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Akhlaghipour I, Moghbeli M. Matrix metalloproteinases as the critical regulators of cisplatin response and tumor cell invasion. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 982:176966. [PMID: 39216742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Cisplatin (CDDP) as one of the most common first-line chemotherapy drugs plays a vital role in the treatment of a wide range of malignant tumors. Nevertheless, CDDP resistance is observed as a therapeutic challenge in a large number of cancer patients. Considering the CDDP side effects in normal tissues, predicting the CDDP response of cancer patients can significantly help to choose the appropriate therapeutic strategy. In this regard, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in CDDP resistance can lead to the introduction of prognostic markers in cancer patients. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have critical roles in tissue remodeling and cell migration through extracellular matrix degradation. Therefore, defects in MMPs functions can be associated with tumor metastasis and chemo resistance. In the present review, we discussed the role of MMPs in CDDP response and tumor cell invasion. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched using "MMP", "cisplatin", and "cancer" keywords for data retrieval that was limited to 20 Apr 2024. It has been reported that MMPs can increase CDDP resistance in tumor cells as the effectors of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways or independently through the regulation of structural proteins, autophagy, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. This review has an effective role in introducing MMPs as the prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in CDDP-resistant cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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2
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Wu Z, Wu D, Zhong Q, Zou X, Liu Z, Long H, Wei J, Li X, Dai F. The role of zyxin in signal transduction and its relationship with diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1371549. [PMID: 38712343 PMCID: PMC11070705 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1371549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
This review highlighted the pivotal role of zyxin, an essential cell focal adhesions protein, in cellular biology and various diseases. Zyxin can orchestrate the restructuring and dynamic alterations of the cellular cytoskeleton, which is involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, motility, and gene transcription. Aberrant zyxin expression is closely correlated with tumor cell activity and cardiac function in both tumorigenesis and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, in fibrotic and inflammatory conditions, zyxin can modulate cellular functions and inflammatory responses. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of zyxin is crucial for deciphering signal transduction networks and disease pathogenesis. Investigating its role in diseases holds promise for novel avenues in early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, targeting zyxin as a therapeutic focal point presents challenges in terms of specificity, safety, drug delivery, and resistance. Nonetheless, in-depth studies on zyxin and the application of precision medicine could offer new possibilities for personalized treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelan Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Daiqin Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Qin Zhong
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xue Zou
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhongjing Liu
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hehua Long
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xia Li
- Guizhou Precision Medicine Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Fangjie Dai
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Goswami P, Banks CA, Thornton J, Bengs B, Sardiu ME, Florens L, Washburn MP. Distinct regions within SAP25 recruit O-linked glycosylation, DNA demethylation, and ubiquitin ligase and hydrolase activities to the Sin3/HDAC complex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.05.583553. [PMID: 38496433 PMCID: PMC10942353 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.05.583553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic control of gene expression is crucial for maintaining gene regulation. Sin3 is an evolutionarily conserved repressor protein complex mainly associated with histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. A large number of proteins are part of Sin3/HDAC complexes, and the function of most of these members remains poorly understood. SAP25, a previously identified Sin3A associated protein of 25 kDa, has been proposed to participate in regulating gene expression programs involved in the immune response but the exact mechanism of this regulation is unclear. SAP25 is not expressed in HEK293 cells, which hence serve as a natural knockout system to decipher the molecular functions uniquely carried out by this Sin3/HDAC subunit. Using molecular, proteomic, protein engineering, and interaction network approaches, we show that SAP25 interacts with distinct enzymatic and regulatory protein complexes in addition to Sin3/HDAC. While the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and the TET1 /TET2/TET3 methylcytosine dioxygenases have been previously linked to Sin3/HDAC, in HEK293 cells, these interactions were only observed in the affinity purification in which an exogenously expressed SAP25 was the bait. Additional proteins uniquely recovered from the Halo-SAP25 pull-downs included the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex SKP1/FBXO3/CUL1 and the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 11 (USP11), which have not been previously associated with Sin3/HDAC. Finally, we use mutational analysis to demonstrate that distinct regions of SAP25 participate in its interaction with USP11, OGT/TETs, and SCF(FBXO3).) These results suggest that SAP25 may function as an adaptor protein to coordinate the assembly of different enzymatic complexes to control Sin3/HDAC-mediated gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Goswami
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Charles A.S. Banks
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Janet Thornton
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Bethany Bengs
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Mihaela E. Sardiu
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Laurence Florens
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Michael P. Washburn
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
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4
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Desai P, Awatiger MM, Mane DR. Evaluation of Immunoexpression of AJUBA Protein in Normal Oral Mucosa and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2023; 31:1-8. [PMID: 36222508 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AJUBA is multifunctional scaffold protein which belongs to Zyxin family of proteins. It is known to have dual role in cancer as a tumor promoter and tumor suppressor. AJUBA has a key role in systemic malignancies like esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, cervical, breast, prostate cancer, etc. But there is very sparse literature available regarding its expression profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and moreover its expression has not been observed in normal oral mucosa (NOM). Thus, the aim of this research is to explore the expression profile of AJUBA by immunohistochemical method in NOM and OSCC. Furthermore, we also evaluated the association of AJUBA expression with clinicopathologic parameters. A total of 84 samples of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks comprising of 42 cases each of NOM and OSCC were subjected to detect immunoexpression of AJUBA. We found enhanced intense immune-expression of AJUBA in OSCC cases than compared with NOM and found to be statistically significant. The parameters specific to histologic tumor grade and inflammatory response in OSCC also found to have statistically significant with AJUBA expression. Our study is first of its kind to reveal AJUBA expression in basal and suprabasal layer of NOM suggestive of its definitive role in differentiation and stratification process. We also observed its intense expression in peripheral cell of tumor islands of OSCC cases, which can suggest its possible role in tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Desai
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
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Zhao H, Jia P, Nanding K, Wu M, Bai X, Morigen M, Fan L. Lysophosphatidic acid suppresses apoptosis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells by inducing autophagy activity and promotes cell-cycle progression via EGFR-PI3K/Aurora-A Thr288-geminin dual signaling pathways. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1046269. [PMID: 36601056 PMCID: PMC9806123 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1046269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and geminin are overexpressed in ovarian cancer, and increasing evidence supports their contribution to ovarian tumor development. Here, we reveal that geminin depletion induces autophagy suppression and enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cells. Bioinformatics analysis and pharmacological inhibition studies confirm that LPA activates geminin expression in the early S phase in HGSOC cells via the LPAR1/3/MMPs/EGFR/PI3K/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, LPA phosphorylates Aurora-A kinase on Thr288 through EGFR transactivation, and this event potentiates additional geminin stabilization. In turn, overexpressed and stabilized geminin regulates DNA replication, cell-cycle progression, and cell proliferation of HGSOC cells. Our data provide potential targets for enhancing the clinical benefit of HGSOC precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lifei Fan
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
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Rauskolb C, Han A, Kirichenko E, Ibar C, Irvine KD. Analysis of the Drosophila Ajuba LIM protein defines functions for distinct LIM domains. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269208. [PMID: 35969522 PMCID: PMC9377591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ajuba LIM protein Jub mediates regulation of Hippo signaling by cytoskeletal tension through interaction with the kinase Warts and participates in feedback regulation of junctional tension through regulation of the cytohesin Steppke. To investigate how Jub interacts with and regulates its distinct partners, we investigated the ability of Jub proteins missing different combinations of its three LIM domains to rescue jub phenotypes and to interact with α-catenin, Warts and Steppke. Multiple regions of Jub contribute to its ability to bind α-catenin and to localize to adherens junctions in Drosophila wing imaginal discs. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in cultured cells identified a specific requirement for LIM2 for binding to Warts. However, in vivo, both LIM1 and LIM2, but not LIM3, were required for regulation of wing growth, Yorkie activity, and Warts localization. Conversely, LIM2 and LIM3, but not LIM1, were required for regulation of cell shape and Steppke localization in vivo, and for maximal Steppke binding in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. These observations identify distinct functions for the different LIM domains of Jub.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Rauskolb
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Ahri Han
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Elmira Kirichenko
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Consuelo Ibar
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Kenneth D. Irvine
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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7
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Song N, Liu J, Zhang K, Yang J, Cui K, Miao Z, Zhao F, Meng H, Chen L, Chen C, Li Y, Shao M, Su W, Wang H. The LIM Protein AJUBA is a Potential Oncogenic Target and Prognostic Marker in Human Cancer via Pan-Cancer Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921897. [PMID: 35898403 PMCID: PMC9309301 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The LIM (Lin-11, Isl1, MEC-3) domain protein AJUBA is involved in multiple biological functions, and its aberrant expression is related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. However, there are no analytical studies on AJUBA in pan-cancer. Methods: We performed a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis and explored the potential oncogenic roles of AJUBA, including gene expression, genetic mutation, protein phosphorylation, clinical diagnostic biomarker, prognosis, and AJUBA-related immune infiltration based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases. Results: The results revealed that the expression of AJUBA highly correlated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with different types of cancer. Meanwhile, AJUBA expression was positively correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts in many human cancers, such as breast invasive carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, brain lower-grade glioma, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses showed that AJUBA is mainly involved in protein serine/threonine kinase activity, cell–cell junction, covalent chromatin modification, and Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusion: The pan-cancer study reveals the oncogenic roles of AJUBA and provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular biological genetic information of AJUBA in various tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Kai Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhuang Miao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Feiyue Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongjing Meng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Lu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chong Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yushan Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Minglong Shao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wei Su
