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Sivaraj KK, Majev PG, Dharmalingam B, Schröder S, Banjanin B, Stehling M, Zeuschner D, Nordheim A, Schneider RK, Adams RH. Endothelial LATS2 is a suppressor of bone marrow fibrosis. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:951-969. [PMID: 39155965 PMCID: PMC11324521 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Myelofibrosis and osteosclerosis are fibrotic diseases disrupting bone marrow function that occur in various leukemias but also in response to non-malignant alterations in hematopoietic cells. Here we show that endothelial cell-specific inactivation of the Lats2 gene, encoding Hippo kinase large tumor suppressor kinase 2, or overexpression of the downstream effector YAP1 induce myofibroblast formation and lead to extensive fibrosis and osteosclerosis, which impair bone marrow function and cause extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen. Mechanistically, loss of LATS2 induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, resulting in increased expression of extracellular matrix and secreted signaling molecules. Changes in endothelial cells involve increased expression of serum response factor target genes, and, strikingly, major aspects of the LATS2 mutant phenotype are rescued by inactivation of the Srf gene. These findings identify the endothelium as a driver of bone marrow fibrosis, which improves understanding of myelofibrotic and osteosclerotic diseases, for which drug therapies are currently lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor K. Sivaraj
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Paul-Georg Majev
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Silke Schröder
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Bella Banjanin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Stehling
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Dagmar Zeuschner
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Alfred Nordheim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Rebekka K. Schneider
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Cell and Tumor Biology, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf H. Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
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2
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Bankell E, Liu L, van der Horst J, Rippe C, Jepps TA, Nilsson BO, Swärd K. Suppression of smooth muscle cell inflammation by myocardin-related transcription factors involves inactivation of TANK-binding kinase 1. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13321. [PMID: 38858497 PMCID: PMC11164896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MRTFA, and MRTF-B/MRTFB) suppress production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through sequestration of RelA in the NF-κB complex, but additional mechanisms are likely involved. The cGAS-STING pathway is activated by double-stranded DNA in the cytosolic compartment and acts through TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) to spark inflammation. The present study tested if MRTFs suppress inflammation also by targeting cGAS-STING signaling. Interrogation of a transcriptomic dataset where myocardin was overexpressed using a panel of 56 cGAS-STING cytokines showed the panel to be repressed. Moreover, MYOCD, MRTFA, and SRF associated negatively with the panel in human arteries. RT-qPCR in human bronchial SMCs showed that all MRTFs reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines on the panel. MRTFs diminished phosphorylation of TBK1, while STING phosphorylation was marginally affected. The TBK1 inhibitor amlexanox, but not the STING inhibitor H-151, reduced the anti-inflammatory effect of MRTF-A. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays supported binding between MRTF-A and TBK1 in SMCs. MRTFs thus appear to suppress cellular inflammation in part by acting on the kinase TBK1. This may defend SMCs against pro-inflammatory insults in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Bankell
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Li Liu
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Urology, Qingyuan Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jennifer van der Horst
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas A Jepps
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Bengt-Olof Nilsson
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
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Lichner Z, Ding M, Khare T, Dan Q, Benitez R, Praszner M, Song X, Saleeb R, Hinz B, Pei Y, Szászi K, Kapus A. Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor Mediates Epithelial Fibrogenesis in Polycystic Kidney Disease. Cells 2024; 13:984. [PMID: 38891116 PMCID: PMC11172104 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by extensive cyst formation and progressive fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby the loss/loss-of-function of Polycystin 1 or 2 (PC1/2) provokes fibrosis are largely unknown. The small GTPase RhoA has been recently implicated in cystogenesis, and we identified the RhoA/cytoskeleton/myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) pathway as an emerging mediator of epithelium-induced fibrogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that MRTF is activated by PC1/2 loss and plays a critical role in the fibrogenic reprogramming of the epithelium. The loss of PC1 or PC2, induced by siRNA in vitro, activated RhoA and caused cytoskeletal remodeling and robust nuclear MRTF translocation and overexpression. These phenomena were also manifested in PKD1 (RC/RC) and PKD2 (WS25/-) mice, with MRTF translocation and overexpression occurring predominantly in dilated tubules and the cyst-lining epithelium, respectively. In epithelial cells, a large cohort of PC1/PC2 downregulation-induced genes was MRTF-dependent, including cytoskeletal, integrin-related, and matricellular/fibrogenic proteins. Epithelial MRTF was necessary for the paracrine priming of the fibroblast-myofibroblast transition. Thus, MRTF acts as a prime inducer of epithelial fibrogenesis in PKD. We propose that RhoA is a common upstream inducer of both histological hallmarks of PKD: cystogenesis and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Lichner
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Mei Ding
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Tarang Khare
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
- Enrich Bioscience, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Qinghong Dan
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Raquel Benitez
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Mercédesz Praszner
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Xuewen Song
- Division of Nephrology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Rola Saleeb
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
| | - York Pei
- Division of Nephrology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Katalin Szászi
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - András Kapus
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (Z.L.); (T.K.); (R.S.); (K.S.)
