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Wu W, Zhou S, Fei G, Wang R. The role of long noncoding RNA MEG3 in fibrosis diseases. Postgrad Med J 2024; 100:529-538. [PMID: 38430191 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgad124] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a prevalent pathological condition observed in various organs and tissues. It primarily arises from the excessive and abnormal accumulation of the extracellular matrix, resulting in the structural and functional impairment of tissues and organs, which can culminate in death. Many forms of fibrosis, including liver, cardiac, pulmonary, and renal fibrosis, are considered irreversible. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is an imprinted RNA gene. Historically, the downregulation of MEG3 has been linked to tumor pathogenesis. However, recent studies indicate an emerging association of MEG3 with fibrotic diseases. In this review, we delve into the current understanding of MEG3's role in fibrosis, aiming to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis and the potential of MEG3 as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Afiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Sijing Zhou
- Department of Occupational Disease, Hefei Third Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Guanghe Fei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Afiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Afiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
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2
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Alberti G, Amico MD, Caruso Bavisotto C, Rappa F, Marino Gammazza A, Bucchieri F, Cappello F, Scalia F, Szychlinska MA. Speeding up Glioblastoma Cancer Research: Highlighting the Zebrafish Xenograft Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5394. [PMID: 38791432 PMCID: PMC11121320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105394] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a very aggressive and lethal primary brain cancer in adults. The multifaceted nature of GBM pathogenesis, rising from complex interactions between cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), has posed great treatment challenges. Despite significant scientific efforts, the prognosis for GBM remains very poor, even after intensive treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Efficient GBM management still requires the invention of innovative treatment strategies. There is a strong necessity to complete cancer in vitro studies and in vivo studies to properly evaluate the mechanisms of tumor progression within the complex TME. In recent years, the animal models used to study GBM tumors have evolved, achieving highly invasive GBM models able to provide key information on the molecular mechanisms of GBM onset. At present, the most commonly used animal models in GBM research are represented by mammalian models, such as mouse and canine ones. However, the latter present several limitations, such as high cost and time-consuming management, making them inappropriate for large-scale anticancer drug evaluation. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model has emerged as a valuable tool for studying GBM. It has shown great promise in preclinical studies due to numerous advantages, such as its small size, its ability to generate a large cohort of genetically identical offspring, and its rapid development, permitting more time- and cost-effective management and high-throughput drug screening when compared to mammalian models. Moreover, due to its transparent nature in early developmental stages and genetic and anatomical similarities with humans, it allows for translatable brain cancer research and related genetic screening and drug discovery. For this reason, the aim of the present review is to highlight the potential of relevant transgenic and xenograft zebrafish models and to compare them to the traditionally used animal models in GBM research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Alberti
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Maria Denise Amico
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Celeste Caruso Bavisotto
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
- Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Rappa
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
- The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Marino Gammazza
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Fabio Bucchieri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Francesco Cappello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
- Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Scalia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.D.A.); (C.C.B.); (F.R.); (A.M.G.); (F.B.); (F.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Marta Anna Szychlinska
- Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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3
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Luo X, He X, Zhang X, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Hua S. Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e474. [PMID: 38318160 PMCID: PMC10838672 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with a high mortality rate. It is regarded as a significant public health issue because of its complicated pathophysiology, high metastasis, and recurrence rates. There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of HCC, which often leads to delays in diagnosis. Traditional treatment methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and interventional therapies have limited therapeutic effects for HCC patients with recurrence or metastasis. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, molecular signaling pathways and immune checkpoint were identified as the main mechanism of HCC progression. Targeting these molecules has become a new direction for the treatment of HCC. At present, the combination of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors is the first choice for advanced HCC patients. In this review, we mainly focus on the cutting-edge research of signaling pathways and corresponding targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC. It is of great significance to comprehensively understand the pathogenesis of HCC, search for potential therapeutic targets, and optimize the treatment strategies of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Luo
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Xin He
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Xingmei Zhang
- Department of NeurobiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Yuzhe Zhang
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Yusheng Shi
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Shengni Hua
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
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4
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Gao Y, Shan Z, Jian C, Wang Y, Yao X, Li S, Ti X, Zhao G, Liu C, Zhang Q. HIB/SPOP inhibits Ci/Gli-mediated tumorigenesis by modulating the RNA Polymerase II components stabilities. iScience 2023; 26:107334. [PMID: 37554435 PMCID: PMC10404538 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107334] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling mediated by transcription factor Ci/Gli plays a vital role in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis in invertebrates and vertebrates, whose dysregulation leads to many human disorders, including cancer. However, till now, cofactors of Ci/Gli which can affect tumorigenesis are not well known. Here, through genetic screen, we find overexpression of active Ci alone is not sufficient to generate tumor-like eye phenotype in Drosophila, however, its overexpression combined with knockdown of hib causes a striking tumor-like big eye phenotype. Mechanistically, HIB/SPOP inhibits Ci/Gli-mediated tumorigenesis by modulating the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) components Rpb3/Rpb7 stabilities in E3 ligase dependent manner. In addition, Ci/Gli can promote HIB/SPOP-mediated Rpb7/Rpb3 degradation. Taken together, our results indicate Ci/Gli needs to hook up with suitable RNAPII together to achieve the tumor-like eye phenotype and HIB/SPOP plays dual roles through controlling Ci/Gli and Rpb3/Rpb7 protein stabilities to temper Ci/Gli/RNAPII-mediated tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxue Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Zhaoliang Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Chunhua Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Xia Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Xiuxiu Ti
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Guochun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
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5
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Platova S, Poliushkevich L, Kulakova M, Nesterenko M, Starunov V, Novikova E. Gotta Go Slow: Two Evolutionarily Distinct Annelids Retain a Common Hedgehog Pathway Composition, Outlining Its Pan-Bilaterian Core. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214312. [PMID: 36430788 PMCID: PMC9695228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is one of the key regulators of morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and regeneration. While the Hh pathway is present in all bilaterians, it has mainly been studied in model animals such as Drosophila and vertebrates. Despite the conservatism of its core components, mechanisms of signal transduction and additional components vary in Ecdysozoa and Deuterostomia. Vertebrates have multiple copies of the pathway members, which complicates signaling implementation, whereas model ecdysozoans appear to have lost some components due to fast evolution rates. To shed light on the ancestral state of Hh signaling, models from the third clade, Spiralia, are needed. In our research, we analyzed the transcriptomes of two spiralian animals, errantial annelid Platynereis dumerilii (Nereididae) and sedentarian annelid Pygospio elegans (Spionidae). We found that both annelids express almost all Hh pathway components present in Drosophila and mouse. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the core pathway components and built multiple sequence alignments of the additional key members. Our results imply that the Hh pathway compositions of both annelids share more similarities with vertebrates than with the fruit fly. Possessing an almost complete set of single-copy Hh pathway members, lophotrochozoan signaling composition may reflect the ancestral features of all three bilaterian branches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Platova
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | | | - Milana Kulakova
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (E.N.)
| | | | - Viktor Starunov
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Elena Novikova
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Zoological Institute RAS, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (E.N.)
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6
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Jiang J. Hedgehog signaling mechanism and role in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 85:107-122. [PMID: 33836254 PMCID: PMC8492792 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication through evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways governs embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of these signaling pathways has been implicated in a wide range of human diseases including cancer. One such pathway is the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, which was originally discovered in Drosophila and later found to play a fundamental role in human development and diseases. Abnormal Hh pathway activation is a major driver of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and medulloblastoma. Hh exerts it biological influence through a largely conserved signal transduction pathway from the activation of the GPCR family transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) to the conversion of latent Zn-finger transcription factors Gli/Ci proteins from their repressor (GliR/CiR) to activator (GliA/CiA) forms. Studies from model organisms and human patients have provided deep insight into the Hh signal transduction mechanisms, revealed roles of Hh signaling in a wide range of human cancers, and suggested multiple strategies for targeting this pathway in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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7
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Cytoskeletal regulation of a transcription factor by DNA mimicry via coiled-coil interactions. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1088-1098. [PMID: 35725768 PMCID: PMC10016618 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00935-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A long-established strategy for transcription regulation is the tethering of transcription factors to cellular membranes. By contrast, the principal effectors of Hedgehog signalling, the GLI transcription factors, are regulated by microtubules in the primary cilium and the cytoplasm. How GLI is tethered to microtubules remains unclear. Here, we uncover DNA mimicry by the ciliary kinesin KIF7 as a mechanism for the recruitment of GLI to microtubules, wherein the coiled-coil dimerization domain of KIF7, characterized by its striking shape, size and charge similarity to DNA, forms a complex with the DNA-binding zinc fingers in GLI, thus revealing a mode of tethering a DNA-binding protein to the cytoskeleton. GLI increases KIF7 microtubule affinity and consequently modulates the localization of both proteins to microtubules and the cilium tip. Thus, the kinesin-microtubule system is not a passive GLI tether but a regulatable platform tuned by the kinesin-transcription factor interaction. We retooled this coiled-coil-based GLI-KIF7 interaction to inhibit the nuclear and cilium localization of GLI. This strategy can potentially be exploited to downregulate erroneously activated GLI in human cancers.
