1
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CDK2-mediated site-specific phosphorylation of EZH2 drives and maintains triple-negative breast cancer. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5114. [PMID: 31704972 PMCID: PMC6841924 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression, is closely related to basal-like breast cancer. Previously, we and others report that cyclin E/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) phosphorylates enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) at T416 (pT416-EZH2). Here, we show that transgenic expression of phospho-mimicking EZH2 mutant EZH2T416D in mammary glands leads to tumors with TNBC phenotype. Coexpression of EZH2T416D in mammary epithelia of HER2/Neu transgenic mice reprograms HER2-driven luminal tumors into basal-like tumors. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK2 or EZH2 allows re-expression of ERα and converts TNBC to luminal ERα-positive, rendering TNBC cells targetable by tamoxifen. Furthermore, the combination of either CDK2 or EZH2 inhibitor with tamoxifen effectively suppresses tumor growth and markedly improves the survival of the mice bearing TNBC tumors, suggesting that the mechanism-based combination therapy may be an alternative approach to treat TNBC. EZH2 phosphorylation by CDK2 promotes progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, the authors show that this signaling axis downregulates ERα, and thus combinatorial blockade of CDK2 and EZH2 sensitizes TNBC cells to tamoxifen.
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2
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Alexandrou S, George SM, Ormandy CJ, Lim E, Oakes SR, Caldon CE. The Proliferative and Apoptotic Landscape of Basal-like Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030667. [PMID: 30720718 PMCID: PMC6387372 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is an aggressive molecular subtype that represents up to 15% of breast cancers. It occurs in younger patients, and typically shows rapid development of locoregional and distant metastasis, resulting in a relatively high mortality rate. Its defining features are that it is positive for basal cytokeratins and, epidermal growth factor receptor and/or c-Kit. Problematically, it is typically negative for the estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which means that it is unsuitable for either hormone therapy or targeted HER2 therapy. As a result, there are few therapeutic options for BLBC, and a major priority is to define molecular subgroups of BLBC that could be targeted therapeutically. In this review, we focus on the highly proliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype of BLBC with the goal of defining potential therapeutic avenues, which could take advantage of these aspects of tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Alexandrou
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sandra Marie George
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Christopher John Ormandy
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Elgene Lim
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Samantha Richelle Oakes
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
| | - C Elizabeth Caldon
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
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3
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Johanning GL, Malouf GG, Zheng X, Esteva FJ, Weinstein JN, Wang-Johanning F, Su X. Expression of human endogenous retrovirus-K is strongly associated with the basal-like breast cancer phenotype. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41960. [PMID: 28165048 PMCID: PMC5292751 DOI: 10.1038/srep41960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which make up approximately 8% of the human genome, are overexpressed in some breast cancer cells and tissues but without regard to cancer subtype. We, therefore, analyzed TCGA RNA-Seq data to evaluate differences in expression of the HERV-K family in breast cancers of the various subtypes. Four HERV-K loci on different chromosomes were analyzed in basal, Her2E, LumA, and LumB breast cancer subtypes of 512 breast cancer patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). The results for all four loci showed higher HERV-K expression in the basal subtype, suggesting similar mechanisms of regulation regardless of locus. Expression of the HERV-K envelope gene (env) was highly significantly increased in basal tumors in comparison with the also-upregulated expression of other HERV-K genes. Analysis of reverse-phase protein array data indicated that increased expression of HERV-K is associated with decreased mutation of H-Ras (wild-type). Our results show elevation of HERV-K expression exclusively in the basal subtype of IDC breast cancer (as opposed to the other subtypes) and suggest HERV-K as a possible target for cancer vaccines or immunotherapy against this highly aggressive form of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary L Johanning
- SRI International, Biosciences Division, 333 Ravenswood Ave, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel G Malouf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), GRC5, ONCOTYPE-Uro, Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Francisco J Esteva
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John N Weinstein
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Feng Wang-Johanning
- SRI International, Biosciences Division, 333 Ravenswood Ave, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoping Su
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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4
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MelanA-negative spindle-cell associated melanoma, a distinct inflammatory phenotype correlated with dense infiltration of CD163 macrophages and loss of E-cadherin. Melanoma Res 2015; 25:113-8. [PMID: 25602697 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MelanA is a known melanocyte marker and is important in melanoma diagnostics. Some tumours, however, show loss of MelanA expression and may therefore be difficult to distinguish from tumours of mesenchymal origin. Pure spindle-cell melanoma is a rare event, and little is known about its biological background and prognosis. However, morphological changes towards a more mesenchymal shape and cellular dedifferentiation may correlate with reactivation of important developmental programmes (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) and disseminative tumour cell properties. Inflammation and CD163+ macrophages have been shown to be important inducers of E-cadherin and cell-to-cell adhesion loss, a pivotal and final event of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In a cohort of 385 patients with melanoma, we located nine tumours with a clonal MelanA expression, defined as a tumour section with a distinct MelanA-negative clone next to a MelanA-positive clone. Interestingly, MelanA-negative clones correlated significantly with an augmented inflammatory response of tumour-infiltrating macrophages (CD163+), complete loss of E-cadherin and a spindle-shaped morphology, irrespective of ulcerated status. These cases show the inflammatory heterogeneity of melanoma, which may have important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications for the patients. We show that melanomas harbour cell clones that bear strong resemblance to tumour-associated macrophages, a pivotal player in a tumour-supporting microenvironment. Interestingly, this distinct inflammatory phenotype is associated with loss of MelanA expression, the presence of spindle-shape morphology and complete loss of E-cadherin, considered as possible markers of poorly differentiated and more invasive tumour cells.
