Missing-in-metastasis protein downregulates CXCR4 by promoting ubiquitylation and interaction with small Rab GTPases

LINC00491 Facilitates Tumor Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma via Wnt/β-Catenin-Signaling Pathway by Regulating MTSS1 Ubiquitination

Background: Long non-coding RNAs have been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis and progression through different regulatory mechanisms. It has been reported that aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNA LINC00491 promotes malignancy in multiple tumors, while the role of LINC00491 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is little reported and the mechanism for regulating tumor progression has not been elucidated. Methods: RNA sequencing and the TCGA database were combined to screen differentially expressed lncRNAs that facilitate tumor progression. The expression level of LINC00491 was examined in LUAD clinical samples and in cell lines using RT-qPCR. In vitro experiments including colony formation assay, EdU assay, cell migration and invasion assay and wound healing assay, and in vivo experiments including xenografting subcutaneous tumors and lung metastasis models were performed to investigate the function of LINC00491 in LUAD tumor progressions. RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, RIP assays and truncation experiments were carried out to explore the proteins binding to LINC00491 and the specific interactions between the RNA-protein complex. Results: Our results showed that LINC0491 was significantly upregulated in LUAD and positively correlated with poor survival. High LINC00491 expression promoted proliferation, migration and invasion, and resulted in a high metastatic burden in LUAD. Using pull-down assay and mass spectrometry, MTSS1 was found binding to LINC00491, and the conducted experiments verified the direct interaction between LINC00491 and MTSS1. Meanwhile, LINC00491 was found to regulate MTSS1 degradation by promoting the MTSS1 ubiquitination level and then activating the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway. LINC00491/MTSS1/β-catenin may act as a complex to facilitate tumor progression. Conclusions: In summary, our results found a novel mechanism in which LINC00491 directly interacts with MTSS1 by affecting its ubiquitination modification to promote LUAD proliferation, migration and invasion, then activating the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway, demonstrating its significant role in tumor progression and suggesting that the LINC00491/MTSS1/Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway could serve as a potential therapeutic target for lung adenocarcinoma in the future.

MTSS1 inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis by regulating the CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling axis

The liver is the most common site of metastasis for colorectal cancer (CRC). Metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1), a potential tumor suppressor gene associated with tumor metastasis, has been reported to play an important role in cancer development. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of MTSS1 on the biological behavior of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. A CRC mouse model with a high liver metastatic potential was established by injecting mice with SW1116 cells, and the association between MTSS1 expression levels and the metastatic potential of forming liver metastasis lesions was subsequently analyzed. MTSS1 gain‑ and loss‑of‑function experiments were performed by transfecting the CRC cell lines, SW1116 and DLD‑1, with Plvx‑IRES‑ZsGreen1‑MTSS1 plasmid and short hairpin RNA, respectively. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by MTT, Transwell and flow cytometric assays, respectively. To further determine the underlying mechanisms of MTSS1 in CRC, the expression levels of cell surface chemokine C‑X‑C receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its downstream signaling factors, Rac and cell division cycle 42 (CDC42), were analyzed with or without C‑X‑C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) stimulation. The results revealed that as the CRC metastatic potential increased, the expression levels of MTSS1 decreased. The overexpression of MTSS1 exerted an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while the knockdown of MTSS1 exerted the opposite effects in vitro. Flow cytometric analysis and western blot analysis demonstrated that MTSS1 negatively regulated the expression levels of cell surface CXCR4 and its downstream signaling pathway activation. On the whole, the results of the present study indicate that MTSS1 may play an important negative role in CRC metastasis and the underlying mechanisms may involve the downregulation of the CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling axis.

Missing-in-Metastasis/Metastasis Suppressor 1 Regulates B Cell Receptor Signaling, B Cell Metabolic Potential, and T Cell-Independent Immune Responses

Efficient generation of antibodies by B cells is one of the prerequisites of protective immunity. B cell activation by cognate antigens via B cell receptors (BCRs), or pathogen-associated molecules through pattern-recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), leads to transcriptional and metabolic changes that ultimately transform B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells or memory cells. BCR signaling and a number of steps downstream of it rely on coordinated action of cellular membranes and the actin cytoskeleton, tightly controlled by concerted action of multiple regulatory proteins, some of them exclusive to B cells. Here, we dissect the role of Missing-In-Metastasis (MIM), or Metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1), a cancer-associated membrane and actin cytoskeleton regulating protein, in B cell-mediated immunity by taking advantage of MIM knockout mouse strain. We show undisturbed B cell development and largely normal composition of B cell compartments in the periphery. Interestingly, we found that MIM-/- B cells are defected in BCR signaling in response to surface-bound antigens but, on the other hand, show increased metabolic activity after stimulation with LPS or CpG. In vivo, MIM knockout animals exhibit impaired IgM antibody responses to immunization with T cell-independent antigen. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of MIM in B cells, demonstrates its regulatory role for B cell-mediated immunity, as well as proposes new functions for MIM in tuning receptor signaling and cellular metabolism, processes, which may also contribute to the poorly understood functions of MIM in cancer.

