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Al Shareef Z, Hachim MY, Bouzid A, Talaat IM, Al-Rawi N, Hamoudi R, Hachim IY. The prognostic value of Dickkopf-3 (Dkk3), TGFB1 and ECM-1 in prostate cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1351888. [PMID: 38855324 PMCID: PMC11157039 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1351888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite advances in patient diagnosis, management, and risk stratification, 10%-20% of patients progress to castration-resistant disease. Our previous report highlighted a protective role of Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) in PCa stroma. This role was proposed to be mediated through opposing extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM-1) and TGF-β signalling activity. However, a detailed analysis of the prognostic value of DKK3, ECM-1 and members of the TGF-β signalling pathway in PCa was not thoroughly investigated. In this study, we explored the prognostic value of DKK3, ECM-1 and TGFB1 using a bioinformatical approach through analysis of large publicly available datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TGCA) and Pan-Cancer Atlas databases. Our results showed a significant gradual loss of DKK3 expression with PCa progression (p < 0.0001) associated with increased DNA methylation in its promoter region (p < 1.63E-12). In contrast, patients with metastatic lesions showed significantly higher levels of TGFB1 expression compared to primary tumours (p < 0.00001). Our results also showed a marginal association between more advanced tumour stage presented as positive lymph node involvement and low DKK3 mRNA expression (p = 0.082). However, while ECM1 showed no association with tumour stage (p = 0.773), high TGFB1 expression showed a significant association with more advanced stage presented as advanced T3 stage compared to patients with low TGFB1 mRNA expression (p < 0.001). Interestingly, while ECM1 showed no significant association with patient outcome, patients with high DKK3 mRNA expression showed a significant association with favourable outcomes presented as prolonged disease-specific (p = 0.0266), progression-free survival (p = 0.047) and disease-free (p = 0.05). In contrast, high TGFB1 mRNA expression showed a significant association with poor patient outcomes presented as shortened progression-free (p = 0.00032) and disease-free survival (p = 0.0433). Moreover, DKK3, TGFB1 and ECM1 have acted as immune-associated genes in the PCa tumour microenvironment. In conclusion, our findings showed a distinct prognostic value for this three-gene signature in PCa. While both DKK3 and TGFB1 showed a potential role as a clinical marker for PCa stratification, ECM1 showed no significant association with the majority of clinicopathological parameters, which reduce its clinical significance as a reliable prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Al Shareef
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mahmood Y. Hachim
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amal Bouzid
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Iman M. Talaat
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Natheer Al-Rawi
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Y. Hachim
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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2
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Mourtada J, Thibaudeau C, Wasylyk B, Jung AC. The Multifaceted Role of Human Dickkopf-3 (DKK-3) in Development, Immune Modulation and Cancer. Cells 2023; 13:75. [PMID: 38201279 PMCID: PMC10778571 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The human Dickkopf (DKK) family includes four main secreted proteins, DKK-1, DKK-2, DKK-3, and DKK-4, as well as the DKK-3 related protein soggy (Sgy-1 or DKKL1). These glycoproteins play crucial roles in various biological processes, and especially modulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. DKK-3 is distinct, with its multifaceted roles in development, stem cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis. Intriguingly, DKK-3 appears to have immunomodulatory functions and a complex role in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene, depending on the context. DKK-3 is a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target that can be modulated by epigenetic reactivation, gene therapy and DKK-3-blocking agents. However, further research is needed to optimize DKK-3-based therapies. In this review, we comprehensively describe the known functions of DKK-3 and highlight the importance of context in understanding and exploiting its roles in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Mourtada
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (J.M.); (C.T.)
- Laboratoire STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), INSERM U1113 IRFAC, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Chloé Thibaudeau
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (J.M.); (C.T.)
- Laboratoire STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), INSERM U1113 IRFAC, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Bohdan Wasylyk
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France;
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U 1258, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
- Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Alain C. Jung
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (J.M.); (C.T.)
