Role of triosephosphate isomerase and downstream functional genes on gastric cancer

Transcriptome characteristics of epithelial cells from advanced non-small cell lung cancer were revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the prevalent malignancy worldwide. The aim is to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with immune infiltration and survival time of LUAD patients, and predict transcriptional factors for shedding new light on molecular mechanisms and individual therapy of LUAD.

METHOD

ScRNA-seq data of LUAD patients was downloaded from GSE148071 and analyzed by R packages. The clustering and protein-protein interaction network were constructed for screening DEGs. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and GO enrichment analysis were performed in epithelial cell subgroups with high differentiation potential. Potential regulatory transcription factors were predicted.

RESULTS

Sixteen epithelial cell types were required and top 20 genes were identified on cell subgroup Epi4 with the highest differentiation potential associated with poor prognosis of LUAD in PPI network. GSEA and GO annotation results showed that cell subgroup Epi4 was enriched in the biological processes of cell proliferation and energy metabolism, and positively regulated the function of cell proliferation. TPI1 was significantly highly expressed in LUAD samples (p < .0001). TPI1 demonstrated a negative correlation with the infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells, and activated mast cells, whilst manifesting a positive correlation with the infiltration levels of resident mast cells, Th2 cells, and MDSC. Epi4 was regulated by transcription factors MXD3 and GATA4.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of TPI1 was identified as a novel biomarker for LUAD, and potential regulatory transcription factors MXD3 and GATA4 regulated the proliferation of LUAD with the poor prognosis, which may serve as potential targets to suppress the proliferation of LUAD.

TPI1 promotes MAPK/ERK-induced EMT, cell migration and invasion in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1), as a widely involved glycolytic enzyme, plays a significant role in glucose metabolism and is highly expressed in various tumors. However, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains incompletely understood.

METHODS

Through bioinformatic analysis, we identified a positive association between high expression of TPI1 and metastasis in LUAD. Western blot, RT-qPCR, wound healing assays and transwell experiments, were employed to investigate potential mechanisms.

RESULTS

In this study, bioinformatic analysis showed that high expression of TPI1 was associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients. We examined the expression of TPI1 in 29 paired LUAD tissues and found that TPI1 expression was higher in LUAD tissues than in paired adjacent noncancerous tissues. Meanwhile, overexpression of TPI1 promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in LUAD cells, while silencing TPI1 weakened the EMT process. Furthermore, TPI1 was shown to regulate EMT through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

TPI1 promotes LUAD metastasis by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Mechanistic and Clinical Evidence Supports a Key Role for Cell Division Cycle Associated 5 (CDCA5) as an Independent Predictor of Outcome in Invasive Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Cell Division Cycle Associated 5 (CDCA5) plays a role in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway involving cell division, cancer cell migration and apoptosis. This study aims to assess the prognostic and biological value of CDCA5 in breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

The biological and prognostic value of CDCA5 were evaluated at mRNA (n = 5109) and protein levels (n = 614) utilizing multiple well-characterized early stage BC cohorts. The effects of CDCA5 knockdown (KD) on multiple oncogenic assays were assessed in vitro using a panel of BC cell lines.

RESULTS

this study examined cohorts showed that high CDCA5 expression was correlated with features characteristic of aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, including the presence of high grade, large tumor size, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), hormone receptor negativity and HER2 positivity. High CDCA5 expression, at both mRNA and protein levels, was associated with shorter BC-specific survival independent of other variables (p = 0.034, Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.6, 95% CI; 1.1-2.3). In line with the clinical data, in vitro models indicated that CDCA5 depletion results in a marked decrease in BC cell invasion and migration abilities and a significant accumulation of the BC cells in the G2/M-phase.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide evidence that CDCA5 plays an important role in BC development and metastasis and could be used as a potential biomarker to predict disease progression in BC.

