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Hushmandi K, Saadat SH, Mirilavasani S, Daneshi S, Aref AR, Nabavi N, Raesi R, Taheriazam A, Hashemi M. The multifaceted role of SOX2 in breast and lung cancer dynamics. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155386. [PMID: 38861919 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155386] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Breast and lung cancers are leading causes of death among patients, with their global mortality and morbidity rates increasing. Conventional treatments often prove inadequate due to resistance development. The alteration of molecular interactions may accelerate cancer progression and treatment resistance. SOX2, known for its abnormal expression in various human cancers, can either accelerate or impede cancer progression. This review focuses on examining the role of SOX2 in breast and lung cancer development. An imbalance in SOX2 expression can promote the growth and dissemination of these cancers. SOX2 can also block programmed cell death, affecting autophagy and other cell death mechanisms. It plays a significant role in cancer metastasis, mainly by regulating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, an imbalanced SOX2 expression can cause resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in these cancers. Genetic and epigenetic factors may affect SOX2 levels. Pharmacologically targeting SOX2 could improve the effectiveness of breast and lung cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Hushmandi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Seyed Hassan Saadat
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyedalireza Mirilavasani
- Campus Venlo, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health,School of Health,Jiroft University of Medical Sciences,Jiroft, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Rasoul Raesi
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Department of Nursing, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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2
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Kang L, Liu Y, He J, Wang Y, Xue M, Wu X, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Chu M, Li J, Wei W, Li J, Li E, Liao L, Xiao J, Zhang R, Xu L, Wong J. GSK3β-driven SOX2 overexpression is a targetable vulnerability in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 2023; 42:2297-2314. [PMID: 37349645 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02748-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest forms of human malignancy that currently lacks approved targeted therapeutics. Accumulating evidence suggests that SOX2 overexpression is a key driving factor for ESCC and various squamous cell carcinoma. Here, through screening a small-molecule kinase inhibitor library, we identified GSK3β as a kinase that is critically required for robust SOX2 expression in ESCC cells. GSK3β did not promote SOX2 transcriptionally but was required for SOX2 protein stability. We demonstrated that GSK3β interacts with and phosphorylates SOX2 at residue S251, which blocks SOX2 from ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation instigated by ubiquitin E3 ligase CUL4ADET1-COP1. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of GSK3β by RNA interference selectively impaired SOX2-positive ESCC cell proliferation, cancer stemness, and tumor growth in mouse xenograft model, suggesting that GSK3β promotes ESCC tumorigenesis primarily by driving SOX2 overexpression. GSK3β was found to be frequently overexpressed in clinical esophageal tumors, and there was a positive correlation between GSK3β and SOX2 protein levels. Notably, we found that SOX2 enhanced GSK3β expression transcriptionally, suggesting the existence of a vicious cycle that drives a coordinated GSK3β and SOX2 overexpression in ESCC cells. Finally, we demonstrated in tumor xenograft model that GSK3β inhibitor AR-A014418 was effective in suppressing SOX2-positive ESCC tumor progression and inhibited tumor progression cooperatively with chemotherapeutic agent carboplatin. In conclusion, we uncovered a novel role for GSK3β in driving SOX2 overexpression and tumorigenesis and provided evidence that targeting GSK3β may hold promise for the treatment of recalcitrant ESCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Kang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Joint Center for Translational Medicine, Fengxian District Central Hospital, 6600th Nanfeng Road, Fengxian District, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianzhong He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyang Xue
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fengxian Central Hospital affiliated to the Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Manyu Chu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jialun Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiwen Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Enmin Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lujian Liao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianru Xiao
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fengxian Central Hospital affiliated to the Southern Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyan Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jiemin Wong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
- Joint Center for Translational Medicine, Fengxian District Central Hospital, 6600th Nanfeng Road, Fengxian District, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Zhang J, Wang Z, Zhao H, Wei Y, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Zhao J, Li X, Lin Y, Liu K. The roles of the SOX2 protein in the development of esophagus and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and pharmacological target for therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114764. [PMID: 37100016 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a transcription factor belonging to the SOX gene family, whose activity has been associated with the maintenance of the stemness and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), as well as the induction of differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Moreover, accumulating studies have shown that SOX2 is amplified in various cancers, notably in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In addition, SOX2 expression is linked to multiple malignant processes, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance. Taken together, targeting SOX2 might shed light on novel approaches for cancer therapy. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge regarding SOX2 in the development of esophagus and ESCC. We also highlight several therapeutic strategies for targeting SOX2 in different cancer types, which can provide new tools to treat cancers possessing abnormal levels of SOX2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Hongzhou Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Yuxuan Wei
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Yijian Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Shihui Zhang
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China.
| | - Kuancan Liu
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China.
