1
|
Nguyen LTS, Jacob MAC, Parajón E, Robinson DN. Cancer as a biophysical disease: Targeting the mechanical-adaptability program. Biophys J 2022; 121:3573-3585. [PMID: 35505610 PMCID: PMC9617128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
With the number of cancer cases projected to significantly increase over time, researchers are currently exploring "nontraditional" research fields in the pursuit of novel therapeutics. One emerging area that is steadily gathering interest revolves around cellular mechanical machinery. When looking broadly at the physical properties of cancer, it has been debated whether a cancer could be defined as either stiffer or softer across cancer types. With numerous articles supporting both sides, the evidence instead suggests that cancer is not particularly regimented. Instead, cancer is highly adaptable, allowing it to endure the constantly changing microenvironments cancer cells encounter, such as tumor compression and the shear forces in the vascular system and body. What allows cancer cells to achieve this adaptability are the particular proteins that make up the mechanical network, leading to a particular mechanical program of the cancer cell. Coincidentally, some of these proteins, such as myosin II, α-actinins, filamins, and actin, have either altered expression in cancer and/or some type of direct involvement in cancer progression. For this reason, targeting the mechanical system as a therapeutic strategy may lead to more efficacious treatments in the future. However, targeting the mechanical program is far from trivial. As involved as the mechanical program is in cancer development and metastasis, it also helps drive many other key cellular processes, such as cell division, cell adhesion, metabolism, and motility. Therefore, anti-cancer treatments targeting the mechanical program must take great care to avoid potential side effects. Here, we introduce the potential of targeting the mechanical program while also providing its challenges and shortcomings as a strategy for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ly T S Nguyen
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Allan C Jacob
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eleana Parajón
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Douglas N Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen YQ, Hung CY, Wei MT, Kuo JC, Yang MH, Cheng HY, Chiou A. Snail Augments Nuclear Deformability to Promote Lymph Node Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:809738. [PMID: 35265612 PMCID: PMC8899106 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.809738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 50% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients have lymph node (LN) metastasis, resulting in poor survival rate. Numerous studies have supported the notion that the alterations of gene expression and mechanical properties of cancer cells play an important role in cancer metastasis. However, which genes and how they regulate the biomechanical properties of HNSCC cells to promote LN metastasis remains elusive. In this study, we used an LN-metastatic mouse model in vivo to generate an LN-metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line and compared the differences in the biomolecular and biomechanical properties of LN-metastatic and non-metastatic cells. Our results showed that LN-metastatic cells had a higher level of Snail expression compared to non-LN-metastatic cells. The higher Snail expression promoted the cellular invasion capability in confined environments, mainly by increasing the longitudinal strain of the cell nuclei, which could be attributed to the stronger cell traction force and softer nuclear stiffness. These two biomechanical changes were correlated, respectively, to a larger amount of focal adhesion and less amount of nuclear lamins. Taken together, our works revealed not only the biomechanical profiles of LN-metastatic cells but also the corresponding biomolecular expressions to pinpoint the key process in LN metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Quan Chen
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Yin-Quan Chen,
| | - Chen-Yu Hung
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tzo Wei
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Jean-Cheng Kuo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Ying Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Arthur Chiou
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Davidson A, Tyler J, Hume P, Singh V, Koronakis V. A kinase-independent function of PAK is crucial for pathogen-mediated actin remodelling. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009902. [PMID: 34460869 PMCID: PMC8432889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family regulate a multitude of cellular processes, including actin cytoskeleton remodelling. Numerous bacterial pathogens usurp host signalling pathways that regulate actin reorganisation in order to promote Infection. Salmonella and pathogenic Escherichia coli drive actin-dependent forced uptake and intimate attachment respectively. We demonstrate that the pathogen-driven generation of both these distinct actin structures relies on the recruitment and activation of PAK. We show that the PAK kinase domain is dispensable for this actin remodelling, which instead requires the GTPase-binding CRIB and the central poly-proline rich region. PAK interacts with and inhibits the guanine nucleotide exchange factor β-PIX, preventing it from exerting a negative effect on cytoskeleton reorganisation. This kinase-independent function of PAK may be usurped by other pathogens that modify host cytoskeleton signalling and helps us better understand how PAK functions in normal and diseased eukaryotic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Davidson
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Tyler
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hume
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vikash Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vassilis Koronakis
