E-Cadherin Regulates Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Cancer Cells

Spatial and single-cell profiling of the metabolome, transcriptome and epigenome of the aging mouse liver

Tissues within an organism and even cell types within a tissue can age with different velocities. However, it is unclear whether cells of one type experience different aging trajectories within a tissue depending on their spatial location. Here, we used spatial transcriptomics in combination with single-cell ATAC-seq and RNA-seq, lipidomics and functional assays to address how cells in the male murine liver are affected by age-related changes in the microenvironment. Integration of the datasets revealed zonation-specific and age-related changes in metabolic states, the epigenome and transcriptome. The epigenome changed in a zonation-dependent manner and functionally, periportal hepatocytes were characterized by decreased mitochondrial fitness, whereas pericentral hepatocytes accumulated large lipid droplets. Together, we provide evidence that changing microenvironments within a tissue exert strong influences on their resident cells that can shape epigenetic, metabolic and phenotypic outputs.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Esculetin-Furoxan-DEAC Ternary Hybrids for Anti-Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Twelve new hybrid compounds of Esculetin with nitric oxide (NO) donors and/or mitochondrial targeting groups were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anti-tumor activity and mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the most potent compound A11 exhibited nanomolar antiproliferative activity on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 = 8 nM) with a strikingly selective inhibitory effect. The mechanism of A11 involves targeting MDA-MB-231 cells' mitochondria, releasing a high NO concentration, and increasing the expression of cyclophilin D (CypD), leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggering cancer cell apoptosis. Additionally, A11 could arrest the cell cycle at the G2/M phase to achieve anti-tumor effects. Moreover, A11 demonstrated a superior TNBC inhibition rate and diminished toxicity relative to doxorubicin (DOX) in vivo. In summary, A11 serves as a noteworthy contender for TNBC treatment with high potency and minimal toxicity.

Pterostilbene-isothiocyanate reduces miR-21 level by impeding Dicer-mediated processing of pre-miR-21 in 5-fluorouracil and tamoxifen-resistant human breast cancer cell lines

Converging evidences identifies that microRNA-21 (miR-21) is responsible for drug resistance in breast cancer. This study aims to evaluate the miR-21-modulatory potential of a hybrid compound, pterostilbene-isothiocyanate (PTER-ITC), in tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 (TR/MCF-7) and 5-fluorouracil-resistant MDA-MB 231 (5-FUR/MDA-MB 231) breast cancer cell lines, established by repeated exposure to gradually increasing the concentrations of tamoxifen and 5-fluorouracil, respectively. The outcome of this study shows that PTER-ITC effectively reduced the TR/MCF-7 (IC50: 37.21 µM) and 5-FUR/MDA-MB 231 (IC50: 47.00 µM) cell survival by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell migration, colony and spheroid formations in TR/MCF-7 cells, and invasiveness of 5-FUR/MDA-MB 231 cells. Most importantly, PTER-ITC significantly reduced the miR-21 expressions in these resistant cell lines. Moreover, the downstream tumor suppressor target gene of miR-21 such as PTEN, PDCD4, TIMP3, TPM1, and Fas L were upregulated after PTER-ITC treatment, as observed from transcriptional (RT-qPCR) and translational (immunoblotting) data. In silico and miR-immunoprecipitation (miR-IP) results showed reduced Dicer binding to pre-miR-21, after PTER-ITC treatment, indicating inhibition of miR-21 biogenesis. Collectively, the significance of this study is indicated by preliminary evidence for miR-21-modulatory effects of PTER-ITC that highlights the potential of this hybrid compound as an miR-21-targeting therapeutic agent.

Intracellular and microenvironmental regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential in cancer cells

Cancer cells have an abnormally high mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ), which is associated with enhanced invasive properties in vitro and increased metastases in vivo. The mechanisms underlying the abnormal ΔΨm in cancer cells remain unclear. Research on different cell types has shown that ΔΨm is regulated by various intracellular mechanisms such as by mitochondrial inner and outer membrane ion transporters, cytoskeletal elements, and biochemical signaling pathways. On the other hand, the role of extrinsic, tumor microenvironment (TME) derived cues in regulating ΔΨm is not well defined. In this review, we first summarize the existing literature on intercellular mechanisms of ΔΨm regulation, with a focus on cancer cells. We then offer our perspective on the different ways through which the microenvironmental cues such as hypoxia and mechanical stresses may regulate cancer cell ΔΨm . This article is categorized under: Cancer > Environmental Factors Cancer > Biomedical Engineering Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

LncRNA EN-90756 promotes CPB2-induced proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells by affecting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway activation

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as key regulators, are closely associated with the development of a variety of disease. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate Clostridium perfringens type C induced piglet diarrhea are unclear.

Methods

In the present study, we explored the expression and characterization of lncRNAs in a C. perfringens beta2 (CPB2) toxin-treated intestinal porcine epithelial cell line-J2 (IPEC-J2) using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq).

Results

A total of 6,558 lncRNAs were identified, of which 49 lncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between the control and CPB2 groups. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNA EN-90756 were mainly associated with defense response to virus, and negative regulation of apoptotic process. LncRNA EN-90756 was significantly up-regulated in IPEC-J2 cells at different time points after CPB2 treatment. Functionally, knockdown of lncRNA EN-90756 might regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of IPEC-J2 cells by affecting the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. LncRNA EN-90756 may be involved in CPB2 toxin-induced piglet diarrhea by regulating the expression of its target gene MX1 (encoding MX dynamin like GTPase 1).

Conclusion

Long non-coding RNA EN-90756 affected the antiviral ability of IPEC-J2 cells by regulating the expression of MX1. Meanwhile, lncRNA EN-90756 might regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis by affecting JAK-STAT signaling pathway activation. These findings provide novel perspectives and directions for further exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs on CPB2 toxin-induced diarrhea in piglets.