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Oskouian B, Lee JY, Asgharzadeh S, Khan R, Zhang M, Weisbrod JR, Choi YJ, Puri L, Aguilar AE, Zhao P, Saba JD. AF1q is a universal marker of neuroblastoma that sustains N-Myc expression and drives tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2024; 43:1203-1213. [PMID: 38413795 PMCID: PMC11014797 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant tumor of childhood, accounting for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Despite significant advances in our understanding of neuroblastoma biology, five-year survival rates for high-risk disease remain less than 50%, highlighting the importance of identifying novel therapeutic targets to combat the disease. MYCN amplification is the most frequent and predictive molecular aberration correlating with poor outcome in neuroblastoma. N-Myc is a short-lived protein primarily due to its rapid proteasomal degradation, a potentially exploitable vulnerability in neuroblastoma. AF1q is an oncoprotein with established roles in leukemia and solid tumor progression. It is normally expressed in brain and sympathetic neurons and has been postulated to play a part in neural differentiation. However, no role for AF1q in tumors of neural origin has been reported. In this study, we found AF1q to be a universal marker of neuroblastoma tumors. Silencing AF1q in neuroblastoma cells caused proteasomal degradation of N-Myc through Ras/ERK and AKT/GSK3β pathways, activated p53 and blocked cell cycle progression, culminating in cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Moreover, silencing AF1q attenuated neuroblastoma tumorigenicity in vivo signifying AF1q's importance in neuroblastoma oncogenesis. Our findings reveal AF1q to be a novel regulator of N-Myc and potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Oskouian
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanna Y Lee
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia R Weisbrod
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Youn-Jeong Choi
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Latika Puri
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Ana E Aguilar
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Piming Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julie D Saba
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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3
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Murawski M, Jagodziński A, Bielawska-Pohl A, Klimczak A. Complexity of the Genetic Background of Oncogenesis in Ovarian Cancer-Genetic Instability and Clinical Implications. Cells 2024; 13:345. [PMID: 38391958 PMCID: PMC10886918 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among women with gynecological cancers, and is often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor outcomes. This review explores genetic aspects of high-grade serous, endometrioid, and clear-cell ovarian carcinomas, emphasizing personalized treatment approaches. Specific mutations such as TP53 in high-grade serous and BRAF/KRAS in low-grade serous carcinomas highlight the need for tailored therapies. Varying mutation prevalence across subtypes, including BRCA1/2, PTEN, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, and c-myc amplification, offers potential therapeutic targets. This review underscores TP53's pivotal role and advocates p53 immunohistochemical staining for mutational analysis. BRCA1/2 mutations' significance as genetic risk factors and their relevance in PARP inhibitor therapy are discussed, emphasizing the importance of genetic testing. This review also addresses the paradoxical better prognosis linked to KRAS and BRAF mutations in ovarian cancer. ARID1A, PIK3CA, and PTEN alterations in platinum resistance contribute to the genetic landscape. Therapeutic strategies, like restoring WT p53 function and exploring PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, are considered. The evolving understanding of genetic factors in ovarian carcinomas supports tailored therapeutic approaches based on individual tumor genetic profiles. Ongoing research shows promise for advancing personalized treatments and refining genetic testing in neoplastic diseases, including ovarian cancer. Clinical genetic screening tests can identify women at increased risk, guiding predictive cancer risk-reducing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Murawski
- 1st Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Adam Jagodziński
- 1st Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Bielawska-Pohl
- Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.B.-P.); (A.K.)
| | - Aleksandra Klimczak
- Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.B.-P.); (A.K.)