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haijun Wang,
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Dommann N, Gavini J, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Baier FA, Birrer F, Loforese G, Candinas D, Stroka D. LIM protein Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation through its involvement in DNA replication and DNA damage control. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1746-1764. [PMID: 35535434 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The LIM-domain protein Ajuba is associated with cell proliferation, a fundamental process of tissue regeneration and cancer. We report that in the liver, Ajuba expression is increased during regeneration and in tumor cells and tissues. Knockout of Ajuba using CRISPR/Cas9 is embryonic lethal in mice. shRNA targeting of Ajuba reduces cell proliferation, delays cell entry into S-phase, reduces cell survival and tumor growth in vivo, and increases expression of the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Ajuba binding partners include proteins involved in DNA replication and damage, such as SKP2, MCM2, MCM7 and RPA70. Taken together, our data support that Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation associated with development, regeneration, and tumor growth and is involved in DNA replication and damage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlle Dommann
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Gavini
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Felix Alexander Baier
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Birrer
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Loforese
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
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9
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Zhang J, Guo Y, Ma Y, Wang L, Li W, Zhang M, Zhao J, Hu Y, Yu H, Hu G. miR-433-3p Targets AJUBA to Inhibit Malignant Progression of Glioma. Neuroimmunomodulation 2022; 29:44-54. [PMID: 34518486 DOI: 10.1159/000518084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glioma is the most aggressive and malignant type of tumors among primary intracranial tumors. miR-433-3p has been verified to be correlated with the formation and progression of many types of cancers. METHODS In this study, the effects of miR-433-3p and AJUBA on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma and the molecular mechanisms were investigated. We analyzed bioinformatics databases and conducted cell biology experiments to determine that compared with adjacent tissue and normal cells, the expression level of miR-433-3p in glioma tissue and cells was lower, while the expression level of AJUBA was higher. Overexpressing miR-433-3p could significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells and promote cell apoptosis. RESULTS In addition, after overexpressing miR-433-3p and AJUBA, it was found that overexpressing AJUBA could attenuate the inhibitory effect of overexpressing miR-433-3p on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, which suggested that miR-433-3p regulated the biological function of glioma by downregulating AJUBA expression. CONCLUSION These results proved that miR-433-3p could target to inhibit the expression of AJUBA, thus inhibiting the biological function and malignant progression of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Yihang Guo
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Yanrong Ma
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Lipeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Weiyuan Li
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Manyu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Jiaming Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Yueming Hu
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Hongmei Yu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Pharmaceutical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Guozhi Hu
- Department of Oncology, Tangshan Central Hospital, Tangshan, China
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10
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Wu Z, Zou X, Xu Y, Zhou F, Kuai R, Li J, Yang D, Chu Y, Peng H. Ajuba transactivates N-cadherin expression in colorectal cancer cells through interaction with Twist. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8006-8014. [PMID: 34173718 PMCID: PMC8358848 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ajuba is a multiple LIM domain‐containing protein and functions as a transcriptional coregulator to modulate many gene expressions in various cellular processes. Here, we describe that the LIM domain of Ajuba interacts with Twist, and the Twist box is a pivotal motif for the interaction. Biologically, Ajuba enhances transcription of target gene N‐cadherin as an obligate coactivator of Twist. The enhancement is achieved by binding to the E‐box element within N‐cadherin promoter as revealed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mechanistic investigation demonstrates that Ajuba recruits CBP and Twist to form a ternary complex at the Twist target promoter region and concomitantly enhances histone acetylation at these sites. These findings identify that Twist is a new interacting protein of Ajuba and Ajuba/Twist/CBP ternary complex may be a potential treatment strategy for Twist‐related tumour metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxia Wu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuqun Zou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Cellular Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengli Zhou
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Kuai
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji Li
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daming Yang
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Chu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixia Peng
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Schleicher K, Schramek D. AJUBA: A regulator of epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:546-559. [PMID: 33372298 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epidermis, outermost layer of the skin, is constantly renewing itself through proliferative and differentiation processes. These processes are vital to maintain proper epidermal integrity during skin development and homeostasis and for preventing skin diseases and cancers. The biological mechanisms that permit this balancing act are vast, where individual pathway regulators are known, but the exact regulatory control and cross-talk between simultaneously turning one biological pathway on and an opposing one off remain elusive. This review explores the diverse roles the scaffolding protein AJUBA plays during epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Initially identified for its role in promoting meiotic progression in oocytes through Grb2 and MAP kinase activity, AJUBA also maintains cytoskeletal tension permitting epidermal tissue development and responds to retinoic acid committing cells to initiate development of surface epidermal layer. AJUBA regulates proliferation of skin stem cells through Hippo and Wnt signalling and encourages mitotic commitment through Aurora-A, Aurora-B and CDK1. In addition, AJUBA also induces epidermal differentiation to maintain appropriate epidermal thickness and barrier function by activating Notch signalling and stabilizing catenins and actin during cellular remodelling. AJUBA also plays an imperative context-dependent tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive role within epithelial cancers. AJUBA's abundant roles within the epidermis signify its importance as a molecular switchboard, vetting multiple signalling pathways to control epidermal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Schleicher
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Schramek
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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12
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Dommann N, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Eggs L, Birrer F, Brodie T, Salm L, Baier FA, Medová M, Humbert M, Tschan MP, Beldi G, Candinas D, Stroka D. The LIM Protein Ajuba Augments Tumor Metastasis in Colon Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071913. [PMID: 32679899 PMCID: PMC7409172 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer, along with its high potential for recurrence and metastasis, is a major health burden. Uncovering proteins and pathways required for tumor cell growth is necessary for the development of novel targeted therapies. Ajuba is a member of the LIM domain family of proteins whose expression is positively associated with numerous cancers. Our data shows that Ajuba is highly expressed in human colon cancer tissue and cell lines. Publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas shows a negative correlation between survival and Ajuba expression in patients with colon cancer. To investigate its function, we transduced SW480 human colon cancer cells, with lentiviral constructs to knockdown or overexpress Ajuba protein. The transcriptome of the modified cell lines was analyzed by RNA sequencing. Among the pathways enriched in the differentially expressed genes, were cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. We confirmed our sequencing data with biological assays; cells depleted of Ajuba were less proliferative, more sensitive to irradiation, migrated less and were less efficient in colony formation. In addition, loss of Ajuba expression decreased the tumor burden in a murine model of colorectal metastasis to the liver. Taken together, our data supports that Ajuba promotes colon cancer growth, migration and metastasis and therefore is a potential candidate for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlle Dommann
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Linda Eggs
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Fabienne Birrer
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Tess Brodie
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Lilian Salm
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Felix Alexander Baier
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department of Biomedical Research, Radiation Oncology, University of Bern, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Magali Humbert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.H.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Mario P. Tschan
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.H.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Guido Beldi
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-31-632-27-48
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13
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Li R, Li P, Xing W, Qiu H. Heterogeneous genomic aberrations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a review. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:1553-1568. [PMID: 32509161 PMCID: PMC7269976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) causes hundreds of thousands of deaths a year worldwide, especially the major subtype esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). With the advent of next-generation sequencing and the availability of commercial microarrays, abnormities in genetic levels have been revealed in various independent researches. High frequencies of structure variations (SVs), single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and copy-number alterations (CNAs) in ESCCs are uncovered, and ESCC shows high levels of inter- and intratumor heterogeneity, implying diverse evolutionary trajectories. This review tries to explain the pathogenesis of ESCC on the scope of most often mutated genes based on prior studies, hopes to offer some hints for diagnosis and therapy in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renling Li
- Quality and Standards Academy, Shenzhen Technology UniversityShenzhen 518060, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer HospitalZhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Wenqun Xing
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer HospitalZhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Huiling Qiu
- Quality and Standards Academy, Shenzhen Technology UniversityShenzhen 518060, China
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14
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Ajuba: An emerging signal transducer in oncogenesis. Pharmacol Res 2019; 151:104546. [PMID: 31740385 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The LIM protein Ajuba contains an unstructured proline/glycine-rich preLIM region in the N terminus and conserved tandem LIM motifs in the C terminus. Additionally, Ajuba contains both nuclear export sequences (NES) and nuclear localization sequences (NLS), which enable Ajuba shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Thus, Ajuba can act as a versatile scaffold participating in assembly of variety of protein complexes to execute multiple cellular functions including cell adhesion, motility, mitosis, survival, gene expression, microRNA processing and mechanical force sensing. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Ajuba plays important roles in oncogenesis and progression by regulating major signalling pathways such as Wnt, RAS/ERK, JAK/STAT and Hippo, and by acting as a co-regulator of key transcription factors such as Snail, Sp1 and nuclear hormone receptors. Clinically, Ajuba is highly expressed in various types of tumors and can be a marker for prognosis and diagnosis. In this review, we aim to summarize the up-to-date literatures on the signaling pathways mediated by Ajuba and its associated protein complexes in oncogenesis, and to discuss Ajuba as a potential target for new therapeutics to treat cancers.
