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Mauro M, Ugo P, Walton Z, Ali S, Rastellini C, Cicalese L. Glypican-3 (GPC-3) Structural Analysis and Cargo in Serum Small Extracellular Vesicles of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10922. [PMID: 37446098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC-3) is a heparin sulfate proteoglycan located extracellularly and anchored to the cell membrane of transformed hepatocytes. GPC-3 is not expressed in normal or cirrhotic liver tissue but is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of this, GPC-3 is one of the most important emerging immunotargets for treatment and as an early detection marker of HCC. To determine if GPC-3 domains associated with serum small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) could be used as an HCC diagnostic marker, we predicted in silico GPC-3 structural properties and tested for the presence of its full-length form and/or cleaved domains in serum sEVs isolated from patients with HCC. Structural analysis revealed that the Furin cleavage site of GPC-3 is exposed and readily accessible, suggesting the facilitation of GPC-3 cleavage events. Upon isolation of sEVs from both hepatocytes, culture media and serum of patients with HCC were studied for GPC-3 content. This data suggests that Furin-dependent GPC-3 cleaved domains could be a powerful tool for detection of initial stages of HCC and serve as a predictor for disease prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montalbano Mauro
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
| | - Perricone Ugo
- Molecular Informatics Group, Fondazione Ri.MED., 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Zachary Walton
- John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
| | - Shirafkan Ali
- Rutgers Health, Department of Cardiac Surgery, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Cristiana Rastellini
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
| | - Luca Cicalese
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
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Permethrin as a Potential Furin Inhibitor through a Novel Non-Competitive Allosteric Inhibition. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041883. [PMID: 36838867 PMCID: PMC9959265 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041883] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Furin is a potential target protein associated with numerous diseases; especially closely related to tumors and multiple viral infections including SARS-CoV-2. Most of the existing efficient furin inhibitors adopt a substrate analogous structure, and other types of small molecule inhibitors need to be discovered urgently. In this study, a high-throughput screening combining virtual and physical screening of natural product libraries was performed, coupled with experimental validation and preliminary mechanistic assays at the molecular level, cellular level, and molecular simulation. A novel furin inhibitor, permethrin, which is a derivative from pyrethrin I generated by Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trev. was identified, and this study confirmed that it binds to a novel allosteric pocket of furin through non-competitive inhibition. It exhibits a very favorable protease-selective inhibition and good cellular activity and specificity. In summary, permethrin shows a new parent nucleus with a new mode of inhibition. It could be used as a highly promising lead compound against furin for targeting related tumors and various resistant viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.
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Schepers EJ, Lake C, Glaser K, Bondoc AJ. Inhibition of Glypican-3 Cleavage Results in Reduced Cell Proliferation in a Liver Cancer Cell Line. J Surg Res 2023; 282:118-128. [PMID: 36272230 PMCID: PMC10893758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a surface-bound proteoglycan overexpressed in pediatric liver cancer and utilized clinically as an immunohistochemical tumor marker. Furin is a proprotein convertase that is ubiquitously expressed and shown to modify GPC3 post-translationally. In experimental models of epithelial-based cancers, furin inhibition decreased tumor cell migration and proliferation representing a potential therapeutic target. METHODS Using a synthetic furin inhibitor, we evaluated proliferation, migration, protein, and RNA expression in two liver cancer cell lines, HepG2 (GPC3-positive) and SKHep1 cells (GPC3-negative). Total furin protein and GPC3 protein expression were assessed to evaluate functional levels of furin. RESULTS There was a reduction in HepG2 proliferation with addition of furin inhibitor at the 48-h timepoint, however there was an increase in HepG2 migration. CONCLUSIONS GPC3 cleavage in hepatoblastoma (HB) has a role in cell proliferation with therapeutic potential, however furin inhibition is not an appropriate target for GPC3-expressing HB due to increased migration which may enhance metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Schepers
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Charissa Lake
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kathryn Glaser
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Alexander J Bondoc
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Furin extracellularly cleaves secreted PTENα/β to generate C-terminal fragment with a tumor-suppressive role. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:532. [PMID: 35668069 PMCID: PMC9170693 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04988-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PTENα and PTENβ (PTENα/β), two long translational variants of phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10 (PTEN), exert distinct roles from canonical PTEN, including promoting carcinogenesis and accelerating immune-resistant cancer progression. However, their roles in carcinogenesis remain greatly unknown. Herein, we report that, after secreting into the extracellular space, PTENα/β proteins are efficiently cleaved into a short N-terminal and a long C-terminal fragment by the proprotein convertase Furin at a polyarginine stretch in their N-terminal extensions. Although secreted PTENα/β and their cleaved fragment cannot enter cells, treatment of the purified C-terminal fragment but not cleavage-resistant mutants of PTENα exerts a tumor-suppressive role in vivo. As a result, overexpression of cleavage-resistant PTENα mutants manifest a tumor-promoting role more profound than that of wild-type PTENα. In line with these, the C-terminal fragment is significantly downregulated in liver cancer tissues compared to paired normal tissues, which is consistent with the downregulated expression of Furin. Collectively, we show that extracellular PTENα/β present opposite effects on carcinogenesis from intracellular PTENα/β, and propose that the tumor-suppressive C-terminal fragment of PTENα/β might be used as exogenous agent to treat cancer.