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5
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Lehman HL, Stairs DB. Single and Multiple Gene Manipulations in Mouse Models of Human Cancer. CANCER GROWTH AND METASTASIS 2015; 8:1-15. [PMID: 26380553 PMCID: PMC4558888 DOI: 10.4137/cgm.s21217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of human cancer play a critical role in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Advances continue to be made in modeling human disease in a mouse, though the relevance of a mouse model often relies on how closely it is able to mimic the histologic, molecular, and physiologic characteristics of the respective human cancer. A classic use of a genetically engineered mouse in studying cancer is through the overexpression or deletion of a gene. However, the manipulation of a single gene often falls short of mimicking all the characteristics of the carcinoma in humans; thus a multiple gene approach is needed. Here we review genetic mouse models of cancers and their abilities to recapitulate human carcinoma with single versus combinatorial approaches with genes commonly involved in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Lehman
- Department of Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Douglas B Stairs
- Department of Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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6
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Yang CC, LaBaff A, Wei Y, Nie L, Xia W, Huo L, Yamaguchi H, Hsu YH, Hsu JL, Liu D, Lang J, Du Y, Lien HC, Li LY, Deng R, Chan LC, Yao J, Kleer CG, Hortobagyi GN, Hung MC. Phosphorylation of EZH2 at T416 by CDK2 contributes to the malignancy of triple negative breast cancers. Am J Transl Res 2015; 7:1009-1020. [PMID: 26279746 PMCID: PMC4532735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is closely related to basal-like breast cancer, is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer that initially responds to chemotherapy but eventually develops resistance. This presents a major clinical challenge as there are currently no effective targeted therapies available due to its lack of HER2 and estrogen receptor expression. Here, we show that cyclin E and the enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) are closely co-expressed in TNBC patients, and cyclin E/CDK2 phosphorylates EZH2 at T416 (pT416-EZH2) in vivo. Phosphorylation of EZH2 at T416 enhances the ability of EZH2 to promote TNBC cell migration/invasion, tumorsphere formation, and in vivo tumor growth. In addition, high pT416-EZH2 correlates with poorer survival in TNBC patients. These findings suggest that pT416 has the potential to serve as a therapeutic biomarker for the aggressive forms of breast cancer and provide a rationale for the use of CDK2 inhibitors to treat TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chieh Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Adam LaBaff
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Yongkun Wei
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Lei Nie
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Weiya Xia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Longfei Huo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Hirohito Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Yi-Hsin Hsu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Jennifer L Hsu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
- Center for Molecular Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical UniversityTaichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia UniversityTaichung 413, Taiwan
| | - Dongping Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Jingyu Lang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Yi Du
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Huang-Chun Lien
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Long-Yuan Li
- Center for Molecular Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical UniversityTaichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia UniversityTaichung 413, Taiwan
| | - Rong Deng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Li-Chuan Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Celina G Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Gabriel N Hortobagyi
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas 77030
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas 77030
- Center for Molecular Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical UniversityTaichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia UniversityTaichung 413, Taiwan
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7
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Kourtidis A, Yanagisawa M, Huveldt D, Copland JA, Anastasiadis PZ. Pro-Tumorigenic Phosphorylation of p120 Catenin in Renal and Breast Cancer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129964. [PMID: 26067913 PMCID: PMC4466266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered protein expression and phosphorylation are common events during malignant transformation. These perturbations have been widely explored in the context of E-cadherin cell-cell adhesion complexes, which are central in the maintenance of the normal epithelial phenotype. A major component of these complexes is p120 catenin (p120), which binds and stabilizes E-cadherin to promote its adhesive and tumor suppressing function. However, p120 is also an essential mediator of pro-tumorigenic signals driven by oncogenes, such as Src, and can be phosphorylated at multiple sites. Although alterations in p120 expression have been extensively studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the context of tumor progression, little is known about the status and role of p120 phosphorylation in cancer. Here we show that tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation of p120 in two sites, Y228 and T916, is elevated in renal and breast tumor tissue samples. We also show that tyrosine phosphorylation of p120 at its N-terminus, including at the Y228 site is required for its pro-tumorigenic potential. In contrast, phosphorylation of p120 at T916 does not affect this p120 function. However, phosphorylation of p120 at T916 interferes with epitope recognition of the most commonly used p120 antibody, namely pp120. As a result, this antibody selectively underrepresents p120 levels in tumor tissues, where p120 is phosphorylated. Overall, our data support a role of p120 phosphorylation as a marker and mediator of tumor transformation. Importantly, they also argue that the level and localization of p120 in human cancer tissues immunostained with pp120 needs to be re-evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Kourtidis
