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Hsieh MC, Lai CY, Lin LT, Chou D, Yeh CM, Cheng JK, Wang HH, Lin KH, Lin TB, Peng HY. Melatonin Relieves Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain by Regulating pNEK2-Dependent Epigenetic Pathways in DRG Neurons. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4227-4239. [PMID: 37978917 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurohormone melatonin (MLT) demonstrates promising potential in ameliorating neuropathic pain induced by paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy. However, little is known about its protective effect on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in neuropathic pain resulting from the chemotherapeutic drug PTX. Here, PTX-treated rats revealed that intrathecal administration of MLT dose-dependently elevated hind paw withdrawal thresholds and latency, indicating that MLT significantly reversed PTX-induced neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, the analgesic effects of MLT were found to be mediated via melatonin receptor 2 (MT2), as pretreatment with an MT2 receptor antagonist inhibited these effects. Moreover, intrathecal MLT injection reversed the pNEK2-dependent epigenetic program induced by PTX. All of the effects caused by MLT were blocked by pretreatment with an MT2 receptor-selective antagonist, 4P-PDOT. Remarkably, multiple MLT administered during PTX treatment (PTX+MLTs) exhibited not only rapid but also lasting reversal of allodynia/hyperalgesia compared to single-bolus MLT administered after PTX treatment (PTX+MLT). In addition, PTX+MLTs exhibited greater efficacy in reversing PTX-induced alterations in pRSK2, pNEK2, JMJD3, H3K27me3, and TRPV1 expression and interaction in DRG neurons than PTX+MLT. These results indicated that MLT administered during PTX treatment reduced the incidence and/or severity of neuropathy and had a better inhibitory effect on the pNEK2-dependent epigenetic program compared to MLT administered after PTX treatment. In conclusion, MLT/MT2 is a promising therapy for the treatment of pNEK2-dependent painful neuropathy resulting from PTX treatment. MLT administered during PTX chemotherapy may be more effective in the prevention or reduction of PTX-induced neuropathy and maintaining quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chun Hsieh
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei 252, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yuan Lai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ting Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
| | - Dylan Chou
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei 252, Taiwan
| | - Chou-Ming Yeh
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Health, Taichung Hospital, Executive Yuan, Taichung 40343, Taiwan
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 40343, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei 252, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei104, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Hsiao Wang
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei 252, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Hung Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
- Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei110, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 252, Taiwan
| | - Tzer-Bin Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
- Institute of New Drug Development, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40604, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yu Peng
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei 252, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
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Zhu M, Sun Y, Xue H, Wu G, Wang Z, Shi J, Ma J, Gu B, Yan X. NEK6 Promotes the Progression of Osteosarcoma Through Activating STAT3 Signaling Pathway by Down-Regulation of miR-26a-5p. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:2831-2848. [PMID: 37426517 PMCID: PMC10329465 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s413461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor originating from the skeletal system. There is no effective treatment other than surgery and chemotherapy, which seriously endangers the health of children and adolescents. NEK6 is a novel discovered Serine/Threonine protein kinase that can regulate cell cycle and activate several oncogenic pathways. Methods NEK6 expression in pan-cancer including sarcoma was evaluated using analysis tools of TIMER, UALCNA and GEPIA with TCGA database, and its association with overall survival in patients with sarcoma was also analyzed. TargetScan, tarbase, microT-CDS and Starbase online software were used to predict NEK6-targeted miRNAs, including miR-26a-5p. Tumor tissues from patients with osteosarcoma were collected for NEK6 and miRNA detection using RT-qPCR. NEK6 down-regulated by siRNAs or miR-26a-5p in osteosarcoma cells was detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot and Immunofluorescence staining assays. Effects of NEK6 knockdown on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells were detected by CCK-8, wound healing, transwell and flow cytometry, respectively. The expressions of STAT3, metastasis and apoptosis-related genes were detected by Western blot. Results High expression of NEK6 and low expression of miR-26a-5p were lowly expressed in osteosarcoma and they were negative correlation. NEK6 has been confirmed as a direct target for miR-26a-5p. In addition, NEK6 down-regulated by siRNAs or miR-26a-5p led to inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion while promoting cell apoptosis. The levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and metastasis genes (MMP-2, MMP-9) were inhibited, while apoptotic gene Bax was promoted and Bcl2 was inhibited by miR-26a-5p upregulation. Conclusion NEK6 can promote osteosarcoma progression via activating STAT3 signaling pathway, which is inhibited by miR-26a-5p, suggesting that NEK6 is a potential oncogene and miR-26a-5p is a suppressor of osteosarcoma. The strategy of inhibiting of NEK6 by miR-26a-5p may be an effective approach for osteosarcoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuyu Sun
