The SIRT1-c-Myc axis in regulation of stem cells

TOX2 nuclear-cytosol translocation is linked to leukemogenesis of acute T-cell leukemia by repressing TIM3 transcription

Nuclear factors TOX and TOX2 upregulate TIM3 expression and lead to T-cell exhaustion in malignancies. Here, we demonstrate two distinct TIM3 expression patterns (high & low) with high TOX and TOX2 levels in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) specimens and cell lines. However, the mechanisms regulated by TOX and TIM3 signaling in leukemogenesis are unclear. We found that TOX and TOX2 proteins each directly upregulated HAVCR2 transcription, while the cellular localization of TOX2 was different in Jurkat and MOLT3 cells (nucleus) and lymphoblastic cell T2 and normal T cells (cytoplasm). Nuclear TOX and TOX2 formed a protein complex and repressed HAVCR2 promoter activity by recruiting transcriptional corepressor LCOR and deacetylase HDAC3. The nuclear-cytosol translocation of TOX2 was deacetylation-dependent and cooperatively mediated by deacetylase Sirt1 and kinase TBK1. Radiation damage induced TOX2 nuclear translocation and decreased Sirt1, TIM3, and caspase 1 expression in normal T cells. Accordingly, knockdown of TOX, TOX2 or LCOR; HDAC3 inhibition; or TIM3 overexpression induced Jurkat cell apoptosis in vitro and slow growth in vivo. Thus, our findings demonstrate a novel regulatory mechanism involving TOX-TOX2 and the TIM3 pathway in the leukemogenesis of T-ALL.

G protein coupled receptor in apoptosis and apoptotic cell clearance

Apoptosis is a genetically programmed form of cell death that is substantially conserved across the evolutionary tree. Apoptotic cell elimination includes recognition, phagocytosis, and degradation. Failure to clear apoptotic cells can ultimately cause a series of human diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Consequently, the timely and effective removal of apoptotic cells is crucial to maintaining the body's homeostasis. GPCRs belong to the largest membrane receptor family. Its intracellular domain exerts an effect on the trimer G protein. By combining with a variety of ligands, the extracellular domain of G protein initiates the dissociation of G protein trimers and progressively transmits signals downstream. Presently, numerous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been identified as participants in the apoptosis signal transduction pathway and the apoptotic cell clearance pathway. Therefore, studies on the mechanism of GPCRs in the clearance of apoptotic cells is important for the development of GPCRs therapeutics.

The Multifaceted Role of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Cancer Prevention, Occurrence, and Treatment

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring compound synthesized by mitochondria and widely distributed in both animal and plant tissues. It primarily influences cellular metabolism and oxidative stress networks through its antioxidant properties and is an important drug for treating metabolic diseases associated with oxidative damage. Nevertheless, research indicates that the mechanism by which ALA affects cancer cells is distinct from that observed in normal cells, exhibiting pro-oxidative properties. Therefore, this review aims to describe the main chemical and biological functions of ALA in the cancer environment, including its mechanisms and effects in tumor prevention and anticancer activity, as well as its role as an adjunctive drug in cancer therapy. We specifically focus on the interactions between ALA and various carcinogenic and anti-carcinogenic pathways and discuss ALA's pro-oxidative capabilities in the unique redox environment of cancer cells. Additionally, we elaborate on ALA's roles in nanomedicine, hypoxia-inducible factors, and cancer stem cell research, proposing hypotheses and potential explanations for currently unresolved issues.

Manipulating Myc for reparative regeneration

The Myc family of proto-oncogenes is a key node for the signal transduction of external pro-proliferative signals to the cellular processes required for development, tissue homoeostasis maintenance, and regeneration across evolution. The tight regulation of Myc synthesis and activity is essential for restricting its oncogenic potential. In this review, we highlight the central role that Myc plays in regeneration across the animal kingdom (from Cnidaria to echinoderms to Chordata) and how Myc could be employed to unlock the regenerative potential of non-regenerative tissues in humans for therapeutic purposes. Mastering the fine balance of harnessing the ability of Myc to promote transcription without triggering oncogenesis may open the door to many exciting opportunities for therapeutic development across a wide array of diseases.