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Masahiro Yanagisawa
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Deborah Huveldt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - John A. Copland
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Panos Z. Anastasiadis
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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8
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Law ME, Corsino PE, Narayan S, Law BK. Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors as Anticancer Therapeutics. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 88:846-52. [PMID: 26018905 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.099325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been considered promising drug targets for a number of years, but most CDK inhibitors have failed rigorous clinical testing. Recent studies demonstrating clear anticancer efficacy and reduced toxicity of CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib and multi-CDK inhibitors such as dinaciclib have rejuvenated the field. Favorable results with palbociclib and its recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval demonstrate that CDK inhibitors with narrow selectivity profiles can have clinical utility for therapy based on individual tumor genetics. A brief overview of results obtained with ATP-competitive inhibitors such as palbociclib and dinaciclib is presented, followed by a compilation of new avenues that have been pursued toward the development of novel, non-ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors. These creative ways to develop CDK inhibitors are presented along with crystal structures of these agents complexed with CDK2 to highlight differences in their binding sites and mechanisms of action. The recent successes of CDK inhibitors in the clinic, combined with the potential for structure-based routes to the development of non-ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors, and evidence that CDK inhibitors may have use in suppressing chromosomal instability and in synthetic lethal drug combinations inspire optimism that CDK inhibitors will become important weapons in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Law
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.E.L., P.E.C., B.K.L.), Anatomy and Cell Biology (S.N.), and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center (M.E.L., P.E.C., S.N., B.K.L.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Patrick E Corsino
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.E.L., P.E.C., B.K.L.), Anatomy and Cell Biology (S.N.), and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center (M.E.L., P.E.C., S.N., B.K.L.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Satya Narayan
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.E.L., P.E.C., B.K.L.), Anatomy and Cell Biology (S.N.), and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center (M.E.L., P.E.C., S.N., B.K.L.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Brian K Law
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (M.E.L., P.E.C., B.K.L.), Anatomy and Cell Biology (S.N.), and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center (M.E.L., P.E.C., S.N., B.K.L.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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9
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Chen T, Wang C, Wu F, Zhang X, Yang H, Deng X, He Q, Li W, Li G. Altered localization of p120 catenin in the cytoplasm rather than the membrane correlates with poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118645. [PMID: 25785604 PMCID: PMC4364898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND P120 catenin (p120ctn), a regulator of cell adhesion, has previously been found in many malignancies, and suggested a role in invasion, metastasis and survival. The aim of this study was to investigate correlations between altered localization of p120ctn and clinical-pathological characteristics in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS Immunohistochemical staining for p120ctn was performed on tissue samples from 118 patients with ESCC. The expression of p120ctn was scored for intensity and cellular localization by Image-pro Plus 6.0. Correlations between immunohistochemical staining of p120ctn and pathological characteristics and clinical prognosis were determined using SPSS 18.0 software. RESULTS Membrane expression of p120ctn in ESCCs was lower than that in adjacentnormal esophageal epithelial tissues (P = 0.041), while overall cellular expression of p120ctn was not different between the two tissue types (P = 0.787). Furthermore, neither overall cellular expression nor localized membrane expression was associated with histological and clinical variables. The high ratio of membrane expression to overall cellular expression (M/C) of p120ctn was inversely associated with lymph node invasion (P = 0.001), tumor differentiation (P = 0.012) and advanced tumor stage (P = 0.005); however, it was poorly associated with T stage (P = 0.274). The high M/C ratio of p120ctn was inversely correlated with poor survival; the 5-year OS (overall survival) and the 5-year DFS (disease free survival) for the high M/C ratio group were significantly higher than those of the low M/C ratio group (41.0% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.000; 44.1% vs. 24.9%, P = 0.007). Both the M/C ratio of p120ctn and N status were independent variables for the prediction of overall survival (P = 0.007 and P = 0.027). The M/C of p120ctn predicted a 0.49-fold risk of ESCC death (p = 0.007, 95% CI 0.29-0.83). CONCLUSIONS The reduced M/C ratio of p120ctn acted as an independent prognostic factor for ESCC patient survival and for the migration and invasive behavior of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy, Ningbo Medical Treatment Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taizhou Enze Medical Center Luqiao Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (GL); (FW); (XBZ); (WFL)
| | - Xuebang Zhang
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (GL); (FW); (XBZ); (WFL)
