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Wang JJ, Chen DX, Zhang Y, Xu X, Cai Y, Wei WQ, Hao JJ, Wang MR. Elevated expression of the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP1 enhances the mRNA stability of INHBA to promote the invasion and migration of esophageal squamous cancer cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:75. [PMID: 37644505 PMCID: PMC10466848 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains to be elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the roles and implications of IGF2BP1 overexpression in ESCC. METHODS IGF2BP1 protein expression in ESCC samples was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the mRNA abundance of IGF2BP1 and INHBA was analyzed with TCGA datasets and by RNA in situ hybridization (RISH). The methylation level of the IGF2BP1 promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP-PCR). Cell viability, migration, invasion and in vivo metastasis assays were performed to explore the roles of IGF2BP1 overexpression in ESCC. RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) and mass spectrometry were applied to identify the target RNAs and interacting proteins of IGF2BP1, respectively. RIP-PCR, RNA pulldown, immunofluorescence (IF), gene-specific m6A PCR and RNA stability assays were used to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells caused by IGF2BP1 dysregulation. BTYNB, a small molecular inhibitor of IGF2BP1, was evaluated for its inhibitory effect on the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells. RESULTS IGF2BP1 overexpression was detected in ESCC tissues and associated with the depth of tumor invasion. In addition, IGF2BP1 mRNA expression in ESCC cells was negatively correlated with the level of its promoter methylation. Knockdown of IGF2BP1 inhibited ESCC cell invasion and migration as well as tumor metastasis. Mechanistically, we observed that IGF2BP1 bound and stabilized INHBA mRNA and then resulted in higher protein expression of INHBA, leading to the activation of Smad2/3 signaling, thus promoting malignant phenotypes. The mRNA level of INHBA was upregulated in ESCC tissues as well. Furthermore, IGF2BP1 interacted with G3BP stress granule assembly factor 1 (G3BP1). Knockdown of G3BP1 also down-regulated the INHBA-Smad2/3 signaling. BTYNB abolished this activated signaling and significantly attenuated the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells. CONCLUSIONS Elevated expression of IGF2BP1 is a frequent event in ESCC tissues and might be a candidate biomarker for the disease. IGF2BP1 overexpression promotes the invasion and migration of ESCC cells by activating the INHBA-Smad2/3 pathway, providing a potential therapeutic target for ESCC patients with high expression of IGF2BP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Juan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
- Stem cell Translational laboratory, Shanxi Technological Innovation Center for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune and Rheumatic Diseases, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
| | - Ding-Xiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wen-Qiang Wei
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Jia-Jie Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Ming-Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
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DNA methylation status of the SPHK1 and LTB genes underlies the clinicopathological diversity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinomas. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04445-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04445-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
This study was performed to identify the DNA methylation profiles underlying the clinicopathological diversity of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).
Methods
Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of 88 liver tissue samples was performed using the Infinium assay.
Results
Principal component analysis revealed that distinct DNA methylation profiles differing from such profiles in normal control liver tissue had already been established in non-cancerous liver tissue showing NASH, which is considered to be a precancerous condition. Hierarchical clustering separated 26 NASH-related HCCs into Cluster I (n = 8) and Cluster II (n = 18). Such epigenetic clustering was significantly correlated with histopathological diversity, i.e. poorer tumor differentiation, tumor steatosis and development of a scirrhous HCC component. Significant differences in DNA methylation levels between the two clusters were accumulated in molecular pathways participating in cell adhesion and cytoskeletal remodeling, as well as cell proliferation and apoptosis. Among tumor-related genes characterizing Clusters I and II, differences in the levels of DNA methylation and mRNA expression for the SPHK1, INHBA, LTB and PDE3B genes were correlated with poorer tumor differentiation. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine treatment of HCC cells revealed epigenetic regulation of the SPHK1 and LTB genes. Knockdown experiments showed that SPHK1 promotes cell proliferation, represses apoptosis and enhances migration, whereas LTB enhances migration of HCC cells. DNA hypomethylation resulting in increased expression of SPHK1 and LTB in poorly differentiated HCCs may underlie the aggressive phenotype of such HCCs.
Conclusion
These data indicate that DNA methylation profiles may determine the clinicopathological heterogeneity of NASH-related HCCs via alterations of tumor-related gene expression.
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