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Żabińska M, Wiśniewska K, Węgrzyn G, Pierzynowska K. Exploring the physiological role of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) and its associations with human diseases. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 166:107070. [PMID: 38733757 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen is a group of hormones that collaborate with the nervous system to impact the overall well-being of all genders. It influences many processes, including those occurring in the central nervous system, affecting learning and memory, and playing roles in neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders. The hormone's action is mediated by specific receptors. Significant roles of classical estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, in various diseases were known since many years, but after identifying a structurally and locationally distinct receptor, the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), its role in human physiology and pathophysiology was investigated. This review compiles GPER-related information, highlighting its impact on homeostasis and diseases, while putting special attention on functions and dysfunctions of this receptor in neurobiology and biobehavioral processes. Understanding the receptor modulation possibilities is essential for therapy, as disruptions in receptors can lead to diseases or disorders, irrespective of correct estrogen levels. We conclude that studies on the GPER receptor have the potential to develop therapies that regulate estrogen and positively impact human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Żabińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Karolina Wiśniewska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk 80-308, Poland
| | - Karolina Pierzynowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, Gdansk 80-308, Poland.
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2
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Kozieł MJ, Piastowska-Ciesielska AW. Estrogens, Estrogen Receptors and Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14673. [PMID: 37834120 PMCID: PMC10572993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and the most concerning issues in gynecological oncology in recent years. It is postulated that many factors may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer, including hormonal imbalance. Estrogens are a group of hormones that have an important role both in physiological and pathological processes. In ovarian cancer, they may regulate proliferation, invasiveness and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Estrogen signaling also takes part in the regulation of the biology of the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the information connected with estrogen receptors, estrogens and their association with a tumor microenvironment. Moreover, this review also includes information about the changes in estrogen receptor expression upon exposition to various environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Justyna Kozieł
- Department of Cell Cultures and Genomic Analysis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- BRaIn Laboratories, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wanda Piastowska-Ciesielska
- Department of Cell Cultures and Genomic Analysis, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- BRaIn Laboratories, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
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3
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Song W, Wu X, Cheng C, Li D, Chen J, Zhang W. ARHGAP9 knockdown promotes lung adenocarcinoma metastasis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via suppressing DKK2. Genomics 2023; 115:110684. [PMID: 37454937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to elucidate the effect of ARHGAP9 on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) metastasis, and preliminarily explore its molecular mechanism. As a result, we found that ARHGAP9 was downregulated and correlated with poor prognosis of LUAD. ARHGAP9 knockdown promoted LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion, inhibited cell apoptosis and reduced G0G1 cell cycle arrest, in contrast to the results of ARHGAP9 overexpression. Further RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that ARHGAP9 knockdown in H1299 cells significantly reduced DKK2 (dickkopf related protein 2) expression. Silencing ARHGAP9 in H1299 cells while overexpressing DKK2, DKK2 reversed the promoted effects of ARHGAP9 knockdown on LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Meanwhile, the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was also reduced. Taken together, these data indicated that ARHGAP9 knockdown promoted LUAD metastasis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via suppressing DKK2. This may provide a new strategy for LUAD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China; Henan Engineering Research Center for Tumor Precision Medicine and Comprehensive Evaluation, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drug Research, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Ding Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Jinhua Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China.
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4
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Guo D, Zhang S, Gao Y, Shi J, Wang X, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhao K, Li M, Wang A, Wang P, Gou Y, Zhang M, Liu M, Zhang Y, Chen R, Sun J, Wang S, Wu X, Liang Z, Chen J, Lang J. Exploring the cellular and molecular differences between ovarian clear cell carcinoma and high-grade serous carcinoma using single-cell RNA sequencing and GEO gene expression signatures. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:139. [PMID: 37525249 PMCID: PMC10391916 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01087-3] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The two most prevalent subtypes of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) are ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) and high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC). Patients with OCCC have a poor prognosis than those with HGSC due to chemoresistance, implying the need for novel treatment target. In this study, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) together with bulk RNA-seq data from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database (the GSE189553 dataset) to characterize and compare tumor heterogeneity and cell-level evolution between OCCC and HGSC samples. To begin, we found that the smaller proportion of an epithelial OCCC cell subset in the G2/M phase might explain OCCC chemoresistance. Second, we identified a possible pathogenic OCCC epithelial cell subcluster that overexpresses LEFTY1. Third, novel biomarkers separating OCCC from HGSC were discovered and subsequently validated on a wide scale using immunohistochemistry. Amine oxidase copper containing 1 (AOC1) was preferentially expressed in OCCC over HGSC, while S100 calcium-binding protein A2 (S100A2) was detected less frequently in OCCC than in HGSC. In addition, we discovered that metabolic pathways were enriched in the epithelial compartment of the OCCC samples. In vitro experiments verified that inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation or glycolysis pathways exerted direct antitumor effects on both OCCC and HGSC cells, while targeting glutamine metabolism or ferroptosis greatly attenuated chemosensitivity only in OCCC cells. Finally, to determine whether there were any variations in immune cell subsets between OCCC and HGSC, data from scRNA-seq and mass cytometry were pooled for analysis. In summary, our work provides the first holistic insights into the cellular and molecular distinctions between OCCC and HGSC and is a valuable source for discovering new targets to leverage in clinical treatments to improve the poor prognosis of patients with OCCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Guo
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Sumei Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yike Gao
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghua Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zixin Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yaran Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuming Wang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Anqi Wang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Yanqin Gou
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Pathology, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Meiyu Liu
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, China.
