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Weidle UH, Nopora A. MicroRNAs and Corresponding Targets in Esophageal Cancer as Shown In Vitro and In Vivo in Preclinical Models. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2022; 19:113-129. [PMID: 35181582 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is associated with a dismal prognosis. Therefore, identification of new targets and implementation of new treatment modalities are issues of paramount importance. Based on a survey of the literature, we identified microRNAs conferring antitumoral activity in preclinical in vivo experiments. In the category of miRs targeting secreted factors and transmembrane receptors, four miRs were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated compared with five out of nine in the category transcription factors, and six miRs were down-regulated in the category enzymes, including metabolic enzymes. The down-regulated miRs have targets which can be inhibited by small molecules or antibody-related entities, or re-expressed by reconstitution therapy. Up-regulated miRs have targets which can be reconstituted with small molecules or inhibited with antagomirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich H Weidle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Adam Nopora
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
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2
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Circ-DONSON Knockdown Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Radioresistance of Breast Cancer Cells via Regulating SOX4. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:8461740. [PMID: 34853591 PMCID: PMC8629618 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8461740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Circular RNAs have been validated as critical regulators in the development of breast cancer (BC). Circ-DONSON is involved in the progression of glioma and gastric cancer. However, the biological role of circ-DONSON in BC remains unclear, and the aim of this study was to explore the biological role of circ-DONSON in BC. Methods Human tissue samples and BC cell lines were collected in this study. siRNAs against circ-DONSON were transfected into BC cell lines for silencing of circ-DONSON. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to test the circ-DONSON expression. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-bromo-2' deoxyuridine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BrdU-ELISA), colony formation, and caspase-3 activity assays were used to assess cell proliferation, cell survival, and cell viability. Western blotting analysis was used to detect the protein expression levels. Results Our findings showed that circ-DONSON showed high expression in BC tissues and cell lines. CCK-8 and BrdU-ELISA assays showed that circ-DONSON knockdown inhibited BC cell proliferation. Moreover, cell survival, cell viability, and caspase-3 activity assays showed that circ-DONSON knockdown reduced the radioresistance of BC cells. Mechanistically, circ-DONSON regulated BC cell proliferation and radioresistance via SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4). SOX4 overexpression significantly rescued the effect of circ-DONSON knockdown on BC cell proliferation and radioresistance. Moreover, circ-DONSON activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in BC cells via SOX4. Conclusion Our study concluded that circ-DONSON knockdown hindered cell proliferation and radioresistance through the SOX4/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in BC.
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3
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CK2 Regulation: Perspectives in 2021. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101361. [PMID: 34680478 PMCID: PMC8533506 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase CK2 (CK2) family encompasses a small number of acidophilic serine/threonine kinases that phosphorylate substrates involved in numerous biological processes including apoptosis, cell proliferation, and the DNA damage response. CK2 has also been implicated in many human malignancies and other disorders including Alzheimer′s and Parkinson’s diseases, and COVID-19. Interestingly, no single mechanism describes how CK2 is regulated, including activation by external proteins or domains, phosphorylation, or dimerization. Furthermore, the kinase has an elongated activation loop that locks the kinase into an active conformation, leading CK2 to be labelled a constitutively active kinase. This presents an interesting paradox that remains unanswered: how can a constitutively active kinase regulate biological processes that require careful control? Here, we highlight a selection of studies where CK2 activity is regulated at the substrate level, and discuss them based on the regulatory mechanism. Overall, this review describes numerous biological processes where CK2 activity is regulated, highlighting how a constitutively active kinase can still control numerous cellular activities. It is also evident that more research is required to fully elucidate the mechanisms that regulate CK2 and what causes aberrant CK2 signaling in disease.
