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Shalev N, Kendall M, Kumar N, Tiwari S, Anil SM, Hauschner H, Swamy SG, Doron-Faingenboim A, Belausov E, Kendall BE, Koltai H. Integrated transcriptome and cell phenotype analysis suggest involvement of PARP1 cleavage, Hippo/Wnt, TGF-β and MAPK signaling pathways in ovarian cancer cells response to cannabis and PARP1 inhibitor treatment. Front Genet 2024; 15:1333964. [PMID: 38322025 PMCID: PMC10844430 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1333964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabis sativa is utilized mainly for palliative care worldwide. Ovarian cancer (OC) is a lethal gynecologic cancer. A particular cannabis extract fraction ('F7') and the Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitor niraparib act synergistically to promote OC cell apoptosis. Here we identified genetic pathways that are altered by the synergistic treatment in OC cell lines Caov3 and OVCAR3. Materials and methods: Gene expression profiles were determined by RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR. Microscopy was used to determine actin arrangement, a scratch assay to determine cell migration and flow cytometry to determine apoptosis, cell cycle and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. Western blotting was used to determine protein levels. Results: Gene expression results suggested variations in gene expression between the two cell lines examined. Multiple genetic pathways, including Hippo/Wnt, TGF-β/Activin and MAPK were enriched with genes differentially expressed by niraparib and/or F7 treatments in both cell lines. Niraparib + F7 treatment led to cell cycle arrest and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inhibited cell migration, reduced the % of ALDH positive cells in the population and enhanced PARP1 cleavage. Conclusion: The synergistic effect of the niraparib + F7 may result from the treatment affecting multiple genetic pathways involving cell death and reducing mesenchymal characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurit Shalev
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | | | - Navin Kumar
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Sudeep Tiwari
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Seegehalli M. Anil
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Hagit Hauschner
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Savvemala G. Swamy
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Adi Doron-Faingenboim
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Eduard Belausov
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | | | - Hinanit Koltai
- Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Institute of Plant Science, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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2
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Brito DMS, Lima OG, Mesquita FP, da Silva EL, de Moraes MEA, Burbano RMR, Montenegro RC, Souza PFN. A Shortcut from Genome to Drug: The Employment of Bioinformatic Tools to Find New Targets for Gastric Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2303. [PMID: 37765273 PMCID: PMC10535099 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly heterogeneous, complex disease and the fifth most common cancer worldwide (about 1 million cases and 784,000 deaths worldwide in 2018). GC has a poor prognosis (the 5-year survival rate is less than 20%), but there is an effort to find genes highly expressed during tumor establishment and use the related proteins as targets to find new anticancer molecules. Data were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) bank to obtain three dataset matrices analyzing gastric tumor tissue versus normal gastric tissue and involving microarray analysis performed using the GPL570 platform and different sources. The data were analyzed using the GEPIA tool for differential expression and KMPlot for survival analysis. For more robustness, GC data from the TCGA database were used to corroborate the analysis of data from GEO. The genes found in in silico analysis in both GEO and TCGA were confirmed in several lines of GC cells by RT-qPCR. The AlphaFold Protein Structure Database was used to find the corresponding proteins. Then, a structure-based virtual screening was performed to find molecules, and docking analysis was performed using the DockThor server. Our in silico and RT-qPCR analysis results confirmed the high expression of the AJUBA, CD80 and NOLC1 genes in GC lines. Thus, the corresponding proteins were used in SBVS analysis. There were three molecules, one molecule for each target, MCULE-2386589557-0-6, MCULE-9178344200-0-1 and MCULE-5881513100-0-29. All molecules had favorable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicological properties. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the molecules interact with proteins in critical sites for their activity. Using a virtual screening approach, a molecular docking study was performed for proteins encoded by genes that play important roles in cellular functions for carcinogenesis. Combining a systematic collection of public microarray data with a comparative meta-profiling, RT-qPCR, SBVS and molecular docking analysis provided a suitable approach for finding genes involved in GC and working with the corresponding proteins to search for new molecules with anticancer properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane M. S. Brito
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
| | - Odnan G. Lima
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
| | - Felipe P. Mesquita
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
| | - Emerson L. da Silva
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
| | - Maria E. A. de Moraes
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
| | - Rommel M. R. Burbano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oncology Research Center, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66073-005, Brazil;
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ophir Loyola Hospital, Belém 66063-240, Brazil
| | - Raquel C. Montenegro
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
- Red Latinoamericana de Implementación y Validación de Guias Clinicas Farmacogenomicas (RELIVAF), Cyted, 28015 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro F. N. Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-160, Brazil
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3