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liao TT, Cheng WC, Yang CY, Chen YQ, Su SH, Yeh TY, Lan HY, Lee CC, Lin HH, Lin CC, Lu RH, Chiou AET, Jiang JK, Hwang WL. The microRNA-210-Stathmin1 Axis Decreases Cell Stiffness to Facilitate the Invasiveness of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081833. [PMID: 33921319 PMCID: PMC8069838 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081833] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis of tumor cells is the leading cause of death in cancer patients. Concurrent therapy with surgical removal of primary and metastatic lesions is the main approach for cancer therapy. Currently, therapeutic resistant properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are known to drive malignant cancer progression, including metastasis. Our study aimed to identify molecular tools dedicated to the detection and treatment of CSCs. We confirmed that microRNA-210-3p (miR-210) was upregulated in colorectal stem-like cancer cells, which targeted stathmin1 (STMN1), to decrease cell elasticity for increasing mobility. We envision that strategies for softening cellular elasticity will reduce the onset of CSC-orientated metastasis. Abstract Cell migration is critical for regional dissemination and distal metastasis of cancer cells, which remain the major causes of poor prognosis and death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Although cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular deformability contribute to the migration of cancer cells and metastasis, the mechanisms governing the migratory ability of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a nongenetic source of tumor heterogeneity, are unclear. Here, we expanded colorectal CSCs (CRCSCs) as colonospheres and showed that CRCSCs exhibited higher cell motility in transwell migration assays and 3D invasion assays and greater deformability in particle tracking microrheology than did their parental CRC cells. Mechanistically, in CRCSCs, microRNA-210-3p (miR-210) targeted stathmin1 (STMN1), which is known for inducing microtubule destabilization, to decrease cell elasticity in order to facilitate cell motility without affecting the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) status. Clinically, the miR-210-STMN1 axis was activated in CRC patients with liver metastasis and correlated with a worse clinical outcome. This study elucidates a miRNA-oriented mechanism regulating the deformability of CRCSCs beyond the EMT process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Tsen Liao
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (T.-T.L.); (H.-Y.L.)
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Cheng
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yung Yang
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan;
- General Education Center, University of Taipei, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Quan Chen
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Shu-Han Su
- Institution of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (S.-H.S.); (T.-Y.Y.)
| | - Tzu-Yu Yeh
- Institution of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (S.-H.S.); (T.-Y.Y.)
| | - Hsin-Yi Lan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; (T.-T.L.); (H.-Y.L.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chan Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Hung-Hsin Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Chun-Chi Lin
- Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Hwa Lu
- Department of Surgery, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan;
| | - Arthur Er-Terg Chiou
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Jeng-Kai Jiang
- Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-K.J.); (W.-L.H.); Tel.: +886-2-2826-7000 (ext. 65832) (W.-L.H.)
| | - Wei-Lun Hwang
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.-K.J.); (W.-L.H.); Tel.: +886-2-2826-7000 (ext. 65832) (W.-L.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cheng K, Larabee SM, Tolaymat M, Hanscom M, Shang AC, Schledwitz A, Hu S, Drachenberg CB, Zhan M, Chahdi A, Raufman JP. Targeted intestinal deletion of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 7, βPIX, impairs enterocyte proliferation, villus maturation, and mucosal defenses in mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G627-G643. [PMID: 33566751 PMCID: PMC8238171 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00415.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) regulate Rho GTPase activity and cytoskeletal and cell adhesion dynamics. βPix, a CDC42/RAC family RhoGEF encoded by ARHGEF7, is reported to modulate human colon cancer cell proliferation and postwounding restitution of rat intestinal epithelial monolayers. We hypothesized that βPix plays a role in maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis. To test this hypothesis, we examined βPix distribution in the human and murine intestine and created mice with intestinal epithelial-selective βPix deletion [βPixflox/flox/Tg(villin-Cre); Arhgef7 CKO mice]. Using Arhgef7 conditional knockout (CKO) and control mice, we investigated the consequences of βPix deficiency in vivo on intestinal epithelial and enteroid development, dextran sodium sulfate-induced mucosal injury, and gut permeability. In normal human and murine intestines, we observed diffuse cytoplasmic and moderate nuclear βPix immunostaining in enterocytes. Arhgef7 CKO mice were viable and fertile, with normal gross intestinal architecture but reduced small intestinal villus height, villus-to-crypt ratio, and goblet cells; small intestinal crypt cells had reduced Ki67 staining, compatible with impaired cell proliferation. Enteroids derived from control mouse small intestine were viable for more than 20 passages, but those from Arhgef7 CKO mice did not survive beyond 24 h despite addition of Wnt proteins or conditioned media from normal enteroids. Adding a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor partially rescued CKO enteroid development. Compared with littermate control mice, dextran sodium sulfate-treated βPix-deficient mice lost more weight and had greater impairment of intestinal barrier function, and more severe colonic mucosal injury. These findings reveal βPix expression is important for enterocyte development, intestinal homeostasis, and resistance to toxic injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To explore the role of βPix, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor encoded by ARHGEF7, in intestinal development and physiology, we created mice with intestinal epithelial cell Arhgef7/βPix deficiency. We found βPix essential for normal small intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, villus development, and mucosal resistance to injury. Moreover, Rho kinase signaling mediated developmental arrest observed in enteroids derived from βPix-deficient small intestinal crypts. Our studies provide insights into the role Arhgef7/βPix plays in intestinal epithelial homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunrong Cheng
