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Xia M, Liang C, Yuan Y, Luo J, Zeng Y, Zhang M, Tang J, Jiang Z, Gong Y, Xie C. UBR1 promotes anaplastic thyroid carcinoma progression via stabilizing YAP through monoubiquitylation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19496. [PMID: 39174635 PMCID: PMC11341911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70458-8] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive human malignancy without effective treatment. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a critical effector of the Hippo pathway, which is essential in thyroid carcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of aberrant YAP expression in ATC are not completely understood. Ubiquitylation-related enzyme siRNA screening identified the ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component n-recognin 1 (UBR1) as a stabilizer of YAP in ATC cells. UBR1 deficiency reduced YAP protein levels and its target gene expression. UBR1 directly interacted with YAP and promoted its monoubiquitylation, competitively suppressing its polyubiquitylation and resulting in extended protein half-life. UBR1 depletion reduced ATC cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Xenograft tumor studies also suggested that UBR1 knockdown suppressed ATC cell growth in vivo. Furthermore, exogenous YAP expression partially reversed the inhibitive effects of UBR1 depletion on ATC cell proliferation and migration. Our studies demonstrated that UBR1 directly interacts with YAP and stabilized it in a monoubiquitylation-dependent manner, consequently promoting ATC tumorigenesis, suggesting that UBR1 might be a potentially therapeutic target for ATC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Xia
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu Yuan
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiang Luo
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuxin Zeng
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mini Zhang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiawen Tang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ziyu Jiang
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Gong
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Conghua Xie
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Song M, Zhu L, Zhang L, Ge X, Cao J, Teng Y, Tian R. Combination of Molecule-Targeted Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy Using Nanoformulated Verteporfin for Effective Uveal Melanoma Treatment. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2340-2350. [PMID: 38546166 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01117] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary ocular malignancy in adults and has high mortality. Recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance are frequently observed in UM, but no beneficial systemic therapy is available, presenting an urgent need for developing effective therapeutic drugs. Verteporfin (VP) is a photosensitizer and a Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) inhibitor that has been used in clinical practice. However, VP's lack of tumor targetability, poor biocompatibility, and relatively low treatment efficacy hamper its application in UM management. Herein, we developed a biocompatible CD44-targeting hyaluronic acid nanoparticle (HANP) carrying VP (HANP/VP) to improve UM treatment efficacy. We found that HANP/VP showed a stronger inhibitory effect on cell proliferation than that of free VP in UM cells. Systemic delivery of HANP/VP led to targeted accumulation in the UM-tumor-bearing mouse model. Notably, HANP/VP mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly inhibited UM tumor growth after laser irradiation compared with no treatment or free VP treatment. Consistently, in HANP/VP treated tumors after laser irradiation, the tumor proliferation and YAP expression level were decreased, while the apoptotic tumor cell and CD8+ immune cell levels were elevated, contributing to effective tumor growth inhibition. Overall, the results of this preclinical study showed that HANP/VP is an effective nanomedicine for tumor treatment through PDT and inhibition of YAP in the UM tumor mouse model. Combining phototherapy and molecular-targeted therapy offers a promising approach for aggressive UM management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijiao Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Surgery and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Lumeng Zhang
- Department of Surgery and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiaoguang Ge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jinfeng Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Rui Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
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Qiu D, Xu S, Ji K, Tang C. Myeloid Cell-Derived IL-1 Signaling Damps Neuregulin-1 from Fibroblasts to Suppress Colitis-Induced Early Repair of the Intestinal Epithelium. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4469. [PMID: 38674054 PMCID: PMC11050633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084469] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuregulin-1 (Nrg1, gene symbol: Nrg1), a ligand of the ErbB receptor family, promotes intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and repair. However, the dynamics and accurate derivation of Nrg1 expression during colitis remain unclear. By analyzing the public single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets and employing a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model, we investigated the cell source of Nrg1 expression and its potential regulator in the process of epithelial healing. Nrg1 was majorly expressed in stem-like fibroblasts arising early in mouse colon after DSS administration, and Nrg1-Erbb3 signaling was identified as a potential mediator of interaction between stem-like fibroblasts and colonic epithelial cells. During the ongoing colitis phase, a significant infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils secreting IL-1β emerged, accompanied by the rise in stem-like fibroblasts that co-expressed Nrg1 and IL-1 receptor 1. By stimulating intestinal or lung fibroblasts with IL-1β in the context of inflammation, we observed a downregulation of Nrg1 expression. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease also exhibited an increase in NRG1+IL1R1+ fibroblasts and an interaction of NRG1-ERBB between IL1R1+ fibroblasts and colonic epithelial cells. This study reveals a novel potential mechanism for mucosal healing after inflammation-induced epithelial injury, in which inflammatory myeloid cell-derived IL-1β suppresses the early regeneration of intestinal tissue by interfering with the secretion of reparative neuregulin-1 by stem-like fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Qiu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No.58, Zhong Shan Er Lu, Guangzhou 510080, China;
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (S.X.); (K.J.)