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4
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Liu D, Wang H, Li X, Liu J, Zhang Y, Hu J. Small molecule inhibitors for cancer metabolism: promising prospects to be explored. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:8051-8076. [PMID: 37002510 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal metabolism is the main hallmark of cancer, and cancer metabolism plays an important role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, studying the changes of tumor metabolic pathways is beneficial to find targets for the treatment of cancer diseases. The success of metabolism-targeted chemotherapy suggests that cancer metabolism research will provide potential new targets for the treatment of malignant tumors. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to systemically review recent research findings on targeted inhibitors of tumor metabolism. In addition, we summarized new insights into tumor metabolic reprogramming and discussed how to guide the exploration of new strategies for cancer-targeted therapy. CONCLUSION Cancer cells have shown various altered metabolic pathways, providing sufficient fuel for their survival. The combination of these pathways is considered to be a more useful method for screening multilateral pathways. Better understanding of the clinical research progress of small molecule inhibitors of potential targets of tumor metabolism will help to explore more effective cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - HongPing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - XingXing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - JiFang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - YanLing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Clusan L, Ferrière F, Flouriot G, Pakdel F. A Basic Review on Estrogen Receptor Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076834. [PMID: 37047814 PMCID: PMC10095386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the deadliest among women worldwide. Estrogen signaling is closely associated with hormone-dependent breast cancer (estrogen and progesterone receptor positive), which accounts for two-thirds of tumors. Hormone therapy using antiestrogens is the gold standard, but resistance to these treatments invariably occurs through various biological mechanisms, such as changes in estrogen receptor activity, mutations in the ESR1 gene, aberrant activation of the PI3K pathway or cell cycle dysregulations. All these factors have led to the development of new therapies, such as selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), or combination therapies with cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 or PI3K inhibitors. Therefore, understanding the estrogen pathway is essential for the treatment and new drug development of hormone-dependent cancers. This mini-review summarizes current literature on the signalization, mechanisms of action and clinical implications of estrogen receptors in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Clusan
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - François Ferrière
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Gilles Flouriot
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Farzad Pakdel
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)—UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
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6
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Rose GE, Vahdani K, Lewis J, Rose AM. Risk and Lag-time for Development of Lacrimal Gland Carcinoma Expleomorphic Adenoma: Observations and Conjectural Study. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2022; 38:563-566. [PMID: 35550483 DOI: 10.1097/iop.0000000000002203] [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: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate the proportion of de novo lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) and carcinomas expleomorphic adenomas (CEPAs), together with age at presentation and first symptom. Conjectural models of tumor growth are considered. METHODS Retrospective review of patients with orbital lobe PA or CEPA. The presenting age was examined for conformation to a Gaussian distribution and the cumulative distribution function derived for both tumor types. The risk of CEPA with age was estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS About one-sixth (27/172; 16%) of these primary orbital lobe tumors were CEPAs, with 145 PAs (76/145 male; 52%) and 27 CEPAs (12/27 male; 44%). The mean presenting age for PAs was 48.3 years (median 47.7; range 11-84 years) and 57.7 years for CEPAs (median 61.2, range 27-91 years) ( p = 0.0062), and the standard deviations for each group are almost identical (16.3 for PAs, 15.9 for CEPAs; p = 0.92). Five (3.4%) PAs and 1 (3.7%) CEPA were asymptomatic: otherwise, the median symptom duration was 24 months for both PAs and CEPAs ( U test: p = 0.65). The odds of CEPA rises significantly with age, increasing 1.04-fold annually ( p = 0.0079). CONCLUSION The almost identical measures of dispersion for the presenting ages of PA and CEPA suggests that, once malignant transformation occurs, there might be a relatively constant period before it is evident. CEPAs present about a decade after PAs, this unexpectedly later presentation for the malignancy possibly being explained by a gradual replacement of the PA by the newly arising carcinoma within the preceding benign tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey E Rose
- Adnexal Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaveh Vahdani
- Adnexal Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Lewis
- Freelance Medical Statistician, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M Rose
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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7
