Association of p53 and p21 polymorphisms with prostate cancer

Association of the rs1042522 SNP with prostate cancer risk: a study of cancer tissues, primary tumor cultures, and serum samples from a Spanish Caucasian population

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in European men, emphasizing the urgent need for effective risk assessment strategies. The TP53 gene, a tumor suppressor gene frequently mutated in cancer, commonly harbors the rs1042522 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), known as the P72R SNP, which may influence PCa susceptibility. This study investigated the prevalence of the P72R SNP in European Caucasian PCa samples and its association with PCa risk.

Methods

Genotyping was conducted on 12 hormone-naïve aggressive PCa cultures (hnPCs) from untreated patients (Gleason ≥8), 11 radical prostatectomies (RP), and 94 serum samples using DNA Sanger sequencing and melting curve analysis. Comparative analysis utilized data from the GnomAD database's European Caucasian non-cancer population.

Results

Our results demonstrate a significantly higher frequency of the P72R SNP in PCa samples and serums compared to the general European non-cancer population. A robust and statistically significant association (p < 0.0001) between the SNP and prostate cancer risk was identified, with an odds ratio of 7.937 (95% CI 5.37-11.00). Notably, the G allele (R72) showed a pronounced prevalence in high Gleason score (≥8) patients, although statistical significance was not reached. These results highlight a potential association with undifferentiated and malignant PCa lesions.

Conclusion

The compelling association between the P72R SNP and prostate cancer risk underscores the potential utility of this marker for the early identification of patients at risk of aggressive metastatic prostate cancer. This insight could empower further research to intervene at an early stage by offering enhanced opportunities for timely and targeted interventions.

Prognostic significance of tumor suppressor protein p53 in prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

The p53 gene mutation is one of the most common genetic alterations in many cancers. In prostate cancer (PCa), it has been associated with a poor prognosis, tumor progression and aggressiveness. P53 mutation induces an abnormal protein expression in related tissues.

AIM

This study aimed to assess p53 expression using immunohistochemistry in PCa and to discuss its prognostic value.

METHODS

We have retrospectively collected all cases of PCa diagnosed in our pathology department between 2012 and 2022. An automatized immunohistochemical analysis was performed using monoclonal p53 antibody. For each case, we assessed the proportion of positive cells and the intensity of staining. P53 expression was considered abnormal when it was totally negative or overexpressed (>=50% of positive cells).

RESULTS

Twenty-four cases have been selected. Abnormal p53 expression was found in 42% of cases (P53 was overexpressed in 6cases and totally negative in 4 cases). Mean age of patients with p53 abnormal expression was 70years old. Patients with p53 abnormal expression had Gleason score >7 in 5 cases, ISUP grade >2 in 3 cases, peri-neural invasion in 8cases, capsule invasion in 9cases. All patients with p53 overexpression developed androgen resistance (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

An aberrant expression profile of the p53 protein was observed in 42% of cases, and a statistically significant association was found with androgen resistance. Our results suggest a potential prognostic role of p53 in PCa.

MCM4 acts as a biomarker for LUAD prognosis

MCM4 forms the pre-replication complex (MCM2-7) with five other minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins. This complex binds to replication origins at G1 stage in cell cycle process, playing a critical role in DNA replication initiation. Recently, MCM4 is reported to have a complex interaction with multiple cancer progression, including gastric, ovarian and cervical cancer. Here, this study mainly focused on the expression of MCM4 and its values in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). MCM4 was highly expressed in LUAD tumours and cells, and had an important effect on the overall survival. Overexpression of MCM4 promoted the proliferation, and suppressed the apoptosis in LUAD cells. However, MCM4 silence led to the opposite results. In vivo, knockdown of MCM4 inhibited tumour volume and weight in xenograft mouse model. As a member of DNA helicase, knockdown of MCM4 caused cell cycle arrest at G1 stage through inducing the expression of P21, a CDK inhibitor. These findings indicate that MCM4 may be a possible new therapeutic target for LUAD in the future.

Immunomodulatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Cancer Properties of Ginseng: A Pharmacological Update

Ginseng, a medicinal plant of the genus Panax, boasts a rich historical record of usage that dates back to the Paleolithic period. This botanical is extensively acknowledged and consumed in Eastern countries for its therapeutic properties, and, in Western countries, it is becoming increasingly popular as a remedy for fatigue and asthenia. This review provides an update on current research pertaining to ginseng and its isolated compounds, namely, ginsenosides and polysaccharides. The primary focus is on three crucial pharmacological activities, namely, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. The review encompasses studies on both isolated compounds and various ginseng extracts obtained from the root, leaves, and berries.

TP53 (rs1042522, rs28934571) and TP21 (rs1801270, rs1059234) Polymorphisms and Risk of Breast Cancer among Rural Women of Maharashtra: Findings from a Hospital Based Case- Control Study

BACKGROUND

Various studies all around the world depicted the relationship of polymorphisms in tumor suppressor genes with risk of various cancers, but there are unambiguous conclusions on this association. A hospital based case-control study was designed to review the association of polymorphism of tumor suppressor genes p21 and p53 with breast cancer risk in women residing in rural Maharashtra.

METHODS

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) a C>A transversion (Ser>Arg) at codon 31 of exon 2 (rs1801270), C>T transition occurring 20bp upstream from stop codon of exon 3 (rs1059234) in p21 gene and G>C (Arg>Pro) transition at codon 72 of exon 4 (rs1042522), G>T (Arg>Ser) transition at codon 249 in exon 7 (rs28934571) in p53 gene were studied. To precise the quantitative assessment, we enrolled 800 subjects sorted into 400 clinically confirmed breast cancer patients and 400 healthy women from a tertiary care hospital (Krishna Hospital and Medical Research Centre) of south-western Maharashtra. The genetic polymorphisms in p21 and p53 genes was studied by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method using blood genomic DNA isolated from breast cancer patients and controls.  The level of association of polymorphisms was assessed using Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval and p-value identified using logistic regression model.

RESULTS

After the analysis of SNPs (rs1801270, rs1059234) of p21 and (rs1042522, rs28934571) in p53 gene our analysis suggested that heterozygote Ser/Arg genotype with OR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.47- 0.91; p=0.0003 and homozygote variant Arg/Arg genotype with OR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.13- 0.40; p<0.0001of rs1801270 of p21 was negatively associated with risk of breast cancer in studied population.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study supported that rs1801270 SNP of p21 was inversely associated with breast cancer risk in the studied rural women population.

Identification of Promising Drug Candidates against Prostate Cancer through Computationally-Driven Drug Repurposing

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common types of cancer in males. Although early stages of PC are generally associated with favorable outcomes, advanced phases of the disease present a significantly poorer prognosis. Moreover, currently available therapeutic options for the treatment of PC are still limited, being mainly focused on androgen deprivation therapies and being characterized by low efficacy in patients. As a consequence, there is a pressing need to identify alternative and more effective therapeutics. In this study, we performed large-scale 2D and 3D similarity analyses between compounds reported in the DrugBank database and ChEMBL molecules with reported anti-proliferative activity on various PC cell lines. The analyses included also the identification of biological targets of ligands with potent activity on PC cells, as well as investigations on the activity annotations and clinical data associated with the more relevant compounds emerging from the ligand-based similarity results. The results led to the prioritization of a set of drugs and/or clinically tested candidates potentially useful in drug repurposing against PC.