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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4
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Tuly KF, Hossen MB, Islam MA, Kibria MK, Alam MS, Harun-Or-Roshid M, Begum AA, Hasan S, Mahumud RA, Mollah MNH. Robust Identification of Differential Gene Expression Patterns from Multiple Transcriptomics Datasets for Early Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapies for Breast Cancer. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1705. [PMID: 37893423 PMCID: PMC10608013 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related death in women globally. Proper identification of BC-causing hub genes (HubGs) for prognosis, diagnosis, and therapies at an earlier stage may reduce such death rates. However, most of the previous studies detected HubGs through non-robust statistical approaches that are sensitive to outlying observations. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to explore BC-causing potential HubGs from robustness viewpoints, highlighting their early prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic performance. Materials and Methods: Integrated robust statistics and bioinformatics methods and databases were used to obtain the required results. Results: We robustly identified 46 common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs) between BC and control samples from three microarrays (GSE26910, GSE42568, and GSE65194) and one scRNA-seq (GSE235168) dataset. Then, we identified eight cDEGs (COL11A1, COL10A1, CD36, ACACB, CD24, PLK1, UBE2C, and PDK4) as the BC-causing HubGs by the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of cDEGs. The performance of BC and survival probability prediction models with the expressions of HubGs from two independent datasets (GSE45827 and GSE54002) and the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database showed that our proposed HubGs might be considered as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, where two genes, COL11A1 and CD24, exhibit better performance. The expression analysis of HubGs by Box plots with the TCGA database in different stages of BC progression indicated their early diagnosis and prognosis ability. The HubGs set enrichment analysis with GO (Gene ontology) terms and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways disclosed some BC-causing biological processes, molecular functions, and pathways. Finally, we suggested the top-ranked six drug molecules (Suramin, Rifaximin, Telmisartan, Tukysa Tucatinib, Lynparza Olaparib, and TG.02) for the treatment of BC by molecular docking analysis with the proposed HubGs-mediated receptors. Molecular docking analysis results also showed that these drug molecules may inhibit cancer-related post-translational modification (PTM) sites (Succinylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination) of hub proteins. Conclusions: This study's findings might be valuable resources for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapies at an earlier stage of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanis Farhana Tuly
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Md. Bayazid Hossen
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Md. Ariful Islam
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Md. Kaderi Kibria
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Statistics, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Shahin Alam
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Md. Harun-Or-Roshid
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Anjuman Ara Begum
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
| | - Sohel Hasan
- Molecular and Biomedical Health Science Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh;
| | - Rashidul Alam Mahumud
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Md. Nurul Haque Mollah
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Statistics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; (K.F.T.); (M.B.H.); (M.A.I.); (M.K.K.); (M.S.A.); (M.H.-O.-R.); (A.A.B.)
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5
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Salem O, Jia S, Qian BZ, Hansen CG. AR activates YAP/TAZ differentially in prostate cancer. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201620. [PMID: 37385752 PMCID: PMC10310930 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signalling pathway is a master regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and cancer. The transcriptional coregulators of the Hippo pathway, YAP and TAZ, are central in various cancers. However, how YAP and TAZ get activated in most types of cancers is not well understood. Here, we show that androgens activate YAP/TAZ via the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer (PCa), and that this activation is differential. AR regulates YAP translation while inducing transcription of the TAZ encoding gene, WWTR1 Furthermore, we show that AR-mediated YAP/TAZ activation is regulated by the RhoA GTPases transcriptional mediator, serum response factor (SRF). Importantly, in prostate cancer patients, SRF expression positively correlates with TAZ and the YAP/TAZ target genes CYR61 and CTGF We demonstrate that YAP/TAZ are not essential for sustaining AR activity, however, targeting YAP/TAZ or SRF sensitize PCa cells to AR inhibition in anchorage-independent growth conditions. Our findings dissect the cellular roles of YAP, TAZ, and SRF in prostate cancer cells. Our data emphasize the interplay between these transcriptional regulators and their roles in prostate tumorigenesis and highlight how these insights might be exploited therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Salem
- The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siyang Jia
- The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bin-Zhi Qian
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carsten Gram Hansen
- The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
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Yamamura Y, Sakai N, Iwata Y, Lagares D, Hara A, Kitajima S, Toyama T, Miyagawa T, Ogura H, Sato K, Oshima M, Nakagawa S, Tamai A, Horikoshi K, Matsuno T, Yamamoto N, Hayashi D, Toyota Y, Kaikoi D, Shimizu M, Tager AM, Wada T. Myocardin-related transcription factor contributes to renal fibrosis through the regulation of extracellular microenvironment surrounding fibroblasts. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23005. [PMID: 37289107 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201870r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast accumulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition are common critical steps for the progression of organ fibrosis, but the precise molecular mechanisms remain to be fully investigated. We have previously demonstrated that lysophosphatidic acid contributes to organ fibrosis through the production of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) via actin cytoskeleton-dependent signaling, myocardin-related transcription factor family (MRTF) consisting of MRTF-A and MRTF-B-serum response factor (SRF) pathway. In this study, we investigated the role of the MRTF-SRF pathway in the development of renal fibrosis, focusing on the regulation of ECM-focal adhesions (FA) in renal fibroblasts. Here we showed that both MRTF-A and -B were required for the expressions of ECM-related molecules such as lysyl oxidase family members, type I procollagen and fibronectin in response to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 . TGF-β1 -MRTF-SRF pathway induced the expressions of various components of FA such as integrin α subunits (αv , α2 , α11 ) and β subunits (β1 , β3 , β5 ) as well as integrin-linked kinase (ILK). On the other hand, the blockade of ILK suppressed TGF-β1 -induced MRTF-SRF transcriptional activity, indicating a mutual relationship between MRTF-SRF and FA. Myofibroblast differentiation along with CTGF expression was also dependent on MRTF-SRF and FA components. Finally, global MRTF-A deficient and inducible fibroblast-specific MRTF-B deficient mice (MRTF-AKO BiFBKO mice) are protected from renal fibrosis with adenine administration. Renal expressions of ECM-FA components and CTGF as well as myofibroblast accumulation were suppressed in MRTF-AKO BiFBKO mice. These results suggest that the MRTF-SRF pathway might be a therapeutic target for renal fibrosis through the regulation of components forming ECM-FA in fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Yamamura
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Norihiko Sakai
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Division of Blood Purification, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yasunori Iwata
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Division of Infection Control, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - David Lagares
- Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Akinori Hara
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shinji Kitajima
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
- Division of Infection Control, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tadashi Toyama
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Taro Miyagawa
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hisayuki Ogura
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Koichi Sato
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Megumi Oshima
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shiori Nakagawa
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Akira Tamai
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Horikoshi
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takahiro Matsuno
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Naoki Yamamoto
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Daiki Hayashi
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yoshitada Toyota
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Daichi Kaikoi
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Miho Shimizu
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Andrew M Tager
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Takashi Wada
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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7
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Guo T, He C, Venado A, Zhou Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Lung Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3523-3558. [PMID: 35766837 PMCID: PMC10088466 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and imparts a wide variety of environmental cues to cells. In the past decade, a growing body of work revealed that the mechanical properties of the ECM, commonly known as matrix stiffness, regulate the fundamental cellular processes of the lung. There is growing appreciation that mechanical interplays between cells and associated ECM are essential to maintain lung homeostasis. Dysregulation of ECM-derived mechanical signaling via altered mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways is associated with many common lung diseases. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of lung fibrosis. The stiffened ECM is not merely a sequelae of lung fibrosis but can actively drive the progression of fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view on the role of matrix stiffness in lung health and disease. We begin by summarizing the effects of matrix stiffness on the function and behavior of various lung cell types and on regulation of biomolecule activity and key physiological processes, including host immune response and cellular metabolism. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which cells probe matrix stiffness and convert mechanical signals to regulate gene expression. We highlight the factors that govern matrix stiffness and outline the role of matrix stiffness in lung development and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. We envision targeting of deleterious matrix mechanical cues for treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Advances in technologies for matrix stiffness measurements and design of stiffness-tunable matrix substrates are also explored. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3523-3558, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aida Venado
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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8
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Sun T, Ding CKC, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Lin CC, Wu J, Setayeshpour Y, Coggins S, Shepard C, Macias E, Kim B, Zhou P, Gordân R, Chi JT. MESH1 knockdown triggers proliferation arrest through TAZ repression. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:221. [PMID: 35273140 PMCID: PMC8913805 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
All organisms are constantly exposed to various stresses, necessitating adaptive strategies for survival. In bacteria, the main stress-coping mechanism is the stringent response triggered by the accumulation of “alarmone” (p)ppGpp to arrest proliferation and reprogram transcriptome. While mammalian genomes encode MESH1—the homolog of the (p)ppGpp hydrolase SpoT, current knowledge about its function remains limited. We found MESH1 expression tended to be higher in tumors and associated with poor patient outcomes. Consistently, MESH1 knockdown robustly inhibited proliferation, depleted dNTPs, reduced tumor sphere formation, and retarded xenograft growth. These antitumor phenotypes associated with MESH1 knockdown were accompanied by a significantly altered transcriptome, including the repressed expression of TAZ, a HIPPO coactivator, and proliferative gene. Importantly, TAZ restoration mitigated many anti-growth phenotypes of MESH1 knockdown, including proliferation arrest, reduced sphere formation, tumor growth inhibition, dNTP depletion, and transcriptional changes. Furthermore, TAZ repression was associated with the histone hypo-acetylation at TAZ regulatory loci due to the induction of epigenetic repressors HDAC5 and AHRR. Together, MESH1 knockdown in human cells altered the genome-wide transcriptional patterns and arrested proliferation that mimicked the bacterial stringent response through the epigenetic repression of TAZ expression.
