008, China.
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5
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Weng SW, Liu TT, Eng HL, You HL, Huang WT. Autophagy Plays a Role in the CUL4A-Related Poor Prognosis of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:602714. [PMID: 34257560 PMCID: PMC8262180 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.602714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CUL4A regulate the termination of autophagy in a physical process. However, the relationship between CUL4A and autophagy in cancer is unclear. We retrospectively investigated 99 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) cases. Whole sections were used for immunohistochemical analysis for p62, and LC3B expression. Q-score was defined as the sum of the labeling intensity and proportion. The cut-off point for immunoreactivity was set. CUL4A was overexpressed in cell lines and autophagy reflux was compared after manipulation. The iCCA cases with CUL4A overexpression had significantly higher prevalence of intact activated autophagy (42.4 vs. 15.2%; p = 0.003), which was significantly associated with advance tumor stage (34.1% vs. 15.4%; p = 0.032), less extensive necrosis (8.3 vs. 49.3%; p < 0.001), and shortened disease-free survival (mean, 19.6 vs. 65.5 months, p = 0.015). In vitro, iCCA cells with CUL4A overexpression significantly increased LC3II level as compared to the cells under basal condition. Although both cell types showed intact autophagy with increased LC3II expression after bafilomycin A1 treatment, the accumulation of LC3II was higher in CUL4A-overexpressing cells. CUL4A overexpression increased the proliferation of cells as compared with control cells. After treatment with bafilomycin A1, proliferation was inhibited in both cell types, but the effects were more prominent in the cells overexpressing CUL4A. CUL4A promotes autophagy, and exhibits significantly higher autophagic flux which affects the proliferation of iCCA cells; these effects correlated with advance tumor stage and poor prognosis. Thus, targeting autophagy may be potentially therapeutic in iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Wen Weng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Ting Liu
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hock-Liew Eng
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Ling You
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Huang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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6
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Meerang M, Kreienbühl J, Orlowski V, Müller SLC, Kirschner MB, Opitz I. Importance of Cullin4 Ubiquitin Ligase in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113460. [PMID: 33233664 PMCID: PMC7699720 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), the tumor suppressor frequently lost in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), suppresses tumorigenesis in part by inhibiting the Cullin4 ubiquitin ligase (CUL4) complex in the nucleus. Here, we evaluated the importance of CUL4 in MPM progression and tested the efficacy of cullin inhibition by pevonedistat, a small molecule inhibiting cullin neddylation. CUL4 paralogs (CUL4A and CUL4B) were upregulated in MPM tumor specimens compared to nonmalignant pleural tissues. High gene and protein expressions of CUL4B was associated with a worse progression-free survival of MPM patients. Among 13 MPM cell lines tested, five (38%) were highly sensitive to pevonedistat (half maximal inhibitory concentration of cell survival IC50 < 0.5 µM). This remained true in a 3D spheroid culture. Pevonedistat treatment caused the accumulation of CDT1 and p21 in both sensitive and resistant cell lines. However, the treatment induced S/G2 cell cycle arrest and DNA rereplication predominantly in the sensitive cell lines. In an in vivo mouse model, the pevonedistat treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing both sensitive and resistant MPM tumors. Pevonedistat treatment reduced growth in sensitive tumors but increased apoptosis in resistant tumors. The mechanism in the resistant tumor model may be mediated by reduced macrophage infiltration, resulting from the suppression of macrophage chemotactic cytokines, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), expression in tumor cells.
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7
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Fouad S, Wells OS, Hill MA, D'Angiolella V. Cullin Ring Ubiquitin Ligases (CRLs) in Cancer: Responses to Ionizing Radiation (IR) Treatment. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1144. [PMID: 31632280 PMCID: PMC6781834 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with ionizing radiation (IR) remains the cornerstone of therapy for multiple cancer types, including disseminated and aggressive diseases in the palliative setting. Radiotherapy efficacy could be improved in combination with drugs that regulate the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), many of which are currently being tested in clinical trials. The UPS operates through the covalent attachment of ATP-activated ubiquitin molecules onto substrates following the transfer of ubiquitin from an E1, to an E2, and then to the substrate via an E3 enzyme. The specificity of ubiquitin ligation is dictated by E3 ligases, which select substrates to be ubiquitylated. Among the E3s, cullin ring ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) represent prototypical multi-subunit E3s, which use the cullin subunit as a central assembling scaffold. CRLs have crucial roles in controlling the cell cycle, hypoxia signaling, reactive oxygen species clearance and DNA repair; pivotal factors regulating the cancer and normal tissue response to IR. Here, we summarize the findings on the involvement of CRLs in the response of cancer cells to IR, and we discuss the therapeutic approaches to target the CRLs which could be exploited in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahd Fouad
- Medical Research Council Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Owen S Wells
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Hill
- Medical Research Council Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo D'Angiolella
- Medical Research Council Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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8
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Nakade H, Migita K, Matsumoto S, Wakatsuki K, Kunishige T, Miyao S, Sho M. Overexpression of Cullin4A correlates with a poor prognosis and tumor progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol 2019; 25:446-455. [PMID: 31535245 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-019-01547-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cullin4A (CUL4A), which is a component of E3 ubiquitin ligase, is implicated in many cellular events. Although the altered expression of CUL4A has been reported in several human cancers, the role of CUL4A in esophageal cancer remains unknown. METHODS We investigated the CUL4A expression in primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue specimens from 120 patients by immunohistochemistry and explored its clinical relevance and prognostic value. Furthermore, the effect of the expression of CUL4A on cancer cell proliferation was analyzed in vitro using an siRNA silencing technique. RESULTS The higher expression of CUL4A was significantly associated with a deeper depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.001) and the presence of venous invasion (P = 0.014). The disease-specific survival (DSS) rate in patients with tumors that showed high CUL4A expression levels was significantly lower than that in patients whose tumors showed low CUL4A expression levels (P = 0.001). Importantly, the CUL4A status was identified as an independent prognostic factor for DSS (P = 0.045). Our results suggested that the CUL4A expression has significant prognostic value in ESCC. Furthermore, CUL4A gene silencing significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells in vitro. In addition, the knockdown of the CUL4A expression induced G1 phase arrest and increased the p21 and p27 protein levels. CONCLUSIONS CUL4A might play an important role in regulating the proliferation of ESCC cells and promoting the development of postoperative recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nakade
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Migita
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Sohei Matsumoto
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Kohei Wakatsuki
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kunishige
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Shintaro Miyao
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
| | - Masayuki Sho
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
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Chen B, Feng Y, Zhang M, Cheng G, Chen B, Wang H. Small molecule TSC01682 inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth by specifically disrupting the CUL4B-DDB1 interaction and decreasing the ubiquitination of CRL4B E3 ligase substrates. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1857-1870. [PMID: 31598391 PMCID: PMC6780663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The direct interaction between Cullin 4B (CUL4B) and DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1) is required for the assembly of Cullin4B-RING E3 ligase complex (CRL4B), which are involved in the tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma through ubiquitinating and degrading multiple tumor suppressors and cell cycle regulators. Thus, targeting CUL4B-DDB1 interaction to prevent the assembly of CRL4B may be a potent approach to inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth. In the present study, we identified six naturally-sourced small molecules that can specifically disrupt the CUL4B-DDB1 interaction using an in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) system in yeast. We focused our investigation on revealing the molecular effects of TSC01682, the most active compound capable of inhibiting osteosarcoma cell growth. Biochemically, TSC01682 significantly repressed the CUL4B-DDB1 interaction in both yeast cells and osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, TSC01682 treatment in osteosarcoma cells also caused a decrease of other CRL4B components including CUL4-associated factor 11 (DCAF11) and DCAF13, but an increase of two CRL4B substrates including cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A, also known as p21) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) through inhibiting their ubiquitination. Consistent with these molecular changes, TSC01682 treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and in vivo tumor growth. Collectively, our results suggest that TSC01682 is a potent compound capable of disrupting the CUL4B-DDB1 interaction, and it may be developed as a chemotherapeutic drug for osteosarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Meimei Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Guangqi Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, South Campus, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Hantao Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai, China
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10
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Hung MS, Chen YC, Lin P, Li YC, Hsu CC, Lung JH, You L, Xu Z, Mao JH, Jablons DM, Yang CT. Cul4A Modulates Invasion and Metastasis of Lung Cancer Through Regulation of ANXA10. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050618. [PMID: 31052599 PMCID: PMC6562482 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
: Cullin 4A (Cul4A) is overexpressed in a number of cancers and has been established as an oncogene. This study aimed to elucidate the role of Cul4A in lung cancer invasion and metastasis. We observed that Cul4A was overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and the overexpression of Cul4A was associated with poor prognosis after surgical resection and it also decreased the expression of the tumor suppressor protein annexin A10 (ANXA10). The knockdown of Cul4A was associated with the upregulation of ANXA10, and the forced expression of Cul4A was associated with the downregulation of ANXA10 in lung cancer cells. Further studies showed that the knockdown of Cul4A inhibited the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer cells, which was reversed by the further knockdown of ANXA10. In addition, the knockdown of Cul4A inhibited lung tumor metastasis in mouse tail vein injection xenograft models. Notably, Cul4A regulated the degradation of ANXA10 through its interaction with ANXA10 and ubiquitination in lung cancer cells. Our findings suggest that Cul4A is a prognostic marker in NSCLC patients, and Cul4A plays important roles in lung cancer invasion and metastasis through the regulation of the ANXA10 tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Szu Hung
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch 61363, Taiwan.
