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Ma J, Dong D, Qi H, Li J, Yu H, Hu X, Sun L, Shen L. LARP1, an RNA-binding protein, participates in ovarian cancer cell survival by regulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in response to the influence of the PI3K/mTOR pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167453. [PMID: 39111634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167453] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway and modulating mitochondrial adaptation is expected to be a critical approach for cancer therapy. Although the regulation of mitochondria by the PI3K/mTOR pathway has been investigated, it is not well understood due to the complexity of its regulatory mechanisms. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) selectively regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional modulation, playing a key role in cancer progression. LARP1, a downstream RBP of the mTOR pathway, is involved in mitochondria-mediated BCL-2 cell survival. Therefore, exploring the involvement of LARP1 in PI3K/mTOR-mediated translational regulation of mitochondria-associated proteins in ovarian cancer cells could help elucidate the role of mitochondria in the PI3K/mTOR pathway. We found that, unlike SKOV3 cells, the mitochondrial function of A2780 cells was not affected, which were insensitive to the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PKI-402, suggesting that cell survival may be related to mitochondrial function. Knockdown of the LARP1 gene after PKI-402 treatment resulted in impaired mitochondrial function in A2780 cells, possibly due to decreased mRNA stability and reduced protein translation of the mitochondrial transcription initiation factor, TFB2M, and the respiratory chain complex II subunit, SDHB. LARP1 affects protein translation by binding to TFB2M mRNA, regulating mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes, or indirectly regulating the nuclear DNA-encoded SDHB gene, ultimately interfering with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and leading to apoptosis. Therefore, LARP1 may be an important mediator in the PI3K/mTOR pathway for regulating mRNA translation and mitochondrial function. Targeting RBPs such as LARP1 downstream of the mTOR pathway may provide new insights and potential therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Delu Dong
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Hang Qi
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Huimei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xiaoqing Hu
- The First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Liankun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Luyan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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2
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Kim Y, You JH, Ryu Y, Park G, Lee U, Moon HE, Park HR, Song CW, Ku JL, Park SH, Paek SH. ELAVL2 loss promotes aggressive mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:79. [PMID: 38548861 PMCID: PMC10978835 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00566-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most lethal primary brain cancer, exhibits intratumoral heterogeneity and molecular plasticity, posing challenges for effective treatment. Despite this, the regulatory mechanisms underlying such plasticity, particularly mesenchymal (MES) transition, remain poorly understood. In this study, we elucidate the role of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL2 in regulating aggressive MES transformation in GBM. We found that ELAVL2 is most frequently deleted in GBM compared to other cancers and associated with distinct clinical and molecular features. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ELAVL2-mediated alterations correspond to specific GBM subtype signatures. Notably, ELAVL2 expression negatively correlated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, and its loss promoted MES process and chemo-resistance in GBM cells, whereas ELAVL2 overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Further investigation via tissue microarray analysis demonstrated that high ELAVL2 protein expression confers a favorable survival outcome in GBM patients. Mechanistically, ELAVL2 was shown to directly bind to the transcripts of EMT-inhibitory molecules, SH3GL3 and DNM3, modulating their mRNA stability, potentially through an m6A-dependent mechanism. In summary, our findings identify ELAVL2 as a critical tumor suppressor and mRNA stabilizer that regulates MES transition in GBM, underscoring its role in transcriptomic plasticity and glioma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yona Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Seoul National University College of Biological Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hyeon You
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Caner Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeonjoo Ryu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Seoul National University College of Biological Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gyuri Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Caner Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Urim Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Caner Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Eun Moon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Ran Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang W Song
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Ja-Lok Ku
- Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Hye Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Ha Paek
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Research Institute and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, Korea.
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3
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Lu X, Xie Y, Ding G, Sun W, Ye H. RBM24 Suppresses the Tumorigenesis of Glioblastoma by Stabilizing LATS1 mRNA. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-024-10715-7. [PMID: 38499965 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-024-10715-7] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The ribose nucleic acid (RNA)-binding motif protein 24 (RBM24) has been recognized as a critical regulatory protein in various types of tumors. However, its specific role in glioblastoma (GBM) has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study is to uncover the role of RBM24 in GBM and understand the underlying mechanism. The expression of RBM24 in GBM was initially analyzed using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Subsequently, the RBM24 expression levels in clinical samples of GBM were examined, and the survival curves of GBM patients were plotted based on high- and low-expression levels of RBM24 using Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter. In addition, RBM24 knockdown cell lines and overexpression vectors were created to assess the effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion abilities. Finally, the binding level of RBM24 protein to LATS1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was determined by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, and the expression levels of RBM24 and LATS1 were measured through quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB). Our data revealed a significant decrease in RBM24 mRNA and protein levels in GBM patients, indicating that those with low RBM24 expression had a worse prognosis. Overexpression of RBM24 led to inhibited cell proliferation, reduced invasion, and increased apoptosis in LN229 and U87 cells. In addition, knocking down LATS1 partially reversed the effects of RBM24 on cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis in GBM cells. In vivo xenograft model further demonstrated that RBM24 overexpression reduced the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice, accompanied by a decrease in Ki-67 expression and an increase in apoptotic events in tumor tissues. There was also correlation between RBM24 and LATS1 protein expression in the xenograft tumors. RBM24 functions to stabilize LATS1 mRNA, thereby inhibiting the proliferation, suppressing invasion, and promoting apoptosis in GBM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Qujing, No.1 Garden Road, Qilin District, Qujing, Yunnan, China
| | - Yong Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Qujing, No.1 Garden Road, Qilin District, Qujing, Yunnan, China
| | - Guolin Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Qujing, No.1 Garden Road, Qilin District, Qujing, Yunnan, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qujing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.771, Yingxia Road, Qilin District, Qujing, Yunnan, China
| | - Hao Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Qujing, No.1 Garden Road, Qilin District, Qujing, Yunnan, China.
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4
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Vembuli H, Gor R, Ramalingam S, Perales S, Rajasingh J. RNA binding proteins in cancer chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1308102. [PMID: 38328550 PMCID: PMC10847363 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1308102] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance has been a major obstacle in the quest for a cancer cure. Many chemotherapeutic treatments fail to overcome chemoresistance, resulting in tumor remission. The exact process that leads to drug resistance in many cancers has not been fully explored or understood. However, the discovery of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) has provided insight into various pathways and post-transcriptional gene modifications involved in drug tolerance. RBPs are evolutionarily conserved proteins, and their abnormal gene expression has been associated with cancer progression. Additionally, RBPs are aberrantly expressed in numerous neoplasms. RBPs have also been implicated in maintaining cancer stemness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and other processes. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of RBP-mediated mechanisms of drug resistance and their implications in cancer malignancy. We discuss in detail the role of major RBPs and their correlation with noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are associated with the inhibition of chemosensitivity. Understanding and exploring the pathways of RBP-mediated chemoresistance will contribute to the development of improved cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemanathan Vembuli
- Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bio-Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ravi Gor
- Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bio-Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Satish Ramalingam
- Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bio-Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Selene Perales
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Johnson Rajasingh
- Department of Genetic Engineering, School of Bio-Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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5
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Podszywalow-Bartnicka P, Neugebauer KM. Multiple roles for AU-rich RNA binding proteins in the development of haematologic malignancies and their resistance to chemotherapy. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-17. [PMID: 38798162 PMCID: PMC11135835 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2346688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation by RNA binding proteins can determine gene expression levels and drive changes in cancer cell proteomes. Identifying mechanisms of protein-RNA binding, including preferred sequence motifs bound in vivo, provides insights into protein-RNA networks and how they impact mRNA structure, function, and stability. In this review, we will focus on proteins that bind to AU-rich elements (AREs) in nascent or mature mRNA where they play roles in response to stresses encountered by cancer cells. ARE-binding proteins (ARE-BPs) specifically impact alternative splicing, stability, decay and translation, and formation of RNA-rich biomolecular condensates like cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs). For example, recent findings highlight the role of ARE-BPs - like TIAR and HUR - in chemotherapy resistance and in translational regulation of mRNAs encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines. We will discuss emerging evidence that different modes of ARE-BP activity impact leukaemia and lymphoma development, progression, adaptation to microenvironment and chemotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Podszywalow-Bartnicka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karla M. Neugebauer
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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6