Revisited Metabolic Control and Reprogramming Cancers by Means of the Warburg Effect in Tumor Cells

Aerobic glycolysis is an emerging hallmark of many human cancers, as cancer cells are defined as a “metabolically abnormal system”. Carbohydrates are metabolically reprogrammed by its metabolizing and catabolizing enzymes in such abnormal cancer cells. Normal cells acquire their energy from oxidative phosphorylation, while cancer cells acquire their energy from oxidative glycolysis, known as the “Warburg effect”. Energy–metabolic differences are easily found in the growth, invasion, immune escape and anti-tumor drug resistance of cancer cells. The glycolysis pathway is carried out in multiple enzymatic steps and yields two pyruvate molecules from one glucose (Glc) molecule by orchestral reaction of enzymes. Uncontrolled glycolysis or abnormally activated glycolysis is easily observed in the metabolism of cancer cells with enhanced levels of glycolytic proteins and enzymatic activities. In the “Warburg effect”, tumor cells utilize energy supplied from lactic acid-based fermentative glycolysis operated by glycolysis-specific enzymes of hexokinase (HK), keto-HK-A, Glc-6-phosphate isomerase, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase, phosphofructokinase (PFK), phosphor-Glc isomerase (PGI), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, phosphoglycerate (PG) kinase (PGK)1, triose phosphate isomerase, PG mutase (PGAM), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, enolase, pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), PDH kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. They are related to glycolytic flux. The key enzymes involved in glycolysis are directly linked to oncogenesis and drug resistance. Among the metabolic enzymes, PKM2, PGK1, HK, keto-HK-A and nucleoside diphosphate kinase also have protein kinase activities. Because glycolysis-generated energy is not enough, the cancer cell-favored glycolysis to produce low ATP level seems to be non-efficient for cancer growth and self-protection. Thus, the Warburg effect is still an attractive phenomenon to understand the metabolic glycolysis favored in cancer. If the basic properties of the Warburg effect, including genetic mutations and signaling shifts are considered, anti-cancer therapeutic targets can be raised. Specific therapeutics targeting metabolic enzymes in aerobic glycolysis and hypoxic microenvironments have been developed to kill tumor cells. The present review deals with the tumor-specific Warburg effect with the revisited viewpoint of recent progress.

Effect of CDCA5 on Proliferation and Metastasis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells under shRNA Interference Technology

Objective

It was to explore the effect of cell division cycle associated 5 (CDCA5) under shRNA interference on proliferation and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

Methods

MDA-ME-231 and BT549 cells were selected as the research objects. According to the different interference methods and CDCA5 interference sequences, they were divided into the interference group 1_MDA-ME-231, the interference group 2_MDA-ME-231, the interference group 1_BT549, the interference group 2_BT549 (using shRNA technology), the control group _MDA-ME-231, and the control group _BT549 (breast cancer cells under normal culture conditions). MCF10A cells were routinely cultured as the negative control group to analyze the effect of CDCA5 expression on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells.

Results

The expression of CDCA5 protein in _MDA-ME-231 and _BT549 cells in control group was significantly higher than that in negative control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the inhibition rates of CDCA5 expression in 1_MDA-ME-231, 2_MDA-ME-231, 1_BT549, and 2_BT549 cells in the interference group were 39.01%, 42.98%, 49.57%, and 60.98%, respectively (P < 0.05). From 12 h, the proliferation level of TNBC cells at different culture time was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the number of staining cells in the control group, the positive staining cells in 1_MDA-ME-231 (61.42%), 2_MDA-ME-231 (72.06%), 1_BT549 (52.53%), and 2_BT549 (59.65%) in the interference group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results show that the expression of CDCA5 in TNBC is increased, which plays an important role in the proliferation and migration of cancer cells. shRNA interference technology can knock down the expression of CDCA5 and inhibit its “promoting cancer” effect.

Elevated nuclear localization of glycolytic enzyme TPI1 promotes lung adenocarcinoma and enhances chemoresistance

Increased glycolysis is a hallmark of tumor, which can provide tumor cells with energy and building blocks to promote cell proliferation. Recent studies have shown that not only the expression of glycolytic genes but also their subcellular localization undergoes a variety of changes to promote development of different types of tumors. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis genes based on data from TCGA to identify those with significant tumor-promoting potential across 14 types of tumors. This analysis not only confirms genes that are known to be involved in tumorigenesis, but also reveals a significant correlation of triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1) with poor prognosis, especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). TPI1 is a glycolytic enzyme that interconverts dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP). We confirm the upregulation of TPI1 expression in clinical LUAD samples and an inverse correlation with the overall patient survival. Knocking down of TPI1 in lung cancer cells significantly reduced cell migration, colony formation, and xenograft tumor growth. Surprisingly, we found that the oncogenic function of TPI1 depends on its translocation to cell nucleus rather than its catalytic activity. Significant accumulation of TPI1 in cell nucleus was observed in LUAD tumor tissues compared with the cytoplasm localization in adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, nuclear translocation of TPI1 is induced by extracellular stress (such as chemotherapy agents and peroxide), which facilitates the chemoresistance of cancer cells. Our study uncovers a novel function of the glycolytic enzyme TPI1 in the LUAD.

