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Liang Y, Luo C, Sun L, Feng T, Yin W, Zhang Y, Mulholland MW, Zhang W, Yin Y. Reduction of specific enterocytes from loss of intestinal LGR4 improves lipid metabolism in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4393. [PMID: 38782937 PMCID: PMC11116434 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48622-5] [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] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Whether intestinal Leucine-rich repeat containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) impacts nutrition absorption and energy homeostasis remains unknown. Here, we report that deficiency of Lgr4 (Lgr4iKO) in intestinal epithelium decreased the proportion of enterocytes selective for long-chain fatty acid absorption, leading to reduction in lipid absorption and subsequent improvement in lipid and glucose metabolism. Single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrates the heterogeneity of absorptive enterocytes, with a decrease in enterocytes selective for long-chain fatty acid-absorption and an increase in enterocytes selective for carbohydrate absorption in Lgr4iKO mice. Activation of Notch signaling and concurrent inhibition of Wnt signaling are observed in the transgenes. Associated with these alterations is the substantial reduction in lipid absorption. Decrement in lipid absorption renders Lgr4iKO mice resistant to high fat diet-induced obesity relevant to wild type littermates. Our study thus suggests that targeting intestinal LGR4 is a potential strategy for the intervention of obesity and liver steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Luo
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Lijun Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Tiange Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Wenzhen Yin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Yunhua Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China
| | - Michael W Mulholland
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0346, USA
| | - Weizhen Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China.
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0346, USA.
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, 100191, Beijing, China.
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2
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Bi Y, Zhang L, Song Y, Sun L, Mulholland MW, Yin Y, Zhang W. Rspo2-LGR4 exacerbates hepatocellular carcinoma progression via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2024; 47:352-365. [PMID: 37437654 PMCID: PMC10863972 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2023.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) plays an important role in stem cell differentiation, organ development and cancer. Whether LGR4 affects the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to reveal the role of LGR4 in HCC. METHODS Clinical samples of HCC were collected to assess the expression of LGR4 and its correlation with patients' clinical characteristics. The expression level of LGR4 in HCC cells was altered by pharmacological and genetic methods, and the role of LGR4 in HCC progression was analyzed by in vivo and in vitro assays. HCC was induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in wild-type and LGR4 deficient mice, the effect of LGR4 on HCC was examined by histopathological evaluation and biochemical assays. RESULTS LGR4 expression was up-regulated in HCC samples, and its expression level was positively correlated with tumor size, microvascular invasion (MVI), TNM stage and pathological differentiation grade of HCC patients. In the mouse HCC model induced by DEN+CCl4, knockdown of LGR4 effectively inhibited the progression of HCC. Silencing of LGR4 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, stem cell-like properties and Warburg effect of HCC cells. These phenotypes were promoted by R-spondin2 (Rspo2), an endogenous ligand for LGR4. Rspo2 markedly increased the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, whereas IWR-1, an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, reversed its effect. Deficiency of LGR4 significantly reduced the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and the expression of its downstream target genes cyclinD1 and c-Myc. CONCLUSIONS LGR4 promotes HCC progression via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanghui Bi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yan Song
- First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijun Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Michael W Mulholland
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Weizhen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Yi Z, Ma T, Liu J, Tie W, Li Y, Bai J, Li L, Zhang L. LGR4 promotes tumorigenesis by activating TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in multiple myeloma. Cell Signal 2023; 110:110814. [PMID: 37473901 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematologic malignancy that remains incurable. Although accumulating evidence suggests that the leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) plays a biological function in a variety of cancers, its biological function and molecular mechanisms in MM are unclear. In the present study, we found that LGR4 was significantly upregulated in MM tissues and cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that knockdown of LGR4 significantly inhibited proliferation of MM cells, promoted apoptosis and arrested cell cycle in G1. Overexpression showed the opposite effect. Mechanistic studies revealed that LGR4 could interact with TGF-β1 and regulate TGF-β1 expression, thereby activating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and promoting MM progression. LGR4 may be a potential new target for MM diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Yi
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China; Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Pediatrics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China; Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenting Tie
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanhong Li
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun Bai
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Liansheng Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.