MYC: there is more to it than cancer

MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor involved in multiple cellular processes. While its mechanism of action and targets are not completely elucidated, it has a fundamental role in cellular proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, ribogenesis, and bone and vascular development. Over 4 decades of research and some 10,000 publications linking it to tumorigenesis (by searching PubMed for "MYC oncogene") have led to MYC becoming a most-wanted target for the treatment of cancer, where many of MYC's physiological functions become co-opted for tumour initiation and maintenance. In this context, an abundance of reviews describes strategies for potentially targeting MYC in the oncology field. However, its multiple roles in different aspects of cellular biology suggest that it may also play a role in many additional diseases, and other publications are indeed linking MYC to pathologies beyond cancer. Here, we review these physiological functions and the current literature linking MYC to non-oncological diseases. The intense efforts towards developing MYC inhibitors as a cancer therapy will potentially have huge implications for the treatment of other diseases. In addition, with a complementary approach, we discuss some diseases and conditions where MYC appears to play a protective role and hence its increased expression or activation could be therapeutic.

Sirtuins Affect Cancer Stem Cells via Epigenetic Regulation of Autophagy

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are stress-responsive proteins that regulate several post-translational modifications, partly by acetylation, deacetylation, and affecting DNA methylation. As a result, they significantly regulate several cellular processes. In essence, they prolong lifespan and control the occurrence of spontaneous tumor growth. Members of the SIRT family have the ability to govern embryonic, hematopoietic, and other adult stem cells in certain tissues and cell types in distinct ways. Likewise, they can have both pro-tumor and anti-tumor effects on cancer stem cells, contingent upon the specific tissue from which they originate. The impact of autophagy on cancer stem cells, which varies depending on the specific circumstances, is a very intricate phenomenon that has significant significance for clinical and therapeutic purposes. SIRTs exert an impact on the autophagy process, whereas autophagy reciprocally affects the activity of certain SIRTs. The mechanism behind this connection in cancer stem cells remains poorly understood. This review presents the latest findings that position SIRTs at the point where cancer cells and autophagy interact. Our objective is to highlight the various roles of distinct SIRTs in cancer stem cell-related functions through autophagy. This would demonstrate their significance in the genesis and recurrence of cancer and offer a more precise understanding of their treatment possibilities in relation to autophagy.

Drastic Synergy of Lovastatin and Antrodia camphorata Extract Combination against PC3 Androgen-Refractory Prostate Cancer Cells, Accompanied by AXL and Stemness Molecules Inhibition

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in males worldwide. Early-stage PC patients can benefit from surgical, radiation, and hormonal therapies; however, once the tumor transitions to an androgen-refractory state, the efficacy of treatments diminishes considerably. Recently, the exploration of natural products, particularly dietary phytochemicals, has intensified in response to addressing this prevailing medical challenge. In this study, we uncovered a synergistic effect from combinatorial treatment with lovastatin (an active component in red yeast rice) and Antrodia camphorata (AC, a folk mushroom) extract against PC3 human androgen-refractory PC cells. This combinatorial modality resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis, accompanied by a marked reduction in molecules responsible for cellular proliferation (p-Rb/Rb, Cyclin A, Cyclin D1, and CDK1), aggressiveness (AXL, p-AKT, and survivin), and stemness (SIRT1, Notch1, and c-Myc). In contrast, treatment with either AC or lovastatin alone only exerted limited impacts on the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the aforementioned signaling molecules. Notably, significant reductions in canonical PC stemness markers (CD44 and CD133) were observed in lovastatin/AC-treated PC3 cells. Furthermore, lovastatin and AC have been individually examined for their anti-PC properties. Our findings elucidate a pioneering discovery in the synergistic combinatorial efficacy of AC and clinically viable concentrations of lovastatin on PC3 PC cells, offering novel insights into improving the therapeutic effects of dietary natural products for future strategic design of therapeutics against androgen-refractory prostate cancer.