1
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Samadi FM, Suhail S, Sonam M, Ahmad MK, Kumar V, Chandra S, Mohammad S. Comparing Length and Telomere Expression at Oral Precancerous and Cancerous Stages. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:146-151. [PMID: 39118803 PMCID: PMC11304464 DOI: 10.30699/ijp.2024.1996330.3081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Background & Objective Telomeres consist of repetitive G-rich nucleotides located at the end of each chromosome, acting as protein binding sites. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in telomere length in blood, saliva, and tissue samples at various stages of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. Methods Samples of blood, tissue, and saliva were collected from patients with oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. DNA extraction was performed. Then, a TRAP assay was conducted to assess and compare the telomere length and telomerase expression. Results The levels of telomerase activity (TA) in the DNA samples ranged from 0.19 to 6.91 (2.05+1.37) among oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and from 0.17 to 4.5 (0.28+4.25) among precancerous patients. A significant difference was observed in TA levels between OSCC and precancerous samples (t=3.9691, P= 0.0000). Conclusion Assessing the telomerase activity is crucial for studying the behavior of carcinoma in the clinical setting. The augmented telomerase expression and the length of telomere contribute to OSCC progression. Hence, this study adds a diagnostic tool that can serve as a biomarker for the early detection and prognosis of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Mansoor Samadi
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Shaista Suhail
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Manjari Sonam
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sardar Patel PG Institute of Dental and Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Mohd Kaleem Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Shaleen Chandra
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Shadab Mohammad
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, King George Medical University, Lucknow, India
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Karaviti E, Kontogiannis A, Anastopoulos A, Kotteas E, Gomatou G. An overview of the role of telomeres and telomerase in pre‑neoplastic lesions (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2023; 19:61. [PMID: 37424625 PMCID: PMC10326563 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2023.2657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are tandem repeats of DNA sequences protecting the end of linear chromosomes. Replicative senescence due to telomere attrition is considered a tumor-preventing mechanism in differentiated somatic cells. However, telomere shortening is associated with genome instability and several disease entities. During carcinogenesis, the development of a telomere maintenance mechanism, predominately through the activation of the telomerase enzyme, represents a hallmark of cancer, since it enables cancer cells to avert senescence and divide indefinitely. Although research of the involvement of telomeres and telomerase in various malignant neoplasms has gained a large amount of interest, the timing and relevance of their role in pre-neoplastic lesions remain to be determined. The present narrative review aims to summarize the evidence regarding the role of telomeres and telomerase in pre-neoplasia across different types of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria Karaviti
- Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, ‘Sotiria’ General Hospital of Diseases of The Chest, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Athanasios Kontogiannis
- Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, ‘Sotiria’ General Hospital of Diseases of The Chest, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Aristotelis Anastopoulos
- Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, ‘Sotiria’ General Hospital of Diseases of The Chest, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Elias Kotteas
- Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, ‘Sotiria’ General Hospital of Diseases of The Chest, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Georgia Gomatou
- Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, ‘Sotiria’ General Hospital of Diseases of The Chest, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
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3
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Liang J, Shao Y, Huang D, Yang C, Liu T, Zeng X, Li C, Tang Z, Juan JTH, Song Y, Liu S, Qiu X. Effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenols on newborn leucocyte telomere length: a prospective birth cohort study in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:25013-25023. [PMID: 34031828 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14496-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) at birth is related to diseases that may arise in the future and long-term health. Bisphenols exhibit toxic effects and can cross the placenta barrier. However, the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenols on newborn TL remain unknown. We aimed to explore the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenols (i.e., bisphenol A [BPA], bisphenol B [BPB], bisphenol F [BPF], bisphenol S [BPS] and tetrabromobisphenol A [TBBPA]) on relative TL in newborns. A total of 801 mother-infant pairs were extracted from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort. The relationship between bisphenol levels in maternal serum and relative TL in cord blood was examined by generalized linear models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. After adjusting for confounders, we observed a 3.19% (95% CI: -6.08%, -0.21%; P = 0.037) reduction in relative cord blood TL among mothers ≥ 28 years old, with each onefold increase in BPS. However, in each onefold increase of TBBPA, we observed a 3.31% (95% CI: 0.67%, 6.01%; P = 0.014) increase in relative cord blood TL among mothers < 28 years old. The adjusted RCS models revealed similar results (P overall < 0.05, P non-linear > 0.05). This study was the first to establish a positive association between serum TBBPA levels and relative TL in newborns born to young mothers. However, BPS levels were inversely correlated with TL in fetus born to old mothers. The results suggested that the fetus of old pregnant women may be more sensitive to BPS exposure. Moreover, BPS exposure early in life may accelerate aging or increase the risk of developing BPS-related diseases in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yantao Shao
