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Kong R, Ma Y, Li W, Xu Z, Gong S, Liu A, Cheng C, Zhang X, Qin J, Li S, Feng J, Jiang J. Zinc finger protein 367 exerts a cancer-promoting role in small cell lung cancer by influencing the CIT/LATS2/YAP signaling cascade. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 489:117005. [PMID: 38880190 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.117005] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
A remarkable cancer-related role of zinc finger protein 367 (ZNF367) has been demonstrated in multiple malignancies. However, whether ZNF367 has a role in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unexplored. The purpose of this work was to explore the potential role and mechanism of ZNF367 in SCLC. In silico analysis using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset revealed high levels of the ZNF367 transcript in SCLC. Examination of clinical tissues confirmed the significant abundance of ZNF367 in SCLC tissues compared with adjacent non-malignant tissues. The genetic depletion of ZNF367 in SCLC cells led to remarkable alterations in cell proliferation, the cell cycle, colony formation and chemosensitivity. Mechanistically, ZNF367 was shown to regulate the activation of yes-associated protein (YAP) associated with the up-regulation of phosphorylated large tumour suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2). Further investigation revealed that ZNF367 affected the LATS2-YAP cascade by regulating the expression of citron kinase (CIT). Re-expression of constitutively active YAP diminished the tumour-inhibiting function of ZNF367 depletion. Xenograft experiments confirmed the tumour-inhibiting effect of ZNF367 depletion in vivo. In summary, our results demonstrate that the inhibition of ZNF367 displays anticancer effects in SCLC by inhibiting YAP activation, suggesting it as a potential druggable oncogenic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Kong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Luoyang Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Luoyang, Henan 471003, China
| | - Yuefeng Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Wendeng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Zhengshui Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Songyu Gong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Aoran Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Chuantao Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Xinwu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Jie Qin
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Shaomin Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China
| | - Jie Feng
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.
| | - Jiantao Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, China.
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Taylor J, Dubois F, Bergot E, Levallet G. Targeting the Hippo pathway to prevent radioresistance brain metastases from the lung (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 65:68. [PMID: 38785155 PMCID: PMC11155713 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5656] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The prognosis for patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a cancer type which represents 85% of all lung cancers, is poor with a 5‑year survival rate of 19%, mainly because NSCLC is diagnosed at an advanced and metastatic stage. Despite recent therapeutic advancements, ~50% of patients with NSCLC will develop brain metastases (BMs). Either surgical BM treatment alone for symptomatic patients and patients with single cerebral metastases, or in combination with stereotactic radiotherapy (RT) for patients who are not suitable for surgery or presenting with fewer than four cerebral lesions with a diameter range of 5‑30 mm, or whole‑brain RT for numerous or large BMs can be administered. However, radioresistance (RR) invariably prevents the action of RT. Several mechanisms of RR have been described including hypoxia, cellular stress, presence of cancer stem cells, dysregulation of apoptosis and/or autophagy, dysregulation of the cell cycle, changes in cellular metabolism, epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition, overexpression of programmed cell death‑ligand 1 and activation several signaling pathways; however, the role of the Hippo signaling pathway in RR is unclear. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway in NSCLC confers metastatic properties, and inhibitors targeting this pathway are currently in development. It is therefore essential to evaluate the effect of inhibiting the Hippo pathway, particularly the effector yes‑associated protein‑1, on cerebral metastases originating from lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Taylor
- University of Caen Normandy, National Center for Scientific Research, Normandy University, Unit of Imaging and Therapeutic Strategies for Cancers and Cerebral Tissues (ISTCT)-UMR6030, GIP CYCERON, F-14074 Caen, France
| | - Fatéméh Dubois
- University of Caen Normandy, National Center for Scientific Research, Normandy University, Unit of Imaging and Therapeutic Strategies for Cancers and Cerebral Tissues (ISTCT)-UMR6030, GIP CYCERON, F-14074 Caen, France
- Departments of Pathology, and Thoracic Oncology, Caen University Hospital, F-14033 Caen, France
| | - Emmanuel Bergot
- University of Caen Normandy, National Center for Scientific Research, Normandy University, Unit of Imaging and Therapeutic Strategies for Cancers and Cerebral Tissues (ISTCT)-UMR6030, GIP CYCERON, F-14074 Caen, France
- Departments of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, Caen University Hospital, F-14033 Caen, France
| | - Guénaëlle Levallet
- University of Caen Normandy, National Center for Scientific Research, Normandy University, Unit of Imaging and Therapeutic Strategies for Cancers and Cerebral Tissues (ISTCT)-UMR6030, GIP CYCERON, F-14074 Caen, France
