1
|
Liu B, Liu Y, Yang S, Ye J, Hu J, Chen S, Wu S, Liu Q, Tang F, Liu Y, He Y, Du Y, Zhang G, Guo Q, Yang C. Enhanced desmosome assembly driven by acquired high-level desmoglein-2 promotes phenotypic plasticity and endocrine resistance in ER + breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 600:217179. [PMID: 39154704 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to endocrine treatments remains a major clinical challenge. In this study, we found that desmoglein-2 (DSG2) plays a major role in acquired endocrine resistance and cellular plasticity in ER+ breast cancer (BC). By analysing the well-established fulvestrant-resistant ER+ BC model using single-cell RNA-seq, we revealed that ER inhibition leads to a specific increase in DSG2 in cancer cell populations, which in turn enhances desmosome formation in vitro and in vivo and cell phenotypic plasticity that promotes resistance to treatment. DSG2 depletion reduced tumorigenesis and metastasis in fulvestrant-resistant xenograft models and promoted fulvestrant efficiency. Mechanistically, DSG2 forms a desmosome complex with JUP and Vimentin and triggers Wnt/PCP signalling. We showed that elevated DSG2 levels, along with reduced ER levels and an activated Wnt/PCP pathway, predicted poor survival, suggesting that a DSG2high signature could be exploited for therapeutic interventions. Our analysis highlighted the critical role of DSG2-mediated desmosomal junctions following antiestrogen treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajie Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyi Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinqing Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Tang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqing He
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Du
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Guo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuixia Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kechagia Z, Eibauer M, Medalia O. Structural determinants of intermediate filament mechanics. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 89:102375. [PMID: 38850681 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are integral to the cell cytoskeleton, supporting cellular mechanical stability. Unlike other cytoskeletal components, the detailed structure of assembled IFs has yet to be resolved. This review highlights new insights, linking the complex IF hierarchical assembly to their mechanical properties and impact on cellular functions. While we focus on vimentin IFs, we draw comparisons to keratins, showcasing the distinctive structural and mechanical features that underlie their unique mechanical responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zanetta Kechagia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Matthias Eibauer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ohad Medalia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sankhe CS, Sacco JL, Lawton J, Fair RA, Soares DVR, Aldahdooh MKR, Gomez ED, Gomez EW. Breast Cancer Cells Exhibit Mesenchymal-Epithelial Plasticity Following Dynamic Modulation of Matrix Stiffness. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400087. [PMID: 38977422 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is essential for tissue and organ development and is thought to contribute to cancer by enabling the establishment of metastatic lesions. Despite its importance in both health and disease, there is a lack of in vitro platforms to study MET and little is known about the regulation of MET by mechanical cues. Here, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels with dynamic and tunable stiffnesses mimicking that of normal and tumorigenic mammary tissue are synthesized. The platform is then utilized to examine the response of mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells to dynamic modulation of matrix stiffness. Gradual softening of the hydrogels reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Moreover, breast cancer cells exhibit temporal changes in cell morphology, cytoskeletal organization, and gene expression that are consistent with mesenchymal-epithelial plasticity as the stiffness of the matrix is reduced. A reduction in matrix stiffness attenuates the expression of integrin-linked kinase, and inhibition of integrin-linked kinase impacts proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression in cells cultured on stiff and dynamic hydrogels. Overall, these findings reveal intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal states as cells move along a matrix stiffness-mediated MET trajectory and suggest an important role for matrix mechanics in regulating mesenchymal-epithelial plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinmay S Sankhe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jessica L Sacco
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jacob Lawton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Ryan A Fair
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | | | - Mohammed K R Aldahdooh
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Enrique D Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Esther W Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Eibauer M, Weber MS, Kronenberg-Tenga R, Beales CT, Boujemaa-Paterski R, Turgay Y, Sivagurunathan S, Kraxner J, Köster S, Goldman RD, Medalia O. Vimentin filaments integrate low-complexity domains in a complex helical structure. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:939-949. [PMID: 38632361 PMCID: PMC11189308 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01261-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are integral components of the cytoskeleton. They provide cells with tissue-specific mechanical properties and are involved in numerous cellular processes. Due to their intricate architecture, a 3D structure of IFs has remained elusive. Here we use cryo-focused ion-beam milling, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography to obtain a 3D structure of vimentin IFs (VIFs). VIFs assemble into a modular, intertwined and flexible helical structure of 40 α-helices in cross-section, organized into five protofibrils. Surprisingly, the intrinsically disordered head domains form a fiber in the lumen of VIFs, while the intrinsically disordered tails form lateral connections between the protofibrils. Our findings demonstrate how protein domains of low sequence complexity can complement well-folded protein domains to construct a biopolymer with striking mechanical strength and stretchability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Eibauer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Miriam S Weber
