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Zeng W, Wu Z, Xu Y, Yang W, Zhang B. Furin-Catalyzed Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probe for Differential Diagnosis of Malignant Breast Cancers. Anal Chem 2024; 96:6707-6714. [PMID: 38631336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (mMRI) of biomarkers is essential for accurate cancer detection in precision medicine. However, the current clinically used contrast agents provide structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) information only and rarely provide mMRI information. Here, a tumor-specific furin-catalyzed nanoprobe (NP) was reported for differential diagnosis of malignant breast cancers (BCs) in vivo. This NP with a compact structure of Fe3O4@Gd-DOTA NPs (FFG NPs) contains an "always-on" T2-weighted MR signal provided by the magnetic Fe3O4 core and a furin-catalyzed enhanced T1-weighted MR signal provided by the Gd-DOTA moiety. The FFG NPs were found to produce an activated T1 signal in the presence of furin catalysis and an "always-on" T2 signal, providing mMRI and sMRI information simultaneously. Ratiometric mMRI:sMRI intensity can be used for differential diagnosis of malignant BCs MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, where the furin levels relatively differ. The proposed probe not only provides structural imaging but also enables real-time molecular differential visualization of BC through enzymatic activities of cancer tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Zhuoyao Wu
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Weitao Yang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Bingbo Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
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Zaafour A, Seeneevassen L, Nguyen TL, Genevois C, Nicolas N, Sifré E, Giese A, Porcheron C, Descarpentrie J, Dubus P, Khatib AM, Varon C. Inhibition of proprotein convertases activity results in repressed stemness and invasiveness of cancer stem cells in gastric cancer. Gastric Cancer 2024; 27:292-307. [PMID: 38280128 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-023-01462-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC), the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with most deaths caused by advanced and metastatic disease, has limited curative options. Here, we revealed the importance of proprotein convertases (PCs) in the malignant and metastatic potential of GC cells through the regulation of the YAP/TAZ/TEAD pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer stem cells (CSC). METHODS The general PCs inhibitor, decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethyl-ketone (CMK), was used to repress PCs activity in CSCs of various GC cell lines. Their tumorigenic properties, drug resistance, YAP/TAZ/TEAD pathway activity, and invasive properties were then investigated in vitro, and their metastatic properties were explored in a mouse xenograft model. The prognostic value of PCs in GC patients was also explored in molecular databases of GC. RESULTS Inhibition of PCs activity in CSCs in all GC cell lines reduced tumorsphere formation and growth, drug efflux, EMT phenotype, and invasive properties that are associated with repressed YAP/TAZ/TEAD pathway activity in vitro. In vivo, PCs' inhibition in GC cells reduced their metastatic spread. Molecular analysis of tumors from GC patients has highlighted the prognostic value of PCs. CONCLUSIONS PCs are overexpressed in GC and associated with poor prognosis. PCs are involved in the malignant and metastatic potential of CSCs via the regulation of EMT, the YAP/TAZ/TEAD oncogenic pathway, and their stemness and invasive properties. Their repression represents a new strategy to target CSCs and impair metastatic spreading in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Zaafour
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lornella Seeneevassen
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tra Ly Nguyen
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Coralie Genevois
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
- Vivoptic Platform, CNRS, INSERM TBM-Core UAR3427 US5, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nour Nicolas
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Elodie Sifré
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Alban Giese
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Chloé Porcheron
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean Descarpentrie
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Dubus
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Histology and Pathology, CHU Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Christine Varon
- BoRdeaux Institute of onCology (BRIC), INSERM U1312, Univ. Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
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Kane JF, Johnson RW. Re-Evaluating the Role of PTHrP in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2670. [PMID: 37345007 PMCID: PMC10216606 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Parathyroid-hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a protein with a long history of association with bone metastatic cancers. The paracrine signaling of PTHrP through the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR1) facilitates tumor-induced bone destruction, and PTHrP is known as the primary driver of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In addition to paracrine signaling, PTHrP is capable of intracrine signaling independent of PTHR1 binding, which is essential for cytokine-like functions in normal physiological conditions in a variety of tissue types. Pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating the role of PTHrP in breast cancer have yielded contradictory conclusions, in some cases indicating the protein is tumor suppressive, and in other studies, pro-growth. This review discusses the possible molecular basis for the disharmonious prognostic indications of these studies and highlights the implications of the paracrine, intracrine, and nuclear functions of the protein. This review also examines the current understanding of the functional domains of PTHrP and re-evaluates their role in the unique context of the breast cancer environment. This review will expand on the current understanding of PTHrP by attempting to reconcile the functional domains of the protein with its intracrine signaling in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy F. Kane
