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Vlashi R, Sun F, Zheng C, Zhang X, Liu J, Chen G. The molecular biology of NF2/Merlin on tumorigenesis and development. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23809. [PMID: 38967126 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400019rr] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene, known for encoding the tumor suppressor protein Merlin, is central to the study of tumorigenesis and associated cellular processes. This review comprehensively examines the multifaceted role of NF2/Merlin, detailing its structural characteristics, functional diversity, and involvement in various signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Hippo, TGF-β, RTKs, mTOR, Notch, and Hedgehog. These pathways are crucial for cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation. NF2 mutations are specifically linked to the development of schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas, although the precise mechanisms of tumor formation in these specific cell types remain unclear. Additionally, the review explores Merlin's role in embryogenesis, highlighting the severe developmental defects and embryonic lethality caused by NF2 deficiency. The potential therapeutic strategies targeting these genetic aberrations are also discussed, emphasizing inhibitors of mTOR, HDAC, and VEGF as promising avenues for treatment. This synthesis of current knowledge underscores the necessity for ongoing research to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of NF2/Merlin and develop effective therapeutic strategies, ultimately aiming to improve the prognosis and quality of life for individuals with NF2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rexhina Vlashi
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fuju Sun
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenggong Zheng
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingen Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Jiaxing Key Laboratory for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Orthopaedics & Skeletal Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Cancer Center, Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiaxing, China
| | - Guiqian Chen
- College of Life Science and Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
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Mishra J, Chakraborty S, Niharika, Roy A, Manna S, Baral T, Nandi P, Patra SK. Mechanotransduction and epigenetic modulations of chromatin: Role of mechanical signals in gene regulation. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30531. [PMID: 38345428 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical forces may be generated within a cell due to tissue stiffness, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the changes (even subtle) in the cell's physical surroundings. These changes of forces impose a mechanical tension within the intracellular protein network (both cytosolic and nuclear). Mechanical tension could be released by a series of protein-protein interactions often facilitated by membrane lipids, lectins and sugar molecules and thus generate a type of signal to drive cellular processes, including cell differentiation, polarity, growth, adhesion, movement, and survival. Recent experimental data have accentuated the molecular mechanism of this mechanical signal transduction pathway, dubbed mechanotransduction. Mechanosensitive proteins in the cell's plasma membrane discern the physical forces and channel the information to the cell interior. Cells respond to the message by altering their cytoskeletal arrangement and directly transmitting the signal to the nucleus through the connection of the cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton before the information despatched to the nucleus by biochemical signaling pathways. Nuclear transmission of the force leads to the activation of chromatin modifiers and modulation of the epigenetic landscape, inducing chromatin reorganization and gene expression regulation; by the time chemical messengers (transcription factors) arrive into the nucleus. While significant research has been done on the role of mechanotransduction in tumor development and cancer progression/metastasis, the mechanistic basis of force-activated carcinogenesis is still enigmatic. Here, in this review, we have discussed the various cues and molecular connections to better comprehend the cellular mechanotransduction pathway, and we also explored the detailed role of some of the multiple players (proteins and macromolecular complexes) involved in mechanotransduction. Thus, we have described an avenue: how mechanical stress directs the epigenetic modifiers to modulate the epigenome of the cells and how aberrant stress leads to the cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdish Mishra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Subhajit Chakraborty
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Niharika
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Ankan Roy
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Tirthankar Baral
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Piyasa Nandi
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Samir K Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
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Yuan O, Ugale A, de Marchi T, Anthonydhason V, Konturek-Ciesla A, Wan H, Eldeeb M, Drabe C, Jassinskaja M, Hansson J, Hidalgo I, Velasco-Hernandez T, Cammenga J, Magee JA, Niméus E, Bryder D. A somatic mutation in moesin drives progression into acute myeloid leukemia. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm9987. [PMID: 35442741 PMCID: PMC9020775 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises when leukemia-initiating cells, defined by a primary genetic lesion, acquire subsequent molecular changes whose cumulative effects bypass tumor suppression. The changes that underlie AML pathogenesis not only provide insights into the biology of transformation but also reveal novel therapeutic opportunities. However, backtracking these events in transformed human AML samples is challenging, if at all possible. Here, we approached this question using a murine in vivo model with an MLL-ENL fusion protein as a primary molecular event. Upon clonal transformation, we identified and extensively verified a recurrent codon-changing mutation (Arg295Cys) in the ERM protein moesin that markedly accelerated leukemogenesis. Human cancer-associated moesin mutations at the conserved arginine-295 residue similarly enhanced MLL-ENL-driven leukemogenesis. Mechanistically, the mutation interrupted the stability of moesin and conferred a neomorphic activity to the protein, which converged on enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity. Thereby, our studies demonstrate a critical role of ERM proteins in AML, with implications also for human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouyang Yuan
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Amol Ugale
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology of the University of Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tommaso de Marchi
- Division of Surgery, Oncology, and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Solvegatan 19, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vimala Anthonydhason
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 1F, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Konturek-Ciesla
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Haixia Wan
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Eldeeb
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Caroline Drabe
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Jassinskaja
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jenny Hansson
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Isabel Hidalgo
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Jörg Cammenga
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jeffrey A. Magee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Emma Niméus
- Division of Surgery, Oncology, and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Solvegatan 19, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Entrégatan 7, 222 42 Lund, Sweden
| | - David Bryder
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
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The COVID-19 Cell Signalling Problem: Spike, RAGE, PKC, p38, NFκB & IL-6 Hyper-Expression and the Human Ezrin Peptide, VIP, PKA-CREB Solution. IMMUNO 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno2020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibits interferon expression, while hyper-activating innate-immune signalling and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. SARS-CoV-2 proteins: Spike, M and nsp6, nsp12 and nsp13 inhibit IFR3-mediated Type-1-interferon defence, but hyper-activate intracellular signalling, which leads to dysfunctional expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1β IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα. Ezrin, a sub-membrane adaptor-protein, organises multi-protein-complexes such as ezrin+NHERF1+NHE+CFTR, which control the density and location of ACE2 receptor expression on the luminal surface of airway-epithelial-cells, as well as determining susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This protein complex is vital for lung-surfactant production for efficient gas-exchange. Ezrin also forms multi-protein-complexes that regulate signalling kinases; Ras, PKC, PI3K, and PKA. m-RAGE is a pattern-recognition-receptor of the innate immune system that is triggered by AGEs, which are chemically modified proteins common in the elderly and obese. m-RAGE forms multi-protein complexes with ezrin and TIRAP, a toll-like-receptor adaptor-protein. The main cause of COVID-19 is not viral infection but pro-inflammatory p38MAPK signalling mediated by TLRs and RAGE. In contrast, it appears that activated ezrin+PKA signalling results in the activation of transcription-factor CREB, which suppresses NFκB mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. In addition, competition between ezrin and TIRAP to form multi-protein-complexes on membrane PIP2-lipid-rafts is a macromolecular-switch that changes the priority from innate immune activation programs to adaptive immune activation programs. Human Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), and Human Ezrin Peptides (HEP-1 and RepG3) probably inhibit COVID-19 by activating the ezrin+PKA and ras>Raf>MEK>ERK>RSK>CREB>IL-10 signalling, which favours activation of adaptive immunity programs and inhibition of the dysfunctional innate-inflammation, the cause of COVID-19. HEP-1, RepG3, and VIP in individual human volunteers and in small clinical studies have been shown to be effective COVID-19 therapies, and seem to have a closely related mechanism of action.