- Veterans Affairs Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shannon M Larabee
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mazen Tolaymat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marie Hanscom
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aaron C Shang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alyssa Schledwitz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shien Hu
- Veterans Affairs Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cinthia B Drachenberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Min Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ahmed Chahdi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jean-Pierre Raufman
- Veterans Affairs Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Graybill PM, Bollineni RK, Sheng Z, Davalos RV, Mirzaeifar R. A constriction channel analysis of astrocytoma stiffness and disease progression. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:024103. [PMID: 33763160 PMCID: PMC7968935 DOI: 10.1063/5.0040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that cancer cells tend to have reduced stiffness (Young's modulus) compared to their healthy counterparts. The mechanical properties of primary brain cancer cells, however, have remained largely unstudied. To investigate whether the stiffness of primary brain cancer cells decreases as malignancy increases, we used a microfluidic constriction channel device to deform healthy astrocytes and astrocytoma cells of grade II, III, and IV and measured the entry time, transit time, and elongation. Calculating cell stiffness directly from the experimental measurements is not possible. To overcome this challenge, finite element simulations of the cell entry into the constriction channel were used to train a neural network to calculate the stiffness of the analyzed cells based on their experimentally measured diameter, entry time, and elongation in the channel. Our study provides the first calculation of stiffness for grades II and III astrocytoma and is the first to apply a neural network analysis to determine cell mechanical properties from a constriction channel device. Our results suggest that the stiffness of astrocytoma cells is not well-correlated with the cell grade. Furthermore, while other non-central-nervous-system cell types typically show reduced stiffness of malignant cells, we found that most astrocytoma cell lines had increased stiffness compared to healthy astrocytes, with lower-grade astrocytoma having higher stiffness values than grade IV glioblastoma. Differences in nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio only partly explain differences in stiffness values. Although our study does have limitations, our results do not show a strong correlation of stiffness with cell grade, suggesting that other factors may play important roles in determining the invasive capability of astrocytoma. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the mechanical properties of astrocytoma across various pathological grades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - R. K. Bollineni
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Z. Sheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Virginia Tech Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, USA
| | - R. V. Davalos
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - R. Mirzaeifar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang E, Dong X, Chen S, Shao J, Zhang P, Wang Y, Wang X. Ubiquitin ligase KLHL2 promotes the degradation and ubiquitination of ARHGEF7 protein to suppress renal cell carcinoma progression. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:3345-3357. [PMID: 33163274 PMCID: PMC7642650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that ARHGEF7 is upregulated in many malignant tumors, but the underlying molecular mechanisms to this response remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we confirm that ARHGEF7 physically interacts with KLHL2, which was previously identified to be an E3 ubiquitin ligase. KLHL2 is capable of promoting ARHGEF7 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We identify that the Kelch domain of KLHL2 is necessary for binding with ARHGEF7 and downstream activities. In addition, we find that ARHGEF7 is overexpressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) specimens, and that the level of expression negatively correlates with that of KLHL2. Moreover, we utilize knockdown loss-of-function assays to demonstrate that ARHGEF7 in 786-O and A498 cell lines can act as a regulator of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and that these effects can be reversed by KLHL2 inactivation. Taken together, our data suggest that ARHGEF7 is a putative oncogene that functions via an interaction with KLHL2, and control of ARHGEF7 can be a potential future target to inhibit tumor progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Encheng Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Xiao Dong