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xia Deng
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Qiancheng He
- Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (GL); (FW); (XBZ); (WFL)
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (GL); (FW); (XBZ); (WFL)
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10
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Jahn SC, Law ME, Corsino PE, Davis BJ, Harrison JK, Law BK. Signaling mechanisms that suppress the cytostatic actions of rapamycin. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99927. [PMID: 24927123 PMCID: PMC4057458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While rapamycin and the "rapalogs" Everolimus and Temsirolimus have been approved for clinical use in the treatment of a number of forms of cancer, they have not met overarching success. Some tumors are largely refractory to rapamycin treatment, with some even undergoing an increase in growth rates. However the mechanisms by which this occurs are largely unknown. The results presented here reveal novel cell-signaling mechanisms that may lead to this resistance. The absence of TGFβ signaling results in resistance to rapamycin. Additionally, we observed that treatment of some cancer cell lines with rapamycin and its analogs not only potentiates mitogenic signaling and proliferation induced by HGF, but also stimulates the pro-survival kinase Akt. Together, the data show that the effectiveness of rapamycin treatment can be influenced by a number of factors and bring to light potential biomarkers for the prediction of responsiveness to treatment, and suggest combination therapies to optimize rapalog anticancer efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan C. Jahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- University of Florida-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mary E. Law
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- University of Florida-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Patrick E. Corsino
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- University of Florida-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Bradley J. Davis
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- University of Florida-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey K. Harrison
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- University of Florida-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Brian K. Law
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- University of Florida-Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Li H, Jiang X, Yu Y, Huang W, Xing H, Agar NY, Yang HW, Yang B, Carroll RS, Johnson MD. KAP regulates ROCK2 and Cdk2 in an RNA-activated glioblastoma invasion pathway. Oncogene 2014; 34:1432-41. [PMID: 24704824 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant splicing of the cyclin-dependent kinase-associated phosphatase, KAP, promotes glioblastoma invasion in a Cdc2-dependent manner. However, the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Here we show that miR-26a, which is often amplified in glioblastoma, promotes invasion in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-competent and PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells by directly downregulating KAP expression. Mechanistically, we find that KAP binds and activates ROCK2. Thus, RNA-mediated downregulation of KAP leads to decreased ROCK2 activity and this, in turn, increases Rac1-mediated invasion. In addition, the decrease in KAP expression activates the cyclin-dependent kinase, Cdk2, and this directly promotes invasion by increasing retinoblastoma phosphorylation, E2F-dependent Cdc2 expression and Cdc2-mediated inactivation of the actomyosin inhibitor, caldesmon. Importantly, glioblastoma cell invasion mediated by this pathway can be antagonized by Cdk2/Cdc2 inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Thus, two distinct RNA-based mechanisms activate this novel KAP/ROCK2/Cdk2-dependent invasion pathway in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Li
- 1] Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA [2] Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - X Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Y Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - W Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - H Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - N Y Agar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - H W Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - B Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - R S Carroll
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M D Johnson
- 1] Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA [2] Program in Neuro-Oncology, Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Menezes ME, Das SK, Emdad L, Windle JJ, Wang XY, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. Genetically engineered mice as experimental tools to dissect the critical events in breast cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2014; 121:331-382. [PMID: 24889535 PMCID: PMC4349377 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800249-0.00008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the mechanism of pathogenesis of breast cancer has greatly benefited from breakthrough advances in both genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models and xenograft transplantation technologies. The vast array of breast cancer mouse models currently available is testimony to the complexity of mammary tumorigenesis and attempts by investigators to accurately portray the heterogeneity and intricacies of this disease. Distinct molecular changes that drive various aspects of tumorigenesis, such as alterations in tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance have been evaluated using the currently available GEM breast cancer models. GEM breast cancer models are also being exploited to evaluate and validate the efficacy of novel therapeutics, vaccines, and imaging modalities for potential use in the clinic. This review provides a synopsis of the various GEM models that are expanding our knowledge of the nuances of breast cancer development and progression and can be instrumental in the development of novel prevention and therapeutic approaches for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell E Menezes
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jolene J Windle