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8
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Qiu P, Liu J, Zhao L, Zhang P, Wang W, Shou D, Ji J, Li C, Chai K, Dong Y. Inoscavin A, a pyrone compound isolated from a Sanghuangporus vaninii extract, inhibits colon cancer cell growth and induces cell apoptosis via the hedgehog signaling pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:153852. [PMID: 35026508 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sanghuangporus vaninii, a large precious medicinal fungus called Sanghuang in China, has significant antitumor activity. We previously reported that a Sanghuangporus vaninii extract could lead to apoptosis in HT-29 cells through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We further found that Inoscavin A exhibited anti-colon cancer activity, but its specific mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. METHODS Inoscavin A was obtained from Sanghuangporus vaninii by the classic phytochemical separation technology. The male BALB/c nude mice were injected with HT-29 colon cancer cells as animal model. In order to observe the pathological changes of tumor section, the hematoxylin-eosin(H&E) staining was applied in the histological analysis. Metabolomics was utilized for the investigation of the overall changes of serum metabolites in animal model, and the potential targets of Inoscavin A were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). We further employed a molecular docking approach to predict the degree of combination of Inoscavin A and Smo. Then we further performed Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis to investigate the expression of proteins involved in Hh-related pathways in tumor tissues. In addition, the colony formation assay, scratch-wound assay and transwell migration and invasion assay were conducted to evaluate the anti-colon-cancer activity of Inoscavin A. Concurrently, the mitochondrial membrane potential assay and TUNEL apoptosis assay were detected to demonstrate the effect of Inoscavin A on promoting HT-29 cells apoptosis. Western blot experiments verified the anti-tumor effects of Inoscavin A were modulated the protein expression of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1 in HT-29 cells. RESULTS We showed that Inoscavin A, a pyrone compound isolated from the Sanghuangporus vaninii extract, exerted its antitumor activity in an HT-29 colon cancer cell xenograft mouse model. Subsequently, we first time prove that the antitumor effects of Inoscavin A were related to the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Smo, the core receptor of the Hh pathway, was critical for the induction of apoptosis of Inoscavin A and that overexpression of this target could significantly rescue cell apoptosis induced by Inoscavin A treatment. CONCLUSION Thus, our studies first propose that the natural outgrowth Inoscavin A exerted its anti-cancer effects by inhibiting Smo to suppress the activity of the Hh pathway though inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. These findings further indicate that Inoscavin A will be expected to be a prospective remedical compound for the treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Qiu
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hang zhou, China
| | - Jingqun Liu
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hang zhou, China
| | - Lisha Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hang zhou 310007, China
| | - Pinghu Zhang
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yang zhou, China
| | - Weike Wang
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hang zhou, China
| | - Dan Shou
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hang zhou 310007, China
| | - Jinjun Ji
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hang zhou, China
| | - Changyu Li
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hang zhou, China
| | - Kequn Chai
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hang zhou 310007, China.
| | - Yu Dong
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hang zhou 310007, China.
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9
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Zotter B, Dagan O, Brady J, Baloui H, Samanta J, Salzer JL. Gli1 Regulates the Postnatal Acquisition of Peripheral Nerve Architecture. J Neurosci 2022; 42:183-201. [PMID: 34772739 PMCID: PMC8802940 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3096-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerves are organized into discrete compartments. Axons, Schwann cells (SCs), and endoneurial fibroblasts (EFs) reside within the endoneurium and are surrounded by the perineurium, a cellular sheath comprised of layers of perineurial glia (PNG). SC secretion of Desert Hedgehog (Dhh) regulates this organization. In Dhh nulls, the perineurium is deficient and the endoneurium is subdivided into small compartments termed minifascicles. Human Dhh mutations cause a neuropathy with similar defects. Here we examine the role of Gli1, a canonical transcriptional effector of hedgehog signaling, in regulating peripheral nerve organization in mice of both genders. We identify PNG, EFs, and pericytes as Gli1-expressing cells by genetic fate mapping. Although expression of Dhh by SCs and Gli1 in target cells is coordinately regulated with myelination, Gli1 expression unexpectedly persists in Dhh null EFs. Thus, Gli1 is expressed in EFs noncanonically (i.e., independent of hedgehog signaling). Gli1 and Dhh also have nonredundant activities. Unlike Dhh nulls, Gli1 nulls have a normal perineurium. Like Dhh nulls, Gli1 nulls form minifascicles, which we show likely arise from EFs. Thus, Dhh and Gli1 are independent signals: Gli1 is dispensable for perineurial development but functions cooperatively with Dhh to drive normal endoneurial development. During development, Gli1 also regulates endoneurial extracellular matrix production, nerve vascular organization, and has modest, nonautonomous effects on SC sorting and myelination of axons. Finally, in adult nerves, induced deletion of Gli1 is sufficient to drive minifascicle formation. Thus, Gli1 regulates the development and is required to maintain the endoneurial architecture of peripheral nerves.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Peripheral nerves are organized into distinct cellular/ECM compartments: the epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium. This organization, with its associated cellular constituents, is critical for the structural and metabolic support of nerves and their response to injury. Here, we show that Gli1, a transcription factor normally expressed downstream of hedgehog signaling, is required for the proper organization of the endoneurium but not the perineurium. Unexpectedly, Gli1 expression by endoneurial cells is independent of, and functions nonredundantly with, Schwann Cell-derived Desert Hedgehog in regulating peripheral nerve architecture. These results further delineate how peripheral nerves acquire their distinctive organization during normal development, and highlight mechanisms that may regulate their reorganization in pathologic settings, including peripheral neuropathies and nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Zotter
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016
| | - Or Dagan
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016
| | - Jacob Brady
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016
| | - Hasna Baloui
- Departments of Neuroscience and Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
| | - Jayshree Samanta
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - James L Salzer
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016
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10
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Gao Q, Chang X, Yang M, Zheng J, Gong X, Liu H, Li K, Wang X, Zhan H, Li S, Feng S, Sun X, Sun Y. LncRNA MEG3 restrained pulmonary fibrosis induced by NiO NPs via regulating hedgehog signaling pathway-mediated autophagy. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2022; 37:79-91. [PMID: 34608745 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (lncRNA MEG3) was down-regulated in pulmonary fibrosis of rats induced by Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs), while the downstream regulatory mechanisms of MEG3 remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among MEG3, Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and autophagy in pulmonary fibrosis caused by NiO NPs. The pulmonary fibrosis model in rats was constructed by intratracheal instillation of 0.015, 0.06, and 0.24 mg/kg NiO NPs twice a week for 9 weeks. Collagen deposition model was established by treating A549 cells with 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL NiO NPs for 24 h. Our results indicated that NiO NPs activated Hh pathway, down-regulated the expression of MEG3, and reduced autophagy activity in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, the autophagy process was promoted by Hh pathway inhibitor (CDG-0449), while the collagen formation in A549 cells was reduced by autophagy activator (Rapamycin). Furthermore, the overexpressed MEG3 inhibited the activation of Hh pathway, resulting in autophagy activity enhancement along with collagen formation reduction. In summary, lncRNA MEG3 can restrain pulmonary fibrosis induced by NiO NPs via regulating hedgehog signaling pathway-mediated autophagy, which may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Gao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuhong Chang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Yang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinfa Zheng
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuefeng Gong
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haibing Zhan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Public Health, The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou city, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sanwei Feng
- Institute of Occupational Diseases, Gansu Baoshihua Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xingchang Sun
- Institute of Occupational Diseases, Gansu Baoshihua Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yingbiao Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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11
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Characterization of Smoothened Phosphorylation and Activation. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2374:121-137. [PMID: 34562248 PMCID: PMC8941978 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1701-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The GPCR-family protein Smoothened (Smo) is an obligatory signal transducer of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Binding of Hh to its receptor Patched (Ptc) alleviates Ptc-mediated inhibition of Smo, allowing Smo to activate the Cubitus interruptus (Ci)/Gli family of zinc finger transcription factors. The activation of Smo is an early and crucial event in Hh signal transduction. Studies have shown that Hh induces cell surface/ciliary accumulation and phosphorylation of Smo by multiple kinases, including protein kinase A (PKA), casein kinase 1 (CK1), casein kinase 2 (CK2), G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (Gprk2/GRK2), and atypical PKC (aPKC). Here, we describe the assays used to examine the phosphorylation and activity of Smo, including in vitro kinase assay, phospho-specific antibodies, luciferase reporter assay, cell surface accumulation, and ciliary localization assays. These assays provide powerful tools to study Smo phosphorylation and activation, leading to mechanistic insight into Smo regulation.