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9
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Azam H, Pierro L, Reina M, Gallagher WM, Prencipe M. Emerging role for the Serum Response Factor (SRF) as a potential therapeutic target in cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:155-169. [PMID: 35114091 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2032652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Serum Response Factor (SRF) is a transcription factor involved in three hallmarks of cancer: the promotion of cell proliferation, cell death resistance and invasion and metastasis induction. Many studies have demonstrated a leading role in the development and progression of multiple cancer types, thus highlighting the potential of SRF as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target, especially for cancers with poor prognosis. AREAS COVERED This review examines the role of SRF in several cancers in promoting cellular processes associated with cancer development and progression. SRF co-factors and signalling pathways are discussed as possible targets to inhibit SRF in a tissue and cancer-specific way. Small-molecule inhibitors of SRF, such as the CCGs series of compounds and lestaurtinib, which could be used as cancer therapeutics, are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Targeting of SRF and its co-factors represents a promising therapeutic approach. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the action of SRF could provide a pipeline of novel molecular targets and therapeutic combinations for cancer. Basket clinical trials and the use of SRF immunohistochemistry as companion diagnostics will help testing of these new targets in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleema Azam
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lisa Pierro
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Martina Reina
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William M Gallagher
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maria Prencipe
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
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10
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Hu C, Yang L, Wang Y, Zhou S, Luo J, Gu Y. Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation in cancer via the KIF26B-SRF positive feedback loop. J Ginseng Res 2021; 45:734-743. [PMID: 34764728 PMCID: PMC8569326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The underlying mechanisms of the potential tumor-suppressive effects of ginsenoside Rh2 are complex. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is usually dysregulated in cancer. This study explored the regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on m6A RNA methylation in cancer. Methods: m6A RNA quantification and gene-specific m6A RIP-qPCR assays were applied to assess total and gene-specific m6A RNA levels. Co-immunoprecipitation, fractionation western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect protein interactions and distribution. QRT-PCR, dual-luciferase, and ChIP-qPCR assays were conducted to check the transcriptional regulation. Results Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation and KIF26B expression in a dose-dependent manner in some cancers. KIF26B interacts with ZC3H13 and CBLL1 in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and enhances their nuclear distribution. KIF26B inhibition reduces m6A RNA methylation level in cancer cells. SRF bound to the KIF26B promoter and activated its transcription. SRF mRNA m6A abundance significantly decreased upon KIF26B silencing. SRF knockdown suppressed cancer cell proliferation and growth both in vitro and in vivo, the effect of which was partly rescued by KIF26B overexpression. Conclusion: ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation via downregulating KIF26B expression in some cancer cells. KIF26B elevates m6A RNA methylation via enhancing ZC3H13/CBLL1 nuclear localization. KIF26B-SRF forms a positive feedback loop facilitating tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linhan Yang
- Outpatient Department, Chengdu Aurora Huan Hua Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Specialty of Geriatric Endocrinology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Corresponding author. State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Gu
- Department of Vascular and Thyroid Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Vascular and Thyroid Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
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11
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Wang M, Xu T, Feng W, Liu J, Wang Z. Advances in Understanding the LncRNA-Mediated Regulation of the Hippo Pathway in Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:2397-2415. [PMID: 33854336 PMCID: PMC8039192 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s283157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules that are longer than 200 nucleotides and cannot encode proteins. Over the past decade, lncRNAs have been defined as regulatory elements of multiple biological processes, and their aberrant expression contributes to the development and progression of various malignancies. Recent studies have shown that lncRNAs are involved in key cancer-related signaling pathways, including the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a prominent role in controlling organ size and tissue homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. However, dysregulation of this pathway is associated with pathological conditions, especially cancer. Accumulating evidence has revealed that lncRNAs can modulate the Hippo signaling pathway in cancer. In this review, we elaborate on the role of the Hippo signaling pathway and the advances in the understanding of its lncRNA-mediated regulation in cancer. This review provides additional insight into carcinogenesis and will be of great clinical value for developing novel early detection and treatment strategies for this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Wang
- Cancer Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianwei Xu
- Cancer Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyan Feng
- Cancer Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Junxia Liu
- Cancer Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Cancer Medical Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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12
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Shreberk-Shaked M, Dassa B, Sinha S, Di Agostino S, Azuri I, Mukherjee S, Aylon Y, Blandino G, Ruppin E, Oren M. A Division of Labor between YAP and TAZ in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4145-4157. [PMID: 32816858 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The paralogous transcriptional cofactors Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ, also called WWTR1), the main downstream effectors of the Hippo signal transduction pathway, are emerging as pivotal determinants of malignancy in lung cancer. Traditionally, studies have tended to consider YAP and TAZ as functionally redundant transcriptional cofactors with similar biological impact. However, there is growing evidence that each of them also possesses distinct attributes. Here we sought to systematically characterize the division of labor between YAP and TAZ in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common histological subtype of lung cancer. Representative NSCLC cell lines as well as patient-derived data showed that the two paralogs orchestrated nonoverlapping transcriptional programs in this cancer type. YAP preferentially regulated gene sets associated with cell division and cell-cycle progression, whereas TAZ preferentially regulated genes associated with extracellular matrix organization. Depletion of YAP resulted in growth arrest, whereas its overexpression promoted cell proliferation. Likewise, depletion of TAZ compromised cell migration, whereas its overexpression enhanced migration. The differential effects of YAP and TAZ on key cellular processes were also associated with differential response to anticancer therapies. Uncovering the different activities and downstream effects of YAP and TAZ may thus facilitate better stratification of patients with lung cancer for anticancer therapies. SIGNIFICANCE: Thease findings show that oncogenic paralogs YAP and TAZ have distinct roles in NSCLC and are associated with differential response to anticancer drugs, knowledge that may assist lung cancer therapy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bareket Dassa