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Qiu H, Wang N, Lin D, Yuan Y, Li J, Mao D, Meng Y. The positive feedback loop of furin and TGFβ1 enhances the immune responses of Tregs to hepatocellular carcinoma cells and hepatitis B virus in vitro. Cell Biol Int 2022; 46:1215-1226. [PMID: 35349767 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can exert immunosuppressive activity. Furin can regulate Treg functions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistent infection, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, it remains unknown whether furin can regulate the immune responses of Tregs to HBV and HCC cells. Here, coculture systems of HBV1.3P-HepG2.3P-HepG2 cells and Tregs transduced with or without lentiviral particles that could overexpress furin or knockdown furin/transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) were established to investigate the regulatory relationship between furin and TGFβ1 and the effect of furin/TGFβ1 on Treg activity. Also, the effects of furin overexpression or furin/TGFβ1 knockdown in Tregs on the immunological activity of effector T cells (Teffs)/cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and HBV replication/expression were explored in the coculture system of Teff/CTL, Treg, and HBV1.3P-HepG2 cells. Our results showed that furin expression and TGFβ1 secretion were notably increased in Tregs, and Furin and TGFβ1 formed a positive feedback loop to activate Tregs in the coculture system of Tregs and HBV1.3P-HepG2 cells. Furin or TGFβ1 knockdown in Tregs promoted Teff cell proliferation, stimulated interleukin-2 and interferon-γ secretion, and inhibited HBV replication/gene expression in the coculture system of Teff, Treg, and HBV1.3P-HepG2 cells. Moreover, furin or TGFβ1 depletion in Tregs enhanced the killing activity of CTLs against HBV1.3P-HepG2 cells and curbed HBV replication/gene expression in the coculture system of Tregs, CTLs, and HBV1.3P-HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the positive feedback loop of furin and TGFβ1 enhanced the immune responses of Tregs to HCC cells and HBV in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Qiu
- Department of Chinese Medicine (CM), Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Live Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dongyi Lin
- Department of Chinese Medicine (CM), Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Chinese Medicine (CM), Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinyuan Li
- Department of Chinese Medicine (CM), Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Dewen Mao
- Department of Live Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yinjie Meng
- Department of Live Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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He Z, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. The proprotein convertase furin in cancer: more than an oncogene. Oncogene 2022; 41:1252-1262. [PMID: 34997216 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Furin is the first discovered proprotein convertase member and is present in almost all mammalian cells. Therefore, by regulating the maturation of a wide range of proproteins, Furin expression and/or activity is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes ranging from embryonic development to carcinogenesis. Since many of these protein precursors are involved in initiating and maintaining the hallmarks of cancer, Furin has been proposed as a potential target for treating several human cancers. In contrast, other studies have revealed that some types of cancer do not benefit from Furin inhibition. Therefore, understanding the heterogeneous functions of Furin in cancer will provide important insights into the design of effective strategies targeting Furin in cancer treatment. Here, we present recent advances in understanding how Furin expression and activity are regulated in cancer cells and their influences on the activity of Furin substrates in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how Furin represses tumorigenic properties of several cancer cells and why Furin inhibition leads to aggressive phenotypes in other tumors. Finally, we summarize the clinical applications of Furin inhibition in treating human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR 1029, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, Pessac, France. .,Institut Bergoinié, Bordeaux, France.
