Low DLG2 gene expression, a link between 11q-deleted and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, causes forced cell cycle progression, and predicts poor patient survival

The Identification of RPL4 as a Hub Gene Associated with Goat Litter Size via Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis

Reproduction in goats is a highly complex and dynamic process of life regulation, involving coordinated regulation from various aspects such as central nervous system regulation, reproductive system development, oocyte maturation, and fertilized egg development. In recent years, researchers have identified numerous genes associated with goat reproductive performance through high-throughput sequencing, single-cell sequencing, gene knockout, and other techniques. However, there is still an urgent need to explore marker genes related to goat reproductive performance. In this study, a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset of oocytes (GSE136005) was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to identify modules highly correlated with goat litter size. Through gene function enrichment analysis, it was found that genes within the modules were mainly enriched in adhesive junctions, cell cycle, and other signaling pathways. Additionally, the top 30 hub genes with the highest connectivity in WGCNA were identified. Subsequently, using Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis, the top 30 genes with the highest connectivity within the modules were identified. The intersection of hub genes, key genes in the PPI network, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) led to the identification of the RPL4 gene as a key marker gene associated with reproductive capacity in goat oocytes. Overall, our study reveals that the RPL4 gene in oocytes holds promise as a biological marker for assessing goat litter size, deepening our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying goat reproductive performance.

A Potential Prognostic Gene Signature Associated with p53-Dependent NTRK1 Activation and Increased Survival of Neuroblastoma Patients

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children, comprising close to 10% of childhood cancer-related deaths. We have demonstrated that activation of NTRK1 by TP53 repression of PTPN6 expression is significantly associated with favourable survival in neuroblastoma. The molecular mechanisms by which this activation elicits cell molecular changes need to be determined. This is critical to identify dependable biomarkers for the early detection and prognosis of tumours, and for the development of personalised treatment. In this investigation we have identified and validated a gene signature for the prognosis of neuroblastoma using genes differentially expressed upon activation of the NTRK1-PTPN6-TP53 module. A random survival forest model was used to construct a gene signature, which was then assessed across validation datasets using Kaplan-Meier analysis and ROC curves. The analysis demonstrated that high BASP1, CD9, DLG2, FNBP1, FRMD3, IL11RA, ISGF10, IQCE, KCNQ3, and TOX2, and low BSG/CD147, CCDC125, GABRB3, GNB2L1/RACK1 HAPLN4, HEBP2, and HSD17B12 expression was significantly associated with favourable patient event-free survival (EFS). The gene signature was associated with favourable tumour histology and NTRK1-PTPN6-TP53 module activation. Importantly, all genes were significantly associated with favourable EFS in an independent manner. Six of the signature genes, BSG/CD147, GNB2L1/RACK1, TXNDC5, FNPB1, B3GAT1, and IGSF10, play a role in cell differentiation. Our findings strongly suggest that the identified gene signature is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for neuroblastoma patients and that it is associated with neuroblastoma cell differentiation through the activation of the NTRK1-PTPN6-TP53 module.

Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in a Cohort of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Tumors and Its Relation to Genomic Variants in the TERT and ATRX Genes

Tumor cells are hallmarked by their capacity to undergo unlimited cell divisions, commonly accomplished either by mechanisms that activate TERT or through the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous pediatric cancer, and the aim of this study was to characterize telomere maintenance mechanisms in a high-risk neuroblastoma cohort. All tumor samples were profiled with SNP microarrays and, when material was available, subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Telomere length was estimated from WGS data, samples were assayed for the ALT biomarker c-circles, and selected samples were subjected to methylation array analysis. Samples with ATRX aberration in this study were positive for c-circles, whereas samples with either MYCN amplification or TERT re-arrangement were negative for c-circles. Both ATRX aberrations and TERT re-arrangement were enriched in 11q-deleted samples. An association between older age at diagnosis and 1q-deletion was found in the ALT-positive group. TERT was frequently placed in juxtaposition to a previously established gene in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis or cancer in general. Given the importance of high-risk neuroblastoma, means for mitigating active telomere maintenance must be therapeutically explored.