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Siteng Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Jialiang Shao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Pingzhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Yuqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abedrabbo M, Ravid S. Scribble, Lgl1, and myosin II form a complex in vivo to promote directed cell migration. Mol Biol Cell 2020; 31:2234-2248. [PMID: 32697665 PMCID: PMC7550706 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-11-0657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Scribble (Scrib) and Lethal giant larvae 1 (Lgl1) are conserved polarity proteins that play important roles in different forms of cell polarity. The roles of Scrib and Lgl1 in apical-basal cell polarity have been studied extensively, but little is known about their roles in the cell polarity of migrating cells. Furthermore, the effect of Scrib and Lgl1 interaction on cell polarity is largely unknown. In this study, we show that Scrib, through its leucine-rich repeat domain, forms a complex in vivo with Lgl1. Scrib also forms a complex with myosin II, and Scrib, Lgl1, and myosin II colocalize at the leading edge of migrating cells. The cellular localization and the cytoskeletal association of Scrib and Lgl1 are interdependent, as depletion of either protein affects its counterpart. In addition, depletion of either Scrib or Lgl1 disrupts the cellular localization of myosin II. We show that depletion of either Scrib or Lgl1 affects cell adhesion through the inhibition of focal adhesion disassembly. Finally, we show that Scrib and Lgl1 are required for proper cell polarity of migrating cells. These results provide new insights into the mechanism regulating the cell polarity of migrating cells by Scrib, Lgl1, and myosin II.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maha Abedrabbo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Shoshana Ravid
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nguyen AV, Trompetto B, Tan XHM, Scott MB, Hu KHH, Deeds E, Butte MJ, Chiou PY, Rowat AC. Differential Contributions of Actin and Myosin to the Physical Phenotypes and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Cell Mol Bioeng 2020; 13:27-44. [PMID: 32030106 PMCID: PMC6981337 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-019-00603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Metastasis is a fundamentally physical process in which cells deform through narrow gaps and generate forces to invade surrounding tissues. While it is commonly thought that increased cell deformability is an advantage for invading cells, we previously found that more invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells are stiffer than less invasive PDAC cells. Here we investigate potential mechanisms of the simultaneous increase in PDAC cell stiffness and invasion, focusing on the contributions of myosin II, Arp2/3, and formins. METHOD We measure cell invasion using a 3D scratch wound invasion assay and cell stiffness using atomic force microscopy (AFM). To determine the effects of actin- and myosin-mediated force generation on cell stiffness and invasion, we treat cells with pharmacologic inhibitors of myosin II (blebbistatin), Arp2/3 (CK-666), and formins (SMIFH2). RESULTS We find that the activity of myosin II, Arp2/3, and formins all contribute to the stiffness of PDAC cells. Interestingly, we find that the invasion of PDAC cell lines is differentially affected when the activity of myosin II, Arp2/3, or formins is inhibited, suggesting that despite having similar tissue origins, different PDAC cell lines may rely on different mechanisms for invasion. CONCLUSIONS These findings deepen our knowledge of the factors that regulate cancer cell mechanotype and invasion, and incite further studies to develop therapeutics that target multiple mechanisms of invasion for improved clinical benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelyn V. Nguyen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Brittany Trompetto
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | | | - Michael B. Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Present Address: Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern McCormick School of Engineering, Evanston, USA
| | | | - Eric Deeds
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Manish J. Butte
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Pei Yu Chiou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Amy C. Rowat
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 610 Charles E Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rice A, Cortes E, Lachowski D, Oertle P, Matellan C, Thorpe SD, Ghose R, Wang H, Lee DA, Plodinec M, del Río Hernández AE. GPER Activation Inhibits Cancer Cell Mechanotransduction and Basement Membrane Invasion via RhoA. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E289. [PMID: 31991740 PMCID: PMC7073197 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive properties of cancer cells are intimately linked to their mechanical phenotype, which can be regulated by intracellular biochemical signalling. Cell contractility, induced by mechanotransduction of a stiff fibrotic matrix, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promote invasion. Metastasis involves cells pushing through the basement membrane into the stroma-both of which are altered in composition with cancer progression. Agonists of the G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER), such as tamoxifen, have been largely used in the clinic, and interest in GPER, which is abundantly expressed in tissues, has greatly increased despite a lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms which promote its multiple effects. Here, we show that specific activation of GPER inhibits EMT, mechanotransduction and cell contractility in cancer cells via the GTPase Ras homolog family member A (RhoA). We further show that GPER activation inhibits invasion through an in vitro basement membrane mimic, similar in structure to the pancreatic basement membrane that we reveal as an asymmetric bilayer, which differs in composition between healthy and cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Rice
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Ernesto Cortes
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Philipp Oertle
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Stephen D. Thorpe
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (S.D.T.); (D.A.L.)
| | - Ritobrata Ghose
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Haiyun Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
| | - David A. Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (S.D.T.); (D.A.L.)