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Zhang Y, Long J, Ren J, Huang X, Zhong P, Wang B. Potential Molecular Biomarkers of Vestibular Schwannoma Growth: Progress and Prospects. Front Oncol 2021; 11:731441. [PMID: 34646772 PMCID: PMC8503266 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.731441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Vestibular schwannomas (VSs, also known as acoustic neuromas) are relatively rare benign brain tumors stem from the Schwann cells of the eighth cranial nerve. Tumor growth is the paramount factor for neurosurgeons to decide whether to choose aggressive treatment approach or careful follow-up with regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as surgery and radiation can introduce significant trauma and affect neurological function, while tumor enlargement during long-term follow-up will compress the adjacent nerves and tissues, causing progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. Recently, with the deepening research of VS biology, some proteins that regulate merlin conformation changes, inflammatory cytokines, miRNAs, tissue proteins and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) components have been proposed to be closely related to tumor volume increase. In this review, we discuss advances in the study of biomarkers that associated with VS growth, providing a reference for exploring the growth course of VS and determining the optimal treatment strategy for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfei Long
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junwei Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an almost incurable malignancy whose incidence has increased over the past 30 years. Instead of pursuing the development of modalities utilizing 'traditional' cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, we have explored the possibilities of developing novel multi-kinase inhibitor drug combinations to kill this tumor type. Several approaches using the multi-kinase inhibitors sorafenib, regorafenib, and neratinib have been safely translated from the bench to the bedside, with objective anti-tumor responses. This review will discuss our prior preclinical and clinical studies and discuss future clinical opportunities in this disease.
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Dent P, Booth L, Poklepovic A, Von Hoff D, Martinez J, Zhou Y, Hancock JF. Osimertinib-resistant NSCLC cells activate ERBB2 and YAP/TAZ and are killed by neratinib. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114642. [PMID: 34077739 PMCID: PMC11082938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We performed additional mechanistic analyses to redefine neratinib biology and determined the mechanisms by which the multi-kinase inhibitor neratinib interacted with the thymidylate synthase inhibitor pemetrexed to kill NSCLC cells expressing either mutant KRAS (G12S; Q61H; G12A; G12C) or mutant NRAS (Q61K) or mutant ERBB1 (L858R; L858R T790M; exon 19 deletion). Neratinib rapidly reduced KRASG12V and RAC1G12V nanoclustering which was followed by KRASG12V, but not RAC1G12V, being extensively mislocalized away from the plasma membrane. This correlated with reduced levels of, and reorganized membrane localization of phosphatidylserine and cholesterol. Reduced nanoclustering was not associated with inactivation of ERBB1, Merlin or Ezrin. The drug combination killed cells expressing mutant KRAS, NRAS or mutant ERBB1 proteins. Afatinib or osimertinib resistant cells were killed with a similar efficacy to non-resistant cells. Compared to osimertinib-resistant cells, sensitive cells had less ERBB2 Y1248 phosphorylation. In osimertinib resistant H1975 cells, the drug combination was less capable of inactivating AKT, mTOR, STAT3, STAT5, ERK1/2 whereas it gained the ability to inactivate ERBB3. In resistant H1650 cells, the drug combination was less capable of inactivating JAK2 and STAT5. Sensitive cells exhibited elevated basal phosphorylation of YAP and TAZ. In resistant cells, portions of YAP and TAZ were localized in the nucleus. [Neratinib + pemetrexed] increased phosphorylation of YAP and TAZ, caused their nuclear exit, and enhanced ERBB2 degradation. Thus, neratinib targets an unidentified protein whose functional inhibition directly results in RAS inactivation and tumor cell killing. Our data prove that, albeit indirectly, oncogenic RAS proteins are druggable by neratinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States.
| | - Laurence Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Andrew Poklepovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Daniel Von Hoff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Jennifer Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - John F Hancock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States; Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States; Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
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Würtemberger J, Tchessalova D, Regina C, Bauer C, Schneider M, Wagers AJ, Hettmer S. Growth inhibition associated with disruption of the actin cytoskeleton by Latrunculin A in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238572. [PMID: 32898143 PMCID: PMC7478754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional genomic screening of KRAS-driven mouse sarcomas was previously employed to identify proliferation-relevant genes. Genes identified included Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (Ube2c), Centromere Protein E (Cenpe), Hyaluronan Synthase 2 (Has2), and CAMP Responsive Element Binding Protein 3 Like 2 (Creb3l2). This study examines the expression and chemical inhibition of these candidate genes, identifying variable levels of protein expression and significant contributions to rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell proliferation. Chemical treatment of human and murine RMS cell lines with bortezomib, UA62784, latrunculin A and sorafenib inhibited growth with approximate EC50 concentrations of 15-30nM for bortezomib, 25-80nM for UA62784 and 80-220nM for latrunculin A. The multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib increased in vitro proliferation of 4 of 6 sarcoma cell lines tested. Latrunculin A was further associated with disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Together, this work advances opportunities for developing therapies to block progression of soft-tissue sarcomas and demonstrates that disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in sarcoma cells by latrunculin A is associated with a reduction in RMS cell growth. (167 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Würtemberger
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daria Tchessalova
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Carla Regina
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Bauer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Schneider
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Amy J. Wagers