Protein modifications throughout the lung cancer proteome unravel the cancer-specific regulation of glycolysis

Glycolytic reprogramming is a typical feature of cancer. However, the cancer-specific modulation of glycolytic enzymes requires systematic elucidation. Here, we report a range of dysregulated modifications in association with a family of enzymes specifically related to the glycolysis pathway by systematic identification of delta masses at the proteomic scale in human non-small-cell lung cancer. The most significant modification is the delta mass of 79.967 Da at serine 58 (Ser58) of triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), which is confirmed to be phosphorylation. Blocking TPI Ser58 phosphorylation dramatically inhibits glycolysis, cancer growth, and metastasis. The protein kinase PRKACA directly phosphorylates TPI Ser58, thereby enhancing TPI enzymatic activity and glycolysis. The upregulation of TPI Ser58 phosphorylation is detected in various human tumor specimens and correlates with poor survival. Therefore, our study identifies a number of cancer-specific protein modifications spanned on glycolytic enzymes and unravels the significance of TPI Ser58 phosphorylation in glycolysis and lung cancer development.

Current Development and Application of Anaerobic Glycolytic Enzymes in Urothelial Cancer

Urothelial cancer is a malignant tumor with metastatic ability and high mortality. Malignant tumors of the urinary system include upper tract urothelial cancer and bladder cancer. In addition to typical genetic alterations and epigenetic modifications, metabolism-related events also occur in urothelial cancer. This metabolic reprogramming includes aberrant expression levels of genes, metabolites, and associated networks and pathways. In this review, we summarize the dysfunctions of glycolytic enzymes in urothelial cancer and discuss the relevant phenotype and signal transduction. Moreover, we describe potential prognostic factors and risks to the survival of clinical cancer patients. More importantly, based on several available databases, we explore relationships between glycolytic enzymes and genetic changes or drug responses in urothelial cancer cells. Current advances in glycolysis-based inhibitors and their combinations are also discussed. Combining all of the evidence, we indicate their potential value for further research in basic science and clinical applications.

SERPIN A5 may have a potential as a biomarker in reflecting the improvement of semen quality in infertile men who underwent varicocele repair

We aimed to identify proteins that were differentially regulated in spermatozoal samples collected from fertile healthy men (FHM) and infertile patients with varicocele (IFPV) before and after varicocelectomy. Seminal samples were collected from 20 IFPV before and after varicocelectomy and from 14 FHM as controls. Samples underwent seminal examination and proteomic analysis. Extracted spermatozoal proteins were analysed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and differentially regulated spermatozoal proteins (DRSPs) were identified. In particular, attention was placed on those DRSPs in which the concentration changed after varicocelectomy and corrected to approximate levels observed in FHM. Varicocelectomy significantly improved the sperm count and concentration in IFPV (p < 0.05). Proteomic analysis showed that 11 DRSPs were identified when comparisons were made among the three groups. Among these 11 proteins, change in the SERPIN A5 concentrations was notable because it was 100-fold downregulated in pre-operative IFPV samples and nearly resembled to control concentrations following varicocelectomy. Western blot analysis using an anti-SERPIN antibody validated the changes observed in SERPIN A5 levels before and after varicocelectomy operation. Increase in SERPIN A5 after varicocelectomy may be due to improvement in semen quality, suggesting that SERPIN A5 is a potential seminal biomarker for assessment of semen quality in varicocele-related infertility.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 (CDK1) is Co-Expressed with CDCA5: Their Functions in Gastric Cancer Cell Line MGC-803

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a worldwide malignancy and the molecular mechanism of the GC carcinogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Our previous study suggested CDCA5 played a role in GC development via regulating cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in GC cells.

Material/Methods

Here, we first carried out bioinformatics analysis and found cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) was possibly associated with CDCA5 using STRING. Then, the expression levels of CDK1 and CDCA5 in cancer tissues were estimated through Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. After that, functional experiments were exerted to detect the association of CDK1 and CDCA5. Finally, cell proliferation assay, colon formation assay, cell scratch assay, transwell migration and invasion assays were applied to explore the roles of CDK1 and CDCA5 in GC cells MGC-803.