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi Campus, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Chuan Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch 61363, Taiwan.
| | - PaulYann Lin
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Chin Li
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch 61363, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Chen Hsu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch 61363, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research and Development, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch 61363, Taiwan.
| | - Jr-Hau Lung
- Department of Medical Research and Development, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi branch 61363, Taiwan.
| | - Liang You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - David M Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan branch 33378, Taiwan.
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11
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Regulation of liver receptor homologue-1 by DDB2 E3 ligase activity is critical for hepatic glucose metabolism. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5304. [PMID: 30923324 PMCID: PMC6438966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1) plays a critical role in hepatic metabolism and disease. Here we show that LRH-1 protein stability is regulated by the cullin 4 (CUL4) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. We found that DNA damage-binding protein 2 (DDB2) directly interacts with LRH-1 and functions as a substrate recognition component of CUL4-DDB1 to promote LRH-1 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. In human hepatoma (HepG2) cells, we observed that protein levels of endogenous LRH-1 are increased by insulin without a change in mRNA levels of LRH-1. However, overexpression of DDB2 impaired the insulin-stimulated increase in LRH-1 levels. In addition, DDB2 overexpression decreased LRH-1 transcriptional activation and expression of target genes, such as glucokinase, whereas knockdown of DDB2 increased the expression of glucokinase. Finally, we demonstrated that DDB2 knockdown increases glucose uptake and intracellular levels of glucose-6-phosphate in HepG2 cells. Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism of LRH-1 activity and suggests a role for DDB2 in hepatic glucose metabolism.
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12
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Cheng J, Guo J, North BJ, Tao K, Zhou P, Wei W. The emerging role for Cullin 4 family of E3 ligases in tumorigenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1871:138-159. [PMID: 30602127 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As a member of the Cullin-RING ligase family, Cullin-RING ligase 4 (CRL4) has drawn much attention due to its broad regulatory roles under physiological and pathological conditions, especially in neoplastic events. Based on evidence from knockout and transgenic mouse models, human clinical data, and biochemical interactions, we summarize the distinct roles of the CRL4 E3 ligase complexes in tumorigenesis, which appears to be tissue- and context-dependent. Notably, targeting CRL4 has recently emerged as a noval anti-cancer strategy, including thalidomide and its derivatives that bind to the substrate recognition receptor cereblon (CRBN), and anticancer sulfonamides that target DCAF15 to suppress the neoplastic proliferation of multiple myeloma and colorectal cancers, respectively. To this end, PROTACs have been developed as a group of engineered bi-functional chemical glues that induce the ubiquitination-mediated degradation of substrates via recruiting E3 ligases, such as CRL4 (CRBN) and CRL2 (pVHL). We summarize the recent major advances in the CRL4 research field towards understanding its involvement in tumorigenesis and further discuss its clinical implications. The anti-tumor effects using the PROTAC approach to target the degradation of undruggable targets are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jianping Guo
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Brian J North
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Pengbo Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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13
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Hsu PC, Yang CT, Jablons DM, You L. The Role of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in Regulating Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Thoracic Cancer. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6040114. [PMID: 30544524 PMCID: PMC6315659 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)/PD-1 pathway is an immunological checkpoint in cancer cells. The binding of PD-L1 and PD-1 promotes T-cell tolerance and helps tumor cells escape from host immunity. Immunotherapy targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 axis has been developed as an anti-cancer therapy and used in treating advanced human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key mediator of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway, and plays important roles in promoting cancer development, drug resistance and metastasis in human NSCLC and MPM. YAP has been suggested as a new therapeutic target in NSCLC and MPM. The role of YAP in regulating tumor immunity such as PD-L1 expression has just begun to be explored, and the correlation between YAP-induced tumorigenesis and host anti-tumor immune responses is not well known. Here, we review recent studies investigating the correlation between YAP and PD-L1 and demonstrating the mechanism by which YAP regulates PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC and MPM. Future work should focus on the interactions between Hippo/YAP signaling pathways and the immune checkpoint PD-L1/PD-1 pathway. The development of new synergistic drugs for immune checkpoint PD-L1/PD-1 blockade in NSCLC and MPM is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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14
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Widespread intronic polyadenylation diversifies immune cell transcriptomes. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1716. [PMID: 29712909 PMCID: PMC5928244 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04112-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (ApA) is known to alter untranslated region (3'UTR) length but can also recognize intronic polyadenylation (IpA) signals to generate transcripts that lose part or all of the coding region. We analyzed 46 3'-seq and RNA-seq profiles from normal human tissues, primary immune cells, and multiple myeloma (MM) samples and created an atlas of 4927 high-confidence IpA events represented in these cell types. IpA isoforms are widely expressed in immune cells, differentially used during B-cell development or in different cellular environments, and can generate truncated proteins lacking C-terminal functional domains. This can mimic ectodomain shedding through loss of transmembrane domains or alter the binding specificity of proteins with DNA-binding or protein-protein interaction domains. MM cells display a striking loss of IpA isoforms expressed in plasma cells, associated with shorter progression-free survival and impacting key genes in MM biology and response to lenalidomide.
