1
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Yu H, Li X, Zhao J, Wang W, Wei Q, Mao D. NR4A1-mediated regulation of lipid droplets in progesterone synthesis in goat luteal cells†. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:640-654. [PMID: 38936833 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae085] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor NR4A1 is a key factor in glycolipid metabolism and steroidogenesis, while lipid droplets serve as crucial dynamic organelles for lipid metabolism in luteal cells. To investigate the effects of NR4A1 on lipid droplet metabolism and progesterone (P4) synthesis in goat corpus luteum in vitro, luteal cells from the middle-cyclic corpus luteum were isolated and treated with Cytosporone B (CSNB, an agonist) or siRNA of NR4A1. Results showed that both low (1 μM) and high (50 μM) concentrations of CSNB promoted lipid droplet accumulation, while NR4A1 knockdown reduced lipid droplet content. CSNB increased while siNR4A1 decreased total cholesterol content; however, CSNB and siNR4A1 did not change triglyceride content. CSNB increased the expression of perilipins at mRNA and protein levels, also increased LDLR, SCARB1, SREBFs, and HMGCR mRNA abundance. Treatment with siNR4A1 revealed opposite results of CSNB, except for HMCGR and SREBF2. For steroidogenesis, 1 μM CSNB increased, but 50 μM CSNB inhibited P4 synthesis, NR4A1 knockdown also reduced the P4 level. Further analysis demonstrated that 1 μM CSNB increased the protein levels of StAR, HSD3B, and P-HSL, while 50 μM CSNB decreased StAR, HSD3B, and CYP11A1 protein levels. Moreover, 50 μM CSNB impaired active mitochondria, reduced the BCL2, and increased DRP1, Caspase 3, and cleaved-Caspase 3 protein levels. siNR4A1 consistently downregulated the P-HSL/HSL ratio and the steroidogenic protein levels. In conclusion, NR4A1-mediated lipid droplets are involved in the regulation of progesterone synthesis in goat luteal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yu
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xiaotong Li
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Quanwei Wei
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Dagan Mao
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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2
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Rubin CJ, Hodge M, Naboulsi R, Beckman M, Bellone RR, Kallenberg A, J'Usrey S, Ohmura H, Seki K, Furukawa R, Ohnuma A, Davis BW, Tozaki T, Lindgren G, Andersson L. An intronic copy number variation in Syntaxin 17 determines speed of greying and melanoma incidence in Grey horses. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7510. [PMID: 39209879 PMCID: PMC11362437 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51898-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The Greying with age phenotype in horses involves loss of hair pigmentation whereas skin pigmentation is not reduced, and a predisposition to melanoma. The causal mutation was initially reported as a duplication of a 4.6 kb intronic sequence in Syntaxin 17. The speed of greying varies considerably among Grey horses. Here we demonstrate the presence of two different Grey alleles, G2 carrying two tandem copies of the duplicated sequence and G3 carrying three. The latter is by far the most common allele, probably due to strong selection for the striking white phenotype. Our results reveal a remarkable dosage effect where the G3 allele is associated with fast greying and high incidence of melanoma whereas G2 is associated with slow greying and low incidence of melanoma. The copy number expansion transforms a weak enhancer to a strong melanocyte-specific enhancer that underlies hair greying (G2 and G3) and a drastically elevated risk of melanoma (G3 only). Our direct pedigree-based observation of the origin of a G2 allele from a G3 allele by copy number contraction demonstrates the dynamic evolution of this locus and provides the ultimate evidence for causality of the copy number variation of the 4.6 kb intronic sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Johan Rubin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - McKaela Hodge
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Rakan Naboulsi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Rebecca R Bellone
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Angelica Kallenberg
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Stephanie J'Usrey
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Hajime Ohmura
- Racehorse hospital, Miho Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Seki
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Risako Furukawa
- Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Aoi Ohnuma
- Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Brian W Davis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Teruaki Tozaki
- Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leif Andersson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
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3
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Secco LP, Libbrecht L, Bonny M, Lepine C, Švajdler M, Tallet A, Chantreau PL, Cormier B, Cribier B, Siozopoulou V, Kervarrec T. YAP1::NR4A3 and YAP1::NCOA2 fusions in poroma: expanding the spectrum of molecular alterations in poroid tumors. Virchows Arch 2024:10.1007/s00428-024-03898-2. [PMID: 39222124 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03898-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Léo-Paul Secco
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Louis Libbrecht
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, AZ Groeninge, B-1200, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Michiel Bonny
- Department of Dermatology, AZ Groeninge Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Charles Lepine
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Nantes, Nantes University, Nantes, France
- Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy (INCIT), Inserm, CNRS, UMR 1302/EMR6001, Nantes, France
| | - Marián Švajdler
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine in Plzen, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumour Molecular Genetics, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Paul-Louis Chantreau
- Platform of Somatic Tumour Molecular Genetics, Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Bernard Cribier
- Clinique Dermatologique, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaires, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- CARADERM, French Network of Rare Cutaneous Cancer, Lille, France
| | - Vasiliki Siozopoulou
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thibault Kervarrec
- CARADERM, French Network of Rare Cutaneous Cancer, Lille, France.
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Tours, 37044, Tours Cedex 09, France.
- "Biologie Des Infections À Polyomavirus" Team, UMR1282 INRAE, University of Tours, Tours, France.
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4
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Demers I, Balaji H, Feitsma H, Stelloo E, Swennenhuis J, Sergeeva I, Wuerdemann N, van den Hout MFCM, Wagner S, Kremer B, Klussmann JP, Huebbers CU, Speel EJM. Proximity ligation-based sequencing for the identification of human papillomavirus genomic integration sites in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29837. [PMID: 39105417 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29837] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are an increasing cause of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). Integration of the viral genome into the host genome is suggested to affect carcinogenesis, however, the correlation with OPSCC patient prognosis is still unclear. Research on HPV integration is hampered by current integration detection technologies and their unsuitability for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. This study aims to develop and validate a novel targeted proximity-ligation based sequencing method (targeted locus amplification/capture [TLA/TLC]) for HPV integration detection in cell lines and FFPE OPSCCs. For the identification of HPV integrations, TLA/TLC was applied to 7 cell lines and 27 FFPE OPSCCs. Following preprocessing steps, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based HPV enrichment was performed on the cell lines and a capture-based HPV enrichment was performed on the FFPE tissues before paired-end sequencing. TLA was able to sequence up to hundreds of kb around the target, detecting exact HPV integration loci, structural variants, and chromosomal rearrangements. In all cell lines, one or more integration sites were identified, in accordance with detection of integrated papillomavirus sequences PCR data and the literature. TLC detected integrated HPV in 15/27 FFPE OPSCCs and identified simple and complex integration patterns. In general, TLA/TLC confirmed PCR data and detected additional integration sites. In conclusion TLA/TLC reliably and robustly detects HPV integration in cell lines and FFPE OPSCCs, enabling large, population-based studies on the clinical relevance of HPV integration. Furthermore, this approach might be valuable for clonality assessment of HPV-related tumors in clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke Demers
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Harini Balaji
- Jean-Uhrmacher-Institute for Otorhinolaryngological Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Nora Wuerdemann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mari F C M van den Hout
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Steffen Wagner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernd Kremer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jens P Klussmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian U Huebbers
- Jean-Uhrmacher-Institute for Otorhinolaryngological Research, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ernst-Jan M Speel
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Park SW, Han MR. A pan-cancer analysis unveiling the function of NR4A family genes in tumor immune microenvironment, prognosis, and drug response. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:977-990. [PMID: 38976216 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01539-1] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NR4A family genes play crucial roles in cancers. However, the role of NR4A family genes in cancers remains paradoxical as they promote or suppress tumorigenesis. OBJECTIVE We aimed to conduct comprehensive analyses of the association between the expression of NR4A family genes and tumor microenvironment (TME) based on bioinformatics methods. METHODS We collected RNA-seq data from 33 cancer types and 20 normal tissue sites from the TCGA and GTEx databases. Expression patterns of NR4A family genes and their associations with DNA methylation, miRNA, overall survival, drug responses, and tumor microenvironment were investigated. RESULTS Significant downregulation of all NR4A family genes was observed in 15 cancer types. DNA promoter methylation and expression of NR4A family genes were negatively correlated in five cancers. The expression of 10 miRNAs targeting NR4A family genes was negatively correlated with the expression of NR4A family genes. High expression of all NR4A family genes was associated with poor prognosis in stomach adenocarcinoma and increased expressions of NR4A2 and NR4A3 were associated with poor prognosis in adrenocortical carcinoma. In addition, we found an elevated expression of NR4A2, which enhances the response to various chemotherapeutic drugs, whereas NR4A3 decreases drug sensitivity. Interestingly, in breast cancer, NR4A3 was significantly associated with C2 (IFN-γ dominant), C3 (inflammatory), and C6 (TGF-β dominant) immune subtypes and infiltrated immune cell types, implying both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions of NR4A3 in breast cancer. CONCLUSION The NR4A family genes have the potential to serve as a diagnostic, prognostic, and immunological marker of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Woo Park
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Korea
| | - Mi-Ryung Han
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Korea.
- Institute for New Drug Development, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Korea.
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6
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Gkantaras A, Kotzamanidis C, Kyriakidis K, Farmaki E, Makedou K, Tzimagiorgis G, Bekeschus S, Malousi A. Multi-Cohort Transcriptomic Profiling of Medical Gas Plasma-Treated Cancers Reveals the Role of Immunogenic Cell Death. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2186. [PMID: 38927892 PMCID: PMC11201794 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122186] [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: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of cold physical gas plasma operated at atmospheric pressure in oncology has been thoroughly demonstrated in numerous preclinical studies. The cytotoxic effect on malignant cells has been attributed mainly to biologically active plasma-generated compounds, namely, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species interferes strongly with the antioxidant defense system of malignant cells, activating multiple signaling cascades and inevitably leading to oxidative stress-induced cell death. This study aims to determine whether plasma-induced cancer cell death operates through a universal molecular mechanism that is independent of the cancer cell type. Using whole transcriptome data, we sought to investigate the activation mechanism of plasma-treated samples in patient-derived prostate cell cultures, melanoma, breast, lymphoma, and lung cancer cells. The results from the standardized single-cohort gene expression analysis and parallel multi-cohort meta-analysis strongly indicate that plasma treatment globally induces cancer cell death through immune-mediated mechanisms, such as interleukin signaling, Toll-like receptor cascades, and MyD88 activation leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine release and tumor antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Gkantaras
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology Referral Center, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | | | - Evangelia Farmaki
- Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology Referral Center, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Kali Makedou
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Georgios Tzimagiorgis
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK Plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), 17489 Greifswald, Germany;
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venerology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Andigoni Malousi
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.G.); (K.M.); (G.T.)