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Bioinformatics Analysis of Allele Frequencies and Expression Patterns of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN in Different Populations and Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071041. [PMID: 34356057 PMCID: PMC8303858 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071041] [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: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The virus responsible for the COVID-19 global health crisis, SARS-CoV-2, has been shown to utilize the ACE2 protein as an entry point to its target cells. The virus has been shown to rely on the actions of TMPRSS2 (a serine protease), as well as FURIN (a peptidase), for the critical priming of its spike protein. It has been postulated that variations in the sequence and expression of SARS-CoV-2's receptor (ACE2) and the two priming proteases (TMPRSS2 and FURIN) may be critical in contributing to SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. This study aims to examine the different expression levels of FURIN in various tissues and age ranges in light of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression levels using the LungMAP database. Furthermore, we retrieved expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) of the three genes and their annotation. We analyzed the frequency of the retrieved variants in data from various populations and compared it to the Egyptian population. We highlight FURIN's potential interplay with the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and showcase a myriad of variants of the three genes that are differentially expressed across populations. Our findings provide insights into potential genetic factors that impact SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in different populations and shed light on the varying expression patterns of FURIN.
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Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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9
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Graier T, Golob-Schwarzl N, Weger W, Benezeder T, Painsi C, Salmhofer W, Wolf P. Furin Expression in Patients With Psoriasis-A Patient Cohort Endangered to SARS-COV2? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:624462. [PMID: 33644099 PMCID: PMC7902756 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.624462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: SARS-Cov2 has raised concerns among dermatologists regarding psoriasis and its respective treatments. Comorbidities, which induce the expression of the proprotease furin have been associated with severe course of COVID-19. Furin and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) play a major role in viral host cell entry of SARS-Cov2. Objective: To evaluate mRNA expression of Furin and ACE2 from blood cells in psoriasis patients, and whether systemic or topical treatment reduces expression levels. Methods: This observational translational study analyzed blood samples from patients from a clinical trial and samples retrieved from the biobank of the Psoriasis Registry Austria (PsoRA). Furin and ACE2 expression levels were analyzed prior to as well as 3 and 12–24 months after start of biologic treatment with either ustekinumab or secukinumab. Additionally, the study analyzed expression levels prior to, 6 days after start of dithranol treatment and 4–6 weeks after end of dithranol treatment. Results: Furin mRNA expression was significantly increased at baseline in the biologic (4.9 ± 2.6 fold, p < 0.0001) and in the dithranol group (2.7 ± 1.4 fold, p < 0.001) compared to controls. There was a trend for arthritis patients to express more furin than patients with psoriatic skin involvement only (5.26 ± 2.30 vs. 3.48 ± 2.27, p = 0.078). Analyzing furin mRNA expression after treatment initiation with secukinumab or ustekinumab revealed a normalization of levels after 3 and 12 to 24 months. Similar findings were obtained for patients treated with dithranol, with significantly decreased expression levels 6 days after start of dithranol treatment and also at follow-up, (4–6 weeks after dithranol treatment had been terminated). ACE2 expression levels did not differ from controls at any timepoint, regardless of biologic or topical treatment. Conclusion: Significantly overexpressed levels of furin were observed in untreated patients, and, thus, these patients may be at risk for infection and a severe course of COVID-19. However, the data indicate that successful therapeutic intervention in psoriasis, by systemic biologic or topical treatment, can efficiently reduce furin levels in blood cells, possibly limiting the risk of psoriasis patients for a severe COVID-19 course. Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02752672.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Graier
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nicole Golob-Schwarzl
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weger
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Theresa Benezeder
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Clemens Painsi
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, State Hospital, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Salmhofer
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Wolf
