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Bonfiglio R, Sisto R, Casciardi S, Palumbo V, Scioli MP, Palumbo A, Trivigno D, Giacobbi E, Servadei F, Melino G, Mauriello A, Scimeca M. The impact of toxic metal bioaccumulation on colorectal cancer: Unravelling the unexplored connection. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167667. [PMID: 37813250 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a major public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Environmental factors, including exposure to toxic metals, such as lead, chromium, cadmium, aluminium, copper, arsenic and mercury, have been suggested to play a significant role in the development and progression of this neoplasia. In particular, the bioaccumulation of toxic metals can play a significant role in colorectal cancer by regulating biological phenomenon associated to both cancer occurrence and progression, such as cell death and proliferation. Also, frequently these metals can induce DNA mutations in well-known oncogenes. This review provides a critical analysis of the current evidence, highlighting the need for further research to fully grasp the complex interplay between toxic metal bioaccumulation and colorectal cancer. Understanding the contribution of toxic metals to colorectal cancer occurrence and progression is essential for the development of targeted preventive strategies and social interventions, with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Renata Sisto
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefano Casciardi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Rome, Italy.
| | - Valeria Palumbo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Scioli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Palumbo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Donata Trivigno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Giacobbi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Servadei
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Torvergata Oncoscience Research, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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Pützer BM, Sabapathy K. Editorial: Multidisciplinary Approaches in Exploring Cancer Heterogeneity, TME and Therapy Resistance: Perspectives for Systems Medicine. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:842596. [PMID: 35198561 PMCID: PMC8859833 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.842596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte M. Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- *Correspondence: Brigitte M. Pützer,
| | - Kanaga Sabapathy
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Logotheti S, Richter C, Murr N, Spitschak A, Marquardt S, Pützer BM. Mechanisms of Functional Pleiotropy of p73 in Cancer and Beyond. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:737735. [PMID: 34650986 PMCID: PMC8506118 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.737735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor p73 is a structural and functional homolog of TP53, the most famous and frequently mutated tumor-suppressor gene. The TP73 gene can synthesize an overwhelming number of isoforms via splicing events in 5′ and 3′ ends and alternative promoter usage. Although it originally came into the spotlight due to the potential of several of these isoforms to mimic p53 functions, it is now clear that TP73 has its own unique identity as a master regulator of multifaceted processes in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. This remarkable functional pleiotropy is supported by a high degree of mechanistic heterogeneity, which extends far-beyond the typical mode of action by transactivation and largely relies on the ability of p73 isoforms to form protein–protein interactions (PPIs) with a variety of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. Importantly, each p73 isoform carries a unique combination of functional domains and residues that facilitates the establishment of PPIs in a highly selective manner. Herein, we summarize the expanding functional repertoire of TP73 in physiological and oncogenic processes. We emphasize how TP73’s ability to control neurodevelopment and neurodifferentiation is co-opted in cancer cells toward neoneurogenesis, an emerging cancer hallmark, whereby tumors promote their own innervation. By further exploring the canonical and non-canonical mechanistic patterns of p73, we apprehend its functional diversity as the result of a sophisticated and coordinated interplay of: (a) the type of p73 isoforms (b) the presence of p73 interaction partners in the cell milieu, and (c) the architecture of target gene promoters. We suppose that dysregulation of one or more of these parameters in tumors may lead to cancer initiation and progression by reactivating p73 isoforms and/or p73-regulated differentiation programs thereof in a spatiotemporally inappropriate manner. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms supporting p73 functional diversity is of paramount importance for the efficient and precise p73 targeting not only in cancer, but also in other pathological conditions where TP73 dysregulation is causally involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Logotheti
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christin Richter
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nico Murr
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alf Spitschak
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stephan Marquardt
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte M Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.,Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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p53/p73 Protein Network in Colorectal Cancer and Other Human Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122885. [PMID: 34207603 PMCID: PMC8227208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The p53 family of proteins comprises p53, p63, and p73, which share high structural and functional similarity. The two distinct promoters of each locus, the alternative splicing, and the alternative translation initiation sites enable the generation of numerous isoforms with different protein-interacting domains and distinct activities. The co-expressed p53/p73 isoforms have significant but distinct roles in carcinogenesis. Their activity is frequently impaired in human tumors including colorectal carcinoma due to dysregulated expression and a dominant-negative effect accomplished by some isoforms and p53 mutants. The interactions between isoforms are particularly important to understand the onset of tumor formation, progression, and therapeutic response. The understanding of the p53/p73 network can contribute to the development of new targeted therapies. Abstract The p53 tumor suppressor protein is crucial for cell growth control and the maintenance of genomic stability. Later discovered, p63 and p73 share structural and functional similarity with p53. To understand the p53 pathways more profoundly, all family members should be considered. Each family member possesses two promoters and alternative translation initiation sites, and they undergo alternative splicing, generating multiple isoforms. The resulting isoforms have important roles in carcinogenesis, while their expression is dysregulated in several human tumors including colorectal carcinoma, which makes them potential targets in cancer treatment. Their activities arise, at least in part, from the ability to form tetramers that bind to specific DNA sequences and activate the transcription of target genes. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the biological activities and regulation of the p53/p73 isoforms, highlighting their role in colorectal tumorigenesis. The analysis of the expression patterns of the p53/p73 isoforms in human cancers provides an important step in the improvement of cancer therapy. Furthermore, the interactions among the p53 family members which could modulate normal functions of the canonical p53 in tumor tissue are described. Lastly, we emphasize the importance of clinical studies to assess the significance of combining the deregulation of different members of the p53 family to define the outcome of the disease.
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