Cysteine-Rich Intestinal Protein 1 Silencing Inhibits Migration and Invasion in Human Colorectal Cancer

CRIP1 involves the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma via dual-regulation of proteasome and autophagy

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy of the plasma cells. The maintenance of protein homeostasis is critical for MM cell survival. Elevated levels of paraproteins in MM cells are cleared by proteasomes or lysosomes, which are independent but inter-connected with each other. Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) work as a backbone agent and successfully improved the outcome of patients; however, the increasing activity of autophagy suppresses the sensitivity to PIs treatment.

METHODS

The transcription levels of CRIP1 were explored in plasma cells obtained from healthy donors, patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) using Gene expression omnibus datasets. Doxycycline-inducible CRIP1-shRNA and CRIP1 overexpressed MM cell lines were constructed to explore the role of CRIP1 in MM pathogenesis. Proliferation, invasion, migration, proteasome activity and autophagy were examined in MM cells with different CRIP1 levels. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) with Tandem affinity purification/Mass spectrum (TAP/MS) was performed to identify the binding proteins of CRIP1. The mouse xenograft model was used to determine the role of CRIP1 in the proliferation and drug-resistance of MM cells.

FINDINGS

High CRIP1 expression was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with MM and served as a biomarker for RRMM with shorter overall survival. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that CRIP1 plays a critical role in protein homeostasis via the dual regulation of the activities of proteasome and autophagy in MM cells. A combined analysis of RNA-seq, Co-IP and TAP/MS demonstrated that CRIP1 promotes proteasome inhibitors resistance in MM cells by simultaneously binding to de-ubiquitinase USP7 and proteasome coactivator PA200. CRIP1 promoted proteasome activity and autophagosome maturation by facilitating the dequbiquitination and stabilization of PA200.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings clarified the pivotal roles of the CRIP1/USP7/PA200 complex in ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation and autophagy maturation involved in the pathogenesis of MM.

FUNDING

A full list of funding sources can be found in the acknowledgements section.

CRP‑1 promotes the malignant behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via activating epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and Wnt/β‑catenin signaling

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. It has been reported that cysteine rich protein 1 (CRP-1) is dysregulated in several types of human cancer; however, its role in HCC is poorly understood. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the role of CRP-1 in HCC. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR results showed that CRP-1 was upregulated in HCC cell lines. Furthermore, for in vitro experiments, CRP-1 was knocked down and overexpressed in the HCC cell lines Hep 3B2.1-7 and BEL-7405, respectively. c-Myc and proliferating cell nuclear antigen upregulation, and cleaved caspase 3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase downregulation suggested that CRP-1 silencing could inhibit the proliferation and colony-forming ability of HCC cells, and induce apoptosis. In addition, CRP-1 overexpression promoted the malignant behavior of HCC cells and induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as verified by E-cadherin downregulation, and N-cadherin and vimentin upregulation. Additionally, CRP-1 overexpression promoted the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and activated the expression of cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase-7. Furthermore, inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, following cell treatment with XAV-939, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, abrogated the effects of CRP-1 on enhancing the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. These findings indicated that the regulatory effect of CRP-1 on HCC cells could be mediated by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Overall, CRP-1 could promote the proliferation and migration of HCC cell lines, partially via promoting EMT and activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Single-cell analysis of human fetal epicardium reveals its cellular composition and identifies CRIP1 as a modulator of EMT

The epicardium plays an essential role in cardiogenesis by providing cardiac cell types and paracrine cues to the developing myocardium. The human adult epicardium is quiescent, but recapitulation of developmental features may contribute to adult cardiac repair. The cell fate of epicardial cells is proposed to be determined by the developmental persistence of specific subpopulations. Reports on this epicardial heterogeneity have been inconsistent, and data regarding the human developing epicardium are scarce. Here we specifically isolated human fetal epicardium and used single-cell RNA sequencing to define its composition and to identify regulators of developmental processes. Few specific subpopulations were observed, but a clear distinction between epithelial and mesenchymal cells was present, resulting in novel population-specific markers. Additionally, we identified CRIP1 as a previously unknown regulator involved in epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Overall, our human fetal epicardial cell-enriched dataset provides an excellent platform to study the developing epicardium in great detail.