- Departments of Pathology, and Thoracic Oncology, Caen University Hospital, F-14033 Caen, France
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Chen K, Hong C, Kong W, Li G, Liu Z, Zhu K, Lu C, Si P, Gao P, Ning G, Zhang R. ACADL-YAP axis activity in non-small cell lung cancer carcinogenicity. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:86. [PMID: 38402174 PMCID: PMC10894480 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03276-7] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase long chain (ACADL) in different tumor types had different inhibiting or promoting effect. However, its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carcinogenicity is not clear. METHOD In this study, we utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to analyze ACADL expression in NSCLC and its correlation with overall survival. Furthermore, we investigated the function of ACADL on cellular proliferation, invasion, colony, apoptosis, cell cycle in vitro with NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, we evaluated the regulatory effect of ACADL expression on its downstream factor yes-associated protein (YAP) by assessing YAP phosphorylation levels and its cellular localization. Finally, we verified the tumorigenic effect of ACADL on NSCLC cells through xenograft experiments in vivo. RESULTS Compared to adjacent non-cancerous samples, ACADL significantly down-regulated in NSCLC. Overexpression of ACADL, effectively reduced the proliferative, colony, and invasive capabilities of NSCLC cells, while promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest. Moreover, ACADL overexpression significantly enhanced YAP phosphorylation and hindered its nuclear translocation. However, the inhibitory effect of the overexpression of ACADL in NSCLC cells mentioned above can be partially counteracted by YAP activator XMU-MP-1 application both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that ACADL overexpression could suppress NSCLC development by modulating YAP phosphorylation and limiting its nuclear shift. This role of ACADL-YAP axis provided novel insights into NSCLC carcinogenicity and potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kegong Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease Research and Medical Transformation of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Chunqiao Hong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital Hua Qiao University, Xiamen, 361013, China
| | - Weibo Kong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China
- Departments of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Chest Hospital, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Guanghua Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Kechao Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Chen Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Panpan Si
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Pan Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Guangyao Ning
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China.
| | - Renquan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230001, China.
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Gargalionis AN, Papavassiliou KA, Papavassiliou AG. Are YAP and TAZ valid prognostic signatures for NSCLC patients? J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e17992. [PMID: 37818939 PMCID: PMC10826437 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonios N. Gargalionis
- Department of Biopathology, ‘Eginition’ Hospital, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Kostas A. Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine‘Sotiria’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
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Saldaña-Villa AK, Lara-Lemus R. The Structural Proteins of Membrane Rafts, Caveolins and Flotillins, in Lung Cancer: More Than Just Scaffold Elements. Int J Med Sci 2023; 20:1662-1670. [PMID: 37928877 PMCID: PMC10620868 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.87836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Due to its late diagnosis, it remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite it is mostly associated to tobacco smoking, recent data suggested that genetic factors are of the highest importance. In this context, different processes meaningful for the development and progression of lung cancer such endocytosis, protein secretion and signal transduction, are controlled by membrane rafts. These highly ordered membrane domains contain proteins such as caveolins and flotillins, which were traditionally considered scaffold proteins but have currently been given a preponderant role in lung cancer. Here, we summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of caveolins and flotillins in lung cancer from a molecular point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto Lara-Lemus
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine and Translational Research, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias “Ismael Cosío Villegas”. Mexico City, Mexico