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15
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Wang Y, Liu X, Zheng H, Wang Q, An L, Wei G. Suppression of CUL4A attenuates TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:1114-1124. [PMID: 28902348 PMCID: PMC5593474 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a vital role in the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer and the cullin 4A (CUL4A) gene is overexpressed in primary breast cancer. However, whether TGF-β1 signaling can induce CUL4A expression has not been investigated to date, at least to the best of our knowledge. In this study, using breast cancer cell lines, we found that the CUL4A expression level was increased following EMT induced by TGF-β1. Silencing CUL4A expression or CUL4A inhibition by thalidomide suppressed the EMT process induced by TGF-β1. We also found that CUL4A was associated with the expression of zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) which was induced by TGF-β1. These results suggest that CUL4A is upregulated in TGF-β1-induced EMT, and has a regulatory function in this process. The identification of CUL4A as a downstream target of TGF-β1 represents a critical pro-survival mechanism in breast cancer progression and provides another point for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunshan Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012,Department of International Biotechnology R&D Center, Shandong University School of Ocean, Weihai, Shandong 264209
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012
| | - Li An
- Department of Science and Education, Taian Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital, Taian, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
| | - Guangwei Wei
- Department of Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012,Correspondence to: Professor Guangwei Wei, Department of Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China, E-mail:
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16
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Yang Y, Wang S, Li J, Qi S, Zhang D. CUL4A as a marker and potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317703923. [PMID: 28677427 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317703923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is the most common cause of death of hematological malignancy worldwide. Cullin 4A has been proposed as oncogene in several types of human cancer, but the expression and function of cullin 4A in multiple myeloma remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that cullin 4A plays an oncogenic role in multiple myeloma development. The expression of cullin 4A was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in multiple myeloma patients and multiple myeloma cell lines. In addition, silencing of cullin 4A with small interfering RNA was performed in human multiple myeloma cells, and the impact on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of the multiple myeloma cells was analyzed. We found that the level of cullin 4A in serum samples was significantly upregulated in patients with multiple myeloma compared with healthy control subjects. Knockdown of cullin 4A via small interfering RNA inhibited the proliferation of the multiple myeloma cell lines by delaying cell-cycle progression and increasing apoptosis. cullin 4A downregulation inhibited multiple myeloma cell migration and invasion in vitro. Our results suggested that cullin 4A could be a promising therapy target in multiple myeloma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yougang Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chongqing Jiulongpo District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Shanan Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chongqing Jiulongpo District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chongqing Jiulongpo District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Shipeng Qi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chongqing Jiulongpo District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Debing Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chongqing Jiulongpo District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
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17
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miR-181a-2 downregulates the E3 ubiquitin ligase CUL4A transcript and promotes cell proliferation. Med Oncol 2017; 34:146. [PMID: 28730334 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-017-1006-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
MiR-181a-2 plays a major role in cell proliferation both positively and negatively depending on tissue type by targeting several regulators 3'UTR regions. We have predicted several targets for miR-181a-2 through computational approaches and characterized one its interesting target, CUL4A, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. CUL4A regulates diverse functions in the cells including DNA repair, DNA replication, cell cycle, genomic stability through polyubiquitination of target proteins. Deregulation of both miR-181a-2 and CUL4A are reported in many cancerous cells, but the functional link between them is unknown. We show that miR-181a-5p binds to 3'UTR of CUL4A and regulates its transcripts levels in HEK293 cells through overexpression studies. In addition, by using MTT and Neutral red assays, we showed that miR-181a-2 overexpression increased the proliferation in HEK293 cells. Moreover, cell cycle analysis using flow cytometer revealed that an increase in S-phase cells upon the overexpression of miR-181a-2. Though several miRNAs are known to downregulate the CUL4A levels, here we show that miR-181a-2 also participates in the downregulation of CUL4A. Taken together, our data demonstrated that miR-181a-2 increases the cell proliferation in HEK293 cells possibly through the downregulation of CUL4A.
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18
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CUL4A overexpression as an independent adverse prognosticator in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:395. [PMID: 28576144 PMCID: PMC5457619 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3389-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CUL4A has been known for its oncogenic properties in various human cancers. However, its role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has not been explored. METHODS We retrospectively investigated 105 iCCA cases from a single medical institution. Tissue microarrays were used for immunohistochemical analysis of CUL4A expression. CUL4A expression vectors were introduced in cell lines. Cell migration and invasion assays were used to compare the mobility potential of iCCA cells under basal conditions and after manipulation. Then we evaluated the effects of CUL4A on the cell growth by proliferation assay, and further checked the susceptibility to cisplatin in iCCA cells with or without CUL4A overexpression. RESULTS CUL4A overexpression was detected in 34 cases (32.4%). Patients with CUL4A-overexpressing tumors exhibited shortened disease-free survival (mean, 27.7 versus 90.4 months; P = 0.011). In the multivariate analysis model, CUL4A overexpression was shown to be an independent unfavorable predictor for disease-free survival (P = 0.045). Moreover, stably transfected CUL4A-overexpressing iCCA cell lines displayed an increased mobility potential and enhanced cell growth without impact on susceptibility to cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that overexpression of CUL4A plays an oncogenic role in iCCA and adversely affects disease-free survival. Thus, it may prove to be a powerful prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target.
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19
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Zhang TJ, Xue D, Zhang CD, Zhang ZD, Liu QR, Wang JQ. Cullin 4A is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition and poor prognosis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:2318-2329. [PMID: 28428711 PMCID: PMC5385398 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i13.2318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To explore the functional role of cullin 4A (CUL4A), a core subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligase, in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC).
METHODS The expression of CUL4A in PHCC cell lines was evaluated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was adopted to investigate the relationship between CUL4A expression and clinicopathological characteristics of PHCC. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed to analyze the risk factors related to overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of PHCC patients. Wound healing, Transwell and Matrigel assays were utilized to explore the function of CUL4A in PHCC metastasis. Furthermore, expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was verified in cells with CUL4A knockdown or overexpression. The relationship between CUL4A expression and E-cadherin expression was also analyzed by IHC assay. Finally, the role of ZEB1 in regulating CUL4A mediated PHCC was detected by IHC, Western blot, Transwell and Matrigel assays.
RESULTS CUL4A overexpression was detected in PHCC cell lines and clinical specimens. Clinicopathological analysis revealed a close correlation between CUL4A overexpression and tumour differentiation, T, N and TNM stages in PHCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high CUL4A expression was correlated with poor OS and PFS of PHCC patients. Univariate analysis identified the following four parameters as risk factors related to OS rate of PHCC: T, N, TNM stages and high CUL4A expression; as well as three related to PFS: N stage, TNM stage and high CUL4A expression. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis identified high CUL4A expression as the only independent prognostic factor for PHCC. Moreover, CUL4A silencing in PHCC cell lines dramatically inhibited metastasis and the EMT. Conversely, CUL4A overexpression promoted these processes. Mechanistically, ZEB1 was discovered to regulate the function of CUL4A in promoting the EMT and metastasis.
CONCLUSION CUL4A is an independent prognostic factor for PHCC, and it can promote the EMT by regulating ZEB1 expression. CUL4A may be a potential therapeutic target for PHCC.
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Integrative analysis of multi-omics data reveals distinct impacts of DDB1-CUL4 associated factors in human lung adenocarcinomas. Sci Rep 2017; 7:333. [PMID: 28336923 PMCID: PMC5428704 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00512-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Many DDB1-CUL4 associated factors (DCAFs) have been identified and serve as substrate receptors. Although the oncogenic role of CUL4A has been well established, specific DCAFs involved in cancer development remain largely unknown. Here we infer the potential impact of 19 well-defined DCAFs in human lung adenocarcinomas (LuADCs) using integrative omics analyses, and discover that mRNA levels of DTL, DCAF4, 12 and 13 are consistently elevated whereas VBRBP is reduced in LuADCs compared to normal lung tissues. The transcriptional levels of DCAFs are significantly correlated with their gene copy number variations. SKIP2, DTL, DCAF6, 7, 8, 13 and 17 are frequently gained whereas VPRBP, PHIP, DCAF10, 12 and 15 are frequently lost. We find that only transcriptional level of DTL is robustly, significantly and negatively correlated with overall survival across independent datasets. Moreover, DTL-correlated genes are enriched in cell cycle and DNA repair pathways. We also identified that the levels of 25 proteins were significantly associated with DTL overexpression in LuADCs, which include significant decreases in protein level of the tumor supressor genes such as PDCD4, NKX2-1 and PRKAA1. Our results suggest that different CUL4-DCAF axis plays the distinct roles in LuADC development with possible relevance for therapeutic target development.