The Roles of Zinc Finger Proteins in Colorectal Cancer

Despite colorectal cancer remaining a leading worldwide cause of cancer-related death, there remains a paucity of effective treatments for advanced disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying the development of colorectal cancer include altered cell signaling and cell cycle regulation that may result from epigenetic modifications of gene expression and function. Acting as important transcriptional regulators of normal biological processes, zinc finger proteins also play key roles in regulating the cellular mechanisms underlying colorectal neoplasia. These actions impact cell differentiation and proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, homeostasis, senescence, and maintenance of stemness. With the goal of highlighting promising points of therapeutic intervention, we review the oncogenic and tumor suppressor roles of zinc finger proteins with respect to colorectal cancer tumorigenesis and progression.

Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 enhances the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via Ras signaling

The present study aimed to explore the expression and clinical significance of cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1) mRNA in the serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to explore the level of CRIP1 mRNA in the tissues and serum of patients with HCC. Our data showed that the mRNA level of CRIP1 was significantly elevated in the serum and tissues of HCC patients. Moreover, serum CRIP1 mRNA was significantly elevated in HCC patients with larger tumor sizes and higher tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that compared with a single marker, the combined detection of alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and CRIP1 had the highest accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Further study showed that the overexpression of CRIP1 enhanced the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells, but the inhibition of CRIP1 decreased the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. Microarray assays and KyotoEncyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that overexpression of CRIP1 induced the activation of Ras signaling. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays indicated that CRIP1 could interact with Ras. To further evaluate whether CRIP1 interacts with Ras, a specific siRNA targeting Ras was selected. We found that Ras knockdown reduced the activation of Ras/AKT signaling even in HepG2 cells transfected with CRIP1. Moreover, elevated expression of CRIP1 increased the proliferation of HepG2 cells, but such effects could be abolished by silencing Ras. In summary, elevated CRIP1 levels enhanced the progression of CRIP1 via Ras signaling.

Cysteine-Rich Intestinal Protein 1 Served as an Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Marker via Promoting Wnt/β-Catenin-Mediated EMT and Tumour Metastasis

Objective

To explore the expression, functions, and the possible mechanisms of cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1) in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods

Using open microarray datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified the tumorigenic genes in ovarian cancer. Then, we detected CRIP1 expression in 26 pairs of epithelial ovarian cancer tissue samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and performed a correlation analysis between CRIP1 and the clinicopathological features. In addition, epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and OVCAR3 were used to examine CRIP1 expression by western blot and qRT-PCR. Various cell function experiments related to tumorigenesis were performed including the CCK8 assay, EdU, Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis assay, wound healing, and Transwell assay. In addition, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was detected by western blot to illustrate the relationship between CRIP1 and EMT. Furthermore, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and western blot were conducted to reveal the signaling pathways in which CRIP1 is involved in ovarian cancer pathogenesis.

Results

CRIP1 was identified as an oncogene from the TCGA database. The IHC score demonstrated that the CRIP1 protein was expressed at a higher level in tumours than in tumour-adjacent tissues and was associated with a higher pathological stage, grade, and positive lymphatic metastasis. In cell models, CRIP1 was overexpressed in serous epithelial ovarian cancer. Cell function experiments showed that the knockdown of CRIP1 did not significantly affect cell proliferation or apoptosis but could exert an inhibitory effect on cell migration and invasion, and also induce changes in EMT markers. Furthermore, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and western blot showed that CRIP1 could induce ovarian cancer cell metastasis through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Conclusion

This study is the first to demonstrate that CRIP1 acts as an oncogene and may promote tumour metastasis by regulating the EMT-related Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that CRIP1 may be an important biomarker for ovarian cancer metastasis and progression.

