1
|
Wang T, Wang J, Chen L, Zhang X, Mou T, An X, Zhang J, Zhang X, Deuther-Conrad W, Huang Y, Jia H. Development of a Highly Specific 18F-Labeled Radioligand for Imaging of the Sigma-2 Receptor in Brain Tumors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12840-12857. [PMID: 37704582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Novel ligands with the 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline or 5,6-dimethoxyisoindoline pharmacophore were designed and synthesized for evaluation of their structure-activity relationship to the sigma-2 (σ2) receptor and developed as suitable PET radioligands. Compound 1 was found to possess nanomolar affinity (Ki(σ1) = 2.57 nM) for the σ2 receptor, high subtype selectivity (>2000-fold), and high selectivity over 40 other receptors and transporters. Radioligand [18F]1 was prepared with radiochemical yield of 37-54%, > 99% radiochemical purity, and molar activity of 107-189 GBq/μmol. Biodistribution and blocking studies in mice and micro-PET/CT imaging of [18F]1 in rats indicated excellent binding specificity to the σ2 receptors in vivo. Micro-PET/CT imaging of [18F]1 in the U87MG glioma xenograft model demonstrated clear tumor visualization with high tumor uptake and tumor-to-background ratio. Co-injection with CM398 (5 μmol/kg) led to a remarkable reduction of tumor uptake (80%, 60-70 min), indicating high specific binding of [18F]1 in U87MG glioma xenografts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals (Beijing Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Jingqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals (Beijing Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Leyuan Chen
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Tiantian Mou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaodan An
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals (Beijing Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Winnie Deuther-Conrad
- Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yiyun Huang
- Yale PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8048, United States
| | - Hongmei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals (Beijing Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xi Y, Zhang XL, Luo QX, Gan HN, Liu YS, Shao SH, Mao XH. Helicobacter pylori regulates stomach diseases by activating cell pathways and DNA methylation of host cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1187638. [PMID: 37215092 PMCID: PMC10192871 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1187638] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most prevalent malignant tumors of the digestive tract is gastric cancer (GC). Age, high salt intake, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and a diet deficient in fruits and vegetables are risk factors for the illness. A significant risk factor for gastric cancer is infection with H. pylori. Infecting gastric epithelial cells with virulence agents secreted by H. pylori can cause methylation of tumor genes or carcinogenic signaling pathways to be activated. Regulate downstream genes' aberrant expression, albeit the precise mechanism by which this happens is unclear. Oncogene, oncosuppressor, and other gene modifications, as well as a number of different gene change types, are all directly associated to the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. In this review, we describe comprehensive H. pylori and its virulence factors, as well as the activation of the NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT signaling pathways, and DNA methylation following infection with host cells via virulence factors, resulting in abnormal gene expression. As a result, host-related proteins are regulated, and gastric cancer progression is influenced. This review provides insight into the H. pylori infection, summarizes a series of relevant papers, discusses the complex signaling pathways underlying molecular mechanisms, and proposes new approach to immunotherapy of this important disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xi
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiao-Li Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qing-Xin Luo
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Hai-Ning Gan
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yu-Shi Liu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Shi-He Shao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xu-Hua Mao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mao D, Zhang X, Wang Z, Xu G, Zhang Y. TMEM97 is transcriptionally activated by YY1 and promotes colorectal cancer progression via the GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1535-1546. [PMID: 35907137 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00759-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97) is a conserved integral membrane protein highly expressed in various human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), and it exhibits pro-tumor roles in breast cancer, gastric cancer, and glioma. However, whether TMEM97 participates in CRC progression is not fully understood. The expression of mRNA and protein was evaluated by real-time qPCR, western blotting, immunofluorescent, and immunohistochemical staining. TMEM97 functions in cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed by CCK-8, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. The roles of TMEM97 in CRC cells in vivo was investigated using a subcutaneous xenograft model. The transcriptional regulation of TMEM97 was explored by luciferase reporter and ChIP assays. The silencing of TMEM97 inhibited migration and invasion of CRC cells in vitro and led to suppressed growth and enhanced apoptosis in CRC cells and xenografts, whereas overexpression of TMEM97 displayed opposite effects. Mechanistically, TMEM97 knockdown caused a reduction of the proliferating marker PCNA and an increase of pro-apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase 8/3/7 and cleaved PARP) in CRC cells. TMEM97 also positively regulated the β-catenin signaling pathway in CRC cells and xenografts by modulating the phosphorylated-GSK-3β and active (non-phospho) β-catenin