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Abstract
AbstractAn important goal in the fight against cancer is to understand how tumors become invasive and metastatic. A crucial early step in metastasis is thought to be the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), the process in which epithelial cells transition into a more migratory and invasive, mesenchymal state. Since the genetic regulatory networks driving EMT in tumors derive from those used in development, analysis of EMTs in genetic model organisms such as the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, can provide great insight into cancer. In this review I highlight the many ways in which studies in the fly are shedding light on cancer metastasis. The review covers both normal developmental events in which epithelial cells become migratory, as well as induced events, whereby normal epithelial cells become metastatic due to genetic manipulations. The ability to make such precise genetic perturbations in the context of a normal, in vivo environment, complete with a working innate immune system, is making the fly increasingly important in understanding metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Murray
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Melbourne, Australia
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Beamish IV, Hinck L, Kennedy TE. Making Connections: Guidance Cues and Receptors at Nonneural Cell-Cell Junctions. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:a029165. [PMID: 28847900 PMCID: PMC6211390 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The field of axon guidance was revolutionized over the past three decades by the identification of highly conserved families of guidance cues and receptors. These proteins are essential for normal neural development and function, directing cell and axon migration, neuron-glial interactions, and synapse formation and plasticity. Many of these genes are also expressed outside the nervous system in which they influence cell migration, adhesion and proliferation. Because the nervous system develops from neural epithelium, it is perhaps not surprising that these guidance cues have significant nonneural roles in governing the specialized junctional connections between cells in polarized epithelia. The following review addresses roles for ephrins, semaphorins, netrins, slits and their receptors in regulating adherens, tight, and gap junctions in nonneural epithelia and endothelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian V Beamish
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hinck
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Timothy E Kennedy
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
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The Role of Apoptotic Signaling in Axon Guidance. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:jdb6040024. [PMID: 30340315 PMCID: PMC6316149 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Navigating growth cones are exposed to multiple signals simultaneously and have to integrate competing cues into a coherent navigational response. Integration of guidance cues is traditionally thought to occur at the level of cytoskeletal dynamics. Drosophila studies indicate that cells exhibit a low level of continuous caspase protease activation, and that axon guidance cues can activate or suppress caspase activity. We base a model for axon guidance on these observations. By analogy with other systems in which caspase signaling has non-apoptotic functions, we propose that caspase signaling can either reinforce repulsion or negate attraction in response to external guidance cues by cleaving cytoskeletal proteins. Over the course of an entire trajectory, incorrectly navigating axons may pass the threshold for apoptosis and be eliminated, whereas axons making correct decisions will survive. These observations would also explain why neurotrophic factors can act as axon guidance cues and why axon guidance systems such as Slit/Robo signaling may act as tumor suppressors in cancer.
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Modelling Cooperative Tumorigenesis in Drosophila. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:4258387. [PMID: 29693007 PMCID: PMC5859872 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4258387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of human metastatic cancer is a multistep process, involving the acquisition of several genetic mutations, tumour heterogeneity, and interactions with the surrounding microenvironment. Due to the complexity of cancer development in mammals, simpler model organisms, such as the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are being utilized to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved. In this review, we highlight recent advances in modelling tumorigenesis using the Drosophila model, focusing on the cooperation of oncogenes or tumour suppressors, and the interaction of mutant cells with the surrounding tissue in epithelial tumour initiation and progression.