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Yin J, Seo Y, Rhim J, Jin X, Kim TH, Kim SS, Hong JH, Gwak HS, Yoo H, Park JB, Kim JH. Cross-talk between PARN and EGFR-STAT3 Signaling Facilitates Self-Renewal and Proliferation of Glioblastoma Stem Cells. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3693-3709. [PMID: 37747775 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant primary brain tumor and displays highly aggressive and heterogeneous phenotypes. The transcription factor STAT3 has been reported to play a key role in glioblastoma malignancy. Thus, discovering targets and functional downstream networks regulated by STAT3 that govern glioblastoma pathogenesis may lead to improved treatment strategies. In this study, we identified that poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN), a key modulator of RNA metabolism, activates EGFR-STAT3 signaling to support glioblastoma stem cells (GSC). Functional integrative analysis of STAT3 found PARN as the top-scoring transcriptional target involved in RNA processing in patients with glioblastoma, and PARN expression was strongly correlated with poor patient survival and elevated malignancy. PARN positively regulated self-renewal and proliferation of GSCs through its 3'-5' exoribonuclease activity. EGFR was identified as a clinically relevant target of PARN in GSCs. PARN positively modulated EGFR by negatively regulating the EGFR-targeting miRNA miR-7, and increased EGFR expression created a positive feedback loop to increase STAT3 activation. PARN depletion in GSCs reduced infiltration and prolonged survival in orthotopic brain tumor xenografts; similar results were observed using siRNA nanocapsule-mediated PARN targeting. Pharmacological targeting of STAT3 also confirmed PARN regulation by STAT3 signaling. In sum, these results suggest that a STAT3-PARN regulatory network plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and thus may represent a target for glioblastoma therapeutics. SIGNIFICANCE A positive feedback loop comprising PARN and EGFR-STAT3 signaling supports self-renewal and proliferation of glioblastoma stem cells to drive tumor progression and can be targeted in glioblastoma therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Yin
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yoona Seo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jiho Rhim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Xiong Jin
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Tae Hoon Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jun-Hee Hong
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Ho-Shin Gwak
- Neuro-Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Department of Cancer Control, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Heon Yoo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Neuro-Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jong Bae Park
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jong Heon Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
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7
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Finan JM, Sutton TL, Dixon DA, Brody JR. Targeting the RNA-Binding Protein HuR in Cancer. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3507-3516. [PMID: 37683260 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) is a well-established regulator of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Its dysregulation has been implicated in various human diseases, particularly cancer. In cancer, HuR is considered "active" when it shows increased subcellular localization in the cytoplasm, in addition to its normal nuclear localization. Cytoplasmic HuR plays a crucial role in stabilizing and enhancing the translation of prosurvival mRNAs that are involved in stress responses relevant to cancer progression, such as hypoxia, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In general, due to HuR's abundance and function in cancer cells compared with normal cells, it is an appealing target for oncology research. Exploiting the principles underlying HuR's role in tumorigenesis and resistance to stressors, targeting HuR has the potential for synergy with existing and novel oncologic therapies. This review aims to explore HuR's role in homeostasis and cancer pathophysiology, as well as current targeting strategies, which include silencing HuR expression, preventing its translocation and dimerization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and inhibiting mRNA binding. Furthermore, this review will discuss recent studies investigating the potential synergy between HuR inhibition and traditional chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Finan
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Thomas L Sutton
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Dan A Dixon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
| | - Jonathan R Brody
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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8
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Lee YC, Chiou JT, Wang LJ, Chen YJ, Chang LS. Amsacrine downregulates BCL2L1 expression and triggers apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells through the SIDT2/NOX4/ERK/HuR pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 474:116625. [PMID: 37451322 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that the anticancer activity of acridine derivatives is mediated through the regulation of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic BCL2 protein expression. Therefore, we investigated whether the cytotoxicity of amsacrine with an acridine structural scaffold in human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells was mediated by BCL2 family proteins. Amsacrine induced apoptosis, mitochondrial depolarization, and BCL2L1 (also known as BCL-XL) downregulation in K562 cells. BCL2L1 overexpression inhibited amsacrine-induced cell death and mitochondrial depolarization. Amsacrine treatment triggered SIDT2-mediated miR-25 downregulation, leading to increased NOX4-mediated ROS production. ROS-mediated inactivation of ERK triggered miR-22 expression, leading to increased HuR mRNA decay. As HuR is involved in stabilizing BCL2L1 mRNA, downregulation of BCL2L1 was noted in K562 cells after amsacrine treatment. In contrast, amsacrine-induced BCL2L1 downregulation was alleviated by restoring ERK phosphorylation and HuR expression. Altogether, the results of this study suggest that amsacrine triggers apoptosis in K562 cells by inhibiting BCL2L1 expression through the SIDT2/NOX4/ERK-mediated downregulation of HuR. Furthermore, a similar pathway also explains the cytotoxicity of amsacrine in CML MEG-01 and KU812 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Chin Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ting Chiou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Jun Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Jung Chen
- Department of Fragrance and Cosmetic Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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9
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Osma-Garcia IC, Mouysset M, Capitan-Sobrino D, Aubert Y, Turner M, Diaz-Muñoz MD. The RNA binding proteins TIA1 and TIAL1 promote Mcl1 mRNA translation to protect germinal center responses from apoptosis. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1063-1076. [PMID: 37474714 PMCID: PMC10469172 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01063-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Germinal centers (GCs) are essential for the establishment of long-lasting antibody responses. GC B cells rely on post-transcriptional RNA mechanisms to translate activation-associated transcriptional programs into functional changes in the cell proteome. However, the critical proteins driving these key mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we show that the RNA binding proteins TIA1 and TIAL1 are required for the generation of long-lasting GC responses. TIA1- and TIAL1-deficient GC B cells fail to undergo antigen-mediated positive selection, expansion and differentiation into B-cell clones producing high-affinity antibodies. Mechanistically, TIA1 and TIAL1 control the transcriptional identity of dark- and light-zone GC B cells and enable timely expression of the prosurvival molecule MCL1. Thus, we demonstrate here that TIA1 and TIAL1 are key players in the post-transcriptional program that selects high-affinity antigen-specific GC B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines C Osma-Garcia
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Inserm UMR1291, CNRS UMR5051, University Paul Sabatier, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, 31024, France
| | - Mailys Mouysset
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Inserm UMR1291, CNRS UMR5051, University Paul Sabatier, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, 31024, France
| | - Dunja Capitan-Sobrino
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Inserm UMR1291, CNRS UMR5051, University Paul Sabatier, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, 31024, France
| | - Yann Aubert
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Inserm UMR1291, CNRS UMR5051, University Paul Sabatier, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, 31024, France
| | - Martin Turner
- Immunology Program, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Manuel D Diaz-Muñoz
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Inserm UMR1291, CNRS UMR5051, University Paul Sabatier, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, 31024, France.
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10
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Feng Y, Zhu S, Liu T, Zhi G, Shao B, Liu J, Li B, Jiang C, Feng Q, Wu P, Wang D. Surmounting Cancer Drug Resistance: New Perspective on RNA-Binding Proteins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1114. [PMID: 37631029 PMCID: PMC10458901 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081114] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), being pivotal elements in both physiological and pathological processes, possess the ability to directly impact RNA, thereby exerting a profound influence on cellular life. Furthermore, the dysregulation of RBPs not only induces alterations in the expression levels of genes associated with cancer but also impairs the occurrence of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Consequently, these circumstances can give rise to aberrations in cellular processes, ultimately resulting in alterations within the proteome. An aberrant proteome can disrupt the equilibrium between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, promoting cancer progression. Given their significant role in modulating gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, directing therapeutic interventions towards RBPs represents a viable strategy for combating drug resistance in cancer treatment. RBPs possess significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers for diverse cancer types. Gaining comprehensive insights into the structure and functionality of RBPs, along with delving deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying RBPs in tumor drug resistance, can enhance cancer treatment strategies and augment the prognostic outcomes for individuals afflicted with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peijie Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
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11
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Deacon S, Walker L, Radhi M, Smith S. The Regulation of m6A Modification in Glioblastoma: Functional Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3307. [PMID: 37444417 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133307] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most prevalent primary brain tumour and invariably confers a poor prognosis. The immense intra-tumoral heterogeneity of glioblastoma and its ability to rapidly develop treatment resistance are key barriers to successful therapy. As such, there is an urgent need for the greater understanding of the tumour biology in order to guide the development of novel therapeutics in this field. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant of the RNA modifications in eukaryotes. Studies have demonstrated that the regulation of this RNA modification is altered in glioblastoma and may serve to regulate diverse mechanisms including glioma stem-cell self-renewal, tumorigenesis, invasion and treatment evasion. However, the precise mechanisms by which m6A modifications exert their functional effects are poorly understood. This review summarises the evidence for the disordered regulation of m6A in glioblastoma and discusses the downstream functional effects of m6A modification on RNA fate. The wide-ranging biological consequences of m6A modification raises the hope that novel cancer therapies can be targeted against this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Deacon
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Lauryn Walker
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Masar Radhi
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stuart Smith
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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12
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Ma Q, Lu Q, Lei X, Zhao J, Sun W, Huang D, Zhu Q, Xu Q. Relationship between HuR and tumor drug resistance. Clin Transl Oncol 2023:10.1007/s12094-023-03109-5. [PMID: 36947360 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03109-5] [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: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Human resistance protein R (HuR), also known as embryonic lethal abnormal visual-like protein (ELAVL1), is an RNA-binding protein widely expressed in vivo that affects the mRNA stability of targeted and is involved in post-transcriptional regulation. Recent studies have shown that HuR is aberrantly expressed in different human cancers and is an essential factor in poor clinical prognosis. The role of HuR in numerous tumors suggests that it could be a new target for tumor therapy and as a marker for efficacy and prognostic assessment. This review focuses on the relationship between HuR and drug resistance in different tumors and briefly describes the structure, function, and inhibitors of HuR. We summarize the mechanisms by which HuR causes tumor resistance and the molecular targets affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Ma
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Qiliang Lu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | | | - Jie Zhao
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Wen Sun
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis, and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