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Moodley S, Lian EY, Crupi MJF, Hyndman BD, Mulligan LM. RET isoform-specific interaction with scaffold protein Ezrin promotes cell migration and chemotaxis in lung adenocarcinoma. Lung Cancer 2020; 142:123-131. [PMID: 32146264 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Increased expression of REarranged during Transfection (RET) kinase is reported in 10-20 % of lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) and is associated with metastasis and reduced survival. Ezrin is a scaffold protein that promotes protein interactions with the actin cytoskeleton to regulate cell migration and is also associated with invasion and metastasis in cancers. RET isoforms interact with unique combinations of scaffold proteins to promote distinct signaling pathways. We hypothesized that RET isoforms associate distinctly with Ezrin for cytoskeletal reorganization and LUAD cell migration processes. METHODS HCC1833 and A549 LUAD, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma or HEK-293 cells expressing RET and Ezrin were stimulated with the RET ligand glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and treated with RET, Ezrin or Src inhibitors. Co-immunoprecipitation or pull-down assays coupled to immunoblotting were used to investigate protein activation and interactions. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy assessed LUAD cytoskeletal reorganization and colocalization of RET and Ezrin. Live-cell fluorescence imaging was used to measure cell migration and chemotaxis. RESULTS GDNF promoted activation, interaction and colocalization of RET51 isoform and Ezrin. Inhibition of RET or Src impaired Ezrin interactions with RET and Src. GDNF stimulation enhanced the formation of actin-rich filopodia, in which both RET and Ezrin were enriched, and promoted chemotaxis in LUAD cells. However, inhibition of RET, Src or Ezrin suppressed filopodia formation, reduced colocalization of Ezrin with RET, and impaired cell migration and/ or chemotaxis. We further showed that GDNF-mediated activation of RET and Ezrin promoted RhoA-GTPase activity and signaling of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in LUAD cells. CONCLUSIONS Expression and activation of RET51 mediates unique protein interactions with Ezrin to promote LUAD cell chemotaxis for cancer cell dissemination, which may have implications in LUAD metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serisha Moodley
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Eric Y Lian
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Mathieu J F Crupi
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Brandy D Hyndman
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Lois M Mulligan
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Ye N, Xu Q, Li W, Wang P, Zhou J. Recent Advances in Developing K-Ras Plasma Membrane Localization Inhibitors. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2114-2127. [PMID: 31475899 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190902145116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Ras proteins play an important role in cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and survival by regulating diverse signaling pathways. Oncogenic mutant K-Ras is the most frequently mutated class of Ras superfamily that is highly prevalent in many human cancers. Despite intensive efforts to combat various K-Ras-mutant-driven cancers, no effective K-Ras-specific inhibitors have yet been approved for clinical use to date. Since K-Ras proteins must be associated to the plasma membrane for their function, targeting K-Ras plasma membrane localization represents a logical and potentially tractable therapeutic approach. Here, we summarize the recent advances in the development of K-Ras plasma membrane localization inhibitors including natural product-based inhibitors achieved from high throughput screening, fragment-based drug design, virtual screening, and drug repurposing as well as hit-to-lead optimizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Qingfeng Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Wanwan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Pingyuan Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
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Sundaram S, Palaniappan B, Nepal N, Chaffins S, Sundaram U, Arthur S. Mechanism of Dyslipidemia in Obesity-Unique Regulation of Ileal Villus Cell Brush Border Membrane Sodium-Bile Acid Cotransport. Cells 2019; 8:E1197. [PMID: 31623375 PMCID: PMC6830326 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In obesity, increased absorption of dietary fat contributes to altered lipid homeostasis. In turn, dyslipidemia of obesity leads to many of the complications of obesity. Bile acids are necessary for the absorption of dietary fat. In the mammalian intestine, apical sodium-dependent bile acid cotransporter (ASBT; SLC10A2) is exclusively responsible for the reabsorption of bile acids in the terminal ileum. In rat and mice models of obesity and importantly in obese humans, ASBT was increased in ileal villus cells. The mechanism of stimulation of ASBT was secondary to an increase in ASBT expression in villus cell brush border membrane. The stimulation of ASBT was not secondary to the altered Na-extruding capacity of villus cells during obesity. Further, increased Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) expression in villus cells during obesity likely mediated the increase in ASBT. Moreover, enhanced FXR expression increased the expression of bile-acid-associated proteins (IBABP and OSTα) that are responsible for handling bile acids absorbed via ASBT in villus cells during obesity. Thus, this study demonstrated that in an epidemic condition, obesity, the dyslipidemia that leads to many of the complications of the condition, may, at least in part, be due to deregulation of intestinal bile acid absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmuga Sundaram
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Appalachian Center for Cellular transport in Obesity Related Disorders, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Balasubramanian Palaniappan
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Appalachian Center for Cellular transport in Obesity Related Disorders, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Niraj Nepal
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Appalachian Center for Cellular transport in Obesity Related Disorders, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Shaun Chaffins
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Appalachian Center for Cellular transport in Obesity Related Disorders, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Uma Sundaram
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Appalachian Center for Cellular transport in Obesity Related Disorders, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Subha Arthur
- Department of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Appalachian Center for Cellular transport in Obesity Related Disorders, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
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12
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The NF2 tumor suppressor merlin interacts with Ras and RasGAP, which may modulate Ras signaling. Oncogene 2019; 38:6370-6381. [PMID: 31312020 PMCID: PMC6756068 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0883-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inactivation of the tumor suppressor NF2/merlin underlies neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and some sporadic tumors. Previous studies have established that merlin mediates contact inhibition of proliferation; however, the exact mechanisms remain obscure and multiple pathways have been implicated. We have previously reported that merlin inhibits Ras and Rac activity during contact inhibition, but how merlin regulates Ras activity has remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that merlin can directly interact with both Ras and p120RasGAP (also named RasGAP). While merlin does not increase the catalytic activity of RasGAP, the interactions with Ras and RasGAP may fine-tune Ras signaling. In vivo, loss of RasGAP in Schwann cells, unlike the loss of merlin, failed to promote tumorigenic growth in an orthotopic model. Therefore, modulation of Ras signaling through RasGAP likely contributes to, but is not sufficient to account for, merlin’s tumor suppressor activity. Our study provides new insight into the mechanisms of merlin-dependent Ras regulation and may have additional implications for merlin-dependent regulation of other small GTPases.