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15
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Razzell W, Bustillo ME, Zallen JA. The force-sensitive protein Ajuba regulates cell adhesion during epithelial morphogenesis. J Cell Biol 2018; 217:3715-3730. [PMID: 30006462 PMCID: PMC6168262 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201801171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces are generated during epithelial morphogenesis, but how cells maintain adhesion when exposed to these forces is poorly understood. Razzell et al. show that the LIM domain protein Ajuba localizes to adherens junctions under tension in the Drosophila embryo and is required to maintain cell adhesion during epithelial remodeling. The reorganization of cells in response to mechanical forces converts simple epithelial sheets into complex tissues of various shapes and dimensions. Epithelial integrity is maintained throughout tissue remodeling, but the mechanisms that regulate dynamic changes in cell adhesion under tension are not well understood. In Drosophila melanogaster, planar polarized actomyosin forces direct spatially organized cell rearrangements that elongate the body axis. We show that the LIM-domain protein Ajuba is recruited to adherens junctions in a tension-dependent fashion during axis elongation. Ajuba localizes to sites of myosin accumulation at adherens junctions within seconds, and the force-sensitive localization of Ajuba requires its N-terminal domain and two of its three LIM domains. We demonstrate that Ajuba stabilizes adherens junctions in regions of high tension during axis elongation, and that Ajuba activity is required to maintain cell adhesion during cell rearrangement and epithelial closure. These results demonstrate that Ajuba plays an essential role in regulating cell adhesion in response to mechanical forces generated by epithelial morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Razzell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY
| | - Maria E Bustillo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY.,Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY
| | - Jennifer A Zallen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY
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16
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LIM Protein Ajuba associates with the RPA complex through direct cell cycle-dependent interaction with the RPA70 subunit. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9536. [PMID: 29934626 PMCID: PMC6015067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27919-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage response pathways are essential for genome stability and cell survival. Specifically, the ATR kinase is activated by DNA replication stress. An early event in this activation is the recruitment and phosphorylation of RPA, a single stranded DNA binding complex composed of three subunits, RPA70, RPA32 and RPA14. We have previously shown that the LIM protein Ajuba associates with RPA, and that depletion of Ajuba leads to potent activation of ATR. In this study, we provide evidence that the Ajuba-RPA interaction occurs through direct protein contact with RPA70, and that their association is cell cycle-regulated and is reduced upon DNA replication stress. We propose a model in which Ajuba negatively regulates the ATR pathway by directly interacting with RPA70, thereby preventing inappropriate ATR activation. Our results provide a framework to further our understanding of the mechanism of ATR regulation in human cells in the context of cellular transformation.
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17
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Ibar C, Kirichenko E, Keepers B, Enners E, Fleisch K, Irvine KD. Tension-dependent regulation of mammalian Hippo signaling through LIMD1. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs214700. [PMID: 29440237 PMCID: PMC5897721 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.214700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippo signaling is regulated by biochemical and biomechanical cues that influence the cytoskeleton, but the mechanisms that mediate this have remained unclear. We show that all three mammalian Ajuba family proteins - AJUBA, LIMD1 and WTIP - exhibit tension-dependent localization to adherens junctions, and that both LATS family proteins, LATS1 and LATS2, exhibit an overlapping tension-dependent junctional localization. This localization of Ajuba and LATS family proteins is also influenced by cell density, and by Rho activation. We establish that junctional localization of LATS kinases requires LIMD1, and that LIMD1 is also specifically required for the regulation of LATS kinases and YAP1 by Rho. Our results identify a biomechanical pathway that contributes to regulation of mammalian Hippo signaling, establish that this occurs through tension-dependent LIMD1-mediated recruitment and inhibition of LATS kinases in junctional complexes, and identify roles for this pathway in both Rho-mediated and density-dependent regulation of Hippo signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Ibar
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
| | - Elmira Kirichenko
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
| | - Benjamin Keepers
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
| | - Edward Enners
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
| | - Katelyn Fleisch
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
| | - Kenneth D Irvine
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
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18
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Wang H, Wang J, Shi X, Ding Y. JUB induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:1374-1382. [PMID: 31938233 PMCID: PMC6958140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process involving acquisition of metastatic potential for cancer cells. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer where metastasis is linked to patient survival. JUB has been reported to be involved in several physiological processes, however, pathological roles of JUB in tumor metastasis have been poorly studied. Here, we report that JUB is highly upregulated in clinical specimens and HCC cell lines. Through gain- and loss-of-function studies, JUB was demonstrated to facilitate HCC cell EMT. We found that JUB expression was upregulated in the HCC tissues compared to borderline or benign tissues. Experimental EMT induced by JUB plasmid transfection proved that JUB protein overexpression could enhance transwell migration ability and significantly upregulate mesenchymal marker proteins, N-cadherin and concurrently downregulate the epithelial marker E-cadherin. Subsequently, through Western blot assay, we found that JUB could activate the Wnt-signaling component β-catenin in the nuclei. Our findings revealed that JUB might be a key molecule regulating EMT through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolei Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Yitao Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
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19
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Shi X, Chen Z, Hu X, Luo M, Sun Z, Li J, Shi S, Feng X, Zhou C, Li Z, Yang W, Li Y, Wang P, Zhou F, Gao Y, He J. AJUBA promotes the migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells through upregulation of MMP10 and MMP13 expression. Oncotarget 2017; 7:36407-36418. [PMID: 27172796 PMCID: PMC5095009 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The LIM-domain protein AJUBA has been reported to be involved in cell-cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and cell fate decision by acting as a scaffold or adaptor protein. We previously identified AJUBA as a putative cancer gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the function and underlying mechanisms of AJUBA in ESCC remain largely unknown. In the present study, we detected AJUBA levels in ESCC tumor tissues and in corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and investigated the function and mechanism of AJUBA in ESCC cells. The IHC results showed that AJUBA levels were significantly higher in ESCC tissues compared with corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissues (P < 0.001). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that AJUBA promoted cell growth and colony formation, inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis of ESCC cells, and promoted ESCC cell migration and invasion. RNA sequencing was used to reveal the oncogenic pathways of AJUBA that were involved, and MMP10 and MMP13 were identified as two of the downstream targets of AJUBA. Thus, AJUBA upregulates the levels of MMP10 and MMP13 by activating ERK1/2. Taken together, these findings revealed that AJUBA serves as oncogenic gene in ESCC and may serve as a new target for ESCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoli Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xueda Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Luo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zengmiao Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiagen Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Susheng Shi
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zitong Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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20
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Bi L, Ma F, Tian R, Zhou Y, Lan W, Song Q, Cheng X. AJUBA increases the cisplatin resistance through hippo pathway in cervical cancer. Gene 2017; 644:148-154. [PMID: 29126926 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Though LIM-domain protein AJUBA was identified as a putative oncogene, the function and underlying mechanisms of AJUBA in cervical cancer remain largely unknown. Firstly, AJUBA expression was detected via real-time quantitative PCR in patients' samples. Furthermore, Hela and Siha cells were transfected with AJUBA-overexpressing plasmids, and then exposed to cisplatin, the apoptosis was measured by cytometry assay. In addition, the expression of YAP and TAZ was disclosed through western blot assay. Our results revealed that AJUBA expression was significantly higher in the cervical cancer patients resistant to cisplatin treatment compared with cervical cancer patients sensitive to cisplatin treatment. In addition, overall survival time was significantly shorter in the cervical cancer patients with high AJUBA expression compare with those with low AJUBA expression using kaplan-meier analysis. Hela and Siha cells transfected with AJUBA-expressing plasmids exposed to cisplatin treatment had higher survival rate compared with the cells transfected with empty vector control. Mechanistic studies revealed the AJUBA upregulated the downstream targets YAP and TAZ. These results suggest that high AJUBA level enhances cervical cancer cells drug resistance to cisplatin, also associates with decreased patient survival times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Bi
- Department of Gynecology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Feng Ma
- Department of Oncology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China.