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Weidle UH, Nopora A. Up-regulated Circular RNAs in Colorectal Cancer: New Entities for Therapy and Tools for Identification of Therapeutic Targets. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2023; 20:132-153. [PMID: 36870691 PMCID: PMC9989668 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with disseminated colorectal cancer have a dismal prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of only 13%. In order to identify new treatment modalities and new targets, we searched the literature for up-regulated circular RNAs in colorectal cancer which induce tumor growth in corresponding preclinical in vivo models. We identified nine circular RNAs that mediate resistance against chemotherapeutic agents, seven that up-regulate transmembrane receptors, five that induce secreted factors, nine that activate signaling components, five which up-regulate enzymes, six which activate actin-related proteins, six which induce transcription factors and two which up-regulate the MUSASHI family of RNA binding proteins. All of the circular RNAs discussed in this paper induce the corresponding targets by sponging microRNAs (miRs) and can be inhibited by RNAi or shRNA in vitro and in xenograft models. We have focused on circular RNAs with demonstrated activity in preclinical in vivo models because the latter is an important milestone in drug development. All circular RNAs with in vitro activity only data are not referenced in this review. The translational impact of inhibition of these circular RNAs and of the identified targets for treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich H Weidle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Adam Nopora
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
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Yu QX, Zhao WJ, Wang HY, Zhang L, Qin L, Zhang L, Han JL. Case Report: Identification of a novel NTRK3-AJUBA fusion co-existing with ETV6-NTRK3 fusion in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1123812. [PMID: 37188179 PMCID: PMC10176450 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1123812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
NTRK fusions are validated oncogenic drivers of various adult and pediatric tumor types, including thyroid cancer, and serve as a therapeutic target. Recently, tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors, such as entrectinib and larotrectinib, display promising therapeutic efficacy in NTRK-positive solid tumors. Although some NTRK fusion partners have been identified in thyroid cancer, the spectrum of NTRK fusion is not fully characterized. In this study, a dual NTRK3 fusion was identified by targeted RNA-Seq in a 47-year-old female patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient harbors a novel in-frame fusion between NTRK3 exon 13 and AJUBA exon 2, co-existing with a known in-frame fusion between ETV6 exon 4 and NTRK3 exon 14. The dual NTRK3 fusion was validated by Sanger sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) but lack TRK protein expression as defined by pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC). We supposed the pan-TRK IHC result to be falsely negative. In conclusion, we present the first case of a novel NTRK3-AJUBA fusion co-existing with a known ETV6-NTRK3 fusion in thyroid cancer. These findings extend the spectrum of translocation partners in NTRK3 fusion, and the effect of dual NTRK3 fusion on TRK inhibitor therapy and prognosis needs long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Xiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Digital Technology in Medical Diagnostics of Zhejiang Province, Dian Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhao
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - He-Yue Wang
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lan Qin
- Clinical Genome Center, Dian Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Technology in Medical Diagnostics of Zhejiang Province, Dian Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Zhang, ; Jian-li Han,
| | - Jian-li Han
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Zhang, ; Jian-li Han,
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5
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Tailor A, Estephan H, Parker R, Woodhouse I, Abdulghani M, Nicastri A, Jones K, Salatino S, Muschel R, Humphrey T, Giaccia A, Ternette N. Ionizing Radiation Drives Key Regulators of Antigen Presentation and a Global Expansion of the Immunopeptidome. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100410. [PMID: 36089194 PMCID: PMC9579046 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the pathways regulating MHC antigen presentation and the identity of treatment-specific T cell antigens induced by ionizing radiation. For this reason, we investigated the radiation-specific changes in the colorectal tumor cell proteome. We found an increase in DDX58 and ZBP1 protein expression, two nucleic acid sensing molecules likely involved in induction of the dominant interferon response signature observed after genotoxic insult. We further observed treatment-induced changes in key regulators and effector proteins of the antigen processing and presentation machinery. Differential regulation of MHC allele expression was further driving the presentation of a significantly broader MHC-associated peptidome postirradiation, defining a radiation-specific peptide repertoire. Interestingly, treatment-induced peptides originated predominantly from proteins involved in catecholamine synthesis and metabolic pathways. A nuanced relationship between protein expression and antigen presentation was observed where radiation-induced changes in proteins do not correlate with increased presentation of associated peptides. Finally, we detected an increase in the presentation of a tumor-specific neoantigen derived from Mtch1. This study provides new insights into how radiation enhances antigen processing and presentation that could be suitable for the development of combinatorial therapies. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD032003.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Tailor
- Oxford Cancer Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Hala Estephan
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Parker
- Oxford Cancer Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Isaac Woodhouse
- Oxford Cancer Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Majd Abdulghani
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Annalisa Nicastri
- Oxford Cancer Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Keaton Jones
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Salatino
