Nitidine chloride suppresses NEDD4 expression in lung cancer cells

Ferroptosis-Regulated Natural Products and miRNAs and Their Potential Targeting to Ferroptosis and Exosome Biogenesis

Ferroptosis, which comprises iron-dependent cell death, is crucial in cancer and non-cancer treatments. Exosomes, the extracellular vesicles, may deliver biomolecules to regulate disease progression. The interplay between ferroptosis and exosomes may modulate cancer development but is rarely investigated in natural product treatments and their modulating miRNAs. This review focuses on the ferroptosis-modulating effects of natural products and miRNAs concerning their participation in ferroptosis and exosome biogenesis (secretion and assembly)-related targets in cancer and non-cancer cells. Natural products and miRNAs with ferroptosis-modulating effects were retrieved and organized. Next, a literature search established the connection of a panel of ferroptosis-modulating genes to these ferroptosis-associated natural products. Moreover, ferroptosis-associated miRNAs were inputted into the miRNA database (miRDB) to bioinformatically search the potential targets for the modulation of ferroptosis and exosome biogenesis. Finally, the literature search provided a connection between ferroptosis-modulating miRNAs and natural products. Consequently, the connections from ferroptosis-miRNA-exosome biogenesis to natural product-based anticancer treatments are well-organized. This review sheds light on the research directions for integrating miRNAs and exosome biogenesis into the ferroptosis-modulating therapeutic effects of natural products on cancer and non-cancer diseases.

E3 ubiquitin ligases in lung cancer: Emerging insights and therapeutic opportunities

Aim In this review, we have attempted to provide the readers with an updated account of the role of a family of proteins known as E3 ligases in different aspects of lung cancer progression, along with insights into the deregulation of expression of these proteins during lung cancer. A detailed account of the therapeutic strategies involving E3 ligases that have been developed or currently under development has also been provided in this review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review article employs extensive literature search, along with differential gene expression analysis of lung cancer associated E3 ligases using the DESeq2 package in R, and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database (http://gepia.cancer-pku.cn/). Protein expression analysis of CPTAC lung cancer samples was carried out using the UALCAN webtool (https://ualcan.path.uab.edu/index.html). Assessment of patient overall survival (OS) in response to high and low expression of selected E3 ligases was performed using the online Kaplan-Meier plotter (https://kmplot.com/analysis/index.php?p=background). KEY FINDINGS: SIGNIFICANCE: The review provides an in-depth understanding of the role of E3 ligases in lung cancer progression and an up-to-date account of the different therapeutic strategies targeting oncogenic E3 ligases for improved lung cancer management.

E3 ubiquitin ligase neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4 motivates FOXA1 ubiquitination and restrains proliferation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells via the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway

Neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4 (NEDD4) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that recognizes substrates via protein-protein interactions and takes part in tumor development. This study aims to clarify NEDD4's functions in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and its downstream mechanisms. Collection of 53 DLBCL tissues and adjacent normal lymphoid tissues, and detection of NEDD4 and Forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) in the tissues were conducted. The selection of DLBCL cells was for FARAGE, and test of cells' advancement was after transfection. Analysis of NEDD4 and FOXA1's link, and test of Wnt/β-catenin pathway were implemented. In vivo tumor xenograft experiments were put into effect. Detection of the pathological conditions of tumor tissues and the positive Ki67 in the family was implemented. It came out NEDD4 was reduced in DLBCL tissues and cell lines, and FOXA1 was elevated; Enhancing NEDD4 or repressing FOXA1 refrained DLBCL cells' advancement; NEDD4 could combine with FOXA1 and trigger its ubiquitination and degradation; NEDD4 inactivates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by motivating FOXA1 ubiquitination; NEDD4 enhancement refrained DLBCL growth in vivo. In conclusion, the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 accelerates FOXA1 ubiquitination but refrains DLBCL cell proliferation via the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.