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Charlie T Beales
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Yagmur Turgay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Suganya Sivagurunathan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Julia Kraxner
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- MDC Berlin-Buch, Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Köster
- Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ohad Medalia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pradeau-Phélut L, Etienne-Manneville S. Cytoskeletal crosstalk: A focus on intermediate filaments. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 87:102325. [PMID: 38359728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The cytoskeleton, comprising actin microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, is crucial for cell motility and tissue integrity. While prior studies largely focused on individual cytoskeletal networks, recent research underscores the interconnected nature of these systems in fundamental cellular functions like adhesion, migration, and division. Understanding the coordination of these distinct networks in both time and space is essential. This review synthesizes current findings on the intricate interplay between these networks, emphasizing the pivotal role of intermediate filaments. Notably, these filaments engage in extensive crosstalk with microfilaments and microtubules through direct molecular interactions, cytoskeletal linkers, and molecular motors that form molecular bridges, as well as via more complex regulation of intracellular signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Pradeau-Phélut
- Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, Institut Pasteur - CNRS UMR 3691, Université Paris-Cité, Équipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer 2023, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, 4 place Jussieu, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Etienne-Manneville
- Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, Institut Pasteur - CNRS UMR 3691, Université Paris-Cité, Équipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer 2023, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, F-75015, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang T, Chen Z, Xie L, Xu R, Chen L, Jia T, Shi W, Wang Y, Song Y, Han Q, Xia X, Yuan T, Zhang J. A fusion protein of vimentin with Fc fragment inhibits Japanese encephalitis virus replication. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1368725. [PMID: 38500602 PMCID: PMC10944967 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1368725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a member of the Flaviviridae family and a flavivirus, is known to induce acute encephalitis. Vimentin protein has been identified as a potential receptor for JEV, engaging in interactions with the viral membrane protein. The Fc fragment, an integral constituent of immunoglobulins, plays a crucial role in antigen recognition by dendritic cells (DCs) or phagocytes, leading to subsequent antigen presentation, cytotoxicity, or phagocytosis. In this study, we fused the receptor of JEV vimentin with the Fc fragment of IgG and expressed the resulting vimentin-Fc fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Pull-down experiments demonstrated the binding ability of the vimentin-Fc fusion protein to JEV virion in vitro. Additionally, we conducted inhibition assays at the cellular level, revealing the ability of vimentin-Fc protein suppressing JEV replication, it may be a promising passive immunotherapy agent for JEV. These findings pave the way for potential therapeutic strategies against JEV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taoping Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Clinical Research Center for Gynecological and Obstetric Disease, Kunming, China
| | - Zhixin Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Lyu Xie
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixian Xu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ting Jia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wengang Shi
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yongbo Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yuzhu Song
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qinqin Han
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Jinyang Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Clinical Research Center for Gynecological and Obstetric Disease, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Coelho-Rato LS, Parvanian S, Modi MK, Eriksson JE. Vimentin at the core of wound healing. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:239-254. [PMID: 37748934 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
As a member of the large family of intermediate filaments (IFs), vimentin has emerged as a highly dynamic and versatile cytoskeletal protein involved in many key processes of wound healing. It is well established that vimentin is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during wound healing and metastasis, during which epithelial cells acquire more dynamic and motile characteristics. Moreover, vimentin participates in multiple cellular activities supporting growth, proliferation, migration, cell survival, and stress resilience. Here, we explore the role of vimentin at each phase of wound healing, with focus on how it integrates different signaling pathways and protects cells in the fluctuating and challenging environments that characterize a healing tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila S Coelho-Rato
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Sepideh Parvanian
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mayank Kumar Modi
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - John E Eriksson
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Euro-Bioimaging ERIC, 20520 Turku, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pérez-Sala D, Quinlan RA. The redox-responsive roles of intermediate filaments in cellular stress detection, integration and mitigation. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102283. [PMID: 37989035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments are critical for cell and tissue homeostasis and for stress responses. Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments form versatile and dynamic assemblies that interconnect cellular organelles, participate in signaling and protect cells and tissues against stress. Here we have focused on their involvement in redox signaling and oxidative stress, which arises in numerous pathophysiological situations. We pay special attention to type III intermediate filaments, mainly vimentin, because it provides a physical interface for redox signaling, stress responses and mechanosensing. Vimentin possesses a single cysteine residue that is a target for multiple oxidants and electrophiles. This conserved residue fine tunes vimentin assembly, response to oxidative stress and crosstalk with other cellular structures. Here we integrate evidence from the intermediate filament and redox biology fields to propose intermediate filaments as redox sentinel networks of the cell. To support this, we appraise how vimentin detects and orchestrates cellular responses to oxidative and electrophilic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Roy A Quinlan