| | - Rui Tian
- Department of Gynecology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Yanli Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Weiguang Lan
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Quanmao Song
- Department of Oncology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Xiankui Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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21
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Mandaviya PR, Aïssi D, Dekkers KF, Joehanes R, Kasela S, Truong V, Stolk L, Heemst DV, Ikram MA, Lindemans J, Slagboom PE, Trégouët DA, Uitterlinden AG, Wei C, Wells P, Gagnon F, van Greevenbroek MM, Heijmans BT, Milani L, Morange PE, van Meurs JB, Heil SG. Homocysteine levels associate with subtle changes in leukocyte DNA methylation: an epigenome-wide analysis. Epigenomics 2017; 9:1403-1422. [PMID: 28990796 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sensitive marker of one-carbon metabolism. Higher Hcy levels have been associated with global DNA hypomethylation. We investigated the association between plasma Hcy and epigenome-wide DNA methylation in leukocytes. METHODS Methylation was measured using Illumina 450 k arrays in 2035 individuals from six cohorts. Hcy-associated differentially methylated positions and regions were identified using meta-analysis. RESULTS Three differentially methylated positions cg21607669 (SLC27A1), cg26382848 (AJUBA) and cg10701000 (KCNMA1) at chromosome 19, 14 and 10, respectively, were significantly associated with Hcy. In addition, we identified 68 Hcy-associated differentially methylated regions, the most significant of which was a 1.8-kb spanning domain (TNXB/ATF6B) at chromosome 6. CONCLUSION We identified novel epigenetic loci associated with Hcy levels, of which specific role needs to be further validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja R Mandaviya
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dylan Aïssi
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S 1166, Team Genomics & Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Diseases, Paris, France.,ICAN Institute for Cardiometabolism & Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Koen F Dekkers
- Molecular Epidemiology Section, Department of Medical Statistics & Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roby Joehanes
- Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Silva Kasela
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vinh Truong
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lisette Stolk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Gerontology & Geriatrics Section, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Lindemans
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Eline Slagboom
- Molecular Epidemiology Section, Department of Medical Statistics & Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - David-Alexandre Trégouët
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S 1166, Team Genomics & Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Diseases, Paris, France.,ICAN Institute for Cardiometabolism & Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - André G Uitterlinden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chen Wei
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Phil Wells
- Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - France Gagnon
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Marleen Mj van Greevenbroek
- Department of Internal Medicine & School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan T Heijmans
- Molecular Epidemiology Section, Department of Medical Statistics & Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lili Milani
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Morange
- Laboratory of Haematology, La Timone Hospital, Marseille, France.,Institut National pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unité Mixte de Recherche en Santé (UMR_S) 1062, Nutrition Obesity & Risk of Thrombosis, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Joyce Bj van Meurs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra G Heil
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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22
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McCormack JJ, Bruche S, Ouadda ABD, Ishii H, Lu H, Garcia-Cattaneo A, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Lamarche-Vane N, Braga VMM. The scaffold protein Ajuba suppresses CdGAP activity in epithelia to maintain stable cell-cell contacts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9249. [PMID: 28835688 PMCID: PMC5569031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09024-4] [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: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Levels of active Rac1 at epithelial junctions are partially modulated via interaction with Ajuba, an actin binding and scaffolding protein. Here we demonstrate that Ajuba interacts with the Cdc42 GTPase activating protein CdGAP, a GAP for Rac1 and Cdc42, at cell-cell contacts. CdGAP recruitment to junctions does not require Ajuba; rather Ajuba seems to control CdGAP residence at sites of cell-cell adhesion. CdGAP expression potently perturbs junctions and Ajuba binding inhibits CdGAP activity. Ajuba interacts with Rac1 and CdGAP via distinct domains and can potentially bring them in close proximity at junctions to facilitate activity regulation. Functionally, CdGAP-Ajuba interaction maintains junctional integrity in homeostasis and diseases: (i) gain-of-function CdGAP mutants found in Adams-Oliver Syndrome patients strongly destabilize cell-cell contacts and (ii) CdGAP mRNA levels are inversely correlated with E-cadherin protein expression in different cancers. We present conceptual insights on how Ajuba can integrate CdGAP binding and inactivation with the spatio-temporal regulation of Rac1 activity at junctions. Ajuba provides a novel mechanism due to its ability to bind to CdGAP and Rac1 via distinct domains and influence the activation status of both proteins. This functional interplay may contribute towards conserving the epithelial tissue architecture at steady-state and in different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J McCormack
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - S Bruche
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - A B D Ouadda
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute-McGill University Hospital Centre and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H4A 3J1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - H Ishii
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute-McGill University Hospital Centre and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H4A 3J1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - H Lu
- Cancer Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - A Garcia-Cattaneo
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - C Chávez-Olórtegui
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - N Lamarche-Vane
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute-McGill University Hospital Centre and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H4A 3J1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - V M M Braga
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
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Jia H, Song L, Cong Q, Wang J, Xu H, Chu Y, Li Q, Zhang Y, Zou X, Zhang C, Chin YE, Zhang X, Li Z, Zhu K, Wang B, Peng H, Hou Z. The LIM protein AJUBA promotes colorectal cancer cell survival through suppression of JAK1/STAT1/IFIT2 network. Oncogene 2016; 36:2655-2666. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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AJUBA LIM Proteins Limit Hippo Activity in Proliferating Cells by Sequestering the Hippo Core Kinase Complex in the Cytosol. Mol Cell Biol 2016; 36:2526-42. [PMID: 27457617 PMCID: PMC5038147 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00136-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway controls organ growth and is implicated in cancer development. Whether and how Hippo pathway activity is limited to sustain or initiate cell growth when needed is not understood. The members of the AJUBA family of LIM proteins are negative regulators of the Hippo pathway. In mammalian epithelial cells, we found that AJUBA LIM proteins limit Hippo regulation of YAP, in proliferating cells only, by sequestering a cytosolic Hippo kinase complex in which LATS kinase is inhibited. At the plasma membranes of growth-arrested cells, AJUBA LIM proteins do not inhibit or associate with the Hippo kinase complex. The ability of AJUBA LIM proteins to inhibit YAP regulation by Hippo and to associate with the kinase complex directly correlate with their capacity to limit Hippo signaling during Drosophila wing development. AJUBA LIM proteins did not influence YAP activity in response to cell-extrinsic or cell-intrinsic mechanical signals. Thus, AJUBA LIM proteins limit Hippo pathway activity in contexts where cell proliferation is needed.
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Moreno Uribe LM, Ray A, Blanchette DR, Dawson DV, Southard TE. Phenotype-genotype correlations of facial width and height proportions in patients with Class II malocclusion. Orthod Craniofac Res 2016; 18 Suppl 1:100-8. [PMID: 25865538 DOI: 10.1111/ocr.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize soft-tissue facial height and width variation in Class II malocclusion and test for correlations with genes HMGA2, AJUBA, and ADK. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION Nine facial proportions were estimated from 2D frontal repose photographs of 330 Caucasian adults with Class II malocclusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS After adjustments for age and gender, the facial proportions were submitted to a principal component analyses (PCA). The most meaningful phenotypic variations were correlated with SNPs rs7924176 (ADK), rs17101923 (HMGA2), and rs997154 (AJUBA) genotyped in 106 individuals. RESULTS Principal component analyses resulted in four principal components (PCs), which explained 75% of total variation. PC1 captured variation in the intercanthus distance and explained 28% of total variation. PC2 explained 21% of the variations in facial taper and facial index. PC3 explained 14% and reflected variations in the vertical dimension of the lower face. PC4 explained 12% and captured variations in distance between the eyes, width of the commissures, and the length of the superior aspect of the lower face height corresponding to the vertical dimension of the philtrum of the upper lip. A suggestive association (p<0.05) was observed between PC4 and rs997154 corroborating the role of AJUBA in variation of facial dimensions. CONCLUSION 2D frontal photographs can be used to derive quantitative measures of soft-tissue phenotypes that are of clinical relevance. The methods described are suitable for discovery and replication of associations between genotypes and malocclusion phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Moreno Uribe
- Department of Orthodontics, Dows Institute for Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Abstract
It has long been established that the transcriptional activity of retinoic acid (RA) is mediated by members of the nuclear receptor family of ligand-activated transcription factors termed RA receptors (RARs). More recent observations have established that RA also activates an additional nuclear receptor, PPARβ/δ. Partitioning RA between RARs and PPARβ/δ is governed by different intracellular lipid-binding proteins: cellular RA binding protein 2 (CRABP2) delivers RA to nuclear RARs and a fatty acid binding protein (FABP5) delivers the hormone from the cytosol to nuclear PPARβ/δ. Consequently, RA signals through RARs in CRABP2-expressing cells, but activates PPARβ/δ in cells that express a high level of FABP5. RA elicits different and sometimes opposing responses in cells that express different FABP5/CRABP2 ratios because PPARβ/δ and RARs regulate the expression of distinct sets of genes. An overview of the observations that led to the discovery of this non-classical activity of RA are presented here, along with a discussion of evidence demonstrating the involvement of the dual transcriptional activities of RA in regulating energy homeostasis, insulin responses, and adipocyte and neuron differentiation.