Identification of Critical Molecular Factors and Side Effects Underlying the Response to Thalicthuberine in Prostate Cancer: A Systems Biology Approach

Background

Uncontrolled mitosis of cancer cells and resistance cells to chemotherapy drugs are the challenges of prostate cancer. Thalicthuberine causes a mitotic arrest and a reduction of the effects of drug resistance, resulting in cell death. In this study, we applied bioinformatics and computational biology methods to identify functional pathways and side effects in response to Thalicthuberine in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

Microarray data were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and protein-protein interactions and gene regulatory networks were constructed, using the Cytoscape software. The critical genes and molecular mechanisms in response to Thalicthuberine and its side effects were identified, using the Cytoscape software and WebGestalt server, respectively. Finally, GEPIA2 was used to predict the relationship between critical genes and prostate cancer.

Results

The POLQ, EGR1, CDKN1A, FOS, MDM2, CDC20, CCNB1, and CCNB2 were identified as critical genes in response to this drug. The functional mechanisms of Thalicthuberine include a response to oxygen levels, toxic substances and immobilization stress, cell cycle regulation, regeneration, the p53 signaling pathway, the action of the parathyroid hormone, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Besides, the drug has side effects including muscle cramping, abdominal pains, paresthesia, and metabolic diseases.

Conclusion

Our model suggested newly predicted crucial genes, molecular mechanisms, and possible side effects of this drug. However, further studies are required.

Anti-tumor activities of Panax quinquefolius saponins and potential biomarkers in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate carcinoma is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. Developing new therapeutic approaches and diagnostic biomarkers for prostate cancer (PC) is a significant need. The Chinese herbal medicine Panax quinquefolius saponins (PQS) have been reported to show anti-tumor effects. We hypothesized that PQS exhibits anti-cancer activity in human PC cells and we aimed to search for novel biomarkers allowing early diagnosis of PC.

METHODS

We used the human PC cell line DU145 and the prostate epithelial cell line PNT2 to perform cell viability assays, flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle, and FACS-based apoptosis assays. Microarray-based gene expression analysis was used to display specific gene expression patterns and to search for novel biomarkers. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to demonstrate the expression levels of multiple cancer-related genes.

RESULTS

Our data showed that PQS inhibited the viability of DU145 cells and induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. A significant decrease in DU145 cell invasion and migration were observed after 24 h treatment by PQS. PQS up-regulated the expression levels of p21, p53, TMEM79, ACOXL, ETV5, and SPINT1 while it down-regulated the expression levels of bcl2, STAT3, FANCD2, DRD2, and TMPRSS2.

CONCLUSION

PQS promoted cells apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of DU145 cells, which suggests that PQS may be effective for treating PC. TMEM79 and ACOXL were expressed significantly higher in PNT2 than in DU145 cells and could be novel biomarker candidates for PC diagnosis.

Association between TP53 gene codon72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

TP53 gene polymorphism could increase risks of several kinds of cancer. But it remained controversial whether TP53 gene codon72 polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility to prostate cancer. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis that evaluated the association between TP53 gene codon72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk.

METHOD

A comprehensive research was performed from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) up to December 31, 2018. A random effect model was used to evaluate the effect of the outcome. The statistical analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3.0 and Stata 14.0. The sensitivity analysis and publication bias tests were also performed to confirm the reliability of this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

22 studies included 3146 cases and 4010 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, no association was observed between TP53 gene codon72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk (Arg vs Pro: odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98-1.30; ArgArg vs ProPro: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.90-1.75; ProPro vs ArgArg+ ArgPro: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.86-1.57; ArgPro+ ProPro vs ArgArg: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.97-1.51). Subgroup analyses, based on ethnicity, source of control and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) status, showed consistent results.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis we performed showed that there was no association of TP53 gene codon72 polymorphism with prostate cancer risk.