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21
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Sui X, Zhou H, Zhu L, Wang D, Fan S, Zhao W. CUL4A promotes proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by regulating H3K4 trimethylation in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:735-743. [PMID: 28223829 PMCID: PMC5308582 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s118897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that CUL4A, a ubiquitin ligase, is involved in the promotion of cancer malignancy and correlated with worse clinical prognosis in several kinds of human cancers. Although its effect and mechanism on the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. Our clinical data show that CUL4A protein is overexpressed, positively associated with lymph nodes status, differentiation degree, tumor size, and poor prognosis in 80 CRC patients. CUL4A overexpression promotes cell proliferation and colony formation of CRC cells. Knockdown of CUL4A inhibits cell proliferation and migration. CUL4A can significantly promote the in vitro migration of CRC cells via induction of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. And the modulation of CUL4A expression altered the level of H3K4 trimethylation at the E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin gene promoters, which in turn transcriptionally regulated their expression. Moreover, knockdown of CUL4A also decreased the tumor volume and tumor weight in vivo. Together, our results reveal that CUL4A plays as an oncogene in CRC and may become a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Sui
- Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
| | - Hong Zhou
- Huai'an No 4 People's Hospital, Huai'an
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Digestive System, Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM, Nanjing
| | - Deqiang Wang
- Cancer Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang
| | - Sumei Fan
- Geriatric Department, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an
| | - Wei Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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22
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Jia L, Yan F, Cao W, Chen Z, Zheng H, Li H, Pan Y, Narula N, Ren X, Li H, Zhou P. Dysregulation of CUL4A and CUL4B Ubiquitin Ligases in Lung Cancer. J Biol Chem 2016; 292:2966-2978. [PMID: 27974468 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.765230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase 4 (CRL4) is implicated in controlling cell cycle, DNA damage repair, and checkpoint response based on studies employing cell lines and mouse models. CRL4 proteins, including CUL4A and CUL4B, are often highly accumulated in human malignancies. Elevated CRL4 attenuates DNA damage repair and increases genome instability that is believed to facilitate tumorigenesis. However, this has yet to be evaluated in human patients with cancer. In our study, 352 lung cancer and 62 normal lung specimens of Asian origin were constructed into tissue microarrays of four distinct lung cancer subtypes. Expression of CUL4A, CUL4B, and their substrates was detected by immunohistochemistry and analyzed statistically for their prognostic value and association with DNA damage response and genomic instability. Our results show that both CUL4A and CUL4B are overexpressed in the majority of lung carcinomas (PCUL4A <0.001 and PCUL4B <0.001) and significantly associated with tumor size (PCUL4A <0.001 and PCUL4B = 0.002), lymphatic invasion (PCUL4A = 0.004 and PCUL4B <0.001), metastasis (PCUL4A = 0.019 and PCUL4B = 0.006), and advanced TNM stage (PCUL4A <0.001 and PCUL4B <0.001), which parallels gene amplification and abnormal activation of the canonical WNT signaling. Moreover, overexpression of CUL4A, but not CUL4B, is significantly associated with tobacco smoking (p = 0.01) and is inversely correlated with XPC and P21, both of which are substrates of CUL4A (PCUL4A = 0.019 and PCUL4B = 0.006). Higher levels of CUL4A or CUL4B are significantly associated with the overall survival of patients (PCUL4A <0.001 and PCUL4B <0.001) and progression-free survival (PCUL4A <0.001 and PCUL4B = 0.001). Our findings revealed that CUL4A and CUL4B are differentially associated with etiologic factors for pulmonary malignancies and are independent prognostic markers for the survival of distinct lung cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jia
- From the Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy
| | - Fan Yan
- From the Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy.,the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
| | - Wenfeng Cao
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Tianjin Cancer Prevention and Treatment
| | - Zhengming Chen
- Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, and
| | - Haixin Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, and
| | - Yi Pan
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Tianjin Cancer Prevention and Treatment
| | - Navneet Narula
- the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
| | - Xiubao Ren
- From the Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy,
| | - Hui Li
- From the Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, .,the Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China and
| | - Pengbo Zhou
- From the Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, .,the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and
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23
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Sang Y, Yan F, Ren X. The role and mechanism of CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase in cancer and its potential therapy implications. Oncotarget 2016; 6:42590-602. [PMID: 26460955 PMCID: PMC4767455 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CRLs (Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases) are the largest E3 ligase family in eukaryotes, which ubiquitinate a wide range of substrates involved in cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, DNA damage response, genomic integrity, tumor suppression and embryonic development. CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase, as one member of CRLs family, consists of a RING finger domain protein, cullin4 (CUL4) scaffold protein and DDB1–CUL4 associated substrate receptors. The CUL4 subfamily includes two members, CUL4A and CUL4B, which share extensively sequence identity and functional redundancy. Aberrant expression of CUL4 has been found in a majority of tumors. Given the significance of CUL4 in cancer, understanding its detailed aspects of pathogenesis of human malignancy would have significant value for the treatment of cancer. Here, the work provides an overview to address the role of CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase in cancer development and progression, and discuss the possible mechanisms of CRL4 ligase involving in many cellular processes associated with tumor. Finally, we discuss its potential value in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youzhou Sang
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Yan
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
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24
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Zheng N, Dai X, Wang Z, Wei W. A new layer of degradation mechanism for PR-Set7/Set8 during cell cycle. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:3042-3047. [PMID: 27649746 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1234552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Set8 is critically involved in transcription regulation, cell cycle progression and genomic stability. Emerging evidence has revealed that E3 ubiquitin ligases such as CRL4cdt2 and SCFSkp2 regulate Set8 protein abundance. However, it is unclear whether other E3 ligase(s) could govern Set8 level for proper cell cycle progression in response to genotoxic stress such as UV irradiation. Recently, we report that the SCFβ-TRCP complex regulates Set8 protein stability by targeting it for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Notably, Set8 interacts with the SCFβ-TRCP E3 ligase complex. We further revealed a critical role of CKI in SCFβ-TRCP-mediated degradation of Set8. Mechanistically, CKI-mediated phosphorylation of Set8 at the S253 site promotes its destruction by SCFβ-TRCP. Importantly, SCFβ-TRCP-dependent Set8 destruction also contributes to the tight control of cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, in response to UV irradiation. Here, we summarize our new findings regarding the crucial role of β-TRCP in CKI-mediated Set8 degradation, which could provide new evidence to support that dysregulation of a tight regulatory network of Set8 could lead to aberrant cell cycle process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Zheng
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University , Suzhou , P. R. China
| | - Xiangpeng Dai
- b Department of Pathology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University , Suzhou , P. R. China
| | - Wenyi Wei
- b Department of Pathology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
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Ren W, Sun Z, Zeng Q, Han S, Zhang Q, Jiang L. Aberrant Expression of CUL4A Is Associated with IL-6/ STAT3 Activation in Colorectal Cancer Progression. Arch Med Res 2016; 47:214-22. [PMID: 27418574 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although it has been indicated that the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis in tumor microenvironment, the mechanisms related to IL-6-induced tumor progression are still not well understood. METHODS First, the correlation between pSTAT3, CUL4A and ZEB1 was analyzed using immunocytochemistry. Logistic regression analysis was then used to observe the relationship between levels of pSTAT3, CUL4A and ZEB1 and clinicopathological characteristics. Finally, the mechanism of the effect of the expression level of pSTAT3, CUL4A and ZEB1 on cell invasion ability was verified by cell experiment. RESULTS We discovered that the increased expression levels of pSTAT3, CUL4A and ZEB1 had significant relationships in CRC patients. These up-regulated expression levels were also closely associated with CRC aggressiveness. Furthermore, in vitro, we discovered that expression levels of CUL4A and ZEB1 were significantly up-regulated when IL-6 stimulated. However, the CUL4A-knockdown, IL-6, could not induce expression of ZEB1. CHIP assay authenticated that pSTAT3 could bind to CUL4A promoter and worked as their transcription factors. We also demonstrated that IL-6 markedly increased the reporter activity using a luciferase reporter gene containing CUL4A promoter. Finally, silencing CUL4A blocked IL-6-driven invasion in matrigel invasion assay. CONCLUSION This study proposed that CUL4A played an oncogene role through ZEB1 in IL-6-induced colorectal carcinoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zhenqiang Sun
- Surgical Gastroenterology, Xinjiang Medical University Cancer Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Qinglei Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shuang Han