- Laboratoire STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), INSERM U1113 IRFAC, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
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Katase N, Kudo K, Ogawa K, Sakamoto Y, Nishimatsu SI, Yamauchi A, Fujita S. DKK3/CKAP4 axis is associated with advanced stage and poorer prognosis in oral cancer. Oral Dis 2023; 29:3193-3204. [PMID: 35708905 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We previously reported that dickkopf WNT signaling inhibitor 3 (DKK3) would modulate malignant potential of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) via activating Akt. Recently, cytoskeleton associated protein 4 (CKAP4) functions as receptor of DKK3, which activates Akt in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but its expression and function in OSCC were unclear. METHODS We studied DKK3 and CKAP4 protein expression in OSCC tissue and investigated the correlation between protein expression and clinical data. We also investigated whether antibodies (Ab) for DKK3 or CKAP4 could suppress malignant potential of the cancer cells. RESULTS DKK3/CKAP4 protein expression was observed in majority of OSCC cases and was associated with significantly higher T-stage and TNM stage. Multivariate analysis revealed that DKK3 and CKAP4 were independent prognostic biomarkers for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively. Survival analyses revealed that DKK3-positive cases and CKAP4-positive cases showed significantly shorter OS and DFS, respectively, and that DKK3/CKAP4 double-negative cases showed significantly favorable prognosis. Both anti-DKK3Ab and anti-CKAP4Ab could suppress cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. CONCLUSION DKK3/CKAP4 axis is thought to be important in OSCC, and it would be a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Katase
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kodai Kudo
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Dental School, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ogawa
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Dental School, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yae Sakamoto
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Dental School, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Akira Yamauchi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shuichi Fujita
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Al Shareef Z, Ershaid MNA, Mudhafar R, Soliman SSM, Kypta RM. Dickkopf-3: An Update on a Potential Regulator of the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235822. [PMID: 36497305 PMCID: PMC9738550 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3) is a member of the Dickkopf family protein of secreted Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) antagonists that appears to modulate regulators of the host microenvironment. In contrast to the clear anti-tumorigenic effects of Dkk-3-based gene therapies, the role of endogenous Dkk-3 in cancer is context-dependent, with elevated expression associated with tumor promotion and suppression in different settings. The receptors and effectors that mediate the diverse effects of Dkk-3 have not been characterized in detail, contributing to an ongoing mystery of its mechanism of action. This review compares the various functions of Dkk-3 in the tumor microenvironment, where Dkk-3 has been found to be expressed by subpopulations of fibroblasts, endothelial, and immune cells, in addition to epithelial cells. We also discuss how the activation or inhibition of Dkk-3, depending on tumor type and context, might be used to treat different types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Al Shareef
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-6505-7250
| | - Mai Nidal Asad Ershaid
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rula Mudhafar
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sameh S. M. Soliman
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Robert M. Kypta
- CIC BioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
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5
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Katase N, Nishimatsu SI, Yamauchi A, Okano S, Fujita S. Establishment of anti-DKK3 peptide for the cancer control in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:352. [PMID: 36376957 PMCID: PMC9664703 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02783-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck. We identified cancer-specific genes in HNSCC and focused on DKK3 expression. DKK3 gene codes two isoforms of proteins (secreted and non-secreted) with two distinct cysteine rich domains (CRDs). It is reported that DKK3 functions as a negative regulator of oncogenic Wnt signaling and, is therefore, considered to be a tumor suppressor gene. However, our series of studies have demonstrated that DKK3 expression is specifically high in HNSCC tissues and cells, and that DKK3 might determine the malignant potentials of HNSCC cells via the activation of Akt. Further analyses strongly suggested that both secreted DKK3 and non-secreted DKK3 could activate Akt signaling in discrete ways, and consequently exert tumor promoting effects. We hypothesized that DKK3 might be a specific druggable target, and it is necessary to establish a DKK3 inhibitor that can inhibit both secreted and non-secreted isoforms of DKK3. Methods Using inverse polymerase chain reaction, we generated mutant expression plasmids that express DKK3 without CRD1, CRD2, or both CRD1 and CRD2 (DKK3ΔC1, DKK3ΔC2, and DKK3ΔC1ΔC2, respectively). These plasmids were then transfected into HNSCC-derived cells to determine the domain responsible for DKK3-mediated Akt activation. We designed antisense peptides using the MIMETEC program, targeting DKK3-specific amino acid sequences within CRD1 and CRD2. The structural models for peptides and DKK3 were generated using Raptor X, and then a docking simulation was performed using CluPro2. Afterward, the best set of the peptides was applied into HNSCC-derived cells, and the effects on Akt phosphorylation, cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration were assessed. We also investigated the therapeutic effects of the peptides in the xenograft models. Results Transfection of mutant expression plasmids and subsequent functional analyses revealed that it is necessary to delete both CRD1 and CRD2 to inhibit Akt activation and inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion. The inhibitory peptides for CRD1 and CRD2 of DKK3 significantly reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, and consequently suppressed cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and in vivo tumor growth at very low doses. Conclusions This inhibitory peptide represents a promising new therapeutic strategy for HNSCC treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02783-9.
