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Lauer SM, Omar MH, Golkowski MG, Kenerson HL, Lee KS, Pascual BC, Lim HC, Forbush K, Smith FD, Gordan JD, Ong SE, Yeung RS, Scott JD. Recruitment of BAG2 to DNAJ-PKAc scaffolds promotes cell survival and resistance to drug-induced apoptosis in fibrolamellar carcinoma. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113678. [PMID: 38236773 PMCID: PMC10964278 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113678] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The DNAJ-PKAc fusion kinase is a defining feature of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). FLC tumors are notoriously resistant to standard chemotherapies, with aberrant kinase activity assumed to be a contributing factor. By combining proximity proteomics, biochemical analyses, and live-cell photoactivation microscopy, we demonstrate that DNAJ-PKAc is not constrained by A-kinase anchoring proteins. Consequently, the fusion kinase phosphorylates a unique array of substrates, including proteins involved in translation and the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2-associated athanogene 2 (BAG2), a co-chaperone recruited to the fusion kinase through association with Hsp70. Tissue samples from patients with FLC exhibit increased levels of BAG2 in primary and metastatic tumors. Furthermore, drug studies implicate the DNAJ-PKAc/Hsp70/BAG2 axis in potentiating chemotherapeutic resistance. We find that the Bcl-2 inhibitor navitoclax enhances sensitivity to etoposide-induced apoptosis in cells expressing DNAJ-PKAc. Thus, our work indicates BAG2 as a marker for advanced FLC and a chemotherapeutic resistance factor in DNAJ-PKAc signaling scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M Lauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mitchell H Omar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Martin G Golkowski
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Heidi L Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kyung-Soon Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Bryan C Pascual
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Huat C Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Katherine Forbush
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - F Donelson Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - John D Gordan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shao-En Ong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Raymond S Yeung
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Lauer SM, Omar MH, Golkowski MG, Kenerson HL, Pascual BC, Forbush K, Smith FD, Gordan J, Ong SE, Yeung RS, Scott JD. Recruitment of BAG2 to DNAJ-PKAc scaffolds promotes cell survival and resistance to drug-induced apoptosis in fibrolamellar carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546958. [PMID: 37425703 PMCID: PMC10327129 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The DNAJ-PKAc fusion kinase is a defining feature of the adolescent liver cancer fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). A single lesion on chromosome 19 generates this mutant kinase by creating a fused gene encoding the chaperonin binding domain of Hsp40 (DNAJ) in frame with the catalytic core of protein kinase A (PKAc). FLC tumors are notoriously resistant to standard chemotherapies. Aberrant kinase activity is assumed to be a contributing factor. Yet recruitment of binding partners, such as the chaperone Hsp70, implies that the scaffolding function of DNAJ- PKAc may also underlie pathogenesis. By combining proximity proteomics with biochemical analyses and photoactivation live-cell imaging we demonstrate that DNAJ-PKAc is not constrained by A-kinase anchoring proteins. Consequently, the fusion kinase phosphorylates a unique array of substrates. One validated DNAJ-PKAc target is the Bcl-2 associated athanogene 2 (BAG2), a co-chaperone recruited to the fusion kinase through association with Hsp70. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses of FLC patient samples correlate increased levels of BAG2 with advanced disease and metastatic recurrences. BAG2 is linked to Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic factor that delays cell death. Pharmacological approaches tested if the DNAJ- PKAc/Hsp70/BAG2 axis contributes to chemotherapeutic resistance in AML12 DNAJ-PKAc hepatocyte cell lines using the DNA damaging agent etoposide and the Bcl-2 inhibitor navitoclax. Wildtype AML12 cells were susceptible to each drug alone and in combination. In contrast, AML12 DNAJ-PKAc cells were moderately affected by etoposide, resistant to navitoclax, but markedly susceptible to the drug combination. These studies implicate BAG2 as a biomarker for advanced FLC and a chemotherapeutic resistance factor in DNAJ-PKAc signaling scaffolds.
