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Lammert FC, Pannhausen J, Noetzel E, Friedland F, Wirtz J, Herfs Y, Leypold S, Gan L, Weiskirchen R, Schnitzler T, Knüchel R, Maurer J, Jonigk DD, Rose M, Gaisa NT. Dual role of GRHL3 in bladder carcinogenesis depending on histological subtypes. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1397-1416. [PMID: 38429970 PMCID: PMC11164254 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of grainyhead-like transcription factor 3 (GRHL3) on cancer development depends on the cancer subtypes as shown in tumor entities such as colorectal or oral squamous cell carcinomas. Here, we analyzed the subtype-specific role of GRHL3 in bladder carcinogenesis, comparing common urothelial carcinoma (UC) with squamous bladder cancer (sq-BLCA). We examined GRHL3 mRNA and protein expression in cohorts of patient samples, its prognostic role and its functional impact on tumorigeneses in different molecular and histopathological subtypes of bladder cancer. We showed for GRHL3 a reverse expression in squamous and urothelial bladder cancer subtypes. Stably GRHL3-overexpressing EJ28, J82, and SCaBER in vitro models revealed a tumor-suppressive function in squamous and an oncogenic role in the urothelial cancer cells affecting cell and colony growth, and migratory and invasive capacities. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated highly subtype-specific GRHL3-regulated expression networks coined by the enrichment of genes involved in integrin-mediated pathways. In SCaBER, loss of ras homolog family member A (RHOA) GTPase activity was demonstrated to be associated with co-regulation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E family member 3 (EIF4E3), a potential tumor suppressor gene. Thus, our data provide for the first time a detailed insight into the role of the transcription factor GRHL3 in different histopathological subtypes of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska C. Lammert
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
| | - Julia Pannhausen
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
| | - Erik Noetzel
- Institute of Biological Information Processing 2 (IBI‐2), Mechanobiology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHGermany
| | - Florian Friedland
- Institute of Biological Information Processing 2 (IBI‐2), Mechanobiology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHGermany
| | - Julia Wirtz
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
| | - Yannick Herfs
- Institute of Biological Information Processing 2 (IBI‐2), Mechanobiology, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHGermany
| | - Sophie Leypold
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
| | - Lin Gan
- IZKF AachenMedical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
| | - Tician Schnitzler
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
| | - Ruth Knüchel
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
| | - Jochen Maurer
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Hospital AachenGermany
| | - Danny D. Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
- German Center for Lung Research, DZL, BREATHHanoverGermany
| | - Michael Rose
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalUniversity of UlmGermany
| | - Nadine T. Gaisa
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalRWTH Aachen UniversityGermany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD)Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University HospitalUniversity of UlmGermany
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Deng Z, Butt T, Arhatari BD, Darido C, Auden A, Swaroop D, Partridge DD, Haigh K, Nguyen T, Haigh JJ, Carpinelli MR, Jane SM. Dysregulation of Grainyhead-like 3 expression causes widespread developmental defects. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:647-667. [PMID: 36606449 PMCID: PMC10952483 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.565] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gene encoding the transcription factor, Grainyhead-like 3 (Grhl3), plays critical roles in mammalian development and homeostasis. Grhl3-null embryos exhibit thoraco-lumbo-sacral spina bifida and soft-tissue syndactyly. Additional studies reveal that these embryos also exhibit an epidermal proliferation/differentiation imbalance. This manifests as skin barrier defects resulting in peri-natal lethality and defective wound repair. Despite these extensive analyses of Grhl3 loss-of-function models, the consequences of gain-of-function of this gene have been difficult to achieve. RESULTS In this study, we generated a novel mouse model that expresses Grhl3 from a transgene integrated in the Rosa26 locus on an endogenous Grhl3-null background. Expression of the transgene rescues both the neurulation and skin barrier defects of the knockout mice, allowing survival into adulthood. Despite this, the mice are not normal, exhibiting a range of phenotypes attributable to dysregulated Grhl3 expression. In mice homozygous for the transgene, we observe a severe Shaker-Waltzer phenotype associated with hearing impairment. Micro-CT scanning of the inner ear revealed profound structural alterations underlying these phenotypes. In addition, these mice exhibit other developmental anomalies including hair loss, digit defects, and epidermal dysmorphogenesis. CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings indicate that diverse developmental processes display low tolerance to dysregulation of Grhl3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Deng
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Tariq Butt
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Benedicta D. Arhatari
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Department of Chemistry and PhysicsLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTOClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Charbel Darido
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of OncologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alana Auden
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Dijina Swaroop
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Darren D. Partridge
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Katharina Haigh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Rady Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
