Bone morphogenetic protein inhibitors and mitochondria targeting agents synergistically induce apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) caspase-independent cell death in lung cancer cells

RHBDF1 modulates cisplatin sensitivity of small cell lung cancer through YAP1/Smad2 signaling pathway

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fatal tumor type that is prone to drug resistance. In our previous study, we showed that human rhomboid-5 homolog-1 (RHBDF1) was differentially expressed in 5 intrinsic cisplatin-resistant SCLC tissues compared with 5 intrinsic cisplatin-sensitive SCLC tissues by RNA sequencing, which intrigued us. We performed gain- and loss-of-function experiments to investigate RHBDF1 function, bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunoprecipitation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms as well as detect RHBDF1 expression in SCLC by immunohistochemistry. We found that RHBDF1 knockdown promoted cell proliferation and cisplatin chemoresistance and inhibited apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These effects could be reversed by overexpressing RHBDF1 in vitro. Mechanistically, RHBDF1 interacted with YAP1, which increased the phosphorylation of Smad2 and transported Smad2 to the nucleus. Among clinical specimens, the RHBDF1 was a low expression in SCLC and was associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis. We are the first to reveal that RHBDF1 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cisplatin sensitivity in SCLC and elucidate a novel mechanism through RHBDF1/YAP1/Smad2 signaling pathway which played a crucial role in cisplatin chemosensitivity. Targeting this pathway can be a promising therapeutic strategy for chemotherapy resistance in SCLC.

Current understanding of the pathogenesis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder with focus on mitochondrial function

AIM

The refinement of assisted reproductive technology, including the development of cryopreservation techniques (vitrification) and ovarian stimulation protocols, makes frozen embryo transfer (FET) an alternative to fresh ET and has contributed to the success of assisted reproductive technology. Compared with fresh ET cycles, FET cycles were associated with better in vitro fertilization outcomes; however, the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) was higher in FET cycles. PAS has been increasing steadily in incidence as a life-threatening condition along with cesarean rates worldwide. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of PAS and discuss future research directions.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases.

RESULTS

Risk factors associated with PAS incidence include a primary defect of the decidua basalis or scar dehiscence, aberrant vascular remodeling, and abnormally invasive trophoblasts, or a combination thereof. Freezing, thawing, and hormone replacement manipulations have been shown to affect multiple cellular pathways, including cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and mitochondrial function. Molecules involved in abnormal migration and EMT of extravillous trophoblast cells are beginning to be identified in PAS placentas. Many of these molecules were also found to be involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics.

CONCLUSION

The etiology of PAS may be a multifactorial genesis with intrinsic predisposition (e.g., placental abnormalities) and certain environmental factors (e.g., defective decidua) as triggers for its development. A distinctive feature of this review is its focus on the potential factors linking mitochondrial function to PAS development.

BMP signaling in cancer stemness and differentiation

The BMP (Bone morphogenetic protein) signaling pathway plays a central role in metazoan biology, intricately shaping embryonic development, maintaining tissue homeostasis, and influencing disease progression. In the context of cancer, BMP signaling exhibits context-dependent dynamics, spanning from tumor suppression to promotion. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a modest subset of neoplastic cells with stem-like attributes, exert substantial influence by steering tumor growth, orchestrating therapy resistance, and contributing to relapse. A comprehensive grasp of the intricate interplay between CSCs and their microenvironment is pivotal for effective therapeutic strategies. Among the web of signaling pathways orchestrating cellular dynamics within CSCs, BMP signaling emerges as a vital conductor, overseeing CSC self-renewal, differentiation dynamics, and the intricate symphony within the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, BMP signaling's influence in cancer extends beyond CSCs, intricately regulating cellular migration, invasion, and metastasis. This multifaceted role underscores the imperative of comprehending BMP signaling's contributions to cancer, serving as the foundation for crafting precise therapies to navigate multifaceted challenges posed not only by CSCs but also by various dimensions of cancer progression. This article succinctly encapsulates the diverse roles of the BMP signaling pathway across different cancers, spanning glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), colorectal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), lung cancer, prostate cancer, and osteosarcoma. It underscores the necessity of unraveling underlying mechanisms and molecular interactions. By delving into the intricate tapestry of BMP signaling's engagement in cancers, researchers pave the way for meticulously tailored therapies, adroitly leveraging its dualistic aspects-whether as a suppressor or promoter-to effectively counter the relentless march of tumor progression.

Biological function, mediate cell death pathway and their potential regulated mechanisms for post-mortem muscle tenderization of PARP1: A review

Tenderness is a key attribute of meat quality that affects consumers' willingness to purchase meat. Changes in the physiological environment of skeletal muscles following slaughter can disrupt the balance of redox homeostasis and may lead to cell death. Excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the myocytes causes DNA damage and activates poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), which is involved in different intracellular metabolic pathways and is known to affect muscle tenderness during post-slaughter maturation. There is an urgent requirement to summarize the related research findings. Thus, this paper reviews the current research on the protein structure of PARP1 and its metabolism and activation, outlines the mechanisms underlying the function of PARP1 in regulating muscle tenderness through cysteine protease 3 (Caspase-3), oxidative stress, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and energy metabolism. In addition, we describe the mechanisms of PARP1 in apoptosis and necrosis pathways to provide a theoretical reference for enhancing the mature technology of post-mortem muscle tenderization.

Ym155 localizes to the mitochondria leading to mitochondria dysfunction and activation of AMPK that inhibits BMP signaling in lung cancer cells

The imidazolium compound Ym155 was first reported to be a survivin inhibitor. Ym155 potently induces cell death of many types of cancer cells in preclinical studies. However, in phase II clinical trials Ym155 failed to demonstrate a significant benefit. Studies have suggested that the cytotoxic effects of Ym155 in cancer cells are not mediated by the inhibition of survivin. Understanding the mechanism by which Ym155 induces cell death would provide important insight how to improve its efficacy as a cancer therapeutic. We demonstrate a novel mechanism by which Ym155 induces cell death by localizing to the mitochondria causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Our studies suggest that Ym155 binds mitochondrial DNA leading to a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation, decrease in TCA cycle intermediates, and an increase in mitochondrial permeability. Furthermore, we show that mitochondrial stress induced by Ym155 and other mitochondrial inhibitors activates AMP-activated kinase leading to the downregulation to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. We provide first evidence that Ym155 initiates cell death by disrupting mitochondrial function.