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Dongping Huang
- Department of Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chunxiu Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Huaihua Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huaihua, 418000, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zeng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chunling Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health & Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhenghua Tang
- Department of mental health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jennifer Tan Hui Juan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Yanye Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shun Liu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health & Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Xiaoqiang Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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4
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Li H, Zhou Q, Wu Z, Lu X. Identification of novel key genes associated with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma progression and prognosis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2023; 11:100. [PMID: 36819577 PMCID: PMC9929804 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-6461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is a common malignant cancer type which affects the health of women worldwide. However, its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Methods To identify the hub modules and genes in UCEC associated with clinical phenotypes, the RNA sequencing data and clinical data of 543 UCEC samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and then subjected to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). To explore the potential biological function of the hub modules, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted. Genes differentially expressed in UCEC were screened according to TCGA data using the "gdcDEAnalysis" package in R (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing). After intersecting with hub genes, the shared genes were used for further survival analyses. The relationship between gene expression level and clinical phenotype was analyzed in the TCGA-UCEC cohort in The University of ALabama at Birmingham CANcer data analysis Portal and the Human Protein Atlas. The microarray data set GSE17025 was also analyzed to validate the gene expression profiles. Results There were 19 coexpression modules generated by WGCNA. Among them, 2 modules with 198 hub genes were highly correlated with clinical features (especially histologic grade and clinical stage). Meanwhile, 4,003 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out, and 164 DEGs overlapped with hub genes. Survival analyses revealed that high expression of GINS4 and low expression of ESR1 showed a trend of poor prognosis. Further analyses demonstrated that both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression profiles of GINS4 and ESR1 were significantly associated with UCEC development and progression in TCGA and GSE17025 cohorts. Conclusions Based on the integrated bioinformatic analyses, our data indicated that GINS4 and ESR1 might serve as potential prognostic markers and targets for UCEC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China;,College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Nanobody Research/Guangxi Nanobody Engineering Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China;,Department of Oncology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zhangying Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaoling Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China;,College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Nanobody Research/Guangxi Nanobody Engineering Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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5
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Taheri M, Ghafouri-Fard S, Najafi S, Kallenbach J, Keramatfar E, Atri Roozbahani G, Heidari Horestani M, Hussen BM, Baniahmad A. Hormonal regulation of telomerase activity and hTERT expression in steroid-regulated tissues and cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:258. [PMID: 35974340 PMCID: PMC9380309 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02678-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally, in somatic cells chromosome ends (telomeres) shorten during each cell division. This process ensures to limit proliferation of somatic cells to avoid malignant proliferation; however, it leads to proliferative senescence. Telomerase contains the reverse transcriptase TERT, which together with the TERC component, is responsible for protection of genome integrity by preventing shortening of telomeres through adding repetitive sequences. In addition, telomerase has non-telomeric function and supports growth factor independent growth. Unlike somatic cells, telomerase is detectable in stem cells, germ line cells, and cancer cells to support self-renewal and expansion. Elevated telomerase activity is reported in almost all of human cancers. Increased expression of hTERT gene or its reactivation is required for limitless cellular proliferation in immortal malignant cells. In hormonally regulated tissues as well as in prostate, breast and endometrial cancers, telomerase activity and hTERT expression are under control of steroid sex hormones and growth factors. Also, a number of hormones and growth factors are known to play a role in the carcinogenesis via regulation of hTERT levels or telomerase activity. Understanding the role of hormones in interaction with telomerase may help finding therapeutical targets for anticancer strategies. In this review, we outline the roles and functions of several steroid hormones and growth factors in telomerase regulation, particularly in hormone regulated cancers such as prostate, breast and endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Najafi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Julia Kallenbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | - Elmira Keramatfar
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq.,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany.