| | - Xunyao Wu
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghe Lang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, China
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5
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Schüler-Toprak S, Skrzypczak M, Gründker C, Ortmann O, Treeck O. Role of Estrogen Receptor β, G-Protein Coupled Estrogen Receptor and Estrogen-Related Receptors in Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2845. [PMID: 37345182 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian and endometrial cancers are affected by estrogens and their receptors. It has been long known that in different types of cancers, estrogens activate tumor cell proliferation via estrogen receptor α (ERα). In contrast, the role of ERs discovered later, including ERβ and G-protein-coupled ER (GPER1), in cancer is less well understood, but the current state of knowledge indicates them to have a considerable impact on both cancer development and progression. Moreover, estrogen related receptors (ERRs) have been reported to affect pathobiology of many tumor types. This article provides a summary and update of the current findings on the role of ERβ, GPER1, and ERRs in ovarian and endometrial cancer. For this purpose, original research articles on the role of ERβ, GPER1, and ERRs in ovarian and endometrial cancers listed in the PubMed database have been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schüler-Toprak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maciej Skrzypczak
- Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland
| | - Carsten Gründker
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Treeck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Muhammad A, Forcados GE, Yusuf AP, Abubakar MB, Sadiq IZ, Elhussin I, Siddique MAT, Aminu S, Suleiman RB, Abubakar YS, Katsayal BS, Yates CC, Mahavadi S. Comparative G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) Systems in Diabetic and Cancer Conditions: A Review. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27248943. [PMID: 36558071 PMCID: PMC9786783 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For many patients, diabetes Mellitus and Malignancy are frequently encountered comorbidities. Diabetes affects approximately 10.5% of the global population, while malignancy accounts for 29.4 million cases each year. These troubling statistics indicate that current treatment approaches for these diseases are insufficient. Alternative therapeutic strategies that consider unique signaling pathways in diabetic and malignancy patients could provide improved therapeutic outcomes. The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is receiving attention for its role in disease pathogenesis and treatment outcomes. This review aims to critically examine GPER' s comparative role in diabetes mellitus and malignancy, identify research gaps that need to be filled, and highlight GPER's potential as a therapeutic target for diabetes and malignancy management. There is a scarcity of data on GPER expression patterns in diabetic models; however, for diabetes mellitus, altered expression of transport and signaling proteins has been linked to GPER signaling. In contrast, GPER expression in various malignancy types appears to be complex and debatable at the moment. Current data show inconclusive patterns of GPER expression in various malignancies, with some indicating upregulation and others demonstrating downregulation. Further research should be conducted to investigate GPER expression patterns and their relationship with signaling pathways in diabetes mellitus and various malignancies. We conclude that GPER has therapeutic potential for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyu Muhammad
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria
| | | | - Abdurrahman Pharmacy Yusuf
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna P.M.B. 65, Nigeria
| | - Murtala Bello Abubakar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto P.M.B. 2254, Nigeria
- Centre for Advanced Medical Research & Training (CAMRET), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto P.M.B. 2254, Nigeria
| | - Idris Zubairu Sadiq
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria
| | - Isra Elhussin
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
| | - Md Abu Talha Siddique
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
| | - Suleiman Aminu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria
| | - Rabiatu Bako Suleiman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria
| | - Yakubu Saddeeq Abubakar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria
| | - Babangida Sanusi Katsayal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria P.M.B. 1044, Nigeria
| | - Clayton C Yates
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
| | - Sunila Mahavadi
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
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7
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Wnt antagonist as therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 145:106191. [PMID: 35272015 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a fatal malignancy in women with a low survival rate that demands new therapeutic paradigms. Cancer cells acquire various exclusive alterations to proliferate, invade, metastasize, and escape cell death, acting independently of growth-inducing or growth-inhibiting signals. The nature of cellular signaling in tumorigenesis is interwoven. Wnt signaling is an evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade that has been shown to regulate ovarian cancer pathogenesis. The molecular mechanism of Wnt signaling underlying the development of ovarian cancer, drug resistance, and relapse is not completely understood. Extracellularly secreted Wnt signaling inhibitors are crucial regulators of ovarian cancer tumorigenesis and malignant properties of cancer stem cells. Wnt inhibitors arbitrated modifications affecting Wnt pathway proteins on the cell membranes, in the cytoplasm, and in the nucleus have been shown to span essential contributions in the initiation, progression, and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer. Although many extrinsic inhibitors developed targeting the downstream components of the Wnt signaling pathway, investigating the molecular mechanisms of endogenous secreted inhibitors might substantiate prognostic or therapeutic biomarkers development. Given the importance of Wnt signaling in ovarian cancer, more systematic studies combined with clinical studies are requisite to probe the precise mechanistic interactions of Wnt antagonists in ovarian cancer. This review outlines the latest progress on the Wnt antagonists and ovarian cancer-specific regulators such as micro-RNAs, small molecules, and drugs regulating these Wnt antagonists in ovarian tumourigenesis.