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Tinsley SL, Allen-Petersen BL. PP2A and cancer epigenetics: a therapeutic opportunity waiting to happen. NAR Cancer 2022; 4:zcac002. [PMID: 35118387 PMCID: PMC8807117 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic state of chromatin is altered by regulators which influence gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. While several post-translational modifications contribute to chromatin accessibility and transcriptional programs, our understanding of the role that specific phosphorylation sites play is limited. In cancer, kinases and phosphatases are commonly deregulated resulting in increased oncogenic signaling and loss of epigenetic regulation. Aberrant epigenetic states are known to promote cellular plasticity and the development of therapeutic resistance in many cancer types, highlighting the importance of these mechanisms to cancer cell phenotypes. Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric holoenzyme that targets a diverse array of cellular proteins. The composition of the PP2A complex influences its cellular targets and activity. For this reason, PP2A can be tumor suppressive or oncogenic depending on cellular context. Understanding the nuances of PP2A regulation and its effect on epigenetic alterations can lead to new therapeutic avenues that afford more specificity and contribute to the growth of personalized medicine in the oncology field. In this review, we summarize the known PP2A-regulated substrates and potential phosphorylation sites that contribute to cancer cell epigenetics and possible strategies to therapeutically leverage this phosphatase to suppress tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Tinsley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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8
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Gargini R, Segura-Collar B, Garranzo-Asensio M, Hortigüela R, Iglesias-Hernández P, Lobato-Alonso D, Moreno-Raja M, Esteban-Martin S, Sepúlveda-Sánchez JM, Nevola L, Sánchez-Gómez P. IDP-410: a Novel Therapeutic Peptide that Alters N-MYC Stability and Reduces Angiogenesis and Tumor Progression in Glioblastomas. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:408-420. [PMID: 35099769 PMCID: PMC9130446 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01176-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most frequent and highly aggressive brain tumors, being resistant to all cytotoxic and molecularly targeted agents tested so far. There is, therefore, an urgent need to find novel therapeutic approaches and/or alternative targets to bring treatment options to patients. Here, we first show that GBMs express high levels of N-MYC protein, a transcription factor involved in normal brain development. A novel stapled peptide designed to specifically target N-MYC protein monomer, IDP-410, is able to impair the formation of N-MYC/MAX complex and reduce the stability of N-MYC itself. As a result, the viability of GBM cells is compromised. Moreover, the efficacy is found dependent on the levels of expression of N-MYC. Finally, we demonstrate that IDP-410 reduces GBM growth in vivo when administered systemically, both in subcutaneous and intracranial xenografts, reducing the vascularization of the tumors, highlighting a potential relationship between the function of N-MYC and the expression of mesenchymal/angiogenic genes. Overall, our results strengthen the view of N-MYC as a therapeutic target in GBM and strongly suggest that IDP-410 could be further developed to become a first-in-class inhibitor of N-MYC protein, affecting not only tumor cell proliferation and survival, but also the interplay between GBM cells and their microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Gargini
- Neurooncology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-UFIEC, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | | - Rafael Hortigüela
- Neurooncology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-UFIEC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones, Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Nelakurti DD, Rossetti T, Husbands AY, Petreaca RC. Arginine Depletion in Human Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6274. [PMID: 34944895 PMCID: PMC8699593 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine is encoded by six different codons. Base pair changes in any of these codons can have a broad spectrum of effects including substitutions to twelve different amino acids, eighteen synonymous changes, and two stop codons. Four amino acids (histidine, cysteine, glutamine, and tryptophan) account for over 75% of amino acid substitutions of arginine. This suggests that a mutational bias, or "purifying selection", mechanism is at work. This bias appears to be driven by C > T and G > A transitions in four of the six arginine codons, a signature that is universal and independent of cancer tissue of origin or histology. Here, we provide a review of the available literature and reanalyze publicly available data from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC). Our analysis identifies several genes with an arginine substitution bias. These include known factors such as IDH1, as well as previously unreported genes, including four cancer driver genes (FGFR3, PPP6C, MAX, GNAQ). We propose that base pair substitution bias and amino acid physiology both play a role in purifying selection. This model may explain the documented arginine substitution bias in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi D. Nelakurti
- Biomedical Science Undergraduate Program, The Ohio State University Medical School, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Tiffany Rossetti
- Biology Undergraduate Program, The Ohio State University, Marion, OH 43302, USA;
| | - Aman Y. Husbands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
| | - Ruben C. Petreaca
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Marion, OH 43302, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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10