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6
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Díaz-Ayala R, López-Nieves M, Colón Berlingeri ES, Cabrera CR, Cunci L, González CI, Escobar PF. Test Strip Platform Spin-Off for Telomerase Activity Detection: Development of an Electrochemical Biosensor. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:9964-9972. [PMID: 35356692 PMCID: PMC8944542 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase overexpression has been associated directly with cancer, and the enzyme itself is recognized within the scientific community as a cancer biomarker. BIDEA's biosensing strip (BBS) is an innovative technology capable of detecting the presence of telomerase activity (TA) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). This BBS is an interdigital gold (GID) electrode array similar in size and handling to a portable glucose sensor. For the detection of the biomarker, BBS was modified by the immobilization of a telomere-like single strand DNA (ssDNA) on its surface. The sensor was exposed to telomerase-positive extract from commercially available cancer cells, and the EIS spectra were measured. Telomerase recognizes the sequence of this immobilized ssDNA probe on the BBS, and the reverse transcription process that occurs in cancer cells is replicated, resulting in the ssDNA probe elongation. This surface process caused by the presence of TA generates changes in the capacitive process on the electrode array microchip surface, which is followed by EIS as the sensing tool and correlated with the presence of cancer cells. The telomerases' total cell extraction protocol results demonstrate significant changes in the charge-transfer resistance (R ct) change rate after exposure to telomerase-positive extract with a detection limit of 2.94 × 104 cells/mL. Finally, a preliminary study with a small set of "blind" uterine biopsy samples suggests the feasibility of using the changes in the R ct magnitude change rate (Δ(ΔR ct/R cti)/Δt) to distinguish positive from negative endometrial adenocarcinoma samples by the presence or absence of TA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramonita Díaz-Ayala
- BIDEA
LLC, Molecular Science Research Center, Lab 2-43, 1390 Ave. Ponce de León, San Juan 002926-2614, Puerto Rico
| | - Marjorie López-Nieves
- BIDEA
LLC, Molecular Science Research Center, Lab 2-43, 1390 Ave. Ponce de León, San Juan 002926-2614, Puerto Rico
| | - Etienne S. Colón Berlingeri
- BIDEA
LLC, Molecular Science Research Center, Lab 2-43, 1390 Ave. Ponce de León, San Juan 002926-2614, Puerto Rico
| | - Carlos R. Cabrera
- BIDEA
LLC, Molecular Science Research Center, Lab 2-43, 1390 Ave. Ponce de León, San Juan 002926-2614, Puerto Rico
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968, United
States
| | - Lisandro Cunci
- BIDEA
LLC, Molecular Science Research Center, Lab 2-43, 1390 Ave. Ponce de León, San Juan 002926-2614, Puerto Rico
- School
of Natural Sciences and Technology, Universidad
Ana G. Méndez, Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 00778, United States
| | - Carlos I. González
- BIDEA
LLC, Molecular Science Research Center, Lab 2-43, 1390 Ave. Ponce de León, San Juan 002926-2614, Puerto Rico
- Department
of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan 00931-3346, Puerto Rico
| | - Pedro F. Escobar
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan 00926, Puerto Rico
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7
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Luo J, Song Z, Zhang T, Chu K, Li J, Zhou J, Lin J. Upregulation of h-TERT and Ki-67 in ectopic endometrium is associated with recurrence of endometriosis. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:158-163. [PMID: 35187889 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2100502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