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Lu Y, Liu M, Yang J, Weissman SM, Pan X, Katz SG, Wang S. Spatial transcriptome profiling by MERFISH reveals fetal liver hematopoietic stem cell niche architecture. Cell Discov 2021; 7:47. [PMID: 34183665 PMCID: PMC8238952 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-021-00266-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche has been extensively studied in bone marrow, yet a more systematic investigation into the microenvironment regulation of hematopoiesis in fetal liver is necessary. Here we investigate the spatial organization and transcriptional profile of individual cells in both wild type (WT) and Tet2−/− fetal livers, by multiplexed error robust fluorescence in situ hybridization. We find that specific pairs of fetal liver cell types are preferentially positioned next to each other. Ligand-receptor signaling molecule pairs such as Kitl and Kit are enriched in neighboring cell types. The majority of HSCs are in direct contact with endothelial cells (ECs) in both WT and Tet2−/− fetal livers. Loss of Tet2 increases the number of HSCs, and upregulates Wnt and Notch signaling genes in the HSC niche. Two subtypes of ECs, arterial ECs and sinusoidal ECs, and other cell types contribute distinct signaling molecules to the HSC niche. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive picture and bioinformatic foundation for HSC spatial regulation in fetal liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Lu
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Jennifer Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | | | - Xinghua Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Samuel G Katz
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA.
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA. .,Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA.
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7
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McCray T, Pacheco JV, Loitz CC, Garcia J, Baumann B, Schlicht MJ, Valyi-Nagy K, Abern MR, Nonn L. Vitamin D sufficiency enhances differentiation of patient-derived prostate epithelial organoids. iScience 2021; 24:101974. [PMID: 33458620 PMCID: PMC7797919 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is an essential steroid hormone that regulates systemic calcium homeostasis and cell fate decisions. The prostate gland is hormonally regulated, requiring steroids for proliferation and differentiation of secretory luminal cells. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of lethal prostate cancer, which exhibits a dedifferentiated pathology, linking vitamin D sufficiency to epithelial differentiation. To determine vitamin D regulation of prostatic epithelial differentiation, patient-derived benign prostate epithelial organoids were grown in vitamin D-deficient or -sufficient conditions. Organoids were assessed by phenotype and single-cell RNA sequencing. Mechanistic validation demonstrated that vitamin D sufficiency promoted organoid growth and accelerated differentiation by inhibiting canonical Wnt activity and suppressing Wnt family member DKK3. Wnt and DKK3 were also reduced by vitamin D in prostate tissue explants by spatial transcriptomics. Wnt dysregulation is a known contributor to aggressive prostate cancer, thus findings further link vitamin D deficiency to lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara McCray
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Julian V. Pacheco
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Candice C. Loitz
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jason Garcia
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Bethany Baumann
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Michael J. Schlicht
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Klara Valyi-Nagy
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Michael R. Abern
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Larisa Nonn
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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8
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Yuan W, Jiang S, Sun D, Wu Z, Wei C, Dai C, Jiang L, Peng S. Transcriptome profiling analysis of sex-based differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs in the brains of mature zebrafish (Danio rerio). BMC Genomics 2019; 20:830. [PMID: 31703616 PMCID: PMC6842217 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6197-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Similar to humans, the zebrafish brain plays a central role in regulating sexual reproduction, maturation and sexual behavior. However, systematic studies of the dimorphic patterns of gene expression in the brain of male and female zebrafish are lacking. Results In this study, the mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles were obtained from the brain tissue samples of the three male and three female zebrafish by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. We identified a total of 108 mRNAs and 50 lncRNAs with sex-based differential expression. We randomly selected four differentially expressed genes for RT-qPCR verification and the results certified that the expression pattern showed a similar trend between RNA-seq and RT-qPCR results. Protein-protein interaction network analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed to obtain the biological significance of differentially expressed mRNA in the brain dimorphism of zebrafish. Finally, a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to construct the co-expression network of the mRNAs and lncRNAs. Conclusions We found that 12 new lncRNAs not only have significant gender specificity in the brain of zebrafish, and this finding may provide a clue to further study of the functional difference between male and female zebrafish brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenliang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China.,National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China.,International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China.,School of Optical-Electric and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.,College of Mathematics and Information Engineering, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, China
| | - Shouwen Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China.,National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China.,International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Dan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China.,National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China.,International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Zhichao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China.,National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China.,International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Cai Wei
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China.,National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China.,International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | | | - Linhua Jiang
- School of Optical-Electric and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
| | - Sihua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China. .,National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China. .,International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 201306, China.