- Research Institute in Oncology and HematologyCancerCare ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
| | - Thao Nguyen
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jody J. Haigh
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Rady Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
- Research Institute in Oncology and HematologyCancerCare ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
| | - Marina R. Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Stephen M. Jane
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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Sorting Transcriptomics Immune Information from Tumor Molecular Features Allows Prediction of Response to Anti-PD1 Therapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010801. [PMID: 36614248 PMCID: PMC9821399 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010801] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on anti-PD1 antibodies has improved the outcome of advanced melanoma. However, prediction of response to immunotherapy remains an unmet need in the field. Tumor PD-L1 expression, mutational burden, gene profiles and microbiome profiles have been proposed as potential markers but are not used in clinical practice. Probabilistic graphical models and classificatory algorithms were used to classify melanoma tumor samples from a TCGA cohort. A cohort of patients with advanced melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitors was also analyzed. We established that gene expression data can be grouped in two different layers of information: immune and molecular. In the TCGA, the molecular classification provided information on processes such as epidermis development and keratinization, melanogenesis, and extracellular space and membrane. The immune layer classification was able to distinguish between responders and non-responders to immunotherapy in an independent series of patients with advanced melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitors. We established that the immune information is independent than molecular features of the tumors in melanoma TCGA cohort, and an immune classification of these tumors was established. This immune classification was capable to determine what patients are going to respond to immunotherapy in a new cohort of patients with advanced melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitors Therefore, this immune signature could be useful to the clinicians to identify those patients who will respond to immunotherapy.
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Gasperoni JG, Fuller JN, Darido C, Wilanowski T, Dworkin S. Grainyhead-like (Grhl) Target Genes in Development and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052735. [PMID: 35269877 PMCID: PMC8911041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead-like (GRHL) factors are essential, highly conserved transcription factors (TFs) that regulate processes common to both natural cellular behaviours during embryogenesis, and de-regulation of growth and survival pathways in cancer. Serving to drive the transcription, and therefore activation of multiple co-ordinating pathways, the three GRHL family members (GRHL1-3) are a critical conduit for modulating the molecular landscape that guides cellular decision-making processes during proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration. Animal models and in vitro approaches harbouring GRHL loss or gain-of-function are key research tools to understanding gene function, which gives confidence that resultant phenotypes and cellular behaviours may be translatable to humans. Critically, identifying and characterising the target genes to which these factors bind is also essential, as they allow us to discover and understand novel genetic pathways that could ultimately be used as targets for disease diagnosis, drug discovery and therapeutic strategies. GRHL1-3 and their transcriptional targets have been shown to drive comparable cellular processes in Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish and mice, and have recently also been implicated in the aetiology and/or progression of a number of human congenital disorders and cancers of epithelial origin. In this review, we will summarise the state of knowledge pertaining to the role of the GRHL family target genes in both development and cancer, primarily through understanding the genetic pathways transcriptionally regulated by these factors across disparate disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma G. Gasperoni
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Jarrad N. Fuller
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Charbel Darido
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Sebastian Dworkin
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Tan L, Qu W, Wu D, Liu M, Wang Q, Ai Q, Hu H, Chen M, Chen W, Zhou H. GRHL3 Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis via the MEK Pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2021; 2021:6004821. [PMID: 34888136 PMCID: PMC8651427 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6004821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
GRHL3 is a factor associated with a tumor, of which the molecular mechanism remains a further investigation. We explored the underlying mechanism of tumor-promoting effect of GRHL3 in colorectal cancer (CRC), which is involved in the MEK1/2 pathway. The expression of GRHL3 was measured in CRC and adjacent normal tissue using qPCR and immunohistochemical staining. Lentivirus-mediated knockdown expression of GRHL3 was performed in the CRC cell line HT29. Cell proliferation and metastasis were assayed in vitro, and tumorigenicity was investigated in vivo. We found higher GRHL3 expression in colorectal cancer, which was negatively correlated with patients' prognosis. Results from studies in vitro and in vivo indicated that downregulation of GRHL3 expression inhibited tumor growth and metastasis and inhibited the activation of the MEK1/2 pathway. The effect of GRHL3 downexpression was the same as that of MEK1/2 antagonists on suppression of tumor growth and metastasis. Our results suggested that GRHL3 may act as an oncogene to promote tumor growth and metastasis via the MEK pathway in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Weiming Qu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Dajun Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Minji Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Qiongjia Ai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Hongsai Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Weishun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