At present, endometriosis remains a worldwide health burden, with the main symptoms of dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility, markedly reducing the quality of life (de Ziegler et al., 2010). Although there is no proof that the disease is associated with high mortality, this disorder can significantly contribute to the deterioration of women's general well-being (McPeak et al., 2018). The main current treatment for endometriosis is surgery to remove endometriotic lesions; however, the recurrence rate following surgical treatment is as high as 21.5% at two years and 40.0%-50.0% at five years post-surgery (Koga et al., 2015). To prevent recurrence, adjuvant treatment with drugs after surgery is recommended to prolong relapse-free intervals. However, it is inconvenient for patients to continuously use such medications in terms of adverse effects and cost (Turk, 2002).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Zhimin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Ketan Chu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Jianhong Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. .,Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. .,Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
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8
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Rafat A, Dizaji Asl K, Mazloumi Z, Movassaghpour AA, Farahzadi R, Nejati B, Nozad Charoudeh H. Telomerase-based therapies in haematological malignancies. Cell Biochem Funct 2022; 40:199-212. [PMID: 35103334 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized genetic structures present at the end of all eukaryotic linear chromosomes. They progressively get shortened after each cell division due to end replication problems. Telomere shortening (TS) and chromosomal instability cause apoptosis and massive cell death. Following oncogene activation and inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, cells acquire mechanisms such as telomerase expression and alternative lengthening of telomeres to maintain telomere length (TL) and prevent initiation of cellular senescence or apoptosis. Significant TS, telomerase activation and alteration in expression of telomere-associated proteins are frequent features of different haematological malignancies that reflect on the progression, response to therapy and recurrence of these diseases. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that has a pivotal role in maintaining the TL. However, telomerase activity in most somatic cells is insufficient to prevent TS. In 85-90% of tumour cells, the critically short telomeric length is maintained by telomerase activation. Thus, overexpression of telomerase in most tumour cells is a potential target for cancer therapy. In this review, alteration of telomeres, telomerase and telomere-associated proteins in different haematological malignancies and related telomerase-based therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rafat
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Dizaji Asl
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mazloumi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Babak Nejati
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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9
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Telomere and Telomerase-Associated Proteins in Endometrial Carcinogenesis and Cancer-Associated Survival. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020626. [PMID: 35054812 PMCID: PMC8775816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Risk of relapse of endometrial cancer (EC) after surgical treatment is 13% and recurrent disease carries a poor prognosis. Research into prognostic indicators is essential to improve EC management and outcome. "Immortality" of most cancer cells is dependent on telomerase, but the role of associated proteins in the endometrium is poorly understood. The Cancer Genome Atlas data highlighted telomere/telomerase associated genes (TTAGs) with prognostic relevance in the endometrium, and a recent in silico study identified a group of TTAGs and proteins as key regulators within a network of dysregulated genes in EC. We characterise relevant telomere/telomerase associated proteins (TTAPs) NOP10, NHP2, NOP56, TERF1, TERF2 and TERF2IP in the endometrium using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). qPCR data demonstrated altered expression of multiple TTAPs; specifically, increased NOP10 (p = 0.03) and reduced NHP2 (p = 0.01), TERF2 (p = 0.01) and TERF2IP (p < 0.003) in EC relative to post-menopausal endometrium. Notably, we report reduced NHP2 in EC compared to post-menopausal endometrium in qPCR and IHC (p = 0.0001) data; with survival analysis indicating high immunoscore is favourable in EC (p = 0.0006). Our findings indicate a potential prognostic role for TTAPs in EC, particularly NHP2. Further evaluation of the prognostic and functional role of the examined TTAPs is warranted to develop novel treatment strategies.