- Department of Oncology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Qinglin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Libin Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Liu CW, Atkinson MA, Zhang Q. Type 1 diabetes cadaveric human pancreata exhibit a unique exocrine tissue proteomic profile. Proteomics 2016; 16:1432-46. [PMID: 26935967 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder resulting from a self-destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells. The complete proteome of the human pancreas, where both the dysfunctional beta cells and their proximal environment co-exist, remains unknown. Here, we used TMT10-based isobaric labeling and multidimensional LC-MS/MS to quantitatively profile the differences between pancreatic head region tissues from T1D (N = 5) and healthy subjects (N = 5). Among the 5357 (1% false discovery rate) confidently identified proteins, 145 showed statistically significant dysregulation between T1D and healthy subjects. The differentially expressed pancreatic proteome supports the growing notion of a potential role for exocrine pancreas involvement in T1D. This study also demonstrates the utility for this approach to analyze dysregulated proteins as a means to investigate islet biology, pancreatic pathology and T1D pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Liu
- Center for Translational Biomedical Research, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Mark A Atkinson
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Qibin Zhang
- Center for Translational Biomedical Research, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA.,Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
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27
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Hung MS, Chen IC, You L, Jablons DM, Li YC, Mao JH, Xu Z, Lung JH, Yang CT, Liu ST. Knockdown of cullin 4A inhibits growth and increases chemosensitivity in lung cancer cells. J Cell Mol Med 2016; 20:1295-306. [PMID: 26969027 PMCID: PMC4929302 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cullin 4A (Cul4A) has been observed to be overexpressed in various cancers. In this study, the role of Cul4A in the growth and chemosensitivity in lung cancer cells were studied. We showed that Cul4A is overexpressed in lung cancer cells and tissues. Knockdown of the Cul4A expression by shRNA in lung cancer cells resulted in decreased cellular proliferation and growth in lung cancer cells. Increased sensitivity to gemcitabine, a chemotherapy drug, was also noted in those Cul4A knockdown lung cancer cells. Moreover, increased expression of p21, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β inducible early gene-1 (TIEG1) and TGF beta-induced (TGFBI) was observed in lung cancer cells after Cul4A knockdown, which may be partially related to increased chemosensitivity to gemcitabine. G0/G1 cell cycle arrest was also noted after Cul4A knockdown. Notably, decreased tumour growth and increased chemosensitivity to gemcitabine were also noted after Cul4A knockdown in lung cancer xenograft nude mice models. In summary, our study showed that targeting Cul4A with RNAi or other techniques may provide a possible insight to the development of lung cancer therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Szu Hung
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - I-Chuan Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Liang You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David M Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ya-Chin Li
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jr-Hau Lung
- Department of Medical Research and Development, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Tung Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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28
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Ali RH, Shah K, Nasir A, Steyaert W, Coucke PJ, Ahmad W. Exome sequencing revealed a novel biallelic deletion in the DCAF17 gene underlying Woodhouse Sakati syndrome. Clin Genet 2016; 90:263-9. [PMID: 26612766 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Woodhouse Sakati syndrome (WSS, MIM 241080) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic condition characterized by alopecia, hypogonadism, hearing impairment, diabetes mellitus, learning disabilities and extrapydamidal manifestations. Sequence variants in the gene DCAF17, encoding nucleolar substrate receptor, were identified as the underlying cause of inherited WSS. Considerable phenotypic heterogeneity exists in WSS with regard to severity, organs involvement and age of onset, both in inter-familial and intra-familial cases. In this study, the genetic characterization of a consanguineous pedigree showing mild features of WSS was performed, followed by structural analysis of truncated protein. Exome sequencing identified a novel single base deletion variant (c.270delA; K90Nfs8*) in third exon of the gene DCAF17 (RefSeq; NM_025000), resulting in a truncated protein. Structural analysis of truncated DCAF17 revealed absence of amino acid residues crucial for interaction with DDB1. Taken together, the data confirmed the single base pair deletion as the underlying cause of this second report of WSS from Pakistan. This signifies the vital yet unexplored role of DCAF17 both in development and maintenance of adult tissues homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.,Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Shah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - A Nasir
- Department of Biochemistry, Computational Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, UCSS, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - W Steyaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - P J Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - W Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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29
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Li X, Xu R, Liu H, Fang K. CUL4A expression in pediatric osteosarcoma tissues and its effect on cell growth in osteosarcoma cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:8139-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4715-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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30
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CUL4A facilitates hepatocarcinogenesis by promoting cell cycle progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17006. [PMID: 26593394 PMCID: PMC4655319 DOI: 10.1038/srep17006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CUL4A, a member of the CULLIN family, functions as a scaffold protein for an E3 ubiquitin ligase. It was reported that the CUL4A gene showed amplification in some human primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). However, the exact role of CUL4A in HCC remains unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression and function of CUL4A in HCC development. Through immunohistochemistry study, we showed increased CUL4A expression in HCC tissues. Statistical analysis disclosed an inverse correlation between CUL4A expression and tumor differentiation grade, and patient survival, but a positive correlation with hepatocyte proliferation as well as lymphatic and venous invasion. CUL4A expression in HCC tissues was associated with HBeAg status in patients and upregulated by HBV in HCC cell lines. Further functional assay showed that CUL4A overexpression significantly promoted growth of H22 tumor homografts in BALB/c mice. Consistently, CUL4A knockdown inhibited the proliferation of established HCC cells, accompanied by S-phase reduction and Cyclin A and Cyclin B1 repression. Furthermore, CUL4A siRNA ameliorated the motility of HCC cell lines with altered expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated molecules. Taken together, our findings indicate that CUL4A plays a pivotal role in HCC progression and may serve as a potential marker for clinical diagnosis and target for therapy.
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31
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Song Y, Tian T, Fu X, Wang W, Li S, Shi T, Suo A, Ruan Z, Guo H, Yao Y. GATA6 is overexpressed in breast cancer and promotes breast cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating slug expression. Exp Mol Pathol 2015; 99:617-27. [PMID: 26505174 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, until now, the mechanisms of BC metastasis remain elusive. GATA6 is a member of the GATA transcription factor family that plays critical regulatory roles in tissue development, which has been proposed as an oncogene in many types of tumors; however, its role and underlying mechanisms in BC remain unclear. Here we show that GATA6 is elevated in BC and its expression level is positively correlated with metastasis. In addition Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of GATA6 was associated with decreased overall survival of BC patients. Overexpression of GATA6 in BC cells increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In contrast, silencing GATA6 in aggressive BC cells inhibited this process. Mechanistically, we found GATA6 exerts its function through active slug transcription. Slug knockdown blocked the GATA6-driven EMT. Furthermore, slug expression in human BC is positively correlated with GATA6 expression. Our results, for the first time, portray a pivotal role of GATA6 in regulating metastatic behaviors of BC cells, suggesting GATA6 is a potential therapeutic target in metastatic BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Song
- Department of Oncological Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Tao Tian
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xiao Fu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Suoni Li
- Department of Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Tingting Shi
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Aili Suo
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Zhiping Ruan
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Yu Yao
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
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32
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Chen P, Yao GD. The role of cullin proteins in gastric cancer. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:29-37. [PMID: 26472722 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The cullin proteins are a family of scaffolding proteins that associate with RING proteins and ubiquitin E3 ligases and mediate substrate-receptor bindings. Thus, cullin proteins regulate the specificity of ubiquitin targeting in the regulation of proteins involved in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. There are seven cullin proteins that have been identified in eukaryotes: CUL1, CUL2, CUL3, CUL4A, CUL4B, CUL5, and CUL7/p53-associated parkin-like cytoplasmic protein. All of these proteins contain a conserved cullin homology domain that binds to RING box proteins. Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase complexes are activated upon post-translational modification by neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally downregulated protein 8. The aberrant expression of several cullin proteins has been implicated in many cancers though the significance in gastric cancer has been less well investigated. This review provides the first systematic discussion of the associations between all members of the cullin protein family and gastric cancer. Functional and regulatory mechanisms of cullin proteins in gastric carcinoma progression are also summarized along with a discussion concerning future research areas. Accumulating evidence suggests a critical role of cullin proteins in tumorigenesis, and a better understanding of the function of these individual cullin proteins and their targets will help identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Tong-Dao-Bei Street, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010050, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Dong Yao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Tong-Dao-Bei Street, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010050, People's Republic of China.