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, Durham, United Kingdom; Biophysical Sciences Institute, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom; Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zholudeva AO, Potapov NS, Kozlova EA, Lomakina ME, Alexandrova AY. Impairment of Assembly of the Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Leads to Suppression of Formation and Maturation of Focal Contacts and Alteration of the Type of Cellular Protrusions. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:184-195. [PMID: 38467554 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924010127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Cell migration is largely determined by the type of protrusions formed by the cell. Mesenchymal migration is accomplished by formation of lamellipodia and/or filopodia, while amoeboid migration is based on bleb formation. Changing of migrational conditions can lead to alteration in the character of cell movement. For example, inhibition of the Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization by the CK-666 inhibitor leads to transition from mesenchymal to amoeboid motility mode. Ability of the cells to switch from one type of motility to another is called migratory plasticity. Cellular mechanisms regulating migratory plasticity are poorly understood. One of the factors determining the possibility of migratory plasticity may be the presence and/or organization of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs). To investigate whether organization of the VIF network affects the ability of fibroblasts to form membrane blebs, we used rat embryo fibroblasts REF52 with normal VIF organization, fibroblasts with vimentin knockout (REF-/-), and fibroblasts with mutation inhibiting assembly of the full-length VIFs (REF117). Blebs formation was induced by treatment of cells with CK-666. Vimentin knockout did not lead to statistically significant increase in the number of cells with blebs. The fibroblasts with short fragments of vimentin demonstrate the significant increase in number of cells forming blebs both spontaneously and in the presence of CK-666. Disruption of the VIF organization did not lead to the significant changes in the microtubules network or the level of myosin light chain phosphorylation, but caused significant reduction in the focal contact system. The most pronounced and statistically significant decrease in both size and number of focal adhesions were observed in the REF117 cells. We believe that regulation of the membrane blebbing by VIFs is mediated by their effect on the focal adhesion system. Analysis of migration of fibroblasts with different organization of VIFs in a three-dimensional collagen gel showed that organization of VIFs determines the type of cell protrusions, which, in turn, determines the character of cell movement. A novel role of VIFs as a regulator of membrane blebbing, essential for manifestation of the migratory plasticity, is shown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna O Zholudeva
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - Nikolay S Potapov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Kozlova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Maria E Lomakina
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | - Antonina Y Alexandrova
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang J, Liao Y, Wang B, Cui L, Yu X, Wu F, Zhang Y, Liu R, Yao Y. EDARADD promotes colon cancer progression by suppressing E3 ligase Trim21-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of Snail. Cancer Lett 2023; 577:216427. [PMID: 37838280 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cell migration, specifically epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), serves as a key contributor to treatment failure in colon cancer patients. However, the limited comprehension of its genetic and biological aspects presents challenges for its investigation. EDAR-associated death domain (EDARADD), an important TNFR superfamily member, is elevated in colon cancer. However, it remains unclear about the exact role of EDARADD in the progression of colon cancer metastasis. In this study, we initially demonstrated that both protein and mRNA levels of EDDARADD are elevated in colon cancer tissues and cells, associated with reduced overall survival. Furthermore, functional experiments demonstrated that EDARADD promotes colon cancer cell proliferation and participates in EMT both in vitro and vivo. Mechanistically, Co-IP verified EDARADD could stabilize Snail1 by interacting with E3 ubiquitin ligase Trim21 to inhibit ubiquitination of Snail1. Interestingly, RNA-seq and ubiquitination assay revealed EDARADD's dual downregulation of Trim21 expression at the translational level via Cul1-mediated ubiquitin degradation, and at the transcriptional level through PPARa regulation. Moreover, EDARADD activates NF-κB signaling and experiences feedback transcriptional regulation by p65. In conclusion, this study highlights the signal pathway of EDARADD-PPARa-Trim21-Snail1-EMT and a feedback regulation of NF-κB signaling on EDARADD, which indicated EDARADD as an emerging therapeutic target for colon cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yuanyu Liao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Bojun Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China; Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150080, China
| | - Luying Cui
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xuefan Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150080, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Yanqiao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China; Clinical Research Center for Colorectal Cancer in Heilongjiang, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150080, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150080, China; Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150080, China.