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Palamaris K, Levidou G, Kordali K, Masaoutis C, Rontogianni D, Theocharis S. Searching for Novel Biomarkers in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Hippo Pathway Components in a Cohort of Thymic Epithelial Tumors. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1876. [PMID: 37509515 PMCID: PMC10377518 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the pivotal role of the Hippo pathway in different facets of tumorigenesis, which has been vigorously established in multiple heterogenous malignancies, we attempted to evaluate its potential utility as a prognostic-predictive biomarker in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). For this purpose, we performed a comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of four Hippo cascade components (YAP, TAZ, TEAD4 and LATS1) in a sizeable cohort of TETs and attempted to identify possible correlations of their H-score with various clinicopathological parameters. TAZ and TEAD4 displayed both cytoplasmic and nuclear immunoreactivity in almost equal frequency, with their cytoplasmic H-score being strongly associated with more aggressive high-grade tumors (type B3, thymic carcinoma) and more advanced pathological stages. On the other hand, a primarily nuclear staining pattern was encountered in both YAP and LATS1, with the YAP nuclear H-score being higher in more indolent (type A) and earlier stage tumors. Interestingly, none of the four examined factors displayed any statistically significant correlation with patient overall (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS). In summary, our results provide some initial insight into the expression profile of these core Hippo pathway components in thymic neoplasms and point towards some clear associations with tumor characteristics, which are of paramount translational-clinical research with profound implications in therapeutic targeting of this pathway in the context of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Palamaris
- First Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Levidou
- Department of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Katerina Kordali
- First Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Masaoutis
- First Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Rontogianni
- First Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Conte A, Valente V, Paladino S, Pierantoni GM. HIPK2 in cancer biology and therapy: Recent findings and future perspectives. Cell Signal 2023; 101:110491. [PMID: 36241057 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is a serine-threonine kinase that phosphorylates and regulates a plethora of transcriptional regulators and chromatin modifiers. The heterogeneity of its interactome allows HIPK2 to modulate several cellular processes and signaling pathways, ultimately regulating cell fate and proliferation. Because of its p53-dependent pro-apoptotic activity and its downregulation in many tumor types, HIPK2 is traditionally considered a bone fide tumor suppressor gene. However, recent findings revealed that the role of HIPK2 in the pathogenesis of cancer is much more complex, ranging from tumor suppressive to oncogenic, strongly depending on the cellular context. Here, we review the very recent data emerged in the last years about the involvement of HIPK2 in cancer biology and therapy, highlighting the various alterations of this kinase (downregulation, upregulation, mutations and/or delocalization) in dependence on the cancer types. In addition, we discuss the recent advancement in the understanding the tumor suppressive and oncogenic functions of HIPK2, its role in establishing the response to cancer therapies, and its regulation by cancer-associated microRNAs. All these data strengthen the idea that HIPK2 is a key player in many types of cancer; therefore, it could represent an important prognostic marker, a factor to predict therapy response, and even a therapeutic target itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Conte
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Valeria Valente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Maria Pierantoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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Wang Y, Wang Z, Shao C, Lu G, Xie M, Wang J, Duan H, Li X, Yu W, Duan W, Yan X. Melatonin may suppress lung adenocarcinoma progression via regulation of the circular noncoding RNA hsa_circ_0017109/miR-135b-3p/TOX3 axis. J Pineal Res 2022; 73:e12813. [PMID: 35661247 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in the pineal gland and has widespread physiological and pharmacological functions. Moreover, it can activate protective receptor-dependent processes. These processes can prevent tissue carcinogenesis and inhibit malignant tumor progression and metastasis. Therefore, we investigated the regulatory effects of melatonin on dysregulated circular RNAs in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. In this study, we treated LUAD cells with melatonin and measured the expression of hsa_circ_0017109, miR-135b-3p, and TOX3 by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Colony formation and cell counting kit-8 assays were used to determine cell proliferation. The wound-healing assay and Transwell experiment were carried out to evaluate the migration potential and invasive capacity of LUAD cells. Also, cell apoptosis was detected using a cell apoptosis kit, and protein production was identified by Western blot. It was suggested that melatonin could inhibit LUAD progression in vivo and in vitro, and the role of TOX3 in this process was explored. Additionally, hsa_circ_0017109 was found to sponge miR-135b-3p, a downstream factor of circ_0017109, which was demonstrated to target TOX3 in LUAD cells and could promote the Hippo pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. To summarize, we demonstrated that melatonin decreases the expression of circ_0017109 and suppresses the non-small-cell lung cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation through decreasing TOX3 expression via direct activation of miR-135b-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhaoyang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Changjian Shao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guofang Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, National Key Discipline of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mei Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hongtao Duan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Wanpeng Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Weixun Duan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaolong Yan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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