The Novel Zinc Finger Protein 587B Gene, ZNF587B, Regulates Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer Cells in vivo and in vitro

Structurally diverse zinc(II) complexes containing tripodal tetradentate phenoxido-amines with promising antiproliferative effects

Structurally diverse zinc(II) complexes with tripodal tetradentate phenolic-amines of variable substituents in the phenol and amine moieties were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The two dinuclear [Zn2(L1)2](ClO4)2·MeOH (1), [Zn2(L2)2](ClO4)2 (2), and four mononuclear [Zn(L3)(H2O)]·MeOH (3), [Zn(L4)] (4), [Zn(L5)] (5) and [Zn(L6)] (6) complexes revealed distorted octahedral, trigonal-bipyramidal or tetrahedral geometries. The free HL1 and H2L3-6 ligands, and complexes 1-6 were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780R, PC-3 and 22Rv1) and normal healthy MRC-5 cells. Overall results revealed high-to-moderate cytotoxicity (with the best IC50 values for complex 6 ranging from 2.4 to 4.5 μM), which is however, significantly higher than that of the reference drug cisplatin. The moderately active complexes 1-4 showed considerable selectivity on A2780 cells (IC50 ≈ 16.3-19.5 μM) over MRC-5 ones (with IC50 >50 μM for 1, 2 and 4, and with IC50 >25 μM for 3). The complexes 1, 2, and 6 and the ligand H2L6 were chosen for subsequent deeper biological evaluations. Their time-resolved cellular uptake and other cellular effects in A2780 cells were studied, such as cell cycle profile, intracellular ROS production, induction of apoptosis and activation of caspases 3/7. Complexes 1 and 2 caused significant G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in A2780 cells and antioxidant effects at normal conditions. They showed only limited effects on cellular processes connected with cytotoxicity, i.e. induction of apoptosis, depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential, and autophagy. These findings can be at least partly attributed to the low ability of the complexes to enter the A2780 cells and the depression of metabolic activity of the target cancer cells.

Screening and identification of serum exosomal protein ZNF587B in liquid biopsy for ovarian cancer diagnosis

Addressing the critical challenge of early ovarian cancer (OC) detection, our study focuses on identifying novel biomarkers by analyzing preoperative peripheral blood exosomes from high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) patients and healthy controls. Utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, we isolated and analyzed peripheral blood exosomes to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). This comprehensive analysis, supported by gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database assessments, revealed 28 proteins with decreased abundance and 33 with increased abundance in HGSC patients compared to controls. Notably, Zinc Finger Protein 587B (ZNF587B) exhibited a significant reduction in abundance, confirmed by decreased mRNA and protein levels in HGSC and normal ovarian tissues, consistent with omes exosomal protein expression levels. Immunohistochemical staining further confirmed reduced ZNF587B protein levels in HGSC tissues. The significant correlation between ZNF587B expression levels and tumor stage underscores its potential as a valuable biomarker for early liquid biopsy screening of OC. Our findings suggest ZNF587B plays a crucial role in early HGSC detection, highlighting the importance of further research to validate its clinical utility and improve ovarian cancer patient outcomes.

A Cluster of Evolutionarily Recent KRAB Zinc Finger Proteins Protects Cancer Cells from Replicative Stress-Induced Inflammation

Heterochromatin loss and genetic instability enhance cancer progression by favoring clonal diversity, yet uncontrolled replicative stress leads to mitotic catastrophe and inflammatory responses that promote immune rejection. KRAB domain-containing zinc finger proteins (KZFP) contribute to heterochromatin maintenance at transposable elements (TE). Here, we identified an association of upregulation of a cluster of primate-specific KZFPs with poor prognosis, increased copy-number alterations, and changes in the tumor microenvironment in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Depleting two of these KZFPs targeting evolutionarily recent TEs, ZNF587 and ZNF417, impaired the proliferation of cells derived from DLBCL and several other tumor types. ZNF587 and ZNF417 depletion led to heterochromatin redistribution, replicative stress, and cGAS-STING-mediated induction of an interferon/inflammatory response, which enhanced susceptibility to macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and increased surface expression of HLA-I, together with presentation of a neoimmunopeptidome. Thus, cancer cells can exploit KZFPs to dampen TE-originating surveillance mechanisms, which likely facilitates clonal expansion, diversification, and immune evasion.

SIGNIFICANCE

Upregulation of a cluster of primate-specific KRAB zinc finger proteins in cancer cells prevents replicative stress and inflammation by regulating heterochromatin maintenance, which could facilitate the development of improved biomarkers and treatments.