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10
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Andrade da Mota TH, Reis Guimarães AF, Silva de Carvalho AÉ, Saldanha- de Araujo F, Pinto de Faria Lopes G, Pittella-Silva F, do Amaral Rabello D, Madureira de Oliveira D. Effects of in vitro short- and long-term treatment with telomerase inhibitor in U-251 glioma cells. Tumour Biol 2021; 43:327-340. [DOI: 10.3233/tub-211515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The inhibition of the enzyme telomerase (TERT) has been widely investigated as a new pharmacological approach for cancer treatment, but its real potential and the biochemical consequences are not totally understood. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigated the effects of the telomerase inhibitor MST-312 on a human glioma cell line after both short- and long-term (290 days) treatments. METHODS: Effects on cell growth, viability, cell cycle, morphology, cell death and genes expression were assessed. RESULTS: We found that short-term treatment promoted cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Importantly, cells with telomerase knock-down revealed that the toxic effects of MST-312 are partially TERT dependent. In contrast, although the long-term treatment decreased cell proliferation at first, it also caused adaptations potentially related to treatment resistance and tumor aggressiveness after long time of exposition. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short-term effects of telomerase inhibition not being due to telomere erosion, they are at least partially related to the enzyme inhibition, which may represent an important strategy to pave the way for tumor growth control, especially through modulation of the non-canonical functions of telomerase. On the other hand, long-term exposure to the inhibitor had the potential to induce cell adaptations with possible negative clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales Henrique Andrade da Mota
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human Health, University of Brasilia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Ana Flávia Reis Guimarães
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human Health, University of Brasilia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Amandda Évelin Silva de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Felipe Saldanha- de Araujo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Giselle Pinto de Faria Lopes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Hemato-oncology, National Institute of Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Admiral Paulo Moreira Sea Studies Institute, IEAPM, Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Diêgo Madureira de Oliveira
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human Health, University of Brasilia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
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11
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Zhu QZ, Liu HY, Zhao XY, Qiu LJ, Zhou TT, Wang XY, Chen HP, Xiao ZQ. DJ-1 activates the noncanonical NF-κB pathway via interaction with Cezanne to inhibit the apoptosis and promote the proliferation of Ishikawa cells. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:6075-6083. [PMID: 34374892 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06614-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometrial cancer is generally one of the most evident malignant tumours of the female reproductive system, and the mechanisms underlying its cell proliferation and apoptosis are key to research in gynaecological oncology. In the paper, the in-depth molecular mechanism by which DJ-1 protein regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of Ishikawa cells was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS DJ-1 knockdown and overexpressing Ishikawa stable cell lines were established by lentiviral transduction. The levels of DJ-1 and noncanonical NF-κB signaling key proteins were evaluated by Western blotting. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry were applied to analyze the cell viability and apoptosis. Co-immunoprecipitation experiment was utilized to assess the DJ-1-Cezanne interaction. The results showed that DJ-1 overexpression conferred apoptosis resistance and high proliferation on Ishikawa cells, while DJ-1 knockdown in Ishikawa cells produced the opposite results. These findings again suggested that DJ-1 inhibits the apoptosis and promotes the proliferation of Ishikawa cells. More crucially, further data showed that the noncanonical NF-κB activation was required for the regulation of Ishikawa cell proliferation and apoptosis by DJ-1. Meanwhile, it was found that noncanonical NF-κB pathway may be activated by DJ-1 interacting with and negatively regulating Cezanne in Ishikawa cells. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this work revealed that DJ-1 associates with and negatively regulates Cezanne and consequently triggers the noncanonical NF-κB activation, thereby regulating Ishikawa cell proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Zhou Zhu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Maternal and Child Health Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecological Oncology, JiangXi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao-Yue Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Le-Jia Qiu
- The Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Ying Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - He-Ping Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Qing Xiao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Maternal and Child Health Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Gynecological Oncology, JiangXi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Kho PF, Mortlock S, Rogers PAW, Nyholt DR, Montgomery GW, Spurdle AB, Glubb DM, O'Mara TA. Genetic analyses of gynecological disease identify genetic relationships between uterine fibroids and endometrial cancer, and a novel endometrial cancer genetic risk region at the WNT4 1p36.12 locus. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1353-1365. [PMID: 34268601 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02312-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and uterine fibroids have been proposed as endometrial cancer risk factors; however, disentangling their relationships with endometrial cancer is complicated due to shared risk factors and comorbidities. Using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, we explored the relationships between these non-cancerous gynecological diseases and endometrial cancer risk by assessing genetic correlation, causal relationships and shared risk loci. We found significant genetic correlation between endometrial cancer and PCOS, and uterine fibroids. Adjustment for genetically predicted body mass index (a risk factor for PCOS, uterine fibroids and endometrial cancer) substantially attenuated the genetic correlation between endometrial cancer and PCOS but did not affect the correlation with uterine fibroids. Mendelian randomization analyses suggested a causal relationship between only uterine fibroids and endometrial cancer. Gene-based analyses revealed risk regions shared between endometrial cancer and endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Multi-trait GWAS analysis of endometrial cancer and the genetically correlated gynecological diseases identified a novel genome-wide significant endometrial cancer risk locus at 1p36.12, which replicated in an independent endometrial cancer dataset. Interrogation of functional genomic data at 1p36.12 revealed biologically relevant genes, including WNT4 which is necessary for the development of the female reproductive system. In summary, our study provides genetic evidence for a causal relationship between uterine fibroids and endometrial cancer. It further provides evidence that the comorbidity of endometrial cancer, PCOS and uterine fibroids may partly be due to shared genetic architecture. Notably, this shared architecture has revealed a novel genome-wide risk locus for endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pik Fang Kho
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sally Mortlock
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Peter A W Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dale R Nyholt
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda B Spurdle
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dylan M Glubb
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tracy A O'Mara
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.
