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Singh AK, Upadhyay V, Sethi A, Chowdhury S, Mishra S, Verma SP, Bhatt MLB, Trivedi AK. Ring finger protein 138 inhibits transcription factor C/EBPα protein turnover leading to differentiation arrest in acute myeloid leukemia. Biochem J 2024; 481:653-666. [PMID: 38666590 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20240027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
E3 ubiquitin ligase, ring finger protein 138 (RNF138) is involved in several biological processes; however, its role in myeloid differentiation or tumorigenesis remains unclear. RNAseq data from TNMplot showed that RNF138 mRNA levels are highly elevated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) bone marrow samples as compared with bone marrow of normal volunteers. Here, we show that RNF138 serves as an E3 ligase for the tumor suppressor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPα) and promotes its degradation leading to myeloid differentiation arrest in AML. Wild-type RNF138 physically interacts with C/EBPα and promotes its ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation while a mutant RNF-138 deficient in ligase activity though interacts with C/EBPα, fails to down-regulate it. We show that RNF138 depletion enhances endogenous C/EBPα levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy volunteers. Our data further shows that RNF138-mediated degradation of C/EBPα negatively affects its transactivation potential on its target genes. Furthermore, RNF138 overexpression inhibits all-trans-retinoic acid-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells whereas RNF138 RNAi enhances. In line with RNF138 inhibiting C/EBPα protein turnover, we also observed that RNF138 overexpression inhibited β-estradiol (E2)-induced C/EBPα driven granulocytic differentiation in C/EBPα inducible K562-p42C/EBPα-estrogen receptor cells. Furthermore, we also recapitulated these findings in PBMCs isolated from AML patients where depletion of RNF138 increased the expression of myeloid differentiation marker CD11b. These results suggest that RNF138 inhibits myeloid differentiation by targeting C/EBPα for proteasomal degradation and may provide a plausible mechanism for loss of C/EBPα expression often observed in myeloid leukemia. Also, targeting RNF138 may resolve differentiation arrest by restoring C/EBPα expression in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar Singh
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Vishal Upadhyay
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Arppita Sethi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Sangita Chowdhury
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Shivkant Mishra
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Shailendra Prasad Verma
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
- King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, UP, India
| | | | - Arun Kumar Trivedi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Upadhyay V, Singh AK, Sharma S, Sethi A, Srivastava S, Chowdhury S, Siddiqui S, Chattopadhyay N, Trivedi AK. RING finger E3 ligase, RNF138 inhibits osteoblast differentiation by negatively regulating Runx2 protein turnover. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31217. [PMID: 38327035 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31217] [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] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
A few ubiquitin ligases have been shown to target Runx2, the key osteogenic transcription factor and thereby regulate bone formation. The regulation of Runx2 expression and function are controlled both at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Really interesting new gene (RING) finger ubiquitin ligases of which RNF138 is a member are important players in the ubiquitin-proteasome system, contributing to the regulation of protein turnover and cellular processes. Here, we demonstrated that RNF138 negatively correlated with Runx2 protein levels in osteopenic ovariectomized rats which implied its role in bone loss. Accordingly, RNF138 overexpression potently inhibited osteoblast differentiation of mesenchyme-like C3H10T1/2 as well primary rat calvarial osteoblast (RCO) cells in vitro, whereas overexpression of catalytically inactive mutant RNF138Δ18-58 (lacks RING finger domain) had mild to no effect. Contrarily, RNF138 depletion copiously enhanced endogenous Runx2 levels and augmented osteogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 as well as RCOs. Mechanistically, RNF138 physically associates within multiple regions of Runx2 and ubiquitinates it leading to its reduced protein stability in a proteasome-dependent manner. Moreover, catalytically active RNF138 destabilized Runx2 which resulted in inhibition of its transactivation potential and physiological function of promoting osteoblast differentiation leading to bone loss. These findings underscore the functional involvement of RNF138 in bone formation which is primarily achieved through its modulation of Runx2 by stimulating ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. Thus, our findings indicate that RNF138 could be a promising novel target for therapeutic intervention in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Upadhyay
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Anil Kumar Singh