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7
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Momeni-Boroujeni A, Mullaney K, DiNapoli SE, Leitao MM, Hensley ML, Katabi N, Allison DHR, Park KJ, Antonescu CR, Chiang S. Expanding the Spectrum of NR4A3 Fusion-Positive Gynecologic Leiomyosarcomas. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100474. [PMID: 38508521 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100474] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent gene fusions have been observed in epithelioid and myxoid variants of uterine leiomyosarcoma. PGR::NR4A3 fusions were recently described in a subset of epithelioid leiomyosarcomas exhibiting rhabdoid morphology. In this study, we sought to expand the clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical, and genetic features of gynecologic leiomyosarcomas harboring NR4A3 rearrangements with PGR and novel fusion partners. We identified 9 gynecologic leiomyosarcomas harboring PGR::NR4A3, CARMN::NR4A3, ACTB::NR4A3, and possible SLCO5A1::NR4A3 fusions by targeted RNA sequencing. Tumors frequently affected premenopausal women, involving the uterine corpus, uterine cervix, or pelvis. All were similarly characterized by lobules of monomorphic epithelioid and/or spindled cells arranged in sheets, cords, trabeculae, and micro- and macrocysts associated with abundant myxoid matrix and hemorrhage, creating labyrinth-like or pulmonary edema-like architecture. Myogenic differentiation with frequent estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor staining and no CD10 expression characterized all tumors. All cases showed high NR4A3 RNA expression levels and NOR1 (NR4A3) nuclear staining similar to salivary gland acinic cell carcinomas and a subset of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas harboring NR4A3 rearrangements. NOR1 (NR4A3) immunohistochemistry may serve as a useful diagnostic marker of NR4A3 fusion-positive gynecologic leiomyosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Momeni-Boroujeni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kerry Mullaney
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sara E DiNapoli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Mario M Leitao
- Department of Surgery, Gynecologic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Martee L Hensley
- Department of Medicine, Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nora Katabi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Douglas H R Allison
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kay J Park
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Cristina R Antonescu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sarah Chiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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8
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Jin X, Liu L, Liu D, Wu J, Wang C, Wang S, Wang F, Yu G, Jin X, Xue YW, Jiang D, Ni Y, Yang X, Wang MS, Wang ZW, Orlov YL, Jia W, Melino G, Liu JB, Chen WL. Unveiling the methionine cycle: a key metabolic signature and NR4A2 as a methionine-responsive oncogene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:558-573. [PMID: 38570607 PMCID: PMC11094133 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01285-7] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly malignancy with notable metabolic reprogramming, yet the pivotal metabolic feature driving ESCC progression remains elusive. Here, we show that methionine cycle exhibits robust activation in ESCC and is reversely associated with patient survival. ESCC cells readily harness exogenous methionine to generate S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), thus promoting cell proliferation. Mechanistically, methionine augments METTL3-mediated RNA m6A methylation through SAM and revises gene expression. Integrative omics analysis highlights the potent influence of methionine/SAM on NR4A2 expression in a tumor-specific manner, mediated by the IGF2BP2-dependent stabilization of methylated NR4A2 mRNA. We demonstrate that NR4A2 facilitates ESCC growth and negatively impacts patient survival. We further identify celecoxib as an effective inhibitor of NR4A2, offering promise as a new anti-ESCC agent. In summary, our findings underscore the active methionine cycle as a critical metabolic characteristic in ESCC, and pinpoint NR4A2 as a novel methionine-responsive oncogene, thereby presenting a compelling target potentially superior to methionine restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Jin
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226300, China
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jia Wu
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Congcong Wang
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Siliang Wang
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fengying Wang
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guanzhen Yu
- Department of Oncology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Laboratory of Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence, Zhejiang Digital Content Research Institute, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Xiaoxia Jin
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226300, China
| | - Yu-Wen Xue
- Pathology department, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dan Jiang
- Pathology department, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yan Ni
- The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310029, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Oncology, Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi, 030001, China
| | - Ming-Song Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Wang
- Department of Breast, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yuriy L Orlov
- The Digital Health Institute, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Life Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, 690922, Russia
- Agrarian and Technological Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Wei Jia
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226361, China
| | - Wen-Lian Chen
- Cancer Institute, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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9
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Safe S. Natural products and synthetic analogs as selective orphan nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) modulators. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:543-556. [PMID: 38116863 PMCID: PMC11267491 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Although endogenous ligands for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), and NR4A3 (Nor-1) have not been identified, several natural products and synthetic analogs bind NR4A members. These studies are becoming increasingly important since members of the NR4A subfamily of 3 receptors are potential drug targets for treating cancer and non-cancer endpoints and particularly those conditions associated with inflammatory diseases. Ligands that bind NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 including Cytosporone B, celastrol, bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds, tryptophan/indolic, metabolites, prostaglandins, resveratrol, piperlongumine, fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, peptides, and drug families including statins and antimalarial drugs. The structural diversity of NR4A ligands and their overlapping and unique effects on NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 suggest that NR4A ligands are selective NR4A modulators (SNR4AMs) that exhibit tissue-, structure-, and response-specific activities. The SNR4AM activities of NR4A ligands are exemplified among the Cytosporone B analogs where n-pentyl-2-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(nonanoyl)]phenyl acetate (PDNPA) binds NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3 but activates only NR4A1 and exhibits significant functional differences with other Cytosporone B analogs. The number of potential clinical applications of agents targeting NR4A is increasing and this should spur future development of SNR4AMs as therapeutics that act through NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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10
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Andersson L. White horses - non-coding sequences drive premature hair greying and predisposition to melanoma. Ups J Med Sci 2024; 129:10626. [PMID: 38571883 PMCID: PMC10989212 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Grey allele in horses is causing premature hair greying and susceptibility to melanoma. The causal mutation is a 4.6 kb tandem duplication in intron 6 of the Syntaxin 17 gene. A recent study demonstrated that the most common allele at the Grey locus (G3) involves three tandem copies of this sequence, whilst a more rare allele (G2) has two tandem copies and the wild-type allele (G1) only one copy. The G3 allele is causing fast greying and high incidence of skin melanoma, whereas the G2 allele is causing slow greying and no obvious increase in melanoma incidence. Further somatic copy number expansion has been documented in melanoma tissue from Grey horses. Functional studies showed that this intronic sequence acts as a weak melanocyte-specific enhancer that becomes substantially stronger by the copy number expansion. The Grey mutation is associated with upregulated expression of both Syntaxin 17 and the neighbouring NR4A3 gene in Grey horse melanomas. It is still an open question which of these genes is most important for the phenotypic effects or if causality is due to the combined effect of upregulation of both genes. Interestingly, RNAseq data in the Human Protein Atlas give support for a possible role of NR4A3 because it is particularly upregulated in human skin cancer, and it belongs to a cluster of genes associated with skin cancer and melanin biosynthesis. The Grey mutation and its association with melanoma provide a possibility to study the path to tumour development in numerous Grey horses carrying exactly the same predisposing mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Andersson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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11
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Agostini A, Piro G, Inzani F, Quero G, Esposito A, Caggiano A, Priori L, Larghi A, Alfieri S, Casolino R, Scaglione G, Tondolo V, Cammarota G, Ianiro G, Corbo V, Biankin AV, Tortora G, Carbone C. Identification of spatially-resolved markers of malignant transformation in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2764. [PMID: 38553466 PMCID: PMC10980816 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46994-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The existing Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) risk stratification relies on clinical and histological factors, resulting in inaccuracies and leading to suboptimal treatment. This is due to the lack of appropriate molecular markers that can guide patients toward the best therapeutic options. Here, we assess and confirm subtype-specific markers for IPMN across two independent cohorts of patients using two Spatial Transcriptomics (ST) technologies. Specifically, we identify HOXB3 and ZNF117 as markers for Low-Grade Dysplasia, SPDEF and gastric neck cell markers in borderline cases, and NKX6-2 and gastric isthmus cell markers in High-Grade-Dysplasia Gastric IPMN, highlighting the role of TNFα and MYC activation in IPMN progression and the role of NKX6-2 in the specific Gastric IPMN progression. In conclusion, our work provides a step forward in understanding the gene expression landscapes of IPMN and the critical transcriptional networks related to PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Geny Piro
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
| | - Frediano Inzani
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Quero
- Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Gemelli Pancreatic Advanced Research Center (CRMPG), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Digestive Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Annachiara Esposito
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Caggiano
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Priori
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Larghi
- Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS and Center for Endoscopic Research, Therapeutics and Training, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Alfieri
- Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Gemelli Pancreatic Advanced Research Center (CRMPG), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Digestive Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Casolino
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Giulia Scaglione
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tondolo
- General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cammarota
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ianiro
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrew V Biankin
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- West of Scotland Pancreatic Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, G31 2ER, UK
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Srirat T, Hayakawa T, Mise-Omata S, Nakagawara K, Ando M, Shichino S, Ito M, Yoshimura A. NR4a1/2 deletion promotes accumulation of TCF1 + stem-like precursors of exhausted CD8 + T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113898. [PMID: 38451819 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113898] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell exhaustion impairs tumor immunity and contributes to resistance against immune checkpoint inhibitors. The nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A (NR4a) family of nuclear receptors plays a crucial role in driving T cell exhaustion. In this study, we observe that NR4a1 and NR4a2 deficiency in CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) results in potent tumor eradication and exhibits not only reduced exhaustion characteristics but also an increase in the precursors/progenitors of exhausted T (Pre-Tex) cell fraction. Serial transfers of NR4a1-/-NR4a2-/-CD8+ TILs into tumor-bearing mice result in the expansion of TCF1+ (Tcf7+) stem-like Pre-Tex cells, whereas wild-type TILs are depleted upon secondary transfer. NR4a1/2-deficient CD8+ T cells express higher levels of stemness/memory-related genes and illustrate potent mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Collectively, these findings suggest that inhibiting NR4a in tumors represents a potent immuno-oncotherapy strategy by increasing stem-like Pre-Tex cells and reducing exhaustion of CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanakorn Srirat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Taeko Hayakawa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Setsuko Mise-Omata