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rachelle W. Johnson
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Loss of hypothalamic Furin affects POMC to proACTH cleavage and feeding behavior in high-fat diet-fed mice. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101627. [PMID: 36374777 PMCID: PMC9664468 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The hypothalamus regulates feeding and glucose homeostasis through the balanced action of different neuropeptides, which are cleaved and activated by the proprotein convertases PC1/3 and PC2. However, the recent association of polymorphisms in the proprotein convertase FURIN with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, prompted us to investigate the role of FURIN in hypothalamic neurons controlling glucose and feeding. METHODS POMC-Cre+/- mice were bred with Furinfl/fl mice to generate conditional knockout mice with Furin-deletion in neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin (POMCFurKO), and Furinfl/fl mice were used as controls. POMCFurKO and controls were periodically monitored on both normal chow diet and high fat diet (HFD) for body weight and glucose tolerance by established in-vivo procedures. Food intake was measured in HFD-fed FurKO and controls. Hypothalamic Pomc mRNA was measured by RT-qPCR. ELISAs quantified POMC protein and resulting peptides in the hypothalamic extracts of POMCFurKO mice and controls. The in-vitro processing of POMC was studied by biochemical techniques in HEK293T and CHO cell lines lacking FURIN. RESULTS In control mice, Furin mRNA levels were significantly upregulated on HFD feeding, suggesting an increased demand for FURIN activity in obesogenic conditions. Under these conditions, the POMCFurKO mice were hyperphagic and had increased body weight compared to Furinfl/fl mice. Moreover, protein levels of POMC were elevated and ACTH concentrations markedly reduced. Also, the ratio of α-MSH/POMC was decreased in POMCFurKO mice compared to controls. This indicates that POMC processing was significantly reduced in the hypothalami of POMCFurKO mice, highlighting for the first time the involvement of FURIN in the cleavage of POMC. Importantly, we found that in vitro, the first stage in processing where POMC is cleaved into proACTH was achieved by FURIN but not by PC1/3 or the other proprotein convertases in cell lines lacking a regulated secretory pathway. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that FURIN processes POMC into proACTH before sorting into the regulated secretory pathway, challenging the dogma that PC1/3 and PC2 are the only convertases responsible for POMC cleavage. Furthermore, its deletion affects feeding behaviors under obesogenic conditions.
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5
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Xie YZ, Peng CW, Su ZQ, Huang HT, Liu XH, Zhan SF, Huang XF. A Practical Strategy for Exploring the Pharmacological Mechanism of Luteolin Against COVID-19/Asthma Comorbidity: Findings of System Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 12:769011. [PMID: 35069542 PMCID: PMC8777084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.769011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma patients may increase their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the poor prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, anti-COVID-19/asthma comorbidity approaches are restricted on condition. Existing evidence indicates that luteolin has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation capabilities. We aimed to evaluate the possibility of luteolin evolving into an ideal drug and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of luteolin against COVID-19/asthma comorbidity. We used system pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis to assess the physicochemical properties and biological activities of luteolin and further analyze the binding activities, targets, biological functions, and mechanisms of luteolin against COVID-19/asthma comorbidity. We found that luteolin may exert ideal physicochemical properties and bioactivity, and molecular docking analysis confirmed that luteolin performed effective binding activities in COVID-19/asthma comorbidity. Furthermore, a protein–protein interaction network of 538 common targets between drug and disease was constructed and 264 hub targets were obtained. Then, the top 6 hub targets of luteolin against COVID-19/asthma comorbidity were identified, namely, TP53, AKT1, ALB, IL-6, TNF, and VEGFA. Furthermore, the enrichment analysis suggested that luteolin may exert effects on virus defense, regulation of inflammation, cell growth and cell replication, and immune responses, reducing oxidative stress and regulating blood circulation through the Toll-like receptor; MAPK, TNF, AGE/RAGE, EGFR, ErbB, HIF-1, and PI3K–AKT signaling pathways; PD-L1 expression; and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. The possible “dangerous liaison” between COVID-19 and asthma is still a potential threat to world health. This research is the first to explore whether luteolin could evolve into a drug candidate for COVID-19/asthma comorbidity. This study indicated that luteolin with superior drug likeness and bioactivity has great potential to be used for treating COVID-19/asthma comorbidity, but the predicted results still need to be rigorously verified by experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Zi Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,The First Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Wen Peng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,The First Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zu-Qing Su