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Xiang-Yang Wang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
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13
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Jahn SC, Law ME, Corsino PE, Rowe TC, Davis BJ, Law BK. Assembly, activation, and substrate specificity of cyclin D1/Cdk2 complexes. Biochemistry 2013; 52:3489-501. [PMID: 23627734 DOI: 10.1021/bi400047u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown conflicting data regarding cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) complexes, and considering the widespread overexpression of cyclin D1 in cancer, it is important to fully understand their relevance. While many have shown that cyclin D1 and Cdk2 form active complexes, others have failed to show activity or association. Here, using a novel p21-PCNA fusion protein as well as p21 mutant proteins, we show that p21 is a required scaffolding protein, with cyclin D1 and Cdk2 failing to complex in its absence. These p21/cyclin D1/Cdk2 complexes are active and also bind the trimeric PCNA complex, with each trimer capable of independently binding distinct cyclin/Cdk complexes. We also show that increased p21 levels due to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents result in increased formation and kinase activity of cyclin D1/Cdk2 complexes, and that cyclin D1/Cdk2 complexes are able to phosphorylate a number of substrates in addition to Rb. Nucleophosmin and Cdh1, two proteins important for centrosome replication and implicated in the chromosomal instability of cancer, are shown to be phosphorylated by cyclin D1/Cdk2 complexes. Additionally, polypyrimidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) is identified as a novel Cdk2 substrate, being phosphorylated by Cdk2 complexed with either cyclin E or cyclin D1, and given the many functions of PSF, it could have important implications on cellular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan C Jahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and the ‡Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
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A novel role of EMMPRIN/CD147 in transformation of quiescent fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts by breast cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2013; 335:380-6. [PMID: 23474495 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We tested the novel hypothesis that EMMPRIN/CD147, a transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in breast cancer cells, has a previously unknown role in transforming fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts, and that cancer-associated fibroblasts in turn induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells. Co-culture of fibroblasts with breast cancer cells or treatment of fibroblasts with breast cancer cell conditioned culture medium or recombinant EMMPRIN/CD147 induced expression of α-SMA in the fibroblasts in an EMMPRIN/CD147-dependent manner and promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells and enhanced cell migration potential. These findings support a novel role of EMMPRIN/CD147 in regulating the interaction between cancer and stroma.
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15
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Jahn SC, Corsino PE, Davis BJ, Law ME, Nørgaard P, Law BK. Constitutive Cdk2 activity promotes aneuploidy while altering the spindle assembly and tetraploidy checkpoints. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:1207-17. [PMID: 23321641 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.117382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell has many mechanisms for protecting the integrity of its genome. These mechanisms are often weakened or absent in many cancers, leading to high rates of chromosomal instability in tumors. Control of the cell cycle is crucial for the function of these checkpoints, and is frequently lost in cancers as well. Overexpression of Cyclin D1 in a large number of breast cancers causes overactivation of the cyclin-dependent kinases, including Cdk2. Constitutive Cdk2 activation through Cyclin D1 generates tumors in mice that are aneuploid and have many characteristics indicative of chromosomal instability. Expression of these complexes in the MCF10A cell line leads to retinoblastoma protein (Rb) hyperphosphorylation, a subsequent increase in proliferation rate, and increased expression of the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Mad2. This results in a strengthening of the spindle assembly checkpoint and renders cells more sensitive to the spindle poison paclitaxel. Constitutive Rb phosphorylation also causes a weakening of the p53-dependent tetraploidy checkpoint. Cells with overactive Cdk2 fail to arrest after mitotic slippage in the presence of paclitaxel or cytokinesis failure during treatment with cytochalasin-B, generating 8N populations. This additional increase in DNA content appears to further intensify the tetraploidy checkpoint in a step-wise manner. These polyploid cells are not viable long-term, either failing to undergo division or creating daughter cells that are unable to undergo subsequent division. This study raises intriguing questions about the treatment of tumors with overactive Cdk2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan C Jahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and the Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Development of an anti-angiogenic therapeutic model combining scAAV2-delivered siRNAs and noninvasive photoacoustic imaging of tumor vasculature development. Cancer Lett 2012. [PMID: 23196055 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to develop an anti-angiogenic model for breast cancer by combining (1) siRNA-based therapy delivered by self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (scAAV2) vectors to target tumor vasculature, and (2) noninvasive monitoring to tumor response to anti-angiogenesis by photoacoustic (PA) imaging. scAAV2 vector containing 7 surface exposed tyrosine to phenylanine capsid mutations was able to transduce microvascular endothelial cells with high efficiency. siRNAs against UPR (unfolded protein response)-IRE1α, XBP-1, ATF6 significantly inhibited breast cancer-induced angiogenesis in vitro by inhibiting endothelial cell survival. PA imaging showed that knockdown of UPR proteins greatly reduced tumor angiogenesis in vivo in breast cancer models.