| | - Ruiqi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Yuanfei Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology in Heilongjiang, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150080, China; Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Grolleman J, van Engeland NCA, Raza M, Azimi S, Conte V, Sahlgren CM, Bouten CVC. Environmental stiffness restores mechanical homeostasis in vimentin-depleted cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18374. [PMID: 37884575 PMCID: PMC10603057 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44835-8] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent experimental evidence indicates a role for the intermediate filament vimentin in regulating cellular mechanical homeostasis, but its precise contribution remains to be discovered. Mechanical homeostasis requires a balanced bi-directional interplay between the cell's microenvironment and the cellular morphological and mechanical state-this balance being regulated via processes of mechanotransduction and mechanoresponse, commonly referred to as mechanoreciprocity. Here, we systematically analyze vimentin-expressing and vimentin-depleted cells in a swatch of in vitro cellular microenvironments varying in stiffness and/or ECM density. We find that vimentin-expressing cells maintain mechanical homeostasis by adapting cellular morphology and mechanics to micromechanical changes in the microenvironment. However, vimentin-depleted cells lose this mechanoresponse ability on short timescales, only to reacquire it on longer time scales. Indeed, we find that the morphology and mechanics of vimentin-depleted cell in stiffened microenvironmental conditions can get restored to the homeostatic levels of vimentin-expressing cells. Additionally, we observed vimentin-depleted cells increasing collagen matrix synthesis and its crosslinking, a phenomenon which is known to increase matrix stiffness, and which we now hypothesize to be a cellular compensation mechanism for the loss of vimentin. Taken together, our findings provide further insight in the regulating role of intermediate filament vimentin in mediating mechanoreciprocity and mechanical homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janine Grolleman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole C A van Engeland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbobo Akademi University, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Minahil Raza
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Åbobo Akademi University, 20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Sepinoud Azimi
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Information Technology, Åbobo Akademi University, 20500, Turku, Finland
- Department of Information and Communication Technology, Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2600GA, The Netherlands
| | - Vito Conte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cecilia M Sahlgren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbobo Akademi University, 20520, Turku, Finland.