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Zhang X, Dong K, Zhang J, Kuang T, Luo Y, Yu J, Yu J, Wang W. GNB1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting BAG2 to activate P38/MAPK signaling. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:2001-2013. [PMID: 36718954 PMCID: PMC10154882 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
G-proteins are intracellular partners of G-protein-coupled receptors. As a member of the G-protein family, GNB1 has been shown to play a pro-cancer role in lung cancer and breast cancer. However, the biological function and detailed mechanisms of GNB1 in hepatocellular carcinoma progression are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of GNB1 and its possible mechanism of action in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The clinical significance of GNB1 was evaluated in a large cohort of HCC patients, showing that GNB1 was overexpressed in HCC compared to adjacent normal liver tissues, and increased GNB1 expression was associated with poor prognosis. We also demonstrated that GNB1 enhances cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration and invasion in vitro and promotes the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process in HCC cells. Tumor xenograft model assay confirmed the oncogenic role of GNB1 in tumorigenicity in nude mice. Activation of P38 signaling was found in the GNB1 overexpressed HCC cells. Further intervention of P38 confirmed it as an important signaling pathway for the oncogenic role of GNB1 in HCC. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry identified that GNB1 exerted oncogenic functions via the interaction of BAG2 and activated P38 signaling pathway. Together, our results reveal that GNB1 plays a pivotal oncogenic role in HCC by promoting the P38 pathway via cooperating with BAG2. GNB1 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Keshuai Dong
- Department of General SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jiacheng Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Tianrui Kuang
- Department of General SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Yiyun Luo
- College of Life ScienceSouth‐Central Minzu UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jia Yu
- Department of General SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of OncologyRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Radiation OncologyShandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinanShandongChina
| | - Weixing Wang
- Department of General SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryRenmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
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Huang X, Shi D, Zou X, Wu X, Huang S, Kong L, Yang M, Xiao Y, Chen B, Chen X, Ouyang Y, Song L, Jian Y, Lin C. BAG2 drives chemoresistance of breast cancer by exacerbating mutant p53 aggregate. Theranostics 2023; 13:339-354. [PMID: 36593950 PMCID: PMC9800719 DOI: 10.7150/thno.78492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Chemoresistance is a major challenge in the clinical management of patients with breast cancer. Mutant p53 proteins tend to form aggregates that promote tumorigenesis in cancers. We here aimed to explore the mechanism for the generation of mutant p53 aggregates in breast cancer and assess its role in inducing chemoresistance. Methods: Expression of BCL2-associated athanogene 2 (BAG2) was evaluated by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry in breast cancer patient specimens. The significance of BAG2 expression in prognosis was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox regression model. The roles of BAG2 in facilitating the formation of mutant p53 aggregates were analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and semi-denaturing detergent-agarose gel electrophoresis assays. The effects of BAG2 on the chemoresistance of breast cancer were demonstrated by cell function assays and mice tumor models. Results: In the present study, we found that BAG2 was significantly upregulated in relapse breast cancer patient tissues and high BAG2 was associated with a worse prognosis. BAG2 localized in mutant p53 aggregates and interacted with misfolded p53 mutants. BAG2 exacerbated the formation of the aggregates and recruited HSP90 to promote the propagation and maintenance of the aggregates. Consequently, BAG2-mediated mutant p53 aggregation inhibited the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, leading to chemoresistance in breast cancer. Importantly, silencing of BAG2 or pharmacological targeting of HSP90 substantially reduced the aggregates and increased the sensitivity of chemotherapy in breast cancer. Conclusion: These findings reveal a significant role of BAG2 in the chemoresistance of breast cancer via exacerbating mutant p53 aggregates and suggest that BAG2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer patients with drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjian Huang
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Dongni Shi
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xuxiazi Zou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xuxia Wu
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Shumei Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lingzhi Kong
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Muwen Yang
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yunyun Xiao
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Boyu Chen
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xiangfu Chen
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ying Ouyang
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Libing Song
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.,Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Guangzhou Institute of Oncology, Tumor Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 511436, Guangzhou, China.,✉ Corresponding author: Chuyong Lin, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China. E-mail: ; or Yunting Jian, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China ; or Libing Song, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Yunting Jian