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HUNG MINGSZU, CHEN ICHUAN, YOU LIANG, JABLONS DAVIDM, LI YACHIN, MAO JIANHUA, XU ZHIDONG, HSIEH MENGJER, LIN YUCHING, YANG CHENGTA, LIU SHIHTUNG, TSAI YINGHUANG. Knockdown of Cul4A increases chemosensitivity to gemcitabine through upregulation of TGFBI in lung cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2015; 34:3187-95. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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34
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Qi J, Ronai ZA. Dysregulation of ubiquitin ligases in cancer. Drug Resist Updat 2015; 23:1-11. [PMID: 26690337 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin ligases (UBLs) are critical components of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), which governs fundamental processes regulating normal cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and cell cycle in response to external stress signals and DNA damage. Among multiple steps of the UPS system required to regulate protein ubiquitination and stability, UBLs define specificity, as they recognize and interact with substrates in a temporally- and spatially-regulated manner. Such interactions are required for substrate modification by ubiquitin chains, which marks proteins for recognition and degradation by the proteasome or alters their subcellular localization or assembly into functional complexes. UBLs are often deregulated in cancer, altering substrate availability or activity in a manner that can promote cellular transformation. Such deregulation can occur at the epigenetic, genomic, or post-translational levels. Alterations in UBL can be used to predict their contributions, affecting tumor suppressors or oncogenes in select tumors. Better understanding of mechanisms underlying UBL expression and activities is expected to drive the development of next generation modulators that can serve as novel therapeutic modalities. This review summarizes our current understanding of UBL deregulation in cancer and highlights novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Qi
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21201, USA.
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, 92037, USA.
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35
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Hannah J, Zhou P. Distinct and overlapping functions of the cullin E3 ligase scaffolding proteins CUL4A and CUL4B. Gene 2015; 573:33-45. [PMID: 26344709 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.08.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The cullin 4 subfamily of genes includes CUL4A and CUL4B, which share a mostly identical amino acid sequence aside from the elongated N-terminal region in CUL4B. Both act as scaffolding proteins for modular cullin RING ligase 4 (CRL4) complexes which promote the ubiquitination of a variety of substrates. CRL4 function is vital to cells as loss of both genes or their shared substrate adaptor protein DDB1 halts proliferation and eventually leads to cell death. Due to their high structural similarity, CUL4A and CUL4B share a substantial overlap in function. However, in some cases, differences in subcellular localization, spatiotemporal expression patterns and stress-inducibility preclude functional compensation. In this review, we highlight the most essential functions of the CUL4 genes in: DNA repair and replication, chromatin-remodeling, cell cycle regulation, embryogenesis, hematopoiesis and spermatogenesis. CUL4 genes are also clinically relevant as dysregulation can contribute to the onset of cancer and CRL4 complexes are often hijacked by certain viruses to promote viral replication and survival. Also, mutations in CUL4B have been implicated in a subset of patients suffering from syndromic X-linked intellectual disability (AKA mental retardation). Interestingly, the antitumor effects of immunomodulatory drugs are caused by their binding to the CRL4CRBN complex and re-directing the E3 ligase towards the Ikaros transcription factors IKZF1 and IKZF3. Because of their influence over key cellular functions and relevance to human disease, CRL4s are considered promising targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Hannah
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave. NY, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Pengbo Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave. NY, NY 10065, United States.
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36
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Yang YL, Ni J, Hsu PC, Mao JH, Hsieh D, Xu A, Chan G, Au A, Xu Z, Jablons DM, You L. Cul4A overexpression associated with Gli1 expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Cell Mol Med 2015. [PMID: 26218750 PMCID: PMC4594680 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma) is a highly aggressive cancer without an effective treatment. Cul4A, a scaffold protein that recruits substrates for degradation, is amplified in several human cancers, including mesothelioma. We have recently shown that Cul4A plays an oncogenic role in vitro and in a mouse model. In this study, we analysed clinical mesothelioma tumours and found moderate to strong expression of Cul4A in 70.9% (51/72) of these tumours, as shown by immunohistochemistry. In 72.2% mesothelioma tumours with increased Cul4A copy number identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, Cul4A protein expression was moderate to strong. Similarly, Cul4A was overexpressed and Cul4A copy number was increased in human mesothelioma cell lines. Because Gli1 is highly expressed in human mesothelioma cells, we compared Cul4A and Gli1 expression in mesothelioma tumours and found their expression associated (P < 0.05, chi-square). In mesothelioma cell lines, inhibiting Cul4A by siRNA decreased Gli1 expression, suggesting that Gli1 expression is, at least in part, regulated by Cul4A in mesothelioma cells. Our results suggest a linkage between Cul4A and Gli1 expression in human mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lin Yang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jian Ni
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David Hsieh
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angela Xu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Geraldine Chan
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alfred Au
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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37
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Wang Y, Xu Z, Mao JH, Hung MS, Hsieh D, Au A, Jablons DM, You L. Analysis of lung tumor initiation and progression in transgenic mice for Cre-inducible overexpression of Cul4A gene. Thorac Cancer 2015; 6:480-7. [PMID: 26273405 PMCID: PMC4511328 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide. Although the available lung cancer animal models have been informative and further propel our understanding of human lung cancer, they still do not fully recapitulate the complexities of human lung cancer. The pathogenesis of lung cancer remains highly elusive because of its aggressive biologic nature and considerable heterogeneity, compared to other cancers. The association of Cul4A amplification with aggressive tumor growth and poor prognosis has been suggested. Our previous study suggested that Cul4A is oncogenic in vitro, but its oncogenic role in vivo has not been studied. Methods Viral delivery approaches have been used extensively to model cancer in mouse models. In our experiments, we used Cre-recombinase induced overexpression of the Cul4A gene in transgenic mice to study the role of Cul4A on lung tumor initiation and progression and have developed a new model of lung tumor development in mice harboring a conditionally expressed allele of Cul4A. Results Here we show that the use of a recombinant adenovirus expressing Cre-recombinase (“AdenoCre”) to induce Cul4A overexpression in the lungs of mice allows controls of the timing and multiplicity of tumor initiation. Following our mouse models, we are able to study the potential role of Cul4A in the development and progression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma as well. Conclusion Our findings indicate that Cul4A is oncogenic in vivo, and this mouse model is a tool in understanding the mechanisms of Cul4A in human cancers and for testing experimental therapies targeting Cul4A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing, China
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, USA
| | - Ming-Szu Hung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - David Hsieh
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Alfred Au
- Division of diagnostic pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - David M Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Liang You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA
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Song J, Zhang J, Shao J. Knockdown of CUL4A inhibits invasion and induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2015; 28:263-9. [PMID: 26055549 DOI: 10.1177/0394632015586656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cullin4A (CUL4A) is implicated in many cellular events including cell survival and growth. However, the specific function and underlying mechanisms of CUL4A in cancer invasion have not yet been elucidated. In this work, we were focused on investigating the role of CUL4A in human osteosarcoma (OS). The expression level of CUL4A was evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) assay in human OS tissues. Lentivirus-mediated CUL4A shRNA (Lv-shCUL4A) constructed by us was transfected into OS cells for assessing its effects on cell proliferation and invasive potential, respectively detected by MTT and Transwell assays. It was demonstrated that the expression of CUL4A protein was markedly increased in OS tissues compared with the adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCT) (57.8% vs. 25.6%, P = 0.019), and was associated with the distant metastases in OS patients (P = 0.016). In vitro, silencing of CUL4A gene inhibited OS cell proliferation and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis, followed by increased expression of p27 and p53 and decreased expression of MMP-2. Therefore, these findings indicate that elevated expression of CUL4A is positively correlated with distant metastases in OS patients, and knockdown of CUL4A suppresses invasion and induces apoptosis in OS cells, suggesting that CUL4A may serve as a potential target for the treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Song
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jiang Shao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
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Liu G, Zhu Z, Lang F, Li B, Gao D. Clinical significance of CUL4A in human prostate cancer. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:8553-8. [PMID: 26036759 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3580-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the Cullin 4A (CUL4A) is found in many tumor types, but the functions and mechanism of CUL4A in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of CUL4A in prostate tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine CUL4A expression in human PCa tissues and BPH tissues. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT, and migration and invasion were analyzed by Transwell and Matrigel assays after CUL4A knockdown in PCa in vitro. The results showed that CUL4A protein was overexpressed in 86.21 % of PCa tissues. CUL4A knockdown with siRNA in PCa cells decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, CUL4A could modulate the expression of P53 in PCa cells. Our results indicate that CUL4A overexpression play an oncogenic role in the pathogenesis of PCa, and CUL4A may be a potential therapeutic target for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No. 2428 Yuhe Road, Kuiwei District, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zengjun Zhu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No. 2428 Yuhe Road, Kuiwei District, Weifang, Shandong, China.