Terminal web and vesicle trafficking proteins mediate nematode single-cell tubulogenesis

Single-celled tubules represent a complicated structure that forms during development, requiring extension of a narrow cytoplasm surrounding a lumen exerting osmotic pressure that can burst the luminal membrane. Genetic studies on the excretory canal cell of Caenorhabditis elegans have revealed many proteins that regulate the cytoskeleton, vesicular transport, and physiology of the narrow canals. Here, we show that βH-spectrin regulates the placement of intermediate filament proteins forming a terminal web around the lumen, and that the terminal web in turn retains a highly conserved protein (EXC-9/CRIP1) that regulates apical endosomal trafficking. EXC-1/IRG, the binding partner of EXC-9, is also localized to the apical membrane and affects apical actin placement and RAB-8-mediated vesicular transport. The results suggest that an intermediate filament protein acts in a novel pathway to direct the traffic of vesicles to locations of lengthening apical surface during single-celled tubule development.

P120-Catenin And Its Phosphorylation On Tyr228 Inhibits Proliferation And Invasion In Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells

Background

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. P120-catenin protein has been well known to exert anticancer effects in several malignant diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the phosphorylation of p120-catenin in colon adenocarcinoma (CAC) and its association with prognosis, and its role in tumor progression.

Methods

Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to explore the existence of p120-catenin and its phosphorylation on tyrosine 228 (pY228-p120-catenin) in CAC samples. Overexpression and knockdown were achieved by transient transfection into SW480 cells using Lipofectamine 3000. CCK-8 and Matrigel-transwell assays were conducted to evaluate proliferation and invasion capacities, respectively. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to analyze downstream signaling pathways. Chi-square test was used to analyze correlations between p120-catenin and clinicopathological characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors.

Results

Lower p120-catenin and pY228-p120-catenin levels were identified in CAC tissues and were both correlated with advanced tumor stage. Additionally, lower pY228-p120-catenin indicated poorer prognosis of CAC patients although p120-catenin showed little significance. Overexpression of p120-catenin suppressed SW480 cell proliferation and invasion via stabilizing E-cadherin and inhibiting RhoA activation. Phosphorylation of Y228 on p120-catenin by Src protein enhanced the anticancer effects of p120-catenin.

Conclusion

P120-catenin and its phosphorylation on site Y228 play anticancer effects in colon adenocarcinoma via multiple signaling pathways. Hypophosphorylation of Y228 on p120-catenin in tumor tissues indicates poor clinical outcomes of colon adenocarcinoma patients.

Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 suppresses apoptosis and chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer through ubiquitin-mediated Fas degradation

Background

Cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1) is highly expressed in human intestine and aberrantly expressed in several types of tumor. However, studies on CRIP1 are limited and its role on tumor development and progression remains controversial and elusive.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of CRIP1 in paired normal and colorectal tumor specimens, as well as colorectal cell lines. Functional assays, such as CCK8, TUNEL assay and in vivo tumor growth assay, were used to detect the proliferation, apoptosis and response to 5-FU of CRIP1. Western blot was used to analyze Fas-mediated pathway induced by CRIP1. Rescue experiments were performed to evaluate the essential role of CRIP1 for Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Results

We demonstrated that CRIP1 is overexpressed in CRC tissues compared with adjacent normal mucosa. CRIP1 could dramatically recover the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) inhibited CRC cell proliferation in vitro and stimulate the tumor formation of CRC in vivo, probably through inhibiting CRC cell apoptosis. Moreover, CRIP1 also dramatically recovered the 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) induced tumor cell apoptosis in vitro. Further study demonstrated that CRIP1 down-regulated the expression of Fas protein and proteins related to Fas-mediated apoptosis. CRIP1 could interact with Fas protein and stimulate its ubiquitination and degradation. In addition, a negative correlation was detected between the expression of CRIP1 and Fas protein in most of the clinical human CRC samples.

Conclusion

The current research reveals a vital role of CRIP1 in CRC progression, which provide a novel target for clinical drug resistance of colorectal cancer and undoubtedly contributing to the therapeutic strategies in CRC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1117-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.