Effect of CCNB1 silencing on cell cycle, senescence, and apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a serious malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis due to nonspecific incipient symptoms and early metastasis. Also, increasing evidence indicates that a panel of genes is newly identified in the pathogenesis of PC. As is a regulatory subunit, elevated cyclin B1 (CCNB1) expression has been detected in different cancers including PC. This study is designed to investigate the effects of CCNB1 silencing on cell cycle, senescence, and apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway in PC. PC tissues and normal pancreatic tissues were collected. Cells were transfected and assigned into different groups. The expressions of CCNB1, p53, MDM2, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, and p21 in tissues and cells were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. β-Galactosidase staining, MTT assay, and flow cytometry were conducted to test cell senescence, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. PC tissues showed higher expressions of CCNB1 and MDM2 and lower expressions of Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, and p21. Cells transfected with shCCNB1 had lower expressions of CCNB1 and MDM2, whereas higher expressions of Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, p53, and p21. The shCCNB1 group had decreased proliferation and S-phase cell proportion and increased apoptosis, senescence, and G0/G1-phase cell proportion. The PFT-α group showed higher expressions of MDM2 and lower expressions of Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, p53, and p21. The PFT-α group had increased proliferation and S-phase cell proportion and declined apoptosis, senescence, and G0/G1-phase cell proportion. CCNB1 silencing inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell senescence via activation of the p53 signaling pathway in PC.

Expression of p53 and its mechanism in prostate cancer

The present study aimed to investigate the expression of tumor protein p53 (p53), and its mechanism of function, in prostate cancer (PC). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to interfere with p53 expression in the PC cell line, DU145. Cell viability and p53 expression were analyzed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and western blotting. The effects of p53 expression on the proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells were analyzed using Cell Counting kit-8, Transwell and adhesion assays. Changes in cell proliferation, migration and adhesion ability were observed following treatment with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, PD184352, and janus kinase (JNK) inhibitor, SP60012. The expression level of p53 declined 24 h after siRNA transfection (P<0.05). Furthermore, JNK and ERK, downstream proteins of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-Src proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Src) signaling pathway, were activated. These effects were associated with reduced proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells compared with untransfected control cells (P<0.05). PD184352 and SP600125 treatments also resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells (P<0.05). In conclusion, PC cells exhibited low p53 expression, and the proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of PC cells were promoted by inhibiting the activation of JNK and ERK. Together, these results suggest that p53 has potential as a therapeutic target in PC.

Mast cell chymase affects the proliferation and metastasis of lung carcinoma cells in vitro

Metastasis of lung carcinoma cells is a major cause of organ failure and mortality of patients with lung cancer. Lung mast cells are a type of immune cell which reside in the respiratory mucosa. High numbers of mast cells are associated with the majority of common types of cancer; however, the effects of mast cells on cancer remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of mast cell chymase (MCC) on the proliferation and adhesion of the lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and H520 was investigated. After 24 h of treatment, the highest dose of MCC (50 mU/ml) decreased the proliferation rate of A549 and H520 cells, whereas the lowest dose of MCC (5 mU/ml) resulted in a small increase in the viability. A549 cells treated with MCC lost adhesion ability in a MCC dose-dependent manner; however, these detached cells were able to regrow when transferred to a fresh culture. The protein expression of epithelial (E-) cadherin, p53 and p21 in A549 lung carcinoma cells were detected by western blot analysis. The results of the present study revealed that, following 24 h of treatment, the expression level of E-cadherin was decreased, the p53 tumor suppressor protein was expressed in limited quantities and the expression of p21 was decreased. Zymography was used to examine the effects of MCC on the expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in A549 and H520 cells. The expression of MMP-9 in the two cell lines was time- and MCC dose-dependent. The results of the present study demonstrated that MCC stimulated lung carcinoma cell proliferation and adhesion, as well as regulated E-cadherin expression and the cell cycle, all of which are associated with cancer metastasis. Therefore, MCC may be a potential candidate for lung carcinoma therapy.

Association of Some Polymorphisms in the VDR Gene, CYP17 Gene and SRD5A2 Gene and Prostate Cancer among Lebanese Men

Aims:

The goal of the study was to investigate possible association of some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene (the FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqαI loci), and the CYP17 gene (the MspA1I locus), and 0 or 9 TA repeats in the SRD5A2 gene, and prostate cancer (PCa) among Lebanese men.