MTSS1 suppresses mammary tumor-initiating cells by enhancing RBCK1-mediated p65 ubiquitination

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are considered the culprits of cancer development and progression. Dysregulation of metastasis suppressor protein 1 (MTSS1) has been widely observed in tumor metastasis, but its functional contribution and mechanism in cancer is poorly understood. Here we report a role of MTSS1 in suppressing TICs in breast cancer. Mtss1 knockout (KO) enhances the mammary epithelial TIC subpopulation in both luminal and basal-like breast cancer mouse models. MTSS1 also suppresses tumorsphere formation in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, MTSS1 interacts with the E3 ligase RanBP2-type and C3HC4-type zinc finger containing 1 (RBCK1) to facilitate RBCK1-mediated p65 ubiquitination and degradation, thus suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway and tumorigenesis. In addition, actin beta-like 2 (ACTBL2) competes with RBCK1 for MTSS1 binding, leading to p65 stabilization. Importantly, MTSS1 silencing promotes patient-derived organoid formation and xenograft growth. MTSS1 downregulation in clinical tumors is also linked to worse prognosis. Overall our data reveal a new paradigm of NF-κB regulation and may have important implications in therapeutics targeting TICs.

Abnormalities in chemokine receptor recycling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

In addition to their modulation through de novo expression and degradation, surface levels of chemokine receptors are tuned by their ligand-dependent recycling to the plasma membrane, which ensures that engaged receptors become rapidly available for further rounds of signaling. Dysregulation of this process contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by enhancing surface expression of chemokine receptors, thereby favoring leukemic cell accumulation in the protective niche of lymphoid organs. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the process of chemokine receptor recycling, focusing on the impact of its dysregulation in CLL.

Regulation of autoimmune disease by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch

Itch is a HECT type E3 ubiquitin ligase that is required to prevent the development of autoimmune disease in both mice and humans. Itch is expressed in most mammalian cell types, and, based on published data, it regulates many cellular pathways ranging from T cell differentiation to liver tumorigenesis. Since 1998, when Itch was first discovered, hundreds of publications have described mechanisms through which Itch controls various biologic activities in both immune and non-immune cells. Other studies have provided insight into how Itch catalytic activity is regulated. However, while autoimmunity is the primary clinical feature that occurs in both mice and humans lacking Itch, and Itch control of immune cell function has been well-studied, it remains unclear how Itch prevents the emergence of autoimmune disease. In this review, we explore recent discoveries that advance our understanding of how Itch regulates immune cell biology, and the extent to which these clarify how Itch prevents autoimmune disease. Additionally, we discuss how molecular regulators of Itch impact its ability to control these processes, as this may provide clues on how to therapeutically target Itch to treat patients with autoimmune disease.

Differential interactions of missing in metastasis and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate with RAB proteins in the endocytosis of CXCR4

Missing in metastasis (MIM), an inverse Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs (I-BAR) domain protein, promotes endocytosis of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in mammalian cells. In response to the CXCR4 ligand stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1 or CXCL12), MIM associates with RAS-related GTP-binding protein 7 (RAB7) 30 min after stimulation. However, RAB7's role in MIM function remains undefined. Here we show that RNAi-mediated suppression of RAB7 expression in human HeLa cells has little effect on the binding of MIM to RAB5 and on the recruitment of CXCR4 to early endosomes but effectively abolishes MIM-mediated CXCR4 degradation, chemotactic response, and sorting into late endosomes and lysosomes. To determine whether I-BAR domain proteins interact with RAB7, we examined cells expressing insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate (IRTKS), an I-BAR domain protein bearing an Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. We observed that both MIM and IRTKS interact with RAB5 at an early response to SDF-1 and that IRTKS binds poorly to RAB7 but strongly to RAB11 at a later time point. Moreover, IRTKS overexpression reduced CXCR4 internalization and enhanced the chemotactic response to SDF-1. Interestingly, deletion of the SH3 domain in IRTKS abolished the IRTKS-RAB11 interaction and promoted CXCR4 degradation. Furthermore, the SH3 domain was required for selective targeting of MIM-IRTKS fusion proteins by both RAB7 and RAB11. Hence, to the best of our knowledge, our results provide first evidence that the SH3 domain is critical in the regulation of specific endocytic pathways by I-BAR domain proteins.