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12
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Zhou M, Jiang J. Gli Phosphorylation Code in Hedgehog Signal Transduction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:846927. [PMID: 35186941 PMCID: PMC8855225 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.846927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted proteins governs many key processes in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis in species ranging from insects to human. Deregulation of Hh signaling has been implicated in a wide range of human diseases including birth defect and cancer. Hh signaling pathway culminates in the conversion of the latent transcription factor Cubitus interruptus (Ci)/Gli from a repressor form (CiR/GliR) into an activator form (CiA/GliA). Both the production of CiR/GliR in the absence of Hh and the formation of CiA/GliA in response to Hh are regulated by phosphorylation. Whereas previous studies demonstrated that sequential phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA), glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), and casein kinase 1 (CK1) at multiple Ser/Thr clusters in the C-terminal region of Ci/Gli targets it for proteolytic processing to generate CiR/GliR, recent studies revealed that phosphorylation of Ci/Gli by the Fused (Fu)/Unc-51 like kinase (Ulk) family kinases Fu/Ulk3/Stk36 and other kinases contributes to Ci/Gli activation. Fu/Ulk3/Stk36-mediated phosphorylation of Ci/Gli is stimulated by Hh, leading to altered interaction between Ci/Gli and the Hh pathway repressor Sufu. Here we review our current understanding of how various Ci/Gli phosphorylation events are regulated and how they influence Hh signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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13
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Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted proteins governs embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis by regulating the abundance, localization, and activity of the GPCR family protein Smoothened (Smo). Smo trafficking and subcellular accumulation are controlled by multiple posttranslational modifications (PTMs) including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation, which appears to be conserved from Drosophila to mammals. Smo ubiquitination is dynamically regulated by E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (dubs) and is opposed by Hh signaling. By contrast, Smo sumoylation is stimulated by Hh, which counteracts Smo ubiquitination by recruiting the dub USP8. We describe cell-base assays for Smo ubiquitination and its regulation by Hh and the E3 ligases in Drosophila. We also describe assays for Smo sumoylation in both Drosophila and mammalian cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.
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14
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Zhang Q, Jiang J. Regulation of Hedgehog Signal Transduction by Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413338. [PMID: 34948134 PMCID: PMC8703657 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted proteins governs embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis in species ranging from insects to mammals. Deregulation of Hh pathway activity has been implicated in a wide range of human disorders, including congenital diseases and cancer. Hh exerts its biological influence through a conserved signaling pathway. Binding of Hh to its receptor Patched (Ptc), a twelve-span transmembrane protein, leads to activation of an atypical GPCR family protein and Hh signal transducer Smoothened (Smo), which then signals downstream to activate the latent Cubitus interruptus (Ci)/Gli family of transcription factors. Hh signal transduction is regulated by ubiquitination and deubiquitination at multiple steps along the pathway including regulation of Ptc, Smo and Ci/Gli proteins. Here we review the effect of ubiquitination and deubiquitination on the function of individual Hh pathway components, the E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases involved, how ubiquitination and deubiquitination are regulated, and whether the underlying mechanisms are conserved from Drosophila to mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China
- Correspondence: (Q.Z.); (J.J.)
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Correspondence: (Q.Z.); (J.J.)
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15
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Association of Sonic Hedgehog with the extracellular matrix requires its zinc-coordination center. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:22. [PMID: 33863273 PMCID: PMC8052667 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-021-00359-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) has a catalytic cleft characteristic for zinc metallopeptidases and has significant sequence similarities with some bacterial peptidoglycan metallopeptidases defining a subgroup within the M15A family that, besides having the characteristic zinc coordination motif, can bind two calcium ions. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components in animals include heparan-sulfate proteoglycans, which are analogs of bacterial peptidoglycan and are involved in the extracellular distribution of Shh. Results We found that the zinc-coordination center of Shh is required for its association to the ECM as well as for non-cell autonomous signaling. Association with the ECM requires the presence of at least 0.1 μM zinc and is prevented by mutations affecting critical conserved catalytical residues. Consistent with the presence of a conserved calcium binding domain, we find that extracellular calcium inhibits ECM association of Shh. Conclusions Our results indicate that the putative intrinsic peptidase activity of Shh is required for non-cell autonomous signaling, possibly by enzymatically altering ECM characteristics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-021-00359-5.
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16
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A scalable device-less biomaterial approach for subcutaneous islet transplantation. Biomaterials 2020; 269:120499. [PMID: 33168223 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The subcutaneous space has been shown to be a suitable site for islet transplantation, however an abundance of islets is required to achieve normoglycemia, often requiring multiple donors. The loss of islets is due to the hypoxic conditions islets experience during revascularization, resulting in apoptosis. Therefore, to reduce the therapeutic dosage required to achieve normoglycemia, pre-vascularization of the subcutaneous space has been pursued. In this study, we highlight a biomaterial-based approach using a methacrylic acid copolymer coating to generate a robust pre-vascularized subcutaneous cavity for islet transplantation. We also devised a simple, but not-trivial, procedure for filling the cavity with an islet suspension in collagen. We show that the pre-vascularized site can support a marginal mass of islets to rapidly return streptozotocin-induced diabetic SCID/bg mice to normoglycemia. Furthermore, immunocompetent Sprague Daley rats remained normoglycemia for up to 70 days until they experienced graft destabilization as they outgrew their implants. This work highlights methacrylic acid-based biomaterials as a suitable pre-vascularization strategy for the subcutaneous space that is scalable and doesn't require exogenous cells or growth factors.
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17
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Jiang W, Yao X, Shan Z, Li W, Gao Y, Zhang Q. E3 ligase Herc4 regulates Hedgehog signalling through promoting Smoothened degradation. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:791-803. [PMID: 30925584 PMCID: PMC7261483 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjz024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signalling plays conserved roles in controlling embryonic development; its dysregulation causes many diseases including cancers. The G protein-coupled receptor Smoothened (Smo) is the key signal transducer of the Hh pathway, whose posttranslational regulation has been shown to be critical for its accumulation and activation. Ubiquitination has been reported an essential posttranslational regulation of Smo. Here, we identify a novel E3 ligase of Smo, Herc4, which binds to Smo, and regulates Hh signalling by controlling Smo ubiquitination and degradation. Interestingly, our data suggest that Herc4-mediated Smo degradation is regulated by Hh in PKA-primed phosphorylation-dependent and independent manners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weirong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xia Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoliang Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxue Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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18
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Lineage-specific roles of hedgehog-GLI signaling during mammalian kidney development. Pediatr Nephrol 2020; 35:725-731. [PMID: 30923969 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-019-04240-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant hedgehog (Hh) signaling during embryogenesis results in various severe congenital abnormalities, including renal malformations. The molecular mechanisms that underlie congenital renal malformations remain poorly understood. Here, we review the current understanding of the lineage-specific roles of Hh signaling during renal morphogenesis and how aberrant Hh signaling during embryonic kidney development contributes to renal malformation.
