1
|
Jiang C, Zhou Q, Yi K, Yuan Y, Xie X. Colorectal cancer initiation: Understanding early-stage disease for intervention. Cancer Lett 2024; 589:216831. [PMID: 38574882 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216831] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
How tumors arise or the cause of precancerous lesions is a fundamental question in cancer biology. It is generally accepted that tumors originate from normal cells that undergo uncontrolled proliferation owing to genetic alterations. At the onset of adenoma formation, cancer driver mutations confer clonal growth advantage, enabling mutant cells to outcompete and eliminate the surrounding healthy cells. Hence, the development of precancerous lesions is not only attributed to the expansion of pre-malignant clones, but also relies on the relative fitness of mutated cells compared to the neighboring cells. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an excellent model to investigate cancer origin as it follows a stereotypical process from mutant cell hyperplasia to adenoma formation and progression. Here, we review the evolving understanding of colonic tumor development, focusing on how cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors impact cell competition and the "clone war" between cancer-initiating cells and normal stem cells. We also discuss the promises and limitations of targeting cell competitiveness in cancer prevention and early intervention. The field of tumor initiation is currently in its infancy, elucidating the adenoma origin is crucial for designing effective prevention strategies and early treatments before cancer becomes incurable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Jiang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, 314400, China
| | - Qiujing Zhou
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, 314400, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310005, China
| | - Ke Yi
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, 314400, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xin Xie
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, 314400, China; Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute and Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yuan Q, Yin L, He J, Zeng Q, Liang Y, Shen Y, Zu X. Metabolism of asparagine in the physiological state and cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:163. [PMID: 38448969 PMCID: PMC10916255 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01540-x] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Asparagine, an important amino acid in mammals, is produced in several organs and is widely used for the production of other nutrients such as glucose, proteins, lipids, and nucleotides. Asparagine has also been reported to play a vital role in the development of cancer cells. Although several types of cancer cells can synthesise asparagine alone, their synthesis levels are insufficient to meet their requirements. These cells must rely on the supply of exogenous asparagine, which is why asparagine is considered a semi-essential amino acid. Therefore, nutritional inhibition by targeting asparagine is often considered as an anti-cancer strategy and has shown success in the treatment of leukaemia. However, asparagine limitation alone does not achieve an ideal therapeutic effect because of stress responses that upregulate asparagine synthase (ASNS) to meet the requirements for asparagine in cancer cells. Various cancer cells initiate different reprogramming processes in response to the deficiency of asparagine. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively understand the asparagine metabolism in cancers. This review primarily discusses the physiological role of asparagine and the current progress in the field of cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Yuan
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Liyang Yin
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Nanhua Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Qiting Zeng
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yuxin Liang
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yingying Shen
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China.
| | - Xuyu Zu
- Cancer Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang S, Cheng H, Huang Y, Li M, Gao D, Chen H, Su R, Guo K. HSP90a promotes the resistance to oxaliplatin in HCC through regulating IDH1-induced cell competition. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119680. [PMID: 38280407 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Though burgeoning research manifests that cell competition, an essential selection and quality control mechanism for maintaining tissue or organ growth and homeostasis in multicellular organisms, is closely related to tumorigenesis and development, the mechanism of cell competition associated with tumor drug resistance remains elusive. In the study, we uncovered that oxaliplatin-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells exhibit a pronounced competitive advantage against their sensitive counterparts, which is related to lipid takeover of resistant cells from sensitive cells. Of note, such lipid takeover is dependent on the existence of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in resistant HCC cells. Mechanistically, IDH1 activity is regulated by heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90α) through binding with each other, which orchestrates the expressions of lipid metabolic enzymes and lipid accumulation in resistant HCC cells. Our results suggest that HCC cell competition-driven chemoresistance can be regulated by HSP90α/IDH1-mediated lipid metabolism, which may serve as a promising target for overcoming drug resistance in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sikai Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hongxia Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200434, China
| | - Yilan Huang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- Endoscopy Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dongmei Gao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huaping Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ruxiong Su
- Puning People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 515300, China
| | - Kun Guo
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China; Cancer Research Center, Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Buss JH, Begnini KR, Lenz G. The contribution of asymmetric cell division to phenotypic heterogeneity in cancer. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261400. [PMID: 38334041 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261400] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cells have evolved intricate mechanisms for dividing their contents in the most symmetric way during mitosis. However, a small proportion of cell divisions results in asymmetric segregation of cellular components, which leads to differences in the characteristics of daughter cells. Although the classical function of asymmetric cell division (ACD) in the regulation of pluripotency is the generation of one differentiated daughter cell and one self-renewing stem cell, recent evidence suggests that ACD plays a role in other physiological processes. In cancer, tumor heterogeneity can result from the asymmetric segregation of genetic material and other cellular components, resulting in cell-to-cell differences in fitness and response to therapy. Defining the contribution of ACD in generating differences in key features relevant to cancer biology is crucial to advancing our understanding of the causes of tumor heterogeneity and developing strategies to mitigate or counteract it. In this Review, we delve into the occurrence of asymmetric mitosis in cancer cells and consider how ACD contributes to the variability of several phenotypes. By synthesizing the current literature, we explore the molecular mechanisms underlying ACD, the implications of phenotypic heterogeneity in cancer, and the complex interplay between these two phenomena.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julieti Huch Buss
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| | - Karine Rech Begnini
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
- Instituto do Cérebro (INSCER), Pontifícia Universidade Católica RS (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Guido Lenz
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 91509-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chao S, Yan H, Bu P. Asymmetric division of stem cells and its cancer relevance. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 13:5. [PMID: 38411768 PMCID: PMC10897644 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-024-00188-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Asymmetric division is a fundamental process for generating cell diversity and maintaining the stem cell population. During asymmetric division, proteins, organelles, and even RNA are distributed unequally between the two daughter cells, determining their distinct cell fates. The mechanisms orchestrating this process are extremely complex. Dysregulation of asymmetric division can potentially trigger cancer progression. Cancer stem cells, in particular, undergo asymmetric division, leading to intra-tumoral heterogeneity, which contributes to treatment refractoriness. In this review, we delve into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern asymmetric division and explore its relevance to tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chao
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huiwen Yan
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pengcheng Bu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|