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13
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Hong YK, Lee YC, Cheng TL, Lai CH, Hsu CK, Kuo CH, Hsu YY, Li JT, Chang BI, Ma CY, Lin SW, Wang KC, Shi GY, Wu HL. Tumor Endothelial Marker 1 (TEM1/Endosialin/CD248) Enhances Wound Healing by Interacting with Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptors. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:2204-2214.e7. [PMID: 30986375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.03.1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1), also known as endosialin or CD248, is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein containing a C-type lectin-like domain. It is highly expressed in pericytes and fibroblasts. Dermal fibroblasts play a pivotal role during cutaneous wound healing, especially in the proliferative phase. However, the physiological function of TEM1 in wound healing is still undetermined. During the process of wound healing, the expression of both TEM1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor α was highly upregulated in myofibroblasts. In vivo, fibroblast activation and collagen deposition in granulation tissues were attenuated, and wound healing was retarded in TEM1-deleted mice. In vitro, the migration, adhesion, and proliferation of NIH3T3 cells were suppressed following TEM1 knockdown by short hairpin RNA. In PDGF-BB-treated NIH3T3 cells, the downstream signal and mitogenic, and chemoattractive effects were inhibited by TEM1 knockdown. In addition, TEM1 and PDGF receptor α were colocalized in subcellular organelles in fibroblasts, and the association of TEM1 and PDGF receptor α was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation. In summary, these findings suggested that TEM1, in combination with PDGF receptor α, plays a critical role in wound healing by enhancing the mitogenic and chemoattractive effects of PDGF-BB and collagen deposition in myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Kai Hong
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; International Center of Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chou Lee
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Lin Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Orthopaedic Research Center, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Han Lai
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Kai Hsu
- International Center of Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsiang Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Yan Hsu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ting Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Bi-Ing Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yuan Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Wha Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Chieh Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Yueh Shi
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hua-Lin Wu
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; International Center of Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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14
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Schultz K, Grieger (Lindner) C, Li Y, Urbánek P, Ruschel A, Minnich K, Bruder D, Gereke M, Sechi A, Herrlich P. Gamma secretase dependent release of the CD44 cytoplasmic tail upregulates IFI16 in cd44-/- tumor cells, MEFs and macrophages. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207358. [PMID: 30540779 PMCID: PMC6291121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The adhesion molecule and co-receptor of receptor tyrosine kinases, CD44, is expressed in all cells of the immune system, but also in numerous non-immune cells. CD44 plays roles in the cellular response to different pathogens. The molecular actions of CD44 during these processes are by and large still unknown. The CD44 molecule undergoes a sequential proteolytic cleavage which leads to the release of a soluble intracellular domain (CD44-ICD). Previous reports had shown that the CD44-ICD is taken up into the nucleus where it enhances transcription of specific target genes. By RNA profiling we identified a CD44-dependent transcriptional increase of interferon-responsive genes, among them IFI16. IFI16 is important in the innate immune response. It senses and binds pathogenic DNA and, together with cGAS, activates the cGAS-cGAMP-STING pathway and induces the expression of genes relevant for the response, e.g. IFN-β. Our results show that the enhancement of IFI16 expression depended on CD44 cleavage. A CD44-negative tumor cell line, embryonic fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived macrophages from cd44-/- mice were reduced in their response to IFN-γ, to viral DNA fragments and to Listeria monocytogenes infection. We could rescue the deficiency of CD44 negative RPM-MC cells and cd44-/- MEFs by expressing only the soluble CD44-ICD in the absence of any other CD44 domain. Expression of the CD44-ICD carrying a mutation that prevented the uptake into the nucleus, could not rescue the absence of CD44. This molecular aspect of regulation by CD44 may explain part of the immune phenotypes of mice with cd44 gene disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Schultz
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Immune Regulation Group, Braunschweig, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Prevention and Control, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Yong Li
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Pavel Urbánek
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Anne Ruschel
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Minnich
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Dunja Bruder
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Immune Regulation Group, Braunschweig, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Prevention and Control, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Gereke
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Immune Regulation Group, Braunschweig, Germany
- Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Prevention and Control, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Antonio Sechi
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Dept. of Cell Biology, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Herrlich
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
- * E-mail:
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15
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Xing F, Liu Y, Wu SY, Wu K, Sharma S, Mo YY, Feng J, Sanders S, Jin G, Singh R, Vidi PA, Tyagi A, Chan MD, Ruiz J, Debinski W, Pasche BC, Lo HW, Metheny-Barlow LJ, D'Agostino RB, Watabe K. Loss of XIST in Breast Cancer Activates MSN-c-Met and Reprograms Microglia via Exosomal miRNA to Promote Brain Metastasis. Cancer Res 2018; 78:4316-4330. [PMID: 30026327 PMCID: PMC6072593 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Up to 30% of patients with metastatic breast cancer eventually develop brain metastasis, yet the pathologic mechanism behind this development remains poorly understood. Here, we profiled long noncoding RNAs in brain metastatic tumors from patients with breast cancer and found that the X-inactive-specific transcript (XIST) was significantly downregulated in these tissues. XIST expression levels inversely correlated with brain metastasis, but not with bone metastasis in patients. Silencing of XIST preferentially promoted brain metastatic growth of XISThigh cells in our xenograft models. Moreover, knockout of XIST in mice mammary glands accelerated primary tumor growth as well as metastases in the brain. Decreased expression of XIST stimulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and activated c-Met via MSN-mediated protein stabilization, which resulted in the promotion of stemness in the tumor cells. Loss of XIST also augmented secretion of exosomal miRNA-503, which triggered M1-M2 polarization of microglia. This M1-M2 conversion upregulated immune suppressive cytokines in microglia that suppressed T-cell proliferation. Furthermore, we screened an FDA-approved drug library and identified fludarabine as a synthetic lethal drug for XISTlow breast tumor cells and found that fludarabine blocked brain metastasis in our animal model. Our results indicate that XIST plays a critical role in brain metastasis in breast cancer by affecting both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment and that the XIST-mediated pathway may serve as an effective target for treating brain metastasis.Significance: These findings describe mechanisms of how loss of the lncRNA XIST promotes brain metastasis in breast cancer and identify fludarabine as a potential therapeutic agent that specifically eliminates XISTlow tumor cells in the brain. Cancer Res; 78(15); 4316-30. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xing
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina.
| | - Yin Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Shih-Ying Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Kerui Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Sambad Sharma
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Yin-Yuan Mo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Jiamei Feng
- Mammary Department, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Stephanie Sanders
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Guangxu Jin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ravi Singh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Pierre-Alexandre Vidi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Abhishek Tyagi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Michael D Chan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jimmy Ruiz
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Waldemar Debinski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Boris C Pasche
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Linda J Metheny-Barlow
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ralph B D'Agostino
- Biostatistical Sciences Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina.
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16
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Riecken LB, Zoch A, Wiehl U, Reichert S, Scholl I, Cui Y, Ziemer M, Anderegg U, Hagel C, Morrison H. CPI-17 drives oncogenic Ras signaling in human melanomas via Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin family proteins. Oncotarget 2018; 7:78242-78254. [PMID: 27793041 PMCID: PMC5346635 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactive Ras signaling has strong oncogenic effects causing several different forms of cancer. Hyperactivity is frequently induced by mutations within Ras itself, which account for up to 30% of all human cancers. In addition, hyperactive Ras signaling can also be triggered independent of Ras by either mutation or by misexpression of various upstream regulators and immediate downstream effectors. We have previously reported that C-kinase potentiated protein phosphatase-1 inhibitor of 17 kDa (CPI-17) can drive Ras activity and promote tumorigenic transformation by inhibition of the tumor suppressor Merlin. We now describe an additional element of this oncogenic mechanism in the form of the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) protein family, which exhibits opposing roles in Ras activity control. Thus, CPI-17 drives Ras activity and tumorigenesis in a two-fold way; inactivation of the tumor suppressor merlin and activation of the growth promoting ERM family. The in vivo significance of this oncogenic switch is highlighted by demonstrating CPI-17's involvement in human melanoma pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ansgar Zoch
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrike Wiehl
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine Reichert
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ingmar Scholl
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Yan Cui
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mirjana Ziemer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulf Anderegg
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Hagel
- Department of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
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17
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Amplification of PIP3 signalling by macropinocytic cups. Biochem J 2018; 475:643-648. [PMID: 29444849 PMCID: PMC5813501 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In a role distinct from and perhaps more ancient than that in signal transduction, PIP3 and Ras help to spatially organize the actin cytoskeleton into macropinocytic cups. These large endocytic structures are extended by actin polymerization from the cell surface and have at their core an intense patch of active Ras and PIP3, around which actin polymerizes, creating cup-shaped projections. We hypothesize that active Ras and PIP3 self-amplify within macropinocytic cups, in a way that depends on the structural integrity of the cup. Signalling that triggers macropinocytosis may therefore be amplified downstream in a way that depends on macropinocytosis. This argument provides a context for recent findings that signalling to Akt (an effector of PIP3) is sensitive to cytoskeletal and macropinocytic inhibitors.