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Jahn SC, Law ME, Corsino PE, Parker NN, Pham K, Davis BJ, Lu J, Law BK. An in vivo model of epithelial to mesenchymal transition reveals a mitogenic switch. Cancer Lett 2012; 326:183-90. [PMID: 22906417 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Revised: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which differentiated epithelial cells transition to a mesenchymal phenotype. EMT enables the escape of epithelial cells from the rigid structural constraints of the tissue architecture to a phenotype more amenable to cell migration and, therefore, invasion and metastasis. We characterized an in vivo model of EMT and discovered that marked changes in mitogenic signaling occurred during this process. DNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression of a number of genes varied significantly between post-EMT and pre-EMT breast cancer cells. Post-EMT cancer cells upregulated mRNA encoding c-Met and the PDGF and LPA receptors, and acquired increased responsiveness to HGF, PDGF, and LPA. This rendered the post-EMT cells responsive to the growth inhibitory effects of HGF, PDGF, and LPA receptor inhibitors/antagonists. Furthermore, post-EMT cells exhibited decreased basal Raf and Erk phosphorylation, and in comparison to pre-EMT cells, their proliferation was poorly inhibited by a MEK inhibitor. These studies suggest that therapies need to be designed to target both pre-EMT and post-EMT cancer cells and that signaling changes in post-EMT cells may allow them to take advantage of paracrine signaling from the stroma in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan C Jahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Law ME, Corsino PE, Jahn SC, Davis BJ, Chen S, Patel B, Pham K, Lu J, Sheppard B, Nørgaard P, Hong J, Higgins P, Kim JS, Luesch H, Law BK. Glucocorticoids and histone deacetylase inhibitors cooperate to block the invasiveness of basal-like breast cancer cells through novel mechanisms. Oncogene 2012; 32:1316-29. [PMID: 22543582 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive cancers often express E-cadherin in cytoplasmic vesicles rather than on the plasma membrane and this may contribute to the invasive phenotype of these tumors. Therapeutic strategies are not currently available that restore the anti-invasive function of E-cadherin in cancers. MDA-MB-231 cells are a frequently used model of invasive triple-negative breast cancer, and these cells express low levels of E-cadherin that is mislocalized to cytoplasmic vesicles. MDA-MB-231 cell lines stably expressing wild-type E-cadherin or E-cadherin fused to glutathione S-transferase or green fluorescent protein were used as experimental systems to probe the mechanisms responsible for cytoplasmic E-cadherin localization in invasive cancers. Although E-cadherin expression partly reduced cell invasion in vitro, E-cadherin was largely localized to the cytoplasm and did not block the invasiveness of the corresponding orthotopic xenograft tumors. Further studies indicated that the glucocorticoid dexamethasone and the highly potent class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor largazole cooperated to induce E-cadherin localization to the plasma membrane in triple-negative breast cancers, and to suppress cellular invasion in vitro. Dexamethasone blocked the production of the cleaved form of the CDCP1 (that is, CUB domain-containing protein 1) protein (cCDCP1) previously implicated in the pro-invasive activities of CDCP1 by upregulating the serine protease inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. E-cadherin preferentially associated with cCDCP1 compared with the full-length form. In contrast, largazole did not influence CDCP1 cleavage, but increased the association of E-cadherin with γ-catenin. This effect on E-cadherin/γ-catenin complexes was shared with the nonisoform selective HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA), although largazole upregulated endogenous E-cadherin levels more strongly than TSA. These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids and HDAC inhibitors, both of which are currently in clinical use, cooperate to suppress the invasiveness of breast cancer cells through novel, complementary mechanisms that converge on E-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Law
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0267, FL, USA
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Cdk2-null mice are resistant to ErbB-2-induced mammary tumorigenesis. Neoplasia 2011; 13:439-44. [PMID: 21532884 DOI: 10.1593/neo.101704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2010] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of targeting G(1) cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in breast cancer treatments is supported by the fact that the genetic ablation of Cdk4 had minimal impacts on normal cell proliferation in majority of cell types, resulting in near-normal mouse development, whereas such loss of Cdk4 completely abrogated ErbB-2/neu-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice. In most human breast cancer tissues, another G(1)-regulatory CDK, CDK2, is also hyperactivated by various mechanisms and is believed to be an important therapeutic target. In this report, we provide genetic evidence that CDK2 is essential for proliferation and oncogenesis of murine mammary epithelial cells. We observed that 87% of Cdk2-null mice were protected from ErbB-2-induced mammary tumorigenesis. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts isolated from Cdk2-null mouse showed resistance to various oncogene-induced transformation. Previously, we have reported that hemizygous loss of Cdc25A, the major activator of CDK2, can also protect mice from ErbB-2-induced mammary tumorigenesis [Cancer Res (2007) 67(14): 6605-11]. Thus, we propose that CDC25A-CDK2 pathway is critical for the oncogenic action of ErbB-2 in mammary epithelial cells, in a manner similar to Cyclin D1/CDK4 pathway.