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kensuke Nakagawara
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Makoto Ando
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Shichino
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda City, Chiba 278-0022, Japan
| | - Minako Ito
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
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13
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Li L, Zhong W, Liu H, Espinosa-Artiles P, Xu YM, Wang C, Robles JMV, Paz TA, Inácio MC, Chen F, Xu Y, Gunatilaka AAL, Molnár I. Biosynthesis of Cytosporones in Leotiomycetous Filamentous Fungi. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:6189-6198. [PMID: 38386630 PMCID: PMC11106036 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14066] [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] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Polyketides with the isochroman-3-one pharmacophore are rare among fungal natural products as their biosynthesis requires an unorthodox S-type aromatic ring cyclization. Genome mining uncovered a conserved gene cluster in select leotiomycetous fungi that encodes the biosynthesis of cytosporones, including isochroman-3-one congeners. Combinatorial biosynthesis in total biosynthetic and biocatalytic formats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in vitro reconstitution of key reactions with purified enzymes revealed how cytosporone structural and bioactivity diversity is generated. The S-type acyl dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (ADA) core of cytosporones is assembled by a collaborating polyketide synthase pair. Thioesterase domain-catalyzed transesterification releases ADA esters, some of which are known Nur77 modulators. Alternatively, hydrolytic release allows C6 hydroxylation by a flavin-dependent monooxygenase, yielding a trihydroxybenzene moiety. Reduction of the C9 carbonyl by a short chain dehydrogenase/reductase initiates isochroman-3-one formation, affording cytosporones with cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity. Enoyl di- or trihydroxyphenylacetic acids are generated as shunt products, while isocroman-3,4-diones are formed by autoxidation. The cytosporone pathway offers novel polyketide biosynthetic enzymes for combinatorial synthetic biology to advance the production of "unnatural" natural products for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434025, P. R. China
| | - Weimao Zhong
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
| | - Hang Liu
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Patricia Espinosa-Artiles
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
| | - Ya-ming Xu
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
| | - Chen Wang
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Jose Manuel Verdugo Robles
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
| | - Tiago Antunes Paz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Marielle Cascaes Inácio
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
| | - Fusheng Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, P. R. China
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Yuquan Xu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - A. A. Leslie Gunatilaka
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
| | - István Molnár
- Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, Tucson 85719, Arizona, United States
- VTT Technical Research Center of Finland Ltd., Espoo 02150, Finland
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14
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Merav M, Bitensky EM, Heilbrun EE, Hacohen T, Kirshenbaum A, Golan-Berman H, Cohen Y, Adar S. Gene architecture is a determinant of the transcriptional response to bulky DNA damages. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302328. [PMID: 38167611 PMCID: PMC10761554 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302328] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bulky DNA damages block transcription and compromise genome integrity and function. The cellular response to these damages includes global transcription shutdown. Still, active transcription is necessary for transcription-coupled repair and for induction of damage-response genes. To uncover common features of a general bulky DNA damage response, and to identify response-related transcripts that are expressed despite damage, we performed a systematic RNA-seq study comparing the transcriptional response to three independent damage-inducing agents: UV, the chemotherapy cisplatin, and benzo[a]pyrene, a component of cigarette smoke. Reduction in gene expression after damage was associated with higher damage rates, longer gene length, and low GC content. We identified genes with relatively higher expression after all three damage treatments, including NR4A2, a potential novel damage-response transcription factor. Up-regulated genes exhibit higher exon content that is associated with preferential repair, which could enable rapid damage removal and transcription restoration. The attenuated response to BPDE highlights that not all bulky damages elicit the same response. These findings frame gene architecture as a major determinant of the transcriptional response that is hardwired into the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Merav
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elnatan M Bitensky
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elisheva E Heilbrun
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tamar Hacohen
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ayala Kirshenbaum
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hadar Golan-Berman
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yuval Cohen
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sheera Adar
- https://ror.org/03qxff017 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
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15
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Upadhyay S, Hailemariam AE, Mariyam F, Hafiz Z, Martin G, Kothari J, Farkas E, Sivaram G, Bell L, Tjalkens R, Safe S. Bis-Indole Derivatives as Dual Nuclear Receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) and NR4A2 Ligands. Biomolecules 2024; 14:284. [PMID: 38540704 PMCID: PMC10967861 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Bis-indole derived compounds such as 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(3,5-disubstitutedphenyl) methane (DIM-3,5) and the corresponding 4-hydroxyl analogs (DIM8-3,5) are NR4A1 ligands that act as inverse NR4A1 agonists and are potent inhibitors of tumor growth. The high potency of several DIM-3,5 analogs (IC50 < 1 mg/kg/day), coupled with the >60% similarity of the ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of NR4A1 and NR4A2 and the pro-oncogenic activities of both receptors lead us to hypothesize that these compounds may act as dual NR4A1 and NR4A2 ligands. Using a fluorescence binding assay, it was shown that 22 synthetic DIM8-3,5 and DIM-3,5 analogs bound the LBD of NR4A1 and NR4A2 with most KD values in the low µM range. Moreover, the DIM-3,5 and DIM8-3,5 analogs also decreased NR4A1- and NR4A2-dependent transactivation in U87G glioblastoma cells transfected with GAL4-NR4A1 or GAL4-NR4A2 chimeras and a UAS-luciferase reporter gene construct. The DIM-3,5 and DIM8-3,5 analogs were cytotoxic to U87 glioblastoma and RKO colon cancer cells and the DIM-3,5 compounds were more cytotoxic than the DIM8-3,5 compounds. These studies show that both DIM-3,5 and DIM8-3,5 compounds previously identified as NR4A1 ligands bind both NR4A1 and NR4A2 and are dual NR4A1/2 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.U.); (A.E.H.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Amanuel Esayas Hailemariam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.U.); (A.E.H.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Fuada Mariyam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.U.); (A.E.H.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Zahin Hafiz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (Z.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Gregory Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.U.); (A.E.H.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Jainish Kothari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (Z.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Evan Farkas
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.U.); (A.E.H.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Gargi Sivaram
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Logan Bell
- Department of Chemistry, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA 91750, USA;
| | - Ronald Tjalkens
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (S.U.); (A.E.H.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (E.F.)
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16
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Manickasamy MK, Sajeev A, BharathwajChetty B, Alqahtani MS, Abbas M, Hegde M, Aswani BS, Shakibaei M, Sethi G, Kunnumakkara AB. Exploring the nexus of nuclear receptors in hematological malignancies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:78. [PMID: 38334807 PMCID: PMC10858172 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05085-z] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Hematological malignancies (HM) represent a subset of neoplasms affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic systems, categorized primarily into leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Their prognosis varies considerably, with a frequent risk of relapse despite ongoing treatments. While contemporary therapeutic strategies have extended overall patient survival, they do not offer cures for advanced stages and often lead to challenges such as acquisition of drug resistance, recurrence, and severe side effects. The need for innovative therapeutic targets is vital to elevate both survival rates and patients' quality of life. Recent research has pivoted towards nuclear receptors (NRs) due to their role in modulating tumor cell characteristics including uncontrolled proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis evasion, invasion and migration. Existing evidence emphasizes NRs' critical role in HM. The regulation of NR expression through agonists, antagonists, or selective modulators, contingent upon their levels, offers promising clinical implications in HM management. Moreover, several anticancer agents targeting NRs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This review highlights the integral function of NRs in HM's pathophysiology and the potential benefits of therapeutically targeting these receptors, suggesting a prospective avenue for more efficient therapeutic interventions against HM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh Kumar Manickasamy
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Anjana Sajeev
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Bandari BharathwajChetty
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Mohammed S Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, 61421, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Michael Atiyah Building, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Mohamed Abbas
- Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, 61421, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mangala Hegde
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Babu Santha Aswani
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Mehdi Shakibaei
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Department of Human-Anatomy, Musculoskeletal Research Group and Tumor Biology, Institute of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
| | - Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
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17
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Salguero-Aranda C, Di Blasi E, Galán L, Zaldumbide L, Civantos G, Marcilla D, de Álava E, Díaz-Martín J. Identification of Novel/Rare EWSR1 Fusion Partners in Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Neoplasms. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1735. [PMID: 38339014 PMCID: PMC10855420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031735] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent gene fusions (GFs) in translocated sarcomas are recognized as major oncogenic drivers of the disease, as well as diagnostic markers whose identification is necessary for differential diagnosis. EWSR1 is a 'promiscuous' gene that can fuse with many different partner genes, defining different entities among a broad range of mesenchymal neoplasms. Molecular testing of EWSR1 translocation traditionally relies on FISH assays with break-apart probes, which are unable to identify the fusion partner. Therefore, other ancillary molecular diagnostic modalities are being increasingly adopted for accurate classification of these neoplasms. Herein, we report three cases with rare GFs involving EWSR1 in undifferentiated mesenchymal neoplasms with uncertain differential diagnoses, using targeted RNA-seq and confirming with RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Two GFs involved hormone nuclear receptors as 3' partners, NR4A2 and RORB, which have not been previously reported. NR4A2 may functionally replace NR4A3, the usual 3' partner in extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. The third GF, EWSR1::BEND2, has previously been reported in a subtype of astroblastoma and other rare entities, including a single case of a soft-tissue tumor that we discuss in this work. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the catalogue of mesenchymal neoplasm-bearing EWSR1 fusions continues to grow, underscoring the value of using molecular ancillary techniques with higher diagnostic abilities in the routine clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Salguero-Aranda
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (C.S.-A.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB16/12/00361; CIBERONC-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41004 Seville, Spain
| | - Elena Di Blasi
- Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lourdes Galán
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (C.S.-A.)
| | - Laura Zaldumbide
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Cruces, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Gema Civantos
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (C.S.-A.)
| | - David Marcilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (C.S.-A.)