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18
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Regulation of ErbB2 localization and function in breast cancer cells by ERM proteins. Oncotarget 2018; 7:25443-60. [PMID: 27029001 PMCID: PMC5041916 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ERM protein family is implicated in processes such as signal transduction, protein trafficking, cell proliferation and migration. Consequently, dysregulation of ERM proteins has been described to correlate with carcinogenesis of different cancer types. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a novel functional interaction between ERM proteins and the ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase in breast cancer cells. We show that the ERM proteins ezrin and radixin are associated with ErbB2 receptors at the plasma membrane, and depletion or functional inhibition of ERM proteins destabilizes the interaction of ErbB2 with ErbB3, Hsp90 and Ebp50. Accompanied by the dissociation of this protein complex, binding of ErbB2 to the ubiquitin-ligase c-Cbl is increased, and ErbB2 becomes dephosphorylated, ubiquitinated and internalized. Furthermore, signaling via Akt- and Erk-mediated pathways is impaired upon ERM inhibition. Finally, interference with ERM functionality leads to receptor degradation and reduced cellular levels of ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors in breast cancer cells.
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Chen Y, Chuan HL, Yu SY, Li CZ, Wu ZB, Li GL, Zhang YZ. A Novel Invasive-Related Biomarker in Three Subtypes of Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas. World Neurosurg 2017; 100:514-521. [PMID: 28093347 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify biomarkers key to invasiveness of the 3 subtypes of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and provide a guidance for therapeutic decision making and identification of potential adjuvant drugs. METHODS Fifty NFPA tumor tissues obtained from transsphenoidal surgery were used in the study. Three invasive NFPAs and 4 noninvasive NFPAs were used for gene expression microarray analyses. In addition, there are 5 invasive NFPAs and 4 noninvasive NFPAs used for proteomic analyses. Invasive-related biomarkers were identified by bioinformatics analysis by integrating the transcriptomics and proteomics data sets. All 3 subtypes of NFPAs (null cell adenomas, oncocytomas, and gonadotroph adenomas) were used to validate differentially expressed candidate biomarkers by means of quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The level of EZR was downregulated in pituitary adenoma cell line GH3 to investigate the invasive effect of EZR on GH3 cells by using the RNA interference technique. RESULTS Eight genes involved in the invasion function were found by bioinformatics analysis, and the EZR gene was identified as a novel invasive-related biomarker in the 3 subtypes of NFPAs. The expression level of EZR was found higher in terms of invasiveness than the noninvasive ones of the 3 subtypes of NFPAs. Moreover, the knockdown of EZR inhibited the invasion of GH3 cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS EZR is a novel biomarker in terms of invasion among the 3 subtypes of NFPAs, and it is a promising guide for therapeutic decision making as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Chen
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Li Chuan
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng-Yuan Yu
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chu-Zhong Li
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe-Bao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Lin Li
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ya-Zhuo Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Brain Tumor Center, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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20
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Saygideğer-Kont Y, Minas TZ, Jones H, Hour S, Çelik H, Temel I, Han J, Atabey N, Erkizan HV, Toretsky JA, Üren A. Ezrin Enhances EGFR Signaling and Modulates Erlotinib Sensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Neoplasia 2016; 18:111-20. [PMID: 26936397 PMCID: PMC5005263 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin is a scaffolding protein that is involved in oncogenesis by linking cytoskeletal and membrane proteins. Ezrin interacts with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the cell membrane, but little is known about the effects of this interaction on EGFR signaling pathway. In this study, we established the biological and functional significance of ezrin-EGFR interaction in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Endogenous ezrin and EGRF interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent staining. When expression of ezrin was inhibited, EGFR activity and phosphorylation levels of downstream signaling pathway proteins ERK and STAT3 were decreased. Cell fractionation experiments revealed that nuclear EGFR was significantly diminished in ezrin-knockdown cells. Consequently, mRNA levels of EGFR target genes AURKA, COX-2, cyclin D1, and iNOS were decreased in ezrin-depleted cells. A small molecule inhibitor of ezrin, NSC305787, reduced EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream target proteins, EGFR nuclear translocation, and mRNA levels of nuclear EGFR target genes similar to ezrin suppression. NSC305787 showed synergism with erlotinib in wild-type EGFR-expressing NSCLC cells, whereas no synergy was observed in EGFR-null cells. Phosphorylation of ezrin on Y146 was found as an enhancer of ezrin-EGFR interaction and required for increased proliferation, colony formation, and drug resistance to erlotinib. These findings suggest that ezrin-EGFR interaction augments oncogenic functions of EGFR and that targeting ezrin may provide a potential novel approach to overcome erlotinib resistance in NSCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Saygideğer-Kont
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Tsion Zewdu Minas
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hayden Jones
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sarah Hour
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Idil Temel
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jenny Han
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nese Atabey
- Department of Medical Biology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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Hartmann M, Parra LM, Ruschel A, Böhme S, Li Y, Morrison H, Herrlich A, Herrlich P. Tumor Suppressor NF2 Blocks Cellular Migration by Inhibiting Ectodomain Cleavage of CD44. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:879-90. [PMID: 25652588 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-15-0020-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Ectodomain cleavage (shedding) of transmembrane proteins by metalloproteases (MMP) generates numerous essential signaling molecules, but its regulation is not totally understood. CD44, a cleaved transmembrane glycoprotein, exerts both antiproliferative or tumor-promoting functions, but whether proteolysis is required for this is not certain. CD44-mediated contact inhibition and cellular proliferation are regulated by counteracting CD44 C-terminal interacting proteins, the tumor suppressor protein merlin (NF2) and ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin, moesin). We show here that activation or overexpression of constitutively active merlin or downregulation of ERMs inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced [as well as serum, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)] CD44 cleavage by the metalloprotease ADAM10, whereas overexpressed ERM proteins promoted cleavage. Merlin- and ERM-modulated Ras or Rac activity was not required for this function. However, latrunculin (an actin-disrupting toxin) or an ezrin mutant which is unable to link CD44 to actin, inhibited CD44 cleavage, identifying a cytoskeletal C-terminal link as essential for induced CD44 cleavage. Cellular migration, an important tumor property, depended on CD44 and its cleavage and was inhibited by merlin. These data reveal a novel function of merlin and suggest that CD44 cleavage products play a tumor-promoting role. Neuregulin, an EGF ligand released by ADAM17 from its pro-form NRG1, is predominantly involved in regulating cellular differentiation. In contrast to CD44, release of neuregulin from its pro-form was not regulated by merlin or ERM proteins. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton however, also inhibited NRG1 cleavage. This current study presents one of the first examples of substrate-selective cleavage regulation. IMPLICATIONS Investigating transmembrane protein cleavage and their regulatory pathways have provided new molecular insight into their important role in cancer formation and possible treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Hartmann
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Liseth M Parra
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany. Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anne Ruschel
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandra Böhme
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Yong Li
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Herrlich
- Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Peter Herrlich
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.