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sanju Sinha
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology & Department of Computer Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Silvia Di Agostino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Lab., IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute-IFO, Rome, Italy
| | - Ido Azuri
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Saptaparna Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Aylon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Lab., IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute-IFO, Rome, Italy
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology & Department of Computer Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Moshe Oren
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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13
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Kyriazoglou A, Liontos M, Zakopoulou R, Kaparelou M, Tsiara A, Papatheodoridi AM, Georgakopoulou R, Zagouri F. The Role of the Hippo Pathway in Breast Cancer Carcinogenesis, Prognosis, and Treatment: A Systematic Review. Breast Care (Basel) 2020; 16:6-15. [PMID: 33716627 DOI: 10.1159/000507538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Hippo pathway is a developmental pathway recently discovered in Drosophila melanogaster; in mammals it normally controls organ development and wound healing. Hippo signaling is deregulated in breast cancer (BC). MST1/2 and LATS1/2 kinases are the upstream molecular elements of Hippo signaling which phosphorylate and regulate the two effectors of Hippo signaling, YAP1 and TAZ cotranscriptional activators. The two molecular effectors of the Hippo pathway facilitate their activity through TEAD transcription factors. Several molecular pathways with known oncogenic functions cross-talk with the Hippo pathway. Methods A systematic review studying the correlation of the Hippo pathway with BC tumorigenesis, prognosis, and treatment was performed. Results Recent literature highlights the critical role of Hippo signaling in a wide spectrum of biological mechanisms in BC. Discussion The Hippo pathway has a crucial position in BC molecular biology, cellular behavior, and response to treatment. Targeting the Hippo pathway could potentially improve the prognosis and outcome of BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michalis Liontos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital Alexandra, Athens, Greece
| | - Roubini Zakopoulou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital Alexandra, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kaparelou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital Alexandra, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Tsiara
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital Alexandra, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Flora Zagouri
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital Alexandra, Athens, Greece
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14
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Liu W, Lu X, Shi P, Yang G, Zhou Z, Li W, Mao X, Jiang D, Chen C. TNF-α increases breast cancer stem-like cells through up-regulating TAZ expression via the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1804. [PMID: 32019974 PMCID: PMC7000832 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58642-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer patients often suffer from disease relapse and metastasis due to the presence of breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSCs). Numerous studies have reported that high levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), promote BCSCs. However, the mechanism by which TNF-α promotes BCSCs is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that TNF-α up-regulates TAZ, a transcriptional co-activator promoting BCSC self-renewal capacity in human breast cancer cell lines. Depletion of TAZ abrogated the increase in BCSCs mediated by TNF-α. TAZ is induced by TNF-α through the non-canonical NF-κB pathway, and our findings suggest that TAZ plays a crucial role in inflammatory factor-promoted breast cancer stemness and could serve as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
- Medical Faculty of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lu
- Department of breast surgery, The second hospital of Shanxi medical University, Taiyuan, 030071, China
| | - Peiguo Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Guangxi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Zhongmei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China
| | - Wei Li
- Medical Faculty of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
- Department of Urology of the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Xiaoyun Mao
- Breast surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Dewei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.
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15
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Liu Y, Li M, Yu H, Piao H. lncRNA CYTOR promotes tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells via sponging miR‑125a‑5p. Int J Mol Med 2019; 45:497-509. [PMID: 31894257 PMCID: PMC6984795 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of resistance to endocrine therapy, such as tamoxifen, remains a tricky clinical problem during the treatment of breast cancer. Accumulating evidence suggested that dysregulation of long noncoding (lnc_RNAs contributes to the development of tamoxifen resistance. In the current study, via screening, cytoskeleton regulator RNA (CYTOR) was identified as the most significantly elevated lncRNA in the established tamoxifen resistant MCF7 cell lines (MCF7/TAM1 and MCF7/TAM2) compared with the parental MCF7 cells (MCF7-P). The CCK-8 assay indicated that silencing of CYTOR increased the sensitivity of MCF7/TAM1 and MCF7/TAM2 to tamoxifen treatment. Using bioinformatic analysis, it was predicted that microRNA (miR)-125a-5p might bind to CYTOR and the expression of miR-125a-5p was negatively correlated with CYTOR in the tumor tissues of breast cancer. In addition, RT-qPCR and dual luciferase assays validated that CYTOR directly repressed miR-125a-5p expression in breast cancer cells. Through regulation of miR-125a-5p, CYTOR elevated serum response factor (SRF) expression and activated Hippo and mitogen associated protein kinase signaling pathways to promote breast cancer cell survival upon tamoxifen treatment. In the collected tumor tissues of breast cancer in the present study, high expression of CYTOR was detected in tissues from patients with no response to tamoxifen compared with those from patients who were not treated with tamoxifen. A positive correlation between CYTOR and SRF mRNA expression was observed in tissues collected from patients with breast cancer. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated a pivotal role of CYTOR in mediating tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yungyong Liu