levels. Interestingly, YY1, a well-recognized oncogenic transcription factor, was identified to bind to the TMEM97 promoter and enhance its transcriptional activity, and silencing of TMEM97 abolished YY1-mediated pro-tumor effects on CRC cells. Our results suggest that TMEM97 is transcriptionally activated by YY1 and promotes CRC progression via the GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, providing that TMEM97 might be a novel therapeutic target for preventing CRC development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Mao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, The Fifth Section of Renmin Street, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, The Fifth Section of Renmin Street, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zhaoping Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, The Fifth Section of Renmin Street, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guannan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, The Fifth Section of Renmin Street, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, No. 2, The Fifth Section of Renmin Street, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shi Z, Zhou L, Zhou Y, Jia X, Yu X, An X, Han Y. Inhibition of ClC-5 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. BMB Rep 2022. [PMID: 35651328 PMCID: PMC9252889 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.6.044] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chloride channel-5 (ClC-5), an important branch of the ClC family, is involved in the regulation of the proliferation and cell-fate of a variety of cells, including tumor cells. However, its function in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells remains enigmatic. Here, we discovered that ClC-5 was up-regulated in CCA tissues and CCA cell lines, while ClC-5 silencing inhibited CCA cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Further mechanism studies revealed that ClC-5 inhibition could inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity and further activate the mitochondria apoptotic pathway in CCA cells. Furthermore, rescuing Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation eliminated the anti-tumor function of ClC-5 knockdown. Together, our research findings illustrated that ClC-5 inhibition plays an anti-tumor role in CCA cells via inhibiting the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which in turn activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, China
| | - Liyuan Zhou
- Department of Gynaecology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Nursing, Medical College, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, China
| | - Xiaoyan Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, China
| | - Xiangjun Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, China
| | - Xiaohong An
- Department of Hospital Infection-Control, Jize County People’s Hospital, Jize 057350, China
| | - Yanzhen Han
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shi Z, Zhou L, Zhou Y, Jia X, Yu X, An X, Han Y. Inhibition of ClC-5 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. BMB Rep 2022; 55:299-304. [PMID: 35651328 PMCID: PMC9252889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Chloride channel-5 (ClC-5), an important branch of the ClC family, is involved in the regulation of the proliferation and cell-fate of a variety of cells, including tumor cells. However, its function in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells remains enigmatic. Here, we discovered that ClC-5 was up-regulated in CCA tissues and CCA cell lines, while ClC-5 silencing inhibited CCA cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Further mechanism studies revealed that ClC-5 inhibition could inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity and further activate the mitochondria apoptotic pathway in CCA cells. Furthermore, rescuing Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation eliminated the anti-tumor function of ClC-5 knockdown. Together, our research findings illustrated that ClC-5 inhibition plays an anti-tumor role in CCA cells via inhibiting the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which in turn activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(6): 299-304].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, Jize County People
| | - Liyuan Zhou
- Department of Gynaecology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, Jize County People
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Nursing, Medical College, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056002, Jize County People
| | - Xiaoyan Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, Jize County People
| | - Xiangjun Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, Jize County People
| | - Xiaohong An
- Department of Hospital Infection-Control, Jize County People
| | - Yanzhen Han
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, Handan 056002, Jize County People
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhu H, Su Z, Ning J, Zhou L, Tan L, Sayed S, Song J, Wang Z, Li H, Sun Q, Liu S, Sha O, Leng F, Chen X, Lu D. Transmembrane protein 97 exhibits oncogenic properties via enhancing LRP6-mediated Wnt signaling in breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:912. [PMID: 34615853 PMCID: PMC8494741 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04211-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Upregulation of transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97) has been associated with progression and poor outcome in multiple human cancers, including breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that TMEM97 may be involved in the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. However, the molecular mechanism of TMEM97 action on Wnt/β-catenin signaling is completely unclear. In the current study, TMEM97 was identified as an LRP6-interacting protein. TMEM97 could interact with LRP6 intracellular domain and enhance LRP6-mediated Wnt signaling in a CK1δ/ε-dependent manner. The binding of TMEM97 to LRP6 facilitated the recruitment of CK1δ/ε to LRP6 complex, resulting in LRP6 phosphorylation at Ser 1490 and the stabilization of β-catenin. In breast cancer cells, knockout of TMEM97 attenuated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade via regulating LRP6 phosphorylation, leading to a decrease in the expression of Wnt target genes AXIN2, LEF1, and survivin. TMEM97 deficiency also suppressed cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and stemness properties in breast cancer cells. Importantly, TMEM97 knockout suppressed tumor growth through downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a breast cancer xenograft model. Taken together, our results revealed that TMEM97 is a positive modulator of canonical Wnt signaling. TMEM97-mediated Wnt signaling is implicated in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer, and its targeted inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zijie Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, China