| | - Carlijn V C Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600MB, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Niknafs S, Navarro M, Schneider ER, Roura E. The avian taste system. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1235377. [PMID: 37745254 PMCID: PMC10516129 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1235377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Taste or gustation is the sense evolving from the chemo-sensory system present in the oral cavity of avian species, which evolved to evaluate the nutritional value of foods by detecting relevant compounds including amino acids and peptides, carbohydrates, lipids, calcium, salts, and toxic or anti-nutritional compounds. In birds compared to mammals, due to the relatively low retention time of food in the oral cavity, the lack of taste papillae in the tongue, and an extremely limited secretion of saliva, the relevance of the avian taste system has been historically undermined. However, in recent years, novel data has emerged, facilitated partially by the advent of the genomic era, evidencing that the taste system is as crucial to avian species as is to mammals. Despite many similarities, there are also fundamental differences between avian and mammalian taste systems in terms of anatomy, distribution of taste buds, and the nature and molecular structure of taste receptors. Generally, birds have smaller oral cavities and a lower number of taste buds compared to mammals, and their distribution in the oral cavity appears to follow the swallowing pattern of foods. In addition, differences between bird species in the size, structure and distribution of taste buds seem to be associated with diet type and other ecological adaptations. Birds also seem to have a smaller repertoire of bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) and lack some taste receptors such as the T1R2 involved in sweet taste perception. This has opened new areas of research focusing on taste perception mechanisms independent of GPCR taste receptors and the discovery of evolutionary shifts in the molecular function of taste receptors adapting to ecological niches in birds. For example, recent discoveries have shown that the amino acid taste receptor dimer T1R1-T1R3 have mutated to sense simple sugars in almost half of the living bird species, or SGLT1 has been proposed as a part of a T1R2-independent sweet taste sensing in chicken. The aim of this review is to present the scientific data known to date related to the avian taste system across species and its impact on dietary choices including domestic and wild species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Niknafs
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Marta Navarro
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Eve R. Schneider
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Eugeni Roura
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yoodee S, Thongboonkerd V. Epigenetic regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition during cancer development. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 380:1-61. [PMID: 37657856 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays essential roles in promoting malignant transformation of epithelial cells, leading to cancer progression and metastasis. During EMT-induced cancer development, a wide variety of genes are dramatically modified, especially down-regulation of epithelial-related genes and up-regulation of mesenchymal-related genes. Expression of other EMT-related genes is also modified during the carcinogenic process. Especially, epigenetic modifications are observed in the EMT-related genes, indicating their involvement in cancer development. Mechanically, epigenetic modifications of histone, DNA, mRNA and non-coding RNA stably change the EMT-related gene expression at transcription and translation levels. Herein, we summarize current knowledge on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms observed in EMT process relate to cancer development in humans. The better understanding of epigenetic regulation of EMT during cancer development may lead to improvement of drug design and preventive strategies in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunisa Yoodee
- Medical Proteomics Unit, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visith Thongboonkerd
- Medical Proteomics Unit, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
González-Jiménez P, Duarte S, Martínez AE, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lalioti V, Pajares MA, Pérez-Sala D. Vimentin single cysteine residue acts as a tunable sensor for network organization and as a key for actin remodeling in response to oxidants and electrophiles. Redox Biol 2023; 64:102756. [PMID: 37285743 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cysteine residues can undergo multiple posttranslational modifications with diverse functional consequences, potentially behaving as tunable sensors. The intermediate filament protein vimentin has important implications in pathophysiology, including cancer progression, infection, and fibrosis, and maintains a close interplay with other cytoskeletal structures, such as actin filaments and microtubules. We previously showed that the single vimentin cysteine, C328, is a key target for oxidants and electrophiles. Here, we demonstrate that structurally diverse cysteine-reactive agents, including electrophilic mediators, oxidants and drug-related compounds, disrupt the vimentin network eliciting morphologically distinct reorganizations. As most of these agents display broad reactivity, we pinpointed the importance of C328 by confirming that local perturbations introduced through mutagenesis provoke structure-dependent vimentin rearrangements. Thus, GFP-vimentin wild type (wt) forms squiggles and short filaments in vimentin-deficient cells, the C328F, C328W, and C328H mutants generate diverse filamentous assemblies, and the C328A and C328D constructs fail to elongate yielding dots. Remarkably, vimentin C328H structures resemble the wt, but are strongly resistant to electrophile-elicited disruption. Therefore, the C328H mutant allows elucidating whether cysteine-dependent vimentin reorganization influences other cellular responses to reactive agents. Electrophiles such as 1,4-dinitro-1H-imidazole and 4-hydroxynonenal induce robust actin stress