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Dinosaurs and ancient civilizations: reflections on the treatment of cancer. Neoplasia 2011; 12:957-68. [PMID: 21170260 DOI: 10.1593/neo.101588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Revised: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Research efforts in the area of palaeopathology have been seen as an avenue to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of cancer. Answers to questions of whether dinosaurs had cancer, or if cancer plagued ancient civilizations, have captured the imagination as well as the popular media. Evidence for dinosaurian cancer may indicate that cancer may have been with us from the dawn of time. Ancient recorded history suggests that past civilizations attempted to fight cancer with a variety of interventions. When contemplating the issue why a generalized cure for cancer has not been found, it might prove useful to reflect on the relatively limited time that this issue has been an agenda item of governmental attention as well as continued introduction of an every evolving myriad of manmade carcinogens relative to the total time cancer has been present on planet Earth. This article reflects on the history of cancer and the progress made following the initiation of the "era of cancer chemotherapy."
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Johnson E, Seachrist DD, DeLeon-Rodriguez CM, Lozada KL, Miedler J, Abdul-Karim FW, Keri RA. HER2/ErbB2-induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion require p120 catenin activation of Rac1 and Cdc42. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:29491-501. [PMID: 20595387 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.136770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers that overexpress the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2/HER2/Neu result in poor patient outcome because of extensive metastatic progression. Herein, we delineate a molecular mechanism that may govern this malignant phenotype. ErbB2 induction of migration requires activation of the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. The ability of ErbB2 to activate these small GTPases necessitated expression of p120 catenin, which is itself up-regulated by signaling through ErbB2 and the tyrosine kinase Src. Silencing p120 in ErbB2-dependent breast cancer cell lines dramatically inhibited migration and invasion as well as activation of Rac1 and Cdc42. In contrast, overexpression of constitutively active mutants of these GTPases reversed the effects of p120 silencing. Lastly, ectopic expression of p120 promoted migration and invasion and potentiated metastatic progression of a weakly metastatic, ErbB2-dependent breast cancer cell line. These results suggest that p120 acts as an obligate intermediate between ErbB2 and Rac1/Cdc42 to modulate the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emhonta Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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22
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The War on Cancer rages on. Neoplasia 2010; 11:1252-63. [PMID: 20019833 DOI: 10.1593/neo.91866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Revised: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1971, the "War on Cancer" was launched by the US government to cure cancer by the 200-year anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, 1976. This article briefly looks back at the progress that has been made in cancer research and compares progress made in other areas of human affliction. While progress has indeed been made, the battle continues to rage on.
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Talvinen K, Tuikkala J, Nykänen M, Nieminen A, Anttinen J, Nevalainen OS, Hurme S, Kuopio T, Kronqvist P. Altered expression of p120catenin predicts poor outcome in invasive breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2010; 136:1377-87. [PMID: 20151151 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-010-0789-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study focuses on p120catenin, a regulator of cell adhesion, which has previously been described in many malignancies and suggested with a role in invasion and metastatic behaviour. In this study, we investigate the role of altered immunoexpression of p120catenin isoforms in the prognosis of invasive breast cancer (n = 351). METHODS We used cDNA microarrays to screen differences in gene expression in invasive breast cancer in general, and between local and metastasized disease particularly. On this basis, we performed p120catenin immunohistochemistry in order to confirm the prognostic value of p120catenin isoforms on tissue microarrays comprising 341 patients from the era of mammographic screening, directed to modern surgical and oncological treatments, and followed-up for maximum of 20 years. RESULTS In cDNA microarray analysis, p120catenin was discovered down-regulated along with E-cadherin and alpha-catenin. In addition, p120catenin distinguished metastasized breast cancer from local disease. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the value of p120catenin as an independent prognosticator of breast cancer survival. In our results, p120catenin was associated with 3.7-fold risk of breast cancer death in multivariate Cox's regression analyses adjusted for the established prognosticators of breast cancer (p = 0.039). Particularly, the long isoform of p120catenin predicted metastatic disease (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION The present paper is the first report on p120catenin in invasive breast cancer based on a well-characterized patient material with long-term follow-up. We observed altered expression of p120catenin isoforms in invasive breast cancer and, in our material, the decrease in p120 immunoexpression was significantly associated with poor outcome of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Talvinen
- Department of Pathology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland.