| | - Jiong Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lifeng Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sapna Sayed
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaxing Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhongyuan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ou Sha
- School of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Feng Leng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-4255, USA
| | - Xianxiong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Desheng Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu JF, Guo D, Kang EM, Wang YS, Gao XZ, Cong HY, Liu P, Zhang NQ, Wang MY. Acute and chronic infection of H. pylori caused the difference in apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. Microb Pathog 2021; 150:104717. [PMID: 33421608 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most important pathogenic bacteria associated with various gastrointestinal diseases. At present, its apoptotic or antiapoptotic mechanism on gastric epithelial cells remains unknown and needs further illustrated. In this study, acute infection model (H. pylori and GES-1 cells were co-cultured for 24 h at a multiplicity of infection MOI of 100:1) and chronic infection model (GES-1 cells were infected repeatedly every 24 h at a multiplicity of infection MOI of 100:1 for approximately 8 weeks) were established, respectively. the chronic H. pylori infected GES-1 cells underwent a typically morphological change and Western Blot results showed that there was slight decrease in expression of E-cadherin, and obvious increase in expression of Vimentin. Apoptosis of these two models were analyzed by flow cytometry compared with the control cells, meanwhile, apoptosis associated markers (Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, Bax, etc) were detected by Western blot, additional in clinical H. pylori-positive gastric cancer tissues. Results showed that compared with the control cells, acute infection of H. pylori significantly accelerated the apoptosis of GES-1, increased the expression of Bax and Cleaved caspase-3, down-regulated expression of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. Moreover, an opposite result was found in chronic infection of model and clinical gastric cancer tissues, and enhanced expression of NF-κB p65. Taken together, these findings suggest that H. pylori infection plays differential effects on apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Fei Liu
- Department of Central Lab, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261000, PR China
| | - Dong Guo
- Department of Central Lab, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China
| | - En-Ming Kang
- Department of Central Lab, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China
| | - Yu-Shan Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, PR China
| | - Xiao-Zhong Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China
| | - Hai-Yan Cong
- Department of Central Lab, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Central Lab, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China
| | - Nai-Qian Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, 264209, PR China.
| | - Ming-Yi Wang
- Department of Central Lab, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Shandong University. Weihai, Shandong, 264200, PR China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261000, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Meningioma-associated protein 30 accelerates the proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2021; 53:73-83. [PMID: 33405049 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-020-09864-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Meningioma-associated protein 30 (MAC30) has been recently identified as a new tumor-associated protein that is implicated in multiple tumor types. However, the role of MAC30 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been studied. In the current study, we explored the expression, biological function and underlying mechanism of MAC30 in HCC. We found that MAC30 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Functional in vitro assays demonstrated that the knockdown of MAC30 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells, while MAC30 overexpression facilitated these biological behaviors. Moreover, the knockdown of MAC30 decreased glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β phosphorylation level and β-catenin expression, leading to the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC cells. The inhibition of GSK-3β or reactivation Wnt/β-catenin signaling markedly reversed MAC30 knockdown-mediated inhibitory effects on the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Notably, the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling abrogated the MAC30-evoked oncogenic role in HCC cells. In addition, the knockdown of MAC30 impeded tumor formation and the growth rate of HCC cells in vivo. Taken together, our data recognized MAC30 as a potential tumor-promotion factor in HCC, which accelerated the proliferation and invasion of HCC through the up-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our study suggests MAC30 as a potential anticancer target for HCC.
Collapse
|