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P.R. China
| | - Mengdan Li
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P.R. China
| | - Huihui Yu
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P.R. China
| | - Haozhe Piao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P.R. China
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16
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Böttcher RT, Sun Z, Fässler R. A forceful connection: mechanoregulation of oncogenic YAP. EMBO J 2017; 36:2467-2469. [PMID: 28724528 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Thomas Böttcher
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Zhiqi Sun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fässler
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
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17
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Gasparics Á, Sebe A. MRTFs- master regulators of EMT. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:396-404. [PMID: 28681541 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence implicates the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as key mediators of the phenotypic plasticity leading to the conversion of various cell types into myofibroblasts. This review highlights the function of MRTFs during development, fibrosis and cancer, and the role of MRTFs during epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) underlying these processes. EMT is a sequentially orchestrated process where cells undergo a rearrangement of their cell contacts and activate a fibrogenic and myogenic expression program. MRTFs interact with and regulate the major signaling pathways and the expression of key markers and transcription factors involved in EMT. These functions indicate a central role for MRTFs in controlling the process of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 247:396-404, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Gasparics
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Paul Ehrlich Institute, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Langen, Germany
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18
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Miranda MZ, Bialik JF, Speight P, Dan Q, Yeung T, Szászi K, Pedersen SF, Kapus A. TGF-β1 regulates the expression and transcriptional activity of TAZ protein via a Smad3-independent, myocardin-related transcription factor-mediated mechanism. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:14902-14920. [PMID: 28739802 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.780502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippo pathway transcriptional coactivators TAZ and YAP and the TGF-β1 (TGFβ) effector Smad3 regulate a common set of genes, can physically interact, and exhibit multilevel cross-talk regulating cell fate-determining and fibrogenic pathways. However, a key aspect of this cross-talk, TGFβ-mediated regulation of TAZ or YAP expression, remains uncharacterized. Here, we show that TGFβ induces robust TAZ but not YAP protein expression in both mesenchymal and epithelial cells. TAZ levels, and to a lesser extent YAP levels, also increased during experimental kidney fibrosis. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of Smad3 did not prevent the TGFβ-induced TAZ up-regulation, indicating that this canonical pathway is dispensable. In contrast, inhibition of p38 MAPK, its downstream effector MK2 (e.g. by the clinically approved antifibrotic pirferidone), or Akt suppressed the TGFβ-induced TAZ expression. Moreover, TGFβ elevated TAZ mRNA in a p38-dependent manner. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) was a central mediator of this effect, as MRTF silencing/inhibition abolished the TGFβ-induced TAZ expression. MRTF overexpression drove the TAZ promoter in a CC(A/T-rich)6GG (CArG) box-dependent manner and induced TAZ protein expression. TGFβ did not act by promoting nuclear MRTF translocation; instead, it triggered p38- and MK2-mediated, Nox4-promoted MRTF phosphorylation and activation. Functionally, higher TAZ levels increased TAZ/TEAD-dependent transcription and primed cells for enhanced TAZ activity upon a second stimulus (i.e. sphingosine 1-phosphate) that induced nuclear TAZ translocation. In conclusion, our results uncover an important aspect of the cross-talk between TGFβ and Hippo signaling, showing that TGFβ induces TAZ via a Smad3-independent, p38- and MRTF-mediated and yet MRTF translocation-independent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zena Miranda
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital.,Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8N, Canada and
| | - Janne Folke Bialik
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital.,the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Pam Speight
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital
| | - Qinghong Dan
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital
| | - Tony Yeung
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital
| | - Katalin Szászi
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital.,Departments of Surgery and
| | - Stine F Pedersen
- the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - András Kapus
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, .,Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8N, Canada and.,Departments of Surgery and
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19
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EWS-FLI1 perturbs MRTFB/YAP-1/TEAD target gene regulation inhibiting cytoskeletal autoregulatory feedback in Ewing sarcoma. Oncogene 2017; 36:5995-6005. [PMID: 28671673 PMCID: PMC5666320 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a paediatric bone cancer with high metastatic potential. Cellular plasticity resulting from dynamic cytoskeletal reorganization, typically regulated via the Rho pathway, is a prerequisite for metastasis initiation. Here, we interrogated the role of the Ewing sarcoma driver oncogene EWS-FLI1 in cytoskeletal reprogramming. We report that EWS-FLI1 strongly represses the activity of the Rho-F-actin signal pathway transcriptional effector MRTFB, affecting the expression of a large number of EWS-FLI1-anticorrelated genes including structural and regulatory cytoskeletal genes. Consistent with this finding, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) revealed strong overlaps in myocardin-related transcription factor B (MRTFB) and EWS-FLI1 chromatin occupation, especially for EWS-FLI1-anticorrelated genes. Binding of the transcriptional co-activator Yes-associated protein (YAP)-1, enrichment of TEAD-binding motifs in these shared genomic binding regions and overlapping transcriptional footprints of MRTFB and TEAD factors led us to propose synergy between MRTFB and the YAP/TEAD complex in the regulation of EWS-FLI1-anticorrelated genes. We propose that EWS-FLI1 suppresses the Rho-actin pathway by perturbation of a MRTFB/YAP-1/TEAD transcriptional module, which directly affects the actin-autoregulatory feedback loop. As spontaneous fluctuations in EWS-FLI1 levels of Ewing sarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo, associated with a switch between a proliferative, non-migratory EWS-FLI1-high and a non-proliferative highly migratory EWS-FLI1-low state, were recently described, our data provide a mechanistic basis for the underlying EWS-FLI1-dependent reversible cytoskeletal reprogramming of Ewing sarcoma cells.