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19
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Cellular signalling pathways mediating the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases: an update. Inflammopharmacology 2020; 28:795-817. [PMID: 32189104 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-020-00698-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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20
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Chandrasekaran B, Dahiya NR, Tyagi A, Kolluru V, Saran U, Baby BV, States JC, Haddad AQ, Ankem MK, Damodaran C. Chronic exposure to cadmium induces a malignant transformation of benign prostate epithelial cells. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:23. [PMID: 32066655 PMCID: PMC7026396 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-0202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests that cadmium (Cd) is one of the causative factors of prostate cancer, but the effect of Cd on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether Cd exposure could malignantly transform BPH1 cells and, if so, to dissect the mechanism of action. We deciphered the molecular signaling responsible for BPH1 transformation via RNA-sequencing and determined that Cd induced the expression of zinc finger of the cerebellum 2 (ZIC2) in BPH1 cells. We noted Cd exposure increased ZIC2 expression in the Cd-transformed BPH1 cells that in turn promoted anchorage-independent spheroids and increased expression of stem cell drivers, indicating their role in stem cell renewal. Subsequent silencing of ZIC2 expression in transformed cells inhibited spheroid formation, stem cell marker expression, and tumor growth in nude mice. At the molecular level, ZIC2 interacts with the glioma-associated oncogene family (GLI) zinc finger 1 (GLI1), which activates prosurvival factors (nuclear factor NFκB, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2), as well as an X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)) signaling in Cd-exposed BPH1 cells. Conversely, overexpression of ZIC2 in BPH1 cells caused spheroid formation confirming the oncogenic function of ZIC2. ZIC2 activation and GLI1 signaling induction by Cd exposure in primary BPH cells confirmed the clinical significance of this oncogenic function. Finally, human BPH specimens had increased ZIC2 versus adjacent healthy tissues. Thus, we report direct evidence that Cd exposure induces malignant transformation of BPH via activation of ZIC2 and GLI1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nisha R Dahiya
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ashish Tyagi
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Venkatesh Kolluru
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Uttara Saran
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Becca V Baby
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Ahmed Q Haddad
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Murali K Ankem
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Chendil Damodaran
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
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21
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Witman N, Zhou C, Grote Beverborg N, Sahara M, Chien KR. Cardiac progenitors and paracrine mediators in cardiogenesis and heart regeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 100:29-51. [PMID: 31862220 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian hearts have the least regenerative capabilities among tissues and organs. As such, heart regeneration has been and continues to be the ultimate goal in the treatment against acquired and congenital heart diseases. Uncovering such a long-awaited therapy is still extremely challenging in the current settings. On the other hand, this desperate need for effective heart regeneration has developed various forms of modern biotechnologies in recent years. These involve the transplantation of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac progenitors or cardiomyocytes generated in vitro and novel biochemical molecules along with tissue engineering platforms. Such newly generated technologies and approaches have been shown to effectively proliferate cardiomyocytes and promote heart repair in the diseased settings, albeit mainly preclinically. These novel tools and medicines give somehow credence to breaking down the barriers associated with re-building heart muscle. However, in order to maximize efficacy and achieve better clinical outcomes through these cell-based and/or cell-free therapies, it is crucial to understand more deeply the developmental cellular hierarchies/paths and molecular mechanisms in normal or pathological cardiogenesis. Indeed, the morphogenetic process of mammalian cardiac development is highly complex and spatiotemporally regulated by various types of cardiac progenitors and their paracrine mediators. Here we discuss the most recent knowledge and findings in cardiac progenitor cell biology and the major cardiogenic paracrine mediators in the settings of cardiogenesis, congenital heart disease, and heart regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevin Witman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chikai Zhou
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niels Grote Beverborg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Makoto Sahara
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, CT, USA.
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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22
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Zhang YX, Chen X, Wang JP, Zhang ZQ, Wei H, Yu HY, Zheng HK, Chen Y, Zhang LS, Lin JZ, Sun L, Liu DY, Tang J, Lei Y, Li XM, Liu M. Genomic insights into mite phylogeny, fitness, development, and reproduction. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:954. [PMID: 31818245 PMCID: PMC6902594 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are the most important beneficial arthropods used in augmentative biological pest control of protected crops around the world. However, the genomes of mites are far less well understood than those of insects and the evolutionary relationships among mite and other chelicerate orders are contested, with the enigmatic origin of mites at one of the centres in discussion of the evolution of Arachnida. RESULTS We here report the 173 Mb nuclear genome (from 51.75 Gb pairs of Illumina reads) of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris, a biocontrol agent against pests such as mites and thrips worldwide. We identified nearly 20.6 Mb (~ 11.93% of this genome) of repetitive sequences and annotated 18,735 protein-coding genes (a typical gene 2888 bp in size); the total length of protein-coding genes was about 50.55 Mb (29.2% of this assembly). About 37% (6981) of the genes are unique to N. cucumeris based on comparison with other arachnid genomes. Our phylogenomic analysis supported the monophyly of Acari, therefore rejecting the biphyletic origin of mites advocated by other studies based on limited gene fragments or few taxa in recent years. Our transcriptomic analyses of different life stages of N. cucumeris provide new insights into genes involved in its development. Putative genes involved in vitellogenesis, regulation of oviposition, sex determination, development of legs, signal perception, detoxification and stress-resistance, and innate immune systems are identified. CONCLUSIONS Our genomics and developmental transcriptomics analyses of N. cucumeris provide invaluable resources for further research on the development, reproduction, and fitness of this economically important mite in particular and Arachnida in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Xuan Zhang
- Research Center of Engineering and Technology of Natural Enemy Resource of Crop Pest in Fujian, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xia Chen
- Research Center of Engineering and Technology of Natural Enemy Resource of Crop Pest in Fujian, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie-Ping Wang
- Agricultural Bio-Resources Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Zhang
- Landcare Research, Auckland and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hui Wei
- Research Center of Engineering and Technology of Natural Enemy Resource of Crop Pest in Fujian, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yan Yu
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-Kun Zheng
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Chen
- Research Center of Engineering and Technology of Natural Enemy Resource of Crop Pest in Fujian, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Sheng Zhang
- Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian-Zhen Lin
- Fujian Yanxuan Bio-preventing and Technology Biocontrol Corporation, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Sun
- Research Center of Engineering and Technology of Natural Enemy Resource of Crop Pest in Fujian, Institute of Plant Protection, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350003 People’s Republic of China
| | - Dong-Yuan Liu
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Tang
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Lei
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xu-Ming Li
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Liu
- Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, 101300 People’s Republic of China
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23
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Zhou Z, Yao X, Pang S, Chen P, Jiang W, Shan Z, Zhang Q. The deubiquitinase UCHL5/UCH37 positively regulates Hedgehog signaling by deubiquitinating Smoothened. J Mol Cell Biol 2019; 10:243-257. [PMID: 28992318 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjx036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays important roles in developmental processes including pattern formation and tissue homeostasis. The seven-pass transmembrane receptor Smoothened (Smo) is the pivotal transducer in the pathway; it, and thus the pathway overall, is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated degradation, which occurs in the absence of Hh. In the presence of Hh, the ubiquitination levels of Smo are decreased, but the molecular basis for this outcome is not well understood. Here, we identify the deubiquitinase UCHL5 as a positive regulator of the Hh pathway. We provide both genetic and biochemical evidence that UCHL5 interacts with and deubiquitinates Smo, increasing stability and promoting accumulation at the cell membrane. Strikingly, we find that Hh enhances the interaction between UCHL5 and Smo, thereby stabilizing Smo. We also find that proteasome subunit RPN13, an activator of UCHL5, could enhance the effect of UCHL5 on Smo protein level. More importantly, we find that the mammalian counterpart of UCHL5, UCH37, plays the same role in the regulation of Hh signaling by modulating hSmo ubiquitination and stability. Our findings thus identify UCHL5/UCH37 as a critical regulator of Hh signaling and potential therapeutic target for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Weirong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoliang Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
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24
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Regulation of Hedgehog signaling Offers A Novel Perspective for Bone Homeostasis Disorder Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163981. [PMID: 31426273 PMCID: PMC6719140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is central to the regulation of bone development and homeostasis. HH signaling is not only involved in osteoblast differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), but also acts upstream within osteoblasts via the OPG/RANK/RANKL axis to control the expression of RANKL. HH signaling has been found to up-regulate parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) expression in osteoblasts, which in turn activates its downstream targets nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), and as a result CREB and NFAT cooperatively increase RANKL expression and osteoclastogenesis. Osteoblasts must remain in balance with osteoclasts in order to avoid excessive bone formation or resorption, thereby maintaining bone homeostasis. This review systemically summarizes the mechanisms whereby HH signaling induces osteoblast development and controls RANKL expression through PTHrP in osteoblasts. Proper targeting of HH signaling may offer a therapeutic option for treating bone homeostasis disorders.
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25
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Zhang B, Xu H, Zhang Y, Yi X, Zhang G, Zhang X, Xu D, Gao X, Li S, Zhu Y, Zhang H, Wei Z, Li S, Zhang L, Wang R, Yang F. Targeting the RAS axis alleviates silicotic fibrosis and Ang II-induced myofibroblast differentiation via inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway. Toxicol Lett 2019; 313:30-41. [PMID: 31181250 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway plays an important role in lung development, but its significance in silicosis is unclear. We showed that in human coal pneumoconiosis autopsy specimens, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and the Glioma-associated oncogene homolog transcription factors family (GLI) 1 proteins were up-regulated, whereas Patch-1 (PTC) was down-regulated. The protein levels of SHH, smoothened (SMO), GLI1, GLI2, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type Ⅰ (Col Ⅰ) were also elevated gradually in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of different stages of coal pneumoconiosis patients, dynamic silica-inhalation rat lung tissue and MRC-5 cells induced by Ang II at different time points, whereas the PTC and GLI3 levels were diminished gradually. Ac-SDKP, an active peptide of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is an anti-fibrotic tetrapeptide. Targeting RAS axis also has anti-silicotic fibrosis effects. However, their roles on the HH pathway are still unknown. Here, we reported that Ac-SDKP + Captopril, Ac-SDKP, Captopril, or Ang (1-7) could alleviate silicotic fibrosis and collagen deposition, as well as improve the lung functions of silicotic rat. These treatments decreased the expression of SHH, SMO, GLI1, GLI2, α-SMA, and Col Ⅰ and increased the expression of PTC and GLI3 on both the silicotic rat lung tissue and MRC-5 cells induced by Ang II. We also reported that Ang II may promote myofibroblast differentiation via the GLI1 transcription factor and independently of the SMO receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonan Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Clinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xue Yi
- Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Department of Basic Medicine, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Guizhen Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Clinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Dingjie Xu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xuemin Gao
- Basic Medical College, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shifeng Li
- Basic Medical College, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Clinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Zhongqiu Wei
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Clinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Shumin Li
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Clinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Ruimin Wang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Fang Yang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China; Hebei Key Laboratory for Organ Fibrosis, Medical Research Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China.