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Blanc V, Riordan JD, Soleymanjahi S, Nadeau JH, Nalbantoglu ILK, Xie Y, Molitor EA, Madison BB, Brunt EM, Mills JC, Rubin DC, Ng IO, Ha Y, Roberts LR, Davidson NO. Apobec1 complementation factor overexpression promotes hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular cancer. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:138699. [PMID: 33445170 DOI: 10.1172/jci138699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein Apobec1 complementation factor (A1CF) regulates posttranscriptional ApoB mRNA editing, but the range of RNA targets and the long-term effect of altered A1CF expression on liver function are unknown. Here we studied hepatocyte-specific A1cf-transgenic (A1cf+/Tg), A1cf+/Tg Apobec1-/-, and A1cf-/- mice fed chow or high-fat/high-fructose diets using RNA-Seq, RNA CLIP-Seq, and tissue microarrays from human hepatocellular cancer (HCC). A1cf+/Tg mice exhibited increased hepatic proliferation and steatosis, with increased lipogenic gene expression (Mogat1, Mogat2, Cidea, Cd36) associated with shifts in polysomal RNA distribution. Aged A1cf+/Tg mice developed spontaneous fibrosis, dysplasia, and HCC, and this development was accelerated on a high-fat/high-fructose diet and was independent of Apobec1. RNA-Seq revealed increased expression of mRNAs involved in oxidative stress (Gstm3, Gpx3, Cbr3), inflammatory response (Il19, Cxcl14, Tnfα, Ly6c), extracellular matrix organization (Mmp2, Col1a1, Col4a1), and proliferation (Kif20a, Mcm2, Mcm4, Mcm6), and a subset of mRNAs (including Sox4, Sox9, Cdh1) were identified in RNA CLIP-Seq. Increased A1CF expression in human HCC correlated with advanced fibrosis and with reduced survival in a subset with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In conclusion, we show that hepatic A1CF overexpression selectively alters polysomal distribution and mRNA expression, promoting lipogenic, proliferative, and inflammatory pathways leading to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Blanc
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jesse D Riordan
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Saeed Soleymanjahi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Joseph H Nadeau
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - ILKe Nalbantoglu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yan Xie
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Molitor
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Blair B Madison
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Brunt
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jason C Mills
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Deborah C Rubin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Irene O Ng
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yeonjung Ha
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nicholas O Davidson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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5
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Huang JL, Wang XK, Liao XW, Han CY, Yu TD, Huang KT, Yang CK, Liu XG, Yu L, Zhu GZ, Su H, Qin W, Han QF, Liu ZQ, Zhou X, Liu JQ, Ye XP, Peng T. SOX4 as biomarker in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:3486-3500. [PMID: 33995626 PMCID: PMC8120190 DOI: 10.7150/jca.46579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is associated with liver disease, including cancers. In this study, we assessed the power of sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG)-box 4(SOX4) gene to predict the clinical course of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: To evaluate the differential expression of SOX4 and its diagnostic and prognostic potential in HCC, we analyzed the GSE14520 dataset. Stratified analysis and joint-effect analysis were done using SOX4 and clinical factor. We then designed a nomogram for predicting the clinical course of HCC. Differential SOX4 expression and its correlation with tumor stage as well as its diagnostic and prognostic value were analyzed on the oncomine and GEPIA websites. Gene set enrichment analysis was explored as well as candidate gene ontology and metabolic pathways modulated by in SOX4 HCC. Results: Our analysis revealed that the level of SOX4 was significantly upregulated in tumor issue (P <0.001). This observation was validated through oncomine dataset and MERAV analysis (all P <0.05). Diagnostic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of SOX4 suggested it has diagnostic potential in HCC (GSE14520 dataset: P <0.001, area under curve (AUC) = 0.782; Oncomine: (Wurmbach dataset) P = 0.002, AUC = 0.831 and (Mas dataset) P <0.001, AUC = 0.947). In addition, SOX4 exhibited high correlation with overall survival of HBV-associated HCC (adjusted P = 0.004, hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 2.055 (1.261-3.349) and recurrence-free survival (adjusted P = 0.008, HR (95% CI) = 1.721 (1.151-2.574). These observations which were verified by GEPIA analysis for overall survival (P = 0.007) and recurrence-free survival (P= 0.096). Gene enrichment analysis revealed that affected processes included lymphocyte differentiation, pancreatic endocrine pathways, and insulin signaling pathway. SOX4 prognostic value was evaluated using nomogram analysis for HCC 1, 3, and 5-year, survival. Conclusion: Differential SOX4 expression presents an avenue of diagnosing and predicting clinical course of HCC. In HCC, SOX4 may affect TP53 metabolic processes, lymphocyte differentiation and the insulin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Lv Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Kun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi-Wen Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang-Ye Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Dong Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke-Tuan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Kun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Guang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Long Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, China