Results

CDK1 and CDCA5 were both upregulated and co-expressed in GC tissues. The expression of CDK1 and CDCA5 in MGC-803 was positively related. CDK1 or CDCA5 inhibition can suppress the proliferation, colon formation, migration, and invasion abilities of GC cells.

Conclusions

Co-expression of CDK1 and CDCA5 might confer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities in GC cells, and this can provide some clues for further therapies of gastric tumors.

Biomarkers of tumor invasiveness in proteomics (Review)

Over the past two decades, quantitative proteomics has emerged as an important tool for deciphering the complex molecular events involved in cancers. The number of references involving studies on the cancer metastatic process has doubled since 2010, while the last 5 years have seen the development of novel technologies combining deep proteome coverage capabilities with quantitative consistency and accuracy. To highlight key findings within this huge amount of information, the present review identified a list of tumor invasive biomarkers based on both the literature and data collected on a biocollection of experimental cell lines, tumor models of increasing invasiveness and tumor samples from patients with colorectal or breast cancer. Crossing these different data sources led to 76 proteins of interest out of 1,245 mentioned in the literature. Information on these proteins can potentially be translated into clinical prospects, since they represent potential targets for the development and evaluation of innovative therapies, alone or in combination. Herein, a systematical review of the biology of each of these proteins, including their specific subcellular/extracellular or multiple localizations is presented. Finally, as an important advantage of quantitative proteomics is the ability to provide data on all these molecules simultaneously in cell pellets, body fluids or paraffin‑embedded sections of tumors/invaded tissues, the significance of some of their interconnections is discussed.

Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Metabolism with Triosephosphate Isomerase

The increase in glycolytic flux in cancer, known as aerobic glycolysis, is one of the most important hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, glycolytic enzymes have importance in understanding the molecular mechanism of cancer progression. Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) is one of the key glycolytic enzymes. Furthermore, it takes a part in gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway and fatty acid biosynthesis. To date, it has been shown altered levels of TPI in various cancer types, especially in metastatic phenotype. According to other studies, TPI might be considered as a potential therapeutic target and a cancer-related biomarker in different types of cancer. However, its function in tumor formation and development has not been fully understood. Here, we reviewed the relationship between TPI and cancer for the first time.

Analysis of the Expression of Cell Division Cycle-Associated Genes and Its Prognostic Significance in Human Lung Carcinoma: A Review of the Literature Databases

Background

Lung cancer (LC) has become the top cause responsible for cancer-related deaths. Cell division cycle-associated (CDCA) genes exert an important role in the life process. Dysregulation in the process of cell division may lead to malignancy.

Methods

Transcriptional data on CDCA gene family and patient survival data were examined for lung cancer (LC) patients from the GEPIA, Oncomine, cBioPortal, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases.

Results

CDCA1/2/3/4/5/7/8 expression levels were higher in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and the CDCA1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 expression levels were increased in squamous cell LC tissues compared with those in noncarcinoma lung tissues. The expression levels of CDCA1/2/3/4/5/8 showed correlation with tumor classification. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was employed to carry out survival analysis, indicating that increased CDCA1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 expression levels were increased in squamous cell LC tissues compared with those in noncarcinoma lung tissues. The expression levels of P < 0.05). Only LC patients with increased CDCA3/4/5/8 expression were significantly related to lower post-progression survival (PPS) (P < 0.05). Only LC patients with increased CDCA gene family and patient survival data were examined for lung cancer (LC) patients from the GEPIA, Oncomine, cBioPortal, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases. CDCA8, INCENP, AURKB, and BIRC5); CORUM: 127: NDC80 kinetochore complex; M129: the PID PLK1 pathway; and GO: 0007080: mitotic metaphase plate congression, all of which were remarkably modulated since the alterations affected CDCA gene family and patient survival data were examined for lung cancer (LC) patients from the GEPIA, Oncomine, cBioPortal, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases.