| | - Fang Lang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No. 2428 Yuhe Road, Kuiwei District, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Bao Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No. 2428 Yuhe Road, Kuiwei District, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Dianjun Gao
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No. 2428 Yuhe Road, Kuiwei District, Weifang, Shandong, China
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Saucedo-Cuevas LP, Ruppen I, Ximénez-Embún P, Domingo S, Gayarre J, Muñoz J, Silva JM, García MJ, Benítez J. CUL4A contributes to the biology of basal-like breast tumors through modulation of cell growth and antitumor immune response. Oncotarget 2015; 5:2330-43. [PMID: 24870930 PMCID: PMC4039166 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The CUL4A E3 ubiquitin ligase is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes and its amplification and/or overexpression has been observed in breast cancer. The 13q34 amplification, which is associated with the basal-like breast cancer subtype, has been proposed as one of the mechanism behind CUL4A up-regulation. However, the specific contribution of CUL4A to the biology of basal-like breast tumors has not yet been elucidated. In this work, by using cellular models of basal phenotype, we show the inhibitory effect of CUL4A silencing in the proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells both, in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate the transforming capacity of CUL4A exogenous overexpression in the 184B5 human mammary epithelial cells in vitro. Our results suggest a synergistic effect between CUL4A high levels and the activation of the RAS pathway in the tumorigenesis of basal-like breast cancer tumors. In addition, by using a proteomics approach we have defined novel candidate proteins and pathways that might mediate the oncogenic effect of CUL4A. In particular, we report a putative role of CUL4A in bypassing the immune system in breast cancer through the down-regulation of several molecules involved in the immune surveillance. These findings provide insight into the oncogenic properties of CUL4A in basal-like breast cancer and highlight the therapeutic opportunities to target CUL4A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura P Saucedo-Cuevas
- Group of Human Genetics, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Spain
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Wang Y, Zhang P, Liu Z, Wang Q, Wen M, Wang Y, Yuan H, Mao JH, Wei G. CUL4A overexpression enhances lung tumor growth and sensitizes lung cancer cells to erlotinib via transcriptional regulation of EGFR. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:252. [PMID: 25413624 PMCID: PMC4246448 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CUL4A has been proposed as oncogene in several types of human cancer, but its clinical significance and functional role in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Methods Expression level of CUL4A was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Forced expression of CUL4A was mediated by retroviruses, and CUL4A silencing by shRNAs expressing lentiviruses. Growth capacity of lung cancer cells was measured by MTT in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo, respectively. Results We found that CUL4A was highly expressed in human lung cancer tissues and lung cancer cell lines, and this elevated expression positively correlated with disease progression and prognosis. Overexpression of CUL4A in human lung cancer cell lines increased cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and subsequently conferred resistance to chemotherapy. On other hand, silencing CUL4A expression in NSCLC cells reduced proliferation, promoted apoptosis and resulted in tumor growth inhibition in cancer xenograft model. Mechanistically, we revealed CUL4A regulated EGFR transcriptional expression and activation, and subsequently activated AKT. Targeted inhibition of EGFR activity blocked these CUL4A induced oncogenic activities. Conclusions Our results highlight the significance of CUL4A in NSCLC and suggest that CUL4A could be a promising therapy target and a potential biomarker for prognosis and EGFR target therapy in NSCLC patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1476-4598-13-252) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Guangwei Wei
- Department of Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Medicine, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P,R, China.
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Yang YL, Hung MS, Wang Y, Ni J, Mao JH, Hsieh D, Au A, Kumar A, Quigley D, Fang LT, Yeh CC, Xu Z, Jablons DM, You L. Lung tumourigenesis in a conditional Cul4A transgenic mouse model. J Pathol 2014; 233:113-23. [PMID: 24648314 DOI: 10.1002/path.4352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 02/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cullin4A (Cul4A) is a scaffold protein that assembles cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase (E3) complexes and regulates many cellular events, including cell survival, development, growth and cell cycle control. Our previous study suggested that Cul4A is oncogenic in vitro, but its oncogenic role in vivo has not been studied. Here, we used a Cul4A transgenic mouse model to study the potential oncogenic role of Cul4A in lung tumour development. After Cul4A over-expression was induced in the lungs for 32 weeks, atypical epithelial cells were observed. After 40 weeks, lung tumours were visible and were characterized as grade I or II adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed decreased levels of Cul4A-associated proteins p21(CIP1) and tumour suppressor p19(ARF) in the lung tumours, suggesting that Cul4A regulated their expression in these tumours. Increased levels of p27(KIP1) and p16(INK4a) were also detected in these tumours. Moreover, the protein level of DNA replication licensing factor CDT1 was decreased. Genomic instability in the lung tumours was further analysed by the results from pericentrin protein expression and array comparative genomic hybridization analysis. Furthermore, knocking down Cul4A expression in lung cancer H2170 cells increased their sensitivity to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin in vitro, suggesting that Cul4A over-expression is associated with cisplatin resistance in the cancer cells. Our findings indicate that Cul4A is oncogenic in vivo, and this Cul4A mouse model is a tool in understanding the mechanisms of Cul4A in human cancers and for testing experimental therapies targeting Cul4A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lin Yang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Cullin4A and cullin4B are interchangeable for HIV Vpr and Vpx action through the CRL4 ubiquitin ligase complex. J Virol 2014; 88:6944-58. [PMID: 24719410 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00241-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seizes control of cellular cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) to promote viral replication. HIV-1 Vpr and HIV-2/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Vpr and Vpx engage the cullin4 (CUL4)-containing ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL4) to cause polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of host proteins, including ones that block infection. HIV-1 Vpr engages CRL4 to trigger the degradation of uracil-N-glycosylase 2 (UNG2). Both HIV-1 Vpr and HIV-2/SIV Vpr tap CRL4 to initiate G2 cell cycle arrest. HIV-2/SIV Vpx secures CRL4 to degrade the antiviral protein SAMHD1. CRL4 includes either cullin4A (CUL4A) or cullin4B (CUL4B) among its components. Whether Vpr or Vpx relies on CUL4A, CUL4B, or both to act through CRL4 is not known. Reported structural, phenotypic, and intracellular distribution differences between the two CUL4 types led us to hypothesize that Vpr and Vpx employ these in a function-specific manner. Here we determined CUL4 requirements for HIV-1 and HIV-2/SIV Vpr-mediated G2 cell cycle arrest, HIV-1 Vpr-mediated UNG2 degradation, and HIV-2 Vpx-mediated SAMHD1 degradation. Surprisingly, CUL4A and CUL4B are exchangeable for CRL4-dependent Vpr and Vpx action, except in primary macrophages, where Vpx relies on both CUL4A and CUL4B for maximal SAMHD1 depletion. This work highlights the need to consider both CUL4 types for Vpr and Vpx functions and also shows that the intracellular distribution of CUL4A and CUL4B can vary by cell type. IMPORTANCE The work presented here shows for the first time that HIV Vpr and Vpx do not rely exclusively on CUL4A to cause ubiquitination through the CRL4 ubiquitin ligase complex. Furthermore, our finding that intracellular CUL4 and SAMHD1 distributions can vary with cell type provides the basis for reconciling previous disparate findings regarding the site of SAMHD1 depletion. Finally, our observations with primary immune cells provide insight into the cell biology of CUL4A and CUL4B that will help differentiate the functions of these similar proteins.