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26
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Kerekes K, Bányai L, Trexler M, Patthy L. Structure, function and disease relevance of Wnt inhibitory factor 1, a secreted protein controlling the Wnt and hedgehog pathways. Growth Factors 2019; 37:29-52. [PMID: 31210071 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2019.1626380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Wnts and Hedgehogs (Hh) are large, lipid-modified extracellular morphogens that play key roles in embryonic development and stem cell proliferation of Metazoa. Both morphogens signal through heptahelical Frizzled-type receptors of the G-Protein Coupled Receptor family and there are several other similarities that suggest a common evolutionary origin of the Hh and Wnt pathways. There is evidence that the secreted protein, Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1) modulates the activity of both Wnts and Hhs and may thus contribute to the intertwining of these pathways. In this article, we review the structure, evolution, molecular interactions and functions of WIF1 with major emphasis on its role in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Kerekes
- a Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Budapest , Hungary
| | - László Bányai
- a Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Budapest , Hungary
| | - Mária Trexler
- a Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Budapest , Hungary
| | - László Patthy
- a Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Budapest , Hungary
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27
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State of the art of Smo antagonists for cancer therapy: advances in the target receptor and new ligand structures. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:617-638. [PMID: 30912670 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the Hedgehog signaling pathway has been associated with cancer, it has emerged as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The main target among the key Hedgehog proteins is the GPCR-like Smo receptor. Therefore, some Smo antagonists that have entered clinical trials, including the US FDA-approved drugs vismodegib and sonidegib, to treat basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. However, early resistance of these drugs has spawned the need to understand the molecular bases of this phenomena. We therefore reviewed details about Smo receptor structures and the best Smo antagonist chemical structures. In addition, we discussed strategies that should be considered to develop new, safer generations of Smo antagonists that avoid current clinical limitations.
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Gu Y, Becker V, Zhao Y, Menger MD, Laschke MW. miR-370 inhibits the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells by targeting smoothened (SMO) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2. FASEB J 2019; 33:7213-7224. [PMID: 30865837 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802085rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) crucially modulate fundamental biologic processes such as angiogenesis. In the present study, we focused on the molecular function of miRNA-370-3p (miR-370) in regulating the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells (ECs). Transfection with miR-370 mimic (miR-370m) significantly inhibited the sprouting of human dermal microvascular EC (HDMEC) and HUVEC spheroids and mouse aortic rings, whereas miR-370 inhibitor (miR-370i) promoted sprout formation. Additional in vitro assays demonstrated the pleiotropic inhibitory effects of miR-370m on HDMEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Moreover, Matrigel plugs containing miR-370m-transfected HDMECs exhibited a reduced microvessel density after implantation into CD1 nude mice when compared with controls. In contrast, miR-370i exerted proangiogenic effects. Mechanistic analyses revealed that miR-370 directly targets smoothened (SMO) and down-regulates bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 expression in HDMECs. Accordingly, inhibition of SMO by cyclopamine reversed miR-370i-induced HDMEC proliferation and migration. In addition, BMP-2 treatment counteracted miR-370m-suppressed tube formation of HDMECs, whereas blockade of BMP-2 with neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited miR-370i-induced tube formation. Taken together, these novel findings indicate that miR-370 is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis, which directly targets SMO and BMP-2.-Gu, Y., Becker, V., Zhao, Y., Menger, M. D., Laschke, M. W. miR-370 inhibits the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells by targeting smoothened (SMO) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gu
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany; and
| | - Vivien Becker
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany; and
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center-Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael D Menger
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany; and
| | - Matthias W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany; and
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Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer: A Prospective Therapeutic Target for Eradicating Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2018; 7:cells7110208. [PMID: 30423843 PMCID: PMC6262325 DOI: 10.3390/cells7110208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a signaling cascade that plays a crucial role in many fundamental processes, including embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Moreover, emerging evidence has suggested that aberrant activation of Hh is associated with neoplastic transformations, malignant tumors, and drug resistance of a multitude of cancers. At the molecular level, it has been shown that Hh signaling drives the progression of cancers by regulating cancer cell proliferation, malignancy, metastasis, and the expansion of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Thus, a comprehensive understanding of Hh signaling during tumorigenesis and development of chemoresistance is necessary in order to identify potential therapeutic strategies to target various human cancers and their relapse. In this review, we discuss the molecular basis of the Hh signaling pathway and its abnormal activation in several types of human cancers. We also highlight the clinical development of Hh signaling inhibitors for cancer therapy as well as CSC-targeted therapy.
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30
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Liu X, Liu J, Zhang X, Tong Y, Gan X. MiR-520b promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through activating Hedgehog pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 23:205-215. [PMID: 30407707 PMCID: PMC6307803 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most malignant tumours worldwide, the mechanisms controlling NSCLC tumourigenesis remain unclear. Here, we find that the expression of miR-520b is up-regulated in NSCLC samples. Further studies have revealed that miR-520b promotes the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells. In addition, miR-520b activates Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Inhibitor of Hh pathway could relieve the oncogenic effect of miR-520b upon NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that miR-520b directly targets SPOP 3'-UTR and decreases SPOP expression, culminating in GLI2/3 stabilization and Hh pathway hyperactivation. Collectively, our findings unveil that miR-520b promotes NSCLC tumourigenesis through SPOP-GLI2/3 axis and provide miR-520b as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jichun Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xuekang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yuben Tong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xin Gan
- Department of Respiration, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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31
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Liu Y, Gao S, Zhu J, Zheng Y, Zhang H, Sun H. Dihydroartemisinin induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer via inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5704-5715. [PMID: 30338663 PMCID: PMC6247066 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the primary of artemisinin extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Artemisia annua, has been used in malaria treatment for a long time. Recently, many studies have indicated that, in addition to antimalarial effects, DHA also exhibits anticancer activity in certain types of neoplasms, including ovarian cancer. However, the precise anti‐ovarian cancer mechanism of DHA is still unclear. Abnormal activation of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway is closely related to tumorigenesis and progression of ovarian cancer. We performed this study to elucidate the effects of DHA on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells and to determine its effects on the Hh signaling pathway. CCK8 assays and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of DHA on cell viability and apoptosis in both ovarian cancer cells and HOSEPICs (human ovarian surface epithelial cells) in response to DHA treatment. Transwell membrane chambers were used to analyze the effects of DHA on the migration and invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer cells following treatment with DHA. The impact of DHA on Hh signaling was analyzed by RT‐qPCR and Western blot. DHA significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, and induced apoptosis in vitro. In contrast, DHA had few effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HOSEPICs. DHA inhibited the hedgehog signaling pathway. Furthermore, DHA inhibited purmorphamine (Hh signaling pathway agonist)‐induced cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell invasion and the inhibition of apoptosis. Importantly, DHA enhanced GANT61 (hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor)‐induced apoptosis and the inhibition of cell viability, migratory capacity, and invasive ability. This study demonstrates that DHA inhibits cell viability, migration, and invasion, as well as induces apoptosis in epithelial ovarian cancer through suppression of the Hh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Shujun Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China.,The Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Cervical Disease, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Sun ZH, Liu YH, Liu JD, Xu DD, Li XF, Meng XM, Ma TT, Huang C, Li J. MeCP2 Regulates PTCH1 Expression Through DNA Methylation in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Inflammation 2018; 40:1497-1508. [PMID: 28573530 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-017-0591-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, in which pathogenesis is not clear. Many research demonstrated that fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a key role in RA pathogenesis, join in the cartilage injury and hyperplasia of the synovium, and contribute to the release of inflammatory cytokines. We used adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats as RA animal models. The methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) enables the suppressed chromatin structure to be selectively detected in AA FLSs. Overexpression of this protein leads to an increase of integral methylation levels. Some research has confirmed the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an important role in RA pathogenesis; furthermore, patched 1 (PTCH1) is a negative fraction of Hh signaling pathway. We used 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadc) as DNA methylation inhibitor. In our research, we found MeCP2 reduced PTCH1 expression in AA FLSs; 5-azadc obstructed the loss of PTCH1 expression. 5-Azadc, treatment of AA FLSs, also blocks the release of inflammatory cytokines. In order to probe the potential molecular mechanism, we assumed the epigenetic participation in the regulation of PTCH1. Results demonstrated that PTCH1 hypermethylation is related to the persistent FLS activation and inflammation in AA rats. Knockdown of MeCP2 using small-interfering RNA technique added PTCH1 expression in AA FLSs. Our results indicate that DNA methylation may offer molecule mechanisms, and the reduced PTCH1 methylation level could regulate inflammation through knockdown of MeCP2. Graphical Abstract PTCH1 is an inhibitory protein of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Increased expression of PTCH1 can inhibit the expression of Gli1 and Shh, thereby inhibiting the activation of Hedgehog signaling pathway. Inactivated Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibits the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. MeCP2 mediates hypermethylation of PTCH1 gene and decreases the expression of PTCH1 protein, thus activating Hedgehog signaling pathway and increasing secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Hao Sun