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9
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Gondkar K, Patel K, Patil Okaly GV, Nair B, Pandey A, Gowda H, Kumar P. Dickkopf Homolog 3 (DKK3) Acts as a Potential Tumor Suppressor in Gallbladder Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1121. [PMID: 31737564 PMCID: PMC6828847 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a common malignancy of biliary tract cancers and its incidence has been rising rapidly worldwide. The prognosis for this disease is dismal as most of the symptoms are non-specific leading to a definitive diagnosis only at a late stage. Loss of DKK3 gene is associated with a possible tumor suppressor role in human cancers. The role and regulation of DKK3 in GBC have not been studied. We found that DKK3 expression levels were low in GBC patients and cell lines. Treatment of GBC cell lines with demethylating agent 5-Aza- 2'-deoxycytidine enhances its expression, establishing impact of methylation on DKK3 expression. We observed low expression of DKK3 in gallbladder adenocarcinoma tumors and highly invasive GBC cell lines. We showed that overexpression of DKK3 can decrease cell invasion, proliferation, and colony forming ability of GBC cells. Our data thus demonstrated the DKK3 gene is a potential tumor suppressor gene in GBC and aberrant promoter methylation could be involved in its downregulation, which may play a role in the tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirti Gondkar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India.,Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India
| | - Krishna Patel
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India.,Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India
| | - Geeta V Patil Okaly
- Department of Pathology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India
| | - Bipin Nair
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Center for Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Harsha Gowda
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bangalore, India.,Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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10
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Granno S, Nixon-Abell J, Berwick DC, Tosh J, Heaton G, Almudimeegh S, Nagda Z, Rain JC, Zanda M, Plagnol V, Tybulewicz VLJ, Cleverley K, Wiseman FK, Fisher EMC, Harvey K. Downregulated Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the Down syndrome hippocampus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7322. [PMID: 31086297 PMCID: PMC6513850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological mechanisms underlying Down syndrome (DS)/Trisomy 21, including dysregulation of essential signalling processes remain poorly understood. Combining bioinformatics with RNA and protein analysis, we identified downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the hippocampus of adult DS individuals with Alzheimer's disease and the 'Tc1' DS mouse model. Providing a potential underlying molecular pathway, we demonstrate that the chromosome 21 kinase DYRK1A regulates Wnt signalling via a novel bimodal mechanism. Under basal conditions, DYRK1A is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin. Following pathway activation, however, DYRK1A exerts the opposite effect, increasing signalling activity. In summary, we identified downregulation of hippocampal Wnt/β-catenin signalling in DS, possibly mediated by a dose dependent effect of the chromosome 21-encoded kinase DYRK1A. Overall, we propose that dosage imbalance of the Hsa21 gene DYRK1A affects downstream Wnt target genes. Therefore, modulation of Wnt signalling may open unexplored avenues for DS and Alzheimer's disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Granno
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jonathon Nixon-Abell
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- Cell Biology Section, Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel C Berwick
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
- School of Health, Life and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK6 7AA, UK
| | - Justin Tosh
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - George Heaton
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Sultan Almudimeegh
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Zenisha Nagda
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Jean-Christophe Rain
- Hybrigenics Services - Fondation Jérôme Lejeune, 3-5 Impasse Reille, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Manuela Zanda
- UCL Genetics Institute, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Vincent Plagnol
- UCL Genetics Institute, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Victor L J Tybulewicz
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, Kings Cross, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, W12 0NN, UK
- London Down Syndrome Consortium (LonDownS), London, UK
| | - Karen Cleverley
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Frances K Wiseman
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- London Down Syndrome Consortium (LonDownS), London, UK
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- London Down Syndrome Consortium (LonDownS), London, UK
| | - Kirsten Harvey
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK.