| | - Marija Plodinec
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wikenius E, Moe V, Smith L, Heiervang ER, Berglund A. DNA methylation changes in infants between 6 and 52 weeks. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17587. [PMID: 31772264 PMCID: PMC6879561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54355-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infants undergo extensive developments during their first year of life. Although the biological mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood, changes in the DNA methylation in mammals are believed to play a key role. This study was designed to investigate changes in infant DNA methylation that occurs between 6 and 52 weeks. A total of 214 infant saliva samples from 6 or 52 weeks were assessed using principal component analyses and t-distributed stochastic neighbor-embedding algorithms. Between the two time points, there were clear differences in DNA methylation. To further investigate these findings, paired two-sided student’s t-tests were performed. Differently methylated regions were defined as at least two consecutive probes that showed significant differences, with a q-value < 0.01 and a mean difference > 0.2. After correcting for false discovery rates, changes in the DNA methylation levels were found in 42 genes. Of these, 36 genes showed increased and six decreased DNA methylation. The overall DNA methylation changes indicated decreased gene expression. This was surprising because infants undergo such profound developments during their first year of life. The results were evaluated by taking into consideration the extensive development that occurs during pregnancy. During the first year of life, infants have an overall three-fold increase in weight, while the fetus develops from a single cell into a viable infant in 9 months, with an 875-million-fold increase in weight. It is possible that the findings represent a biological slowing mechanism in response to extensive fetal development. In conclusion, our study provides evidence of DNA methylation changes during the first year of life, representing a possible biological slowing mechanism. We encourage future studies of DNA methylation changes in infants to replicate the findings by using a repeated measures model and less stringent criteria to see if the same genes can be found, as well as investigating whether other genes are involved in development during this period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Wikenius
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA. .,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Vibeke Moe
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,The Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway (RBUP), Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Smith
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar R Heiervang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Berglund
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cheng HW, Hsiao CT, Chen YQ, Huang CM, Chan SI, Chiou A, Kuo JC. Centrosome guides spatial activation of Rac to control cell polarization and directed cell migration. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/1/e201800135. [PMID: 30737247 PMCID: PMC6369537 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The centrosome acts as a controller by balancing the formation of centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubules, the modulation of focal adhesion signaling and the activation of local Rac1 at the cell front, which then coordinates cell polarization during directed cell migration. Directed cell migration requires centrosome-mediated cell polarization and dynamical control of focal adhesions (FAs). To examine how FAs cooperate with centrosomes for directed cell migration, we used centrosome-deficient cells and found that loss of centrosomes enhanced the formation of acentrosomal microtubules, which failed to form polarized structures in wound-edge cells. In acentrosomal cells, we detected higher levels of Rac1-guanine nucleotide exchange factor TRIO (Triple Functional Domain Protein) on microtubules and FAs. Acentrosomal microtubules deliver TRIO to FAs for Rac1 regulation. Indeed, centrosome disruption induced excessive Rac1 activation around the cell periphery via TRIO, causing rapid FA turnover, a disorganized actin meshwork, randomly protruding lamellipodia, and loss of cell polarity. This study reveals the importance of centrosomes to balance the assembly of centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubules and to deliver microtubule-associated TRIO proteins to FAs at the cell front for proper spatial activation of Rac1, FA turnover, lamillipodial protrusion, and cell polarization, thereby allowing directed cell migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Wei Cheng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Te Hsiao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Quan Chen
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ming Huang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Seng-I Chan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Arthur Chiou
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jean-Cheng Kuo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan .,Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xie Y, Wang M, Cheng M, Gao Z, Wang G. The viscoelastic behaviors of several kinds of cancer cells and normal cells. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2018; 91:54-58. [PMID: 30529987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the viscoelastic behaviors of cancer cells and normal cells using the micropipette aspiration technique combined with the standard linear viscoelastic solid model. The viscoelastic behaviors of pairs of cell lines (human skin cells and human skin cancer cells, human fetal lung fibroblasts and human lung cancer cells, human mammary fibroblasts and human breast cancer cells, and human hepatocyte cells and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells) were tested by the micropipette aspiration technique. The cellular viscoelastic parameters (the instantaneous modulus E0, the equilibrium modulus associated with long term equilibrium E∞, and the apparent viscosity μ) were calculated using a Kelvin standard linear viscoelastic solid model. The present results indicate that the cancer cells were easier to deform, and the viscoelastic parameters (E0, E∞, μ) of the cancer cells were significantly lower than their corresponding normal cells (P < 0.0001). The viscoelastic parameters (E0, E∞, μ) among some normal cells showed significant differences (P < 0.05), while the different cancer cells showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). These findings may be relevant for the identification and diagnosis of cancer cells as well as providing an explanation of this occurrence mechanism in cancer cells and cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongfang Xie