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yan-Hui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun-da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Dan-Dan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Meng
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Tao-Tao Ma
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, China. .,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China. .,Institute for Liver Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road No. 81, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Li S, Cho YS, Wang B, Li S, Jiang J. Regulation of Smoothened ubiquitylation and cell surface expression through a Cul4-DDB1-Gβ E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.218016. [PMID: 29930086 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.218016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) transduces signals by promoting cell surface accumulation and activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-family protein Smoothened (Smo) in Drosophila, but the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of Smo trafficking remains poorly understood. Here, we identified the Cul4-DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex as being essential for Smo ubiquitylation and cell surface clearance. We found that the C-terminal intracellular domain of Smo recruits Cul4-DDB1 through the β subunit of trimeric G protein (Gβ), and that Cul4-DDB1-Gβ promotes the ubiquitylation of both Smo and its binding partner G-protein-coupled-receptor kinase 2 (Gprk2) and induces the internalization and degradation of Smo. Hh dissociates Cul4-DDB1 from Smo by recruiting the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) to phosphorylate DDB1, which disrupts its interaction with Gβ. Inactivation of the Cul4-DDB1 complex resulted in elevated Smo cell surface expression, whereas an excessive amount of Cul4-DDB1 blocked Smo accumulation and attenuated Hh pathway activation. Taken together, our study identifies an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex targeting Smo for ubiquitylation and provides new insight into how Hh signaling regulates Smo trafficking and cell surface expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yong Suk Cho
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shuangxi Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Chen X, Shi C, Cao H, Chen L, Hou J, Xiang Z, Hu K, Han X. The hedgehog and Wnt/β-catenin system machinery mediate myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs in pulmonary fibrogenesis. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:639. [PMID: 29844390 PMCID: PMC5974360 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0692-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and fatal lung disease that is characterized by enhanced changes in stem cell differentiation and fibroblast proliferation. Resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs) can undergo phenotype conversion to myofibroblasts to augment extracellular matrix production, impairing function and contributing to pulmonary fibrosis. Hedgehog and Wnt signaling are developmental signal cascades that play an essential role in regulating embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Recently, it has been reported that both hedgehog and Wnt signaling play important roles in pulmonary fibrogenesis. Thus, the identification of specific target regulators may yield new strategy for pulmonary fibrosis therapies. In our work, we demonstrated the critical role of Gli1, Wnt7b, Wnt10a and Fzd10 in the process of pulmonary fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Gli1 was induced in LR-MSCs following TGF-β1 treatment and fibrotic lung tissues. Inhibition of Gli1 suppressed myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs and pulmonary fibrosis, and decreased the expression of Wnt7b, Wnt10a and β-catenin. Gli1 bound to and increased promoter activity of the Wnt7b and Wnt10a genes, and Wnt7b and Wnt10a were critical activators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. It was noteworthy that Fzd10 knockdown reduced Wnt7b and Wnt10a-induced activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which imply that Wnt7b and Wnt10a may be the ligands for Fzd10. Moreover, siRNA-mediated inhibition of Fzd10 prevented TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs in vitro and impaired bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We conclude that hedgehog and Wnt/β-catenin signaling play a critical role in promoting myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs and development of pulmonary fibrosis. These findings elucidate a therapeutic approach to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis through targeted inhibition of Gli1 or Fzd10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Chaowen Shi
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Honghui Cao
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Jiwei Hou
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zou Xiang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kebin Hu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, 210093, China.
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35
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Li Q, Alsaidan OA, Rai S, Wu M, Shen H, Beharry Z, Almada LL, Fernandez-Zapico ME, Wang L, Cai H. Stromal Gli signaling regulates the activity and differentiation of prostate stem and progenitor cells. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:10547-10560. [PMID: 29773652 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between cells in the stroma and epithelium facilitate prostate stem cell activity and tissue regeneration capacity. Numerous molecular signal transduction pathways, including the induction of sonic hedgehog (Shh) to activate the Gli transcription factors, are known to mediate the cross-talk of these two cellular compartments. However, the details of how these signaling pathways regulate prostate stem and progenitor cell activity remain elusive. Here we demonstrate that, although cell-autonomous epithelial Shh-Gli signaling is essential to determine the expression levels of basal cell markers and the renewal potential of epithelial stem and progenitor cells, stromal Gli signaling regulates prostate stem and progenitor cell activity by increasing the number and size of prostate spheroids in vitro Blockade of stromal Gli signaling also inhibited prostate tissue regeneration in vivo The inhibition of stromal Gli signaling suppressed the differentiation of basal and progenitor cells to luminal cells and limited prostate tubule secretory capability. Additionally, stromal cells were able to compensate for the deficiency of epithelial Shh signaling in prostate tissue regeneration. Mechanistically, suppression of Gli signaling increased the signaling factor transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) in stromal cells. Elevation of exogenous TGFβ1 levels inhibited prostate spheroid formation, suggesting that a stromal Gli-TGFβ signaling axis regulates the activity of epithelial progenitor cells. Our study illustrates that Gli signaling regulates epithelial stem cell activity and renewal potential in both epithelial and stromal compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianjin Li
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Omar A Alsaidan
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Sumit Rai
- the Carbohydrate Research Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Meng Wu
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Huifeng Shen
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Zanna Beharry
- the Department of Chemistry and Physics, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida 33965, and
| | - Luciana L Almada
- the Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Martin E Fernandez-Zapico
- the Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Lianchun Wang
- the Carbohydrate Research Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Houjian Cai
- From the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602,
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36
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Targeting GLI Transcription Factors in Cancer. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23051003. [PMID: 29695137 PMCID: PMC6100584 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23051003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been observed in a wide variety of tumors and accounts for more than 25% of human cancer deaths. Inhibitors targeting the Hh signal transducer Smoothened (SMO) are widely used and display a good initial efficacy in patients suffering from basal cell carcinoma (BCC); however, a large number of patients relapse. Though SMO mutations may explain acquired therapy resistance, a growing body of evidence suggests that the non-canonical, SMO-independent activation of the Hh pathway in BCC patients can also account for this adverse effect. In this review, we highlight the importance of glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) transcription factors (the main downstream effectors of the canonical and the non-canonical Hh cascade) and their putative role in the regulation of multiple oncogenic signaling pathways. Moreover, we discuss the contribution of the Hh signaling to malignant transformation and propose GLIs as central hubs in tumor signaling networks and thus attractive molecular targets in anti-cancer therapies.
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37
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MEKK2 and MEKK3 suppress Hedgehog pathway-dependent medulloblastoma by inhibiting GLI1 function. Oncogene 2018; 37:3864-3878. [PMID: 29662197 PMCID: PMC6041257 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0249-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays a pivotal role in diverse aspects of development and postnatal physiology. Perturbation of Hh signaling and activation of GLI1 (glioma-associated oncogene 1), a dedicated transcription factor for Hh pathway, are highly associated with several cancers, such as medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma. Dynamic and precise control of GLI1 activity is thus important to ensure proper homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Here we show that MEKK2 (MAP3K2) and MEKK3 (MAP3K3) inhibit GLI1 transcriptional activity and oncogenic function through phosphorylation on multiple Ser/Thr sites of GLI1, which reduces GLI1 protein stability, DNA-binding ability, and increases the association of GLI1 with SUFU. Interestingly, MEKK2 and MEKK3 are responsible for FGF2-mediated inhibition on Hh signaling. Moreover, expression of MEKK2 and MEKK3 inhibits medulloblastoma cell proliferation and negatively correlates with Hh pathway activity in medulloblastoma clinical samples. Together, these findings reveal a novel noncanonical GLI1 regulation and provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancers with aberrant Hh pathway activation, such as medulloblastoma.