| | - Guang-Zhi Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan-Fa Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Qian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Qi Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Ping Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
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Ognjenovic NB, Bagheri M, Mohamed GA, Xu K, Chen Y, Mohamed Saleem MA, Brown MS, Nagaraj SH, Muller KE, Gerber SA, Christensen BC, Pattabiraman DR. Limiting Self-Renewal of the Basal Compartment by PKA Activation Induces Differentiation and Alters the Evolution of Mammary Tumors. Dev Cell 2020; 55:544-557.e6. [PMID: 33120014 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation therapy utilizes our understanding of the hierarchy of cellular systems to pharmacologically induce a shift toward terminal commitment. While this approach has been a paradigm in treating certain hematological malignancies, efforts to translate this success to solid tumors have met with limited success. Mammary-specific activation of PKA in mouse models leads to aberrant differentiation and diminished self-renewing potential of the basal compartment, which harbors mammary repopulating cells. PKA activation results in tumors that are more benign, exhibiting reduced metastatic propensity, loss of tumor-initiating potential, and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. Analysis of tumor histopathology revealed features of overt differentiation with papillary characteristics. Longitudinal single-cell profiling at the hyperplasia and tumor stages uncovered an altered path of tumor evolution whereby PKA curtails the emergence of aggressive subpopulations. Acting through the repression of SOX4, PKA activation promotes tumor differentiation and represents a possible adjuvant to chemotherapy for certain breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevena B Ognjenovic
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Meisam Bagheri
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Gadisti Aisha Mohamed
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Youdinghuan Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | | | - Meredith S Brown
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Shivashankar H Nagaraj
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kristen E Muller
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA; Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Scott A Gerber
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Brock C Christensen
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Diwakar R Pattabiraman
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
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7
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Mehta GA, Khanna P, Gatza ML. Emerging Role of SOX Proteins in Breast Cancer Development and Maintenance. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2019; 24:213-230. [PMID: 31069617 PMCID: PMC6790170 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-019-09430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The SOX genes encode a family of more than 20 transcription factors that are critical regulators of embryogenesis and developmental processes and, when aberrantly expressed, have been shown to contribute to tumor development and progression in both an oncogenic and tumor suppressive role. Increasing evidence demonstrates that the SOX proteins play essential roles in multiple cellular processes that mediate or contribute to oncogenic transformation and tumor progression. In the context of breast cancer, SOX proteins function both as oncogenes and tumor suppressors and have been shown to be associated with tumor stage and grade and poor prognosis. Experimental evidence demonstrates that a subset of SOX proteins regulate critical aspects of breast cancer biology including cancer stemness and multiple signaling pathways leading to altered cell proliferation, survival, and tumor development; EMT, cell migration and metastasis; as well as other tumor associated characteristics. This review will summarize the role of SOX family members as important mediators of tumorigenesis in breast cancer, with an emphasis on the triple negative or basal-like subtype of breast cancer, as well as examine the therapeutic potential of these genes and their downstream targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav A Mehta
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, CINJ 4558, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Pooja Khanna
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, CINJ 4558, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Michael L Gatza
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, CINJ 4558, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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8
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Moreno CS. SOX4: The unappreciated oncogene. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 67:57-64. [PMID: 31445218 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
SOX4 is an essential developmental transcription factor that regulates stemness, differentiation, progenitor development, and multiple developmental pathways including PI3K, Wnt, and TGFβ signaling. The SOX4 gene is frequently amplified and overexpressed in over 20 types of malignancies, and multiple lines of evidence support that notion that SOX4 is an oncogene. Its overexpression is due to both gene amplification and to activation of PI3K, Wnt, and TGFβ pathways that SOX4 regulates. SOX4 interacts with multiple other transcription factors, rendering many of its impacts on gene expression context and tissue-specific. Nevertheless, there are common themes that run through many of the effects of SOX4 hyperactivity, such as the promotion of cell survival, stemness, the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, migration, and metastasis. Specific targeting of SOX4 remains a challenge for future cancer research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos S Moreno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Whitehead Bldg, Rm 105J, 615 Michael St. Atlanta, GA, USA.