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22
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Riecken LB, Tawamie H, Dornblut C, Buchert R, Ismayel A, Schulz A, Schumacher J, Sticht H, Pohl KJ, Cui Y, Reis A, Morrison H, Abou Jamra R. Inhibition of RAS Activation Due to a Homozygous Ezrin Variant in Patients with Profound Intellectual Disability. Hum Mutat 2015; 36:270-8. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.22737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lars Björn Riecken
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research; Fritz Lipmann Institute; Jena Germany
| | - Hasan Tawamie
- Institute of Human Genetics; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
| | - Carsten Dornblut
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research; Fritz Lipmann Institute; Jena Germany
| | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Human Genetics; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
| | - Amina Ismayel
- Praxis of Pediatrics; Jesser El Sheghour; Idlib Syria
| | - Alexander Schulz
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research; Fritz Lipmann Institute; Jena Germany
| | | | - Heinrich Sticht
- Bioinformatics; Institute of Biochemistry; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
| | - Katja J. Pohl
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research; Fritz Lipmann Institute; Jena Germany
| | - Yan Cui
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research; Fritz Lipmann Institute; Jena Germany
| | - André Reis
- Institute of Human Genetics; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research; Fritz Lipmann Institute; Jena Germany
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Erlangen Germany
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23
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Romanov VS, Brichkina AI, Morrison H, Pospelova TV, Pospelov VA, Herrlich P. Novel mechanism of JNK pathway activation by adenoviral E1A. Oncotarget 2015; 5:2176-86. [PMID: 24742962 PMCID: PMC4039154 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenoviral oncoprotein E1A influences cellular regulation by interacting with a number of cellular proteins. In collaboration with complementary oncogenes, E1A fully transforms primary cells. As part of this action, E1A inhibits transcription of c-Jun:Fos target genes while promoting that of c-Jun:ATF2-dependent genes including jun. Both c-Jun and ATF2 are hyperphosphorylated in response to E1A. In the current study, E1A was fused with the ligand binding domain of the estrogen receptor (E1A-ER) to monitor the immediate effect of E1A activation. With this approach we now show that E1A activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), the upstream kinases MKK4 and MKK7, as well as the small GTPase Rac1. Activation of the JNK pathway requires the N-terminal domain of E1A, and, importantly, is independent of transcription. In addition, it requires the presence of ERM proteins. Downregulation of signaling components upstream of JNK inhibits E1A-dependent JNK/c-Jun activation. Taking these findings together, we show that E1A activates the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway upstream of Rac1 in a transcription-independent manner, demonstrating a novel mechanism of E1A action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasily S Romanov
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, D-07745 Jena, Germany
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24
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Abstract
Members of the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family of proteins are involved in multiple aspects of cell migration by acting both as crosslinkers between the membrane, receptors and the actin cytoskeleton, and as regulators of signalling molecules that are implicated in cell adhesion, cell polarity and migration. Increasing evidence suggests that the regulation of cell signalling and the cytoskeleton by ERM proteins is crucial during cancer progression. Thus, both their expression levels and subcellular localisation would affect tumour progression. High expression of ERM proteins has been shown in a variety of cancers. Mislocalisation of ERM proteins reduces the ability of cells to form cell-cell contacts and, therefore, promotes an invasive phenotype. Similarly, mislocalisation of ERM proteins impairs the formation of receptor complexes and alters the transmission of signals in response to growth factors, thereby facilitating tumour progression. In this Commentary, we address the structure, function and regulation of ERM proteins under normal physiological conditions as well as in cancer progression, with particular emphasis on cancers of epithelial origin, such as those from breast, lung and prostate. We also discuss any recent developments that have added to the understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways these proteins are involved in during cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarama Clucas
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
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25
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Escobar-Restrepo JM, Hajnal A. An intimate look at LET-23 EGFR trafficking in the vulval cells of live C. elegans larvae. WORM 2014; 3:e965605. [PMID: 26430550 PMCID: PMC4588154 DOI: 10.4161/21624046.2014.965605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Precise cell fate specification is essential for organ formation. A simple view is that one or several signal sending cells emit a ligand to a group of signal receiving cells that express the corresponding receptor, which transduces the signal through intracellular enzyme pathways. All these events must be spatio-temporally regulated to achieve the proper strength, duration and output of the signaling pathways. In particular, the production and secretion of the ligand has to be coordinated with the expression and accessibility of the receptor in the signal receiving cells. Furthermore, removal of the ligand or receptor is key to achieve proper signal termination and prevent excess cell differentiation and proliferation. Improper regulation of any of these events may cause developmental defects and human disease. C. elegans is an excellent model to systematically identify genes that control the localization and activity of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) homolog LET-23. To identify regulators of LET-23 trafficking, Haag et al. observed LET-23 localization in the vulva precursor cells (VPCs) of RNAi treated larvae by live fluorescent microscopy. In this comment, we provide an overview of the newly identified regulators of LET-23 trafficking and discuss the role of the Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin homolog ERM-1 as a temporal regulator of EGFR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Escobar-Restrepo
- University of Zurich; Institute of Molecular Life Sciences; Winterthurerstrasse; Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Hajnal
- University of Zurich; Institute of Molecular Life Sciences; Winterthurerstrasse; Zurich, Switzerland
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26
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Hilton DA, Hanemann CO. Schwannomas and their pathogenesis. Brain Pathol 2014; 24:205-20. [PMID: 24450866 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwannomas may occur spontaneously, or in the context of a familial tumor syndrome such as neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), schwannomatosis and Carney's complex. Schwannomas have a variety of morphological appearances, but they behave as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I tumors, and only very rarely undergo malignant transformation. Central to the pathogenesis of these tumors is loss of function of merlin, either by direct genetic change involving the NF2 gene on chromosome 22 or secondarily to merlin inactivation. The genetic pathways and morphological features of schwannomas associated with different genetic syndromes will be discussed. Merlin has multiple functions, including within the nucleus and at the cell membrane, and this review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms by which merlin loss is involved in schwannoma pathogenesis, highlighting potential areas for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Hilton
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
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27
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Regulation of Son of sevenless by the membrane-actin linker protein ezrin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:20587-92. [PMID: 24297905 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1222078110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases participate in several signaling pathways through small G proteins such as Ras (rat sarcoma). An important component in the activation of these G proteins is Son of sevenless (SOS), which catalyzes the nucleotide exchange on Ras. For optimal activity, a second Ras molecule acts as an allosteric activator by binding to a second Ras-binding site within SOS. This allosteric Ras-binding site is blocked by autoinhibitory domains of SOS. We have reported recently that Ras activation also requires the actin-binding proteins ezrin, radixin, and moesin. Here we report the mechanism by which ezrin modulates SOS activity and thereby Ras activation. Active ezrin enhances Ras/MAPK signaling and interacts with both SOS and Ras in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, in vitro kinetic assays with recombinant proteins show that ezrin also is important for the activity of SOS itself. Ezrin interacts with GDP-Ras and with the Dbl homology (DH)/pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of SOS, bringing GDP-Ras to the proximity of the allosteric site of SOS. These actions of ezrin are antagonized by the neurofibromatosis type 2 tumor-suppressor protein merlin. We propose an additional essential step in SOS/Ras control that is relevant for human cancer as well as all physiological processes involving Ras.