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13
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Alnafakh R, Saretzki G, Midgley A, Flynn J, Kamal AM, Dobson L, Natarajan P, Stringfellow H, Martin-Hirsch P, DeCruze SB, Coupland SE, Hapangama DK. Aberrant Dyskerin Expression Is Related to Proliferation and Poor Survival in Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020273. [PMID: 33450922 PMCID: PMC7828388 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, and they are maintained by an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase activity allows rapid reproduction of the cells (proliferation) of the lining of the womb (endometrium). Telomerase levels are high in cancers in general, including in endometrial cancer. Dyskerin is one of the main components of the telomerase enzyme. While the other main components of telomerase have been studied in endometrial cancer, there are no previous studies on dyskerin in the endometrium. Our study shows that dyskerin levels are significantly lower in endometrial cancer and levels are linked to the survival of women. Experimentally increasing dyskerin protein in endometrial cells in the laboratory reduces the rate of cell proliferation. Consequently, we propose that dyskerin may be a regulator of endometrial cancer cell proliferation, and further studies are required to test if it can be targeted to develop new therapies for endometrial cancer. Abstract Dyskerin is a core-component of the telomerase holo-enzyme, which elongates telomeres. Telomerase is involved in endometrial epithelial cell proliferation. Most endometrial cancers (ECs) have high telomerase activity; however, dyskerin expression in human healthy endometrium or in endometrial pathologies has not been investigated yet. We aimed to examine the expression, prognostic relevance, and functional role of dyskerin in human EC. Endometrial samples from a cohort of 175 women were examined with immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and qPCR. The EC cells were transfected with Myc-DDK-DKC1 plasmid and the effect of dyskerin overexpression on EC cell proliferation was assessed by flow cytometry. Human endometrium expresses dyskerin (DKC1) and dyskerin protein levels are significantly reduced in ECs when compared with healthy postmenopausal endometrium. Low dyskerin immunoscores were potentially associated with worse outcomes, suggesting a possible prognostic relevance. Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ECs dataset (n = 589) was also interrogated. The TCGA dataset further confirmed changes in DKC1 expression in EC with prognostic significance. Transient dyskerin overexpression had a negative effect on EC cell proliferation. Our data demonstrates a role for dyskerin in normal endometrium for the first time and confirms aberrant expression with possible prognostic relevance in EC. Interventions aimed at modulating dyskerin levels may provide novel therapeutic options in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafah Alnafakh
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (L.D.); (P.N.); (S.B.D.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
- Department of Pathology, Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital, Babil, Iraq
| | - Gabriele Saretzki
- Biosciences Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK;
| | - Angela Midgley
- Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children, Institute in the Park, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK;
| | | | - Areege M. Kamal
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
- Pathology Department, Oncology Teaching Hospital, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Lucy Dobson
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (L.D.); (P.N.); (S.B.D.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
| | - Purushothaman Natarajan
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (L.D.); (P.N.); (S.B.D.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
| | - Helen Stringfellow
- Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Preston PR2 9HT, UK; (H.S.); (P.M.-H.)
| | | | - Shandya B. DeCruze
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (L.D.); (P.N.); (S.B.D.)