| | - Hongbing Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College CSU, Zhuzhou, China 412007
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Kotarba G, Taracha-Wisniewska A, Miller M, Dabrowski M, Wilanowski T. Transcription factors Krüppel-like factor 4 and paired box 5 regulate the expression of the Grainyhead-like genes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257977. [PMID: 34570823 PMCID: PMC8476022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes from the Grainyhead-like (GRHL) family code for transcription factors necessary for the development and maintenance of various epithelia. These genes are also very important in the development of many types of cancer. However, little is known about the regulation of expression of GRHL genes. Previously, there were no systematic analyses of the promoters of GRHL genes or transcription factors that bind to these promoters. Here we report that the Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and the paired box 5 factor (PAX5) bind to the regulatory regions of the GRHL genes and regulate their expression. Ectopic expression of KLF4 or PAX5 alters the expression of GRHL genes. In KLF4-overexpressing HEK293 cells, the expression of GRHL1 and GRHL3 genes was upregulated by 32% and 60%, respectively, whereas the mRNA level of GRHL2 gene was lowered by 28% when compared to the respective controls. The levels of GRHL1 and GRHL3 expression were decreased by 30% or 33% in PAX5-overexpressing HEK293 cells. The presence of minor frequency allele of single nucleotide polymorphism rs115898376 in the promoter of the GRHL1 gene affected the binding of KLF4 to this site. The evidence presented here suggests an important role of KLF4 and PAX5 in the regulation of expression of GRHL1-3 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Kotarba
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Michal Miller
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Dabrowski
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
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7
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Sargazi S, Heidari Nia M, Sheervalilou R, Mirinejad S, Harati-Sadegh M, Moudi M, Saravani R, Shakiba M. Relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of GRHL3 and Schizophrenia Susceptibility: A Preliminary Case-Control Study and Bioinformatics Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2020; 9:154-164. [PMID: 32934953 PMCID: PMC7489109 DOI: 10.22088/ijmcm.bums.9.2.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Grainyhead-like (GRHL) transcription factors were recently linked to the etiology of neural tube defects (NTDs). Overlapping patterns in the variation of schizophrenia (SCZ) incidence with that of NTDs suggests the presence of common etiological risk factors. This preliminary study was designed to examine the relationship between two missense variants of GRHL3 gene (rs2486668C/G and rs545809A/T) and SCZ susceptibility among Iranians. Three hundred ninety subjects (192 patients confirmed with SCZ, and 198 healthy controls) were enrolled and genotyped. Statistical and bioinformatics analyzes were performed to determine the effects of the variants. In silico analyzes were performed to determine the effects of the variants on the secondary structure of GRHL3 protein and prediction of silencer motifs for each variation. Statistically significant differences were observed between the studied groups under codominant AA, dominant AT+AA, and recessive AA genetic contrast models for rs545809A/T. The presence of the A allele of rs545809A/T enhanced SCZ risk by 2.33 fold. In contrast, rs2486668C/G was not linked to SCZ susceptibility (P > 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that both missense SNPs caused substantial changes in the secondary structure of GRHL3-mRNA. Screening of the flanking sequences of rs545809A/T predicted silencer motifs for this SNP. Our results demonstrated that the rs545809A/T of GRHL3 gene could affect the risk of SCZ in Iranian populations. Replication studies are warranted to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Sargazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Milad Heidari Nia
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Sheervalilou
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Shekoufeh Mirinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mahdiyeh Harati-Sadegh
- Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mahdiyeh Moudi
- Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Ramin Saravani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Mansoor Shakiba
- Department of Psychiatry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Psychosomatic Research Center, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Kotarba G, Taracha-Wisniewska A, Wilanowski T. Grainyhead-like transcription factors in cancer - Focus on recent developments. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:402-410. [PMID: 32008358 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220903009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of grainyhead-like transcription factors in cancer has been widely investigated by the scientific community. However, some of its aspects do not seem to be adequately appreciated, and these are the topic of our article. In addition to their well-documented role as tumor suppressors, in many cases the grainyhead-like proteins perform tumor-promoting functions, which make them potential drug targets. However, it is difficult to directly target transcription factors, which is why we recommend an alternative approach. The transcriptional transactivation activity of grainyhead-like transcription factors is regulated by phosphorylation, and protein kinases are much more feasible drug targets. Studying the phosphorylation of grainyhead-like proteins may thus allow to identify protein kinases regulating the activity of these factors, and design