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9
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Moran JD, Kim HH, Li Z, Moreno CS. SOX4 regulates invasion of bladder cancer cells via repression of WNT5a. Int J Oncol 2019; 55:359-370. [PMID: 31268162 PMCID: PMC6615919 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sry-Related HMG-BOX-4 (SOX4) is a developmental transcription factor that is overexpressed in as many as 23% of bladder cancer patients; however, the role of SOX4 in bladder cancer tumorigenesis is not yet well understood. Given the many roles of SOX4 in embryonic development and the context-dependent regulation of gene expression, in this study, we sought to determine the role of SOX4 in bladder cancer and to identify SOX4-regulated genes that may contribute to tumorigenesis. For this purpose, we employed a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) method to transcriptionally repress SOX4 expression in T24 bladder cancer cell lines, 'rescued' these cell lines with the lentiviral-mediated expression of SOX4, and performed whole genome expression profiling. The cells in which SOX4 was knocked down (T24-SOX4-KD) exhibited decreased invasive capabilities, but no changes in migration or proliferation, whereas rescue experiments with SOX4 lentiviral vector restored the invasive phenotype. Gene expression profiling revealed 173 high confidence SOX4-regulated genes, including WNT5a as a potential target of repression by SOX4. Treatment of the T24-SOX4-KD cells with a WNT5a antagonist restored the invasive phenotype observed in the T24-scramble control cells and the SOX4 lentiviral-rescued cells. High WNT5a expression was associated with a decreased invasion and WNT5a expression inversely correlated with SOX4 expression, suggesting that SOX4 can negatively regulate WNT5a levels either directly or indirectly and that WNT5a likely plays a protective role against invasion in bladder cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josue D Moran
- Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Hannah H Kim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Zhenghong Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Carlos S Moreno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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10
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CUL4B promotes prostate cancer progression by forming positive feedback loop with SOX4. Oncogenesis 2019; 8:23. [PMID: 30872583 PMCID: PMC6418142 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-019-0131-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
How to distinguish indolent from aggressive disease remains a great challenge in prostate cancer (PCa) management. Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is a scaffold protein and exhibits oncogenic activity in a variety of human malignancies. In this study, we utilized PCa tissue specimens, cell lines and xenograft models to determine whether CUL4B contributes to PCa progression and metastasis. Here, we show that CUL4B expression highly correlates with the aggressiveness of PCa. CUL4B expression promotes proliferation, epithelial−mesenchymal transition, and metastatic potential of PCa cells, whereas CUL4B knockdown inhibits. Mechanically, CUL4B positively regulates SOX4, a key regulator in PCa, through epigenetic silencing of miR-204. In turn, SOX4 upregulates CUL4B expression through transcriptional activation, thereby fulfilling a positive feedback loop. Clinically, CUL4B+/SOX4+ defines a subset of PCa patients with poor prognosis. Bioinformatics analysis further reveals that Wnt/ß-catenin activation signature is enriched in CUL4B+/SOX4+ patient subgroup. Intriguingly, Wnt inhibitors significantly attenuates oncogenic capacities of CUL4B in vitro and in vivo. Together, our study identifies CUL4B as a key modulator of aggressive PCa by a positive feedback loop that interacts with SOX4. This regulatory circuit may have a crucial role in PCa progression.