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Mingling Wang
- Graduate Office, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Min Cheng
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Zhiqin Gao
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lei X, Deng L, Liu D, Liao S, Dai H, Li J, Rong J, Wang Z, Huang G, Tang C, Xu C, Xiao B, Li T. ARHGEF7 promotes metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma by regulating the motility of cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2018; 53:1980-1996. [PMID: 30132516 PMCID: PMC6192735 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 7 (ARHGEF7) is implicated in cytoskeleton remodelling, which is important for cell motility and invasiveness, and exhibits frequent high-level genetic amplification in metastatic lesions of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Therefore, it was hypothesized that ARHGEF7 may be involved in the metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the expression level of ARHGEF7 was significantly upregulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor tissues compared with matched nontumorous tissues, and its expression level correlated with colorectal adenocarcinoma metastasis. In vitro assays showed that the overexpression of ARHGEF7 in CRC cells significantly enhanced cell migration and invasion, whereas the knockdown of ARHGEF7 in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells significantly decreased cell migration and invasion. In vivo assays showed that the overexpression of ARHGEF7 in CRC cells facilitated tumor metastasis, whereas the knockdown of ARHGEF7 in CRC cells significantly inhibited tumor metastasis. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that ARHGEF7 promoted cell motility by regulating the actin cytoskeleton. Finally, according to ReMARK guidelines for reporting prognostic biomarkers in cancer, it was found that a high expression of ARHGEF7 was significantly correlated with lymph node, mesenteric and distant metastasis. Patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma with a high expression of ARHGEF7 had shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and shorter overall survival (OS) rates, compared with those with a low expression of ARHGEF7, as determined by the Kaplan-Meier method with a log-rank test. Cox regression analysis showed that a high expression of ARHGEF7 was an independent risk factor for DFS and OS rates in colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Lei
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Li Deng
- Department of General Surgery, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang, Jiangxi 337000, P.R. China
| | - Dongning Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shijun Liao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Hua Dai
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxi Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jun Rong
- Department of General Surgery, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang, Jiangxi 337000, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Guodong Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Benping Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Jiangxi Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang, Jiangxi 337000, P.R. China
| | - Taiyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Malignant carcinomas are often characterized by metastasis, the movement of carcinoma cells from a primary site to colonize distant organs. For metastasis to occur, carcinoma cells first must adopt a pro-migratory phenotype and move through the surrounding stroma towards a blood or lymphatic vessel. Currently, there are very limited possibilities to target these processes therapeutically. The family of Rho GTPases is an ubiquitously expressed division of GTP-binding proteins involved in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular signaling. The best characterized members of the Rho family GTPases are RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42. Abnormalities in Rho GTPase function have major consequences for cancer progression. Rho GTPase activation is driven by cell surface receptors that activate GTP exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on Rho GTPase function in the regulation of metastasis. We will focus on key discoveries in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), cell-cell junctions, formation of membrane protrusions, plasticity of cell migration and adaptation to a hypoxic environment. In addition, we will emphasize on crosstalk between Rho GTPase family members and other important oncogenic pathways, such as cyclic AMP-mediated signaling, canonical Wnt/β-catenin, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) and provide an overview of the advancements and challenges in developing pharmacological tools to target Rho GTPase and the aforementioned crosstalk in the context of cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
|
16
|
Musashi-1 Enhances Glioblastoma Cell Migration and Cytoskeletal Dynamics through Translational Inhibition of Tensin3. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8710. [PMID: 28821879 PMCID: PMC5562834 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein Musashi-1 (MSI1) exerts essential roles in multiple cellular functions, such as maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells. MSI1 overexpression has been observed in several tumor tissues, including glioblastoma (GBM), and is considered as a well-established marker for tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, the molecular mechanisms by which MSI1 regulates cell migration are still undetermined. Here we reported that MSI1 alters cell morphology, promotes cell migration, and increases viscoelasticity of GBM cells. We also found that MSI1 directly binds to the 3′UTR of Tensin 3 (TNS3) mRNA, a negative regulator of cell migration, to inhibit its translation. Additionally, we identified that RhoA-GTP could be a potential regulator in MSI1/TNS3-mediated cell migration and morphological changes. In a xenograft animal model, high expression ratio of MSI1 to TNS3 enhanced GBM tumor migration. We also confirmed that MSI1 and TNS3 expressions are mutually exclusive in migratory tumor lesions, and GBM patients with MSI1high/TNS3low pattern tend to have poor clinical outcome. Taken together, our findings suggested a critical role of MSI1-TNS3 axis in regulating GBM migration and highlighted that the ratio of MSI1/TNS3 could predict metastatic and survival outcome of GBM patients.