Nitidine chloride regulates cell function of bladder cancer in vitro through downregulating Lymphocyte antigen 75

Nitidine chloride (NC) is effective on cancer in many tumors, but its effect on bladder cancer (BC) is unknown. We conducted cell function experiments to verify the antineoplastic effect of NC on BC cell lines (5637, T24, and UM-UC-3) in vitro. Then, mRNAs of NC-treated and NC-untreated BC cells were extracted for mRNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), expression analysis, and drug molecular docking were conducted to discover the target gene of NC. Finally, functional enrichment was analyzed to explore the underlying mechanisms. NC dramatically inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, and it induced apoptosis and arrested the S and G2/M phases of BC cell lines. Lymphocyte antigen 75 (LY75) appeared to be the target of NC. LY75 was highly expressed and had the ability to distinguish BC tissue from non-cancerous tissue. Then, drug molecular docking confirmed the targeting relationship between NC and LY75. Gene enrichment analysis showed that the downregulated genes, after being treated with NC, were mainly enriched in pathways relevant to cell pathophysiological processes. NC inhibits BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, induces apoptosis, and arrests cell cycles by downregulating the expression of LY75. This study provides molecular and theoretical bases for NC treatment of BC.

Potential roles of NEDD4 and NEDD4L and their utility as therapeutic targets in high‑incidence adult male cancers (Review)

The term 'cancer' refers to >100 disorders that progressively manifest over time and are characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Although malignant growth can occur in virtually any human tissue, the underlying mechanisms underlying all forms of cancer are consistent. The International Agency for Research on Cancer's annual GLOBOCAN 2020 report provided an update on the global cancer incidence and mortality. Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, the report predicts that there will be 19.3 million new cancer cases and >10 million cancer-related fatalities in 2023. Lung, prostate, and colon cancers are the most prevalent and lethal cancers in males. It was recognized that post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are necessary for almost all cellular biological processes, as well as in cancer development and metastasis to other bodily organs. Thus, PTMs have a considerable impact on how proteins behave. Various PTMs may have harmful roles by affecting the hallmarks of cancer, metabolism and the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. PTMs and genetic changes/mutations are essential in carcinogenesis and cancer development. A pivotal PTM mechanism is protein ubiquitination. Of note, the rate-limiting stage of the protein ubiquitination cascade is hypothesized to be E3-ligase-mediated ubiquitination. Numerous studies revealed that the neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 4 (NEDD4) E3 ligase is among the E3 ubiquitin ligases that have essential roles in cellular processes. It regulates protein degradation and substrate ubiquitination. In addition, it has been shown that NEDD4 primarily functions as an oncogene in various malignancies but can also act as a tumor suppressor in certain types of tumor. In the present review, the roles of NEDD4 as an anticancer protein in various high-incidence male malignancies and the significance of NEDD4 as a potential cancer therapeutic target are discussed. In addition, the targeting of NEDD4 as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human malignancies is explored.

NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligases: promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligase family plays a pivotal oncogenic role in a variety of malignancies via mediating ubiquitin dependent degradation processes. Moreover, aberrant expression of NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligases is often indicative of cancer progression and correlated with poor prognosis. In this review, we are going to address association of expression of NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligases with cancers, the signaling pathways and the molecular mechanisms by which the NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligases regulate oncogenesis and progression, and the therapies targeting the NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligases. This review provides the systematic and comprehensive summary of the latest research status of E3 ubiquitin ligases in the NEDD4 subfamily, and proposes that NEDD4 family E3 ubiquitin ligases are promising anti-cancer drug targets, aiming to provide research direction for clinical targeting of NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligase therapy.

Nitidine chloride, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid from Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC., exerts multiple beneficial properties, especially in tumors and inflammation-related diseases

Plant-derived alkaloids are a kind of very important natural organic compounds. Nitidine chloride is one of the main active ingredients in Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. which is a frequently-used Chinese herbal medicine. Z. nitidum has many kinds of efficacy, such as activating blood circulation and removing stasis, promoting qi circulation and relieving pain, and detoxication and detumescence. In China, Z. nitidum is usually used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, toothache, and traumatic injury. At present, there are numerous studies of nitidine chloride with regard to its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, etc. However, a systematic, cutting-edge review of nitidine-related studies is extremely lacking. The present paper aimed at comprehensively summarizing the information on the extraction, separation and purification, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology and formulation of nitidine chloride. The knowledge included in the present study were searched from the following academic databases involving Web of Science, PubMed, Google scholar, Elsevier, CNKI and Wanfang Data, till July 2022. In terms of nitidine chloride extraction, enzymatic method and ultrasonic method are recommended. Resin adsorption and chromatography were usually used for the separation and purification of nitidine chloride. Nitidine chloride possesses diversified therapeutical effects, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-colitis, anti-malaria, anti-osteoporosis, anti-rheumatoid and so on. According to pharmacokinetics, the intestinal absorption of nitidine chloride is passive diffusion, and it is rarely excreted with urine and feces in the form of prototype drug. Nitidine chloride has a moderate binding to plasma protein, which is independent of the drug concentration. As to toxicology, nitidine chloride showed certain toxicity on liver, kidney and heart. Certain new formulations, such as nanoparticle, microsphere and nano-micelle, could increase the therapeutic effect and decrease the toxicity of nitidine chloride. Despite limitations such as poor solubility, low bioavailability and certain toxicity, nitidine chloride is still a promising natural alkaloid for drug candidates. Extensive and intensive exploration on nitidine chloride is essential to promote the usage of nitidine-based drugs in the clinic practice.