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.,Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.,✉ Corresponding author: Chuyong Lin, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China. E-mail: ; or Yunting Jian, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China ; or Libing Song, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Chuyong Lin
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.,✉ Corresponding author: Chuyong Lin, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China. E-mail: ; or Yunting Jian, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China ; or Libing Song, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
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Protein Quality Control in Glioblastoma: A Review of the Current Literature with New Perspectives on Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179734. [PMID: 36077131 PMCID: PMC9456419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein quality control allows eukaryotes to maintain proteostasis under the stress of constantly changing conditions. In this review, we discuss the current literature on PQC, highlighting flaws that must exist for malignancy to occur. At the nidus of PQC, the expression of BAG1-6 reflects the cell environment; each isoform directs proteins toward different, parallel branches of the quality control cascade. The sum of these branches creates a net shift toward either homeostasis or apoptosis. With an established role in ALP, Bag3 is necessary for cell survival in stress conditions including those of the cancerous niche (i.e., hypoxia, hypermutation). Evidence suggests that excessive Bag3–HSP70 activity not only sustains, but also propagates cancers. Its role is anti-apoptotic—which allows malignant cells to persist—and intercellular—with the production of infectious ‘oncosomes’ enabling cancer expansion and recurrence. While Bag3 has been identified as a key prognostic indicator in several cancer types, its investigation is limited regarding glioblastoma. The cochaperone HSP70 has been strongly linked with GBM, while ALP inhibitors have been shown to improve GBM susceptibility to chemotherapeutics. Given the highly resilient, frequently recurrent nature of GBM, the targeting of Bag3 is a necessary consideration for the successful and definitive treatment of GBM.
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Zhang Z, Zeng X, Wu Y, Liu Y, Zhang X, Song Z. Cuproptosis-Related Risk Score Predicts Prognosis and Characterizes the Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:925618. [PMID: 35898502 PMCID: PMC9311491 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.925618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Cuproptosis is a recently identified form of programmed cell death; however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Methods A set of bioinformatic tools was integrated to analyze the expression and prognostic significance of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), the key regulator of cuproptosis. A cuproptosis-related risk score (CRRS) was developed via correlation analyses, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression. The metabolic features, mutation signatures, and immune profile of CRRS-classified HCC patients were investigated, and the role of CRRS in therapy guidance was analyzed. Results FDX1 was significantly downregulated in HCC, and its high expression was associated with longer survival time. HCC patients in the high-CRRS group showed a significantly lower overall survival (OS) and enriched in cancer-related pathways. Mutation analyses revealed that the high-CRRS HCC patients had a high mutational frequency of some tumor suppressors such as tumor protein P53 (TP53) and Breast-cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1)-associated protein 1 (BAP1) and a low frequency of catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1). Besides, HCC patients with high CRRS showed an increase of protumor immune infiltrates and a high expression of immune checkpoints. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) values of CRRS in predicting the efficiency of sorafenib and the non-responsiveness to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in HCC patients reached 0.877 and 0.764, respectively. Significance The cuproptosis-related signature is helpful in prognostic prediction and in guiding treatment for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyang Zeng
- Department of Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yinghua Wu
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zewen Song
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Zewen Song,
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Data mining of key genes expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: novel potential biomarkers of diagnosis prognosis or progression. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:589-602. [PMID: 35429302 PMCID: PMC9338913 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10164-9] [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: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main cancer-related causes of death worldwide. The study aimed to perform a data mining analysis of the expression and regulatory role of key genes in HCC to reveal novel potential biomarkers of diagnosis prognosis, or progression since their availability is still almost lacking. Starting from data of our cohort of patients (HCV-positive HCC pts undergoing liver transplantation (LR, n = 10) and donors (LD, n = 14), deeply analyzed previously, in which apelin, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, NOTCH-1, CASP-3, Bcl-2, BAX, PTX3, and NPTX2 were analyzed, we applied statistical analysis and in-silico tools (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, HCCDB database and GeneMania, UALCAN) to screen and identify the key genes. Firstly, we performed a stepwise regression analysis using our mRNA-datasets which revealed that higher expression levels of apelin and osteopontin were positively associated with the HCC and identified that the most consistently differentially expressed gene across multiple HCC expression datasets was only OPN. This comprehensive strategy of data mining evidenced that OPN might have a potential function as an important tumor marker-driven oncogenesis being associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients.
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