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Shivani Sharma
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
| | - Arppita Sethi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Swati Srivastava
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
| | - Sangita Chowdhury
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Shumaila Siddiqui
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Naibedya Chattopadhyay
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
| | - Arun Kumar Trivedi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Utter Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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Xiao Y, Liu R, Li N, Li Y, Huang X. Role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system on macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31180. [PMID: 38219045 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31180] [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] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment, and their different polarization states play multiple roles in tumors by secreting cytokines, chemokines, and so on, which are closely related to tumor development. In addition, the enrichment of TAMs is often associated with poor prognosis of tumors. Thus, targeting TAMs is a potential tumor treatment strategy, in which therapeutic approaches such as reducing TAMs numbers, remodeling TAMs phenotypes, and altering their functions are being extensively investigated. Meanwhile, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), an important mechanism of protein hydrolysis in eukaryotic cells, participates in cellular processes by regulating the activity and stability of key proteins. Interestingly, UPS plays a dual role in the process of tumor development, and its role in TAMs deserve to be investigated in depth. This review builds on this foundation to further explore the multiple roles of UPS on TAMs and identifies a promising approach to treat tumors by targeting TAMs with UPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xiao
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ruiqian Liu
- School of Future Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Future Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Center of Anesthesiology and Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Srivastava S, Siddiqui S, Singh S, Chowdhury S, Upadhyay V, Sethi A, Kumar Trivedi A. Dexamethasone induces cancer mitigation and irreversible senescence in lung cancer cells via damaging cortical actin and sustained hyperphosphorylation of pRb. Steroids 2023; 198:109269. [PMID: 37394085 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Activation of the glucocorticoid receptors by its cognate ligand, dexamethasone (DEX) is commonly used as an adjuvant treatment in solid tumors. However, its direct effect on cancerous phenotype is not fully understood. We explored the effect and molecular mechanisms of DEX action in lung cancer. In in vitro experiments, DEX treatment causes decrease in migration, invasion and colony formation ability of A549 cells even at lower doses. DEX also decreased adhesion of A549 cells by reducing the formation of cortical actin. Treatment with RU486, a GR antagonist, indicated that these effects are partially mediated through GR. Further; DEX induces G0/G1 arrest of A549 cells. Mechanistically, DEX induces expression of both CDK inhibitors (p21Cip1, p27Kip1) and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4, CDK6). Due to this compensatory activation of CDKs and CDKIs, DEX induces the hyper phosphorylation state of Rb protein (pRb) leading to irreversible senescence as confirmed by β-gal staining. Next, in clinical dataset of NSCLC (Non-small cell lung cancer), GR was lowly expressed in cancer patients as compared to the normal group, where higher expression of GR led to higher overall survival of NSCLC indicating for a protective role of GR. Interestingly, when combined with chemotherapeutic agents, DEX can modulate the drug-sensitivity of cells. Taken together, these data indicate that DEX through GR activation may suppress tumor growth by decreasing proliferation and inducing irreversible senescence and combination of standard chemotherapy and DEX can be a potential treatment for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Srivastava
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Shumaila Siddiqui
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Samradhi Singh
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Sangita Chowdhury
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Vishal Upadhyay
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Arppita Sethi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Arun Kumar Trivedi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Wei Z, Su L, Gao S. The roles of ubiquitination in AML. Ann Hematol 2023:10.1007/s00277-023-05415-y. [PMID: 37603061 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05415-y] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneously malignant disorder resulting in poor prognosis. Ubiquitination, a major post-translational modification (PTM), plays an essential role in regulating various cellular processes and determining cell fate. Despite these initial insights, the precise role of ubiquitination in AML pathogenesis and treatment remains largely unknown. In order to address this knowledge gap, we explore the relationship between ubiquitination and AML from the perspectives of signal transduction, cell differentiation, and cell cycle control; and try to find out how this relationship can be utilized to inform new therapeutic strategies for AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Wei