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford, Unitied Kingdom
| | - Ruth Muschel
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Humphrey
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Amato Giaccia
- Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Ternette
- Oxford Cancer Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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6
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Song N, Liu J, Zhang K, Yang J, Cui K, Miao Z, Zhao F, Meng H, Chen L, Chen C, Li Y, Shao M, Su W, Wang H. The LIM Protein AJUBA is a Potential Oncogenic Target and Prognostic Marker in Human Cancer via Pan-Cancer Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921897. [PMID: 35898403 PMCID: PMC9309301 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921897] [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: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The LIM (Lin-11, Isl1, MEC-3) domain protein AJUBA is involved in multiple biological functions, and its aberrant expression is related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. However, there are no analytical studies on AJUBA in pan-cancer. Methods: We performed a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis and explored the potential oncogenic roles of AJUBA, including gene expression, genetic mutation, protein phosphorylation, clinical diagnostic biomarker, prognosis, and AJUBA-related immune infiltration based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases. Results: The results revealed that the expression of AJUBA highly correlated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with different types of cancer. Meanwhile, AJUBA expression was positively correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts in many human cancers, such as breast invasive carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, brain lower-grade glioma, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses showed that AJUBA is mainly involved in protein serine/threonine kinase activity, cell–cell junction, covalent chromatin modification, and Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusion: The pan-cancer study reveals the oncogenic roles of AJUBA and provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular biological genetic information of AJUBA in various tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Kai Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhuang Miao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Feiyue Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongjing Meng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Lu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chong Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yushan Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Minglong Shao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wei Su
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haijun Wang,
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7
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Dommann N, Gavini J, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Baier FA, Birrer F, Loforese G, Candinas D, Stroka D. LIM protein Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation through its involvement in DNA replication and DNA damage control. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1746-1764. [PMID: 35535434 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The LIM-domain protein Ajuba is associated with cell proliferation, a fundamental process of tissue regeneration and cancer. We report that in the liver, Ajuba expression is increased during regeneration and in tumor cells and tissues. Knockout of Ajuba using CRISPR/Cas9 is embryonic lethal in mice. shRNA targeting of Ajuba reduces cell proliferation, delays cell entry into S-phase, reduces cell survival and tumor growth in vivo, and increases expression of the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Ajuba binding partners include proteins involved in DNA replication and damage, such as SKP2, MCM2, MCM7 and RPA70. Taken together, our data support that Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation associated with development, regeneration, and tumor growth and is involved in DNA replication and damage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlle Dommann
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Gavini
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Felix Alexander Baier
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Birrer
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Loforese
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
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8
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Ajuba Overexpression Promotes Breast Cancer Chemoresistance and Glucose Uptake through TAZ-GLUT3/Survivin Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:3321409. [PMID: 35178446 PMCID: PMC8844350 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3321409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The LIM protein Ajuba has been implicated in the development of human cancers. To date, its expression pattern and biological significance in breast cancers (BC) have not been fully investigated. In the current study, we examined Ajuba protein levels in 93 invasive ductal carcinoma specimens by immunohistochemistry. The Ajuba expression level was elevated in breast cancer tissue compared with normal tissue. Ajuba overexpression is correlated with advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, positive node status, and adverse patient outcomes. The Ajuba protein level was also higher in BC cell lines compared to normal breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A. Ectopically expressed Ajuba in MCF-7 cells stimulated in vitro and in vivo cell growth, invasion, cell cycle progression, and decreased paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) followed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis showed that Ajuba overexpression regulated the Hippo signaling pathway. Ajuba overexpression also increased glucose uptake and increased expression of TAZ, GLUT3, and Survivin. TAZ knockdown abolished the role of Ajuba on GLUT3 and Survivin induction. The ChIP assay showed that TEAD4, a major TAZ binding transcription factor, could bind to the GLUT3 and Survivin promoter regions. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that elevated Ajuba expression is correlated with poor BC prognosis and regulated malignant behavior through TAZ-GLUT3/Survivin signaling in BC cells.