| | - Enrique de Álava
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (C.S.-A.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB16/12/00361; CIBERONC-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41004 Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Díaz-Martín
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (C.S.-A.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB16/12/00361; CIBERONC-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41004 Seville, Spain
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18
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Reamon-Buettner SM, Rittinghausen S, Klauke A, Hiemisch A, Ziemann C. Malignant peritoneal mesotheliomas of rats induced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes and amosite asbestos: transcriptome and epigenetic profiles. Part Fibre Toxicol 2024; 21:3. [PMID: 38297314 PMCID: PMC10829475 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00565-x] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often originates in the pleural and peritoneal mesothelium. Exposure to asbestos is a frequent cause. However, studies in rodents have shown that certain multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can also induce malignant mesothelioma. The exact mechanisms are still unclear. To gain further insights into molecular pathways leading to carcinogenesis, we analyzed tumors in Wistar rats induced by intraperitoneal application of MWCNTs and amosite asbestos. Using transcriptomic and epigenetic approaches, we compared the tumors by inducer (MWCNTs or amosite asbestos) or by tumor type (sarcomatoid, epithelioid, or biphasic). RESULTS Genome-wide transcriptome datasets, whether grouped by inducer or tumor type, showed a high number of significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) relative to control peritoneal tissues. Bioinformatic evaluations using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that while the transcriptome datasets shared commonalities, they also showed differences in DEGs, regulated canonical pathways, and affected molecular functions. In all datasets, among highly- scoring predicted canonical pathways were Phagosome Formation, IL8 Signaling, Integrin Signaling, RAC Signaling, and TREM1 Signaling. Top-scoring activated molecular functions included cell movement, invasion of cells, migration of cells, cell transformation, and metastasis. Notably, we found many genes associated with malignant mesothelioma in humans, which showed similar expression changes in the rat tumor transcriptome datasets. Furthermore, RT-qPCR revealed downregulation of Hrasls, Nr4a1, Fgfr4, and Ret or upregulation of Rnd3 and Gadd45b in all or most of the 36 tumors analyzed. Bisulfite sequencing of Hrasls, Nr4a1, Fgfr4, and Ret revealed heterogeneity in DNA methylation of promoter regions. However, higher methylation percentages were observed in some tumors compared to control tissues. Lastly, global 5mC DNA, m6A RNA and 5mC RNA methylation levels were also higher in tumors than in control tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our findings may help better understand how exposure to MWCNTs can lead to carcinogenesis. This information is valuable for risk assessment and in the development of safe-by-design strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Marie Reamon-Buettner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Nikolai-Fuchs-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Susanne Rittinghausen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Nikolai-Fuchs-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Annika Klauke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Nikolai-Fuchs-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Hiemisch
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Nikolai-Fuchs-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Ziemann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Nikolai-Fuchs-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
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19
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Mohankumar K, Wright G, Kumaravel S, Shrestha R, Zhang L, Abdelrahim M, Chapkin RS, Safe S. Bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists inhibit colon tumor and splenic growth and T-cell exhaustion. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3985-3999. [PMID: 37847301 PMCID: PMC10700478 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03530-3] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) is overexpressed in exhausted CD8 + T cells and regulates PD-L1 in tumors. This study investigated the effects of potent bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists on reversing T-cell exhaustion and downregulating PD-L1 in colon tumors/cells. NR4A1 antagonists inhibited colon tumor growth and downregulated expression of PD-L1 in mouse colon MC-38-derived tumors and cells. TILs from MC-38 cell-derived colon tumors and splenic lymphocytes exhibited high levels of the T-cell exhaustion markers including PD-1, 2B4, TIM3+ and TIGIT and similar results were observed in the spleen, and these were inhibited by NR4A1 antagonists. In addition, treatment with NR4A1 antagonists induced cytokine activation markers interferon γ, granzyme B and perforin mRNAs and decreased TOX, TOX2 and NFAT in TIL-derived CD8 + T cells. Thus, NR4A1 antagonists decrease NR4A1-dependent pro-oncogenic activity and PD-L1 expression in colon tumors and inhibit NR4A1-dependent T-cell exhaustion in TILs and spleen and represent a novel class of mechanism-based drugs that enhance immune surveillance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gus Wright
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- TAMU Flow Cytometry Facility, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Subhashree Kumaravel
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Institute of Academic Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Robert S Chapkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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20
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Li M, Hu Y, Zhou H, Chen Y. NR4A1 Aggravates Myocardial Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting OPA1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fusion. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2023; 16:1050-1063. [PMID: 37249897 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-023-10396-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial fusion is an important process that protects the myocardium. However, mitochondrial fusion is often inhibited in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IR). The upstream mechanism of this effect is unclear. Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) can aggravate myocardial IR and increase the level of oxidative stress, thereby affecting mitochondrial function and morphology. Inhibiting NR4A1 can improve oxidative stress levels and mitochondrial function and morphology, thereby reducing IR. Downregulating NR4A1 increases the expression level of the mitochondrial fusion-related protein optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), which is associated with these benefits. Inhibiting OPA1 expression with MYLS22 abrogates the effects of NR4A1 downregulation on IR. Furthermore, NR4A1 disrupts mitochondrial dynamics and activates the STING and NF-κB pathways. Insufficient mitochondrial fusion and increased apoptosis and inflammatory reactions worsen irreversible damage to cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, NR4A1 can exacerbate IR by inhibiting OPA1, causing mitochondrial damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muding Li
- Chinese PLA Medical School, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yingyun Hu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yundai Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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21
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Zhang L, Martin G, Mohankumar K, Wright GA, Mariyam F, Safe S. Piperlongumine is a ligand for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1). Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1223153. [PMID: 37808182 PMCID: PMC10551445 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1223153] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Piperlongumine and derivatives are being developed as anticancer agents which act primarily as inducers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cell lines. Many of the anticancer activities of piperlongumine resemble those observed for bis-indole derived compounds that bind the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) and act as inverse receptor agonists to inhibit NR4A1-regulated pro-oncogenic pathways and genes. In this study we show that like other NR4A1 inverse agonists piperlongumine inhibited RKO, SW480 and HCT116 colon cancer cell growth migration and invasion and induced apoptosis. Piperlongumine also downregulated the pro-reductant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and thioredoxin domain-containing 5 (TXNDC5) gene products resulting in the induction of ROS as previously observed for other inverse NR4A1 agonists. ROS also induced sestrin2 and this resulted in activation of AMPK phosphorylation and inhibition of mTOR pathway signaling. It has previously been reported that these pathways/genes are also regulated by inverse NR4A1 agonists or by knockdown of NR4A1. We also observed that piperlongumine directly bound NR4A1, inhibited NR4A1-dependent transactivation and interactions of the NR4A1/Sp1 complex bound to the GC-rich promoter of the NR4A1-regulated G9a gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Greg Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Gus A. Wright
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Fuada Mariyam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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22
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Liu G, Chen ZG, Yang LR, Rong YX, Wang Q, Li L, Lu QW, Jiang MD, Qi HY. Z-ligustilide preferentially caused mitochondrial dysfunction in AML HL-60 cells by activating nuclear receptors NUR77 and NOR1. Chin Med 2023; 18:123. [PMID: 37735686 PMCID: PMC10512564 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00808-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear receptors NUR77 and NOR1 were identified as critical targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Previously, we showed that Z-ligustilide (Z-LIG) selectively targeted AML by restoring NUR77 and NOR1. However, its downstream mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. METHODS SRB staining assay was used to measure cell viability. Cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were analyzed using flow cytometry. The potential targets of Z-LIG in AML HL-60 cells were evaluated by RNA sequencing. Changes in RNA levels were measured using quantitative RT-qPCR and western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins. RESULTS Z-LIG preferentially induced mitochondrial dysfunction in HL-60 cells compared with 293T cells. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed that mitochondrial transcription and translation might be potential Z-LIG targets inhibiting HL-60 cells. NUR77/NOR1 overexpression significantly reduced the mitochondrial ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in HL-60 cells but not in 293T cells. Moreover, Z-LIG induced mitochondrial dysfunction by restoring NUR77 and NOR1 in HL-60 cells. Compared with HL-60 cells, the apoptosis-inducing activities of NUR77/NOR1 and Z-LIG were significantly reduced in HL-60 ρ0 cells depleted in mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA). Moreover, NUR77/NOR1 and Z-LIG downregulated mitochondrial transcription and translation related proteins in HL-60 cells. Notably, Z-LIG remarkably reduced mitochondrial ATP in primary AML cells and showed anti-AML activity in mouse models of human AML. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings suggested that Z-LIG selectively induces mitochondrial dysfunction in AML HL-60 cells by restoring NUR77 and NOR1, a process associated with interference in mtDNA transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Li-Rong Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yu-Xia Rong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qin Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Li Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qian-Wei Lu
- Radiotherapy Department, Chongqing Ninth People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming-Dong Jiang
- Radiotherapy Department, Chongqing Ninth People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-Yi Qi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Chinese Medicine, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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23
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He J, Zhang X, Chen X, Xu Z, Chen X, Xu J. Shared Genes and Molecular Mechanisms between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Established by WGCNA Analysis. Glob Med Genet 2023; 10:144-158. [PMID: 37501756 PMCID: PMC10370469 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768957] [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] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide. The histopathological features, risk factors, and prognosis of HCC caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) appear to be significantly different from those of HCC caused by other etiologies of liver disease. Objective This article explores the shared gene and molecular mechanism between NAFLD and HCC through bioinformatics technologies such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), so as to provide a reference for comprehensive understanding and treatment of HCC caused by NAFLD. Methods NAFLD complementary deoxyribonucleic acid microarrays (GSE185051) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and HCC ribonucleic acid (RNA)-sequencing data (RNA-seq data) from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NAFLD and HCC. Then, the clinical traits and DEGs in the two disease data sets were analyzed by WGCNA to obtain W-DEGs, and cross-W-DEGs were obtained by their intersection. We performed subsequent Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analyses of the cross-W-DEGs and established protein-protein interaction networks. Then, we identified the hub genes in them by Cytoscape and screened out the final candidate genes. Finally, we validated candidate genes by gene expression, survival, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results The GO analysis of 79 cross-W-DEGs showed they were related mainly to RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) and its upstream transcription factors. KEGG analysis revealed that they were enriched predominantly in inflammation-related pathways (tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-17). Four candidate genes (JUNB, DUSP1, NR4A1, and FOSB) were finally screened out from the cross-W-DEGs. Conclusion JUNB, DUSP1, NR4A1, and FOSB inhibit NAFLD and HCC development and progression. Thus, they can serve as potential useful biomarkers for predicting and treating NAFLD progression to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan He