Collapse
|
17
|
Hiroyasu S, Stimac GP, Hopkinson SB, Jones JCR. Loss of β-PIX inhibits focal adhesion disassembly and promotes keratinocyte motility via myosin light chain activation. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:2329-2343. [PMID: 28596238 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.196147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During healing of the skin, the cytoskeleton of keratinocytes and their matrix adhesions, including focal adhesions (FAs), undergo reorganization. These changes are coordinated by small GTPases and their regulators, including the guanine nucleotide exchange factor β-PIX (also known as ARHGEF7). In fibroblasts, β-PIX activates small GTPases, thereby enhancing migration. In keratinocytes in vitro, β-PIX localizes to FAs. To study β-PIX functions, we generated β-PIX knockdown keratinocytes. During wound closure of β-PIX knockdown cell monolayers, disassembly of FAs is impaired, and their number and size are increased. In addition, in the β-PIX knockdown cells, phosphorylated myosin light chain (MLC; also known as MYL2) is present not only in the leading edge of cells at the wound front, but also in the cells following the front, while p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2), a regulator of MLC kinase (MYLK), is mislocalized. Inhibition or depletion of MYLK restores FA distribution in β-PIX knockdown cells. Traction forces generated by β-PIX knockdown cells are increased relative to those in control cells, a result consistent with an unexpected enhancement in the migration of single β-PIX knockdown cells and monolayers of such cells. We propose that targeting β-PIX might be a means of promoting epithelialization of wounds in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sho Hiroyasu
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Gregory P Stimac
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Susan B Hopkinson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jonathan C R Jones
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nguyen AV, Nyberg KD, Scott MB, Welsh AM, Nguyen AH, Wu N, Hohlbauch SV, Geisse NA, Gibb EA, Robertson AG, Donahue TR, Rowat AC. Stiffness of pancreatic cancer cells is associated with increased invasive potential. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 8:1232-1245. [PMID: 27761545 PMCID: PMC5866717 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00135a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is a fundamentally physical process in which cells are required to deform through narrow gaps as they invade surrounding tissues and transit to distant sites. In many cancers, more invasive cells are more deformable than less invasive cells, but the extent to which mechanical phenotype, or mechanotype, can predict disease aggressiveness in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. Here we investigate the invasive potential and mechanical properties of immortalized PDAC cell lines derived from primary tumors and a secondary metastatic site, as well as noncancerous pancreatic ductal cells. To investigate how invasive behavior is associated with cell mechanotype, we flow cells through micron-scale pores using parallel microfiltration and microfluidic deformability cytometry; these results show that the ability of PDAC cells to passively transit through pores is only weakly correlated with their invasive potential. We also measure the Young's modulus of pancreatic ductal cells using atomic force microscopy, which reveals that there is a strong association between cell stiffness and invasive potential in PDAC cells. To determine the molecular origins of the variability in mechanotype across our PDAC cell lines, we analyze RNAseq data for genes that are known to regulate cell mechanotype. Our results show that vimentin, actin, and lamin A are among the most differentially expressed mechanoregulating genes across our panel of PDAC cell lines, as well as a cohort of 38 additional PDAC cell lines. We confirm levels of these proteins across our cell panel using immunoblotting, and find that levels of lamin A increase with both invasive potential and Young's modulus. Taken together, we find that stiffer PDAC cells are more invasive than more compliant cells, which challenges the paradigm that decreased cell stiffness is a hallmark of metastatic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelyn V Nguyen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Kendra D Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Michael B Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Alia M Welsh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Andrew H Nguyen
- Department of General Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Nanping Wu
- Department of General Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Sophia V Hohlbauch
- Asylum Research, an Oxford Instruments Company, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Nicholas A Geisse
- Asylum Research, an Oxford Instruments Company, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Ewan A Gibb
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A Gordon Robertson
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Timothy R Donahue
- Department of General Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, USA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Amy C Rowat
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bio- chemical and physical characterizations of mesenchymal stromal cells along the time course of directed differentiation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31547. [PMID: 27526936 PMCID: PMC4985743 DOI: 10.1038/srep31547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular biophysical properties are novel biomarkers of cell phenotypes which may reflect the status of differentiating stem cells. Accurate characterizations of cellular biophysical properties, in conjunction with the corresponding biochemical properties could help to distinguish stem cells from primary cells, cancer cells, and differentiated cells. However, the correlated evolution of these properties in the course of directed stem cells differentiation has not been well characterized. In this study, we applied video particle tracking microrheology (VPTM) to measure intracellular viscoelasticity of differentiating human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hMSCs). Our results showed that osteogenesis not only increased both elastic and viscous moduli, but also converted the intracellular viscoelasticity of differentiating hMSCs from viscous-like to elastic-like. In contrast, adipogenesis decreased both elastic and viscous moduli while hMSCs remained viscous-like during the differentiation. In conjunction with bio- chemical and physical parameters, such as gene expression profiles, cell morphology, and cytoskeleton arrangement, we demonstrated that VPTM is a unique approach to quantify, with high data throughput, the maturation level of differentiating hMSCs and to anticipate their fate decisions. This approach is well suited for time-lapsed study of the mechanobiology of differentiating stem cells especially in three dimensional physico-chemical biomimetic environments including porous scaffolds.