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11
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Wang B, Li Y, Tan F, Xiao Z. Increased expression of SOX4 is associated with colorectal cancer progression. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:9131-7. [PMID: 26768610 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4756-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group box 4 (SOX4) has been proven to serve as a critical role in cancer progression. However, the pathological role of SOX4 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SOX4 in CRC. In this study, we investigated the expression of SOX4 in CRC tissues by immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. We also evaluated the effect of SOX4 on cell proliferation and invasion by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assay. The SOX4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were markedly higher in CRC tissues compared with adjacent normal mucosa tissues. Inhibition of SOX4 could suppress CRC cell proliferation, and invasion in vitro. Our findings indicate that targeting SOX4 might provide a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baochun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.,Department of General Surgery, Hainan Province People's Hospital, Haikou, 570311, China
| | - Yixiong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Fengbo Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Zhanxiang Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan Province People's Hospital, Haikou, 570311, China
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12
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Li Y, Zu L, Wang Y, Wang M, Chen P, Zhou Q. miR-132 inhibits lung cancer cell migration and invasion by targeting SOX4. J Thorac Dis 2015; 7:1563-9. [PMID: 26543603 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.09.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the development and progression of lung cancer. However, the expression and roles of miR-132 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely undefined. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological functions and its molecular mechanisms of miR-132 in human lung cancer cells. METHODS miR-132 expression was measured in human lung cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The cells migration and invasion ability were measured by wound healing assay and transwell assay. The influence of miR-132 on tumor progression in vivo was monitored using NSCLC xenografts in nude mice. The target gene of miR-132 was determined by luciferase assay and western blot. RESULTS The expression level of miR-132 was dramatically decreased in examined lung cancer cell lines. Then, we found that introduction of miR-132 significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells in vitro. Besides, miR-132 overexpression could also inhibit tumor growth in the nude mice. Further studies indicated that the sex determining region Y-box 4 (SOX4) is a target gene of miR-132. SOX4 re-introduction could reverse the anti-invasion role of miR-132. CONCLUSIONS Our finding provides new insight into the mechanism of NSCLC progression. Therapeutically, miR-132 may serve as a potential target in the treatment of human lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Lingling Zu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yuli Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Min Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Peirui Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Qinghua Zhou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
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Hepatitis B virus replication and sex-determining region Y box 4 production are tightly controlled by a novel positive feedback mechanism. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10066. [PMID: 25970172 PMCID: PMC4429541 DOI: 10.1038/srep10066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying HBV infection and pathogenesis remain largely unknown. The sex-determining region Y box 4 (Sox4) is a transcriptional factor, which preferentially regulates the development of various organs, tissues, and cancers. But, the role of Sox4 in viral infection and pathogenesis has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that Sox4 is up-regulated by HBV, and revealed the mechanism by which HBV regulates Sox4 expression. First, HBV stimulates Sox4 expression through transcriptional factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), which binds to Sox4 promoter to activate Sox4 transcriptional activity. Second, miR-335, miR-129-2 and miR-203 inhibit Sox4 expression by targeting its mRNA 3’UTR, while HBV suppresses the microRNAs expression, resulting in up-regulating Sox4 post-transcriptionally. Third, Sox4 protein is degraded by proteasome, while HBV surface protein (HBsAg) prevents Sox4 from degradation by directly interacting with the protein, thereby enhancing Sox4 production post-translationlly. More interestingly, HBV-activated Sox4 in turn facilitates HBV replication by direct binding to the viral genome via its HMG box. Thus, this study revealed a novel positive feedback mechanism by which Sox4 production and HBV replication are tightly correlated.
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Bhattaram P, Penzo-Méndez A, Kato K, Bandyopadhyay K, Gadi A, Taketo MM, Lefebvre V. SOXC proteins amplify canonical WNT signaling to secure nonchondrocytic fates in skeletogenesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 207:657-71. [PMID: 25452386 PMCID: PMC4259807 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201405098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In skeletogenic mesenchyme, SOXC proteins enter the APC–Axin destruction complex to inhibit β-catenin phosphorylation by GSK3 and thereby synergize with canonical WNT signaling to inhibit chondrogenesis. Canonical WNT signaling stabilizes β-catenin to determine cell fate in many processes from development onwards. One of its main roles in skeletogenesis is to antagonize the chondrogenic transcription factor SOX9. We here identify the SOXC proteins as potent amplifiers of this pathway. The SOXC genes, i.e., Sox4, Sox11, and Sox12, are coexpressed in skeletogenic mesenchyme, including presumptive joints and perichondrium, but not in cartilage. Their inactivation in mouse embryo limb bud caused massive cartilage fusions, as joint and perichondrium cells underwent chondrogenesis. SOXC proteins govern these cells cell autonomously. They replace SOX9 in the adenomatous polyposis coli–Axin destruction complex and therein inhibit phosphorylation of β-catenin by GSK3. This inhibition, a crucial, limiting step in canonical WNT signaling, thus becomes a constitutive event. The resulting SOXC/canonical WNT-mediated synergistic stabilization of β-catenin contributes to efficient repression of Sox9 in presumptive joint and perichondrium cells and thereby ensures proper delineation and articulation of skeletal primordia. This synergy may determine cell fate in many processes besides skeletogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Bhattaram