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (ZHONG JING) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongyao Xu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqi Chen
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangyan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (ZHONG JING) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
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24
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Zhang L, Mohankumar K, Martin G, Mariyam F, Park Y, Han SJ, Safe S. Flavonoids Quercetin and Kaempferol Are NR4A1 Antagonists and Suppress Endometriosis in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad133. [PMID: 37652054 PMCID: PMC10502789 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) plays an important role in endometriosis progression; levels of NR4A1 in endometriotic lesions are higher than in normal endometrium, and substituted bis-indole analogs (NR4A1) antagonists suppress endometriosis progression in mice with endometriosis. In addition, the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin are natural products that directly bind NR4A1 and significantly repress the intrinsic NR4A1-dependent transcriptional activity in human endometriotic epithelial and stromal cells and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. NR4A1 knockdown and inhibition of NR4A1 by kaempferol and quercetin suppressed proliferation of human endometriotic epithelial cells and Ishikawa cells by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor/c-Myc/survivin-mediated growth-promoting and survival pathways, The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and αSMA/CTGF/COL1A1/FN-mediated fibrosis signaling but increasing Thioredoxin domain Containing 5/SESN2-mediated oxidative/estrogen receptors stress signaling. In human endometriotic stromal cells, NR4A1 knockdown and inhibition of NR4A1 by kaempferol and quercetin primarily inhibited mTOR signaling by suppressing proliferation of human endometrial stromal cells. In addition, kaempferol and quercetin treatment also effectively suppressed the growth of endometriotic lesions in mice with endometriosis compared with the vehicle without any body weight changes. Therefore, kaempferol and quercetin are NR4A1 antagonists with potential as nutritional therapy for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Gregory Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Fuada Mariyam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Yuri Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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25
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García-Yagüe ÁJ, Cuadrado A. Mechanisms of NURR1 Regulation: Consequences for Its Biological Activity and Involvement in Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12280. [PMID: 37569656 PMCID: PMC10419244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512280] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
NURR1 (Nuclear receptor-related 1 protein or NR4A2) is a nuclear protein receptor transcription factor with an essential role in the development, regulation, and maintenance of dopaminergic neurons and mediates the response to stressful stimuli during the perinatal period in mammalian brain development. The dysregulation of NURR1 activity may play a role in various diseases, including the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and several other pathologies. NURR1 is regulated by multiple mechanisms, among which phosphorylation by kinases or SUMOylation are the best characterized. Both post-translational modifications can regulate the activity of NURR1, affecting its stability and transcriptional activity. Other non-post-translational regulatory mechanisms include changes in its subcellular distribution or interaction with other protein partners by heterodimerization, also affecting its transcription activity. Here, we summarize the currently known regulatory mechanisms of NURR1 and provide a brief overview of its participation in pathological alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Juan García-Yagüe
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28027 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBER-CIBERNED), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28027 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBER-CIBERNED), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Huang T, Lin Y, Chen J, Hu J, Chen H, Zhang Y, Zhang B, He X. CD51 Intracellular Domain Promotes Cancer Cell Neurotropism through Interacting with Transcription Factor NR4A3 in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092623. [PMID: 37174090 PMCID: PMC10177513 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092623] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The abundant nervous system in intestine provides the basis for perineural invasion (PNI) of colorectal cancer (CRC). PNI is defined as the invasion of the nerves by cancer cells. Although PNI is already known to be an independent prognostic factor in CRC, the molecular mechanism underlying PNI remains obscure. In this study, we first demonstrated that CD51 could promote the neurotropism of tumor cells through cleavage with γ-secretase to generate an intracellular domain (ICD). Mechanistically, ICD of CD51 could bind to the transcription factor NR4A3, and act as a coactivator to promote the expression of downstream effectors, such as NTRK1, NTRK3, and SEMA3E. Pharmacological inhibition of γ-secretase impedes PNI mediated by CD51 in CRC both in vitro and in vivo and may become a potential therapeutic target for PNI in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianze Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yanyun Lin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Junguo Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jiancong Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xiaosheng He
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
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Lee M, Upadhyay S, Mariyam F, Martin G, Hailemariam A, Lee K, Jayaraman A, Chapkin RS, Lee SO, Safe S. Flavone and Hydroxyflavones Are Ligands That Bind the Orphan Nuclear Receptor 4A1 (NR4A1). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8152. [PMID: 37175855 PMCID: PMC10179475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098152] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It was recently reported that the hydroxyflavones quercetin and kaempferol bind the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) and act as antagonists in cancer cells and tumors, and they inhibit pro-oncogenic NR4A1-regulated genes and pathways. In this study, we investigated the interactions of flavone, six hydroxyflavones, seven dihydroxyflavones, three trihydroxyflavones, two tetrahydroxyflavones, and one pentahydroxyflavone with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of NR4A1 using direct-binding fluorescence and an isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays. Flavone and the hydroxyflavones bound NR4A1, and their KD values ranged from 0.36 µM for 3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone (galangin) to 45.8 µM for 3'-hydroxyflavone. KD values determined using ITC and KD values for most (15/20) of the hydroxyflavones were decreased compared to those obtained using the fluorescence assay. The results of binding, transactivation and receptor-ligand modeling assays showed that KD values, transactivation data and docking scores for these compounds are highly variable with respect to the number and position of the hydroxyl groups on the flavone backbone structure, suggesting that hydroxyflavones are selective NR4A1 modulators. Nevertheless, the data show that hydroxyflavone-based neutraceuticals are NR4A1 ligands and that some of these compounds can now be repurposed and used to target sub-populations of patients that overexpress NR4A1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miok Lee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.L.); (S.U.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Srijana Upadhyay
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.L.); (S.U.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Fuada Mariyam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.L.); (S.U.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Greg Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.L.); (S.U.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Amanuel Hailemariam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.L.); (S.U.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Kyongbum Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA;
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Robert S. Chapkin
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Syng-Ook Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea;
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (M.L.); (S.U.); (F.M.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
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28
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Huang D, Berglund M, Damdimopoulos A, Antonson P, Lindskog C, Enblad G, Amini RM, Okret S. Sex- and Female Age-Dependent Differences in Gene Expression in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma-Possible Estrogen Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041298. [PMID: 36831639 PMCID: PMC9954534 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
For most lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the male incidence is higher, and the prognosis is worse compared to females. The reasons are unclear; however, epidemiological and experimental data suggest that estrogens are involved. With this in mind, we analyzed gene expression data from a publicly available cohort (EGAD00001003600) of 746 DLBCL samples based on RNA sequencing. We found 1293 genes to be differentially expressed between males and females (adj. p-value < 0.05). Few autosomal genes and pathways showed common sex-regulated expression between germinal center B-cell (GCB) and activated B-cell lymphoma (ABC) DLBCL. Analysis of differentially expressed genes between pre- vs. postmenopausal females identified 208 GCB and 345 ABC genes, with only 5 being shared. When combining the differentially expressed genes between females vs. males and pre- vs. postmenopausal females, nine putative estrogen-regulated genes were identified in ABC DLBCL. Two of them, NR4A2 and MUC5B, showed induced and repressed expression, respectively. Interestingly, NR4A2 has been reported as a tumor suppressor in lymphoma. We show that ABC DLBCL females with a high NR4A2 expression showed better survival. Inversely, MUC5B expression causes a more malignant phenotype in several cancers. NR4A2 and MUC5B were confirmed to be estrogen-regulated when the ABC cell line U2932 was grafted to mice. The results demonstrate sex- and female reproductive age-dependent differences in gene expression between DLBCL subtypes, likely due to estrogens. This may contribute to the sex differences in incidence and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Huang
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Mattias Berglund
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anastasios Damdimopoulos
- Bioinformatics and Expression Core Facility, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Per Antonson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Lindskog
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Enblad
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rose-Marie Amini
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sam Okret
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-8-524-81069
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29
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Health Benefits of Coffee Consumption for Cancer and Other Diseases and Mechanisms of Action. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032706. [PMID: 36769029 PMCID: PMC9916720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032706] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, and epidemiology studies associate higher coffee consumption with decreased rates of mortality and decreased rates of neurological and metabolic diseases, including Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition, there is also evidence that higher coffee consumption is associated with lower rates of colon and rectal cancer, as well as breast, endometrial, and other cancers, although for some of these cancers, the results are conflicting. These studies reflect the chemopreventive effects of coffee; there is also evidence that coffee consumption may be therapeutic for some forms of breast and colon cancer, and this needs to be further investigated. The mechanisms associated with the chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic effects of over 1000 individual compounds in roasted coffee are complex and may vary with different diseases. Some of these mechanisms may be related to nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2)-regulated pathways that target oxidative stress or pathways that induce reactive oxygen species to kill diseased cells (primarily therapeutic). There is evidence for the involvement of receptors which include the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1), as well as contributions from epigenetic pathways and the gut microbiome. Further elucidation of the mechanisms will facilitate the potential future clinical applications of coffee extracts for treating cancer and other inflammatory diseases.
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Nur77 Serves as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker That Correlates with Immune Infiltration and May Act as a Good Target for Prostate adenocarcinoma. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031238. [PMID: 36770929 PMCID: PMC9921667 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031238] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the most frequent malignancy, and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in men. Thus, new prognostic biomarkers and drug targets for PRAD are urgently needed. As we know, nuclear receptor Nur77 is important in cancer development and changes in the tumor microenvironment; whereas, the function of Nur77 in PRAD remains to be elucidated. The TCGA database was used to explore the Nur77 expression and its role in the prognosis of PRAD. It was shown that Nur77 was down regulated in PRAD, and low Nur77 expression was correlated with advanced clinical pathologic characteristics (high grade, histological type, age) and poor prognosis. Furthermore, key genes screening was examined by univariate Cox analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival. Additionally, Nur77 was closely related to immune infiltration and some anti-tumor immune functions. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were presented by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Therefore, the expression level of Nur77 might help predict the survival of PRAD cases, which presents a new insight and a new target for the treatment of PRAD. In vitro experiments verified that natural product malayoside targeting Nur77 exhibited significant therapeutic effects on PRAD and largely induced cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Nur77 and its mitochondrial localization. Taken together, Nur77 is a prognostic biomarker for patients with PRAD, which may refresh the profound understanding of PRAD individualized treatment.