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4
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Watanabe K, Horie M, Hayatsu M, Mikami Y, Sato N. Spatiotemporal expression patterns of R-spondins and their receptors, Lgrs, in the developing mouse telencephalon. Gene Expr Patterns 2023; 49:119333. [PMID: 37651925 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2023.119333] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Development of the mammalian telencephalon, which is the most complex region of the central nervous system, is precisely orchestrated by many signaling molecules. Wnt signaling derived from the cortical hem, a signaling center, is crucial for telencephalic development including cortical patterning and the induction of hippocampal development. Secreted protein R-spondin (Rspo) 1-4 and their receptors, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor (Lgr) 4-6, act as activators of Wnt signaling. Although Rspo expression in the hem during the early stages of cortical development has been reported, comparative expression analysis of Rspos and Lgr4-6 has not been performed. In this study, we examined the detailed spatiotemporal expression patterns of Rspo1-4 and Lgr4-6 in the embryonic and postnatal telencephalon to elucidate their functions. In the embryonic day (E) 10.5-14.5 telencephalon, Rspo1-3 were prominently expressed in the cortical hem. Among their receptors, Lgr4 was observed in the ventral telencephalon, and Lgr6 was highly expressed throughout the telencephalon at the same stages. This suggests that Rspo1-3 and Lgr4 initially regulate telencephalic development in restricted regions, whereas Lgr6 functions broadly. From the late embryonic stage, the expression areas of Rspo1-3 and Lgr4-6 dramatically expanded; their expression was found in the neocortex and limbic system, such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and striatum. Increased Rspo and Lgr expression from the late embryonic stages suggests broad roles of Rspo signaling in telencephalic development. Furthermore, the Lgr+ regions were located far from the Rspo+ regions, especially in the E10.5-14.5 ventral telencephalon, suggesting that Lgrs act via a Rspo-independent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Masao Horie
- Department of Nursing, Niigata College of Nursing, Jōetsu, Japan
| | - Manabu Hayatsu
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Mikami
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Noboru Sato
- Division of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
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5
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Lucas C, Sauter KS, Steigert M, Mallet D, Wilmouth J, Olabe J, Plotton I, Morel Y, Aeberli D, Wagner F, Clevers H, Pandey AV, Val P, Roucher-Boulez F, Flück CE. Loss of LGR4/GPR48 causes severe neonatal salt wasting due to disrupted WNT signaling altering adrenal zonation. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:164915. [PMID: 36538378 PMCID: PMC9927937 DOI: 10.1172/jci164915] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of isolated mineralocorticoid deficiency, which cause potentially life-threatening salt-wasting crisis early in life, have been associated with gene variants of aldosterone biosynthesis or resistance; however, in some patients no such variants are found. WNT/β-catenin signaling is crucial for differentiation and maintenance of the aldosterone-producing adrenal zona glomerulosa (zG). Herein, we describe a highly consanguineous family with multiple perinatal deaths and infants presenting at birth with failure to thrive, severe salt-wasting crises associated with isolated hypoaldosteronism, nail anomalies, short stature, and deafness. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous splice variant in the R-SPONDIN receptor LGR4 gene (c.618-1G>C) regulating WNT signaling. The resulting transcripts affected protein function and stability and resulted in loss of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vitro. The impact of LGR4 inactivation was analyzed by adrenal cortex-specific ablation of Lgr4, using Lgr4fl/fl mice mated with Sf1:Cre mice. Inactivation of Lgr4 within the adrenal cortex in the mouse model caused decreased WNT signaling, aberrant zonation with deficient zG, and reduced aldosterone production. Thus, human LGR4 mutations establish a direct link between LGR4 inactivation and decreased canonical WNT signaling, which results in abnormal zG differentiation and endocrine function. Therefore, variants in WNT signaling and its regulators should systematically be considered in familial hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécily Lucas
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Inserm, Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Kay-Sara Sauter
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Steigert
- Department of Pediatrics, Cantonal Hospital Graubuenden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Mallet
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.,Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France
| | - James Wilmouth
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Inserm, Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Julie Olabe
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Inserm, Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ingrid Plotton
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France
| | - Yves Morel