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38
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Lee J, Oh DH, Park KC, Choi JE, Kwon JB, Lee J, Park K, Sul HJ. Increased Primary Cilia in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Mol Cells 2018; 41:224-233. [PMID: 29477141 PMCID: PMC5881096 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.2307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia are solitary, non-motile, axonemal microtubule-based antenna-like organelles that project from the plasma membrane of most mammalian cells and are implicated in transducing hedgehog signals during development. It was recently proposed that aberrant SHH signaling may be implicated in the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the distribution and role of primary cilia in IPF remains unclear. Here, we clearly observed the primary cilia in alveolar epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells of human normal lung tissue. Then, we investigated the distribution of primary cilia in human IPF tissue samples using immunofluorescence. Tissues from six IPF cases showed an increase in the number of primary cilia in alveolar cells and fibroblasts. In addition, we observed an increase in ciliogenesis related genes such as IFT20 and IFT88 in IPF. Since major components of the SHH signaling pathway are known to be localized in primary cilia, we quantified the mRNA expression of the SHH signaling components using qRT-PCR in both IPF and control lung. mRNA levels of SHH, the coreceptor SMO, and the transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2 were upregulated in IPF compared with control. Furthermore, the nuclear localization of GLI1 was observed mainly in alveolar epithelia and fibroblasts. In addition, we showed that defective KIF3A-mediated ciliary loss in human type II alveolar epithelial cell lines leads to disruption of SHH signaling. These results indicate that a significant increase in the number of primary cilia in IPF contributes to the upregulation of SHH signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junguee Lee
- Department of Pathology, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Oh
- Department of Radiology, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon 35365,
Korea
| | - Ki Cheol Park
- Clinical Research Institute, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
| | - Ji Eun Choi
- Department of Pathology, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
| | - Jong Beom Kwon
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
| | - Jongho Lee
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
| | - Kuhn Park
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
| | - Hae Joung Sul
- Department of Pathology, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 34943,
Korea
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Li S, Li S, Wang B, Jiang J. Hedgehog reciprocally controls trafficking of Smo and Ptc through the Smurf family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/516/eaan8660. [PMID: 29438012 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan8660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) induces signaling by promoting the reciprocal trafficking of its receptor Patched (Ptc) and the signal transducer Smoothened (Smo), which is inhibited by Ptc, at the cell surface. We identified Smurf family E3 ubiquitin ligases as essential for Smo ubiquitylation and cell surface clearance and demonstrated that Smurf family members mediate the reciprocal trafficking of Ptc and Smo in Drosophila melanogaster G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (Gprk2)-mediated phosphorylation of Smurf promoted Smo ubiquitylation by increasing the recruitment of Smurf to Smo, whereas protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation of Smo caused Smurf to dissociate from Smo, thereby inhibiting Smo ubiquitylation. Smo and Ptc competed for the same pool of Smurf family E3 ubiquitin ligases, and Hh promoted Ptc ubiquitylation and degradation by disrupting the association of Smurf family E3 ubiquitin ligases with Smo and stimulating their binding to Ptc. Our study identifies the E3 ubiquitin ligases that target Smo and provides insight into how Hh regulates the reciprocal trafficking of its receptor and signal transducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shuangxi Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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40
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Zhang B, Dai XH, Yu XP, Zou W, Teng W, Sun XW, Yu WW, Liu H, Wang H, Sun MJ, Li M. Baihui (DU20)-penetrating- Qubin (GB7) acupuncture inhibits apoptosis in the perihemorrhagic penumbra. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:1602-1608. [PMID: 30127121 PMCID: PMC6126129 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.237123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Baihui (DU20)-penetrating-Qubin (GB7) acupuncture can inhibit inflammatory reactions and activate signaling pathways related to proliferation after intracerebral hemorrhage. However, there is no research showing the relationship between this treatment and cell apoptosis. Rat models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established by injecting 60 μL of autologous blood into the right side of the caudate-putamen. Six hours later, the needle traveled subcutaneously from the Baihui acupoint to Qubin acupoint. The needle was alternately rotated (180 ± 10 turns/min) manually along clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Stimulation lasted for 7 days, and was performed three times each for 6 minutes with 6-minute intervals between stimulations. Rats intraperitoneally receiving Sonic hedgehog pathway activator, purmorphamine (1 mg/kg per day), served as positive controls. Motor and sensory function were assessed using the Ludmila Belayev test. Extent of pathological changes were measured in the perihemorrhagic penumbra using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Apoptosis was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. Expression of smoothened (Smo) and glioma-associated homolog 1 (Gli1) was determined by western blot assay. Our results showed that Baihui-penetrating-Qubin acupuncture promoted recovery of motor and sensory function, reduced the apoptotic cell percentage in the perihemorrhagic penumbra, and up-regulated Smo and Gli1 expression. We conclude that Baihui-penetrating-Qubin acupuncture can mitigate hemorrhage and promote functional recovery of the brain in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage, possibly by activating the Sonic hedgehog pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beng Zhang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine; First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Dai
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xue-Ping Yu
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Wei Zou
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine; Clinical Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Wei Teng
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Sun
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Wei-Wei Yu
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Meng-Juan Sun
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Meng Li
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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41
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Matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and a downregulated Hedgehog pathway impair blood-brain barrier function in an in vitro model of CNS tuberculosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16031. [PMID: 29167512 PMCID: PMC5700087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16250-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS TB) has a high mortality and morbidity associated with severe inflammation. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from inflammation but the mechanisms causing BBB damage in CNS TB are uncharacterized. We demonstrate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes breakdown of type IV collagen and decreases tight junction protein (TJP) expression in a co-culture model of the BBB. This increases permeability, surface expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and leukocyte transmigration. TJP breakdown was driven by Mtb-dependent secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. TJP expression is regulated by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) through transcription factor Gli-1. In our model, the hedgehog pathway was downregulated by Mtb-stimulation, but Shh levels in astrocytes were unchanged. However, Scube2, a glycoprotein regulating astrocyte Shh release was decreased, inhibiting Shh delivery to brain endothelial cells. Activation of the hedgehog pathway by addition of a Smoothened agonist or by addition of exogenous Shh, or neutralizing MMP-9 activity, decreased permeability and increased TJP expression in the Mtb-stimulated BBB co-cultures. In summary, the BBB is disrupted by downregulation of the Shh pathway and breakdown of TJPs, secondary to increased MMP-9 activity which suggests that these pathways are potential novel targets for host directed therapy in CNS TB.
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42
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Ding M, Wang X. Antagonism between Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways regulates tumorigenicity. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:6327-6333. [PMID: 29391876 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk of multiple cellular signaling pathways is crucial in animal development and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation may result in tumor formation and metastasis. The Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signaling pathways are both considered to be essential regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation and oncogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that the Hh and Wnt signaling pathways are closely associated and involved in regulating embryogenesis and cellular differentiation. Hh signaling acts upstream of the Wnt signaling pathway, and negative regulates Wnt activity via secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1), and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway downregulates Hh activity through glioma-associated oncogene homolog 3 transcriptional regulation. This evidence suggests that the imbalance of Hh and Wnt regulation serves a crucial role in cancer-associated processes. The activation of SFRP1, which inhibits Wnt, has been demonstrated to be an important cross-point between the two signaling pathways. The present study reviews the complex interaction between the Hh and Wnt signaling pathways in embryogenesis and tumorigenicity, and the role of SFRP1 as an important mediator associated with the dysregulation of the Hh and Wnt signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Ding
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
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43
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Zhao L, Wang L, Chi C, Lan W, Su Y. The emerging roles of phosphatases in Hedgehog pathway. Cell Commun Signal 2017; 15:35. [PMID: 28931407 PMCID: PMC5607574 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-017-0191-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is evolutionarily conserved and plays a pivotal role in cell fate determination, embryonic development, and tissue renewal. As aberrant Hedgehog signaling is tightly associated with a broad range of human diseases, its activities must be precisely controlled. It has been known that several core components of Hedgehog pathway undergo reversible phosphorylations mediated by protein kinases and phosphatases, which acts as an effective regulatory mechanism to modulate Hedgehog signal activities. In contrast to kinases that have been extensively studied in these phosphorylation events, phosphatases were thought to function in an unspecific manner, thus obtained much less emphasis in the past. However, in recent years, increasing evidence has implicated that phosphatases play crucial and specific roles in the context of developmental signaling, including Hedgehog signaling. In this review, we present a summary of current progress on phosphatase studies in Hedgehog pathway, emphasizing the multiple employments of protein serine/threonine phosphatases during the transduction of morphogenic Hedgehog signal in both Drosophila and vertebrate systems, all of which provide insights into the importance of phosphatases in the specific regulation of Hedgehog signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhao
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Liguo Wang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Chunli Chi
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Wenwen Lan
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ying Su