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Research Center, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Alfredo Penzo-Méndez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Research Center, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Kenji Kato
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Research Center, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Kaustav Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Research Center, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Abhilash Gadi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Research Center, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195
| | - Makoto M Taketo
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Véronique Lefebvre
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Research Center, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195
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Zhang J, Jiang H, Shao J, Mao R, Liu J, Ma Y, Fang X, Zhao N, Zheng S, Lin B. SOX4 inhibits GBM cell growth and induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest through Akt-p53 axis. BMC Neurol 2014; 14:207. [PMID: 25366337 PMCID: PMC4233052 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-014-0207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background SOX4 is a transcription factor required for tissue development and differentiation in vertebrates. Overexpression of SOX4 has been reported in many cancers including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), however, the underlying mechanism of actions has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the role of SOX4 in GBM. Methods Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the association between SOX4 expression levels and survival times in primary GBM samples. Cre/lox P system was used to generate gain or loss of SOX4 in GBM cells, and microarray analysis uncovered the regulation network of SOX4 in GBM cells. Results High SOX4 expression was significantly associated with good prognosis of primary GBMs. SOX4 inhibited the growth of GBM cell line LN229, A172G and U87MG, partly via the activation of p53-p21 signaling and down-regulation of phosphorylated AKT1. Gene expression profiling and subsequent gene ontology analysis showed that SOX4 influenced several key pathways including the Wnt/ beta-catenin and TGF-beta signaling pathways. Conclusions Our study found that SOX4 acts as a tumor suppressor in GBM cells by induce cell cycle arrest and inhibiting cell growth. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-014-0207-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China. .,Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Huawei Jiang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China. .,Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Jiaofang Shao
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, P R China.
| | - Ruifang Mao
- Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Jie Liu
- Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Yingying Ma
- Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Xuefeng Fang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Na Zhao
- Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Shu Zheng
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China.
| | - Biaoyang Lin
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China. .,Systems Biology Division and Propriumbio Research Center, Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute (ZCNI), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P R China. .,Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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16
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Bilir B, Kucuk O, Moreno CS. Wnt signaling blockage inhibits cell proliferation and migration, and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Transl Med 2013; 11:280. [PMID: 24188694 PMCID: PMC4228255 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive clinical subtype of breast cancer that is characterized by the lack of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression as well as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression. The TNBC subtype constitutes approximately 10%-20% of all breast cancers, but has no effective molecular targeted therapies. Previous meta-analysis of gene expression profiles of 587 TNBC cases from 21 studies demonstrated high expression of Wnt signaling pathway-associated genes in basal-like 2 and mesenchymal subtypes of TNBC. In this study, we investigated the potential of Wnt pathway inhibitors in effective treatment of TNBC. METHODS Activation of Wnt pathway was assessed in four TNBC cell lines (BT-549, MDA-MB-231, HCC-1143 and HCC-1937), and the ER+ cell line MCF-7 using confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis of pathway components. Effectiveness of five different Wnt pathway inhibitors (iCRT-3, iCRT-5, iCRT-14, IWP-4 and XAV-939) on cell proliferation and apoptosis were tested in vitro. The inhibitory effects of iCRT-3 on canonical Wnt signaling in TNBC was evaluated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis of Axin2 and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The effects of shRNA knockdown of SOX4 in combination with iCRT-3 and/or genistein treatments on cell proliferation, migration and invasion on BT-549 cells were also evaluated. RESULTS Immunofluorescence staining of β-catenin in TNBC cell lines showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic localization, indicating activation of Wnt pathway in TNBC cells. iCRT-3 was the most effective compound for inhibiting proliferation and antagonizing Wnt signaling in TNBC cells. In addition, treatment with iCRT-3 resulted in increased apoptosis in vitro. Knockdown of the Wnt pathway transcription factor, SOX4 in triple negative BT-549 cells resulted in decreased cell proliferation and migration, and combination treatment of iCRT-3 with SOX4 knockdown had a synergistic effect on inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that targeting SOX4 and/or the Wnt pathway could have therapeutic benefit for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carlos S Moreno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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Seelan RS, Mukhopadhyay P, Warner DR, Webb CL, Pisano M, Greene RM. Epigenetic regulation of Sox4 during palate development. Epigenomics 2013; 5:131-46. [PMID: 23566091 DOI: 10.2217/epi.13.