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital: du Fœtus à l'Adulte, Filière Maladies Rares Endocriniennes, Bron, France
| | - Daniel Aeberli
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology/Allergology and
| | - Franca Wagner
- University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hans Clevers
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Amit V Pandey
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Val
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Inserm, Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Florence Roucher-Boulez
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, UM Pathologies Endocriniennes, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Inserm, Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Christa E Flück
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Zhuo H, Miao S, Jin Z, Zhu D, Xu Z, Sun D, Ji J, Tan Z. Metformin Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Regulating Alternative Splicing of LGR4. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:1774095. [PMID: 36385965 PMCID: PMC9652085 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1774095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
METHODS First, the expression of LGR4 in HCC tumor tissues and cell lines was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The ability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was detected with CCK8, wound-healing, and transwell assays when overexpressing LGR4 or treating with metformin. The β-catenin expression was detected by immunofluorescence. In order to investigate novel AS-associated LGR4, we discarded LGR4 isoforms from GSO databases. We used siRNA to knock down the specific isoform to check the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion when treated with metformin. RESULTS The level of LGR4 expression was higher in HCC cell lines and tumor tissues. The HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were increased when overexpressing LGR4, which could be reduced by metformin treatment. The GEO database (GSE190076) showed that LGR4 had switching properties in HCC cell lines treated with metformin. We used siRNA to knock down the specific isoform, and the result showed that the specific isoform siRNA could promote the inhibition of cell invasion caused by metformin treatment. CONCLUSIONS LGR4 could promote the ability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC, which could be reduced by metformin through alternative splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhuo
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuying Miao
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenquan Jin
- The First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Deming Zhu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenggang Xu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongwei Sun
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongming Tan
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Hauser F, Koch TL, Grimmelikhuijzen CJP. Review: The evolution of peptidergic signaling in Cnidaria and Placozoa, including a comparison with Bilateria. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:973862. [PMID: 36213267 PMCID: PMC9545775 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.973862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bilateria have bilateral symmetry and are subdivided into Deuterostomia (animals like vertebrates) and Protostomia (animals like insects and mollusks). Neuropeptides occur in both Proto- and Deuterostomia and they are frequently structurally related across these two lineages. For example, peptides belonging to the oxytocin/vasopressin family exist in both clades. The same is true for the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) of these peptides. These observations suggest that these neuropeptides and their GPCRs were already present in the common ancestor of Proto- and Deuterostomia, which lived about 700 million years ago (MYA). Furthermore, neuropeptides and their GPCRs occur in two early-branching phyla that diverged before the emergence of Bilateria: Cnidaria (animals like corals and sea anemones), and Placozoa (small disk-like animals, feeding on algae). The sequences of these neuropeptides and their GPCRs, however, are not closely related to those from Bilateria. In addition, cnidarian neuropeptides and their receptors are not closely related to those from Placozoa. We propose that the divergence times between Cnidaria, Placozoa, and Bilateria might be too long for recognizing sequence identities. Leucine-rich repeats-containing GPCRs (LGRs) are a special class of GPCRs that are characterized by a long N-terminus containing 10-20 leucine-rich domains, which are used for ligand binding. Among the ligands for LGRs are dimeric glycoprotein hormones, and insulin-like peptides, such as relaxin. LGRs have been found not only in Proto- and Deuterostomia, but also in early emerging phyla, such as Cnidaria and Placozoa. Humans have eight LGRs. In our current review, we have revisited the annotations of LGRs from the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis and the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens. We identified 13 sea anemone LGRs and no less than 46 LGRs from T. adhaerens. All eight human LGRs appear to have orthologues in sea anemones and placozoans. LGRs and their ligands, therefore, have a long evolutionary history, going back to the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Placozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Hauser