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Krøigård AB, Larsen MJ, Lænkholm AV, Knoop AS, Jensen JD, Bak M, Mollenhauer J, Thomassen M, Kruse TA. Identification of metastasis driver genes by massive parallel sequencing of successive steps of breast cancer progression. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0189887. [PMID: 29293529 PMCID: PMC5749725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer results from alterations at essential genomic sites and is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Identification of driver genes of metastatic progression is essential, as metastases, not primary tumors, are fatal. To gain insight into the mutational concordance between different steps of malignant progression we performed exome sequencing and validation with targeted deep sequencing of successive steps of malignant progression from pre-invasive stages to asynchronous distant metastases in six breast cancer patients. Using the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutations, a surprisingly large number of cancer driver genes, ranging between 3 and 145, were estimated to confer a selective advantage in the studied primary tumors. We report a substantial amount of metastasis specific mutations and a number of novel putative metastasis driver genes. Most notable are the DCC, ABCA13, TIAM2, CREBBP, BCL6B and ZNF185 genes, mainly mutated exclusively in metastases and highly likely driver genes of metastatic progression. We find different genes and pathways to be affected at different steps of malignant progression. The Adherens junction pathway is affected in four of the six studied patients and this pathway most likely plays a vital role in the metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bruun Krøigård
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Human Genetics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Martin Jakob Larsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Human Genetics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Ann S. Knoop
- Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Martin Bak
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Mollenhauer
- Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Molecular Oncology Group, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mads Thomassen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Human Genetics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Torben A. Kruse
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Human Genetics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Forrest CM, McNair K, Vincenten MCJ, Darlington LG, Stone TW. Selective depletion of tumour suppressors Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) and neogenin by environmental and endogenous serine proteases: linking diet and cancer. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:772. [PMID: 27716118 PMCID: PMC5054602 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2795-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The related tumour suppressor proteins Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) and neogenin are absent or weakly expressed in many cancers, whereas their insertion into cells suppresses oncogenic behaviour. Serine proteases influence the initiation and progression of cancers although the mechanisms are unknown. METHODS The effects of environmental (bacterial subtilisin) and endogenous mammalian (chymotrypsin) serine proteases were examined on protein expression in fresh, normal tissue and human neuroblastoma and mammary adenocarcinoma lines. Cell proliferation and migration assays (chemoattraction and wound closure) were used to examine cell function. Cells lacking DCC were transfected with an ectopic dcc plasmid. RESULTS Subtilisin and chymotrypsin selectively depleted DCC and neogenin from cells at nanomolar concentrations without affecting related proteins. Cells showed reduced adherence and increased migration, but after washing they re-attached within 24 h, with recovery of protein expression. These effects are induced by chymotryptic activity as they are prevented by chymostatin and the soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor typical of many plant protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Bacillus subtilis, which secretes subtilisin is widely present in soil, the environment and the intestinal contents, while subtilisin itself is used in meat processing, animal feed probiotics and many household cleaning agents. With chymotrypsin present in chyme, blood and tissues, these proteases may contribute to cancer development by depleting DCC and neogenin. Blocking their activity by Bowman-Birk inhibitors may explain the protective effects of a plant diet. Our findings identify a potential non-genetic contribution to cancer cell behaviour which may explain both the association of processed meats and other factors with cancer incidence and the protection afforded by plant-rich diets, with significant implications for cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Forrest
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kara McNair
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Maria C J Vincenten
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | | | - Trevor W Stone
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, West Medical Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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Shen J, Lu J, Sui L, Wang D, Yin M, Hoffmann I, Legler A, Pflugfelder GO. The orthologous Tbx transcription factors Omb and TBX2 induce epithelial cell migration and extrusion in vivo without involvement of matrix metalloproteinases. Oncotarget 2015; 5:11998-2015. [PMID: 25344916 PMCID: PMC4322970 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors TBX2 and TBX3 are overexpressed in various human cancers. Here, we investigated the effect of overexpressing the orthologous Tbx genes Drosophila optomotor-blind (omb) and human TBX2 in the epithelium of the Drosophila wing imaginal disc and observed two types of cell motility. Omb/TBX2 overexpressing cells could move within the plane of the epithelium. Invasive cells migrated long-distance as single cells retaining or regaining normal cell shape and apico-basal polarity in spite of attenuated apical DE-cadherin concentration. Inappropriate levels of DE-cadherin were sufficient to drive cell migration in the wing disc epithelium. Omb/TBX2 overexpression and reduced DE-cadherin-dependent adhesion caused the formation of actin-rich lateral cell protrusions. Omb/TBX2 overexpressing cells could also delaminate basally, penetratingthe basal lamina, however, without degradation of extracellular matrix. Expression of Timp, an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteases, blocked neither intraepithelial motility nor basal extrusion. Our results reveal an MMP-independent mechanism of cell invasion and suggest a conserved role of Tbx2-related proteins in cell invasion and metastasis-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shen
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Lu
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Liyuan Sui