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Identification of genes that contribute to secondary palate development provide a better understanding of the etiology of palatal clefts. Gene-expression profiling of the murine palate from gestational days 12-14 (GD12-14), a critical period in palate development, identified Sox4 as a differentially expressed gene. In this study, we have examined if the differential expression of Sox4 in the palate is due to changes in DNA methylation. MATERIALS & METHODS In situ hybridization analysis was used to localize the expression of Sox4 in the developing murine secondary palate. CpG methylation profiling of a 1.8-kb upstream region of Sox4 in the secondary palate from GD12-14 and transfection analysis in murine embryonic maxillary mesenchymal cells using Sox4 deletion, mutant and in vitro methylated plasmid constructs were used to identify critical CpG residues regulating Sox4 expression in the palate. RESULTS Spatiotemporal analysis revealed that Sox4 is expressed in the medial edge epithelium and presumptive rugae-forming regions of the palate from GD12 to GD13. Following palatal shelf fusion on GD14, Sox4 was expressed exclusively in the epithelia of the palatal rugae, structures that serve as signaling centers for the anteroposterior extension of the palate, and that are thought to serve as neural stem cell niches. Methylation of a 1.8-kb region upstream of Sox4, containing the putative promoter, completely eliminated promoter activity. CpG methylation profiling of the 1.8-kb region identified a CpG-poor region (DMR4) that exhibited significant differential methylation during palate development, consistent with changes in Sox4 mRNA expression. Changes in the methylation of DMR4 were attributed primarily to CpGs 83 and 85. CONCLUSION Our studies indicate that Sox4 is an epigenetically regulated gene that likely integrates multiple signaling systems for mediating palatal fusion, palatal extension and/or the maintenance of the neural stem cell niche in the rugae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnam S Seelan
- University of Louisville, Birth Defects Center, Department of Molecular, Cellular & Craniofacial Biology, ULSD, 501 S. Preston St., Suite 350, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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Jafarnejad SM, Ardekani GS, Ghaffari M, Li G. Pleiotropic function of SRY-related HMG box transcription factor 4 in regulation of tumorigenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:2677-96. [PMID: 23080209 PMCID: PMC11113534 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1187-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In addition to their critical roles in embryonic development, cell fate decision, and differentiation, members of Sox (Sry-related high-mobility group box) family of transcription factors including Sox4 have been implicated in various cancers. Multiple studies have revealed an increased expression along with specific oncogenic function of Sox4 in tumors, while others observed a reduced expression of Sox4 in different types of malignancies and suppression of tumor initiation or progression by this protein. More interestingly, the prognostic value of Sox4 is debated due to obvious differences between various reports as well as inconsistencies within specific studies. This review summarizes our current understanding of Sox4 expression pattern and its transcription-dependent, as well as transcription-independent, functions in tumor initiation or progression and its correlation with patient survival. We also discuss the existing discrepancies between different reports and their possible explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mehdi Jafarnejad
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Gholamreza Safaee Ardekani
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Mazyar Ghaffari
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Jack Bell Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6 Canada
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SoxC transcription factors are required for neuronal differentiation in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. J Neurosci 2012; 32:3067-80. [PMID: 22378879 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4679-11.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) generate new hippocampal dentate granule neurons throughout adulthood. The genetic programs controlling neuronal differentiation of adult NSCs are only poorly understood. Here we show that, in the adult mouse hippocampus, expression of the SoxC transcription factors Sox4 and Sox11 is initiated around the time of neuronal commitment of adult NSCs and is maintained in immature neurons. Overexpression of Sox4 and Sox11 strongly promotes in vitro neurogenesis from adult NSCs, whereas ablation of Sox4/Sox11 prevents in vitro and in vivo neurogenesis from adult NSCs. Moreover, we demonstrate that SoxC transcription factors target the promoters of genes that are induced on neuronal differentiation of adult NSCs. Finally, we show that reprogramming of astroglia into neurons is dependent on the presence of SoxC factors. These data identify SoxC proteins as essential contributors to the genetic network controlling neuronal differentiation in adult neurogenesis and neuronal reprogramming of somatic cells.
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