Genome-wide Detection of Chimeric Transcripts in Early-stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Lung cancer remains the main culprit in cancer-related mortality worldwide. Transcript fusions play a critical role in the initiation and progression of multiple cancers. Treatment approaches based on specific targeting of discovered driver events, such as mutations in EGFR, and fusions in NTRK, ROS1, and ALK genes led to profound improvements in clinical outcomes. The formation of chimeric proteins due to genomic rearrangements or at the post-transcriptional level is widespread and plays a critical role in tumor initiation and progression. Yet, the fusion landscape of lung cancer remains underexplored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the JAFFA pipeline to discover transcript fusions in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The set of detected fusions was further analyzed to identify recurrent events, genes with multiple partners and fusions with high predicted oncogenic potential. Finally, we used a generalized linear model (GLM) to establish statistical associations between fusion occurrences and clinicopathological variables. RNA sequencing was used to discover and characterize transcript fusions in 270 NSCLC samples selected from the Glans-Look specimen repository. The samples were obtained during the early stages of disease prior to the initiation of chemo- or radiotherapy.

RESULTS

We identified a set of 792 fusions where 751 were novel, and 33 were recurrent. Four of the 33 recurrent fusions were significantly associated with clinicopathological variables. Several of the fusion partners were represented by well-established oncogenes ERBB4, BRAF, FGFR2, and MET.

CONCLUSION

The data presented in this study allow researchers to identify, select, and validate promising candidates for targeted clinical interventions.

Pharmacological Activities of Safflower Yellow and Its Clinical Applications

Background. Safflower is an annual herb used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It consists of the dried flowers of the Compositae plant safflower. It is found in the central inland areas of Asia and is widely cultivated throughout the country. Its resistance to cold weather and droughts and its tolerance and adaptability to salts and alkalis are strong. Safflower has the effect of activating blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, and relieving pain. A natural pigment named safflower yellow (SY) can be extracted from safflower petals. Chemically, SY is a water-soluble flavonoid and the main active ingredient of safflower. The main chemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and clinical applications of SY are reviewed in this paper, thereby providing a reference for the use of safflower in preventing and treating human diseases. Methods. The literature published in recent years was reviewed, and the main chemical components of SY were identified based on chemical formula and structure. The pharmacological properties of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), SYA, SYB, and anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB) were reviewed. Results. The main chemical constituents of SY included HSYA, SYA, SYB, and AHSYB. These ingredients have a wide range of pharmacological activities. SY has protective effects on the heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, lungs, and brain. Moreover, its effects include, but are not limited to, improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, abirritation, regulating lipids, and treating cancer and diabetic complications. HSYA is widely recognised as an effective ingredient to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion. SY has a wide range of pharmacological activities, among which improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the most significant.

Immunological significance of survival-related alternative splicing in uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly malignant intraocular tumor. The imbalance of alternative splicing (AS) is a landmark of tumor initiation and progression. However, there are few studies of AS in UM. Thus, this study aimed to identify a new AS-based prognostic signature and reveal its relationship with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Univariable Cox regression analysis identified survival-related AS events. The prognostic signature was constructed using the univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the proportional hazard model, and receiver operating characteristic curves verified its prognostic value. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to analyze immune cell enrichment. The correlation of the risk score with tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) genes was examined. We screened 2886 survival-related AS events, of which five were selected to build a prognostic predictor. The risk score was positively relevant with ICB key targets (HAVCR2, IDO1, and PDCD1) and the infiltration of T cells, MDSC, and activated B cells. We provided novel and effective indices, including a risk score and clinical nomogram, for prognostic prediction in UM and discussed the potential relationship between survival-related AS events and immune cell infiltration, which is crucial for developing immune-targeted therapy to improve prognosis.

KRAB-ZFP Transcriptional Regulators Acting as Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors: An Overview

Krüppel-associated box zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) constitute the largest family of transcriptional factors exerting co-repressor functions in mammalian cells. In general, KRAB-ZFPs have a dual structure. They may bind to specific DNA sequences via zinc finger motifs and recruit a repressive complex through the KRAB domain. Such a complex mediates histone deacetylation, trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3), and subsequent heterochromatization. Nevertheless, apart from their repressive role, KRAB-ZFPs may also co-activate gene transcription, likely through interaction with other factors implicated in transcriptional control. KRAB-ZFPs play essential roles in various biological processes, including development, imprinting, retroelement silencing, and carcinogenesis. Cancer cells possess multiple genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic aberrations. A growing number of data indicates that the expression of many KRAB-ZFPs is altered in several tumor types, in which they may act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Hereby, we review the available literature describing the oncogenic and suppressive roles of various KRAB-ZFPs in cancer. We focused on their association with the clinicopathological features and treatment response, as well as their influence on the cancer cell phenotype. Moreover, we summarized the identified upstream and downstream molecular mechanisms that may govern the functioning of KRAB-ZFPs in a cancer setting.