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Fan H, Dong W, Li Q, Zou X, Zhang Y, Wang J, Li S, Liu W, Dong Y, Sun H, Hou Z. Ajuba Preferentially Binds LXRα/RXRγ Heterodimer to Enhance LXR Target Gene Expression in Liver Cells. Mol Endocrinol 2015; 29:1608-18. [PMID: 26389695 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver X receptors (LXRs) are important regulators of lipid, cholesterol, and glucose homeostasis by transcriptional regulation of many key genes in these processes, and the transcriptional activities of LXRs are finely controlled by cooperating with retinoid X receptors and many other coregulators. Here, we report that the LIM protein Ajuba binds to the hinge and the ligand binding domains of LXRα via its C-terminal tandem LIM motifs and enhances LXR target gene expression in liver cells. Depletion of Ajuba in HepG2 cells and in mouse primary hepatocytes decreases LXR target gene expression, whereas stable expression of Ajuba in HepG2 cells results in increased expression of these genes. Mechanistic investigations found that Ajuba selectively interacts with LXRα/retinoid X receptor-γ heterodimer to form a ternary complex, which displays a higher transactivation activity to LXR target genes. Moreover, Ajuba and LXR mutually affect their DNA binding activity at endogenous target chromatins and the cooperation between Ajuba and LXRα is dependent on the functional LXR response elements located in the target promoters. Together, our studies demonstrate that Ajuba is a novel coactivator for LXRs and may play important role in lipid and glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Fan
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Weibing Dong
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xiuqun Zou
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Yihong Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Jiamin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Shengxian Li
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Ying Dong
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Haipeng Sun
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Zhaoyuan Hou
- Department of Endocrinology (H.F., S.L., W.L., Y.D.), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025 China; Hongqiao Institute of Medicine (H.F., Q.L., X.Z., Y.Z., J.W., Z.H.), Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; Department of Pathophysiology (W.D., H.S.), Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China; and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation (Z.H.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
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The LIM protein Ajuba promotes adipogenesis by enhancing PPARγ and p300/CBP interaction. Cell Death Differ 2015; 23:158-68. [PMID: 26113042 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2015.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipocytes play a vital role in energy homeostasis and adipogenesis is a hierarchically regulated cellular differentiation process, in which the precursor mesenchymal stem cells are differentiated into mature adipocytes. Here, we report Ajuba is an important regulator of adipocyte differentiation by functioning as an obligate co-activator of PPARγ. Ajuba binds the DNA-binding domain of PPARγ via its preLIM region in a ligand-independent manner. Depletion of Ajuba in 3T3-L1 cells decreases PPARγ target gene expression and results in delayed adipogenic differentiation. Conversely, stable overexpression of Ajuba in 3T3-L1 cells increases PPARγ target gene expression and accelerates adipogenic differentiation. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that Ajuba recruits p300/CBP via its LIM domain and facilitates p300/CBP binding to PPARγ. Moreover, Ajuba, PPARγ, p300/CBP can cooperatively occupy the PPARγ target promoters and concomitantly increases histone acetylation at these loci. Collectively, these data suggest that Ajuba is a co-activator constitutively associated with PPARγ and may be a potential therapeutic target for PPARγ-mediated metabolic disorders.
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Felley-Bosco E, Stahel R. Hippo/YAP pathway for targeted therapy. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2015; 3:75-83. [PMID: 25806284 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2218-6751.2014.02.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is molecularly characterized by loss of function or mutations in the neurofibromin 2 (NF2) and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 genes. NF2 activates a cascade of kinases, called Hippo pathway, which downregulates Yes associated protein (YAP) function as transcription co-activator for TEA domain transcription factors (TEAD). In the absence of functional NF2, the expression of genes essential for cell cycling such as survivin is increased. New therapeutic strategies aimed at interfering with YAP activity include inhibition of hedgehog pathway, which downregulates the YAP protein, verteporfin, which inhibits the assembly of a functional YAP-TEAD transcription factor, and interference with thrombin and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors downstream signalling, since upon agonist binding they activate YAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Felley-Bosco
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Clinic of Oncology, University Hospital of Zürich, Häldeliweg 4, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Stahel
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Clinic of Oncology, University Hospital of Zürich, Häldeliweg 4, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract
The arrival of multicellularity in evolution facilitated cell-cell signaling in conjunction with adhesion. As the ectodomains of cadherins interact with each other directly in trans (as well as in cis), spanning the plasma membrane and associating with multiple other entities, cadherins enable the transduction of "outside-in" or "inside-out" signals. We focus this review on signals that originate from the larger family of cadherins that are inwardly directed to the nucleus, and thus have roles in gene control or nuclear structure-function. The nature of cadherin complexes varies considerably depending on the type of cadherin and its context, and we will address some of these variables for classical cadherins versus other family members. Substantial but still fragmentary progress has been made in understanding the signaling mediators used by varied cadherin complexes to coordinate the state of cell-cell adhesion with gene expression. Evidence that cadherin intracellular binding partners also localize to the nucleus is a major point of interest. In some models, catenins show reduced binding to cadherin cytoplasmic tails favoring their engagement in gene control. When bound, cadherins may serve as stoichiometric competitors of nuclear signals. Cadherins also directly or indirectly affect numerous signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt, receptor tyrosine kinase, Hippo, NFκB, and JAK/STAT), enabling cell-cell contacts to touch upon multiple biological outcomes in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre D McCrea
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Program in Genes & Development, Graduate School in Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Meghan T Maher
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Cara J Gottardi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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di Masi A, Leboffe L, De Marinis E, Pagano F, Cicconi L, Rochette-Egly C, Lo-Coco F, Ascenzi P, Nervi C. Retinoic acid receptors: from molecular mechanisms to cancer therapy. Mol Aspects Med 2015; 41:1-115. [PMID: 25543955 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), the major bioactive metabolite of retinol or vitamin A, induces a spectrum of pleiotropic effects in cell growth and differentiation that are relevant for embryonic development and adult physiology. The RA activity is mediated primarily by members of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subfamily, namely RARα, RARβ and RARγ, which belong to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. RARs form heterodimers with members of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) subfamily and act as ligand-regulated transcription factors through binding specific RA response elements (RAREs) located in target genes promoters. RARs also have non-genomic effects and activate kinase signaling pathways, which fine-tune the transcription of the RA target genes. The disruption of RA signaling pathways is thought to underlie the etiology of a number of hematological and non-hematological malignancies, including leukemias, skin cancer, head/neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of note, RA and its derivatives (retinoids) are employed as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents because of their differentiation, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects. In humans, retinoids reverse premalignant epithelial lesions, induce the differentiation of myeloid normal and leukemic cells, and prevent lung, liver, and breast cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that regulate the RA and retinoid signaling pathways. Moreover, mechanisms through which deregulation of RA signaling pathways ultimately impact on cancer are examined. Finally, the therapeutic effects of retinoids are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra di Masi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, Roma I-00146, Italy
| | - Loris Leboffe
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, Roma I-00146, Italy
| | - Elisabetta De Marinis
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100
| | - Francesca Pagano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100
| | - Laura Cicconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Roma I-00133, Italy; Laboratory of Neuro-Oncohematology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306, Roma I-00142, Italy
| | - Cécile Rochette-Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104 - Inserm U 964, University of Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, Illkirch Cedex F-67404, France.
| | - Francesco Lo-Coco
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Roma I-00133, Italy; Laboratory of Neuro-Oncohematology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306, Roma I-00142, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ascenzi
- Interdepartmental Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, Roma I-00146, Italy.
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Corso della Repubblica 79, Latina I-04100.