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8
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Molecular Characterization of Membrane Steroid Receptors in Hormone-Sensitive Cancers. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112999. [PMID: 34831222 PMCID: PMC8616056 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, and its development is a result of the complex interaction of genetic factors, environmental cues, and aging. Hormone-sensitive cancers depend on the action of one or more hormones for their development and progression. Sex steroids and corticosteroids can regulate different physiological functions, including metabolism, growth, and proliferation, through their interaction with specific nuclear receptors, that can transcriptionally regulate target genes via their genomic actions. Therefore, interference with hormones’ activities, e.g., deregulation of their production and downstream pathways or the exposition to exogenous hormone-active substances such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can affect the regulation of their correlated pathways and trigger the neoplastic transformation. Although nuclear receptors account for most hormone-related biologic effects and their slow genomic responses are well-studied, less-known membrane receptors are emerging for their ability to mediate steroid hormones effects through the activation of rapid non-genomic responses also involved in the development of hormone-sensitive cancers. This review aims to collect pre-clinical and clinical data on these extranuclear receptors not only to draw attention to their emerging role in cancer development and progression but also to highlight their dual role as tumor microenvironment players and potential candidate drug targets.
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9
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Dickkopf Proteins and Their Role in Cancer: A Family of Wnt Antagonists with a Dual Role. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080810. [PMID: 34451907 PMCID: PMC8400703 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway regulates crucial aspects such as cell fate determination, cell polarity and organogenesis during embryonic development. Wnt pathway deregulation is a hallmark of several cancers such as lung, gastric and liver cancer, and has been reported to be altered in others. Despite the general agreement reached by the scientific community on the oncogenic potential of the central components of the pathway, the role of the antagonist proteins remains less clear. Deregulation of the pathway may be caused by overexpression or downregulation of a wide range of antagonist proteins. Although there is growing information related to function and regulation of Dickkopf (DKK) proteins, their pharmacological potential as cancer therapeutics still has not been fully developed. This review provides an update on the role of DKK proteins in cancer and possible potential as therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer; available compounds in pre-clinical or clinical trials are also reviewed.
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Vogelsang TLR, Vattai A, Schmoeckel E, Kaltofen T, Chelariu-Raicu A, Zheng M, Mahner S, Mayr D, Jeschke U, Trillsch F. Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) Is a Positive Prognosticator for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168479. [PMID: 34445181 PMCID: PMC8395182 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a Gαs- protein coupled receptor that plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system and neurotransmission in the CNS. In ovarian cancer cell lines, stimulation of TAAR1 via 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) reduces cell viability and induces cell death and DNA damage. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of TAAR1 on overall survival of ovarian carcinoma patients and the correlation of TAAR1 expression with clinical parameters. Ovarian cancer tissue of n = 156 patients who were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (serous, n = 110 (high-grade, n = 80; low-grade, n = 24; unknown, n = 6); clear cell, n = 12; endometrioid, n = 21; mucinous, n = 13), and who underwent surgery at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany between 1990 and 2002, were analyzed. The tissue was stained immunohistochemically with anti-TAAR1 and evaluated with the semiquantitative immunoreactive score (IRS). TAAR1 expression was correlated with grading, FIGO and TNM-classification, and analyzed via the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Further statistical analysis was obtained using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test and Mann-Whitney-U-test. This study shows that high TAAR1 expression is a positive prognosticator for overall survival in ovarian cancer patients and is significantly enhanced in low-grade serous carcinomas compared to high-grade serous carcinomas. The influence of TAAR1 as a positive prognosticator on overall survival indicates a potential prognostic relevance of signal transduction of thyroid hormone derivatives in epithelial ovarian cancer. Further studies are required to evaluate TAAR1 and its role in the development of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman L. R. Vogelsang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Aurelia Vattai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Elisa Schmoeckel
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (E.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Till Kaltofen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Anca Chelariu-Raicu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Mingjun Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Sven Mahner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Doris Mayr
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (E.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-4400-74775
| | - Fabian Trillsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; (T.L.R.V.); (A.V.); (T.K.); (A.C.-R.); (M.Z.); (S.M.); (F.T.)
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