Lycorine suppresses cell growth and invasion via down-regulation of NEDD4 ligase in bladder cancer

Recent studies have shown that lycorine, a natural alkaloid compound, plays its anti-cancer role in several human malignancies including bladder cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of lycorine-induced antitumor activity has not been sufficiently investigated. The E3 ubiquitin ligase neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 4 (NEDD4, also known as NEDD4-1) plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and progression of human cancer. Therefore, depletion of NEDD4 could be a prospective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we investigated whether lycorine restrains tumor by inhibiting the expression of NEDD4 in bladder cancer. We observed that lycorine blocked bladder cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, metastasis and invasion. Moreover, we found that overexpression of NEDD4 in bladder cancer cells significantly promoted cell proliferation and motility, whereas downregulating of the NEDD4 gene expression by lycorine or siRNA suppressed cell growth and movement. Notably, lycorine increased gemcitabine sensitivity in bladder cancer cells. Importantly, lycorine significantly reduced tumor growth, whereas overexpression of NEDD4 accelerated tumor growth and rescued lycorine-triggered tumor inhibition in xenograft mouse model. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that lycorine could exert its antineoplastic activity via suppressing NEDD4 pathway in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, inhibition of NEDD4 expression by lycorine might be a potential efficient strategy for bladder cancer.

Identification and Validation of an Immune and Ferroptosis-Combined Index for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is among the major health problems around the world. Reliable biomarkers for NSCLC are still needed in clinical practice. We aimed to develop a novel ferroptosis- and immune-based index for NSCLC. Methods: The training and testing datasets were obtained from TCGA and GEO databases, respectively. Immune- and ferroptosis-related genes were identified and used to establish a prognostic model. Then, the prognostic and therapeutic potential of the established index was evaluated. Results: Intimate interaction of immune genes with ferroptosis genes was observed. A total of 32 prognosis-related signatures were selected to develop a predictive model for NSCLC using LASSO Cox regression. Patients were classified into the high- and low-risk group based on the risk score. Patients in the low-risk group have better OS in contrast with that in the high-risk group in independent verification datasets. Besides, patients with a high risk score have shorter OS in all subgroups (T, N, and M0 subgroups) and pathological stages (stage I, II, and III). The risk score was positively associated with Immune Score, Stromal Score, and Ferroptosis Score in TCGA and GEO cohorts. A differential immune cell infiltration between the high-risk and the low-risk groups was also observed. Finally, we explored the significance of our model in tumor-related pathways, and different enrichment levels in the therapeutic pathway were observed between the high- and low-risk groups. Conclusion: The present study developed an immune and ferroptosis-combined index for the prognosis of NSCLC.

Potential of E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Cancer Immunity: Opportunities and Challenges

Cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and immune pathway–targeted therapies, are promising clinical strategies for treating cancer. However, drug resistance and adverse reactions remain the main challenges for immunotherapy management. The future direction of immunotherapy is mainly to reduce side effects and improve the treatment response rate by finding new targets and new methods of combination therapy. Ubiquitination plays a crucial role in regulating the degradation of immune checkpoints and the activation of immune-related pathways. Some drugs that target E3 ubiquitin ligases have exhibited beneficial effects in preclinical and clinical antitumor treatments. In this review, we discuss mechanisms through which E3 ligases regulate tumor immune checkpoints and immune-related pathways as well as the opportunities and challenges for integrating E3 ligases targeting drugs into cancer immunotherapy.