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11
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Bhattacharyya S, Feferman L, Tobacman JK. Dihydrotestosterone inhibits arylsulfatase B and Dickkopf Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor (DKK)-3 leading to enhanced Wnt signaling in prostate epithelium in response to stromal Wnt3A. Prostate 2019; 79:689-700. [PMID: 30801800 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In tissue microarrays, immunostaining of the enzyme arylsulfatase B (ARSB; N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase) was less in recurrent prostate cancers and in cancers with higher Gleason scores. In cultured prostate stem cells, decline in ARSB increased Wnt signaling through effects on Dickkopf Wnt Signaling Pathway Inhibitor (DKK)3. The effects of androgen exposure on ARSB and the impact of decline in ARSB on Wnt signaling in prostate tissue were unknown. METHODS Epithelial and stromal tissues from malignant and normal human prostate were obtained by laser capture microdissection. mRNA expression of ARSB, galactose-6-sulfate-sulfatase (GALNS) and Wnt-signaling targets was determined by QPCR. Non-malignant human epithelial and stromal prostate cells were grown in tissue culture, including two-cell layer cultures. ARSB was silenced by specific siRNA, and epithelial cells were treated with stromal spent media following treatment with IWP-2, an inhibitor of Wnt secretion, and by exogenous recombinant human Wnt3A. Promoter methylation was detected using specific DKK3 and ARSB promoter primers. The effects of DHT and of ARSB overexpression on DKK expression were determined. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU incorporation. RESULTS Normal stroma showed higher expression of vimentin, ARSB, and Wnt3A than epithelium. Normal epithelium had higher expression of E-cadherin, galactose 6-sulfate-sulfatase (GALNS), and DKK3 than stroma. In malignant epithelium, expression of ARSB and DKK3 declined, and expression of GALNS and Wnt signaling targets increased. In cultured prostate epithelial cells, Wnt-mediated signaling was greatest when ARSB was silenced and cells were exposed to exogenous Wnt3A. Exposure to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased ARSB and DKK3 promoter rmethylation, and effects of DHT on DKK3 expression were reversed when ARSB was overexpressed. CONCLUSIONS Androgen-induced declines in ARSB and DKK3 may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis by sustained activation of Wnt signaling in prostate epithelium in response to stromal Wnt3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Bhattacharyya
- Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VAMC, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Leo Feferman
- Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VAMC, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Joanne K Tobacman
- Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VAMC, Chicago, Illinois
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12
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Chen GY, Zheng HC. The clinicopathological and prognostic significances of Dkk3 expression in cancers: A bioinformatics analysis. Cancer Biomark 2019; 23:323-331. [PMID: 29843219 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-181245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dkk3 protein attenuates the expression of Wnt3a, Wnt5a and LRP6, and their interaction, and interacts with βTrCP to suppress wnt/β-catenin pathway. METHODS We performed a bioinformatics analysis of Dkk3 mRNA expression through Oncomine, TCGA and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases up to July 10, 2017. RESULTS Up-regulated Dkk3 expression was higher in gastric, breast, and ovarian cancers than normal tissues (p< 0.05). Bitter's database showed a higher Dkk3 expression in ovarian cytoadenocarcinoma than clear cell adenocarcinoma (p< 0.05). Dkk3 was more expressed in ductal breast cancer in situ than invasive ductal breast cancer (p< 0.05), in mixed lobular and ductal cancer, and lobular cancer than ductal breast cancer (p< 0.05). In TCGA data, Dkk3 expression was lower in gastric cancers with than without Barret's esophagus (p< 0.05), in intestinal-type than diffuse-type cancers (p< 0.05), and in the cancers of elder than younger patients (p< 0.05). Dkk3 expression was higher in squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinoma (p< 0.05). Dkk3 expression was higher in ductal than lobular breast cancer, or in younger than elder patients with breast cancer (p< 0.05). According to Kaplan-Meier plotter, Dkk3 expression was negatively correlated with overall, progression-free, relapse-free or distant-metastasis-free survival rate of gastric, breast or ovarian cancer patients, but versa for lung cancer patients (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION Dkk3 expression might be employed as a potential marker to indicate carcinogenesis and histogenesis, even prognosis.