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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He Z, Thorrez L, Siegfried G, Meulemans S, Evrard S, Tejpar S, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. The proprotein convertase furin is a pro-oncogenic driver in KRAS and BRAF driven colorectal cancer. Oncogene 2020; 39:3571-3587. [PMID: 32139876 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1238-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in KRAS and/or BRAF that activate the ERK kinase are frequently found in colorectal cancer (CRC) and drive resistance to targeted therapies. Therefore, the identification of therapeutic targets that affect multiple signaling pathways simultaneously is crucial for improving the treatment of patients with KRAS or BRAF mutations. The proprotein convertase furin activates several oncogenic protein precursors involved in the ERK-MAPK pathway by endoproteolytic cleavage. Here we show that genetic inactivation of furin suppresses tumorigenic growth, proliferation, and migration in KRAS or BRAF mutant CRC cell lines but not in wild-type KRAS and BRAF cells. In a mouse xenograft model, these KRAS or BRAF mutant cells lacking furin displayed reduced growth and angiogenesis, and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, furin inactivation prevents the processing of various protein pecursors including proIGF1R, proIR, proc-MET, proTGF-β1 and NOTCH1 leading to potent and durable ERK-MAPK pathway suppression in KRAS or BRAF mutant cells. Furthermore, we identified genes involved in activating the ERK-MAPK pathway, such as PTGS2, which are downregulated in the KRAS or BRAF mutant cells after furin inactivation but upregulated in wild-type KRAS and BRAF cells. Analysis of human colorectal tumor samples reveals a positive correlation between enhanced furin expression and KRAS or BRAF expression. These results indicate that furin plays an important role in KRAS or BRAF-associated ERK-MAPK pathway activation and tumorigenesis, providing a potential target for personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Interdisciplinary Research Facility, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Sandra Meulemans
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Serge Evrard
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, 1029, Pessac, France.,Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Digestive Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Siegfried G, Descarpentrie J, Evrard S, Khatib AM. Proprotein convertases: Key players in inflammation-related malignancies and metastasis. Cancer Lett 2019; 473:50-61. [PMID: 31899298 PMCID: PMC7115805 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Many cancers occur from locations of inflammation due to chronic irritation and/or infection. Tumor microenvironment contains various different inflammatory cells and mediators that orchestrate diverse neoplastic processes, including proliferation, survival, adhesion and migration. In parallel, tumor cells have adapted some of the signaling molecules used by inflammatory cells, such as selectins and chemokines as well as their receptors for invasion, extravasation and subsequently metastasis. Expression and/or activation of the majority of these molecules is mediated by the proprotein convertases (PCs); proteases expressed by both tumor cells and inflammatory cells. This review analyzes the potential role of these enzymatic system in inflammation-associated cancer impacting on the malignant and metastatic potential of cancer cells, describing the possible use of PCs as a new anti-inflammatory therapeutic approach to tumor progression and metastasis. Proteins maturation by the proprotein convertases plays important role in inflammation-related cancer and metastasis. Protein precursors require the proprotein convertases for the induction of inflammation. Understanding of the molecular mechanism linking the proprotein convertases to inflammation will allow novel therapies. Inhibitors of the proprotein convertases constitute great potential for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Siegfried
- Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France; INSERM UMR1029, 33400, Pessac, France.
| | - Jean Descarpentrie
- Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France; INSERM UMR1029, 33400, Pessac, France.
| | - Serge Evrard
- Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France; Institut Bergonié, 33076, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France; INSERM UMR1029, 33400, Pessac, France.
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12
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Yu Y, Lei X, Jiang H, Li Z, Creemers JWM, Zhang M, Qin S, Jin W, Jiang X. Prodomain of Furin Promotes Phospholipid Transfer Protein Proteasomal Degradation in Hepatocytes. J Am Heart Assoc 2018; 7:e008526. [PMID: 29680823 PMCID: PMC6015287 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.008526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is one of the major modulators of lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis development; however, little is known about the regulation of PLTP. The effect of hepatic prodomain of furin (profurin) expression on PLTP processing and function is investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS We used adenovirus expressing profurin in mouse liver to evaluate PLTP activity, mass, and plasma lipid levels. We coexpressed PLTP and profurin in human hepatoma cell line cells and studied their interaction. We found profurin expression significantly reduced plasma lipids, plasma PLTP activity, and mass in all tested mouse models, compared with controls. Moreover, the expression of profurin dramatically reduced liver PLTP activity and protein level. We further explored the mechanism using in vivo and ex vivo approaches. We found that profurin can interact with intracellular PLTP and promote its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, resulting in less PLTP secretion from the hepatocytes. Furin does not cleave PLTP; instead, it forms a complex with PLTP, likely through its prodomain. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that hepatic PLTP protein is targeted for proteasomal degradation by profurin expression, which could be a novel posttranslational mechanism underlying PLTP regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
- Key Laboratory of Atherosclerosis in Universities of Shandong and Institute of AtherosclerosisTaishan Medical UniversityTaianChina
| | - Xia Lei
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