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Zhang Y, Wang H, Li Y, Xu D, Lu L. Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the Ajuba gene of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) involved in cellular response to viral infection. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 48:164-170. [PMID: 25452047 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ajuba belongs to the LIM domain proteins, which are involved in the assembly of the extracellular matrix and, along with associated proteins, regulate target genes that connect the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton. In the present study, we characterized the entire cDNA sequence of the Ajuba gene from grass carp (gcAjuba). The gcAjuba cDNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 2121 bp encoding a polypeptide of 706 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 75.966 kDa and three LIM domains in the C-terminal. The transcriptional level of gcAjuba was significantly up-regulated following the stimulation of virus in vitro. Sub-cellular location of gcAjuba and GCRV-JX01 NS26 proteins did not overlap in the cytoplasm and no direct interaction between gcAjuba and the protein NS26 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) test in grass carp kidney cells. Based on these results, the gcAjuba is determined to be an immediately inducible gene responding to viral infection and in vivo association of gcAjuba with NS26 could not be confirmed, which has been suggested by yeast two-hybrid assay in previous report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Liqun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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Adhesion molecule-mediated hippo pathway modulates hemangioendothelioma cell behavior. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:4485-99. [PMID: 25266662 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00671-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemangioendotheliomas are categorized as intermediate-grade vascular tumors that are commonly localized in the lungs and livers. The regulation of this tumor cell's proliferative and apoptotic mechanisms is ill defined. We recently documented an important role for Hippo pathway signaling via endothelial cell adhesion molecules in brain microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis. We found that endothelial cells lacking cell adhesion molecules escaped from contact inhibition and exhibited abnormal proliferation and apoptosis. Here we report on the roles of adherens junction molecule modulation of survivin and the Hippo pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of a murine hemangioendothelioma (EOMA) cell. We demonstrated reduced adherens junction molecule (CD31 and VE-cadherin) expression, increased survivin and Ajuba expression, and a reduction in Hippo pathway signaling resulting in increased proliferation and decreased activation of effector caspase 3 in postconfluent EOMA cell cultures. Furthermore, we confirmed that YM155, an antisurvivin drug that interferes with Sp1-survivin promoter interactions, and survivin small interference RNA (siRNA) transfection elicited induction of VE-cadherin, decreased Ajuba expression, increased Hippo pathway and caspase activation and apoptosis, and decreased cell proliferation. These findings support the importance of the Hippo pathway in hemangioendothelioma cell proliferation and survival and YM155 as a potential therapeutic agent in this category of vascular tumors.
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Luo S, Schaefer AM, Dour S, Nonet ML. The conserved LIM domain-containing focal adhesion protein ZYX-1 regulates synapse maintenance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Development 2014; 141:3922-33. [PMID: 25252943 DOI: 10.1242/dev.108217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We describe the identification of zyxin as a regulator of synapse maintenance in mechanosensory neurons in C. elegans. zyx-1 mutants lacked PLM mechanosensory synapses as adult animals. However, most PLM synapses initially formed during development but were subsequently lost as the animals developed. Vertebrate zyxin regulates cytoskeletal responses to mechanical stress in culture. Our work provides in vivo evidence in support of such a role for zyxin. In particular, zyx-1 mutant synaptogenesis phenotypes were suppressed by disrupting locomotion of the mutant animals, suggesting that zyx-1 protects mechanosensory synapses from locomotion-induced forces. In cultured cells, zyxin is recruited to focal adhesions and stress fibers via C-terminal LIM domains and modulates cytoskeletal organization via the N-terminal domain. The synapse-stabilizing activity was mediated by a short isoform of ZYX-1 containing only the LIM domains. Consistent with this notion, PLM synaptogenesis was independent of α-actinin and ENA-VASP, both of which bind to the N-terminal domain of zyxin. Our results demonstrate that the LIM domain moiety of zyxin functions autonomously to mediate responses to mechanical stress and provide in vivo evidence for a role of zyxin in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Luo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University Medical School, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anneliese M Schaefer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University Medical School, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA Department of Neurology, Washington University Medical School, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Scott Dour
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University Medical School, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael L Nonet
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University Medical School, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Gao YB, Chen ZL, Li JG, Hu XD, Shi XJ, Sun ZM, Zhang F, Zhao ZR, Li ZT, Liu ZY, Zhao YD, Sun J, Zhou CC, Yao R, Wang SY, Wang P, Sun N, Zhang BH, Dong JS, Yu Y, Luo M, Feng XL, Shi SS, Zhou F, Tan FW, Qiu B, Li N, Shao K, Zhang LJ, Zhang LJ, Xue Q, Gao SG, He J. Genetic landscape of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Nat Genet 2014; 46:1097-102. [PMID: 25151357 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 514] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest cancers. We performed exome sequencing on 113 tumor-normal pairs, yielding a mean of 82 non-silent mutations per tumor, and 8 cell lines. The mutational profile of ESCC closely resembles those of squamous cell carcinomas of other tissues but differs from that of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis regulation were mutated in 99% of cases by somatic alterations of TP53 (93%), CCND1 (33%), CDKN2A (20%), NFE2L2 (10%) and RB1 (9%). Histone modifier genes were frequently mutated, including KMT2D (also called MLL2; 19%), KMT2C (MLL3; 6%), KDM6A (7%), EP300 (10%) and CREBBP (6%). EP300 mutations were associated with poor survival. The Hippo and Notch pathways were dysregulated by mutations in FAT1, FAT2, FAT3 or FAT4 (27%) or AJUBA (JUB; 7%) and NOTCH1, NOTCH2 or NOTCH3 (22%) or FBXW7 (5%), respectively. These results define the mutational landscape of ESCC and highlight mutations in epigenetic modulators with prognostic and potentially therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Bo Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Li Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Gen Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Da Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Jiao Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Miao Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Ran Zhao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Tong Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Yuan Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Da Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng-Cheng Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Yao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Su-Ya Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bai-Hua Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Si Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Luo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Li Feng
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Su-Sheng Shi
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng-Wei Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Qiu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Shao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Jian Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lan-Jun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Geng Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Institute and Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Liang XH, Zhang GX, Zeng YB, Yang HF, Li WH, Liu QL, Tang YL, He WG, Huang YN, Zhang L, Yu LN, Zeng XC. LIM protein JUB promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2014; 105:660-6. [PMID: 24673742 PMCID: PMC4317901 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related death in almost all types of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Metastasis is a complex, multistep, dynamic biological event, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process during the cascade. Ajuba family proteins are LIM domain-containing proteins and are reported to be transcription repressors regulating different kinds of physiological processes. However, the expression and pathological roles of Ajuba family proteins in tumors, especial in tumor metastasis, remain poorly studied. Here, we found that JUB, but not the other Ajuba family proteins, was highly upregulated in clinical specimens and CRC cell lines. Ectopic expression of JUB induced EMT and enhanced motility and invasiveness in CRC, and vice versa. Mechanistic study revealed that JUB induces EMT via Snail and JUB is also required for Snail-induced EMT. The expression of JUB shows an inverse correlation with E-cadherin expression in clinical specimens. Taken together, these findings revealed that the LIM protein JUB serves as a tumor-promoting gene in CRC by promoting EMT, a critical process of metastasis. Thus, the LIM protein JUB may provide a novel target for therapy of metastatic CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hua Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zengcheng People's Hospital (BoJi-Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University), Zengcheng, China
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37
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Bai M, Ni J, Wu J, Wang B, Shen S, Yu L. A novel mechanism for activation of Aurora-A kinase by Ajuba. Gene 2014; 543:133-9. [PMID: 24680704 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aurora-A is a centrosome-localized serine/threonine kinase, which plays a critical role in mitotic and meiotic cell division processes. However, the regulation of Aurora-A is still not fully understood. Previously, we have found an intramolecular inhibitory regulation mechanism of Aurora-A: the N-terminal regulatory domain (aa 1-128, Nt) can interact with the C-terminal catalytic domain (aa 129-403, Cd) and inhibit the kinase activity of Aurora-A. In this study, we found that the PreLIM domain of Ajuba, another important activator of Aurora-A, induces the autophosphorylation of the C-terminal kinase domain of Aurora-A, and is phosphorylated by the C-terminal. Moreover, the LIM domain of Ajuba can competitively bind to the N-terminal of Aurora-A, and inhibited the interaction between N-terminal and C-terminal of Aurora A. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism for regulation of Aurora-A by Ajuba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Computer Science, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Suqin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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38
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Fatemifar G, Hoggart CJ, Paternoster L, Kemp JP, Prokopenko I, Horikoshi M, Wright VJ, Tobias JH, Richmond S, Zhurov AI, Toma AM, Pouta A, Taanila A, Sipila K, Lähdesmäki R, Pillas D, Geller F, Feenstra B, Melbye M, Nohr EA, Ring SM, St Pourcain B, Timpson NJ, Davey Smith G, Jarvelin MR, Evans DM. Genome-wide association study of primary tooth eruption identifies pleiotropic loci associated with height and craniofacial distances. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 22:3807-17. [PMID: 23704328 PMCID: PMC3749866 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Twin and family studies indicate that the timing of primary tooth eruption is highly heritable, with estimates typically exceeding 80%. To identify variants involved in primary tooth eruption, we performed a population-based genome-wide association study of 'age at first tooth' and 'number of teeth' using 5998 and 6609 individuals, respectively, from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and 5403 individuals from the 1966 Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC1966). We tested 2 446 724 SNPs imputed in both studies. Analyses were controlled for the effect of gestational age, sex and age of measurement. Results from the two studies were combined using fixed effects inverse variance meta-analysis. We identified a total of 15 independent loci, with 10 loci reaching genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10(-8)) for 'age at first tooth' and 11 loci for 'number of teeth'. Together, these associations explain 6.06% of the variation in 'age of first tooth' and 4.76% of the variation in 'number of teeth'. The identified loci included eight previously unidentified loci, some containing genes known to play a role in tooth and other developmental pathways, including an SNP in the protein-coding region of BMP4 (rs17563, P = 9.080 × 10(-17)). Three of these loci, containing the genes HMGA2, AJUBA and ADK, also showed evidence of association with craniofacial distances, particularly those indexing facial width. Our results suggest that the genome-wide association approach is a powerful strategy for detecting variants involved in tooth eruption, and potentially craniofacial growth and more generally organ development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazaleh Fatemifar
- MRC Centre for Causal Analyses in Translational Epidemiology (CAiTE), School of Social and Community Medicine, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, UK.