| | - Sarah E. Coupland
- Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK;
| | - Dharani K. Hapangama
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (L.D.); (P.N.); (S.B.D.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
- Correspondence:
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14
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Endometriosis Is Associated with a Significant Increase in hTERC and Altered Telomere/Telomerase Associated Genes in the Eutopic Endometrium, an Ex-Vivo and In Silico Study. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120588. [PMID: 33317189 PMCID: PMC7764055 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres protect chromosomal ends and they are maintained by the specialised enzyme, telomerase. Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease and high telomerase activity and higher hTERT levels associated with longer endometrial telomere lengths are characteristics of eutopic secretory endometrial aberrations of women with endometriosis. Our ex-vivo study examined the levels of hTERC and DKC1 RNA and dyskerin protein levels in the endometrium from healthy women and those with endometriosis (n = 117). The in silico study examined endometriosis-specific telomere- and telomerase-associated gene (TTAG) transcriptional aberrations of secretory phase eutopic endometrium utilising publicly available microarray datasets. Eutopic secretory endometrial hTERC levels were significantly increased in women with endometriosis compared to healthy endometrium, yet dyskerin mRNA and protein levels were unperturbed. Our in silico study identified 10 TTAGs (CDKN2A, PML, ZNHIT2, UBE3A, MCCC2, HSPC159, FGFR2, PIK3C2A, RALGAPA1, and HNRNPA2B1) to be altered in mid-secretory endometrium of women with endometriosis. High levels of hTERC and the identified other TTAGs might be part of the established alteration in the eutopic endometrial telomerase biology in women with endometriosis in the secretory phase of the endometrium and our data informs future research to unravel the fundamental involvement of telomerase in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
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15
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Adishesh M, Alnafakh R, Baird DM, Jones RE, Simon S, Button L, Kamal AM, Kirwan J, DeCruze SB, Drury J, Saretzki G, Hapangama DK. Human Endometrial Carcinogenesis Is Associated with Significant Reduction in Long Non-Coding RNA, TERRA. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8686. [PMID: 33217925 PMCID: PMC7698627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are transcribed as long non-coding RNAs called TERRAs (Telomeric repeat containing RNA) that participate in a variety of cellular regulatory functions. High telomerase activity (TA) is associated with endometrial cancer (EC). This study aimed to examine the levels of three TERRAs, transcribed at chromosomes 1q-2q-4q-10q-13q-22q, 16p and 20q in healthy (n = 23) and pathological (n = 24) human endometrium and to examine their association with cellular proliferation, TA and telomere lengths. EC samples demonstrated significantly reduced levels of TERRAs for Chromosome 16p (Ch-16p) (p < 0.002) and Chromosome 20q (Ch-20q) (p = 0.0006), when compared with the postmenopausal samples. No significant correlation was found between TERRA levels and TA but both Ch-16p and Ch-20q TERRA levels negatively correlated with the proliferative marker Ki67 (r = -0.35, p = 0.03 and r = -0.42, p = 0.01 respectively). Evaluation of single telomere length analysis (STELA) at XpYp telomeres demonstrated a significant shortening in EC samples when compared with healthy tissues (p = 0.002). We detected TERRAs in healthy human endometrium and observed altered individual TERRA-specific levels in malignant endometrium. The negative correlation of TERRAs with cellular proliferation along with their significant reduction in EC may suggest a role for TERRAs in carcinogenesis and thus future research should explore TERRAs as potential therapeutic targets in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Adishesh
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (M.A.); (J.K.); (S.B.D.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Rafah Alnafakh
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Duncan M. Baird
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (D.M.B.); (R.E.J.)
| | - Rhiannon E. Jones
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (D.M.B.); (R.E.J.)
| | - Shannon Simon
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Lucy Button
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Areege M. Kamal
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
- The National Centre for Early Detection of Cancer, Oncology Teaching Hospital, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - John Kirwan
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (M.A.); (J.K.); (S.B.D.)
| | - S. Bridget DeCruze
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (M.A.); (J.K.); (S.B.D.)
| | - Josephine Drury
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
| | - Gabriele Saretzki
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK;
| | - Dharani K. Hapangama
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (M.A.); (J.K.); (S.B.D.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK; (R.A.); (S.S.); (L.B.); (A.M.K.); (J.D.)