| | - Qing Zhu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis, and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
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13
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Chiou JT, Hsu CC, Hong YC, Lee YC, Chang LS. Cytarabine-induced destabilization of MCL1 mRNA and protein triggers apoptosis in leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 211:115494. [PMID: 36924905 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Although cytarabine (Ara-C) is the mainstay of treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), its cytotoxic mechanisms for inducing apoptosis are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the Ara-C-induced cell death pathway in human AML U937 cells. Ara-C-induced downregulation of MCL1 is associated with the induction of mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis. Ara-C triggered NOX4-mediated ROS production, which in turn activated p38 MAPK but inactivated AKT. Ara-C-induced DNA damage modulates p38 MAPK activation without affecting AKT inactivation in U937 cells. Inactivated AKT promotes GSK3β-dependent CREB phosphorylation, which in turn increases NOXA transcription, thereby triggering the degradation of MCL1 protein. Activated p38 MAPK induces HuR downregulation, leading to accelerated MCL1 mRNA turnover. A similar pathway also explains the Ara-C-induced THP-1 cell death. Collectively, our data confirm that Ara-C-triggered apoptosis in the AML cell lines U937 and THP-1 is mediated through the destabilization of MCL1 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, Ara-C acts synergistically with the BCL2 inhibitor ABT-199 to induce cell death in ABT-199-resistant and parental U937 cells by inhibiting MCL1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ting Chiou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Hsu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chung Hong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Chin Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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14
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Guha A, Husain MA, Si Y, Nabors LB, Filippova N, Promer G, Smith R, King PH. RNA regulation of inflammatory responses in glia and its potential as a therapeutic target in central nervous system disorders. Glia 2023; 71:485-508. [PMID: 36380708 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A major hallmark of neuroinflammation is the activation of microglia and astrocytes with the induction of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6. Neuroinflammation contributes to disease progression in a plethora of neurological disorders ranging from acute CNS trauma to chronic neurodegenerative disease. Posttranscriptional pathways of mRNA stability and translational efficiency are major drivers for the expression of these inflammatory mediators. A common element in this level of regulation centers around the adenine- and uridine-rich element (ARE) which is present in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNAs encoding these inflammatory mediators. (ARE)-binding proteins (AUBPs) such as Human antigen R (HuR), Tristetraprolin (TTP) and KH- type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP) are key nodes for directing these posttranscriptional pathways and either promote (HuR) or suppress (TTP and KSRP) glial production of inflammatory mediators. This review will discuss basic concepts of ARE-mediated RNA regulation and its impact on glial-driven neuroinflammatory diseases. We will discuss strategies to target this novel level of gene regulation for therapeutic effect and review exciting preliminary studies that underscore its potential for treating neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Guha
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mohammed Amir Husain
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ying Si
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - L Burt Nabors
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Natalia Filippova
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Grace Promer
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Reed Smith
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Peter H King
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Birmingham Department of Veterans Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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15
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Lee YC, Chiou JT, Chang LS. AMPK inhibition induces MCL1 mRNA destabilization via the p38 MAPK/miR-22/HuR axis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 209:115442. [PMID: 36720359 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of AMPK in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are controvertible. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of the AMPK inhibitor Compound C in the CML cell lines K562, KU812, and MEG-01. Compared to K562 cells, KU812 and MEG-01 cells were more sensitive to Compound C-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, Compound C induced SIRT3 upregulation in K562 cells but not in KU812 or MEG-01 cells. SIRT3 silencing increased the sensitivity of K562 cells to Compound C. Additionally; Compound C-induced autophagy attenuated its induced apoptosis in KU812 and MEG-01 cells. Compound C-induced ROS-mediated AMPKα inactivation resulted in the downregulation of apoptotic regulator MCL1 in KU812 and MEG-01 cells. Mechanistically, AMPK inhibition activated p38 MAPK-mediated miR-22 expression, which in turn inhibited HuR expression, thereby reducing MCL1 mRNA stability. Overexpression of constitutively active AMPKα1 and abolishment of the activation of p38 MAPK inhibited Compound C-induced cell death and MCL1 downregulation. Furthermore, Compound C synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity of BCR-ABL inhibitors and the BCL2 inhibitor ABT-199. Collectively, this study indicates that Compound C induces MCL1 downregulation through the AMPK/p38 MAPK/miR-22/HuR pathway, thereby inducing apoptosis of KU812 and MEG-01 cells. Furthermore, our findings suggest that AMPK inhibition is a promising strategy for improving CML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Chin Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ting Chiou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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16
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Wu X, Ramesh R, Wang J, Zheng Y, Armaly AM, Wei L, Xing M, Roy S, Lan L, Gao FP, Miao Y, Xu L, Aubé J. Small Molecules Targeting the RNA-Binding Protein HuR Inhibit Tumor Growth in Xenografts. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2032-2053. [PMID: 36690437 PMCID: PMC10101218 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein Hu antigen R (HuR) is a post-transcriptional regulator critical in several types of diseases, including cancer, making it a promising therapeutic target. We have identified small-molecule inhibitors of HuR through a screening approach used in combination with fragment analysis. A total of 36 new compounds originating from fragment linking or structural optimization were studied to establish structure-activity relationships in the set. Two top inhibitors, 1c and 7c, were further validated by binding assays and cellular functional assays. Both block HuR function by directly binding to the RNA-binding pocket, inhibit cancer cell growth dependence of HuR, and suppress cancer cell invasion. Intraperitoneal administration of inhibitor 1c inhibits tumor growth as a single agent and shows a synergistic effect in combination with chemotherapy docetaxel in breast cancer xenograft models. Mechanistically, 1c interferes with the HuR-TGFB/THBS1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Remya Ramesh
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | | | - Youguang Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Ahlam M Armaly
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | | | | | - Sudeshna Roy
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | | | | | | | - Liang Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, United States
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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17
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Targeting the "undruggable": RNA-binding proteins in the spotlight in cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:69-83. [PMID: 35772609 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Tumors refractory to conventional therapy belong to specific subpopulations of cancer cells, which have acquired a higher number of mutations/epigenetic changes than the majority of cancer cells. This property provides them the ability to become resistant to therapy. Aberrant expression of certain RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can regulate the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs by binding to specific regions present in the 3´-UTR of certain mRNAs to promote or repress mRNA translation or by interacting with other proteins (including RBPs) and non-coding RNAs that are part of ribonucleoprotein complexes. In particular, an increasing interest in the RBPs involved in chemoresistance has recently emerged. In this review, we discuss how RBPs are not only affected by chemotherapeutic treatments, but also play an active role in therapeutic responses via the direct modulation of crucial cancer-related proteins. A special focus is being placed on the development of therapeutic strategies targeting these RBPs.
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18
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Li W, Deng X, Chen J. RNA-binding proteins in regulating mRNA stability and translation: roles and mechanisms in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:664-677. [PMID: 35381329 PMCID: PMC9526761 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key players in cellular physiology through posttranscriptional regulation of the expression of target RNA transcripts. By modulating the processing, stability and translation of cancer-related messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts, a large set of RBPs play essential roles in various types of cancers. Perturbations in RBP activity have been causally associated with cancer development, tumor metabolism, drug resistance, cancer stem cell self-renewal, and tumor immune evasion. Here, we summarize the recent advances in cancer pathological roles and mechanisms of RBPs in regulating mRNA stability and translation with an emphasis on the emerging category of RNA modification-associated RBPs. The functional diversity of RBPs in different types of cancers and the therapeutic potential of targeting dysregulated RBPs for cancer treatment are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia 91016, USA
| | - Xiaolan Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia 91016, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia 91016, USA; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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19
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Sancho M, Leiva D, Lucendo E, Orzáez M. Understanding MCL1: from cellular function and regulation to pharmacological inhibition. FEBS J 2022; 289:6209-6234. [PMID: 34310025 PMCID: PMC9787394 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL1), an antiapoptotic member of the BCL2 family characterized by a short half-life, functions as a rapid sensor that regulates cell death and other relevant processes that include cell cycle progression and mitochondrial homeostasis. In cancer, MCL1 overexpression contributes to cell survival and resistance to diverse chemotherapeutic agents; for this reason, several MCL1 inhibitors are currently under preclinical and clinical development for cancer treatment. However, the nonapoptotic functions of MCL1 may influence their therapeutic potential. Overall, the complexity of MCL1 regulation and function represent challenges to the clinical application of MCL1 inhibitors. We now summarize the current knowledge regarding MCL1 structure, regulation, and function that could impact the clinical success of MCL1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Sancho
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Leiva
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
| | - Estefanía Lucendo
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
| | - Mar Orzáez
- Targeted Therapies on Cancer and Inflammation LaboratoryCentro de Investigación Príncipe FelipeValenciaSpain
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20
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Wang G, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Wang J, Chen L, Sun Q, Miao D. Long non-coding RNA DUXAP10 exerts oncogenic properties in osteosarcoma by recruiting HuR to enhance SOX18 mRNA stability. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1939-1951. [PMID: 36053455 PMCID: PMC9515053 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00772-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma (OS). However, more lncRNAs and their mechanisms in regulating growth and migration of OS cells remain to be investigated. In this study, we identified an lncRNA called DUXAP10 by analysis of GEO data, which was significantly up-regulated in OS tissues and cell lines. Experiments in vitro revealed that lncRNA DUXAP10 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS cells and inhibited their apoptosis. We also demonstrated that DUXAP10 promoted the formation and growth of OS by tumor formation assay. Furthermore, SOX18 was identified as a critical downstream target of DUXAP10 by transcriptome RNA-seq. Mechanistically, DUXAP10 mainly localized in cytoplasm and could specifically bind to HuR to increase the stability of SOX18 mRNA. Meanwhile, SOX18 knockdown largely reversed increased proliferation of OS cells induced by DUXAP10 overexpression. Findings from this study indicate that lncRNA DUXAP10 can act as an oncogene in osteosarcoma by binding HuR to up-regulate the expression of SOX18 at a post-transcriptional level, which may provide a new target for OS clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guantong Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging and Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinjue Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging and Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lulu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging and Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Dengshun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Center for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging and Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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21