| | - Shaoting Xu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (S.X.); (K.J.)
| | - Kaile Ji
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (S.X.); (K.J.)
| | - Ce Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No.58, Zhong Shan Er Lu, Guangzhou 510080, China;
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (S.X.); (K.J.)
- Animal Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Hanrahan AJ, Chen Z, Rosen N, Solit DB. BRAF - a tumour-agnostic drug target with lineage-specific dependencies. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:224-247. [PMID: 38278874 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
In June 2022, the FDA granted Accelerated Approval to the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib for the treatment of adult and paediatric patients (≥6 years of age) with unresectable or metastatic BRAFV600E-mutant solid tumours, except for BRAFV600E-mutant colorectal cancers. The histology-agnostic approval of dabrafenib plus trametinib marks the culmination of two decades of research into the landscape of BRAF mutations in human cancers, the biochemical mechanisms underlying BRAF-mediated tumorigenesis, and the clinical development of selective RAF and MEK inhibitors. Although the majority of patients with BRAFV600E-mutant tumours derive clinical benefit from BRAF inhibitor-based combinations, resistance to treatment develops in most. In this Review, we describe the biochemical basis for oncogenic BRAF-induced activation of MAPK signalling and pan-cancer and lineage-specific mechanisms of intrinsic, adaptive and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. We also discuss novel RAF inhibitors and drug combinations designed to delay the emergence of treatment resistance and/or expand the population of patients with BRAF-mutant cancers who benefit from molecularly targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aphrothiti J Hanrahan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ziyu Chen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David B Solit
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Landa I, Cabanillas ME. Genomic alterations in thyroid cancer: biological and clinical insights. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:93-110. [PMID: 38049644 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00920-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumours can arise from thyroid follicular cells if they acquire driver mutations that constitutively activate the MAPK signalling pathway. In addition, a limited set of additional mutations in key genes drive tumour progression towards more aggressive and less differentiated disease. Unprecedented insights into thyroid tumour biology have come from the breadth of thyroid tumour sequencing data from patients and the wide range of mutation-specific mechanisms identified in experimental models, in combination with the genomic simplicity of thyroid cancers. This knowledge is gradually being translated into refined strategies to stratify, manage and treat patients with thyroid cancer. This Review summarizes the biological underpinnings of the genetic alterations involved in thyroid cancer initiation and progression. We also provide a rationale for and discuss specific examples of how to implement genomic information to inform both recommended and investigational approaches to improve thyroid cancer prognosis, redifferentiation strategies and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Landa
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Maria E Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Zhao Y, Sheldon M, Sun Y, Ma L. New Insights into YAP/TAZ-TEAD-Mediated Gene Regulation and Biological Processes in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5497. [PMID: 38067201 PMCID: PMC10705714 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is conserved across species. Key mammalian Hippo pathway kinases, including MST1/2 and LATS1/2, inhibit cellular growth by inactivating the TEAD coactivators, YAP, and TAZ. Extensive research has illuminated the roles of Hippo signaling in cancer, development, and regeneration. Notably, dysregulation of Hippo pathway components not only contributes to tumor growth and metastasis, but also renders tumors resistant to therapies. This review delves into recent research on YAP/TAZ-TEAD-mediated gene regulation and biological processes in cancer. We focus on several key areas: newly identified molecular patterns of YAP/TAZ activation, emerging mechanisms that contribute to metastasis and cancer therapy resistance, unexpected roles in tumor suppression, and advances in therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway. Moreover, we provide an updated view of YAP/TAZ's biological functions, discuss ongoing controversies, and offer perspectives on specific debated topics in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.Z.); (M.S.)