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28
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Viswanatha R, Wayt J, Ohouo PY, Smolka MB, Bretscher A. Interactome analysis reveals ezrin can adopt multiple conformational states. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:35437-51. [PMID: 24151071 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.505669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin, a member of the ezrin-radixin-moesin family (ERM), is an essential regulator of the structure of microvilli on the apical aspect of epithelial cells. Ezrin provides a linkage between membrane-associated proteins and F-actin, oscillating between active/open and inactive/closed states, and is regulated in part by phosphorylation of a C-terminal threonine. In the open state, ezrin can bind a number of ligands, but in the closed state the ligand-binding sites are inaccessible. In vitro analysis has proposed that there may be a third hyperactivated form of ezrin. To gain a better understanding of ezrin, we conducted an unbiased proteomic analysis of ezrin-binding proteins in an epithelial cell line, Jeg-3. We refined our list of interactors by comparing the interactomes using quantitative mass spectrometry between wild-type ezrin, closed ezrin, open ezrin, and hyperactivated ezrin. The analysis reveals several novel interactors confirmed by their localization to microvilli, as well as a significant class of proteins that bind closed ezrin. Taken together, the data indicate that ezrin can exist in three different conformational states, and different ligands "perceive" ezrin conformational states differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghuvir Viswanatha
- From the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
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29
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Jun JE, Rubio I, Roose JP. Regulation of ras exchange factors and cellular localization of ras activation by lipid messengers in T cells. Front Immunol 2013; 4:239. [PMID: 24027568 PMCID: PMC3762125 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ras-MAPK signaling pathway is highly conserved throughout evolution and is activated downstream of a wide range of receptor stimuli. Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RasGEFs) catalyze GTP loading of Ras and play a pivotal role in regulating receptor-ligand induced Ras activity. In T cells, three families of functionally important RasGEFs are expressed: RasGRF, RasGRP, and Son of Sevenless (SOS)-family GEFs. Early on it was recognized that Ras activation is critical for T cell development and that the RasGEFs play an important role herein. More recent work has revealed that nuances in Ras activation appear to significantly impact T cell development and selection. These nuances include distinct biochemical patterns of analog versus digital Ras activation, differences in cellular localization of Ras activation, and intricate interplays between the RasGEFs during distinct T cell developmental stages as revealed by various new mouse models. In many instances, the exact nature of these nuances in Ras activation or how these may result from fine-tuning of the RasGEFs is not understood. One large group of biomolecules critically involved in the control of RasGEFs functions are lipid second messengers. Multiple, yet distinct lipid products are generated following T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation and bind to different domains in the RasGRP and SOS RasGEFs to facilitate the activation of the membrane-anchored Ras GTPases. In this review we highlight how different lipid-based elements are generated by various enzymes downstream of the TCR and other receptors and how these dynamic and interrelated lipid products may fine-tune Ras activation by RasGEFs in developing T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse E Jun
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA
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30
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de Cubas AA, Leandro-García LJ, Schiavi F, Mancikova V, Comino-Méndez I, Inglada-Pérez L, Perez-Martinez M, Ibarz N, Ximénez-Embún P, López-Jiménez E, Maliszewska A, Letón R, Gómez Graña A, Bernal C, Alvarez-Escolá C, Rodríguez-Antona C, Opocher G, Muñoz J, Megias D, Cascón A, Robledo M. Integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma identifies genotype-specific markers and potentially regulated pathways. Endocr Relat Cancer 2013; 20:477-93. [PMID: 23660872 DOI: 10.1530/erc-12-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine neoplasias of neural crest origin that can be part of several inherited syndromes. Although their mRNA profiles are known to depend on genetic background, a number of questions related to tumor biology and clinical behavior remain unanswered. As microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in the modulation of gene expression, their comprehensive analysis could resolve some of these issues. Through characterization of miRNA profiles in 69 frozen tumors with germline mutations in the genes SDHD, SDHB, VHL, RET, NF1, TMEM127, and MAX, we identified miRNA signatures specific to, as well as common among, the genetic groups of PCCs/PGLs. miRNA expression profiles were validated in an independent series of 30 composed of VHL-, SDHB-, SDHD-, and RET-related formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded PCC/PGL samples using quantitative real-time PCR. Upregulation of miR-210 in VHL- and SDHB-related PCCs/PGLs was verified, while miR-137 and miR-382 were confirmed as generally upregulated in PCCs/PGLs (except in MAX-related tumors). Also, we confirmed overexpression of miR-133b as VHL-specific miRNAs, miR-488 and miR-885-5p as RET-specific miRNAs, and miR-183 and miR-96 as SDHB-specific miRNAs. To determine the potential roles miRNAs play in PCC/PGL pathogenesis, we performed bioinformatic integration and pathway analysis using matched mRNA profiling data that indicated a common enrichment of pathways associated with neuronal and neuroendocrine-like differentiation. We demonstrated that miR-183 and/or miR-96 impede NGF-induced differentiation in PC12 cells. Finally, global proteomic analysis in SDHB and MAX tumors allowed us to determine that miRNA regulation occurs primarily through mRNA degradation in PCCs/PGLs, which partially confirmed our miRNA-mRNA integration results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aguirre A de Cubas
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Human Cancer Genetics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
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31
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Lindner C, Urbánek P, Pavelka B, Hartmann M, Herrlich P. A link between two tumorigenic proteins, CD44 and p21WAF1: CD44 increases phorbol ester-induced expression of p21WAF1 by stabilizing its mRNA and extending protein half-life. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:2698-704. [PMID: 23856463 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The cell surface glycoprotein CD44 enhances phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA)-induced expression of p21WAF1 by stabilizing its mRNA and enhancing the protein's half-life in several cell lines. Only the plasma membrane-anchored cytoplasmic tail of CD44 and its interacting ezrin, radixin, moesin (ERM) proteins are required for this effect. A mitogen activated kinase (MEK) inhibitor abolishes the action of CD44 on p21. Down-regulation of p21 dramatically decreased anchorage-independence of a cancer cell line, whereas CD44 expression in this background could partially rescue the phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Lindner
- Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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32
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Decreased tumor progression and invasion by a novel anti-cell motility target for human colorectal carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66439. [PMID: 23755307 PMCID: PMC3670870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously described a novel modulator of the actin cytoskeleton that also regulates Ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase activities in TGFβ-sensitive epithelial cells. Here we examined the functional role of this signaling regulatory protein (km23-1) in mediating the migration, invasion, and tumor growth of human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells. We show that small interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion of km23-1 in human CRC cells inhibited constitutive extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, as well as pro-invasive ERK effector functions that include phosphorylation of Elk-1, constitutive regulation of c-Fos-DNA binding, TGFβ1 promoter transactivation, and TGFβ1 secretion. In addition, knockdown of km23-1 reduced the paracrine effects of CRC cell-secreted factors in conditioned medium and in fibroblast co-cultures. Moreover, km23-1 depletion in human CRC cells reduced cell migration and invasion, as well as expression of the ERK-regulated, metastasis-associated scaffold protein Ezrin. Finally, km23-1 inhibition significantly suppressed tumor formation in vivo. Thus, our results implicate km23-1 as a novel anti-metastasis target for human colon carcinoma cells, capable of decreasing tumor growth and invasion via a mechanism involving suppression of various pro-migratory features of CRC. These include a reduction in ERK signaling, diminished TGFβ1 production, decreased expression of the plasma membrane-cytoskeletal linker Ezrin, as well as attenuation of the paracrine effects of colon carcinoma-secreted factors on fibroblast migration and mitogenesis. As such, km23-1 inhibitors may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for interfering with colon cancer progression and invasion.
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Garcia-Cattaneo A, Braga VMM. Hold on tightly: how to keep the local activation of small GTPases. Cell Adh Migr 2013; 7:283-7. [PMID: 23590879 DOI: 10.4161/cam.24646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling regulated by Rho small GTPases plays a pivotal role in cell migration, cell attachment to substratum or to their neighbors among other functions. Concerted efforts have focused on understanding how different GTPases are activated by specific stimuli and which regulator is responsible for the spatio-temporal control of their activity at particular intracellular sites. We have recently described the role of a scaffold protein, Ajuba, in adherens junction maintenance via direct stabilization of activated small GTPase Rac1 at cell-cell contacts. Ajuba binds to both active and inactive forms of Rac1. Upon junction formation, Rac1 activation initiates a positive feedback loop leading to Ajuba phosphorylation and Ajuba-mediated retention of activated Rac1 at junctions. Thus, cytoskeletal proteins may have a dual role to provide a scaffolding platform and dynamically modulate small GTPases function at a specific place, irrespective of their ability to interact with active and inactive forms. Here we discuss similar mechanisms via which cytoskeletal proteins can facilitate cellular processes downstream of Rho proteins by increasing their affinity to activated GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Garcia-Cattaneo
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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34
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Ivetic A. Signals regulating L-selectin-dependent leucocyte adhesion and transmigration. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:550-5. [PMID: 23299028 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
L-selectin is a type I transmembrane cell adhesion molecule that is expressed on the surface of most circulating leukocytes. Studies in L-selectin knockout mice reveal a prominent role for this glycoprotein in health and disease, regulating leucocyte recruitment to peripheral lymph nodes (e.g. naïve T-cells) and sites of acute and chronic inflammation (e.g. monocytes and neutrophils). Clinical trials have revealed L-selectin as a promising target in some acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Unearthing the intracellular signals that act directly downstream of L-selectin may also expose novel therapeutic targets in a cell type/disease-specific manner. This review will focus on L-selectin-dependent signalling - exploring the different signals that potentially arise from distinct phases of the multi-step adhesion cascade and the contribution of known binding partners of L-selectin in this response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Ivetic
- Membrane/Cytoskeleton Signalling Group, Cardiovascular Division, British Heart Foundation, Centre of Research Excellence, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom.
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35
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HER2 stabilizes EGFR and itself by altering autophosphorylation patterns in a manner that overcomes regulatory mechanisms and promotes proliferative and transformation signaling. Oncogene 2012; 32:4169-80. [PMID: 23027125 PMCID: PMC3538112 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
One of the causes of breast cancer is overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Enhanced receptor autophosphorylation and resistance to activation-induced down regulation have been suggested as mechanisms for HER2-induced sustained signaling and cell transformation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these possibilities remain incompletely understood. In the current report, we present evidence that show that HER2 overexpression does not lead to receptor hyper-autophosphorylation, but alters patterns in a manner that favors receptor stability and sustained signaling. Specifically, HER2 overexpression blocks EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation on Y1045 and Y1068, the known docking sites of c-Cbl and Grb2, respectively, while promoting phosphorylation on Y1173, the known docking site of the Gab adaptor proteins and phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ). Under these conditions, HER2 itself is phosphorylated on Y1221/1222, with no known role, and on Y1248 that corresponds to Y1173 of EGFR. Interestingly, suppressed EGFR autophosphorylation on the Grb2 and c-Cbl binding sites correlated with receptor stability and sustained signaling, suggesting that HER2 accomplishes these tasks by altering autophosphorylation patterns. In conformity with these findings, mutation of the Grb2 binding site on EGFR (Y1068F-EGFR) conferred resistance to ligand-induced degradation which in turn induced sustained signaling, and increased cell proliferation and transformation. These findings suggest that the Grb2 binding site on EGFR is redundant for signaling, but critical for receptor regulation. On the other hand, mutation of the putative Grb2 binding site in HER2 (Y1139) did not affect stability, signaling or transformation, suggesting that Y1139 in HER2 may not serve as a Grb2 binding site. In agreement with the role of EGFR in HER2 signaling, inhibition of EGFR expression reduced HER2-induced anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenesis. These results imply that complementing HER2-targeted therapies with anti-EGFR drugs may be beneficial in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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