inhibitors of these kinases to indirectly regulate the activity of grainyhead-like transcription factors. There are many somatic mutations in the GRHL genes that occur during cancer development. These mutations are widely distributed across the GRHL loci, and these mutations are very rare. For this reason, they are unlikely to become targets of future therapies, nevertheless some of them may be driver mutations and studying them may provide important novel information about the regulation of functioning of the GRHL genes and proteins. Analogous information may be obtained by studying single nucleotide polymorphisms in GRHL genes that are associated with disease risk. Such polymorphisms may also prove useful in identifying individuals with an increased risk of a particular disease. Impact statement In the present article, we focus on relatively little appreciated aspects of involvement of the grainyhead-like (GRHL) transcription factors in cancer. These aspects are nevertheless very important for the functioning of GRHL proteins, as well as for cancer development. Some of the GRHL factors perform tumor-promoting functions in certain types of cancer, which makes them potential drug targets. Much information is available about somatic cancer mutations in the GRHL genes, yet there are very few analyses of these mutations in the scientific literature. The activity of GRHL transcription factors is controlled by phosphorylation, and we suggest that regulating their phosphorylation with specific protein kinases provides an alternative approach to modify the activity of GRHL proteins. Some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GRHL genes are associated with disease risk. Studying such SNPs may yield new information about the functioning of GRHL genes and proteins, and may also allow to identify people with an increased risk of a particular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Kotarba
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-096, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-096, Poland
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MicroRNA let-7d targets thrombospondin-1 and inhibits the activation of human pancreatic stellate cells. Pancreatology 2019; 19:196-203. [PMID: 30393009 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The microRNA (miRNA) let-7d is linked to the formation of pancreatic cancer-related fibrosis. In this study, the mechanism by which let-7d regulates the activation of the human pancreatic stellate cell (hPSC) was evaluated. METHODS The transient transfection of a let-7d mimic in the hPSCs was performed, and the altered thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) expression was confirmed by western blotting and real-time qPCR. Targeting of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of THBS1 by let-7d was investigated by the luciferase assays. After hPSC transfection using THBS1 siRNA, the fibrosis markers (α-SMA and collagen 1A1) were evaluated by western blotting and real-time qPCR. The correlation between tumor fibrosis and let-7d or THBS1 was estimated using the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas project. Finally, the effects of genistein on the hPSCs were evaluated. RESULTS We found that a let-7d mimic inhibits THBS1 expression by targeting its 3'-UTR. THBS1 inhibition by siRNA inhibited hPSC activation. An in silico analysis revealed that let-7d and THBS1 expression are negatively correlated. Additionally, let-7d was negatively correlated with the stromal score, while THBS1 was positively correlated with this score. Genistein substantially induced let-7d and decreased the expression of fibrosis marker along with the inhibition of THBS1. CONCLUSIONS Let-7d inhibited hPSC activation by targeting THBS1. Genistein induced the expression of let-7d and might modulate pancreatic fibrosis.
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Krzywinska E, Zorawski MD, Taracha A, Kotarba G, Kikulska A, Mlacki M, Kwiatkowska K, Wilanowski T. Threonine 454 phosphorylation in Grainyhead-like 3 is important for its function and regulation by the p38 MAPK pathway. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:1002-1011. [PMID: 29702134 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian Grainyhead-like 3 (GRHL3) transcription factor is essential for epithelial development and plays a protective role against squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and of the oral cavity. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in GRHL3, rs141193530 (p.P455A), is associated with non-melanoma skin cancer in human patients. Moreover, it is known that this SNP, as well as another variant, rs41268753 (p.T454M), are associated with nonsyndromic cleft palate and that rs41268753 negatively affects GRHL3 transcriptional activity. These SNPs are located in adjacent codons of the GRHL3 gene, and the occurrence of either SNP abolishes a putative threonine-proline phosphorylation motif at T454 in the encoded protein. The role of phosphorylation in regulating mammalian GRHL function is currently unknown. In this work we show that GRHL3 is phosphorylated at several residues in a human keratinocyte cell line, among them at T454. This site is essential for the full transcriptional activity of GRHL3. The T454 residue is phosphorylated by p38 MAPK in vitro and activation of p38 signaling in cells causes an increase in GRHL3 activity. The regulation of GRHL3 function by this pathway is dependent on T454, as the substitution of T454 with methionine inhibits the activation of GRHL3. Taken together, our results show that T454 is one of the phosphorylated residues in GRHL3 in keratinocytes and this residue is important for the upregulation of GRHL3 transcriptional activity by the p38 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Krzywinska
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Dominick Zorawski
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Taracha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kotarba
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kikulska
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Mlacki
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
- Laboratory of Molecular Membrane Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
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