Missing-in-metastasis protein promotes internalization of magnetic nanoparticles via association with clathrin light chain and Rab7

BACKGROUND

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used in biomedical applications. Proper control of the duration of MNPs in circulation promises to improve further their applications, in particularly drug delivery. It is known that the uptake of tissue-associated MNPs is mainly carried out by macrophages. Yet, the molecular mechanism to control MNPs internalization in macrophages remains to be elusive. Missing-in-metastasis (MIM) is a scaffolding protein that is highly expressed in macrophages and regulates receptor-mediated endocytosis. We hypothesize that uptake of MNPs may also involve the function of MIM.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of MIM expression on the intracellular trafficking of MNPs by transmission electronic microscopy, flow cytometry, o-phenanthroline photometric analysis, Perl's staining, immunofluorescence microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation. To explore the molecular events in MIM-mediated MNPs uptake, we examined the effect of MNPs on the interaction of MIM with clathrin, Rab5 and Rab7.

RESULTS

Uptake of MNPs was significantly enhanced in cells overexpressing MIM. Upon exposure to MNPs, MIM was associated with clathrin light chain in endocytic vesicles and Rab7, a protein that regulates late endosomes. However, MNPs caused dissociation of MIM with Rab5, an early endosome-associated protein.

CONCLUSIONS

MIM regulates internalization of MNPs via promoting their trafficking from plasma membrane to late endosomes.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Our data unveiled a novel pathway which MNPs internalization and intracellular trafficking in macrophages. This new pathway may allow us to control the uptake of MNPs within cells by targeting MIM, thereby improving their medical applications.

Preconditioning of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells by rapamycin increases cell migration and ameliorates liver ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice via the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis

Objectives

Transfusion of umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC‐MSCs) is a novel strategy for treatment of various liver diseases. However, the therapeutic effect of UC‐MSCs is limited because only a few UC‐MSCs migrate towards the damaged regions. In this study, we observed the effects of autophagy on the migration of UC‐MSCs in vitro and in a model of liver ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Materials and Methods

We investigated the effects of autophagy on the status of the cell, release of anti‐inflammatory factors and migration of UC‐MSCs in vitro. The therapeutic effects and in vivo migration of rapamycin‐preconditioned UC‐MSCs were observed in a C57/B6 mouse model of liver I/R injury.

Results

Induction of autophagy by rapamycin enhanced the ability of UC‐MSCs to migrate and release anti‐inflammatory cytokines as well as increased expression of CXCR4 without affecting cell viability. Inhibition of CXCR4 activation markedly decreased migration of these cells. In a mouse model of liver I/R injury, we found significantly upregulated expression of CXCR12 in the damaged liver. More rapamycin‐preconditioned UC‐MSCs migrated towards the ischaemic regions than 3‐methyladenine‐preconditioned or non‐preconditioned UC‐MSCs, leading to improvement in hepatic performance, pathological changes and levels of inflammatory cytokines. These effects were abolished by AMD3100.

Conclusions

Preconditioning of UC‐MSCs by rapamycin afforded increased protection against liver I/R injury by enhancing immunosuppression and strengthening the homing and migratory capacity of these cells via the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis.

p66Shc deficiency enhances CXCR4 and CCR7 recycling in CLL B cells by facilitating their dephosphorylation-dependent release from β-arrestin at early endosomes

Neoplastic cell traffic abnormalities are central to the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Enhanced CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) and chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7) recycling contributes to the elevated surface levels of these receptors on CLL cells. Here we have addressed the role of p66Shc, a member of the Shc family of protein adaptors the expression of which is defective in CLL cells, in CXCR4/CCR7 recycling. p66Shc reconstitution in CLL cells reduced CXCR4/CCR7 recycling, lowering their surface levels and attenuating B-cell chemotaxis, due to their accumulation in Rab5⁺ endosomes as serine-phosphoproteins bound to β-arrestin. This results from the ability of p66Shc to inhibit Ca²⁺ and PP2B-dependent CXCR4/CCR7 dephosphorylation and β-arrestin release. We also show that ibrutinib, a Btk inhibitor that promotes leukemic cell mobilization from lymphoid organs, reverses the CXCR4/CCR7 recycling abnormalities in CLL cells by increasing p66Shc expression. These results, identifying p66Shc as a regulator of CXCR4/CCR7 recycling in B cells, underscore the relevance of its deficiency to CLL pathogenesis and provide new clues to the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ibrutinib.