| | - John W. M. Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical NeuroendocrinologyDepartment of Human GeneticsHerestraat 49 bus 6023000 LeuvenBelgium
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
| | - Shucun Qin
- Key Laboratory of Atherosclerosis in Universities of Shandong and Institute of AtherosclerosisTaishan Medical UniversityTaianChina
| | - Weijun Jin
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
| | - Xian‐Cheng Jiang
- Department of Cell BiologyState University of New York Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynNY
- Molecular and Cellular Cardiology ProgramVeterans Affair New York Harbor Healthcare SystemBrooklynNY
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13
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Jaaks P, Bernasconi M. The proprotein convertase furin in tumour progression. Int J Cancer 2017; 141:654-663. [PMID: 28369813 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are proteases that have been implicated in the activation of a wide variety of proteins. These proteins are generally synthesised as precursor proteins and require limited proteolysis for conversion into their mature bioactive counterparts. Many of these proteins, including metalloproteases, growth factors and their receptors or adhesion molecules, have been shown to facilitate tumour formation and progression. Hence, this review will focus on the proprotein convertase furin and its role in cancer. The expression of furin has been confirmed in a large spectrum of cancers such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma. Functional studies modulating furin activity uncovered its importance for the processing of many cancer-related substrates and strongly indicate that high furin activity promotes the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. In this review, we summarise the expression and function of furin in different cancer types, discuss its role in processing cancer-related proproteins and give examples of potential therapeutic approaches that take advantage of the proteolytic activity of furin in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Jaaks
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Abstract
The SV40 viral oncogene has been used since the 1970s as a reliable and reproducible method to generate transgenic mouse models. This seminal discovery has taught us an immense amount about how tumorigenesis occurs, and its success has led to the evolution of many mouse models of cancer. Despite the development of more modern and targeted approaches for developing genetically engineered mouse models of cancer, SV40-induced mouse models still remain frequently used today. This review discusses a number of cancer types in which SV40 mouse models of cancer have been developed and highlights their relevance and importance to preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Hudson
- Amanda L. Hudson, PhD, is a Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia. Emily K. Colvin is a Cancer Institute NSW postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily K Colvin
- Amanda L. Hudson, PhD, is a Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia. Emily K. Colvin is a Cancer Institute NSW postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia
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15
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Vähätupa M, Aittomäki S, Martinez Cordova Z, May U, Prince S, Uusitalo-Järvinen H, Järvinen TA, Pesu M. T-cell-expressed proprotein convertase FURIN inhibits DMBA/TPA-induced skin cancer development. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1245266. [PMID: 28123881 PMCID: PMC5214164 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1245266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCSK) have a critical role in the body homeostasis as enzymes responsible for processing precursor proteins into their mature forms. FURIN, the first characterized member of the mammalian PCSK family, is overexpressed in multiple malignancies and the inhibition of its activity has been considered potential cancer treatment. FURIN has also an important function in the adaptive immunity, since its deficiency in T cells causes an impaired peripheral immune tolerance and accelerates immune responses. We addressed whether deleting FURIN from the immune cells would strengthen anticancer responses by subjecting mouse strains lacking FURIN from either T cells or macrophages and granulocytes to the DMBA/TPA two-stage skin carcinogenesis protocol. Unexpectedly, deficiency of FURIN in T cells resulted in enhanced and accelerated development of tumors, whereas FURIN deletion in macrophages and granulocytes had no effect. The epidermises of T-cell-specific FURIN deficient mice were significantly thicker with more proliferating Ki67+ cells. In contrast, there were no differences in the numbers of the T cells. The flow cytometric analyses of T-cell populations in skin draining lymph nodes showed that FURIN T-cell KO mice have an inherent upregulation of early activation marker CD69 as well as more CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ positive T regulatory cells. In the early phase of tumor promotion, T cells from the T-cell-specific FURIN knockout animals produced more interferon gamma, whereas at later stage the production of Th2- and Th17-type cytokines was more prominent than in wild-type controls. In conclusion, while PCSK inhibitors are promising therapeutics in cancer treatment, our results show that inhibiting FURIN specifically in T cells may promote squamous skin cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vähätupa
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Ulrike May
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | - Stuart Prince
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Tero A Järvinen
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marko Pesu
- Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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