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Cai Z, Xu H, Bai G, Hu H, Wang D, Li H, Wang Z. ELAVL1 promotes prostate cancer progression by interacting with other m6A regulators. Front Oncol 2022; 12:939784. [PMID: 35978821 PMCID: PMC9376624 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) imbalance is an important factor in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer (PCa). Many m6A regulators have been found to be significantly dysregulated in PCa. ELAVL1 is an m6A binding protein that can promote the occurrence and development of tumors in an m6A-dependent manner. In this study, we found that most m6A regulators were significantly dysregulated in PCa, and some m6A regulators were associated with the progression-free interval. Mutations and copy number variations of these m6A regulators can alter their expression. However, ELAVL1 mutations were not found in PCa. Nevertheless, ELAVL1 upregulation was closely related to PCa proliferation. High ELAVL1 expression was also related to RNA metabolism. Further experiments showed that ELAVL1 interacted with other m6A regulators and that several m6A regulatory mRNAs have m6A sites that can be recognized by ELAVL1. Additionally, protein–protein interactions occur between ELAVL1 and other m6A regulators. Finally, we found that the dysregulation of ELAVL1 expression occurred in almost all tumors, and interactions between ELAVL1 and other m6A regulators also existed in almost all tumors. In summary, ELAVL1 is an important molecule in the development of PCa, and its interactions with other m6A regulators may play important roles in PCa progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Cai
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Xu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Bai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hanjing Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhong Wang, ; Di Wang, ; Hongjun Li,
| | - Hongjun Li
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhong Wang, ; Di Wang, ; Hongjun Li,
| | - Zhong Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhong Wang, ; Di Wang, ; Hongjun Li,
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22
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Kim YS, Tang PW, Welles JE, Pan W, Javed Z, Elhaw AT, Mythreye K, Kimball SR, Hempel N. HuR-dependent SOD2 protein synthesis is an early adaptation to anchorage-independence. Redox Biol 2022; 53:102329. [PMID: 35594792 PMCID: PMC9121325 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During metastasis cancer cells must adapt to survive loss of anchorage and evade anoikis. An important pro-survival adaptation is the ability of metastatic tumor cells to increase their antioxidant capacity and restore cellular redox balance. Although much is known about the transcriptional regulation of antioxidant enzymes in response to stress, how cells acutely adapt to alter antioxidant enzyme levels is less well understood. Using ovarian cancer cells as a model, we demonstrate that an increase in mitochondrial superoxide dismutase SOD2 protein expression is a very early event initiated in response to detachment, an important step during metastasis that has been associated with increased oxidative stress. SOD2 protein synthesis is rapidly induced within 0.5-2 h of matrix detachment, and polyribosome profiling demonstrates an increase in the number of ribosomes bound to SOD2 mRNA, indicating an increase in SOD2 mRNA translation in response to anchorage-independence. Mechanistically, we find that anchorage-independence induces cytosolic accumulation of the RNA binding protein HuR/ELAVL1 and promotes HuR binding to SOD2 mRNA. Using HuR siRNA-mediated knockdown, we show that the presence of HuR is necessary for the increase in SOD2 mRNA association with the heavy polyribosome fraction and consequent nascent SOD2 protein synthesis in anchorage-independence. Cellular detachment also activates the stress-response mitogen-activated kinase p38, which is necessary for HuR-SOD2 mRNA interactions and induction of SOD2 protein output. These findings illustrate a novel translational regulatory mechanism of SOD2 by which ovarian cancer cells rapidly increase their mitochondrial antioxidant capacity as an acute stress response to anchorage-independence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Soo Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Priscilla W Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jaclyn E Welles
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Weihua Pan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zaineb Javed
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amal Taher Elhaw
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Mythreye
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Scot R Kimball
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Nadine Hempel
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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23
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Wu X, Xu L. The RNA-binding protein HuR in human cancer: A friend or foe? Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114179. [PMID: 35248670 PMCID: PMC9035123 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical trans factors that associate with specific cis elements present in mRNAs whose stability and translation are subject to regulation. The RBP Hu antigen R (HuR) is overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers and serves as a prognostic factor of poor clinical outcome. HuR promotes tumorigenesis by interacting with a subset of oncogenic mRNAs implicated in different cancer hallmarks, and resistance to therapy. Reduction of HuR levels in cancer cells leads to tumor regression in mouse xenograft models. These findings prompt a working model whereby cancer cells use HuR, a master switch of multiple oncogenic mRNAs, to drive drug resistance and promote cell survival and metastasis, thus rendering the tumor cells with high cytoplasmic HuR more progressive and resistant to therapy. This review summarizes the roles of HuR in cancer and other diseases, therapeutic potential of HuR inhibition, and the current status of drug discovery on HuR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Wu
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Liang Xu
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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24
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Yaseen MM, Abuharfeil NM, Darmani H. CMTM6 as a master regulator of PD-L1. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2325-2340. [PMID: 35294592 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03171-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint proteins, such as programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), play critical roles in the pathology of chronic inflammatory pathological conditions, particularly cancer. In addition, the activation of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is involved in mediating resistance to certain anti-cancer chemo- and immuno-therapeutics. Unfortunately, targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway by the available anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs can benefit only a small proportion of cancer patients. Thus, studying the factors that regulate the expression of these immune checkpoint proteins is of central importance in this context. Recent investigations have identified CMTM6 and, to a lesser extent, CMTM4, as master regulators of PD-L1 expression in various cancer cells. Understanding the mechanisms by which such proteins upregulate the expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells, and determining the potential regulators of CMTM6 expression in different types of cancers will accelerate the development of new therapeutic targets and/or lead to the enhancement of the currently available PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Mohammad Yaseen
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| | - Nizar Mohammad Abuharfeil
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
| | - Homa Darmani
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
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25
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Assoni G, La Pietra V, Digilio R, Ciani C, Licata NV, Micaelli M, Facen E, Tomaszewska W, Cerofolini L, Pérez-Ràfols A, Varela Rey M, Fragai M, Woodhoo A, Marinelli L, Arosio D, Bonomo I, Provenzani A, Seneci P. HuR-targeted agents: An insight into medicinal chemistry, biophysical, computational studies and pharmacological effects on cancer models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114088. [PMID: 34942276 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Human antigen R (HuR) protein is an RNA-binding protein, ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, that orchestrates target RNA maturation and processing both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. A survey of known modulators of the RNA-HuR interactions is followed by a description of its structure and molecular mechanism of action - RRM domains, interactions with RNA, dimerization, binding modes with naturally occurring and synthetic HuR inhibitors. Then, the review focuses on HuR as a validated molecular target in oncology and briefly describes its role in inflammation. Namely, we show ample evidence for the involvement of HuR in the hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer, reporting findings from in vitro and in vivo studies; and we provide abundant experimental proofs of a beneficial role for the inhibition of HuR-mRNA interactions through silencing (CRISPR, siRNA) or pharmacological inhibition (small molecule HuR inhibitors).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Assoni
- Chemistry Department, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy; Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosangela Digilio
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Caterina Ciani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Valentina Licata
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Micaelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elisa Facen
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Weronika Tomaszewska
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Anna Pérez-Ràfols
- Giotto Biotech S.R.L., Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Marta Varela Rey
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Ashwin Woodhoo
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Functional Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Galician Agency of Innovation (GAIN), Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Spain
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" (SCITEC), National Research Council (CNR), Via C. Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabelle Bonomo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Provenzani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Chemistry Department, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
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Guha A, Waris S, Nabors LB, Filippova N, Gorospe M, Kwan T, King PH. The versatile role of HuR in Glioblastoma and its potential as a therapeutic target for a multi-pronged attack. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114082. [PMID: 34923029 PMCID: PMC8916685 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant and aggressive brain tumor with a median survival of ∼15 months. Resistance to treatment arises from the extensive cellular and molecular heterogeneity in the three major components: glioma tumor cells, glioma stem cells, and tumor-associated microglia and macrophages. Within this triad, there is a complex network of intrinsic and secreted factors that promote classic hallmarks of cancer, including angiogenesis, resistance to cell death, proliferation, and immune evasion. A regulatory node connecting these diverse pathways is at the posttranscriptional level as mRNAs encoding many of the key drivers contain adenine- and uridine rich elements (ARE) in the 3' untranslated region. Human antigen R (HuR) binds to ARE-bearing mRNAs and is a major positive regulator at this level. This review focuses on basic concepts of ARE-mediated RNA regulation and how targeting HuR with small molecule inhibitors represents a plausible strategy for a multi-pronged therapeutic attack on GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Guha
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Saboora Waris
- Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, PIMS, G-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Louis B Nabors
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Natalia Filippova
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Myriam Gorospe
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Thaddaeus Kwan
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
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27