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Ting Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shao-Feng Zhan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Fang Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Lingnan Medical Research Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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He Z, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. The proprotein convertase furin in cancer: more than an oncogene. Oncogene 2022; 41:1252-1262. [PMID: 34997216 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Furin is the first discovered proprotein convertase member and is present in almost all mammalian cells. Therefore, by regulating the maturation of a wide range of proproteins, Furin expression and/or activity is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes ranging from embryonic development to carcinogenesis. Since many of these protein precursors are involved in initiating and maintaining the hallmarks of cancer, Furin has been proposed as a potential target for treating several human cancers. In contrast, other studies have revealed that some types of cancer do not benefit from Furin inhibition. Therefore, understanding the heterogeneous functions of Furin in cancer will provide important insights into the design of effective strategies targeting Furin in cancer treatment. Here, we present recent advances in understanding how Furin expression and activity are regulated in cancer cells and their influences on the activity of Furin substrates in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how Furin represses tumorigenic properties of several cancer cells and why Furin inhibition leads to aggressive phenotypes in other tumors. Finally, we summarize the clinical applications of Furin inhibition in treating human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR 1029, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, Pessac, France.
- Institut Bergoinié, Bordeaux, France.
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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7
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Khezri MR, Varzandeh R, Ghasemnejad-Berenji M. The probable role and therapeutic potential of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SARS-CoV-2 induced coagulopathy. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:6. [PMID: 35016612 PMCID: PMC8751460 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00308-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with a high mortality rate. The majority of deaths in this disease are caused by ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) followed by cytokine storm and coagulation complications. Although alterations in the level of the number of coagulation factors have been detected in samples from COVID-19 patients, the direct molecular mechanism which has been involved in this pathologic process has not been explored yet. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is an intracellular pathway which plays a central role in cell survival. Also, in recent years the association between this pathway and coagulopathies has been well clarified. Therefore, based on the evidence on over-activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection, in the current review, the probable role of this cellular pathway as a therapeutic target for the prevention of coagulation complications in patients with COVID-19 is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rafi Khezri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Sero Road, 5715799313, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Reza Varzandeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Sero Road, 5715799313, Urmia, Iran
| | - Morteza Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Sero Road, 5715799313, Urmia, Iran. .,Research Center for Experimental and Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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8
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Li D, Liu X, Zhang L, He J, Chen X, Liu S, Fu J, Fu S, Chen H, Fu J, Cheng J. COVID-19 disease and malignant cancers: The impact for the furin gene expression in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3954-3967. [PMID: 34671211 PMCID: PMC8495395 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.63072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin is a proprotein convertase that activates different kinds of regulatory proteins, including SARS-CoV-2 spike protein which contains an additional furin-specific cleavage site. It is essential in predicting cancer patients' susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and the disease outcomes due to varying furin expressions in tumor tissues. In this study, we analyzed furin's expression, methylation, mutation rate, functional enrichment, survival rate and COVID-19 outcomes in normal and cancer tissues using online databases, and our IHC. As a result, furin presented with biased expression profiles in normal tissues, showing 12.25-fold higher than ACE2 in the lungs. The furin expression in tumors were significantly increased in ESCA and TGCT, and decreased in DLBC and THYM, indicating furin may play critical mechanistic functions in COVID-19 viral entry into cells in these cancer patients. Line with furin over/downexpression, furin promoter hypo-/hyper-methylation may be the regulatory cause of disease and lead to pathogenesis of ESCA and THYM. Furthermore, presence of FURIN-201 isoform with functional domains (P_proprotein, Peptidase_S8 and S8_pro-domain) is highest in all cancer types in comparison to other isoforms, demonstrating its use in tumorigenesis and SARS-Cov-2 entry into tumor tissues. Furin