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Xu M, Yang X, Zhao J, Zhang J, Zhang S, Huang H, Liu Y, Liu J. High expression of Cullin1 indicates poor prognosis for NSCLC patients. Pathol Res Pract 2014; 210:397-401. [PMID: 24767980 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2014.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cullin1 is a scaffold protein of the ubiquitin E3 ligase Skp1/Cullin1/Rbx1/F-box protein complex which ubiquitinates a broad range of proteins participating in biochemical events like cell-cycle progression, signal transduction, and transcription. Cullin1 is involved in the progression of several cancers, such as melanoma, breast cancer, and gastric cancer. METHODS To investigate the role of Cullin1 in the development of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we examined the expression of Cullin1 in 8-paired fresh NSCLC tissues. We then constructed immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 114 paraffin-embedded slices and evaluated the correlation between Cullin1 expression and clinicopathologic variables, as well as patients' overall survival. RESULTS We found that Cullin1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and significantly associated with NSCLC's histological differentiation (P=0.002), clinical stage (P=0.010) and Ki-67 (P=0.021). Furthermore, we showed a strong correlation between high Cullin1 expression and worse overall survival rates in NSCLC patients (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that Cullin1 expression was an independent prognostic factor to predict 5-year patient outcome in NSCLC cancer (P=0.033). CONCLUSION These data suggested that Cullin1 might promote the progression of NSCLC and be a biotarget for NSCLC's therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Xu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Neural Biology, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinli Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Junhua Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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Abstract
The ability of cullin 4A (CUL4A), a scaffold protein, to recruit a repertoire of substrate adaptors allows it to assemble into distinct E3 ligase complexes to mediate turnover of key regulatory proteins. In the past decade, a considerable wealth of information has been generated regarding its biology, regulation, assembly, molecular architecture and novel functions. Importantly, unravelling of its association with multiple tumours and modulation by viral proteins establishes it as one of the key proteins that may play an important role in cellular transformation. Considering the role of its substrate in regulating the cell cycle and maintenance of genomic stability, understanding the detailed aspects of these processes will have significant consequences for the treatment of cancer and related diseases. This review is an effort to provide a broad overview of this multifaceted ubiquitin ligase and addresses its critical role in regulation of important biological processes. More importantly, its tremendous potential to be exploited for therapeutic purposes has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, India
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CUL4A is overexpressed in human pituitary adenomas and regulates pituitary tumor cell proliferation. J Neurooncol 2014; 116:625-32. [PMID: 24420924 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-013-1349-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Cullin 4A (CUL4A) encodes a core subunit of an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for ubiquitin-mediated degradation, and aberrant expression of the CUL4A is found in many tumor types. However, its roles and clinicopathologic significance in pituitary adenomas are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of CUL4A in pituitary tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine CUL4A expression in human normal pituitaries and pituitary tumors with respect to various clinicopathologic factors in pituitary adenomas. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT and colony formation, and migration and invasion were analyzed by Transwell and Matrigel assays after CUL4A overexpression or knockdown in pituitary tumor cells. Overexpression of CUL4A was frequently observed in pituitary adenomas compared with normal adenohypophysial tissue and significantly associated with tumor progressiveness and invasion. CUL4A overexpression in GH3 adenoma cells increased colony numbers, cell viability and cell invasion and silencing CUL4A in AtT20 adenoma cells decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, CUL4A could modulate the expression of p53, p21, and p27 in pituitary tumor cells. In addition, high levels of CUL4A expression also significantly inversely correlated with the p53 protein level in human pituitary adenomas. Our results indicate that CUL4A enhances pituitary cell proliferation, migration and invasion and may thus contribute to pituitary tumor development and progression.
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Involvement of CUL4A in regulation of multidrug resistance to P-gp substrate drugs in breast cancer cells. Molecules 2013; 19:159-76. [PMID: 24368600 PMCID: PMC6271407 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Revised: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CUL4A encodes a core component of a cullin-based E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that regulates many critical processes such as cell cycle progression, DNA replication, DNA repair and chromatin remodeling by targeting a variety of proteins for ubiquitination and degradation. In the research described in this report we aimed to clarify whether CUL4A participates in multiple drug resistance (MDR) in breast cancer cells. We first transfected vectors carrying CUL4A and specific shCUL4A into breast cancer cells and corresponding Adr cells respectively. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions and western blots, we found that overexpression of CUL4A in MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 cells up-regulated MDR1/P-gp expression on both the transcription and protein levels, which conferred multidrug resistance to P-gp substrate drugs, as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. On the other hand, silencing CUL4A in MCF7/Adr and MDA-MB-468/Adr cells led to the opposite effect. Moreover, ERK1/2 in CUL4A-overexpressing cells was highly activated and after treatment with PD98059, an ERK1/2-specific inhibitor, CUL4A-induced expression of MDR1/P-gp was decreased significantly. Lastly, immunohistochemistry in breast cancer tissues showed that P-gp expression had a positive correlation with the expression of CUL4A and ERK1/2. Thus, these results implied that CUL4A and ERK1/2 participated in multi-drug resistance in breast cancer through regulation of MDR1/P-gp expression.
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Wang Y, Wen M, Kwon Y, Xu Y, Liu Y, Zhang P, He X, Wang Q, Huang Y, Jen KY, LaBarge MA, You L, Kogan SC, Gray JW, Mao JH, Wei G. CUL4A induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes cancer metastasis by regulating ZEB1 expression. Cancer Res 2013; 74:520-31. [PMID: 24305877 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin ligase CUL4A has been implicated in tumorigenesis, but its contributions to progression and metastasis have not been evaluated. Here, we show that CUL4A is elevated in breast cancer as well as in ovarian, gastric, and colorectal tumors in which its expression level correlates positively with distant metastasis. CUL4A overexpression in normal or malignant human mammary epithelial cells increased their neoplastic properties in vitro and in vivo, markedly increasing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the metastatic capacity of malignant cells. In contrast, silencing CUL4A in aggressive breast cancer cells inhibited these processes. Mechanistically, we found that CUL4A modulated histone H3K4me3 at the promoter of the EMT regulatory gene ZEB1 in a manner associated with its transcription. ZEB1 silencing blocked CUL4A-driven proliferation, EMT, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Furthermore, in human breast cancers, ZEB1 expression correlated positively with CUL4A expression and distant metastasis. Taken together, our findings reveal a pivotal role of CUL4A in regulating the metastatic behavior of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunshan Wang
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Human Anatomy and Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan; International Biotechnology R&D Center, Shandong University School of Ocean, Weihai, Shandong, China; Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley; Department of Pathology; Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Hannah J, Zhou PB. The CUL4A ubiquitin ligase is a potential therapeutic target in skin cancer and other malignancies. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2013; 32:478-82. [PMID: 23845142 PMCID: PMC3845565 DOI: 10.5732/cjc.012.10279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cullin 4A (CUL4A) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that directly affects DNA repair and cell cycle progression by targeting substrates including damage-specific DNA-binding protein 2 (DDB2), xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC), chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (Cdt1), and p21. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that Cul4a-deficient mice have greatly reduced rates of ultraviolet-induced skin carcinomas. On a cellular level, Cul4a-deficient cells have great capacity for DNA repair and demonstrate a slow rate of proliferation due primarily to increased expression of DDB2 and p21, respectively. This suggests that CUL4A promotes tumorigenesis (as well as accumulation of skin damage and subsequent premature aging) by limiting DNA repair activity and expediting S phase entry. In addition, CUL4A has been found to be up-regulated via gene amplification or overexpression in breast cancers, hepatocellular carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, childhood medulloblastomas, and malignant pleural mesotheliomas. Because of its oncogenic activity in skin cancer and up-regulation in other malignancies, CUL4A has arisen as a potential candidate for targeted therapeutic approaches. In this review, we outline the established functions of CUL4A and discuss the E3 ligase's emergence as a potential driver of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Hannah
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College and Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Abstract
In order to study the functions of a cell's endogenous mutant p53, the p53 protein levels must be knocked-down. Transient transfection of small interfering RNAs is one way to accomplish this. Another is the stable expression of short hairpin RNAs. This chapter presents a method by which a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting p53 is inserted into the genome of a cell via lentivirus infection. These p53 knock-down cell lines are stable and may be grown long term for use in a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Vaughan
- Department of Integrative Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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