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16
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Modulation of telomerase expression and function by miRNAs: Anti-cancer potential. Life Sci 2020; 259:118387. [PMID: 32890603 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a nucleoprotein reverse transcriptase that maintains the telomere, a protective structure at the ends of the chromosome, and is active in cancer cells, stem cells, and fetal cells. Telomerase immortalizes cancer cells and induces unlimited cell division by preventing telomere shortening. Immortalized cancer cells have unlimited proliferative potential due to telomerase activity that causes tumorigenesis and malignancy. Therefore, telomerase can be a lucrative anti-cancer target. The regulation of catalytic subunit of telomerase (TERT) determines the extent of telomerase activity. miRNAs, as an endogenous regulator of gene expression, can control telomerase activity by targeting TERT mRNA. miRNAs that have a decreasing effect on TERT translation mediate modulation of telomerase activity in cancer cells by binding to TERT mRNA and regulating TERT translation. In this review, we provide an update on miRNAs that influence telomerase activity by regulation of TERT translation.
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17
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Bradfield A, Button L, Drury J, Green DC, Hill CJ, Hapangama DK. Investigating the Role of Telomere and Telomerase Associated Genes and Proteins in Endometrial Cancer. Methods Protoc 2020; 3:E63. [PMID: 32899298 PMCID: PMC7565490 DOI: 10.3390/mps3030063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the commonest gynaecological malignancy. Current prognostic markers are inadequate to accurately predict patient survival, necessitating novel prognostic markers, to improve treatment strategies. Telomerase has a unique role within the endometrium, whilst aberrant telomerase activity is a hallmark of many cancers. The aim of the current in silico study is to investigate the role of telomere and telomerase associated genes and proteins (TTAGPs) in EC to identify potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Analysis of RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in EC (568 TTAGPs out of 3467) and ascertained DEGs associated with histological subtypes, higher grade endometrioid tumours and late stage EC. Functional analysis demonstrated that DEGs were predominantly involved in cell cycle regulation, while the survival analysis identified 69 DEGs associated with prognosis. The protein-protein interaction network constructed facilitated the identification of hub genes, enriched transcription factor binding sites and drugs that may target the network. Thus, our in silico methods distinguished many critical genes associated with telomere maintenance that were previously unknown to contribute to EC carcinogenesis and prognosis, including NOP56, WFS1, ANAPC4 and TUBB4A. Probing the prognostic and therapeutic utility of these novel TTAGP markers will form an exciting basis for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bradfield
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK; (A.B.); (J.D.); (C.J.H.)
| | - Lucy Button
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK;
| | - Josephine Drury
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK; (A.B.); (J.D.); (C.J.H.)
| | - Daniel C. Green
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK;
| | - Christopher J. Hill
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK; (A.B.); (J.D.); (C.J.H.)
| | - Dharani K. Hapangama
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Liverpool, Crown St, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK; (A.B.); (J.D.); (C.J.H.)
- Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK
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18
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Human Uterine Biopsy: Research Value and Common Pitfalls. Int J Reprod Med 2020; 2020:9275360. [PMID: 32411783 PMCID: PMC7206876 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9275360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The human uterus consists of the inner endometrium, the myometrium, and the outer serosa. Knowledge of the function of the uterus in health and disease is relevant to reproduction, fertility, embryology, gynaecology, endocrinology, and oncology. Research performed on uterine biopsies is essential to further the current understanding of human uterine biology. This brief review explores the value of the uterine biopsy in gynaecological and human fertility research and explores the common problems encountered when analysing data generated from different types of uterine biopsies, with the aim of improving the quality, reproducibility, and clinical translatability of future research.
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Abdulwaliyu I, Arekemase SO, Adudu JA, Batari ML, Egbule MN, Okoduwa SIR. Investigation of the medicinal significance of phytic acid as an indispensable anti-nutrient in diseases. CLINICAL NUTRITION EXPERIMENTAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yclnex.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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