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Raguraman R, Shanmugarama S, Mehta M, Elle Peterson J, Zhao YD, Munshi A, Ramesh R. Drug delivery approaches for HuR-targeted therapy for lung cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114068. [PMID: 34822926 PMCID: PMC8724414 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and conventional treatments for disease management have limitations associated with them. Novel therapeutic targets are thus avidly sought for the effective management of LC. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been convincingly established as key players in tumorigenesis, and their dysregulation is linked to multiple cancers, including LC. In this context, we review the role of Human antigen R (HuR), an RBP that is overexpressed in LC, and further associated with various aspects of LC tumor growth and response to therapy. Herein, we describe the role of HuR in LC progression and outline the evidences supporting various pharmacologic and biologic approaches for inhibiting HuR expression and function. These approaches, including use of small molecule inhibitors, siRNAs and shRNAs, have demonstrated favorable results in reducing tumor cell growth, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and metastasis. Hence, HuR has significant potential as a key therapeutic target in LC. Use of siRNA-based approaches, however, have certain limitations that prevent their maximal exploitation as cancer therapies. To address this, in the conclusion of this review, we provide a list of nanomedicine-based HuR targeting approaches currently being employed for siRNA and shRNA delivery, and provide a rationale for the immense potential therapeutic benefits offered by nanocarrier-based HuR targeting and its promise for treating patients with LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Santny Shanmugarama
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jo Elle Peterson
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yan D Zhao
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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28
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Chellappan R, Guha A, Si Y, Kwan T, Nabors LB, Filippova N, Yang X, Myneni AS, Meesala S, Harms AS, King PH. SRI-42127, a novel small molecule inhibitor of the RNA regulator HuR, potently attenuates glial activation in a model of lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation. Glia 2022; 70:155-172. [PMID: 34533864 PMCID: PMC8595840 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Glial activation with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators is a major driver of disease progression in neurological processes ranging from acute traumatic injury to chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Posttranscriptional regulation is a major gateway for glial activation as many mRNAs encoding pro-inflammatory mediators contain adenine- and uridine-rich elements (ARE) in the 3' untranslated region which govern their expression. We have previously shown that HuR, an RNA regulator that binds to AREs, plays a major positive role in regulating inflammatory cytokine production in glia. HuR is predominantly nuclear in localization but translocates to the cytoplasm to exert a positive regulatory effect on RNA stability and translational efficiency. Homodimerization of HuR is necessary for translocation and we have developed a small molecule inhibitor, SRI-42127, that blocks this process. Here we show that SRI-42127 suppressed HuR translocation in LPS-activated glia in vitro and in vivo and significantly attenuated the production of pro-inflammatory mediators including IL1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, CXCL1, and CCL2. Cytokines typically associated with anti-inflammatory effects including TGF-β1, IL-10, YM1, and Arg1 were either unaffected or minimally affected. SRI-42127 suppressed microglial activation in vivo and attenuated the recruitment/chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes. RNA kinetic studies and luciferase studies indicated that SRI-42127 has inhibitory effects both on mRNA stability and gene promoter activation. In summary, our findings underscore HuR's critical role in promoting glial activation and the potential for SRI-42127 and other HuR inhibitors for treating neurological diseases driven by this activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeshwari Chellappan
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294,,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Abhishek Guha
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Ying Si
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294,,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Thaddaeus Kwan
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - L. Burt Nabors
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Natalia Filippova
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Anish S. Myneni
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Shriya Meesala
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Ashley S Harms
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Peter H. King
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294,,Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294,,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294,Correspondence to: Dr. P.H. King; UAB Dept. of Neurology, Civitan 545C, 1530 3 Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0017, USA. Tel. (205) 975-8116; Fax (205) 996-7255;
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29
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Borgonetti V, Coppi E, Galeotti N. Targeting the RNA-Binding Protein HuR as Potential Thera-Peutic Approach for Neurological Disorders: Focus on Amyo-Trophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinal Muscle Atrophy (SMA) and Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910394. [PMID: 34638733 PMCID: PMC8508990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of precise co- and post-transcriptional processing of RNA in the regulation of gene expression has become increasingly clear. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are a class of proteins that bind single- or double-chain RNA, with different affinities and selectivity, thus regulating the various functions of RNA and the fate of the cells themselves. ELAV (embryonic lethal/abnormal visual system)/Hu proteins represent an important family of RBPs and play a key role in the fate of newly transcribed mRNA. ELAV proteins bind AU-rich element (ARE)-containing transcripts, which are usually present on the mRNA of proteins such as cytokines, growth factors, and other proteins involved in neuronal differentiation and maintenance. In this review, we focused on a member of ELAV/Hu proteins, HuR, and its role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on demyelinating diseases.
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30
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Zhou N, Li S, Wu D, Zhang F, Tang F, Li Y. The lncRNA VPS9D1-AS1 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Cycle Progression by Regulating the HuR/CDK4 Axis. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:1278-1289. [PMID: 34558987 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2021.0235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent promising therapeutic targets associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). lncRNA VPS9D1 antisense RNA 1 (VPS9D1-AS1) regulates colon and prostate cancer, but its relevance in HCC remains to be clarified. Using microarray data from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE65485) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, VPS9D1-AS1 expression in HCC and normal liver tissue sample HCC were compared. Relative lncRNA expression was also measured through real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in 80 pairs of HCC tumor and paracancerous tissues and in human HCC cell lines. VPS9D1-AS1 knockdown was achieved by transfecting these HCC cells with a specific siRNA construct in vitro, and the proliferation of these cells was quantified through cell proliferation assays and colony formation assays, while flow cytometry was employed to assess their cell cycle progression. The role of the VPS9D1-AS1 lncRNA as a regulator of HCC tumorigenesis was also assessed in vivo by subcutaneously implanting BALB/c nude mice with HepG2 cells stably expressing either sh-VPS9D1-AS1 or a control shRNA construct. Mechanistic analyses were additionally conducted by examining in vitro CDK4 and HuR expression through western blotting and qPCR. VPS9D1-AS1 expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues in the analyzed databases and our independent tissue samples. Elevated VPS9D1-AS1 expression was related to larger tumor size and more advanced tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, and HCC patients expressing higher levels of this lncRNA exhibited poorer survival outcomes. Knocking down VPS9D1-AS1 impaired the proliferative and colony formation activity of HepG2 cells while promoting their apoptotic death. Consistently, VPS9D1-AS1 silencing suppressed HCC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, VPS9D1-AS1 was able to bind to the HuR protein and thereby influence the stability and expression of the CDK4 mRNA, thus impacting HCC cell proliferation. The VPS9D1-AS1/HuR/CDK4 signaling axis regulates HCC tumor cell oncogenic activity, highlighting this pathway as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhou
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Deming Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Futian Tang
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yumin Li
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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31
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Wu B, Yang C, Fang Y, Ding W, Zhang Y. Long noncoding RNA DUXAP10 promotes the stemness of glioma cells by recruiting HuR to enhance Sox12 mRNA stability. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:840-849. [PMID: 33340249 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) DUXAP10 has been shown to act as an oncogene in various tumors; however, its roles in glioma progression have never been established. Here, we show that DUXAP10 is overexpressed in glioma tissues and cells. Loss of function experiments reveal that DUXAP10 knockdown has little effects on glioma cell viability, but significantly reduces the stemness of glioma cells, which is characterized as the decrease of stemness marker expression, tumor sphere-forming ability, and ALDH activity. RNA immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays indicate that DUXAP10 can directly interact with HuR protein and suppress the cytoplasm-nuclear translocation of HuR, which subsequently enhances Sox12 mRNA stability in cytoplasm and thus increases Sox12 expression. Further rescuing experiments show that the HuR/Sox12 axis is responsible for DUXAP10-mediated effects on glioma cell stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengyou Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuefeng Fang
- International College, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weilong Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Liu Y, Li X, Zhang H, Zhang M, Wei Y. HuR up-regulates cell surface PD-L1 via stabilizing CMTM6 transcript in cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:2230-2242. [PMID: 33649535 PMCID: PMC7994200 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01689-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the well-established role of CMTM6 in the stabilization of cell surface PD-L1 in cancer cells, the mechanisms underlying CMTM6 expression and regulation are still largely unknown. Here we unexpectedly find a strikingly positive correlation between CMTM6 and Hu-Antigen R (HuR) expression in most types of cancer. Mechanistically, we elucidate HuR stabilizes CMTM6 mRNA via direct association with AU-rich elements (AREs) in its 3′UTR and predominantly up-regulates CMTM6, which is readily abolished by HuR-specific inhibitor, MS-444. Phenotypically, we notice abundant cell surface PD-L1 in HuR-high cancer cells, which significantly inhibits immune activation of co-cultured T cells as indicated by IL-2 production. Treatment with MS-444 completely relieves immune suppression imposed by HuR-overexpression and further stimulates immune responses. Ectopic HuR accelerates allograft tumor progression in vivo, which is greatly compromised by simultaneous administration with MS-444. Our study uncovers a novel mechanism in control of CMTM6 and therefore PD-L1 expression, and suggests the potential of combining HuR inhibitor with PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbin Liu
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China. .,BioBox Sciences, Inc, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xingzhi Li
- Department of urological surgery, Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanli Wei
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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33