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Yildirim-Buharalioglu G. KDM6B Regulates Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation by Controlling c-MYC Expression. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 101:106-119. [PMID: 34862309 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated expression of lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A) and 6B (KDM6B) has been reported in prostate cancer (PCa). However, the mechanism underlying the specific role of KDM6A/B in PCa is still fragmentary. Here, we report novel KDM6A/B downstream targets involved in controlling PCa cell proliferation. KDM6A and KDM6B mRNAs were higher in LNCaP but not in PC3 and DU145 cells. Higher KDM6A mRNA was confirmed at the protein level. A metastasis associated gene focussed oligonucleotide array was performed to identify KDM6A/B dependent genes in LNCaP cells treated with a KDM6 family selective inhibitor, GSK-J4. This identified 5 genes (c-MYC, NF2, CTBP1, EPHB2, PLAUR) that were decreased more than 50 % by GSK-J4 and c-MYC was the most downregulated gene. Array data was validated by quantitative RT-PCR, which detected a reduction in c-MYC steady state mRNA and pre-spliced mRNA, indicative of transcriptional repression of c-MYC gene expression. Furthermore, c-MYC protein was also decreased by GSK-J4. Importantly, GSK-J4 reduced mRNA and protein levels of c-MYC target gene, CyclinD1 (CCND1). Silencing of KDM6A/B with siRNA confirmed that expression of both c-MYC and CCND1 are dependent on KDM6B. Phosphorylated Retinoblastoma (pRb), a marker of G1 to S-phase transition, was decreased by GSK-J4 and KDM6B silencing. GSK-J4 treatment resulted decrease in cell proliferation and cell number, detected by MTS assay and conventional cell counting, respectively. Consequently, we conclude that KDM6B controlling c-MYC, CCND1 and pRb contribute regulation of PCa cell proliferation, which represents KDM6B as a promising epigenetic target for the treatment of advanced PCa. Significance Statement Lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A) and 6B (KDM6B) were upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we reported novel KDM6A/B downstream targets involved in controlling PCa cell proliferation. Amongst 84 metastasis associated genes, c-MYC was the most inhibited gene by KDM6 family inhibitor, GSK-J4. This was accompanied by decreased c-MYC target gene, CCND1 and pRb, which were selectively dependent on KDM6B. GSK-J4 decreased proliferation and cell counting. Consequently, we conclude that KDM6B controlling c-MYC, CCND1 and pRb contribute regulation of PCa proliferation.
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11
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Madduri LSV, Brandquist ND, Palanivel C, Talmon GA, Baine MJ, Zhou S, Enke CA, Johnson KR, Ouellette MM, Yan Y. p53/FBXL20 axis negatively regulates the protein stability of PR55α, a regulatory subunit of PP2A Ser/Thr phosphatase. Neoplasia 2021; 23:1192-1203. [PMID: 34731788 PMCID: PMC8570931 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.10.002] [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: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported an important role of PR55α, a regulatory subunit of PP2A Ser/Thr phosphatase, in the support of critical oncogenic pathways required for oncogenesis and the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer. The studies in this report reveal a novel mechanism by which the p53 tumor suppressor inhibits the protein-stability of PR55α via FBXL20, a p53-target gene that serves as a substrate recognition component of the SCF (Skp1_Cullin1_F-box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that promotes proteasomal degradation of its targeted proteins. Our studies show that inactivation of p53 by siRNA-knockdown, gene-deletion, HPV-E6-mediated degradation, or expression of the loss-of-function mutant p53R175H results in increased PR55α protein stability, which is accompanied by reduced protein expression of FBXL20 and decreased ubiquitination of PR55α. Subsequent studies demonstrate that knockdown of FBXL20 by siRNA mimics p53 deficiency, reducing PR55α ubiquitination and increasing PR55α protein stability. Functional tests indicate that ectopic p53R175H or PR55α expression results in an increase of c-Myc protein stability with concomitant dephosphorylation of c-Myc-T58, which is a PR55α substrate, whose phosphorylation otherwise promotes c-Myc degradation. A significant increase in anchorage-independent proliferation is also observed in normal human pancreatic cells expressing p53R175H or, to a greater extent, overexpressing PR55α. Consistent with the common loss of p53 function in pancreatic cancer, FBXL20 mRNA expression is significantly lower in pancreatic cancer tissues compared to pancreatic normal tissues and low FBXL20 levels correlate with poor patient survival. Collectively, these studies delineate a novel mechanism by which the p53/FBXL20 axis negatively regulates PR55α protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lepakshe S V Madduri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA
| | - Nichole D Brandquist
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA
| | - Chitra Palanivel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Talmon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michael J Baine
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sumin Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA
| | - Charles A Enke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA
| | - Keith R Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; College of Dentistry-Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michel M Ouellette
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986850 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6850, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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12