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Hing ZA, Walker JS, Whipp EC, Brinton L, Cannon M, Zhang P, Sher S, Cempre CB, Brown F, Smith PL, Agostinelli C, Pileri SA, Skinner JN, Williams K, Phillips H, Shaffer J, Beaver LP, Pan A, Shin K, Gregory CT, Ozer GH, Yilmaz SA, Harrington BK, Lehman AM, Yu L, Coppola V, Yan P, Scherle P, Wang M, Pitis P, Xu C, Vaddi K, Chen-Kiang S, Woyach J, Blachly JS, Alinari L, Yang Y, Byrd JC, Baiocchi RA, Blaser BW, Lapalombella R. Dysregulation of PRMT5 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia promotes progression with high risk of Richter's transformation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:97. [PMID: 36609611 PMCID: PMC9823097 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35778-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Richter's Transformation (RT) is a poorly understood and fatal progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) manifesting histologically as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is implicated in lymphomagenesis, but its role in CLL or RT progression is unknown. We demonstrate herein that tumors uniformly overexpress PRMT5 in patients with progression to RT. Furthermore, mice with B-specific overexpression of hPRMT5 develop a B-lymphoid expansion with increased risk of death, and Eµ-PRMT5/TCL1 double transgenic mice develop a highly aggressive disease with transformation that histologically resembles RT; where large-scale transcriptional profiling identifies oncogenic pathways mediating PRMT5-driven disease progression. Lastly, we report the development of a SAM-competitive PRMT5 inhibitor, PRT382, with exclusive selectivity and optimal in vitro and in vivo activity compared to available PRMT5 inhibitors. Taken together, the discovery that PRMT5 drives oncogenic pathways promoting RT provides a compelling rationale for clinical investigation of PRMT5 inhibitors such as PRT382 in aggressive CLL/RT cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Hing
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Janek S Walker
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ethan C Whipp
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lindsey Brinton
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Matthew Cannon
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pu Zhang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Steven Sher
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Casey B Cempre
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Fiona Brown
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Porsha L Smith
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Claudio Agostinelli
- Haematopathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano A Pileri
- European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jordan N Skinner
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katie Williams
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hannah Phillips
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jami Shaffer
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Larry P Beaver
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alexander Pan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kyle Shin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Charles T Gregory
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Gulcin H Ozer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Selen A Yilmaz
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Bonnie K Harrington
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Amy M Lehman
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lianbo Yu
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Vincenzo Coppola
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pearlly Yan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Min Wang
- Prelude Therapeutics, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | - Chaoyi Xu
- Prelude Therapeutics, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Kris Vaddi
- Prelude Therapeutics, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Selina Chen-Kiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Woyach
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - James S Blachly
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lapo Alinari
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yiping Yang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John C Byrd
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Robert A Baiocchi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Bradley W Blaser
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rosa Lapalombella
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Niu T, Wei Z, Fu J, Chen S, Wang R, Wang Y, Zheng R. Venlafaxine, an anti-depressant drug, induces apoptosis in MV3 human melanoma cells through JNK1/2-Nur77 signaling pathway. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1080412. [PMID: 36686679 PMCID: PMC9846499 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1080412] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Venlafaxine is one of the most commonly used anti-depressant and antineoplastic drug. Previous studies have predicted venlafaxine as an anti-cancer compound, but the therapeutic effects of venlafaxine in melanoma have not yet been demonstrated. Nur77 is an orphan nuclear receptor that highly expressed in melanoma cells and can interact with Bcl-2 to convert Bcl-2 from an antiapoptotic to a pro-apoptotic protein. Method: We examined the effects of venlafaxine in MV3 cells in vitro and MV3 xenograft tumor in nude mice. Western-blot, PCR, TUNEL assay and immunofluorescence were used to reveal the growth of melanoma cells. Results: Here, our data revealed that venlafaxine could reduce the growth, and induce apoptosis of melanoma cells through a Nur77-dependent way. Our results also showed that treatment with venlafaxine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) potently inhibited the growth of melanoma cells in nude mice. Mechanistically, venlafaxine activated JNK1/2 signaling, induced Nur77 expressions and mitochondrial localization, thereby promoting apoptosis of melanoma cells. Knockdown of Nur77 and JNK1/2, or inhibition of JNK1/2 signaling with its inhibitor SP600125 attenuated the anti-cancer effects of venlafaxine. Conclusion: In summary, our results suggested venlafaxine as a potential therapy for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Niu
- Central Laboratory, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhiying Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiao Fu
- Central Laboratory, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Central Laboratory, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Central Laboratory, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuya Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Ruihe Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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Yu T, Wu F, Jia Y, Zhang X, Qi X, Jin Z, Hao T, Zhao J, Liu Z, Wang C, Niu M, Yue Q, Li M, Liu Y. RNA N 6-methyladenosine modification mediates downregulation of NR4A1 to facilitate malignancy of cervical cancer. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:207. [PMID: 36566195 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00937-w] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N6-methyladenosine is the most abundant eukaryotic mRNA modification and alters a wide range of cellular processes in cancer. Therefore, defining the molecular details are critical for understanding the regulatory mechanism of m6A modification. RESULTS We found that METTL3, a core m6A methyltransferase component, is upregulated and functions as an oncogene in cervical cancer. Mechanistically, METTL3 induces the degradation of m6A-modified transcripts of NR4A1 though YTHDF2-DDX6 pathway. In addition, NR4A1 overexpression attenuates the malignant progression through recruiting the LSD1/HDAC1/CoREST transcriptional repression complex to AKT1 promoter. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that m6A regulates cervical cancer cellular progression through manipulating NR4A1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Fuxia Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yan Jia
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xiaozhen Qi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Zeyuan Jin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Tongxin Hao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Jianing Zhao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Ziyu Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Chaokun Wang
- Department of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Minmin Niu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Qin Yue
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yankun Liu
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, 063001, China.
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Su J, Yang P, Xing M, Chen B, Xie X, Ding J, Lu M, Liu Y, Guo Y, Hu G. Neuroprotective effects of a lead compound from coral via modulation of the orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:893-906. [PMID: 36419251 PMCID: PMC9928544 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14025] [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: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To screen coral-derived compounds with neuroprotective activity and clarify the potential mechanism of lead compounds. METHODS The lead compounds with neuroprotective effects were screened by H2 O2 and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPP+ )-induced cell damage models in SH-SY5Y cells. CCK8 and LDH assays were used to detect cell viability. The anti-apoptosis of lead compounds was evaluated by flow cytometry. JC-1 and MitoSox assays were performed to examine the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial ROS level. Survival of primary cortical and dopaminergic midbrain neurons was measured by MAP2 and TH immunoreactivities. The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model was established to determine the effect of lead compounds on dopaminergic neurons and behavior changes. RESULTS Three compounds (No. 63, 68, and 74), derived from marine corals, could markedly alleviate the cell damage and notably reverse the loss of worm dopaminergic neurons. Further investigation indicated that compound 63 could promote the expression of Nurr1 and inhibit neuronal apoptosis signaling pathways. CONCLUSION Lead compounds from marine corals exerted significant neuroprotective effects, which indicated that coral might be a new and potential resource for screening and isolating novel natural compounds with neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, this study also provided a new strategy for the clinical treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian‐Wei Su
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Pei Yang
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Mei‐Mei Xing
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Bao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug ResearchShanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Xia‐Hong Xie
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Jian‐Hua Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of PharmacologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ming Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of PharmacologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Yue‐Wei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug ResearchShanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Gang Hu
- Department of PharmacologySchool of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingJiangsuChina
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Arifi S, Zaienne D, Heering J, Wein T, Zhubi R, Chaikuad A, Knapp S, Marschner JA, Merk D. Fragment-based discovery of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77/NGFI-B ligands. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106164. [PMID: 36162288 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106164] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor nerve growth factor-induced clone B (NGFI-B, Nur77, NR4A1) is an orphan nuclear receptor playing a role in cell survival and apoptosis regulation. Pharmacological Nur77 modulation holds promise for cancer and (neuro-)inflammatory disease treatment. The available Nur77 ligand scaffolds based on highly lipophilic natural products cytosporone B, celastrol and isoalantolactone are inadequate for the development of potent Nur77 modulators with favorable properties as chemical tools and future drugs. By fragment library screening and subsequent modeling for fragment extension, we have obtained a set of new Nur77 ligands offering alternative chemotypes for the development of Nur77 agonists and inverse agonists. Computer-aided fragment extension in a second stage screening yielded a Nur77 agonist with significant activation efficacy and preference over the related NR4A receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Arifi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Wein
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julian A Marschner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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Hong H, Su J, Huang C, Lu X, Cui Z. Comprehensive insights into the function and molecular and pharmacological regulation of neuron-derived orphan receptor 1, an orphan receptor. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:981490. [PMID: 36110555 PMCID: PMC9468329 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.981490] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR1), also called nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (NR4A3), is a nuclear receptor belonging to the NR4A family. Since no endogenous ligand has been identified to date, NOR1 is also referred to as an orphan receptor. NOR1 is expressed in a variety of cells and tissues, including neurons, vascular smooth muscle cells, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, tumor cells, heart, liver, and pancreas. Because NOR1 was first identified in apoptotic neurons, it is functionally associated with the regulation of cell migration and the growth of neuronal synapses. In-depth studies have shown that NOR1 can be edited by the immediate early gene and functions as a transcription factor. NOR1 has been shown to be rapidly induced by a number of stimulants including growth factors, fatty acids, and neurotransmitters. Elevated NOR1 levels may be involved in a number of pathophysiological processes. These include regulation of cellular apoptosis and regeneration, neuron formation, contextual fearing memory, inflammation, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, insulin secretion, and tumor development, whereby NOR1 mediates the pathogenesis of numerous diseases such as cerebral ischemia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, cardiac hypertrophy, diabetes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. However, to date, comprehensive insights into the function of NOR1 are not available in sources published online. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the function and molecular and pharmacological regulation of NOR1 in various pathological or physiological conditions to advance the development of NOR1 as a novel target for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiang Hong
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jianbin Su
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhiming Cui
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiming Cui,
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Lin SC, Yao CY, Hsu CA, Lin CT, Calkins MJ, Kuo YY, Tang JL, Tien HF, Wu SJ. Functional association of NR4A3 downregulation with impaired differentiation in myeloid leukemogenesis. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:2209-2218. [PMID: 36040481 PMCID: PMC9463347 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04961-1] [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: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The coincident downregulation of NR4A1 and NR4A3 has been implicated in myeloid leukemogenesis, but it remains unknown how these two genes function in myeloid cells and how their combined downregulation promotes myeloid leukemogenesis. Since NR4A1 abrogation is thought to confer a survival and proliferation advantage to myeloid cells, we hypothesized that downregulation of NR4A3 may have a complementary effect on myeloid cell differentiation. First, we tested the association between differentiation status of leukemic cells and NR4A3 expression using two large clinical datasets from patients with different acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subtypes. The analysis revealed a close association between differentiation status and different subtypes of AML Then, we probed the effects of differentiation-inducing treatments on NR4A3 expression and NR4A3 knockdown on cell differentiation using two myeloid leukemia cell lines. Differentiation-inducing treatments caused upregulation of NR4A3, while NR4A3 knockdown prevented differentiation in both cell lines. The cell culture findings were validated using samples from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients at chronic, accelerated and blastic phases, and in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients before and after all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-based differentiation therapy. Progressive NR4A3 downregulation was coincident with impairments in differentiation in patients during progression to blastic phase of CML, and NR4A3 expression was increased in APL patients treated with ATRA-based differentiating therapy. Together, our findings demonstrate a tight association between impaired differentiation status and NR4A3 downregulation in myeloid leukemias, providing a plausible mechanistic explanation of how myeloid leukemogenesis might occur upon concurrent downregulation of NR4A1 and NR4A3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Chiang Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,General Education Center, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yuan Yao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongzheng Dist, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-An Hsu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ting Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongzheng Dist, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan.,Tai-Cheng Cell Therapy Center, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan.,Pell Bio-Med Technology CO., LTD., Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Hematological Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Marcus J Calkins
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yeh Kuo
- Tai-Cheng Cell Therapy Center, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jih-Luh Tang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongzheng Dist, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan.,Tai-Cheng Cell Therapy Center, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan.,Department of Hematological Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Fang Tien
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongzheng Dist, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Ju Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongzheng Dist, National Taiwan University Hospital, No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan. .,Department of Hematological Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan.