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Meizhen Yin
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fiber and Functional Polymers, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Inka Hoffmann
- Institute of Genetics, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anne Legler
- Institute of Genetics, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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Doggett K, Turkel N, Willoughby LF, Ellul J, Murray MJ, Richardson HE, Brumby AM. BTB-Zinc Finger Oncogenes Are Required for Ras and Notch-Driven Tumorigenesis in Drosophila. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26207831 PMCID: PMC4514741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During tumorigenesis, pathways that promote the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can both facilitate metastasis and endow tumor cells with cancer stem cell properties. To gain a greater understanding of how these properties are interlinked in cancers we used Drosophila epithelial tumor models, which are driven by orthologues of human oncogenes (activated alleles of Ras and Notch) in cooperation with the loss of the cell polarity regulator, scribbled (scrib). Within these tumors, both invasive, mesenchymal-like cell morphology and continual tumor overgrowth, are dependent upon Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity. To identify JNK-dependent changes within the tumors we used a comparative microarray analysis to define a JNK gene signature common to both Ras and Notch-driven tumors. Amongst the JNK-dependent changes was a significant enrichment for BTB-Zinc Finger (ZF) domain genes, including chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis (chinmo). chinmo was upregulated by JNK within the tumors, and overexpression of chinmo with either RasV12 or Nintra was sufficient to promote JNK-independent epithelial tumor formation in the eye/antennal disc, and, in cooperation with RasV12, promote tumor formation in the adult midgut epithelium. Chinmo primes cells for oncogene-mediated transformation through blocking differentiation in the eye disc, and promoting an escargot-expressing stem or enteroblast cell state in the adult midgut. BTB-ZF genes are also required for Ras and Notch-driven overgrowth of scrib mutant tissue, since, although loss of chinmo alone did not significantly impede tumor development, when loss of chinmo was combined with loss of a functionally related BTB-ZF gene, abrupt, tumor overgrowth was significantly reduced. abrupt is not a JNK-induced gene, however, Abrupt is present in JNK-positive tumor cells, consistent with a JNK-associated oncogenic role. As some mammalian BTB-ZF proteins are also highly oncogenic, our work suggests that EMT-promoting signals in human cancers could similarly utilize networks of these proteins to promote cancer stem cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Doggett
- Cell Cycle and Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Nezaket Turkel
- Cell Cycle and Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lee F. Willoughby
- Cell Cycle and Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason Ellul
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J. Murray
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, 1–100 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helena E. Richardson
- Cell Cycle and Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, 1–100 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, 1–100 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony M. Brumby
- Cell Cycle and Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, 1–100 Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Pert M, Gan M, Saint R, Murray MJ. Netrins and Frazzled/DCC promote the migration and mesenchymal to epithelial transition of Drosophila midgut cells. Biol Open 2015; 4:233-43. [PMID: 25617422 PMCID: PMC4365492 DOI: 10.1242/bio.201410827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal-epithelial transitions (METs) are important in both development and the growth of secondary tumours. Although the molecular basis for epithelial polarity is well studied, less is known about the cues that induce MET. Here we show that Netrins, well known as chemotropic guidance factors, provide a basal polarising cue during the Drosophila midgut MET. Both netrinA and netrinB are expressed in the visceral mesoderm, the substrate upon which midgut cells migrate, while their receptor frazzled (fra) is expressed in midgut cells. Netrins are required to polarise Fra to the basal surface, and Netrins and Fra undergo mutually-dependent endocytosis, with Fra subsequently trafficking to late endosomes. Mutations to fra and netrins affect both migration and MET but to different degrees. Loss of fra strongly delays migration, midgut cells fail to extend protrusions, and apico-basal polarisation of proteins and epithelium formation is inhibited. In netrin mutants, the migration phenotype is weaker and cells still extend protrusions. However, apico-basal polarisation of proteins, including Fra, and FActin is greatly disrupted and a monolayer fails to form. Delocalised accumulations of FActin are prevalent in netrin mutants but not fra mutants suggesting delocalised Fra may disrupt the MET. βPS localisation is also affected in netrin mutants in that a basal gradient is reduced while localisation to the midgut/VM interface is increased. Since a similar effect is seen when endocytosis is inhibited, Netrin and Fra may regulate Integrin turnover. The results suggest Netrin-dependent basal polarisation of Fra is critical for the formation of an epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Pert
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Miao Gan
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Robert Saint
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Michael J Murray
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
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Abstract
Cancer was seen for a long time as a strictly cell-autonomous process in which oncogenes and tumor-suppressor mutations drive clonal cell expansions. Research in the past decade, however, paints a more integrative picture of communication and interplay between neighboring cells in tissues. It is increasingly clear as well that tumors, far from being homogenous lumps of cells, consist of different cell types that function together as complex tissue-level communities. The repertoire of interactive cell behaviors and the quantity of cellular players involved call for a social cell biology that investigates these interactions. Research into this social cell biology is critical for understanding development of normal and tumoral tissues. Such complex social cell biology interactions can be parsed in Drosophila. Techniques in Drosophila for analysis of gene function and clonal behavior allow us to generate tumors and dissect their complex interactive biology with cellular resolution. Here, we review recent Drosophila research aimed at understanding tissue-level biology and social cell interactions in tumors, highlighting the principles these studies reveal.
