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Yu K, Ramkumar N, Wong KKL, Tettweiler G, Verheyen EM. The AMPK-like protein kinases Sik2 and Sik3 interact with Hipk and induce synergistic tumorigenesis in a Drosophila cancer model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1214539. [PMID: 37854071 PMCID: PMC10579798 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1214539] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinases (Hipks) regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tissue development. Overexpression of Hipk in Drosophila causes tumorigenic phenotypes in larval imaginal discs. We find that depletion of Salt-inducible kinases Sik2 or Sik3 can suppress Hipk-induced overgrowth. Furthermore, co-expression of constitutively active forms of Sik2 or Sik3 with Hipk caused significant tissue hyperplasia and tissue distortion, indicating that both Sik2 and Sik3 can synergize with Hipk to promote tumorous phenotypes, accompanied by elevated dMyc, Armadillo/β-catenin, and the Yorkie target gene expanded. Larvae expressing these hyperplastic growths also display an extended larval phase, characteristic of other Drosophila tumour models. Examination of total protein levels from fly tissues showed that Hipk proteins were reduced when Siks were depleted through RNAi, suggesting that Siks may regulate Hipk protein stability and/or activity. Conversely, expression of constitutively active Siks with Hipk leads to increased Hipk protein levels. Furthermore, Hipk can interact with Sik2 and Sik3 by co-immunoprecipitation. Co-expression of both proteins leads to a mobility shift of Hipk protein, suggesting it is post-translationally modified. In summary, our research demonstrates a novel function of Siks in synergizing with Hipk to promote tumour growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Niveditha Ramkumar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Kenneth Kin Lam Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Gritta Tettweiler
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Esther M. Verheyen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Rai M, Carter SM, Shefali SA, Chawla G, Tennessen JM. Characterization of genetic and molecular tools for studying the endogenous expression of Lactate dehydrogenase in Drosophila melanogaster. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.15.545165. [PMID: 37398276 PMCID: PMC10312709 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.15.545165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster larval development relies on a specialized metabolic state that utilizes carbohydrates and other dietary nutrients to promote rapid growth. One unique feature of the larval metabolic program is that Lactate Dehydrogenase (Ldh) activity is highly elevated during this growth phase when compared to other stages of the fly life cycle, indicating that Ldh serves a key role in promoting juvenile development. Previous studies of larval Ldh activity have largely focused on the function of this enzyme at the whole animal level, however, Ldh expression varies significantly among larval tissues, raising the question of how this enzyme promotes tissue-specific growth programs. Here we characterize two transgene reporters and an antibody that can be used to study Ldh expression in vivo . We find that all three tools produce similar Ldh expression patterns. Moreover, these reagents demonstrate that the larval Ldh expression pattern is complex, suggesting the purpose of this enzyme varies across cell types. Overall, our studies validate a series of genetic and molecular reagents that can be used to study glycolytic metabolism in the fly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhulika Rai
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Sarah M. Carter
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | | | - Geetanjali Chawla
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence (SNIoE), Dadri, Uttar Pradesh 201314, India
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Sharpe JL, Morgan J, Nisbet N, Campbell K, Casali A. Modelling Cancer Metastasis in Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050677. [PMID: 36899813 PMCID: PMC10000390 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050677] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis, the process by which tumour cells spread throughout the body and form secondary tumours at distant sites, is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The metastatic cascade is a highly complex process encompassing initial dissemination from the primary tumour, travel through the blood stream or lymphatic system, and the colonisation of distant organs. However, the factors enabling cells to survive this stressful process and adapt to new microenvironments are not fully characterised. Drosophila have proven a powerful system in which to study this process, despite important caveats such as their open circulatory system and lack of adaptive immune system. Historically, larvae have been used to model cancer due to the presence of pools of proliferating cells in which tumours can be induced, and transplanting these larval tumours into adult hosts has enabled tumour growth to be monitored over longer periods. More recently, thanks largely to the discovery that there are stem cells in the adult midgut, adult models have been developed. We focus this review on the development of different Drosophila models of metastasis and how they have contributed to our understanding of important factors determining metastatic potential, including signalling pathways, the immune system and the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L. Sharpe
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Jason Morgan
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Nicholas Nisbet
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Kyra Campbell
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Correspondence: (K.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Andreu Casali
- Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Universitat de Lleida and IRBLleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Correspondence: (K.C.); (A.C.)