Collapse
|
20
|
Luo Q, Kuang D, Zhang B, Song G. Cell stiffness determined by atomic force microscopy and its correlation with cell motility. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1860:1953-60. [PMID: 27288584 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell stiffness is a crucial mechanical property that is closely related to cell motility. AFM is the most prevalent method used to determine cell stiffness by the quantitative parameter designated as Young's modulus. Young's modulus is regarded as a biomarker of cell motility, especially in estimating the metastasis of cancer cells, because in recent years, it has been repeatedly shown that cancerous cells are softer than their benign counterparts. However, some conflicting evidence has shown that cells with higher motility are sometimes stiffer than their counterparts. Thus, the correlation between cell stiffness and motility remains a matter of debate. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, we first summarize the reports on correlations between cell motility and stiffness determined by AFM and then discuss the major determinants of AFM-determined cell stiffness with a focus on the cytoskeleton, nuclear stiffness and methodological issues. Last, we propose a possible correlation between cell stiffness and motility and the possible explanations for the conflicting evidence. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The AFM-determined Young's modulus is greatly affected by the characteristics of the cytoskeleton, as well as the procedures and parameters used in detection. Young's modulus is a reliable biomarker for the characterization of metastasis; however, reliability is questioned in the evaluation of pharmacologically or genetically modified motility. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the correlation between AFM-determined cell stiffness and motility, the determinants of this detecting method, as well as clues to optimize detecting parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dongdong Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanbin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chidiac R, Zhang Y, Tessier S, Faubert D, Delisle C, Gratton JP. Comparative Phosphoproteomics Analysis of VEGF and Angiopoietin-1 Signaling Reveals ZO-1 as a Critical Regulator of Endothelial Cell Proliferation. Mol Cell Proteomics 2016; 15:1511-25. [PMID: 26846344 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m115.053298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
VEGF and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) are essential factors to promote angiogenesis through regulation of a plethora of signaling events in endothelial cells (ECs). Although pathways activated by VEGF and Ang-1 are being established, the unique signaling nodes conferring specific responses to each factor remain poorly defined. Thus, we conducted a large-scale comparative phosphoproteomic analysis of signaling pathways activated by VEGF and Ang-1 in ECs using mass spectrometry. Analysis of VEGF and Ang-1 networks of regulated phosphoproteins revealed that the junctional proteins ZO-1, ZO-2, JUP and p120-catenin are part of a cluster of proteins phosphorylated following VEGF stimulation that are linked to MAPK1 activation. Down-regulation of these junctional proteins led to MAPK1 activation and accordingly, increased proliferation of ECs stimulated specifically by VEGF, but not by Ang-1. We identified ZO-1 as the central regulator of this effect and showed that modulation of cellular ZO-1 levels is necessary for EC proliferation during vascular development of the mouse postnatal retina. In conclusion, we uncovered ZO-1 as part of a signaling node activated by VEGF, but not Ang-1, that specifically modulates EC proliferation during angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rony Chidiac
- From the ‡Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; §Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ying Zhang
- From the ‡Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; §Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sylvain Tessier
- ¶Proteomics discovery platform, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Denis Faubert
- ¶Proteomics discovery platform, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chantal Delisle
- From the ‡Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Gratton
- From the ‡Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|