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Lapyckyj L, Castillo LF, Matos ML, Gabrielli NM, Lüthy IA, Vazquez-Levin MH. Expression analysis of epithelial cadherin and related proteins in IBH-6 and IBH-4 human breast cancer cell lines. J Cell Physiol 2010; 222:596-605. [PMID: 19957299 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) is a 120 kDa cell-cell adhesion molecule involved in the establishment of epithelial adherens junctions. It is connected to the actin cytoskeleton by adaptor proteins such as beta-catenin. Loss of E-cadherin expression/function has been related to tumor progression and metastasis. Several molecules associated with down-regulation of E-cadherin have been described, within them neural cadherin, Twist and dysadherin. Human breast cancer cell lines IBH-6 and IBH-4 were developed from ductal primary tumors and show characteristic features of malignant epithelial cells. In this study expression of E-cadherin and related proteins in IBH-6 and IBH-4 cell lines was evaluated. In IBH-6 and IBH-4 cell extracts, only an 89 kDa E-cadherin form (Ecad89) was detected, which is truncated at the C-terminus and is present at low levels. Moreover, no accumulation of the 86 kDa E-cadherin ectodomain and of the 38 kDa CTF1 fragment was observed. IBH-6 and IBH-4 cells showed an intracellular scattered E-cadherin localization. beta-catenin accompanied E-cadherin localization, and actin stress fibers were identified in both cell types. E-cadherin mRNA levels were remarkably low in IBH-6 and IBH-4 cells. The E-cadherin mRNA and genomic sequence encoding exons 14-16 could not be amplified in either cell line. Neither the mRNA nor the protein of neural cadherin and dysadherin were detected. Up-regulation of Twist mRNA was found in both cell lines. In conclusion, IBH-6 and IBH-4 breast cancer cells show down-regulation of E-cadherin expression with aberrant protein localization, and up-regulation of Twist; these features can be related to their invasive/metastatic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Lapyckyj
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Hadavi R, Zarnani AH, Ahmadvand N, Mahmoudi AR, Bayat AA, Mahmoudian J, Sadeghi MR, Soltanghoraee H, Akhondi MM, Tarahomi M, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Rabbani H. Production of Monoclonal Antibody against Human Nestin. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol 2010; 2:69-77. [PMID: 23407796 PMCID: PMC3558152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2010] [Accepted: 06/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have employed a peptide-based antibody generation protocol for producing antibody against human nestin. Using a 12-mer synthetic peptide from repetitive region of human nestin protein devoid of any N- or O-glyco-sylation sequences, we generated a mouse monoclonal antibody capable of recognizing human, mouse, bovine, and rat nestin. A wide variety of nestin proteins ranging from 140-250 kDa was detected by this antibody. This antibody is highly specific and functional in applications such as ELISA, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Hadavi
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hassan Zarnani
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negah Ahmadvand
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Mahmoudi
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmad Bayat
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Mahmoudian
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Sadeghi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Soltanghoraee
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Tarahomi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hodjattallah Rabbani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran,Immune and Gene Therapy Lab, CCK, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Corresponding author: Hodjattallah Rabbani, Ph.D., Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. P.O. Box: 19615-1177. Tel: +98 21 22432020. Fax: +98 21 22432021. E-mail:
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Taneja P, Frazier DP, Kendig RD, Maglic D, Sugiyama T, Kai F, Taneja NK, Inoue K. MMTV mouse models and the diagnostic values of MMTV-like sequences in human breast cancer. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2009; 9:423-40. [PMID: 19580428 DOI: 10.1586/erm.09.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transgenic mice are excellent models for breast cancer as they allow for the targeted expression of various oncogenes and growth factors in neoplastic transformation of mammary glands. Numerous MMTV-LTR-driven transgenic mouse models of breast cancer have been created in the past three decades, including MMTV-neu/ErbB2, cyclin D1, cyclin E, Ras, Myc, int-1 and c-rel. These transgenic mice develop mammary tumors with different latency, histology and invasiveness, reflecting the oncogenic pathways activated by the transgene. Recently, homologous sequences of the env gene of MMTV have been identified in approximately 40% of human breast cancers, but not in normal breast or other types of cancers, suggesting possible involvement of mammary tumor virus in human breast carcinogenesis. Accumulating evidence demonstrates the association of MMTV provirus with progesterone receptor, p53 mutations and advanced-stage breast cancer. Thus, the detection of MMTV-like sequences may have diagnostic value to predict the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Taneja
- The Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Neoplasia: the second decade. Neoplasia 2009; 10:1314-24. [PMID: 19048110 DOI: 10.1593/neo.81372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2008] [Revised: 10/27/2008] [Accepted: 10/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This issue marks the end of the 10-year anniversary of Neoplasia where we have seen exciting growth in both number of submitted and published articles in Neoplasia. Neoplasia was first published in 1999. During the past 10 years, Neoplasia has dynamically adapted to the needs of the cancer research community as technologies have advanced. Neoplasia is currently providing access to articles through PubMed Central to continue to facilitate rapid broad-based dissemination of published findings to the scientific community through an Open Access model. This has in part helped Neoplasia to achieve an improved impact factor this past year, demonstrating that the manuscripts published by Neoplasia are of great interest to the overall cancer research community. This past year, Neoplasia received a record number of articles for review and has had a 21% increase in the number of published articles.
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