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Dey A, Kundu M, Das S, Jena BC, Mandal M. Understanding the function and regulation of Sox2 for its therapeutic potential in breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188692. [PMID: 35122882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sox family of transcriptional factors play essential functions in development and are implicated in multiple clinical disorders, including cancer. Sox2 being their most prominent member and performing a critical role in reprogramming differentiated adult cells to an embryonic phenotype is frequently upregulated in multiple cancers. High Sox2 levels are detected in breast tumor tissues and correlate with a worse prognosis. In addition, Sox2 expression is connected with resistance to conventional anticancer therapy. Together, it can be said that inhibiting Sox2 expression can reduce the malignant features associated with breast cancer, including invasion, migration, proliferation, stemness, and chemoresistance. This review highlights the critical roles played by the Sox gene family members in initiating or suppressing breast tumor development, while primarily focusing on Sox2 and its role in breast tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression, elucidates the probable mechanisms that control its activity, and puts forward potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Dey
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Moumita Kundu
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Subhayan Das
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Bikash Chandra Jena
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
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Li J, Haque M, Shang C, Hassan B, Liu D, Chen W, Lai R. Identification and Characterization of Cancer Stem-Like Cells in ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Using the SORE6 Reporter. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:543-557. [PMID: 34287231 PMCID: PMC8929104 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors Sox2 and Oct4 are essential in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells and conferring stemness in cancer stem-like (CSL) cells. SORE6, an in-vitro reporter system, was designed to quantify the transcription activity of Sox2/Oct4 and identify CSL cells in non-hematologic cancers. Using SORE6, we identified and enriched CSL cells in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK + ALCL). Two ALK + ALCL cell lines, SupM2 and UCONN-L2, contained approximately 20% of SORE6+ cells, which were purified based on their expression of green fluorescent protein. We then performed functional studies using single-cell clones derived from SORE6− and SORE6+ cells. Compared to SORE6− cells, SORE6+ cells were significantly more chemoresistant and clonogenic in colony-formation assays. Sox2/Oct4 are directly involved in conferring these CSL properties, since the shRNA knockdown of Sox2 in SORE6+ significantly lowered their chemoresistance, while enforced expression of Sox2/Oct4 in SORE6− cells produced opposite effects. Using Western blots, we found that the expression and subcellular localization of Sox2/Oct4 were similar between SORE6− and SORE6+ cells. However, in SORE6+ but not SORE6− cells, Sox2 and Oct4 abundantly bound to a probe containing the SORE6 consensus sequence. c-Myc, previously shown to regulate cancer stemness in ALK + ALCL, regulated the SORE6 activity. In conclusion, SORE6 is useful in identifying/enriching CSL cells in ALK + ALCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
- Electron Microscopy Center, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Moinul Haque
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
- College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, T12 AK54 Cork, Ireland
| | - Chuquan Shang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
| | - Bardes Hassan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Dongzhe Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
- Laboratory of Biology and Chemistry, Basic Medical Science College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150080, China
| | - Will Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
| | - Raymond Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (J.L.); (M.H.); (C.S.); (B.H.); (D.L.); (W.C.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R7, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Mamun MA, Mannoor K, Cao J, Qadri F, Song X. SOX2 in cancer stemness: tumor malignancy and therapeutic potentials. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 12:85-98. [PMID: 30517668 PMCID: PMC7109607 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjy080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a minor subpopulation of tumor bulks with self-renewal and seeding capacity to generate new tumors, posit a significant challenge to develop effective and long-lasting anti-cancer therapies. The emergence of drug resistance appears upon failure of chemo-/radiation therapy to eradicate the CSCs, thereby leading to CSC-mediated clinical relapse. Accumulating evidence suggests that transcription factor SOX2, a master regulator of embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, drives cancer stemness, fuels tumor initiation, and contributes to tumor aggressiveness through major drug resistance mechanisms like epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, ATP-binding cassette drug transporters, anti-apoptotic and/or pro-survival signaling, lineage plasticity, and evasion of immune surveillance. Gaining a better insight and comprehensive interrogation into the mechanistic basis of SOX2-mediated generation of CSCs and treatment failure might therefore lead to new therapeutic targets involving CSC-specific anti-cancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahfuz Al Mamun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kaiissar Mannoor