| | - Marisela Sheldon
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.Z.); (M.S.)
| | - Yutong Sun
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.Z.); (M.S.)
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Abstract
Background: Very little was known about the molecular pathogenesis of thyroid cancer until the late 1980s. As part of the Centennial celebration of the American Thyroid Association, we review the historical discoveries that contributed to our current understanding of the genetic underpinnings of thyroid cancer. Summary: The pace of discovery was heavily dependent on scientific breakthroughs in nucleic acid sequencing technology, cancer biology, thyroid development, thyroid cell signaling, and growth regulation. Accordingly, we attempt to link the primary observations on thyroid cancer molecular genetics with the methodological and scientific advances that made them possible. Conclusions: The major genetic drivers of the common forms of thyroid cancer are now quite well established and contribute to a significant extent to how we diagnose and treat the disease. However, many challenges remain. Future work will need to unravel the complexity of thyroid cancer ecosystems, which is likely to be a major determinant of their biological behavior and on how they respond to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Fagin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuri E. Nikiforov
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Fagin JA, Krishnamoorthy GP, Landa I. Pathogenesis of cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:631-650. [PMID: 37438605 PMCID: PMC10763075 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00598-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The genomic simplicity of differentiated cancers derived from thyroid follicular cells offers unique insights into how oncogenic drivers impact tumour phenotype. Essentially, the main oncoproteins in thyroid cancer activate nodes in the receptor tyrosine kinase-RAS-BRAF pathway, which constitutively induces MAPK signalling to varying degrees consistent with their specific biochemical mechanisms of action. The magnitude of the flux through the MAPK signalling pathway determines key elements of thyroid cancer biology, including differentiation state, invasive properties and the cellular composition of the tumour microenvironment. Progression of disease results from genomic lesions that drive immortalization, disrupt chromatin accessibility and cause cell cycle checkpoint dysfunction, in conjunction with a tumour microenvironment characterized by progressive immunosuppression. This Review charts the genomic trajectories of these common endocrine tumours, while connecting them to the biological states that they confer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Fagin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Gnana P Krishnamoorthy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iñigo Landa
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Leandro-García LJ, Landa I. Mechanistic Insights of Thyroid Cancer Progression. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad118. [PMID: 37503738 PMCID: PMC10403681 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) are primarily initiated by mutations that activate the MAPK signaling cascade, typically at BRAF or RAS oncoproteins. DTCs can evolve to more aggressive forms, specifically, poorly differentiated (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancers (ATC), by acquiring additional genetic alterations which deregulate key pathways. In this review, we focused on bona fide mutations involved in thyroid cancer progression for which consistent mechanistic data exist. Here we summarized the relevant literature, spanning approximately 2 decades, highlighting genetic alterations that are unquestionably enriched in PDTC/ATC. We describe the relevant functional data obtained in multiple in vitro and in vivo thyroid cancer models employed to study genetic alterations in the following genes and functional groups: TP53, effectors of the PI3K/AKT pathway, TERT promoter, members of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, NF2, and EIF1AX. In addition, we briefly discuss other genetic alterations that are selected in aggressive thyroid tumors but for which mechanistic data is still either limited or nonexistent. Overall, we argue for the importance conveyed by preclinical studies for the clinical translation of genomic knowledge of thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Javier Leandro-García
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Iñigo Landa
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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