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9
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Wu Z, Zou X, Xu Y, Zhou F, Kuai R, Li J, Yang D, Chu Y, Peng H. Ajuba transactivates N-cadherin expression in colorectal cancer cells through interaction with Twist. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8006-8014. [PMID: 34173718 PMCID: PMC8358848 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ajuba is a multiple LIM domain‐containing protein and functions as a transcriptional coregulator to modulate many gene expressions in various cellular processes. Here, we describe that the LIM domain of Ajuba interacts with Twist, and the Twist box is a pivotal motif for the interaction. Biologically, Ajuba enhances transcription of target gene N‐cadherin as an obligate coactivator of Twist. The enhancement is achieved by binding to the E‐box element within N‐cadherin promoter as revealed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mechanistic investigation demonstrates that Ajuba recruits CBP and Twist to form a ternary complex at the Twist target promoter region and concomitantly enhances histone acetylation at these sites. These findings identify that Twist is a new interacting protein of Ajuba and Ajuba/Twist/CBP ternary complex may be a potential treatment strategy for Twist‐related tumour metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxia Wu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuqun Zou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Cellular Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengli Zhou
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Kuai
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji Li
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daming Yang
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Chu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixia Peng
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Schleicher K, Schramek D. AJUBA: A regulator of epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:546-559. [PMID: 33372298 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epidermis, outermost layer of the skin, is constantly renewing itself through proliferative and differentiation processes. These processes are vital to maintain proper epidermal integrity during skin development and homeostasis and for preventing skin diseases and cancers. The biological mechanisms that permit this balancing act are vast, where individual pathway regulators are known, but the exact regulatory control and cross-talk between simultaneously turning one biological pathway on and an opposing one off remain elusive. This review explores the diverse roles the scaffolding protein AJUBA plays during epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Initially identified for its role in promoting meiotic progression in oocytes through Grb2 and MAP kinase activity, AJUBA also maintains cytoskeletal tension permitting epidermal tissue development and responds to retinoic acid committing cells to initiate development of surface epidermal layer. AJUBA regulates proliferation of skin stem cells through Hippo and Wnt signalling and encourages mitotic commitment through Aurora-A, Aurora-B and CDK1. In addition, AJUBA also induces epidermal differentiation to maintain appropriate epidermal thickness and barrier function by activating Notch signalling and stabilizing catenins and actin during cellular remodelling. AJUBA also plays an imperative context-dependent tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive role within epithelial cancers. AJUBA's abundant roles within the epidermis signify its importance as a molecular switchboard, vetting multiple signalling pathways to control epidermal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Schleicher
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Schramek
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Stucky A, Gao L, Sun L, Li SC, Chen X, Park TH, Cai J, Kabeer MH, Zhang X, Sinha UK, Zhong JF. Evidence for AJUBA-catenin-CDH4-linked differentiation resistance of mesenchymal stem cells implies tumorigenesis and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a single-cell transcriptome approach. BLOOD AND GENOMICS 2021; 5:29-39. [PMID: 34368804 PMCID: PMC8346230 DOI: 10.46701/bg.2021012021106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of reports indicate that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an essential role in promoting tumorigenesis and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Using the MSC model system, this study analyzes the molecular pathway by which differentiation resistant MSCs promote HNSCC. MSCs were cultured in osteogenic differentiation media and harvested on days 12 and 19. Cells were stained for cell differentiation analysis using Alizarin Red. The osteogenesis-resistant MSCs (OR-MSCs) and MSC-differentiation-derived osteoblasts (D-OSTBs) were identified and subjected to the single-cell transcriptome analysis. Gene-specific analyses of these two sub-populations were performed for the patterns of differential expression. A total of 1 780 differentially expressed genes were determined to distinguish OR-MSCs significantly from D-OSTB. Notably, AJUBA, β-catenin, and CDH4 expression levels were upregulated considerably within the OR-MSCs compared to D-OSTBs. To confirm their clinical relevance, a survey of a clinical cohort revealed a high correlation among the expression levels of AJUBA, β-catenin and CDH4. The results shed new light that OR-MSCs participate in the development of HNSCC via a pathway mediated by AJUBA, β-catenin, CDH4, and CTNNB1, thereby implying that MSC-based therapy is a promising therapeutic approach in the management of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Stucky
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Lan Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Shengwen Calvin Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience Research, CHOC Children's Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Orange, CA 92868, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California - Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Xuelian Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Tiffany H. Park
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jin Cai
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Mustafa H. Kabeer
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA 92868, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California - Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Uttam K. Sinha
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jiang F. Zhong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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