fibers in cells expressing vimentin wt. Strikingly, under these conditions, vimentin C328H expression blunts electrophile-elicited stress fiber formation, apparently acting upstream of RhoA. Analysis of additional vimentin C328 mutants shows that electrophile-sensitive and assembly-defective vimentin variants permit induction of stress fibers by reactive species, whereas electrophile-resistant filamentous vimentin structures prevent it. Together, our results suggest that vimentin acts as a break for actin stress fibers formation, which would be released by C328-aided disruption, thus allowing full actin remodeling in response to oxidants and electrophiles. These observations postulate C328 as a "sensor" transducing structurally diverse modifications into fine-tuned vimentin network rearrangements, and a gatekeeper for certain electrophiles in the interplay with actin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia González-Jiménez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia Duarte
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alma E Martínez
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vasiliki Lalioti
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lih Yuan T, Sulaiman N, Nur Azurah AG, Maarof M, Razali RA, Koh B, Ibrahim R, Zainuddin AA, Yazid MD. Isolation of Vaginal Epithelial Cells: In Preparation of Autologous Vaginal Tissue Lining for Congenital Absence of Vagina Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108798. [PMID: 37240142 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a condition affecting women who are born with an underdeveloped or absent vagina, a birth defect known as congenital absence of the vagina. It is a rare disorder where the development of the Mullerian duct is obstructed by unidentified causes. The case is seldom reported due to the low prevalence and sparse epidemiology studies worldwide. A potential solution for the disorder is neovaginal creation with in vitro cultured vaginal mucosa. Limited studies have reported its application, but none are reproducible or specific regarding the established processes for acquiring vaginal epithelial cells from vaginal biopsies. These research gaps were adequately answered with an epidemiology study of inpatient details in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Malaysia, established methods and outcomes of vaginal tissue processing and isolation, and characterization of vaginal epithelial cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immunofluorescence assays. The reported evidence and speculation that the disorder arises because of a cellular transition event between epithelial and mesenchymal cells during the development of the Mullerian duct could be key in the creation of neovaginas using established culture procedures to improve surgical results and restore fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Too Lih Yuan
- Centre for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Nadiah Sulaiman
- Centre for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Ghani Nur Azurah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Manira Maarof
- Centre for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Rabiatul Adawiyah Razali
- Centre for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Benson Koh
- Centre for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Roszita Ibrahim
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Ani Amelia Zainuddin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Dain Yazid
- Centre for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Leube RE, Quinlan RA. Editorial: The wetware credentials of intermediate filaments involves coordinating, organising and networking in cells and tissues. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1146618. [PMID: 36861037 PMCID: PMC9969193 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1146618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf E. Leube
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany,*Correspondence: Rudolf E. Leube, ; Roy A. Quinlan,
| | - Roy A. Quinlan
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Upper Mountjoy Science Site, Durham, United Kingdom,Biophysical Sciences Institute, University of Durham, Durham, United Kingdom,Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States,*Correspondence: Rudolf E. Leube, ; Roy A. Quinlan,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Vimentin-Induced Disruption of Cell-Cell Associations Augments Breast Cancer Cell Migration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244035. [PMID: 36552797 PMCID: PMC9776984 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In advanced metastatic cancers with reduced patient survival and poor prognosis, expression of vimentin, a type III intermediate filament protein is frequently observed. Vimentin appears to suppress epithelial characteristics and augments cell migration but the molecular basis for these changes is not well understood. Here, we have ectopically expressed vimentin in MCF-7 and investigated its genomic and functional implications. Vimentin changed the cell shape by decreasing major axis, major axis angle and increased cell migration, without affecting proliferation. Vimentin downregulated major keratin genes KRT8, KRT18 and KRT19. Transcriptome-coupled GO and KEGG analyses revealed that vimentin-affected genes were linked to either cell-cell/cell-ECM or cell cycle/proliferation specific pathways. Using shRNA mediated knockdown of vimentin in two cell types; MCF-7FV (ectopically expressing) and MDA-MB-231 (endogenously expressing), we identified a vimentin-specific signature consisting of 13 protein encoding genes (CDH5, AXL, PTPRM, TGFBI, CDH10, NES, E2F1, FOXM1, CDC45, FSD1, BCL2, KIF26A and WISP2) and two long non-coding RNAs, LINC00052 and C15ORF9-AS1. CDH5, an endothelial cadherin, which mediates cell-cell junctions, was the most downregulated protein encoding gene. Interestingly, downregulation of CDH5 by shRNA significantly increased cell migration confirming our RNA-Seq data. Furthermore, presence of vimentin altered the lamin expression in MCF-7. Collectively, we demonstrate, for the first time, that vimentin in breast cancer cells could change nuclear architecture by affecting lamin expression, which downregulates genes maintaining cell-cell junctions resulting in increased cell migration.
Collapse
|