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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44
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Smelkinson MG, Guichard A, Teijaro JR, Malur M, Loureiro ME, Jain P, Ganesan S, Zúñiga EI, Krug RM, Oldstone MB, Bier E. Influenza NS1 directly modulates Hedgehog signaling during infection. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006588. [PMID: 28837667 PMCID: PMC5587344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The multifunctional NS1 protein of influenza A viruses suppresses host cellular defense mechanisms and subverts other cellular functions. We report here on a new role for NS1 in modifying cell-cell signaling via the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Genetic epistasis experiments and FRET-FLIM assays in Drosophila suggest that NS1 interacts directly with the transcriptional mediator, Ci/Gli1. We further confirmed that Hh target genes are activated cell-autonomously in transfected human lung epithelial cells expressing NS1, and in infected mouse lungs. We identified a point mutation in NS1, A122V, that modulates this activity in a context-dependent fashion. When the A122V mutation was incorporated into a mouse-adapted influenza A virus, it cell-autonomously enhanced expression of some Hh targets in the mouse lung, including IL6, and hastened lethality. These results indicate that, in addition to its multiple intracellular functions, NS1 also modifies a highly conserved signaling pathway, at least in part via cell autonomous activities. We discuss how this new Hh modulating function of NS1 may influence host lethality, possibly through controlling cytokine production, and how these new insights provide potential strategies for combating infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margery G. Smelkinson
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John R. Teijaro
- Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Meghana Malur
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maria Eugenia Loureiro
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein - CONICET, Saladillo, Argentina
| | - Prashant Jain
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Sundar Ganesan
- Biological Imaging Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elina I. Zúñiga
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Krug
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael B. Oldstone
- Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Shao J, Xu L, Chen L, Lu Q, Xie X, Shi W, Xiong H, Shi C, Huang X, Mei J, Rao H, Lu H, Lu N, Luo S. Arl13b Promotes Gastric Tumorigenesis by Regulating Smo Trafficking and Activation of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway. Cancer Res 2017; 77:4000-4013. [PMID: 28611043 PMCID: PMC5540784 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway transducer Smoothened (Smo) have been approved for cancer treatment, but Smo mutations often lead to tumor resistance and it remains unclear how Smo is regulated. In this study, we identified the small GTPase Arl13b as a novel partner and regulator of Smo. Arl13b regulated Smo stability, trafficking, and localization, which are each crucial for Hh signaling. In gastric cancer cells, Arl13b stimulated proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo In clinical specimens of gastric cancer, Arl13b expression correlated strongly with tumor size and depth of invasion; patients with high levels of Arl13b had a poor prognosis. Our results show how Arl13b participates in Hh pathway activation in gastric cancer. Cancer Res; 77(15); 4000-13. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Shao
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Linlin Xu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Limin Chen
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Quqin Lu
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinsheng Xie
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huanting Xiong
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chao Shi
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jinhong Mei
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hai Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Hua Lu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Nonghua Lu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
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46
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Michiue T, Yamamoto T, Yasuoka Y, Goto T, Ikeda T, Nagura K, Nakayama T, Taira M, Kinoshita T. High variability of expression profiles of homeologous genes for Wnt, Hh, Notch, and Hippo signaling pathways in Xenopus laevis. Dev Biol 2017; 426:270-290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Wu F, Zhang Y, Sun B, McMahon AP, Wang Y. Hedgehog Signaling: From Basic Biology to Cancer Therapy. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 24:252-280. [PMID: 28286127 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway was discovered originally as a key pathway in embryonic patterning and development. Since its discovery, it has become increasingly clear that the HH pathway also plays important roles in a multitude of cancers. Therefore, HH signaling has emerged as a therapeutic target of interest for cancer therapy. In this review, we provide a brief overview of HH signaling and the key molecular players involved and offer an up-to-date summary of our current knowledge of endogenous and exogenous small molecules that modulate HH signaling. We discuss experiences and lessons learned from the decades-long efforts toward the development of cancer therapies targeting the HH pathway. Challenges to develop next-generation cancer therapies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Andrew P McMahon
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad-CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, W.M. Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Peng WX, Zhu SL, Zhang BY, Shi YM, Feng XX, Liu F, Huang JL, Zheng SG. Smoothened Regulates Migration of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis via Activation of Rho GTPase Signaling. Front Immunol 2017; 8:159. [PMID: 28261216 PMCID: PMC5309251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) acquire aggressive phenotypes characterized with enhanced migration abilities and inherent invasive qualities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Smoothened (Smo) is a key component of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and contributes to tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of Smo in the modulation of cell migration and explore the underlying molecular mechanism(s). FLSs were isolated from RA synovium. Shh levels were regulated by a Smo agonist (purmorphamine), Smo antagonist (KAAD-cyclopamine), or small interfering RNA targeting the Smo gene (Smo-siRNA) in RA-FLSs. Expression of Smo was detected by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Cell migration was examined by Transwell assay and activation of Rho GTPases was measured by pull-down assays. Incubation with purmorphamine resulted in a significant increase of cell migration and activation of Rho GTPase signaling compared to controls (P < 0.05). However, treatment with KAAD-cyclopamine or transfection with Smo-siRNA suppressed migration of RA-FLSs and showed an inhibitory effect of Rho GTPase signaling. Together, these results suggest that Smo plays an important role in RA-FLSs migration through activation of Rho GTPase signaling and may contribute to progression of RA, thus, targeting Shh signal may have a therapeutic potential in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xiang Peng
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of for Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Division of Nephrology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shang-Ling Zhu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Bai-Yu Zhang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Yi-Ming Shi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Xiao-Xue Feng
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Fang Liu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Jian-Lin Huang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Department of for Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
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49
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Potter EA, Dolgova EV, Proskurina AS, Efremov YR, Minkevich AM, Rozanov AS, Peltek SE, Nikolin VP, Popova NA, Seledtsov IA, Molodtsov VV, Zavyalov EL, Taranov OS, Baiborodin SI, Ostanin AA, Chernykh ER, Kolchanov NA, Bogachev SS. Gene expression profiling of tumor-initiating stem cells from mouse Krebs-2 carcinoma using a novel marker of poorly differentiated cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:9425-9441. [PMID: 28031533 PMCID: PMC5354742 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Using the ability of poorly differentiated cells to natively internalize fragments of extracellular double-stranded DNA as a marker, we isolated a tumorigenic subpopulation present in Krebs-2 ascites that demonstrated the features of tumor-inducing cancer stem cells. Having combined TAMRA-labeled DNA probe and the power of RNA-seq technology, we identified a set of 168 genes specifically expressed in TAMRA-positive cells (tumor-initiating stem cells), these genes remaining silent in TAMRA-negative cancer cells. TAMRA+ cells displayed gene expression signatures characteristic of both stem cells and cancer cells. The observed expression differences between TAMRA+ and TAMRA- cells were validated by Real Time PCR. The results obtained corroborated the biological data that TAMRA+ murine Krebs-2 tumor cells are tumor-initiating stem cells. The approach developed can be applied to profile any poorly differentiated cell types that are capable of immanent internalization of double-stranded DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Potter
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Evgenia V. Dolgova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anastasia S. Proskurina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Yaroslav R. Efremov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alexandra M. Minkevich
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Aleksey S. Rozanov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Sergey E. Peltek
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Valeriy P. Nikolin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Nelly A. Popova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | | | - Vladimir V. Molodtsov
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Softberry Inc., New York 10549, USA
| | - Evgeniy L Zavyalov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Oleg S. Taranov
- The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk 630559, Russia
| | - Sergey I. Baiborodin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alexander A. Ostanin
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk 630099, Russia
| | - Elena R. Chernykh
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk 630099, Russia
| | - Nikolay A. Kolchanov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Sergey S. Bogachev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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50
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Didiasova M, Singh R, Wilhelm J, Kwapiszewska G, Wujak L, Zakrzewicz D, Schaefer L, Markart P, Seeger W, Lauth M, Wygrecka M. Pirfenidone exerts antifibrotic effects through inhibition of GLI transcription factors. FASEB J 2017; 31:1916-1928. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600892rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Didiasova
- Department of BiochemistryUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
| | - Rajeev Singh
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT)Center for Tumor Biology and ImmunologyPhilipps UniversityMarburgGermany
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
- German Center for Lung ResearchJustus‐Liebig UniversityGiessenGermany
| | | | - Lukasz Wujak
- Department of BiochemistryUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
| | - Dariusz Zakrzewicz
- Department of BiochemistryUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
| | - Liliana Schaefer
- Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyGoethe University School of MedicineFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Philipp Markart
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
- German Center for Lung ResearchJustus‐Liebig UniversityGiessenGermany
| | - Werner Seeger
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
- German Center for Lung ResearchJustus‐Liebig UniversityGiessenGermany
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT)Center for Tumor Biology and ImmunologyPhilipps UniversityMarburgGermany
| | - Malgorzata Wygrecka
- Department of BiochemistryUniversities of Giessen and Marburg Lung CenterGiessenGermany
- German Center for Lung ResearchJustus‐Liebig UniversityGiessenGermany
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