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Hu J, Xu J, Feng X, Li Y, Hua F, Xu G. Differential Expression of the TLR4 Gene in Pan-Cancer and Its Related Mechanism. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:700661. [PMID: 34631699 PMCID: PMC8495169 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.700661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed the relationship between toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility. However, the relationship between TLR4 and prognosis and immune cell infiltration in pan-cancer patients is still unclear. Through the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, the distinct expression of the TLR4 gene in 24 tumors and normal tissues was analyzed. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the cancer types whose TLR4 gene expression was related to prognosis. The relationship between TLR4 and tumor cell immune invasion was studied. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship among TLR4 and immune neoantigens, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), DNA repair genes, and DNA methylation. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to identify the tumor-related pathways that the TLR4 gene was highly expressed in; the expression of the TLR4 gene was verified with the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. Low expression of TLR4 was associated with an inferior prognosis in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), while high expression was related to a poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), and testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT). The expression of TLR4 was negatively correlated with the expression of B cells in STAD. The expression of TLR4 was positively correlated with the infiltration of B cells, CD4 and CD8 T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells in STAD, KIRC, UCEC, TGCT, and SKCM. The expression of the TLR4 gene in KIRC, SKCM, STAD, TGCT, and UCEC was highly correlated with inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule 4 (CTLA4), and CD28 immune checkpoints. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient showed that the expression of TLR4 gene was significantly correlated with TMB in STAD and UCEC and was prominently correlated with MSI in TGCT, STAD, and SKCM. The expression of the TLR4 gene was highly correlated with MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 in KIRC, SKCM, and STAD. The expression of the TLR4 gene was remarkably correlated with the methyltransferases DNA methyltransferase 2 (DNMT2) and DNA methyltransferase 3-beta (DNMT3B) in SKCM and STAD. Enrichment analysis showed that TLR4 was highly expressed in the chemokine signaling pathway and the cell adhesion molecule and cytokine receptor interaction pathway. In summary, the expression of TLR4 is linked to the prognosis of KIRC, SKCM, STAD, TGCT, and UCEC patients and the level of immune infiltration of CD4, CD8 T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiasheng Xu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojin Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yiran Li
- Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fuzhou Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Guohai Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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13
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Hsiao TH, Wang RC, Lu TJ, Shih CH, Su YC, Tsai JR, Jhan PP, Lia CS, Chuang HN, Chang KH, Teng CL. Chemoresponse of de novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia to "7+3" Induction can Be Predicted by c-Myc-facilitated Cytogenetics. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:649267. [PMID: 33897436 PMCID: PMC8061304 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.649267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Identifying patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who will probably respond to the “7 + 3” induction regimen remains an unsolved clinical challenge. This study aimed to identify whether c-Myc could facilitate cytogenetics to predict a “7 + 3” induction chemoresponse in de novo AML. Methods: We stratified 75 untreated patients (24 and 51 from prospective and retrospective cohorts, respectively) with de novo AML who completed “7 + 3” induction into groups with and without complete remission (CR). We then compared Myc-associated molecular signatures between the groups in the prospective cohort after gene set enrichment analysis. The expression of c-Myc protein was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. We defined high c-Myc-immunopositivity as > 40% of bone marrow myeloblasts being c-Myc (+). Results: Significantly more Myc gene expression was found in patients who did not achieve CR by “7 + 3” induction than those who did (2439.92 ± 1868.94 vs. 951.60 ± 780.68; p = 0.047). Expression of the Myc gene and c-Myc protein were positively correlated (r = 0.495; p = 0.014). Although the non-CR group did not express more c-Myc protein than the CR group (37.81 ± 25.13% vs. 29.04 ± 19.75%; p = 0.151), c-Myc-immunopositivity could be a surrogate to predict the “7 + 3” induction chemoresponse (specificity: 81.63%). More importantly, c-Myc-immunopositivity facilitated cytogenetics to predict a “7 + 3” induction chemoresponse by increasing specificity from 91.30 to 95.92%. Conclusion: The “7 + 3” induction remains the standard of care for de novo AML patients, especially for those without a high c-Myc-immunopositivity and high-risk cytogenetics. However, different regimens might be considered for patients with high c-Myc-immunopositivity or high-risk cytogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Hung Hsiao
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ren Ching Wang
- Department of Pathology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Jung Lu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hung Shih
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Su
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rong Tsai
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Pei Jhan
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cai-Sian Lia
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Han-Ni Chuang
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Hsi Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,General Education Center, Jen-The Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Lin Teng
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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