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13
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Al-Qattan MM, Alkuraya FS. Cenani-Lenz syndrome and other related syndactyly disorders due to variants in LRP4, GREM1/FMN1, and APC: Insight into the pathogenesis and the relationship to polyposis through the WNT and BMP antagonistic pathways. Am J Med Genet A 2018; 179:266-279. [PMID: 30569497 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.60694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cenani-Lenz (C-L) syndrome is characterized by oligosyndactyly, metacarpal synostosis, phalangeal disorganization, and other variable facial and systemic features. Most cases are caused by homozygous and compound heterozygous missense and splice mutations of the LRP4 gene. Currently, the syndrome carries one OMIM number (212780). However, C-L syndrome-like phenotypes as well as other syndactyly disorders with or without metacarpal synostosis/phalangeal disorganization are also known to be associated with specific LRP4 mutations, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) truncating mutations, genomic rearrangements of the GREM1-FMN1 locus, as well as FMN1 mutations. Surprisingly, patients with C-L syndrome-like phenotype caused by APC truncating mutations have no polyposis despite the increased levels of β catenin. The LRP4 and APC proteins act on the WNT (wingless-type integration site family) canonical pathway, whereas the GREM-1 and FMN1 proteins act on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway. In this review, we discuss the different mutations associated with C-L syndrome, classify its clinical features, review familial adenomatous polyposis caused by truncating APC mutations and compare these mutations to the splicing APC mutation associated with syndactyly, and finally, explore the pathophysiology through a review of the cross talks between the WNT canonical and the BMP antagonistic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Al-Qattan
- Division of Plastic Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Division of Plastic Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Katase N, Nishimatsu SI, Yamauchi A, Yamamura M, Fujita S. DKK3 knockdown confers negative effects on the malignant potency of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells via the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. Int J Oncol 2018; 54:1021-1032. [PMID: 30569110 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dickkopf‑related protein 3 (DKK3), which is a member of the Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor family, is considered to be a tumor suppressor, due to its reduced expression in cancer cells and its ability to induce apoptosis when overexpressed by adenovirus. However, our previous study demonstrated alternative functions for DKK3 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Our study reported that DKK3 expression was predominantly upregulated in HNSCC cell lines and tissue samples, and its expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, DKK3 overexpression in HNSCC cells significantly increased cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and in vivo tumor growth. These data have led to the hypothesis that DKK3 may exert oncogenic functions and may increase the malignant properties of HNSCC. The present study established a stable DKK3 knockdown cell line (HSC‑3 shDKK3) using lentivirus‑mediated short hairpin RNA, and assessed its effects on cancer cell behavior using MTT, migration and invasion assays. In addition, its effects on in vivo tumor growth were assessed using a xenograft model. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of DKK3 knockdown were investigated by microarray analysis, pathway analysis and western blotting. Compared with control cells, HSC‑3 shDKK3 cells exhibited significantly reduced proliferation, migration and invasion, and formed significantly smaller tumor masses when subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice. In addition, in HSC‑3 shDKK3 cells, the expression levels of phosphorylated (p)‑protein kinase B (Akt) (Ser473), p‑phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K) p85 (Tyr467), p‑PI3K p55 (Try199), p‑3‑phosphoinositide‑dependent protein kinase‑1 (PDK1) (Ser241) and total p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) were reduced. Furthermore, phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) (Ser2448) was slightly decreased in HSC‑3 shDKK3 cells, which may be due to the increased expression of DEP domain‑containing mTOR‑interacting protein. Conversely, DKK3 overexpression in HSC‑3 shDKK3 cells rescued cellular proliferation, migration and invasion. With regards to expression levels, p‑PI3K and p‑PDK1 expression was not altered, whereas mTOR and p‑p38 MAPK expression was elevated. These data supported the hypothesis and indicated that DKK3 may contribute to the malignant phenotype of HNSCC cells via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Katase