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Long Su
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Sujun Gao
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Srivastava S, Siddiqui S, Chowdhury S, Trivedi AK. Dexamethasone activates c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) which interacts with GR and protects it from ubiquitin-mediated degradation in NSCLC cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 650:1-8. [PMID: 36764207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.01.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Dexamethasone-mediated pharmacological activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is widely used in the treatment regimen of hematological malignancies and solid cancers. However, DEX sensitivity towards patients primarily depends on the endogenous protein levels of GR. We observed that DEX treatment leads to an increase in GR protein levels despite inhibition of neo-protein synthesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Mechanistically, DEX-stimulation concomitantly increased the JNK phosphorylation and GR protein levels, however the JNK stimulation preceds GR upregulation. Moreover, we also observed that DEX-mediated phosphorylation is partially mediated by upregulation in MEKK1 phosphorylation. Further, GR protein levels were significantly decreased in JNK inhibitor (JNKi, SP600125) treated cells whereas MG132 treatment restored GR levels indicating that DEX induced JNK activity regulated the GR protein levels through proteasomal-degradation pathway. Next, we showed that DEX led to JNK activation which physically interacts with GR and protects it from ubiquitination-mediated degradation. Furthermore, at basal level GR interacts with JNK in cytoplasm whereas upon DEX stimulation GR and pJNK both localized to nucleus and interact with each other. Next, we show that JNK-mediated GR stabilization affects its nuclear transcriptional functional activity in NSCLC cells. In line with these in vitro data, patient dataset analysis also shows that increased levels of both JNK and GR contributes towards better prognosis of NSCLC patients. Taken together, our data shows that DEX treatment may lead to positive feedback regulation of GR by activating JNK and thus highlights importance of GR-JNK crosstalk in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Srivastava
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, UP, India.
| | - Shumaila Siddiqui
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sangita Chowdhury
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, UP, India
| | - Arun Kumar Trivedi
- Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, UP, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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Zhan Q, Zhang H, Wu B, Zhang N, Zhang L. E3 ubiquitin ligases in the acute leukemic signaling pathways. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1004330. [PMID: 36439256 PMCID: PMC9691902 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1004330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute leukemia is a common hematologic tumor with highly genetic heterogeneity, and many factors are involved in the pathogenesis and drug-resistance mechanism. Emerging evidence proves that E3 ubiquitin ligases participate in the acute leukemic signaling pathways via regulating substrates. This review summarized the E3 ligases which can affect the leukemic signal. It is worth noting that the abnormal signal is often caused by a deficiency or a mutation of the E3 ligases. In view of this phenomenon, we envisioned perspectives associated with targeted agonists of E3 ligases and proteolysis-targeting chimera technology. Moreover, we emphasized the significance of research into the upstream factors regulating the expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases. It is expected that the understanding of the mechanism of leukemic signaling pathways with which that E3 ligases are involved will be beneficial to accelerating the process of therapeutic strategy improvement for acute leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Zhan
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Heyang Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Boquan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Naijin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Lijun Zhang, ; Naijin Zhang,
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Lijun Zhang, ; Naijin Zhang,