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Filippova N, Yang X, Ananthan S, Calano J, Pathak V, Bratton L, Vekariya RH, Zhang S, Ofori E, Hayward EN, Namkoong D, Crossman DK, Crowley MR, King PH, Mobley J, Nabors LB. Targeting the HuR Oncogenic Role with a New Class of Cytoplasmic Dimerization Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2220-2233. [PMID: 33602784 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of novel therapeutics that exploit alterations in the activation state of key cellular signaling pathways due to mutations in upstream regulators has generated the field of personalized medicine. These first-generation efforts have focused on actionable mutations identified by deep sequencing of large numbers of tumor samples. We propose that a second-generation opportunity exists by exploiting key downstream "nodes of control" that contribute to oncogenesis and are inappropriately activated due to loss of upstream regulation and microenvironmental influences. The RNA-binding protein HuR represents such a node. Because HuR functionality in cancer cells is dependent on HuR dimerization and its nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling, we developed a new class of molecules targeting HuR protein dimerization. A structure-activity relationship algorithm enabled development of inhibitors of HuR multimer formation that were soluble, had micromolar activity, and penetrated the blood-brain barrier. These inhibitors were evaluated for activity validation and specificity in a robust cell-based assay of HuR dimerization. SRI-42127, a molecule that met these criteria, inhibited HuR multimer formation across primary patient-derived glioblastoma xenolines (PDGx), leading to arrest of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of colony formation. SRI-42127 had favorable attributes with central nervous system penetration and inhibited tumor growth in mouse models. RNA and protein analysis of SRI-42127-treated PDGx xenolines across glioblastoma molecular subtypes confirmed attenuation of targets upregulated by HuR. These results highlight how focusing on key attributes of HuR that contribute to cancer progression, namely cytoplasmic localization and multimerization, has led to the development of a novel, highly effective inhibitor. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings utilize a cell-based mechanism of action assay with a structure-activity relationship compound development pathway to discover inhibitors that target HuR dimerization, a mechanism required for cancer promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Filippova
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Subramaniam Ananthan
- Drug Discovery Division, Chemistry Department, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jennifer Calano
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Vibha Pathak
- Drug Discovery Division, Chemistry Department, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Larry Bratton
- Drug Discovery Division, Chemistry Department, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Rakesh H Vekariya
- Drug Discovery Division, Chemistry Department, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sixue Zhang
- Drug Discovery Division, Chemistry Department, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Edward Ofori
- Drug Discovery Division, Chemistry Department, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Emily N Hayward
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - David Namkoong
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - David K Crossman
- Department of Genetics, UAB Genomics Core, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Michael R Crowley
- Department of Genetics, UAB Genomics Core, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - James Mobley
- Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center MS/Proteomics Shared Facility, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Louis B Nabors
- Division of Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
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HuR Protein in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications in Development, Prognosis and Treatment. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020119. [PMID: 33513829 PMCID: PMC7912068 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hu-antigen R (HuR) is a post-transcriptional regulator that belongs to the embryonic lethal abnormal vision Drosophila-like family (ELAV). HuR regulates the stability, translation, subcellular localization, and degradation of several target mRNAs, which are implicated in carcinogenesis and could affect therapeutic options. HuR protein is consistently highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to the adjacent normal liver tissue and is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of various genes implicated in liver malignant transformation. Additionally, HuR protein seems to be a putative prognosticator in HCC, predicting worse survival. This review summarizes the recent evidence regarding the role of HuR in primary liver tumors, as presented in clinical studies, in vitro experiments and in vivo animal models. In conclusion, our review supports the consistent role of HuR protein in the development, prognosis, and treatment of HCC. Additional studies are expected to expand current information and exploit its putative employment as a future candidate for more personalized treatment in these tumors.
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Mazaré N, Oudart M, Cohen-Salmon M. Local translation in perisynaptic and perivascular astrocytic processes - a means to ensure astrocyte molecular and functional polarity? J Cell Sci 2021; 134:237323. [PMID: 33483366 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.251629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with the compartmentalization of mRNAs in distal regions of the cytoplasm, local translation constitutes a prominent and evolutionarily conserved mechanism mediating cellular polarization and the regulation of protein delivery in space and time. The translational regulation of gene expression enables a rapid response to stimuli or to a change in the environment, since the use of pre-existing mRNAs can bypass time-consuming nuclear control mechanisms. In the brain, the translation of distally localized mRNAs has been mainly studied in neurons, whose cytoplasmic protrusions may be more than 1000 times longer than the diameter of the cell body. Importantly, alterations in local translation in neurons have been implicated in several neurological diseases. Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the brain, are voluminous, highly ramified cells that project long processes to neurons and brain vessels, and dynamically regulate distal synaptic and vascular functions. Recent research has demonstrated the presence of local translation at these astrocytic interfaces that might regulate the functional compartmentalization of astrocytes. In this Review, we summarize our current knowledge about the localization and local translation of mRNAs in the distal perisynaptic and perivascular processes of astrocytes, and discuss their possible contribution to the molecular and functional polarity of astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Mazaré
- Physiology and Physiopathology of the Gliovascular Unit Research Group, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), College de France, CNRS Unité Mixte de Recherche 724, INSERM Unité 1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, F-75005 Paris, France.,École doctorale Cerveau Cognition Comportement 'ED3C' No. 158, Pierre and Marie Curie University, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Marc Oudart
- Physiology and Physiopathology of the Gliovascular Unit Research Group, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), College de France, CNRS Unité Mixte de Recherche 724, INSERM Unité 1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, F-75005 Paris, France.,École doctorale Cerveau Cognition Comportement 'ED3C' No. 158, Pierre and Marie Curie University, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Martine Cohen-Salmon
- Physiology and Physiopathology of the Gliovascular Unit Research Group, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), College de France, CNRS Unité Mixte de Recherche 724, INSERM Unité 1050, Labex Memolife, PSL Research University, F-75005 Paris, France .,École doctorale Cerveau Cognition Comportement 'ED3C' No. 158, Pierre and Marie Curie University, F-75005 Paris, France
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Simion V, Zhou H, Haemmig S, Pierce JB, Mendes S, Tesmenitsky Y, Pérez-Cremades D, Lee JF, Chen AF, Ronda N, Papotti B, Marto JA, Feinberg MW. A macrophage-specific lncRNA regulates apoptosis and atherosclerosis by tethering HuR in the nucleus. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6135. [PMID: 33262333 PMCID: PMC7708640 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19664-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging regulators of pathophysiological processes including atherosclerosis. Using RNA-seq profiling of the intima of lesions, here we identify a macrophage-specific lncRNA MAARS (Macrophage-Associated Atherosclerosis lncRNA Sequence). Aortic intima expression of MAARS increases by 270-fold with atherosclerotic progression and decreases with regression by 60%. MAARS knockdown reduces atherosclerotic lesion formation by 52% in LDLR-/- mice, largely independent of effects on lipid profile and inflammation, but rather by decreasing macrophage apoptosis and increasing efferocytosis in the vessel wall. MAARS interacts with HuR/ELAVL1, an RNA-binding protein and important regulator of apoptosis. Overexpression and knockdown studies verified MAARS as a critical regulator of macrophage apoptosis and efferocytosis in vitro, in an HuR-dependent manner. Mechanistically, MAARS knockdown alters HuR cytosolic shuttling, regulating HuR targets such as p53, p27, Caspase-9, and BCL2. These findings establish a mechanism by which a macrophage-specific lncRNA interacting with HuR regulates apoptosis, with implications for a broad range of vascular disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haoyang Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Stefan Haemmig
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacob B Pierce
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shanelle Mendes
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yevgenia Tesmenitsky
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Pérez-Cremades
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James F Lee
- The Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alex F Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Nicoletta Ronda
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Bianca Papotti
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Jarrod A Marto
- The Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark W Feinberg
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Filippova N, Nabors LB. ELAVL1 Role in Cell Fusion and Tunneling Membrane Nanotube Formations with Implication to Treat Glioma Heterogeneity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3069. [PMID: 33096700 PMCID: PMC7590168 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Homotypic and heterotypic cell fusions via permanent membrane fusions and temporal tunneling nanotube formations in the glioma microenvironment were recently documented in vitro and in vivo and mediate glioma survival, plasticity, and recurrence. Chronic inflammation, a hypoxic environment, aberrant mitochondrial function, and ER stress due to unfolded protein accumulation upregulate cell fusion events, which leads to tumor heterogeneity and represents an adaptive mechanism to promote tumor cell survival and plasticity in cytotoxic, nutrient-deprived, mechanically stressed, and inflammatory microenvironments. Cell fusion is a multistep process, which consists of the activation of the cellular stress response, autophagy formation, rearrangement of cytoskeletal architecture in the areas of cell-to-cell contacts, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and fusogenic proteins. The mRNA-binding protein of ELAV-family HuR is a critical node, which orchestrates the stress response, autophagy formation, cytoskeletal architecture, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and fusogenic proteins. HuR is overexpressed in gliomas and is associated with poor prognosis and treatment resistance. Our review provides a link between the HuR role in the regulation of cell fusion and tunneling nanotube formations in the glioma microenvironment and the potential suppression of these processes by different classes of HuR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Filippova
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Louis B. Nabors
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Li J, Durose WW, Ito J, Kakita A, Iguchi Y, Katsuno M, Kunisawa K, Shimizu T, Ikenaka K. Exploring the factors underlying remyelination arrest by studying the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of cystatin F gene. J Neurochem 2020; 157:2070-2090. [PMID: 32947653 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Remyelination plays an important role in determining the fate of demyelinating disorders. However, it is arrested during chronic disease states. Cystatin F, a papain-like lysosomal cysteine proteinase inhibitor, is a crucial regulator of demyelination and remyelination. Using hemizygous proteolipid protein transgenic 4e (PLP4e/- ) mice, an animal model of chronic demyelination, we found that cystatin F mRNA expression was induced at 2.5 months of age and up-regulated in the early phase of demyelination, but significantly decreased in the chronic phase. We next investigated cystatin F regulatory factors as potential mechanisms of remyelination arrest in chronic demyelinating disorders. We used the CysF-STOP-tetO::Iba-mtTA mouse model, in which cystatin F gene expression is driven by the tetracycline operator. Interestingly, we found that forced cystatin F mRNA over-expression was eventually decreased. Our findings show that cystatin F expression is modulated post-transcriptionally. We next identified embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, drosophila like RNA-binding protein 1 (ELAVL-1), and miR29a as cystatin F mRNA stabilizing and destabilizing factors, respectively. These roles were confirmed in vitro in NIH3T3 cells. Using postmortem plaque samples from human multiple sclerosis patients, we also confirmed that ELAVL-1 expression was highly correlated with the previously reported expression pattern of cystatin F. These data indicate the important roles of ELAVL-1 and miR29a in regulating cystatin F expression. Furthermore, they provide new insights into potential therapeutic targets for demyelinating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Li