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Liu CY, Yu T, Huang Y, Cui L, Hong W. ETS (E26 transformation-specific) up-regulation of the transcriptional co-activator TAZ promotes cell migration and metastasis in prostate cancer. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:9420-9430. [PMID: 28408625 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.783787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a very common malignant disease and a leading cause of death for men in the Western world. Tumorigenesis and progression of prostate cancer involves multiple signaling pathways, including the Hippo pathway. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is the downstream transcriptional co-activator of the Hippo pathway, is overexpressed in prostate cancer, and plays a vital role in the tumorigenesis and progression of prostate cancer. However, the role of the YAP paralog and another downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), in prostate cancer has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that TAZ is a basal cell marker for the prostate epithelium. We found that overexpression of TAZ promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and anchorage-independent growth in the RWPE1 prostate epithelial cells. Of note, knock down of TAZ in the DU145 prostate cancer cells inhibited cell migration and metastasis. We also found that SH3 domain binding protein 1 (SH3BP1), a RhoGAP protein that drives cell motility, is a direct target gene of TAZ in the prostate cancer cells, mediating TAZ function in enhancing cell migration. Moreover, the prostate cancer-related oncogenic E26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors, ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5, were required for TAZ gene transcription in PC3 prostate cancer cells. MAPK inhibitor U0126 treatment decreased TAZ expression in RWPE1 cells, and ETV4 overexpression rescued TAZ expression in RWPE1 cells with U0126 treatment. Our results show a regulatory mechanism of TAZ transcription and suggest a significant role for TAZ in the progression of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Ying Liu
- From the Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China and .,the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Tong Yu
- From the Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China and
| | - Yuji Huang
- From the Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China and
| | - Long Cui
- From the Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China and
| | - Wanjin Hong
- the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
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Sandbo N, Smolyaninova LV, Orlov SN, Dulin NO. Control of Myofibroblast Differentiation and Function by Cytoskeletal Signaling. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:1698-1708. [PMID: 28260491 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916130071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The cytoskeleton consists of three distinct types of protein polymer structures - microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules; each serves distinct roles in controlling cell shape, division, contraction, migration, and other processes. In addition to mechanical functions, the cytoskeleton accepts signals from outside the cell and triggers additional signals to extracellular matrix, thus playing a key role in signal transduction from extracellular stimuli through dynamic recruitment of diverse intermediates of the intracellular signaling machinery. This review summarizes current knowledge about the role of cytoskeleton in the signaling mechanism of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation - a process characterized by accumulation of contractile proteins and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, and being critical for normal wound healing in response to tissue injury as well as for aberrant tissue remodeling in fibrotic disorders. Specifically, we discuss control of serum response factor and Hippo signaling pathways by actin and microtubule dynamics as well as regulation of collagen synthesis by intermediate filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sandbo
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Medicine, Madison, WI, USA
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Kim T, Hwang D, Lee D, Kim JH, Kim SY, Lim DS. MRTF potentiates TEAD-YAP transcriptional activity causing metastasis. EMBO J 2016; 36:520-535. [PMID: 28028053 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201695137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) and myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) play similar roles and exhibit significant crosstalk in directing transcriptional responses to chemical and physical extracellular cues. The mechanism underlying this crosstalk, however, remains unclear. Here, we show MRTF family proteins bind YAP via a conserved PPXY motif that interacts with the YAP WW domain. This interaction allows MRTF to recruit NcoA3 to the TEAD-YAP transcriptional complex and potentiate its transcriptional activity. We show this interaction of MRTF and YAP is critical for LPA-induced cancer cell invasion in vitro and breast cancer metastasis to the lung in vivo We also demonstrate the significance of MRTF-YAP binding in regulation of YAP activity upon acute actin cytoskeletal damage. Acute actin disruption induces nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of MRTF, and this process underlies the LATS-independent regulation of YAP activity. Our results provide clear evidence of crosstalk between MRTF and YAP independent of the LATS kinases that normally act upstream of YAP signaling. Our results also suggest a mechanism by which extracellular stimuli can coordinate physiological events downstream of YAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tackhoon Kim
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Cell Division and Differentiation, Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Cell Division and Differentiation, Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Dahye Lee
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Cell Division and Differentiation, Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Hwan Kim
- Medical Genomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seon-Young Kim
- Medical Genomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Dae-Sik Lim
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Cell Division and Differentiation, Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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Qian Y, Xia S, Feng Z. Sox9 mediated transcriptional activation of FOXK2 is critical for colorectal cancer cells proliferation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 483:475-481. [PMID: 28007600 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.12.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
FOXK2, which belongs to the fork head DNA binding protein family, has been shown to play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Here, we detected FOXK2 expression and its clinical significance in colorectal cancer, which has not been fully investigated before. Results from public database and our cohort indicated that FOXK2 was transcriptionally activated in colorectal cancer tissues compared to non-cancer tissues. High expression of FOXK2 was significantly correlated with poor survival. In vitro cell experiments suggested that FOXK2 promoted cell proliferation. Furthermore, we found that oncogene SOX9 was responsible for the up-regulation of FOXK2 by directly binding on its promoter. Depletion of FOXK2 attenuated SOX9 induced cell growth. In addition, we observed that the expression of FOXK2 was significantly associated with the expression of SOX9 both in the public database and our colorectal cancer tissues. The patients with SOX9+FOXK2+ had a poor overall survival (p = 0.0084). In conclusion, our data suggested that SOX9 transcriptionally activated FOXK2 was involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and might be a novel target for colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Qian
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, China.