- Section for Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas L. Koch
- Section for Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wu L, Tian X, Du H, Liu X, Wu H. Bioinformatics Analysis of LGR4 in Colon Adenocarcinoma as Potential Diagnostic Biomarker, Therapeutic Target and Promoting Immune Cell Infiltration. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081081. [PMID: 36008975 PMCID: PMC9406187 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon adenocarcinoma is one of the tumors with the highest mortality rate, and tumorigenesis or development of colon adenocarcinoma is the major reason leading to patient death. However, the molecular mechanism and biomarker to predict tumor progression are currently unclear. With the goal of understanding the molecular mechanism and tumor progression, we utilized the TCGA database to identify differentially expressed genes. After identifying the differentially expressed genes among colon adenocarcinoma tissues with different expression levels of LGR4 and normal tissue, protein–protein interaction, gene ontology, pathway enrichment, gene set enrichment analysis, and immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted. Here, the top 10 hub genes, i.e., ALB, F2, APOA2, CYP1A1, SPRR2B, APOA1, APOB, CYP3A4, SST, and GCG, were identified, and relative correlation analysis was conducted. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that higher expression of LGR4 correlates with overall survival of colon adenocarcinoma patients, although expression levels of LGR4 in normal tissues are higher than in tumor tissues. Further functional analysis demonstrated that higher expression of LGR4 in colon adenocarcinoma may be linked to up-regulate metabolism-related pathways, for example, the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. These results were confirmed by gene set enrichment analysis. Immune cell infiltration analysis clearly showed that the infiltration percentage of T cells was significantly higher than other immune cells, and TIMER analysis revealed a positive correlation between T-cell infiltration and LGR4 expression. Finally, COAD cancer cells, Caco-2, were employed to be incubated with squalene and 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate, and relative experimental results confirmed that the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway involved in modulating the proliferation of COAD tumorigenesis. Our investigation revealed that LGR4 can be an emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for colon adenocarcinoma by affecting metabolism-related pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (H.W.)
| | - Xiaoxiao Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Hao Du
- Department of Orthopedic, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Xiaomin Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Haigang Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
- Correspondence: (L.W.); (H.W.)
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9
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Filipowska J, Kondegowda NG, Leon-Rivera N, Dhawan S, Vasavada RC. LGR4, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor With a Systemic Role: From Development to Metabolic Regulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:867001. [PMID: 35707461 PMCID: PMC9190282 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.867001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4/GPR48), a member of the GPCR (G protein-coupled receptors) superfamily, subfamily B, is a common intestinal crypt stem cell marker. It binds R-spondins/Norrin as classical ligands and plays a crucial role in Wnt signaling potentiation. Interaction between LGR4 and R-spondins initiates many Wnt-driven developmental processes, e.g., kidney, eye, or reproductive tract formation, as well as intestinal crypt (Paneth) stem cell pool maintenance. Besides the well-described role of LGR4 in development, several novel functions of this receptor have recently been discovered. In this context, LGR4 was indicated to participate in TGFβ and NFκB signaling regulation in hematopoietic precursors and intestinal cells, respectively, and found to be a new, alternative receptor for RANKL (Receptor Activator of NF kappa B Ligand) in bone cells. LGR4 inhibits the process of osteoclast differentiation, by antagonizing the interaction between RANK (Receptor Activator of NF kappa B) and its ligand-RANKL. It is also known to trigger anti-inflammatory responses in different tissues (liver, intestine, cardiac cells, and skin), serve as a sensor of the circadian clock in the liver, regulate adipogenesis and energy expenditure in adipose tissue and skeletal muscles, respectively. The extracellular domain of LGR4 (LGR4-ECD) has emerged as a potential new therapeutic for osteoporosis and cancer. LGR4 integrates different signaling pathways and regulates various cellular processes vital for maintaining whole-body homeostasis. Yet, the role of LGR4 in many cell types (e.g. pancreatic beta cells) and diseases (e.g., diabetes) remains to be elucidated. Considering the broad spectrum of LGR4 actions, this review aims to discuss both canonical and novel roles of LGR4, with emphasis on emerging research directions focused on this receptor.
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