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Yang L, Ying J, Tao Q, Zhang Q. RNA N 6-methyladenosine modifications in urological cancers: from mechanism to application. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:460-476. [PMID: 38347160 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00851-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most common modification of messenger RNAs in eukaryotes and has crucial roles in multiple cancers, including in urological malignancies such as renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. The m6A RNA modification is controlled by three types of regulators, including methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers) and RNA-binding proteins (readers), which are responsible for gene regulation at the post-transcriptional level. This Review summarizes the current evidence indicating that aberrant or dysregulated m6A modification is associated with urological cancer development, progression and prognosis. The complex and context-dependent effects of dysregulated m6A modifications in urological cancers are described, along with the potential for aberrantly expressed m6A regulators to provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, National Research Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianming Ying
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute and Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Tao
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, National Research Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Urology, Peking University Binhai Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Pan B, Teng Y, Wang R, Chen D, Chen H. Deciphering the molecular nexus of BTG2 in periodontitis and diabetic kidney disease. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:152. [PMID: 38831322 PMCID: PMC11149328 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01915-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of BTG2 in periodontitis and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and its potential underlying mechanism. METHODS Gene expression data for periodontitis and DKD were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis identified co-expressed genes between these conditions. The Nephroseq V5 online nephropathy database validated the role of these genes in DKD. Pearson correlation analysis identified genes associated with our target gene. We employed Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks to elucidate potential mechanisms. Expression levels of BTG2 mRNA were examined using quantitative polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence assays. Western blotting quantified proteins involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, mTORC1 signaling, and autophagy. Additionally, wound healing and flow cytometric apoptosis assays evaluated podocyte migration and apoptosis, respectively. RESULTS Analysis of GEO database data revealed BTG2 as a commonly differentially expressed gene in both DKD and periodontitis. BTG2 expression was reduced in DKD compared to normal conditions and correlated with proteinuria. GSEA indicated enrichment of BTG2 in the EMT and mTORC1 signaling pathways. The PPI network highlighted BTG2's relevance to S100A9, S100A12, and FPR1. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated significantly lower BTG2 expression in podocytes under high glucose (HG) conditions. Reduced BTG2 expression in HG-treated podocytes led to increased levels of EMT markers (α-SMA, vimentin) and the apoptotic protein Bim, alongside a decrease in nephrin. Lower BTG2 levels were associated with increased podocyte mobility and apoptosis, as well as elevated RPS6KB1 and mTOR levels, but reduced autophagy marker LC3. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that BTG2 is a crucial intermediary gene linking DKD and periodontitis. Modulating autophagy via inhibition of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, and consequently suppressing EMT, may be pivotal in the interplay between periodontitis and DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binhui Pan
- Department of Nephrology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yangyang Teng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Renban Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Chen X, Cao M, Yuan C, Luo Y, Wang N, Liu K, Chen T, Chen L, Zhang B, Li C, Zhou X. Follicular fluid exosomes inhibit expression of BTG2 and promote glucose uptake in granulosa cells by delivering miR-21-5p. Theriogenology 2024; 218:45-55. [PMID: 38301506 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Glucose metabolism in granulosa cells (GCs) is essential for follicle development and oocyte maturation. Porcine follicular fluid exosomes promote the proliferation of porcine GCs and the synthesis of steroid hormones. However, their role in regulating glucose uptake in GCs is unclear. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of porcine follicular fluid exosomes on glucose uptake in porcine GCs and the intrinsic mechanisms involved. First, transcriptome sequencing revealed that glucose metabolism-related pathways were altered in GCs treated with follicular fluid exosomes. Next, in vitro culture experiments showed that glucose uptake was increased and the IRS1/AKT signaling pathway was activated in GCs after treatment with follicular fluid exosomes. Finally, miRNA sequencing of follicular fluid exosomes revealed that miR-21-5p was the most abundant miRNA. Subsequent investigations indicated that miR-21-5p promoted glucose uptake in GCs by targeting BTG2, which activated the IRS1/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that porcine follicular fluid exosomes promote glucose uptake in porcine GCs by delivering miR-21-5p, which inhibits the expression of BTG2, activating the IRS1/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Maosheng Cao