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852‑8588, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Nishimatsu
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama 701‑0192, Japan
| | - Akira Yamauchi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama 701‑0192, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamura
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama 701‑0192, Japan
| | - Shuichi Fujita
- Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852‑8588, Japan
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Protective effect of stromal Dickkopf-3 in prostate cancer: opposing roles for TGFBI and ECM-1. Oncogene 2018; 37:5305-5324. [PMID: 29858602 PMCID: PMC6160402 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0294-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a hallmark of the stromal microenvironment in cancer. Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3), shown to inhibit TGF-β signaling, is downregulated in prostate cancer and upregulated in the stroma in benign prostatic hyperplasia, but the function of stromal Dkk-3 is unclear. Here we show that DKK3 silencing in WPMY-1 prostate stromal cells increases TGF-β signaling activity and that stromal cell-conditioned media inhibit prostate cancer cell invasion in a Dkk-3-dependent manner. DKK3 silencing increased the level of the cell-adhesion regulator TGF-β-induced protein (TGFBI) in stromal and epithelial cell-conditioned media, and recombinant TGFBI increased prostate cancer cell invasion. Reduced expression of Dkk-3 in patient tumors was associated with increased expression of TGFBI. DKK3 silencing reduced the level of extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM-1) in prostate stromal cell-conditioned media but increased it in epithelial cell-conditioned media, and recombinant ECM-1 inhibited TGFBI-induced prostate cancer cell invasion. Increased ECM1 and DKK3 mRNA expression in prostate tumors was associated with increased relapse-free survival. These observations are consistent with a model in which the loss of Dkk-3 in prostate cancer leads to increased secretion of TGFBI and ECM-1, which have tumor-promoting and tumor-protective roles, respectively. Determining how the balance between the opposing roles of extracellular factors influences prostate carcinogenesis will be key to developing therapies that target the tumor microenvironment.
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CRISPR-Mediated Reactivation of DKK3 Expression Attenuates TGF-β Signaling in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10060165. [PMID: 29843383 PMCID: PMC6025141 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10060165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The DKK3 gene encodes a secreted protein, Dkk-3, that inhibits prostate tumor growth and metastasis. DKK3 is downregulated by promoter methylation in many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Gene silencing studies have shown that Dkk-3 maintains normal prostate epithelial cell homeostasis by limiting TGF-β/Smad signaling. While ectopic expression of Dkk-3 leads to prostate cancer cell apoptosis, it is unclear if Dkk-3 has a physiological role in cancer cells. Here, we show that treatment of PC3 prostate cancer cells with the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor decitabine demethylates the DKK3 promoter, induces DKK3 expression, and inhibits TGF-β/Smad-dependent transcriptional activity. Direct induction of DKK3 expression using CRISPR-dCas9-VPR also inhibited TGF-β/Smad-dependent transcription and attenuated PC3 cell migration and proliferation. These effects were not observed in C4-2B cells, which do not respond to TGF-β. TGF-β signals can regulate gene expression directly via SMAD proteins and indirectly by increasing DNMT expression, leading to promoter methylation. Analysis of genes downregulated by promoter methylation and predicted to be regulated by TGF-β found that DKK3 induction increased expression of PTGS2, which encodes cyclooxygenase-2. Together, these observations provide support for using CRISPR-mediated induction of DKK3 as a potential therapeutic approach for prostate cancer and highlight complexities in Dkk-3 regulation of TGF-β signaling.
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Leonard JL, Leonard DM, Wolfe SA, Liu J, Rivera J, Yang M, Leonard RT, Johnson JPS, Kumar P, Liebmann KL, Tutto AA, Mou Z, Simin KJ. Correction: The Dkk3 gene encodes a vital intracellular regulator of cell proliferation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184458. [PMID: 28863194 PMCID: PMC5580920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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