mutation frequency was highest in UCES, and its mutation might elevate ACE2 expression in LUAD and UCEC, reduce ACE2 expression in COAD, elevate HSPA5 expression in PAAD, and elevate TMPRSS2 expression in BRCA. These results showed that furin mutations mostly increased expression of ACE2, HSPA5, and TMPRSS2 in certain cancers, indicating furin mutations might facilitate COVID-19 cell entry in cancer patients. In addition, high expression of furin was significantly inversely correlated with long overall survival (OS) in LGG and correlated with long OS in COAD and KIRC, indicating that it could be used as a favorable prognostic marker for cancer patients' survival. GO and KEGG demonstrated that furin was mostly enriched in genes for metabolic and biosynthetic processes, retinal dehydrogenase activity, tRNA methyltransferase activity, and genes involving COVID-19, further supporting its role in COVID-19 and cancer metabolism. Moreover, Cordycepin (CD) inhibited furin expression in a dosage dependent manner. Altogether, furin's high expression might not only implies increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and higher severity of COVID-19 symptoms in cancer patients, but also it highlights the need for cancer treatment and therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. CD might have a potential to develop an anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug through inhibiting furin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabing Li
- Basic Medical School, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lianmei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiayue He
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xianmao Chen
- Basic Medical School, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shuguang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiewen Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shangyi Fu
- School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 77030, Texas, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 77030, Texas, USA
| | - Hanchun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.,Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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9
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Coppola I, Brouwers B, Meulemans S, Ramos-Molina B, Creemers JWM. Differential Effects of Furin Deficiency on Insulin Receptor Processing and Glucose Control in Liver and Pancreatic β Cells of Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6344. [PMID: 34198511 PMCID: PMC8231939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) is critically involved in maintaining glucose homeostasis. It undergoes proteolytic cleavage by proprotein convertases, which is an essential step for its activation. The importance of the insulin receptor in liver is well established, but its role in pancreatic β cells is still controversial. In this study, we investigated the cleavage of the IR by the proprotein convertase FURIN in β cells and hepatocytes, and the contribution of the IR in pancreatic β cells and liver to glucose homeostasis. β-cell-specific Furin knockout (βFurKO) mice were glucose intolerant, but liver-specific Furin knockout (LFurKO) mice were normoglycemic. Processing of the IR was blocked in βFurKO cells, but unaffected in LFurKO mice. Most strikingly, glucose homeostasis in β-cell-specific IR knockout (βIRKO) mice was normal in younger mice (up to 20 weeks), and only mildly affected in older mice (24 weeks). In conclusion, FURIN cleaves the IR non-redundantly in β cells, but redundantly in liver. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the IR in β cells plays a limited role in glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Coppola
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Bas Brouwers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Sandra Meulemans
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
- Obesity and Metabolism Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - John W. M. Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
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10
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Liet B, Nys N, Siegfried G. Elabela/toddler: New peptide with a promising future in cancer diagnostic and therapy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119065. [PMID: 34090960 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Elabela/toddler is the second endogenous ligand recently identified after Apelin, that binds to the G protein-coupled receptor APJ. Elabela is a 54-amino acid peptide initially identified in fish and human genomes and classified as noncoding. This precursor can be cleaved to shorter sequences (32, 21, and 11 amino acids), which bind and activate APJ, and can be blocked by APJ antagonists. Contrary to Apelin and APJ, widely distributed in organs and tissues, Elabela expression is more restricted, and different studies have revealed the potential role of Elabela in cancers. This review summarizes the current studies focusing on the role of Elabela in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1029 LAMC, F-33400 Talence, France; Université de Bordeaux F-33400, Talence, France
| | - Nicolas Nys
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1029 LAMC, F-33400 Talence, France; Université de Bordeaux F-33400, Talence, France
| | - Geraldine Siegfried
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1029 LAMC, F-33400 Talence, France; Université de Bordeaux F-33400, Talence, France.
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11
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Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: a possible target for adjuvant therapy in COVID-19. Hum Cell 2021; 34:700-701. [PMID: 33432441 PMCID: PMC7800287 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-021-00484-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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