- Oncology Laboratory, Institute for Developing Science & Health Initiatives (ideSHi), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jun Cao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Firdausi Qadri
- Oncology Laboratory, Institute for Developing Science & Health Initiatives (ideSHi), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Xiaoyuan Song
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Bao Z, Ji W, Yang Y, Chen Z, Li Z, Wang K, Lu T, Yu Y, Xia W, Lu S. PAK5 promotes the cell stemness ability by phosphorylating SOX2 in lung squamous cell carcinomas. Exp Cell Res 2020; 395:112187. [PMID: 32721391 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidences suggest that the overexpression of p21-activated kinase 5 (PAK5) plays an important role in various tumor progression. However, the role of PAK5 and its downstream target gene(s) in lung squamous cell carcinomas (LUSC) are waiting to be elucidated. TCGA data were utilized to evaluate the expression levels of PAK5 in LUSC. We then explored the role of PAK5 in maintaining the stem-like phenotype of lung squamous cancer cells through RT-PCR, flow cytometry, oncosphere-forming assay. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation, western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were used to determine SOX2 as a novel effector of PAK5. Xenograft models in nude mice were established to explore the roles of PAK5 in lung cancer growth. In this study, we have shown that PAK5 is overexpressed in LUSC tissues. The absence of PAK5 abolishes self-renewal ability of LUSC cells by decreasing the expression and phosphorylation of SOX2 in vitro and in vivo. In xenograft models, knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of PAK5 suppressed the tumor growth and metastasis of lung squamous cancer cells in vivo. Taken together, our findings suggest that the PAK5-mediated SOX2 phosphorylation promoted the cancer stem cell-like phenotype of LUSC cells. PAK5 inhibition may be a promising target in the treatment of SOX2 positive lung squamous cell cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinan Bao
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Huashan Road 1954, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxiang Ji
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Huashan Road 1954, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziming Li
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaixuan Wang
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Lu
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfeng Yu
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiliang Xia
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Huashan Road 1954, 200030, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shun Lu
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, West Huaihai Road 241, 20030, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Oliphant MUJ, Kong D, Zhou H, Lewis MT, Ford HL. Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Role of Developmental pathways and pluripotency factors in normal mammary stem cells and breast cancer metastasis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2020; 25:85-102. [PMID: 32323111 PMCID: PMC7395869 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer initiation and progression are often observed as the result of dysregulation of normal developmental processes and pathways. Studies focused on normal mammary stem/progenitor cell activity have led to an understanding of how breast cancer cells acquire stemness-associated properties including tumor initiation, survival and multi-lineage differentiation into heterogeneous tumors that become difficult to target therapeutically. Importantly, more recent investigations have provided valuable insight into how key developmental regulators can impact multiple phases of metastasis, where they are repurposed to not only promote metastatic phenotypes such as migration, invasion and EMT at the primary site, but also to regulate the survival, initiation and maintenance of metastatic lesions at secondary organs. Herein, we discuss findings that have led to a better understanding of how embryonic and pluripotency factors contribute not only to normal mammary development, but also to metastatic progression. We further examine the therapeutic potential of targeting these developmental pathways, and discuss how a better understanding of compensatory mechanisms, crosstalk between pathways, and novel experimental models could provide critical insight into how we might exploit embryonic and pluripotency regulators to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M U J Oliphant
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Building C1, Room 513B, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hengbo Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - M T Lewis
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Radiology. Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine. One Baylor Plaza BCM600, Room N1210, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H L Ford