| | - Suhua Xia
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenyu Feng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215004, Jiangsu, China
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Finch-Edmondson M, Sudol M. Framework to function: mechanosensitive regulators of gene transcription. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2016; 21:28. [PMID: 28536630 PMCID: PMC5415767 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-016-0028-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanobiology has shifted our understanding of fundamental cellular and physiological functions. Changes to the stiffness of the extracellular matrix, cell rigidity, or shape of the cell environment were considered in the past to be a consequence of aging or pathological processes. We now understand that these factors can actually be causative biological mediators of cell growth to control organ size. Mechanical cues are known to trigger a relatively fast translocation of specific transcriptional co-factors such as MRTFs, YAP and TAZ from the cytoplasm to the cell nucleus to initiate discrete transcriptional programs. The focus of this review is the molecular mechanisms by which biophysical stimuli that induce changes in cytoplasmic actin dynamics are communicated within cells to elicit gene-specific transcription via nuclear localisation or activation of specialized transcription factors, namely MRTFs and the Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ. We propose here that MRTFs, YAP and TAZ closely collaborate as mechano-effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Finch-Edmondson
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411 Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 2 Medical Drive, 117597 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marius Sudol
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411 Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 2 Medical Drive, 117597 Singapore, Singapore
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Jorgenson AJ, Choi KM, Sicard D, Smith KMJ, Hiemer SE, Varelas X, Tschumperlin DJ. TAZ activation drives fibroblast spheroid growth, expression of profibrotic paracrine signals, and context-dependent ECM gene expression. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2016; 312:C277-C285. [PMID: 27881410 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00205.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have implicated the Hippo pathway and its transcriptional effectors YAP and TAZ as necessary for fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. To test the specific and sufficient roles for TAZ in driving autonomous fibroblast activation, we cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts expressing a doxycycline-inducible nuclear-localized mutant of TAZ (TAZ4SA) in scaffold-free 3D hanging drop spheroids, or on matrices of specified mechanical rigidity. Control NIH3T3 fibroblasts formed spheroids in hanging drop culture that remained stable and neither increased nor decreased in size significantly over 15 days. In contrast, TAZ4SA-transduced fibroblasts grew robustly in spheroid culture, and expressed enhanced levels of genes encoding profibrotic soluble factors connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), endothelin-1 (Et-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). However, TAZ4SA expression was unable to enhance expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-encoding genes Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, or Fn1 in spheroid culture. Micromechanical testing indicated that spheroids composed of either control or TAZ4SA-expressing cells were highly compliant and indistinguishable in mechanical properties. In fibroblasts cultured on 2D matrices of compliance similar to spheroids, TAZ4SA expression was able to enhance contractile force generation, but was unable to enhance ECM gene expression. In contrast, culture on stiff hydrogels potentiated TAZ4SA enhancement of ECM expression. TAZ4SA enhancement of Col1a1 expression on soft matrices was potentiated by TGF-β1, while on stiff matrices it was abrogated by inhibition of myocardin-related transcription factor, demonstrating context-dependent crosstalk of TAZ with these pathways. These findings demonstrate sufficiency of TAZ activation for driving fibroblast proliferation, contraction, and soluble profibrotic factor expression, and mechanical context-dependent crosstalk of TAZ with other pathways in regulating Col1a1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Jorgenson
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Kyoung Moo Choi
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Delphine Sicard
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Karry M J Smith
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Samantha E Hiemer
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xaralabos Varelas
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel J Tschumperlin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
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Speight P, Kofler M, Szászi K, Kapus A. Context-dependent switch in chemo/mechanotransduction via multilevel crosstalk among cytoskeleton-regulated MRTF and TAZ and TGFβ-regulated Smad3. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11642. [PMID: 27189435 PMCID: PMC4873981 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) and TAZ are major mechanosensitive transcriptional co-activators that link cytoskeleton organization to gene expression. Despite many similarities in their regulation, their physical and/or functional interactions are unknown. Here we show that MRTF and TAZ associate partly through a WW domain-dependent mechanism, and exhibit multilevel crosstalk affecting each other's expression, transport and transcriptional activity. Specifically, MRTF is essential for TAZ expression; TAZ and MRTF inhibit each other's cytosolic mobility and stimulus-induced nuclear accumulation; they antagonize each other's stimulatory effect on the α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) promoter, which harbours nearby cis-elements for both, but synergize on isolated TEAD-elements. Importantly, TAZ confers Smad3 sensitivity to the SMA promoter. Thus, TAZ is a context-dependent switch during mechanical versus mechano/chemical signalling, which inhibits stretch-induced but is indispensable for stretch+TGFβ-induced SMA expression. Crosstalk between these cytoskeleton-regulated factors seems critical for fine-tuning mechanical and mechanochemical transcriptional programmes underlying myofibroblast transition, wound healing and fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pam Speight
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1T8
| | - Michael Kofler
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1T8
| | - Katalin Szászi
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1T8.,Department Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5P 1T5
| | - András Kapus
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1T8.,Department Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5P 1T5.,Department Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
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