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Rasool S, Rasool V, Naqvi T, Ganai BA, Shah BA. Genetic unraveling of colorectal cancer. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:5067-82. [PMID: 24573608 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1713-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a common disease in both men and women (being the third most common cancer in men and the second most common among women) and thus represents an important and serious public health issue, especially in the western world. Although it is a well-established fact that cancers of the large intestine produce symptoms relatively earlier at a stage that can be easily cured by resection, a large number of people lose their lives to this deadly disease each year. Recent times have seen an important change in the incidence of colorectal cancer in different parts of the world. The etiology of colorectal cancer is multifactorial and is likely to involve the actions of genes at multiple levels along the multistage carcinogenesis process. Exhaustive efforts have been made out in the direction of unraveling the role of various environmental factors, gene mutations, and polymorphisms worldwide (as well as in Kashmir-"a valley of gastrointestinal cancers") that have got a role to play in the development of this disease so that antitumor drugs could be developed against this cancer, first, and, finally, the responsiveness or resistance to these agents could be understood for combating this global issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabha Rasool
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, 190006, Kashmir, India
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Netrin-dependent downregulation of Frazzled/DCC is required for the dissociation of the peripodial epithelium in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2013; 4:2790. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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Hagedorn EJ, Ziel JW, Morrissey MA, Linden LM, Wang Z, Chi Q, Johnson SA, Sherwood DR. The netrin receptor DCC focuses invadopodia-driven basement membrane transmigration in vivo. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 201:903-13. [PMID: 23751497 PMCID: PMC3678161 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201301091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Localized activation of netrin signaling induces focused F-actin formation and the protrusive force necessary for physical displacement of basement membrane during cell transmigration. Though critical to normal development and cancer metastasis, how cells traverse basement membranes is poorly understood. A central impediment has been the challenge of visualizing invasive cell interactions with basement membrane in vivo. By developing live-cell imaging methods to follow anchor cell (AC) invasion in Caenorhabditis elegans, we identify F-actin–based invadopodia that breach basement membrane. When an invadopodium penetrates basement membrane, it rapidly transitions into a stable invasive process that expands the breach and crosses into the vulval tissue. We find that the netrin receptor UNC-40 (DCC) specifically enriches at the site of basement membrane breach and that activation by UNC-6 (netrin) directs focused F-actin formation, generating the invasive protrusion and the cessation of invadopodia. Using optical highlighting of basement membrane components, we further demonstrate that rather than relying solely on proteolytic dissolution, the AC’s protrusion physically displaces basement membrane. These studies reveal an UNC-40–mediated morphogenetic transition at the cell–basement membrane interface that directs invading cells across basement membrane barriers.
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Deng W, Sui H, Wang Q, He N, Duan C, Han L, Li Q, Lu M, Lv S. A Chinese herbal formula, Yi-Qi-Fu-Sheng, inhibits migration/invasion of colorectal cancer by down-regulating MMP-2/9 via inhibiting the activation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathways. Altern Ther Health Med 2013; 13:65. [PMID: 23506655 PMCID: PMC3617034 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background A Chinese herbal formula, Yi-Qi-Fu-Sheng (YQFS), has long been employed clinically to treat cancer patients. We aimed to determine its effectiveness as a treatment method for colorectal cancer. We investigated the therapeutic effects of YQFS on colorectal cancer, as well as the underlying mechanisms, which have not previously been explored. Methods First, YQFS was extracted and chemically characterized. We then tested the effects of YQFS on proliferation and migration by MTT and transwell migration assays in vitro. Mouse xenograft models of colorectal cancer were established by inoculation with HCT-116 cells, and mice received one of three oral doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day) to evaluate the effects of YQFS extract. Metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) expression in mice was evaluated by gelatin zymography assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM) analysis in vitro and by TUNEL assay in vivo. ERK and p-ERK expression were evaluated by western blot analysis at the protein level in vitro, and by quantitative RT-PCR at mRNA level in vivo. Results Our results show that YQFS significantly inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G1− and S-phase in HCT-116 cells. Furthermore, YQFS effectively retards tumor cell migration and invasion by inhibiting metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) expression, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, YQFS had an inhibitory effect on tumor growth in vivo, and induced apoptosis through the inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that YQFS extract has an anti-tumor effect in colorectal cancer, which could be attributed to ERK1/2-dependent inhibition of MMP-2/9 expression.
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Abstract
This review is focusing on a critical mediator of embryonic and postnatal development with multiple implications in inflammation, neoplasia, and other pathological situations in brain and peripheral tissues. These morphogenetic guidance and dependence processes are involved in several malignancies targeting the epithelial and immune systems including the progression of human colorectal cancers. We consider the most important findings and their impact on basic, translational, and clinical cancer research. Expected information can bring new cues for innovative, efficient, and safe strategies of personalized medicine based on molecular markers, protagonists, signaling networks, and effectors inherent to the Netrin axis in pathophysiological states.
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