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Zhao G, Wang X, Qu L, Zhu Z, Hong J, Hou H, Li Z, Wang J, Lv Z. The Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Sex-Determining Region Y-Box 2 and its Prognostic Value in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Meta-Analysis. Breast Care (Basel) 2020; 16:16-26. [PMID: 33716628 DOI: 10.1159/000505806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Transcription factor SOX2 (sex-determining region Y-box 2) has a crucial role in the maintenance of the stem cell state. However, current evidence regarding the role of SOX2 in breast cancer is conflicting. We conducted this meta-analysis to clarify the association of SOX2 expression with clinical and molecular features and its prognostic effect on breast cancer. Methods All relevant articles were searched using electronic databases. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs: multivariate Cox survival analysis) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results A final total of 18 studies containing 3,080 patients with breast cancer were included. SOX2 protein expression was not related to age, menopausal status, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, molecular estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, triple-negative status, and the overall survival in breast cancer, but was closely associated with advanced tumor grade (grade 3 vs. grade 1-2: OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.85-4.06, p < 0.001), clinical stage (stage 3-4 vs. stage 0-2: OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.37-4.40, p = 0.002), pT stage (T stage 2-4 vs. T stage 1: OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.07-2.17, p = 0.019), molecular human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status (positive vs. negative: OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.21-2.14, p = 0.001), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status (positive vs. negative: OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.13-4.33, p = 0.021), and worse disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.20-5.91, p = 0.016) of breast cancer. Conclusions SOX2 expression is correlated with breast cancer progression, HER2 status, and EGFR status, and may be an independent prognostic marker for predicting poor DFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaozhen Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Limei Qu
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhu Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jinghui Hong
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Haiqin Hou
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zuonong Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Lv
- Cancer Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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10
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AKT drives SOX2 overexpression and cancer cell stemness in esophageal cancer by protecting SOX2 from UBR5-mediated degradation. Oncogene 2019; 38:5250-5264. [PMID: 30894683 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0790-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As a transcription factor critical for embryonic and adult stem cell self-renewal and function, SOX2 gene amplification has been recognized as a driving factor for various cancers including esophageal cancer. SOX2 overexpression occurs more broadly in cancer than gene amplification, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Here we showed that in esophageal cancer cell lines the levels of SOX2 proteins are not directly correlated to the copy numbers of SOX2 genes and are strongly influenced by proteostasis. We showed that AKT is a major determinant for SOX2 overexpression and does so by protecting SOX2 from ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. We identified UBR5 as a major ubiquitin E3 ligase that induces SOX2 degradation through ubiquitinating SOX2 at lysine 115. Phosphorylation of SOX2 at threonine 116 by AKT inhibits the interaction of UBR5 with SOX2 and thus stabilizes SOX2. We provided evidence that AKT inhibitor can effectively downregulate SOX2 and suppress esopheageal cancer cell proliferation and stemness. Taken together, our study provides new insight into the mechanism of SOX2 overexpression in cancer and evidence for targeting AKT as a potential therapeutic strategy for SOX2-positive cancers.
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11
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Lichtenegger E, Koll F, Haas H, Mantwill K, Janssen KP, Laschinger M, Gschwend J, Steiger K, Black PC, Moskalev I, Nawroth R, Holm PS. The Oncolytic Adenovirus XVir-N-31 as a Novel Therapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 30:44-56. [PMID: 29916265 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer represents approximately 25% of diagnosed bladder cancer cases and carries a significant risk of death. Oncolytic viruses are novel antitumor agents with the ability to selectively replicate and lyse tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. We explored the efficiency of the oncolytic YB-1-selective adenovirus XVir-N-31 in vitro and in an orthotopic mouse model for bladder cancer by intramural injection under ultrasound guidance. We demonstrated that XVir-N-31 replicated in bladder cancer cells and induced a stronger immunogenic cell death than wild-type adenovirus by facilitating enhanced release of HMGB1 and exosomal Hsp70. The intratumoral delivery of XVir-N-31 by ultrasound guidance delayed tumor growth in an immunodeficient model, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach to deliver oncolytic viruses directly into the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lichtenegger
- 1 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florestan Koll
- 1 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helena Haas
- 2 Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Mantwill
- 1 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Janssen
- 3 Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Laschinger
- 3 Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gschwend
- 1 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- 4 Department of Pathology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter C Black
- 5 The Vancouver Prostate Centre and Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Igor Moskalev
- 5 The Vancouver Prostate Centre and Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Roman Nawroth
- 1 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Per Sonne Holm
- 1 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,6 XVir Therapeutics GmbH, Munich, Germany
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