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Chowdhury S, Trivedi AK. Origin, production and molecular determinants of macrophages for their therapeutic targeting. Cell Biol Int 2022; 47:15-29. [PMID: 36183367 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11914] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages, the most heterogeneous cells of the hematopoietic system and the giant eaters of the immune system that present either as tissue-resident cells or infiltrated immune cells, eliminate foreign pathogens and microbes and also play different physiological roles to maintain the body's immune response. In this review, we basically provide a broad overview of macrophages from their origin, functional diversity to M1-M2 polarization, specialized markers, and their role as important therapeutic targets in different diseases based on the current research and evidence. Apart from this, we have precisely discussed about tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and their role in tumor progression and newly discovered lesser-known markers of TAMs that could be used as potential therapeutic targets to treat life-threatening diseases. It is really very important to understand the diversity of macrophages to develop TAM-modulating strategies to activate our own immune system against diseases and to overcome immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Chowdhury
- LSS008 Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Arun K Trivedi
- LSS008 Division of Cancer Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
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Qi F, Wang X, Zhao S, Wang C, Sun R, Wang H, Du P, Wang J, Wang X, Jiang G. miR‑let‑7c‑3p targeting on Egr‑1 contributes to the committed differentiation of leukemia cells into monocyte/macrophages. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:273. [PMID: 35782903 PMCID: PMC9247672 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In preliminary experiments, it was found that the expression of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) was upregulated during the committed differentiation of leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages. The cross-analysis of gene chip detection and database prediction indicated that Egr-1 was associated with upstream microRNA (miR)-let-7c-3p, thus the present study focused on the role of the miR-let-7c-3p/Egr-1 signaling axis in the committed differentiation of leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the directed differentiation of human K562 leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages and the differentiation of K562 leukemia cells was determined by cell morphology observation and expression of differentiation antigens CD11b and CD14 by flow cytometry. The expression levels of Egr-1 and miR-let-7c-3p were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and the protein expression of Egr-1 was detected by western blotting. The effect of Egr-1 on the differentiation of K562 cells was detected by short interfering (si)RNA interference assay. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect target binding of miR-let-7c-3p on the 3′UTR of Egr-1. Cell transfection of miR-let-7c-3p mimics and inhibitors was used to modulate the expression of miR-let-7c-3p, as indicated by RT-qPCR assays. Western blotting was also used to examine the effect of miR-let-7c-3p on Egr-1 expression. The PMA-induced differentiation of K562 cells was transfected with miR-let-7c-3p and the expression of differentiation antigen was detected by flow cytometry. A differentiation model of K562 leukemia cells into monocytes/macrophages was induced by PMA, which was indicated by morphological observations and upregulation of CD11b and CD14 antigens. The gene or protein expression of Egr-1 was significantly higher compared with that of the control group, while the expression of miR-let-7c-3p was significantly lower compared with that of the control group. siRNA interference experiments showed that the expression of cell differentiation antigen CD14 in the 100 µg/ml PMA + si-Egr-1 group was significantly lower compared with that in the 100 µg/ml PMA + si-ctrl group. The dual luciferase reporter gene results showed that the luciferase activity of the co-transfected mimic and Egr-1 WT groups was significantly lower than that of the NC control group, while the luciferase activity of the co-transfected mimic and Egr-1 MUT groups was comparable to that of the NC control group. Therefore, the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-let-7c-3p can target Egr-1. Western blotting showed that the expression of Egr-1 following transfection with miR-let-7c-3p inhibitor was significantly higher compared with that of the negative control and the expression of Egr-1 after transfection with miR-let-7c-3p mimic was significantly lower than that of the negative control. Following exposure to PMA, the expressions of CD11b and CD14 in the miR-let-7c-3p inhibitor group were significantly higher than those in the miR-let-7c-3p NC group, as indicated by CD11b and CD14 respectively. In conclusion, miR-let-7c-3p could bind to the 3′UTR of Egr-1 and negatively regulated Egr-1 expression. The miR-let-7c-3p/Egr-1 signaling axis was closely associated with the committed differentiation of K562 cells from leukemia cells to monocytes/macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Qi
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Xinping Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yantai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Shouzhen Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Chaozhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Ruijing Sun
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Huan Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Pengchao Du
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong 250109, P.R. China
| | - Xidi Wang
- Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhangqiu District People's Hospital of Jinan Affiliated to Jining Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
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SOX4-mediated FBW7 transcriptional upregulation confers Tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancers via GATA3 downregulation. Life Sci 2022; 303:120682. [PMID: 35662647 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIM Tamoxifen-mediated endocrine therapy has been standard treatment for ER+ breast cancers; however, majority of them acquire resistance leading to disease relapse. Although numerous substrates of E3 ligase FBW7 are known, only a handful of factors that regulate FBW7 expression and function are reported. In particular, there remains a lack of in-depth understanding of FBW7 transcriptional regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Luciferase reporter assay was performed after cloning full length and truncated FBW7 promoters followed by Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to validate binding of SOX4 on FBW7 promoter. Transcriptional regulation of FBW7 by SOX4 and their biological consequences with respect to ER+ breast cancer was then evaluated using immunoblotting and other cell based assays. KEY FINDINGS SOX4 positively regulates FBW7 at transcriptional level by binding to three putative SOX4 biding sites within 3.1 kb long FBW7 promoter. Analysis of publicly available RNAseq datasets also showed a positive correlation between SOX4 and FBW7 mRNA in cancer cell lines and patient samples. qPCR and Immunoblotting confirmed that transiently or stably expressed SOX4 induced both endogenous FBW7 mRNA and protein levels. Our findings further demonstrated that increased levels of SOX4 and FBW7 in MCF7 mammospheres promoted cancer stemness and tumor cell dormancy. We further showed that both MCF7 mammospheres and MCFTAMR cells had elevated SOX4 levels which apparently enhanced FBW7 to potentiate GATA3 degradation leading to enhanced stemness, tumor dormancy and Tamoxifen resistance in MCF7TAMR as well as patients with ER+ breast cancers. SIGNIFICANCE Targeting SOX4-FBW7-GATA3 axis may overcome tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancers.
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Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Related Proteins Modified by Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23010514. [PMID: 35008940 PMCID: PMC8745615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010514] [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: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common form of an acute leukemia, is a malignant disorder of stem cell precursors of the myeloid lineage. Ubiquitination is one of the post-translational modifications (PTMs), and the ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls; SUMO, NEDD8, and ISG15) play a critical role in various cellular processes, including autophagy, cell-cycle control, DNA repair, signal transduction, and transcription. Also, the importance of Ubls in AML is increasing, with the growing research defining the effect of Ubls in AML. Numerous studies have actively reported that AML-related mutated proteins are linked to Ub and Ubls. The current review discusses the roles of proteins associated with protein ubiquitination, modifications by Ubls in AML, and substrates that can be applied for therapeutic targets in AML.
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Lan H, Sun Y. Tumor Suppressor FBXW7 and Its Regulation of DNA Damage Response and Repair. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:751574. [PMID: 34760892 PMCID: PMC8573206 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.751574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The proper DNA damage response (DDR) and repair are the central molecular mechanisms for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and genomic integrity. The abnormality in this process is frequently observed in human cancers, and is an important contributing factor to cancer development. FBXW7 is an F-box protein serving as the substrate recognition component of SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein) E3 ubiquitin ligase. By selectively targeting many oncoproteins for proteasome-mediated degradation, FBXW7 acts as a typical tumor suppressor. Recent studies have demonstrated that FBXW7 also plays critical roles in the process of DDR and repair. In this review, we first briefly introduce the processes of protein ubiquitylation by SCFFBXW7 and DDR/repair, then provide an overview of the molecular characteristics of FBXW7. We next discuss how FBXW7 regulates the process of DDR and repair, and its translational implication. Finally, we propose few future perspectives to further elucidate the role of FBXW7 in regulation of a variety of biological processes and tumorigenesis, and to design a number of approaches for FBXW7 reactivation in a subset of human cancers for potential anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyin Lan