Bioinformatics analysis of miRNAs in the neuroblastoma 11q-deleted region reveals a role of miR-548l in both 11q-deleted and MYCN amplified tumour cells

Neuroblastoma is a childhood tumour that is responsible for approximately 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Neuroblastoma tumours with amplification of the oncogene MYCN are aggressive, however, another aggressive subgroup without MYCN amplification also exists; rather, they have a deleted region at chromosome arm 11q. Twenty-six miRNAs are located within the breakpoint region of chromosome 11q and have been checked for a possible involvement in development of neuroblastoma due to the genomic alteration. Target genes of these miRNAs are involved in pathways associated with cancer, including proliferation, apoptosis and DNA repair. We could show that miR-548l found within the 11q region is downregulated in neuroblastoma cell lines with 11q deletion or MYCN amplification. In addition, we showed that the restoration of miR-548l level in a neuroblastoma cell line led to a decreased proliferation of these cells as well as a decrease in the percentage of cells in the S phase. We also found that miR-548l overexpression suppressed cell viability and promoted apoptosis, while miR-548l knockdown promoted cell viability and inhibited apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Our results indicate that 11q-deleted neuroblastoma and MYCN amplified neuroblastoma coalesce by downregulating miR-548l.

Inflammation suppresses DLG2 expression decreasing inflammasome formation

Purpose

Loss of expression of DLG2 has been identified in a number of cancers to contribute to the disease by resulting in increased tumor cell proliferation and poor survival. In light of the previous evidence that DLG2 alters the cell cycle and affects proliferation, combined with indications that DLG2 is involved in NLRP3 inflammasome axis we speculated that DLG2 has an immune function. So far, there is no data that clearly elucidates this role, and this study was designed to investigate DLG2 in inflammatory colon disease and in colon cancer as well as its impact on inflammasome induction.

Methods

The DLG2 expression levels were established in publicly available inflammation, colon cancer and mouse model datasets. The overexpression and silencing of DLG2 in colon cancer cells were used to determine the effect of DLG2 expression on the activation of the inflammasome and subsequent cytokine release.

Results

The expression of DLG2 is repressed in inflammatory colon diseases IBD and Ulcerative colitis as well as colorectal cancer tissue compared to healthy individuals. We subsequently show that induction with inflammatory agents in cell and animal models results in a biphasic alteration of DLG2 with an initial increase followed by an ensuing decrease. DLG2 overexpression leads to a significant increase in expression of IL1B, IκBζ and BAX, components that result in inflammasome formation. DLG2 silencing in THP1 cells resulted in increased release of IL-6 into the microenvironment which once used to treat bystander COLO205 cells resulted in an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation and an increase proliferating cells and more cells in the G2/M phase. Restoration of DLG2 to the colon resulted in reduced AKT and S6 signaling.

Conclusion

DLG2 expression is altered in response to inflammation in the gut as well as colon cancer, resulting in altered ability to form inflammasomes.

Trial registration

NCT03072641.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-022-04029-7.

Silencing of AKIP1 Suppresses the Proliferation, Migration, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process of Glioma Cells by Upregulating DLG2

Gliomas, the most prevalent brain tumors, account for nearly one-third of the all brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors diagnosed in the USA. The purpose of this study was to discuss the important role of A kinase-interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) in glioma and reveal the potential mechanism. After prediction by CCLE, the expression of AKIP1 was determined by qRT-PCR and western blot. The impacts of AKIP1 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and invasion were then measured by MTT, colony formation assay, wound healing, and transwell assays. Western blot was used to assess the protein levels of migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) related factors. Subsequently, the expression of Disks Large Homolog 2 (DLG2) was predicted by bioinformatics analyses, and the interaction between AKIP1 and DLG2 was confirmed by IP assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Finally, DLG2 was further downregulated in glioma cells to detect the association between AKIP1 and DLG2 in the cellular functions of glioma. It was demonstrated that AKIP1 exhibited a high level in glioma cells, and interference of AKIP1 led to reductions in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of glioma cells. DLG2, which was lowly expressed in glioma cells, demonstrated a negative link to AKIP2. Inhibition of both AKIP2 and DLG2 counteracted the inhibited cellular behaviors on account of AKIP1 interference. To be concluded, this study presented evidence that AKIP1 silencing suppressed the progression of glioma via targeting DLG2, which could provide novel insights to impede the development of glioma.

Impact of 11q Loss of Heterozygosity Status on the Response of High-Risk Neuroblastoma With MYCN Amplification to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether 11q loss of heterozygosity (LOH) aberration would impact the response of the primary tumor to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or to the degree of surgical resection in neuroblastoma (NB) patients with MYCN amplification.