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Chenfeng Yuan
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Yuxin Luo
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Nan Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Kening Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Tong Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Lu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Boqi Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Chunjin Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Xu Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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Zhang S, Gu J, Shi LL, Qian B, Diao X, Jiang X, Wu J, Wu Z, Shen A. A pan-cancer analysis of anti-proliferative protein family genes for therapeutic targets in cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21607. [PMID: 38062199 PMCID: PMC10703880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48961-1] [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: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered APRO (anti-proliferative protein) family encodes a group of trans-membrane glycoproteins and includes 6 members: TOB1, TOB2, BTG1, BTG2, BTG3 and BTG4. The APRO family is reportedly associated with the initiation and progression of cancers. This study aims to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the APRO family of proteins as a prognostic biomarker in various human tumors. We performed a pan-cancer analysis of the APRO family based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). With the bioinformatics methods, we explored the prognostic value of the APRO family and the correlation between APRO family expression and tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), drug sensitivity, and immunotherapy in numerous cancers. Our results show that the APRO family was primarily down-regulated in cancer samples. The expression of APRO family members was linked with patient prognosis. In addition, APRO family genes showed significant association with immune infiltrate subtypes, tumor microenvironment, and tumor cell stemness. Finally, our study also demonstrated the relationship between APRO family genes and drug sensitivity. This study provides comprehensive information to understand the APRO family's role as an oncogene and predictor of survival in some tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siming Zhang
- Cancer Research Center Nantong, Nantong Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jue Gu
- Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ling-Ling Shi
- Affiliated Nantong Hospital Third of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Bo Qian
- Maternal and Child Care Hospital of Qidong, Nantong, China
| | - Xun Diao
- Cancer Research Center Nantong, Nantong Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohui Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Nantong Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jindong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Nantong Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhijun Wu
- Department of Oncology, Nantong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nantong, China.
| | - Aiguo Shen
- Cancer Research Center Nantong, Nantong Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Song J, Xu F, An L, Yin Y, Liu J, Chai J, Yang Y, Li M, Jia Q, Wang Z. BTG2 suppresses the growth and metastasis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 247:154577. [PMID: 37257243 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154577] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women, of which cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) is the main pathological type of cervical cancer. B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) protein has been recognized as a tumor suppressor in several cancer types. However, BTG2 expression and molecular function in CESC are unknown. METHODS In this study, we first assessed the expression of BTG2 in tumor tissue specimens from CESC patients using immunohistochemical staining and real-time quantitative PCR, and explored the relationship between BTG2 expression status and clinical manifestations. Next, we constructed BTG2 knockdown and overexpression CESC cell lines to observe the effects of BTG2 on CESC proliferation and metastasis at the cellular level. Finally, we employed a nude mouse xenograft tumor model in an in vivo experiment to observe the effect of BTG2 on tumorigenesis in vivo. RESULTS The results showed that the expression of BTG2 protein was lower in CESC tissues than in normal tissues, and high BTG2 expression was associated with better survival in CESC patients versus CESC patients. The results of cellular assays confirm that overexpression of BTG2 inhibits the proliferation, migration and metastasis of CESC cells. Nude mouse xenograft tumor model showed that overexpression of BTG2 inhibited tumor growth in vivo, and conversely knockdown of BTG2 promoted tumor growth. CONCLUSION In summary, our data suggest that BTG2 acts as a tumor suppressor in CESC and inhibits the growth and metastasis of CESC. BTG2 may serve as a potential prognostic marker in CESC and is expected to provide a therapeutic strategy for patients with CESC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fangcheng Xu
- Department of Military Medicine and Special Subject, No. 971 Hospital of the PLA Navy, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingbo An
- College of Medical Technology, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuxin Yin
- Department of Urology, No.971 Hospital of the PLA Navy, Qingdao, China
| | - Jin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jia Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanru Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qingge Jia
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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