Materials and Methods:

Blood DNA of 69 subjects with confirmed PCa and 69 controls, all about 50 years of age or older, was subjected to PCR or PCR-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analyses, and the risk-bearing and the protective alleles were identified. The odds ratio (OR) of having a genotype and the relative risk (RR) of developing PCa were calculated. In addition, the distributions of homozygosis and heterozygosis in the risk-bearing alleles and the protective alleles among the control and the PCa groups were compared.

Results:

The f allele of the VDR FokI locus and the (TA) 9 repeat allele of the SRD5A2 gene were found to be associated with increased risks of PCa (p = 0.006 and 0.050, respectively). Homozygosis in the risk-bearing alleles was rare both in the control and the PCa groups. A higher fraction of the controls compared to the PCa group was double-homozygous in the two protective alleles (52.2% for controls, 24.6% for PCa group, p = <0.001).

Conclusions:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first genetic study demonstrating the association of certain polymorphisms of the VDR gene and the SDR5A2 gene and increased risk of PCa among Lebanese men. Our study also indicates that the overall polymorphism profile of all genes involved in the prostate physiology is likely to be a better indicator for PCa risk than the polymorphisms in the individual genes.

Centrosome - a promising anti-cancer target

The centrosome, an organelle discovered >100 years ago, is the main microtubule-organizing center in mammalian organisms. The centrosome is composed of a pair of centrioles surrounded by the pericentriolar material (PMC) and plays a major role in the regulation of cell cycle transitions (G1-S, G2-M, and metaphase-anaphase), ensuring the normality of cell division. Hundreds of proteins found in the centrosome exert a variety of roles, including microtubule dynamics, nucleation, and kinetochore–microtubule attachments that allow correct chromosome alignment and segregation. Errors in these processes lead to structural (shape, size, number, position, and composition), functional (abnormal microtubule nucleation and disorganized spindles), and numerical (centrosome amplification [CA]) centrosome aberrations causing aneuploidy and genomic instability. Compelling data demonstrate that centrosomes are implicated in cancer, because there are important oncogenic and tumor suppressor proteins that are localized in this organelle and drive centrosome aberrations. Centrosome defects have been found in pre-neoplasias and tumors from breast, ovaries, prostate, head and neck, lung, liver, and bladder among many others. Several drugs/compounds against centrosomal proteins have shown promising results. Other drugs have higher toxicity with modest or no benefits, and there are more recently developed agents being tested in clinical trials. All of this emerging evidence suggests that targeting centrosome aberrations may be a future avenue for therapeutic intervention in cancer research.

The effects of p21 gene C98A polymorphism on development of uterine leiomyoma in southeast Iranian women

Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is a monoclonal tumor which arises from uninhibited proliferation of a single myometrial cell; therefore, the imbalance in cell cycle regulation could be a key event in its development. In the present study, we aimed to assess the association of p21 gene polymorphisms and UL. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 154 women with UL and 197 age-, BMI-, and ethnically matched controls. p21 C98A (rs1801270) and C70T (rs1059234) polymorphism genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The CA genotype of p21 C98A polymorphism was significantly higher in UL women (28 %) compared to the controls (18 %), and the UL risk was 1.8-fold greater in women with CA genotype compared to CC genotype before and after adjusting for age, BMI, and ethnicity (OR, 1.8 [95 % CI, 1.1 to 3]; P = 0.02). There was no association between the AA genotype of p21 C98A polymorphism and UL. Moreover, the frequency of p21 98A allele was significantly higher in the UL women compared to controls (17 vs. 12 %, p = 0.04). The p21 C70T polymorphism did not correlate with UL before and after adjusting for age, BMI, and ethnicity. There was no difference in haplotype frequency of p21 C70T and C98A polymorphisms between UL patients and the controls. CA genotype of p21 C98A polymorphism may be a risk factor for UL susceptibility; however, p21 C70T polymorphism did not associate with UL.