METHODS

The clinical data of 42 NB patients with MYCN amplification who were newly diagnosed and received treatments at our hospital from 2011 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of the segmental chromosome aberration analysis, the patients enrolled were assigned to an 11qLOH positive group and an 11qLOH negative group.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the mean number of chemotherapy courses completed before surgery between the 11qLOH positive and 11qLOH negative groups (p = 0.242). Each of the 42 patients had metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans both before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The percentage of patients who had a clinical MIBG change in the 11qLOH positive group was lower than the percentage in the 11qLOH negative group (27.27 vs. 66.67%, p = 0.030). The 11qLOH negative group seemed to have a higher rate of surgical resection (≥90%); however, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.088). Furthermore, the 11qLOH negative group did not show significantly superior event-free survival and overall survival rates compared with the 11qLOH positive group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that patients with NB and MYCN amplification in combination with 11qLOH might be less likely to respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy when compared with patients with NB and MYCN amplification without 11qLOH.

Chromosome Imbalances in Neuroblastoma-Recent Molecular Insight into Chromosome 1p-deletion, 2p-gain, and 11q-deletion Identifies New Friends and Foes for the Future

Simple Summary

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer that arises in the sympathetic nervous system. High-risk neuroblastoma is clinically challenging and identification of novel therapies, particularly those that offer a reduction in morbidity for these patients, is a high priority. Combining genetic analyses with investigation of molecular mechanisms, while considering recent advances in our understanding of key developmental events, provides avenues for future treatment. Here we review and highlight several recently published articles that address novel molecular mechanisms arising from chromosome 1p, 2p, and 11q aberrations, which likely contribute to high-risk neuroblastoma, and discusses their potential impact on treatment options.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid pediatric tumor, with around 15% childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastomas exhibit a range of genetic, morphological, and clinical heterogeneities, which add complexity to diagnosis and treatment with existing modalities. Identification of novel therapies is a high priority in high-risk neuroblastoma, and the combination of genetic analysis with increased mechanistic understanding—including identification of key signaling and developmental events—provides optimism for the future. This focused review highlights several recent findings concerning chromosomes 1p, 2p, and 11q, which link genetic aberrations with aberrant molecular signaling output. These novel molecular insights contribute important knowledge towards more effective treatment strategies for neuroblastoma.

The loss of DLG2 isoform 7/8, but not isoform 2, is critical in advanced staged neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma is a childhood neural crest tumor showing large clinical and genetic heterogeneity, one form displaying 11q-deletion is very aggressive. It has been shown that 11q-deletion results in decreased expression of DLG2, a gene residing in the deleted region. DLG2 has a number of different isoforms with the main difference is the presence or absence of a L27 domain. The L27 domain containing DLG proteins can form complexes with CASK/MPP and LIN7 protein family members, which will control cell polarity and signaling.

METHODS

We evaluated the DLG gene family and the LIN7 gene family for their expression in differently INSS staged neuroblastoma from publically available data and primary tumors, we included two distinct DLG1 and DLG2 N-terminal transcript isoforms encoding L27 domains for their expression. Functionality of DLG2 isoforms and of LIN7A were evaluated in the 11q-deleted neuroblastoma cell line SKNAS.

RESULTS

In neuroblastoma only two DLG2 isoforms were expressed: isoform 2 and isoform 7/8. Using the array data we could determine that higher expression of DLG members that contain L27 domains correlated to better survival and prognosis. Whilst DLG1 showed a decrease in both isoforms with increased INSS stage, only the full length L27 containing DLG2 transcripts DLG2-isoform 7/8 showed a decrease in expression in high stage neuroblastoma. We could show that the protein encoded by DLG2-isoform 7 could bind to LIN7A, and increased DLG2-isoform 7 gene expression increased the expression of LIN7A, this reduced neuroblastoma cell proliferation and viability, with increased BAX/BCL2 ratio indicating increased apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

We have provided evidence that gene expression of the L27 domain containing DLG2-isoform 7/8 but not L27 domain lacking DLG2-isoform 2 is disrupted in neuroblastoma, in particular in the aggressive subsets of tumors. The presence of the complete L27 domain allows for the binding to LIN7A, which will control cell polarity and signaling, thus affecting cancer cell viability.