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Triggle CR, Mohammed I, Bshesh K, Marei I, Ye K, Ding H, MacDonald R, Hollenberg MD, Hill MA. Metformin: Is it a drug for all reasons and diseases? Metabolism 2022; 133:155223. [PMID: 35640743 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2022.155223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Metformin was first used to treat type 2 diabetes in the late 1950s and in 2022 remains the first-choice drug used daily by approximately 150 million people. An accumulation of positive pre-clinical and clinical data has stimulated interest in re-purposing metformin to treat a variety of diseases including COVID-19. In polycystic ovary syndrome metformin improves insulin sensitivity. In type 1 diabetes metformin may help reduce the insulin dose. Meta-analysis and data from pre-clinical and clinical studies link metformin to a reduction in the incidence of cancer. Clinical trials, including MILES (Metformin In Longevity Study), and TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin), have been designed to determine if metformin can offset aging and extend lifespan. Pre-clinical and clinical data suggest that metformin, via suppression of pro-inflammatory pathways, protection of mitochondria and vascular function, and direct actions on neuronal stem cells, may protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Metformin has also been studied for its anti-bacterial, -viral, -malaria efficacy. Collectively, these data raise the question: Is metformin a drug for all diseases? It remains unclear as to whether all of these putative beneficial effects are secondary to its actions as an anti-hyperglycemic and insulin-sensitizing drug, or result from other cellular actions, including inhibition of mTOR (mammalian target for rapamycin), or direct anti-viral actions. Clarification is also sought as to whether data from ex vivo studies based on the use of high concentrations of metformin can be translated into clinical benefits, or whether they reflect a 'Paracelsus' effect. The environmental impact of metformin, a drug with no known metabolites, is another emerging issue that has been linked to endocrine disruption in fish, and extensive use in T2D has also raised concerns over effects on human reproduction. The objectives for this review are to: 1) evaluate the putative mechanism(s) of action of metformin; 2) analyze the controversial evidence for metformin's effectiveness in the treatment of diseases other than type 2 diabetes; 3) assess the reproducibility of the data, and finally 4) reach an informed conclusion as to whether metformin is a drug for all diseases and reasons. We conclude that the primary clinical benefits of metformin result from its insulin-sensitizing and antihyperglycaemic effects that secondarily contribute to a reduced risk of a number of diseases and thereby enhancing healthspan. However, benefits like improving vascular endothelial function that are independent of effects on glucose homeostasis add to metformin's therapeutic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris R Triggle
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar; Department of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Ibrahim Mohammed
- Department of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khalifa Bshesh
- Department of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Isra Marei
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kevin Ye
- Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Hong Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar; Department of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ross MacDonald
- Distribution eLibrary, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, P.O. Box 24144, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Morley D Hollenberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, a Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Michael A Hill
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medical Pharmacology & Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, MO, USA
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Murphy EP, Crean D. NR4A1-3 nuclear receptor activity and immune cell dysregulation in rheumatic diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:874182. [PMID: 35935773 PMCID: PMC9354819 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.874182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and progression of immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) involves dysfunction of innate and adaptive immune cell populations leading to altered responses including inflammasome activation, dysregulated cytokine networks, increased immune cell numbers and multifaceted cell-cell communication. Several rheumatic diseases are further characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, immune complex mediated complement activation and the deficit of peripheral immune tolerance due to reduced regulatory T-lymphocyte cell function. Ultimately, in rheumatic disease the loss in cellular and tissue homeostasis culminates in the advancement of chronic inflammation. The three members of the NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors are immediate early genes, and act as potent transcriptional responders to changes in the cellular and tissue microenvironment. Subfamily members are rapidly expressed in diseases characterized by inflammation and function to control the differentiation and activity of innate and adaptive immune cells in a cell-type and cell-context specific manner. Rheumatic disease including rheumatoid-, psoriatic-, osteo-arthritis and systemic sclerosis display altered NR4A1-3 activity in controlling immune cell migration and function, production of paracrine signaling molecules, synovial tissue hyperplasia, and regulating cartilage turn-over in vivo. Additionally, NR4A1-3 activities mediate cytokine, prostanoid and growth factor signaling to control angiogenesis, modulate the regulatory functions of mesenchymal stromal cells, alter the activation status of dendritic cells, influence the generation of peripheral myeloid and T-lymphocyte lineages and promote the maintenance of functional regulatory T-cells. Further reports uncover the potential of moderating NR4A 1-3 receptors as therapeutic targets in altering immune tolerance, pathological angiogenesis and controlling inflammation in several models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Crean
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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40
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Zhang L, Martin G, Mohankumar K, Hampton JT, Liu WR, Safe S. RESVERATROL BINDS NUCLEAR RECEPTOR 4A1 (NR4A1) AND ACTS AS AN NR4A1 ANTAGONIST IN LUNG CANCER CELLS. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 102:MOLPHARM-AR-2021-000481. [PMID: 35680166 PMCID: PMC9341251 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytochemical found in fruits, nuts and vegetables that contributes to the remarkable dietary effects of polyphenolic as inhibitors aging and multiple aging related diseases. In addition, resveratrol has been extensively investigated as an inhibitor of inflammatory diseases including cancer, however, the underlying mechanisms of these chemotherapeutic effects of resveratrol are not completely understood. In cancer cells resveratrol inhibits cell growth, survival, migration and invasion, and many of the effects of resveratrol resemble those observed for bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds that bind the pro-oncogenic nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) and act as receptor antagonists. Using an isothermal titration calorimetry binding assay, we observed that resveratrol bound to the ligand binding domain of NR4A1 with a KD value of 2.4 µM and a ΔG of -32.2 kJ/mol. Resveratrol also inhibited NR4A1-dependent transactivation in H460 and H1299 lung cancer cells suggesting that resveratrol is an NR4A1 antagonist. This observation was confirmed in a series of functional (cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasion) and gene expression assays in H460 and H1299 cells showing that treatment with resveratrol mimicked the effects of NR4A1 knockdown and were similar to results of previous studies using CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists. These data indicate that applications of resveratrol may be more effective in patients that overexpress NR4A1 which is a negative prognostic factor for patients with some solid tumor-derived cancers. Significance Statement We have examined the mechanism of action of resveratrol and show binding to NR4A1 (KD = 2.4 µM) and inhibition of NR4A1-dependent transactivation in lung cancer cells. Treatment of H460 and H1299 lung cancer cells with resveratrol inhibits cell growth, survival, migration/invasion and related genes, and acts as an NR4A1 antagonist. Resveratrol can now be used more effectively in cancer chemotherapy by targeting patients that overexpress NR4A1 in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, United States
| | - Greg Martin
- Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, United States
| | | | | | | | - Stephen Safe
- Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, United States
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Expression Profile of mRNAs and miRNAs Related to the Oxidative-Stress Phenomenon in the Ishikawa Cell Line Treated Either Cisplatin or Salinomycin. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051190. [PMID: 35625926 PMCID: PMC9138494 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxidative stress phenomenon is a result of anticancer therapy. The aim of this study was the assessment of gene expression profile changes, and to determine the miRNAs regulating genes’ transcriptional activity in an Ishikawa endometrial cancer culture exposed to cisplatin or salinomycin, compared to a control culture. The molecular analysis comprised the microarray technique (mRNAs and micro RNA (miRNA), the real-time quantitative reverse transcription reaction (RTqPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactions, and Western blot. NR4A2, MAP3K8, ICAM1, IL21, CXCL8, CCL7, and SLC7A11 were statistically significantly differentiated depending not only on time, but also on the drug used in the experiment. The conducted assessment indicated that the strongest links were between NR4A2 and hsa-miR-30a-5p and has-miR-302e, MAP3K8 and hsa-miR-144-3p, CXCL8 and hsa-miR-140-3p, and SLC7A11 and hsa-miR-144-3p. The obtained results suggest that four mRNAs—NR4A2, MAP3K8, CXCL8 and SLC7A11—and four miRNAs—hsa-miR-30a-5p, hsa-miR-302e, hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-140-3—changed their expressions regardless of the chemotherapeutic agent used, which suggests the possibility of their use in monitoring the severity of oxidative stress in endometrial cancer. However, considering the results at both the mRNA and the protein level, it is most likely that the expressions of NR4A2, MAP3K8, CXCL8 and SLC7A11 are regulated by miRNA molecules as well as other epigenetic mechanisms.
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Lee HS, Kim DH, Lee IS, Park JH, Martin G, Safe S, Kim KJ, Kim JH, Jang BI, Lee SO. Plant Alkaloid Tetrandrine Is a Nuclear Receptor 4A1 Antagonist and Inhibits Panc-1 Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5280. [PMID: 35563670 PMCID: PMC9104798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) is highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer cells and exerts pro-oncogenic activity. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fangchinoline (FCN), a natural inhibitor of nuclear NR4A1, induces NR4A1-dependent apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated FCN and its structural analogs (berbamine, isotetrandrine, tetrandrine, and tubocurarine) for their inhibitory effects on NR4A1 transactivity, and confirmed that tetrandrine (TTD) showed the highest inhibitory effect in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, in a tryptophan fluorescence quenching assay, TTD directly bound to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of NR4A1 with a KD value of 10.60 μM. Treatment with TTD decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis in Panc-1 human pancreatic cancer cells in part through the reduced expression of the Sp1-dependent anti-apoptotic gene survivin and induction of ROS-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress, which are the well-known NR4A1-dependent proapoptotic pathways. Furthermore, at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day, TTD reduced tumor growth in an athymic nude mouse xenograft model bearing Panc-1 cells. These data show that TTD is an NR4A1 antagonist and that modulation of the NR4A1-mediated pro-survival pathways is involved in the antitumor effects of TTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Seon Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Dae Hwan Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animal Research Support Team, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu 42415, Korea;
| | - In-Seon Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Ji-Hyun Park
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Gregory Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA; (G.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA; (G.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Keuk-Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daekyeung College, Gyeongsan 38547, Korea; (K.-J.K.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Joung-Hee Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Daekyeung College, Gyeongsan 38547, Korea; (K.-J.K.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Byung Ik Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu 42415, Korea;
| | - Syng-Ook Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea; (H.-S.L.); (I.-S.L.); (J.-H.P.)
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Role of Nuclear Receptors in Controlling Erythropoiesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052800. [PMID: 35269942 PMCID: PMC8911257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs), are a wide family of ligand-regulated transcription factors sharing a common modular structure composed by an N-terminal domain and a ligand-binding domain connected by a short hinge linker to a DNA-binding domain. NRs are involved in many physiological processes, including metabolism, reproduction and development. Most of them respond to small lipophilic ligands, such as steroids, retinoids, and phospholipids, which act as conformational switches. Some NRs are still "orphan" and the search for their ligands is still ongoing. Upon DNA binding, NRs can act both as transcriptional activators or repressors of their target genes. Theoretically, the possibility to modulate NRs activity with small molecules makes them ideal therapeutic targets, although the complexity of their signaling makes drug design challenging. In this review, we discuss the role of NRs in erythropoiesis, in both homeostatic and stress conditions. This knowledge is important in view of modulating red blood cells production in disease conditions, such as anemias, and for the expansion of erythroid cells in culture for research purposes and for reaching the long-term goal of cultured blood for transfusion.