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39
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Hanihara F, Takahashi Y, Okuma A, Ohba T, Muta T. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of IκB-ζ upon engagement of the BCR, TLRs and FcγR. Int Immunol 2013; 25:531-44. [PMID: 23728777 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxt017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IκB-ζ is a nuclear IκB protein robustly induced in macrophages and fibroblasts upon TLR or IL-1R stimulation. IκB-ζ associates with NF-κB in the cell nucleus and is essential for the induction of a subset of secondary response genes represented by IL-6. Here, we analyzed induction of IκB-ζ in mouse B cells and found that IκB-ζ is induced by BCR or TLR stimulation. Similar to TLR stimulation, BCR stimulation elicited NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activation and mRNA stabilization of IκB-ζ via a cis-element in IκB-ζ mRNA. Proteasome inhibitors inhibited transcriptional activation but not post-transcriptional activation, indicating independency of the two signals. Co-stimulation of the BCR and TLR9 or TLR7, but not TLR2/1, synergistically induced IκB-ζ. Co-engagement of inhibitory Fcγ receptor suppressed BCR-mediated IκB-ζ expression but not that induced by TLR stimulation alone or co-stimulation of TLR and the BCR. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 inhibited BCR-mediated, but not TLR-mediated, induction of IκB-ζ, consistent with the role of PI3K in BCR signaling and its suppression by FcγR. Analysis of IκB-ζ-deficient B cells demonstrated that IκB-ζ was essential upon stimulation of BCR or TLR for the expression of several genes including IL-10 and CTLA4. IκB-ζ-deficient B cells exhibited impaired proliferation and enhanced up-regulation of CD86 following stimulation of TLR9, but not the BCR, indicating critical roles for IκB-ζ in TLR signaling in B cells. Strict regulatory mechanisms for the induction of IκB-ζ via multiple pathways and its essential function upon stimulation indicate that IκB-ζ plays an important role in B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumito Hanihara
- Laboratory of Cell Recognition and Response, Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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40
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Reddy BVVG, Irvine KD. Regulation of Hippo signaling by EGFR-MAPK signaling through Ajuba family proteins. Dev Cell 2013; 24:459-71. [PMID: 23484853 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Revised: 12/22/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
EGFR and Hippo signaling pathways both control growth and, when dysregulated, contribute to tumorigenesis. We find that EGFR activates the Hippo pathway transcription factor Yorkie and demonstrate that Yorkie is required for the influence of EGFR on cell proliferation in Drosophila. EGFR regulates Yorkie through the influence of its Ras-MAPK branch on the Ajuba LIM protein Jub. Jub is epistatic to EGFR and Ras for Yorkie regulation, Jub is subject to MAPK-dependent phosphorylation, and EGFR-Ras-MAPK signaling enhances Jub binding to the Yorkie kinase Warts and the adaptor protein Salvador. An EGFR-Hippo pathway link is conserved in mammals, as activation of EGFR or RAS activates the Yorkie homolog YAP, and EGFR-RAS-MAPK signaling promotes phosphorylation of the Ajuba family protein WTIP and also enhances WTIP binding to the Warts and Salvador homologs LATS and WW45. Our observations implicate the Hippo pathway in EGFR-mediated tumorigenesis and identify a molecular link between these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- B V V G Reddy
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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41
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Garcia-Cattaneo A, Braga VMM. Hold on tightly: how to keep the local activation of small GTPases. Cell Adh Migr 2013; 7:283-7. [PMID: 23590879 DOI: 10.4161/cam.24646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling regulated by Rho small GTPases plays a pivotal role in cell migration, cell attachment to substratum or to their neighbors among other functions. Concerted efforts have focused on understanding how different GTPases are activated by specific stimuli and which regulator is responsible for the spatio-temporal control of their activity at particular intracellular sites. We have recently described the role of a scaffold protein, Ajuba, in adherens junction maintenance via direct stabilization of activated small GTPase Rac1 at cell-cell contacts. Ajuba binds to both active and inactive forms of Rac1. Upon junction formation, Rac1 activation initiates a positive feedback loop leading to Ajuba phosphorylation and Ajuba-mediated retention of activated Rac1 at junctions. Thus, cytoskeletal proteins may have a dual role to provide a scaffolding platform and dynamically modulate small GTPases function at a specific place, irrespective of their ability to interact with active and inactive forms. Here we discuss similar mechanisms via which cytoskeletal proteins can facilitate cellular processes downstream of Rho proteins by increasing their affinity to activated GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Garcia-Cattaneo
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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42
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Zyxin cooperates with PTOV1 to confer retinoic acid resistance by repressing RAR activity. Cancer Lett 2013; 331:192-9. [PMID: 23321499 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Retinoids including all-trans retinoic acid (RA) have been widely used for cancer therapy. However, the major obstacle for RA therapy is the acquired resistance of which mechanism remained obscure thus far. Here, we first identified Zyxin that cooperates with PTOV1 for the negative regulation of RA signaling. Our studies on the underlying mechanism indicated that Zyxin, translocating to the nucleus in response to RA, mediates RAR repression by forming a ternary complex with PTOV1 and the RAR coactivator CBP, thereby promoting dissociation of CBP from RAR at the RA-responsive promoter. Consistently, RA-induced cancer cell cytotoxicity was significantly impaired by Zyxin or PTOV1. Overall, our findings suggest that Zyxin and PTOV1 should be considered as critical determinants in cancer therapy with retinoids.