Conclusions

Upregulated CDCA genes' expression levels in LC tissues probably play a crucial part in LC oncogenesis. The upregulated CDCA genes' expression levels are used as the potential prognostic markers to improve patient survival and the LC prognostic accuracy. CDCA genes probably exert their functions in tumorigenesis through the PLK1 pathway.CDCA gene family and patient survival data were examined for lung cancer (LC) patients from the GEPIA, Oncomine, cBioPortal, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases. CDCA gene family and patient survival data were examined for lung cancer (LC) patients from the GEPIA, Oncomine, cBioPortal, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases. CDCA gene family and patient survival data were examined for lung cancer (LC) patients from the GEPIA, Oncomine, cBioPortal, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases.

CDCA5 functions as a tumor promoter in bladder cancer by dysregulating mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and PI3k/AKT/mTOR pathway activation

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and has high rates of relapse and progression. Cell division cycle associated 5 (CDCA5), a substrate of the anaphase-promoting complex, was reported to be upregulated in several types of cancer; however, the function of CDCA5 in BC remains unclear. In this study, we observed that BC tissues had higher levels of CDCA5 expression than adjacent normal tissues. We also found that high CDCA5 expression in patients was associated with poor survival rates. An in vitro study showed that knockdown of CDCA5 in T24 and 5637 cells reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in T24 and 5637 cells, while overexpression of CDCA5 in UMUC3 cells caused the opposite effects. In an additional experiment, we found that CDCA5 promoted cell proliferation by upregulating two key cell cycle factors, cell division cycle protein 2 (CDC2) and cyclin B1, and by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, CDCA5 regulate cancer cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. In conclusion, CDCA5 plays a pivotal role in the proliferation of BC cells. A better understanding of CDCA5 may provide new insights into its role as a therapeutic target for BC.

The Microenvironment Is a Critical Regulator of Muscle Stem Cell Activation and Proliferation

Skeletal muscle has a remarkable capacity to regenerate following injury, a property conferred by a resident population of muscle stem cells (MuSCs). In response to injury, MuSCs must double their cellular content to divide, a process requiring significant new biomass in the form of nucleotides, phospholipids, and amino acids. This new biomass is derived from a series of intracellular metabolic cycles and alternative routing of carbon. In this review, we examine the link between metabolism and skeletal muscle regeneration with particular emphasis on the role of the cellular microenvironment in supporting the production of new biomass and MuSC proliferation.

Co-expression network analysis identified candidate biomarkers in association with progression and prognosis of breast cancer

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among females, and its prognosis is affected by a complex network of gene interactions. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to construct free-scale gene co-expression networks and to identify potential biomarkers for breast cancer progression.

METHODS

The gene expression profiles of GSE42568 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. RNA-sequencing data and clinical information of breast cancer from TCGA were used for validation.

RESULTS

A total of ten modules were established by the average linkage hierarchical clustering. We identified 58 network hub genes in the significant module (R² = 0.44) and 6 hub genes (AGO2, CDC20, CDCA5, MCM10, MYBL2, and TTK), which were significantly correlated with prognosis. Receiver-operating characteristic curve validated that the mRNA levels of these six genes exhibited excellent diagnostic efficiency in the test data set of GSE42568. RNA-sequencing data from TCGA showed that the expression levels of these six genes were higher in triple-negative tumors. One-way ANOVA suggested that these six genes were upregulated at more advanced stages. The results of independent sample t test indicated that MCM10 and TTK were associated with tumor size, and that AGO2, CDC20, CDCA5, MCM10, and MYBL2 were overexpressed in lymph-node positive breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

AGO2, CDC20, CDCA5, MCM10, MYBL2, and TTK were identified as candidate biomarkers for further basic and clinical research on breast cancer based on co-expression analysis.

CDCA5 regulates proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma and has potential as a negative prognostic marker

Background

CDCA5 plays an important role in the development of various human cancers, but the associated mechanisms have not been investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods

We evaluated expression levels and functions of CDCA5 in HCC and showed that CDCA5 is upregulated in HCC tissues compared with paired or unpaired normal liver tissues.

Results

Increased CDCA5 expression in HCCs was significantly associated with shorter survival of patients. Knockdown of CDCA5 using lentivirus-mediated shRNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and suppressed cell survival, as well as induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and cell apoptosis of HCC cells. The tumor suppression effects of CDCA5 knockdown were mediated by decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and CyclinB1, which were increased in HCC tissues comparing with adjacent normal liver tissues. Moreover, upregulation of CDCA5 was positively associated with increased CDK1 and CyclinB1 expression in HCC tissues.

Conclusion

The present data warrant consideration of CDCA5 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.