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Li R, Chen S, Gu X, An S, Wang Z. Role of the nuclear receptor subfamily 4a in mast cells in the development of irritable bowel syndrome. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:1198-1207. [PMID: 35317226 PMCID: PMC8907967 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.02.017] [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: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of mast cells (MCs) and mediator release are closely related to the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the exact underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood. The nuclear receptor subfamily 4a (Nr4a) is a family of orphan nuclear receptors implicated in regulating MC activation, degranulation, cytokine/chemokine synthesis and release. Acute and chronic stress trigger hypothalamic–pituitaryadrenal axis (HPA) activation to induce the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), resulting in MC activation and induction of the Nr4a family. Our newest data showed that Nr4a members were specially over-expressed in colonic MCs of the chronic water-avoidance stress (WAS)-induced visceral hyperalgesia mice, suggesting that Nr4a members might be involved in the pathophysiology of visceral hypersensitivity. In this review, we highlight the present knowledge on roles of Nr4a members in the activation of MCs and the pathophysiology of IBS, and discuss signaling pathways that modulate the activation of Nr4a family members. We propose that a better understanding of Nr4a members and their modulators may facilitate the development of more selective and effective therapies to treat IBS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shuhong An
- Corresponding authors at: Department of Human Anatomy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 2 Ying Sheng Dong Lu, Taian 271000, China.
| | - Zhaojin Wang
- Corresponding authors at: Department of Human Anatomy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 2 Ying Sheng Dong Lu, Taian 271000, China.
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Xu Y, Tian J, Kang Q, Yuan H, Liu C, Li Z, Liu J, Li M. Knockout of Nur77 Leads to Amino Acid, Lipid, and Glucose Metabolism Disorders in Zebrafish. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:864631. [PMID: 35547009 PMCID: PMC9084189 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.864631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 has been reported to be implicated in a diverse range of metabolic processes, including carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism. However, the detailed mechanism of Nur77 in the regulation of metabolic pathway still needs to be further investigated. In this study, we created a global nur77 knockout zebrafish model by CRISPR/Cas9 technique, and then performed whole-organism RNA sequencing analysis in wildtype and nur77-deficient zebrafish to dissect the genetic changes in metabolic-related pathways. We found that many genes involved in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism changed by more than twofold. Furthermore, we revealed that nur77-/- mutant displayed increased total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), alteration in total amino acids, as well as elevated glucose. We also demonstrated that the elevated glucose was not due to the change of glucose uptake but was likely caused by the disorder of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and the impaired β-cell function, including downregulated insb expression, reduced β-cell mass, and suppressed insulin secretion. Importantly, we also verified that targeted expression of Nur77 in the β cells is sufficient to rescue the β-cell defects in global nur77-/- larvae zebrafish. These results provide new information about the global metabolic network that Nur77 signaling regulates, as well as the role of Nur77 in β-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Juanjuan Tian
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qi Kang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chengdong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture (Ministry of Education), Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhehui Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Mingyu Li, ; Jie Liu,
| | - Mingyu Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Mingyu Li, ; Jie Liu,
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Mohankumar K, Shrestha R, Safe S. Nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) antagonists target paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1) in cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:73-84. [PMID: 34699643 PMCID: PMC8665050 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Paraspeckles compound 1 (PSPC1) is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in cancer cells, where PSPC1 is a master regulator of pro-oncogenic responses that includes activation of TGFβ (TGFβ1), TGFβ-dependent EMT, and metastasis. The pro-oncogenic activities of PSPC1 closely resembled those observed for the orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) and knockdown of NR4A1 decreased expression of PSPC1 in MDA-MB-231 breast, H1299 lung, and SNU449 liver cancer cells. Similar results were observed in these same cell lines after treatment with bisindole-derived (CDIMs) NR4A1 antagonists. Moreover, PSPC1-dependent regulation of TGFβ, genes associated with cancer stem cells and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) were also downregulated after NR4A1 silencing or treatment of breast, lung, and liver cancer cells with CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists. Results of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays suggest that NR4A1 regulates PSPC1 through interaction with an NBRE sequence in the PSPC1 gene promoter. These results coupled with in vivo studies showing that NR4A1 antagonists inhibit breast tumor growth and downregulate PSPC1 in tumors indicate that the pro-oncogenic nuclear PSPC1 factor can be targeted by CDIM/NR4A1 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, 77843
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 USA
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Safe S, Shrestha R, Mohankumar K. Orphan nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1) and novel ligands. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:877-886. [PMID: 34096590 PMCID: PMC11410023 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors encodes expression of 48 human genes that are important for maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology, and this has been observed for all sub-families including orphan receptors for which endogenous ligands have not yet been identified. The orphan NR4A1 (Nur77 and TR3) and other members of this sub-family (NR4A2 and NR4A3) are immediate early genes induced by diverse stressors, and these receptors play an important role in the immune function and are up-regulated in some inflammatory diseases including solid tumors. Although endogenous ligands for NR4A have not been identified, several different classes of compounds have been characterized as NR4A1 ligands that bind the receptor. These compounds include cytosporone B and structurally related analogs, bis-indole derived (CDIM) compounds, the triterpenoid celastrol and a number of other chemicals including polyunsaturated fatty acids. NR4A1 ligands bind different regions/surfaces of NR4A1 and exhibit selective NR4A1 modulator (SNR4AM) activities that are dependent on ligand structure and cell/tissue context. NR4A1 ligands exhibit pharmacologic activities in studies on cancer, endometriosis metabolic and inflammatory diseases and are promising agents with clinical potential for treating multiple diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
| | - Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A
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Shrestha R, Mohankumar K, Martin G, Hailemariam A, Lee SO, Jin UH, Burghardt R, Safe S. Flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin are nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) ligands and inhibit rhabdomyosarcoma cell and tumor growth. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:392. [PMID: 34906197 PMCID: PMC8670039 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02199-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flavonoids exhibit both chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity for multiple tumor types, however, their mechanisms of action are not well defined. Based on some of their functional and gene modifying activities as anticancer agents, we hypothesized that kaempferol and quercetin were nuclear receptor 4A1 (NR4A1, Nur77) ligands and confirmed that both compounds directly bound NR4A1 with KD values of 3.1 and 0.93 μM, respectively. METHODS The activities of kaempferol and quercetin were determined in direct binding to NR4A1 protein and in NR4A1-dependent transactivation assays in Rh30 and Rh41 rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells. Flavonoid-dependent effects as inhibitors of cell growth, survival and invasion were determined in XTT and Boyden chamber assays respectively and changes in protein levels were determined by western blots. Tumor growth inhibition studies were carried out in athymic nude mice bearing Rh30 cells as xenografts. RESULTS Kaempferol and quercetin bind NR4A1 protein and inhibit NR4A1-dependent transactivation in RMS cells. NR4A1 also regulates RMS cell growth, survival, mTOR signaling and invasion. The pro-oncogenic PAX3-FOXO1 and G9a genes are also regulated by NR4A1 and, these pathways and genes are all inhibited by kaempferol and quercetin. Moreover, at a dose of 50 mg/kg/d kaempferol and quercetin inhibited tumor growth in an athymic nude mouse xenograft model bearing Rh30 cells. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate the clinical potential for repurposing kaempferol and quercetin for clinical applications as precision medicine for treating RMS patients that express NR4A1 in order to increase the efficacy and decrease dosages of currently used cytotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kumaravel Mohankumar
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Greg Martin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Amanuel Hailemariam
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Syng-Ook Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Keimyung University, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Un-Ho Jin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Robert Burghardt
- Department of Veterinary Integrated Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA.
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di Martino O, Niu H, Hadwiger G, Ferris MA, Welch JS. Cytokine exposure mediates transcriptional activation of the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 in hematopoietic cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101240. [PMID: 34571009 PMCID: PMC8528724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is an immediate-early response gene that based on tissue and cell context is implicated in a plethora of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism, and inflammation. Nur77 has a ligand-binding pocket that is obstructed by hydrophobic side groups. Naturally occurring, cell-endogenous ligands have not been identified, and Nur77 transcriptional activity is thought to be regulated through posttranslational modification and modulation of protein levels. To determine whether Nur77 is transcriptionally active in hematopoietic cells in vivo, we used an upstream activating sequence (UAS)-GFP transgenic reporter. We found that Nur77 is transcriptionally inactive in vivo in hematopoietic cells under basal conditions, but that activation occurs following cytokine exposure by G-CSF or IL-3. We also identified a series of serine residues required for cytokine-dependent transactivation of Nur77. Moreover, a kinase inhibitor library screen and proximity labeling-based mass spectrometry identified overlapping kinase pathways that physically interacted with Nur77 and whose inhibition abrogated cytokine-induced activation of Nur77. We determined that transcriptional activation of Nur77 by G-CSF or IL-3 requires functional JAK and mTor signaling since their inhibition leads to Nur77 transcriptional inactivation. Thus, intracellular cytokine signaling networks appear to regulate Nur77 transcriptional activity in mouse hematopoietic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsola di Martino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Haixia Niu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA; Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Gayla Hadwiger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Margaret A Ferris
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John S Welch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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Zaienne D, Willems S, Schierle S, Heering J, Merk D. Development and Profiling of Inverse Agonist Tools for the Neuroprotective Transcription Factor Nurr1. J Med Chem 2021; 64:15126-15140. [PMID: 34633810 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ligand-sensing transcription factor nuclear receptor related 1 (Nurr1) evolves as an appealing target to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Despite its therapeutic potential observed in various rodent models, potent modulators for Nurr1 are lacking as pharmacological tools. Here, we report the structure-activity relationship and systematic optimization of indole-based inverse Nurr1 agonists. Optimized analogues decreased the receptor's intrinsic transcriptional activity by up to more than 90% and revealed preference for inhibiting Nurr1 monomer activity. In orthogonal cell-free settings, we detected displacement of NCoRs and disruption of the Nurr1 homodimer as molecular modes of action. The inverse Nurr1 agonists reduced the expression of Nurr1-regulated genes in T98G cells, and treatment with an inverse Nurr1 agonist mimicked the effect of Nurr1 silencing on interleukin-6 release from LPS-stimulated human astrocytes. The indole-based inverse Nurr1 agonists valuably extend the toolbox of Nurr1 modulators to further probe the role of Nurr1 in neuroinflammation, cancer, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Schierle
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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