- Department of Thoracic Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Barabino SML, Citterio E, Ronchi AE. Transcription Factors, R-Loops and Deubiquitinating Enzymes: Emerging Targets in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153753. [PMID: 34359655 PMCID: PMC8345071 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advent of DNA massive sequencing technologies has allowed for the first time an extensive look into the heterogeneous spectrum of genes and mutations underpinning myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this review, we wish to explore the most recent advances and the rationale for the potential therapeutic interest of three main actors in myelo-leukemic transformation: transcription factors that govern myeloid differentiation; RNA splicing factors, which ensure proper mRNA maturation and whose mutations increase R-loops formation; and deubiquitinating enzymes, which contribute to genome stability in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Abstract Myeloid neoplasms encompass a very heterogeneous family of diseases characterized by the failure of the molecular mechanisms that ensure a balanced equilibrium between hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) self-renewal and the proper production of differentiated cells. The origin of the driver mutations leading to preleukemia can be traced back to HSC/progenitor cells. Many properties typical to normal HSCs are exploited by leukemic stem cells (LSCs) to their advantage, leading to the emergence of a clonal population that can eventually progress to leukemia with variable latency and evolution. In fact, different subclones might in turn develop from the original malignant clone through accumulation of additional mutations, increasing their competitive fitness. This process ultimately leads to a complex cancer architecture where a mosaic of cellular clones—each carrying a unique set of mutations—coexists. The repertoire of genes whose mutations contribute to the progression toward leukemogenesis is broad. It encompasses genes involved in different cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, epigenetics (DNA and histones modifications), DNA damage signaling and repair, chromosome segregation and replication (cohesin complex), RNA splicing, and signal transduction. Among these many players, transcription factors, RNA splicing proteins, and deubiquitinating enzymes are emerging as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Martelli AM, Evangelisti C, Paganelli F, Chiarini F, McCubrey JA. GSK-3: a multifaceted player in acute leukemias. Leukemia 2021; 35:1829-1842. [PMID: 33811246 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01243-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) consists of two isoforms (α and β) that were originally linked to glucose metabolism regulation. However, GSK-3 is also involved in several signaling pathways controlling many different key functions in healthy cells. GSK-3 is a unique kinase in that its isoforms are constitutively active, while they are inactivated mainly through phosphorylation at Ser residues by a variety of upstream kinases. In the early 1990s, GSK-3 emerged as a key player in cancer cell pathophysiology. Since active GSK-3 promotes destruction of multiple oncogenic proteins (e.g., β-catenin, c-Myc, Mcl-1) it was considered to be a tumor suppressor. Accordingly, GSK-3 is frequently inactivated in human cancer via aberrant regulation of upstream signaling pathways. More recently, however, it has emerged that GSK-3 isoforms display also oncogenic properties, as they up-regulate pathways critical for neoplastic cell proliferation, survival, and drug-resistance. The regulatory roles of GSK-3 isoforms in cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair, tumor metabolism, invasion, and metastasis reflect the therapeutic relevance of these kinases and provide the rationale for combining GSK-3 inhibitors with other targeted drugs. Here, we discuss the multiple and often conflicting roles of GSK-3 isoforms in acute leukemias. We also review the current status of GSK-3 inhibitor development for innovative leukemia therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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Ducker C, Shaw PE. Ubiquitin-Mediated Control of ETS Transcription Factors: Roles in Cancer and Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5119. [PMID: 34066106 PMCID: PMC8151852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome expansion, whole genome and gene duplication events during metazoan evolution produced an extensive family of ETS genes whose members express transcription factors with a conserved winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain. Unravelling their biological roles has proved challenging with functional redundancy manifest in overlapping expression patterns, a common consensus DNA-binding motif and responsiveness to mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling. Key determinants of the cellular repertoire of ETS proteins are their stability and turnover, controlled largely by the actions of selective E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Here we discuss the known relationships between ETS proteins and enzymes that determine their ubiquitin status, their integration with other developmental signal transduction pathways and how suppression of ETS protein ubiquitination contributes to the malignant cell phenotype in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ducker
- Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Peter E. Shaw
- Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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