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Wilaiwan Wisessmith Durose
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan.,Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom, Thailand.,Department of Pediatrics, Hematology University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Junko Ito
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yohei Iguchi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kunisawa
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan.,Research Division of Advanced Diagnostic System, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shimizu
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ikenaka
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Japan
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Saddozai UAK, Wang F, Cheng Y, Lu Z, Akbar MU, Zhu W, Li Y, Ji X, Guo X. Gene expression profile identifies distinct molecular subtypes and potential therapeutic genes in Merkel cell carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100816. [PMID: 32771971 PMCID: PMC7412862 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous neoplasm of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. About 80% of the MCC occurs due to Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and 20% of the tumors usually occur due to severe UV exposure which is a more aggressive type of MCC. It tends to have an increased incidence rate among elderly and immunosuppressed individuals. On therapeutic level, sub-classification of MCC through molecular subtyping has emerged as a promising technique for MCC prognosis. In current study, two consistent distinct molecular subtypes of MCCs were identified using gene expression profiling data. Subtypes I MCCs were associated with spliceosome, DNA replication and cellular pathways. On the other hand, genes overexpressed in subtype II were found active in TNF signalling pathway and MAPK signalling pathway. We proposed different therapeutic targets based on subtype specificity, such as PTCH1, CDKN2A, AURKA in case of subtype I and MCL1, FGFR2 for subtype II. Such findings may provide fruitful knowledge to understand the intrinsic subtypes of MCCs and the pathways involved in distinct subtype oncogenesis, and will further advance the knowledge in developing a specific therapeutic strategy for these MCC subtypes. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) a rare and highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin Sub-classification of MCC through molecular subtyping Identification of two distinct molecular subtypes of MCCs using gene expression profiling data Classification of different therapeutic targets based on subtype specificity
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Affiliation(s)
- Umair Ali Khan Saddozai
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Fengling Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Pharmacy Department, Luoyang maternal and Child Health Hospital, Luoyang 471023, China
| | - Zhang Lu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Muhammad Usman Akbar
- Gomal Center of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Pakistan
| | - Wan Zhu
- Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yongqiang Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xinying Ji
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xiangqian Guo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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Qin H, Ni H, Liu Y, Yuan Y, Xi T, Li X, Zheng L. RNA-binding proteins in tumor progression. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:90. [PMID: 32653017 PMCID: PMC7353687 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00927-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding protein (RBP) has a highly dynamic spatiotemporal regulation process and important biological functions. They are critical to maintain the transcriptome through post-transcriptionally controlling the processing and transportation of RNA, including regulating RNA splicing, polyadenylation, mRNA stability, mRNA localization, and translation. Alteration of each process will affect the RNA life cycle, produce abnormal protein phenotypes, and thus lead to the occurrence and development of tumors. Here, we summarize RBPs involved in tumor progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms whereby they are regulated and exert their effects. This analysis is an important step towards the comprehensive characterization of post-transcriptional gene regulation involved in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Qin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiwei Ni
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yichen Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqin Yuan
- Guizhou Medical Device Testing Center, Guiyang, 550004, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Xi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoman Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
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Targeting the interaction between RNA-binding protein HuR and FOXQ1 suppresses breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Commun Biol 2020; 3:193. [PMID: 32332873 PMCID: PMC7181695 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0933-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer have a dismal 5-year survival rate of only 24%. The RNA-binding protein Hu antigen R (HuR) is upregulated in breast cancer, and elevated cytoplasmic HuR correlates with high-grade tumors and poor clinical outcome of breast cancer. HuR promotes tumorigenesis by regulating numerous proto-oncogenes, growth factors, and cytokines that support major tumor hallmarks including invasion and metastasis. Here, we report a HuR inhibitor KH-3, which potently suppresses breast cancer cell growth and invasion. Furthermore, KH-3 inhibits breast cancer experimental lung metastasis, improves mouse survival, and reduces orthotopic tumor growth. Mechanistically, we identify FOXQ1 as a direct target of HuR. KH-3 disrupts HuR–FOXQ1 mRNA interaction, leading to inhibition of breast cancer invasion. Our study suggests that inhibiting HuR is a promising therapeutic strategy for lethal metastatic breast cancer. Wu et al. identify an inhibitor to the RNA-binding protein HuR, KH-3, that disrupts the interaction between HuR and target RNAs and inhibits human cancer growth and metastasis in mouse xenograft assays. This study suggests the therapeutic potential of targeting HuR in breast cancer with HuR overexpression.
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Zhou H, Rao Y, Sun Q, Liu Y, Zhou X, Chen Y, Chen J. MiR-4458/human antigen R (HuR) modulates PBX3 mRNA stability in melanoma tumorigenesis. Arch Dermatol Res 2020; 312:665-673. [PMID: 32157373 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-020-02051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma, a malignancy of the melanocyte, is characterized as the most fatal skin cancer with an increasing incidence. Of note, in spite of great attempts made for better treatment, the therapeutic outcome is barely satisfactory. Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, is frequently implicated in multiple human cancers, including melanoma. Here, we found that miRNA-4458, a reportedly tumor-suppressive miRNA in several cancers, was downregulated in melanoma cells. Besides, our findings indicated that microRNA-4458 (miR-4458) hindered cell proliferation and migration, yet induced apoptosis in melanoma. Mechanical interaction of miR-4458 and PBX3 mRNA, thereby inhibiting PBX3 expression in melanoma cells, was also presented in this work. Human antigen R (HuR) was reported to be greatly upregulated in diverse cancers and HuR-dependent stabilization of target gene contributed a lot to tumor progression. In this study, it revealed the stabilization of PBX3 mRNA by HuR, thereby boosting PBX3 expression. Lastly, we concluded that miR-4458 and HuR modulated the expression of PBX3 in a competitive manner in melanoma tumorigenesis, which might yield a novel insight into the molecular pathogenesis of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henghua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yamin Rao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qilin Sun
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Center for Specialty Strategy Research of Shanghai JiaoTong University China Hospital Development Institute, No. 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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Schultz CW, Preet R, Dhir T, Dixon DA, Brody JR. Understanding and targeting the disease-related RNA binding protein human antigen R (HuR). WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2020; 11:e1581. [PMID: 31970930 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Altered gene expression is a characteristic feature of many disease states such as tumorigenesis, and in most cancers, it facilitates cancer cell survival and adaptation. Alterations in global gene expression are strongly impacted by post-transcriptional gene regulation. The RNA binding protein (RBP) HuR (ELAVL1) is an established regulator of post-transcriptional gene regulation and is overexpressed in most human cancers. In many cancerous settings, HuR is not only overexpressed, but it is "overactive" as denoted by increased subcellular localization within the cytoplasm. This dysregulation of HuR expression and cytoplasmic localization allows HuR to stabilize and increase the translation of various prosurvival messenger RNA (mRNAs) involved in the pathogenesis of numerous cancers and various diseases. Based on almost 20 years of work, HuR is now recognized as a therapeutic target. Herein, we will review the role HuR plays in the pathophysiology of different diseases and ongoing therapeutic strategies to target HuR. We will focus on three ongoing-targeted strategies: (1) inhibiting HuR's translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm; (2) inhibiting the ability of HuR to bind target RNA; and (3) silencing HuR expression levels. In an oncologic setting, HuR has been demonstrated to be critical for a cancer cell's ability to survive a variety of cancer relevant stressors (including drugs and elements of the tumor microenvironment) and targeting this protein has been shown to sensitize cancer cells further to insult. We strongly believe that targeting HuR could be a powerful therapeutic target to treat different diseases, particularly cancer, in the near future. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease NRA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability Translation > Translation Regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Schultz
- Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ranjan Preet
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
| | - Teena Dhir
- Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dan A Dixon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
| | - Jonathan R Brody
- Department of Surgery, Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Chiou JT, Lee YC, Huang CH, Shi YJ, Wang LJ, Chang LS. Autophagic HuR mRNA degradation induces survivin and MCL1 downregulation in YM155-treated human leukemia cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 387:114857. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Andrade D, Mehta M, Griffith J, Oh S, Corbin J, Babu A, De S, Chen A, Zhao YD, Husain S, Roy S, Xu L, Aube J, Janknecht R, Gorospe M, Herman T, Ramesh R, Munshi A. HuR Reduces Radiation-Induced DNA Damage by Enhancing Expression of ARID1A. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11122014. [PMID: 31847141 PMCID: PMC6966656 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor ARID1A, a subunit of the chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF, regulates cell cycle progression, interacts with the tumor suppressor TP53, and prevents genomic instability. In addition, ARID1A has been shown to foster resistance to cancer therapy. By promoting non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), ARID1A enhances DNA repair. Consequently, ARID1A has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation. Here, we report that ARID1A is regulated by human antigen R (HuR), an RNA-binding protein that is highly expressed in a wide range of cancers and enables resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Our results indicate that HuR binds ARID1A mRNA, thereby increasing its stability in breast cancer cells. We further find that ARID1A expression suppresses the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) caused by radiation and can rescue the loss of radioresistance triggered by HuR inhibition, suggesting that ARID1A plays an important role in HuR-driven resistance to radiation. Taken together, our work shows that HuR and ARID1A form an important regulatory axis in radiation resistance that can be targeted to improve radiotherapy in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Andrade
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
| | - James Griffith
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
| | - Sangphil Oh
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Joshua Corbin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Anish Babu
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Supriyo De
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (S.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Allshine Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Yan D. Zhao
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Sanam Husain
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Sudeshna Roy
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (J.A.)