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43
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Yu S, Levi L, Siegel R, Noy N. Retinoic acid induces neurogenesis by activating both retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ). J Biol Chem 2012; 287:42195-205. [PMID: 23105114 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.410381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) regulates gene transcription by activating the nuclear receptors retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ and their respective cognate lipid-binding proteins CRABP-II and FABP5. RA induces neuronal differentiation, but the contributions of the two transcriptional pathways of the hormone to the process are unknown. Here, we show that the RA-induced commitment of P19 stem cells to neuronal progenitors is mediated by the CRABP-II/RAR path and that the FABP5/PPARβ/δ path can inhibit the process through induction of the RAR repressors SIRT1 and Ajuba. In contrast with its inhibitory activity in the early steps of neurogenesis, the FABP5/PPARβ/δ path promotes differentiation of neuronal progenitors to mature neurons, an activity mediated in part by the PPARβ/δ target gene PDK1. Hence, RA-induced neuronal differentiation is mediated through RAR in the early stages and through PPARβ/δ in the late stages of the process. The switch in RA signaling is accomplished by a transient up-regulation of RARβ concomitantly with a transient increase in the CRABP-II/FABP5 ratio at early stages of differentiation. In accordance with these conclusions, hippocampi of FABP5-null mice display excess accumulation of neuronal progenitor cells and a deficit in mature neurons versus wild-type animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiliang Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Western Reserve University School of Medicine,Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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44
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Witzel HR, Jungblut B, Choe CP, Crump JG, Braun T, Dobreva G. The LIM protein Ajuba restricts the second heart field progenitor pool by regulating Isl1 activity. Dev Cell 2012; 23:58-70. [PMID: 22771034 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2012.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Morphogenesis of the heart requires tight control of cardiac progenitor cell specification, expansion, and differentiation. Retinoic acid (RA) signaling restricts expansion of the second heart field (SHF), serving as an important morphogen in heart development. Here, we identify the LIM domain protein Ajuba as a crucial regulator of the SHF progenitor cell specification and expansion. Ajuba-deficient zebrafish embryos show an increased pool of Isl1(+) cardiac progenitors and, subsequently, dramatically increased numbers of cardiomyocytes at the arterial and venous poles. Furthermore, we show that Ajuba binds Isl1, represses its transcriptional activity, and is also required for autorepression of Isl1 expression in an RA-dependent manner. Lack of Ajuba abrogates the RA-dependent restriction of Isl1(+) cardiac cells. We conclude that Ajuba plays a central role in regulating the SHF during heart development by linking RA signaling to the function of Isl1, a key transcription factor in cardiac progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagen R Witzel
- Origin of Cardiac Cell Lineages Group, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Parkstrasse 1, Bad Nauheim, Germany
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45
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Nola S, Daigaku R, Smolarczyk K, Carstens M, Martin-Martin B, Longmore G, Bailly M, Braga VMM. Ajuba is required for Rac activation and maintenance of E-cadherin adhesion. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 195:855-71. [PMID: 22105346 PMCID: PMC3257575 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201107162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A Rac–PAK1–Ajuba feedback loop stabilizes cadherin complexes via coordination of spatiotemporal signaling with actin remodeling at cell–cell contacts. Maintenance of stable E-cadherin–dependent adhesion is essential for epithelial function. The small GTPase Rac is activated by initial cadherin clustering, but the precise mechanisms underlying Rac-dependent junction stabilization are not well understood. Ajuba, a LIM domain protein, colocalizes with cadherins, yet Ajuba function at junctions is unknown. We show that, in Ajuba-depleted cells, Rac activation and actin accumulation at cadherin receptors was impaired, and junctions did not sustain mechanical stress. The Rac effector PAK1 was also transiently activated upon cell–cell adhesion and directly phosphorylated Ajuba (Thr172). Interestingly, similar to Ajuba depletion, blocking PAK1 activation perturbed junction maintenance and actin recruitment. Expression of phosphomimetic Ajuba rescued the effects of PAK1 inhibition. Ajuba bound directly to Rac·GDP or Rac·GTP, but phosphorylated Ajuba interacted preferentially with active Rac. Rather than facilitating Rac recruitment to junctions, Ajuba modulated Rac dynamics at contacts depending on its phosphorylation status. Thus, a Rac–PAK1–Ajuba feedback loop integrates spatiotemporal signaling with actin remodeling at cell–cell contacts and stabilizes preassembled cadherin complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Nola
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, England, UK
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46
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Ermolina LV, Martynova NI, Zaraĭskiĭ AG. [The cytoskeletal protein zyxin--a universal regulator of cell adhesion and gene expression]. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2010; 36:29-37. [PMID: 20386576 DOI: 10.1134/s1068162010010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The attachment of a cell to an extracellular matrix or the surface of another cells affects not only the cell motility, but also gene expression. In view of this, an important problem is to establish the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction from the receptors of cell adhesion to the nucleus, in particular, to identify and investigate the protein transducers of these signals. One of these transducers, the LIM domain protein zyxin, is predominantly localized at the sites of cell adhesion, where it participates in the assembly of actin filaments. Owing to its location near the inner surface of the membrane, zyxin can interact with the transmembrane receptors of some signaling cascades and affect the signal transduction from the extracellular ligands of these receptors. Furthermore, under particular conditions, zyxin moves from the sites of cell contacts to the nucleus, where it directly participates in the regulation of gene expression. Of particular interest is the function of zyxin as a possible coordinator of gene expression and morphogenetic movements in embryogenesis. The published data discussed in the present review indicate the important role of zyxin in transmitting information from the regions of cell contacts to the genetic apparatus of the cell.
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47
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Nagai Y, Asaoka Y, Namae M, Saito K, Momose H, Mitani H, Furutani-Seiki M, Katada T, Nishina H. The LIM protein Ajuba is required for ciliogenesis and left-right axis determination in medaka. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 396:887-93. [PMID: 20457130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that are present on the surfaces of almost all vertebrate cells. Most cilia function as sensory or molecular transport structures. Malfunctions of cilia have been implicated in several diseases of human development. The assembly of cilia is initiated by the centriole (or basal body), and several centrosomal proteins are involved in this process. The mammalian LIM protein Ajuba is a well-studied centrosomal protein that regulates cell division but its role in ciliogenesis is unknown. In this study, we isolated the medaka homolog of Ajuba and showed that Ajuba localizes to basal bodies of cilia in growth-arrested cells. Knockdown of Ajuba resulted in randomized left-right organ asymmetries and altered expression of early genes responsible for left-right body axis determination. At the cellular level, we found that Ajuba function was essential for ciliogenesis in the cells lining Kupffer's vesicle; it is these cells that induce the asymmetric fluid flow required for left-right axis determination. Taken together, our findings identify a novel role for Ajuba in the regulation of vertebrate ciliogenesis and left-right axis determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nagai
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
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48
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Das Thakur M, Feng Y, Jagannathan R, Seppa MJ, Skeath JB, Longmore GD. Ajuba LIM proteins are negative regulators of the Hippo signaling pathway. Curr Biol 2010; 20:657-62. [PMID: 20303269 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2009] [Revised: 01/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian Ajuba LIM proteins (Ajuba, LIMD1, and WTIP) are adaptor proteins that exhibit the potential to communicate cell adhesive events with nuclear responses to remodel epithelia. Determining their role in vivo, however, has been challenging due to overlapping tissue expression and functional redundancy. Thus, we turned to Drosophila, where a single gene, CG11063 or djub, exists. Drosophila lacking the djub gene or depleted of dJub by RNA interference identify djub as an essential gene for development and a novel regulator of epithelial organ size as a component of the conserved Hippo (Hpo) pathway, which has been implicated in both tissue size control and cancer development. djub-deficient tissues were small and had decreased cell numbers as a result of increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation, due to downregulation of DIAP1 and cyclin E. This phenocopies tissues deficient for Yorkie (Yki), the downstream target of the Hippo pathway. djub genetically interacts with the Hippo pathway, and epistasis suggests that djub lies downstream of hpo. In mammalian and Drosophila cells, Ajuba LIM proteins/dJub interact with LATS/Warts (Wts) and WW45/Sav to inhibit phosphorylation of YAP/Yki. This work describes a novel role for the Ajuba LIM proteins as negative regulators of the Hippo signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Das Thakur
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Ochi T, Fujiwara H, Yasukawa M. Aurora-A kinase: a novel target both for cellular immunotherapy and molecular target therapy against human leukemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2010; 13:1399-410. [PMID: 19821797 DOI: 10.1517/14728220903307483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although cellular immunotherapy still remains in its infancy, it is one of the important treatment options against cancer. The marked improvement of its clinical efficacy requires a 'better' target antigen, which is well recognized by cancer-cell-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We have recently demonstrated the potential of Aurora-A kinase (Aurora-A) as such a 'better' target for cellular immunotherapy against human leukemia. Aurora-A is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family that properly regulates the cell division process, and has recently been implicated in tumorigenesis. On the other hand, small-molecule inhibitors targeting Aurora-A have recently been developed and preliminary but promising observations from Phase I clinical trials have been reported. These facts highlight the attractiveness of Aurora-A as an important target of comprehensive cancer therapies. OBJECTIVE/METHODS In this review, we cover Aurora-A in the areas of immunotherapy and small-molecule inhibitor therapy against cancers. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Aurora-A kinase is an attractive molecule not only as a target for small-molecule inhibitors, but also as a potential target for immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiki Ochi
- Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Bioregulatory Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
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LIM protein Ajuba functions as a nuclear receptor corepressor and negatively regulates retinoic acid signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:2938-43. [PMID: 20133701 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0908656107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Corepressors play an essential role in nuclear receptor-mediated transcriptional repression. In general, corepressors directly bind to nuclear receptors via CoRNR boxes (L/I-X-X-I/V-I) in the absence of ligand and appear to act as scaffolds to further recruit chromatin remodeling complexes to specific target genes. Here, we describe the identification of the multiple LIM domain protein Ajuba as a unique corepressor for a subset of nuclear hormone receptors. Ajuba contains functional nuclear-receptor interacting motifs and selectively interacts with retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and rexinoid receptor (RXRs) subtypes in a ligand-dependent manner. Simultaneous mutation of these motifs abolishes RAR binding and concomitantly leads to loss of repression on RARE reporter genes. P19 cells depleted of Ajuba are highly sensitized to all-trans retinoic acid (atRA)-induced transcription and differentiation. In the absence of atRA, Ajuba can be readily found at the RARE control elements of RAR endogenous target genes. Stimulation of cells with atRA results in the dissociation of Ajuba from these regions. Moreover, we observed that coexpression of the known Ajuba binding partner Prmt5 (protein arginine methyltransferase-5) inhibited the Ajuba/RAR interaction. The high-affinity Ajuba-RAR/RXR interaction site overlaps the region responsible for Ajuba/Prmt5 binding, and thus binding appears to be mutually exclusive, providing a potential mechanism for these observations. Identification of Ajuba as a unique corepressor for nuclear receptors sheds new light on mechanisms for nuclear receptor-mediated repression and provides a unique target for developing more effective therapeutics to modulate this important pathway.
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