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Jiang H, Kimura T, Hai H, Yamamura R, Sonoshita M. Drosophila as a toolkit to tackle cancer and its metabolism. Front Oncol 2022; 12:982751. [PMID: 36091180 PMCID: PMC9458318 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.982751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most severe health problems worldwide accounting for the second leading cause of death. Studies have indicated that cancers utilize different metabolic systems as compared with normal cells to produce extra energy and substances required for their survival, which contributes to tumor formation and progression. Recently, the fruit fly Drosophila has been attracting significant attention as a whole-body model for elucidating the cancer mechanisms including metabolism. This tiny organism offers a valuable toolkit with various advantages such as high genetic conservation and similar drug response to mammals. In this review, we introduce flies modeling for cancer patient genotypes which have pinpointed novel therapeutic targets and drug candidates in the salivary gland, thyroid, colon, lung, and brain. Furthermore, we introduce fly models for metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cachexia. Diabetes mellitus and obesity are widely acknowledged risk factors for cancer, while cachexia is a cancer-related metabolic condition. In addition, we specifically focus on two cancer metabolic alterations: the Warburg effect and redox metabolism. Indeed, flies proved useful to reveal the relationship between these metabolic changes and cancer. Such accumulating achievements indicate that Drosophila offers an efficient platform to clarify the mechanisms of cancer as a systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jiang
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Taku Kimura
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Oral Diagnosis and Medicine, Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Han Hai
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryodai Yamamura
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Station for Biosurfaces and Drug Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ryodai Yamamura, ; Masahiro Sonoshita,
| | - Masahiro Sonoshita
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Station for Biosurfaces and Drug Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ryodai Yamamura, ; Masahiro Sonoshita,
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Nguyen PK, Cheng LY. Non-autonomous regulation of neurogenesis by extrinsic cues: a Drosophila perspective. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 1:kvac004. [PMID: 38596708 PMCID: PMC10913833 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The formation of a functional circuitry in the central nervous system (CNS) requires the correct number and subtypes of neural cells. In the developing brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) self-renew while giving rise to progenitors that in turn generate differentiated progeny. As such, the size and the diversity of cells that make up the functional CNS depend on the proliferative properties of NSCs. In the fruit fly Drosophila, where the process of neurogenesis has been extensively investigated, extrinsic factors such as the microenvironment of NSCs, nutrients, oxygen levels and systemic signals have been identified as regulators of NSC proliferation. Here, we review decades of work that explores how extrinsic signals non-autonomously regulate key NSC characteristics such as quiescence, proliferation and termination in the fly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong-Khanh Nguyen
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Louise Y Cheng
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Abstract
Six years ago, DMM launched a subject collection called ‘Drosophila as a Disease Model’. This collection features Review-type articles and original research that highlight the power of Drosophila research in many aspects of human disease modeling. In the ensuing years, Drosophila research has further expanded to capitalize on genome editing, development of resources, and further interest in studying rare disease mechanisms. In the current issue of DMM, we again highlight the versatility, breadth, and scope of Drosophila research in human disease modeling and translational medicine. While many researchers have embraced the power of the fly, many more could still be encouraged to appreciate the strengths of Drosophila and how such research can integrate across species in a multi-pronged approach. Only when we truly acknowledge that all models contribute to our understanding of human biology, can we take advantage of the scope of current research endeavors. Summary: This Editorial encourages us to embrace the power of the fly in studying human disease and highlights how Drosophila studies can be integrated with research in other species to further our understanding of human biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther M Verheyen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, CanadaV5A 1S6
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Choutka C, Cabrera C, Hirabayashi S. Embracing complexity in Drosophila cancer models. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274862. [PMID: 35344038 PMCID: PMC8990082 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, largely due to metastases and cachexia. It is a complex disease that is commonly associated with a variety of comorbidities. With global increases in ageing populations and obesity, multimorbidity is a rapidly growing clinical issue in the context of cancer. Cancer is also genetically heterogeneous, with a tumour's unique profile determining its incidence of metastasis, degree of cachexia and response to therapeutics. These complexities of human cancer are difficult to replicate in animal models and are, in part, responsible for the failures in translational cancer research. In this Perspective, we highlight the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a powerful model organism to investigate multimorbidity and tumour diversity. We also highlight how harnessing these complexities in Drosophila can, potentially, enhance cancer research and advance therapeutic discoveries. Summary: Comorbidities and tumour genetic diversity more accurately reflect the cancer patient landscape but are largely neglected in animal models. Drosophila holds the potential to address these complexities to better understand their impacts on cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Choutka
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Cabrera
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Susumu Hirabayashi
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom.,Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
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Hooper KM. What lies beyond 100 years of insulin. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm049361. [PMID: 34752619 PMCID: PMC8592014 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049361] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been 100 years since the discovery of insulin. This revolutionary treatment saves the lives of millions of people living with diabetes, but much remains to be understood of its mechanisms and roles in homeostasis and disease. To celebrate this centenary, we explore areas of ongoing insulin research in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and beyond. Disease Models & Mechanisms aims to publish high-quality basic and pre-clinical research that advances our understanding of these conditions to facilitate clinical and public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty M. Hooper
- The Company of Biologists, Bidder Building, Station Road, Cambridge CB24 9LF, UK
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