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
| | - Jeffrey Aube
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (J.A.)
| | - Ralf Janknecht
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Myriam Gorospe
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (S.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Terence Herman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-405-271-6102; Fax: +1-405-271-2141
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Li Y, Ren Z, Peng Y, Li K, Wang X, Huang G, Qi S, Liu Y. Classification of glioma based on prognostic alternative splicing. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:165. [PMID: 31729991 PMCID: PMC6858651 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0603-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously developed classifications of glioma have provided enormous advantages for the diagnosis and treatment of glioma. Although the role of alternative splicing (AS) in cancer, especially in glioma, has been validated, a comprehensive analysis of AS in glioma has not yet been conducted. In this study, we aimed at classifying glioma based on prognostic AS. METHODS Using the TCGA glioblastoma (GBM) and low-grade glioma (LGG) datasets, we analyzed prognostic splicing events. Consensus clustering analysis was conducted to classified glioma samples and correlation analysis was conducted to characterize regulatory network of splicing factors and splicing events. RESULTS We analyzed prognostic splicing events and proposed novel splicing classifications across pan-glioma samples (labeled pST1-7) and across GBM samples (labeled ST1-3). Distinct splicing profiles between GBM and LGG were observed, and the primary discriminator for the pan-glioma splicing classification was tumor grade. Subtype-specific splicing events were identified; one example is AS of zinc finger proteins, which is involved in glioma prognosis. Furthermore, correlation analysis of splicing factors and splicing events identified SNRPB and CELF2 as hub splicing factors that upregulated and downregulated oncogenic AS, respectively. CONCLUSION A comprehensive analysis of AS in glioma was conducted in this study, shedding new light on glioma heterogeneity and providing new insights into glioma diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaomin Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhonglu Ren
- College of Medical Information Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuping Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaishu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiran Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanglong Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Songtao Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yawei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Dadao Bei Street 1838#, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
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Wang J, Leavenworth JW, Hjelmeland AB, Smith R, Patel N, Borg B, Si Y, King PH. Deletion of the RNA regulator HuR in tumor-associated microglia and macrophages stimulates anti-tumor immunity and attenuates glioma growth. Glia 2019; 67:2424-2439. [PMID: 31400163 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor that portends a poor prognosis. Its resilience, in part, is related to a remarkable capacity for manipulating the microenvironment to promote its growth and survival. Microglia/macrophages are prime targets, being drawn into the tumor and stimulated to produce factors that support tumor growth and evasion from the immune system. Here we show that the RNA regulator, HuR, plays a key role in the tumor-promoting response of microglia/macrophages. Knockout (KO) of HuR led to reduced tumor growth and proliferation associated with prolonged survival in a murine model of glioblastoma. Analysis of tumor composition by flow cytometry showed that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were decreased, more polarized toward an M1-like phenotype, and had reduced PD-L1 expression. There was an overall increase in infiltrating CD4+ cells, including Th1 and cytotoxic effector cells, and a concomitant reduction in tumor-associated polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Molecular and cellular analyses of HuR KO TAMs and cultured microglia showed changes in migration, chemoattraction, and chemokine/cytokine profiles that provide potential mechanisms for the altered tumor microenvironment and reduced tumor growth in HuR KO mice. In summary, HuR is a key modulator of pro-glioma responses by microglia/macrophages through the molecular regulation of chemokines, cytokines, and other factors. Our findings underscore the relevance of HuR as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiping Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jianmei W Leavenworth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.,Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Anita B Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Reed Smith
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Neha Patel
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ben Borg
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ying Si
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.,Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama.,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama
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Cai J, Wang H, Jiao X, Huang R, Qin Q, Zhang J, Chen H, Feng D, Tian X, Wang H. The RNA-Binding Protein HuR Confers Oxaliplatin Resistance of Colorectal Cancer By Upregulating CDC6. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1243-1254. [PMID: 31064870 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human antigen R (HuR) is an RNA-binding protein that posttranscriptionally regulates many cancer-trait genes. CDC6, a central regulator of DNA replication, is regulated by HuR. In this study, we investigated the role of HuR in colorectal cancer tumorigenesis and oxaliplatin (L-OHP) resistance, as well as the underlying mechanisms involving CDC6. We detected increased HuR and CDC6 expression, along with a positive correlation between the two in human colorectal cancer tissues. HuR overexpression increased colorectal cancer cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo, and induced resistance to L-OHP. In contrast, HuR knockdown sensitized colorectal cancer cells to L-OHP. CDC6 overexpression increased while CDC6 knockdown decreased colorectal cancer cell malignant behaviors (growth, DNA synthesis, EMT, migration, and invasion) and L-OHP resistance in vitro Moreover, L-OHP resistance induced by HuR overexpression was reversed by CDC6 knockdown. Mechanistically, the results from our luciferase reporter and ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation assays indicated that HuR upregulates CDC6 by binding to CDC6 3'-UTR. Taken together, our findings identified HuR's regulation of CDC6 as an essential mechanism driving colorectal cancer tumorigenesis and L-OHP resistance, and this mechanism may represent a potential target for overcoming drug resistance in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huaiming Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaodong Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongkang Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiyuan Qin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Honglei Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dan Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Tian
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory of Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Pobezinskaya EL, Wells AC, Angelou CC, Fagerberg E, Aral E, Iverson E, Kimura MY, Pobezinsky LA. Survival of Naïve T Cells Requires the Expression of Let-7 miRNAs. Front Immunol 2019; 10:955. [PMID: 31130952 PMCID: PMC6509570 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the diversity and constant numbers of naïve T cells throughout the organism's lifetime is necessary for efficient immune responses. Naïve T cell homeostasis, which consists of prolonged survival, occasional proliferation and enforcement of quiescence, is tightly regulated by multiple signaling pathways which are in turn controlled by various transcription factors. However, full understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of the peripheral T cell pool has not been achieved. In the present study, we demonstrate that T cell-specific deficiency in let-7 miRNAs results in peripheral T cell lymphopenia resembling that of Dicer1 knockout mice. Deletion of let-7 leads to profound T cell apoptosis while overexpression prevents it. We further show that in the absence of let-7, T cells cannot sustain optimal levels of the pro-survival factor Bcl2 in spite of the intact IL-7 signaling, and re-expression of Bcl2 in let-7 deficient T cells completely rescues the survival defect. Thus, we have uncovered a novel let-7-dependent mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of naïve T cell survival in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena L. Pobezinskaya
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Alexandria C. Wells
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Constance C. Angelou
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Eric Fagerberg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Esengul Aral
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Iverson
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Motoko Y. Kimura
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Leonid A. Pobezinsky
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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Wang J, Hjelmeland AB, Nabors LB, King PH. Anti-cancer effects of the HuR inhibitor, MS-444, in malignant glioma cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2019; 20:979-988. [PMID: 30991885 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2019.1591673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a highly malignant and typically fatal tumor of the central nervous system. The tumor is characterized by marked cellular and molecular heterogeneity, including a subpopulation of brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs) that are highly resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. We previously reported that the RNA-binding protein HuR is: (1) overexpressed in glioblastoma, (2) necessary for tumor growth in vivo, and (3) a positive regulator of tumor-promoting genes in glioblastoma. These findings provide strong evidence that HuR might be a viable therapeutic target in glioblastoma. In this report, we investigated the effects of MS-444, a small molecule inhibitor of HuR, in xenograft-derived human glioblastoma cells and BTICs. We found that MS-444 treatment of glioblastoma cells resulted in loss of viability and induction of apoptosis, with evidence implicating death receptor 5. BTICs were particularly sensitive to MS-444. At sub-lethal doses, MS-444 attenuated invasion of glioblastoma cells and BTICs in a transwell model. At the molecular level, MS-444 treatment led to an attenuation of mRNAs in different tumor promoting pathways including angiogenesis, immune evasion and suppression of apoptosis. Although cytoplasmic HuR was reduced with MS-444 treatment, the attenuation of mRNAs could not be explained by RNA destabilization. In summary, this report provides proof of concept that small molecule inhibition of HuR could be a viable approach for treatment of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiping Wang
- a Departments of Neurology , University of Alabama , Birmingham , AL
| | - Anita B Hjelmeland
- b Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology , University of Alabama , Birmingham , AL
| | - L Burt Nabors
- a Departments of Neurology , University of Alabama , Birmingham , AL
| | - Peter H King
- a Departments of Neurology , University of Alabama , Birmingham , AL.,b Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology , University of Alabama , Birmingham , AL.,c Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Birmingham , AL
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