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huawei Xue
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiye Ma
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Baorong Gu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Yan
- Department of Chemotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People’s Republic of China
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Guo D, Yao W, Du X, Dong J, Zhang X, Shen W, Zhu S. NEK2 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:80. [PMID: 37233832 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00692-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The NEK2 (never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2), a serine/threonine kinase involved in chromosome instability and tumorigenesis. Hence, this study aimed to explore the molecular function of NEK2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS By available transcriptome datasets (GSE53625 cohort, GSE38129 cohort, and GSE21293 cohort), we analyzed the differentially expressed genes in invading and non-invading ESCC. Subsequently, we evaluated the association between NEK2 expression level and clinical outcomes through Kaplan-Meier analysis method. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB) analyses were performed to determine the expression levels of NEK2 mRNA and protein, respectively. We knocked down the NEK2 expression in ESCC cells (ECA109 and TE1), and evaluated the NEK2 biology function associated with ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation abilities. Finally, the downstream pathway of NEK2 was analyzed through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and validated the regulatory mechanism of NEK2 on the potential pathway through WB. RESULTS We found that NEK2 was highly expressed in ESCC cells compared with human esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC) (P < 0.0001), and high NEK2 expression was remarkably associated with poor survival (P = 0.019). Knockdown of NEK2 showed the significant inhibitory effect for tumorigenesis, and suppressed the ESCC cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and formation of colonies abilities. Additionally, GSEA revealed that Wnt/β-catenin pathway was a downstream pathway of NEK2. WB results further validated the regulatory mechanism of NEK2 for Wnt/β-catenin signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that NEK2 promotes ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. NEK2 could be a promising target for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Weinan Yao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Xingyu Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Jing Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Xueyuan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Wenbin Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Shuchai Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China.
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Panchal NK, Evan Prince S. The NEK family of serine/threonine kinases as a biomarker for cancer. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:17-30. [PMID: 35037094 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-021-00782-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is defined by unrestrained cell proliferation due to impaired protein activity. Cell cycle-related proteins are likely to play a role in human cancers, including proliferation, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. The serine/threonine NEK kinases are the part of Never In Mitosis A Kinases (NIMA) family, which are less explored kinase family involved in the cell cycle, checkpoint regulation, and cilia biology. They comprise of eleven members, namely NEK1, NEK2, NEK3, NEK4, NEK5, NEK6, NEK7, NEK8, NEK9, NEK10, and NEK11, located in different cellular regions. Recent research has shown the role of NEK family in various cancers by perversely expressing. Therefore, this review aimed to provide a systematic account of our understanding of NEK kinases; structural details; and its role in the cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, we have comprehensively reviewed the NEK kinases in terms of their expression and regulation in different cancers. Lastly, we have emphasized on some of the potential NEK inhibitors reported so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagesh Kishan Panchal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632 014, India
| | - Sabina Evan Prince
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632 014, India.
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5
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Aljabban J, Rohr M, Syed S, Cohen E, Hashi N, Syed S, Khorfan K, Aljabban H, Borkowski V, Segal M, Mukhtar M, Mohammed M, Boateng E, Nemer M, Panahiazar M, Hadley D, Jalil S, Mumtaz K. Dissecting novel mechanisms of hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma using meta-analysis of public data. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1856-1873. [PMID: 36187396 PMCID: PMC9516659 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i9.1856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interestingly, this process is not necessarily mediated through cirrhosis and may in fact involve oncogenic processes. Prior studies have suggested specific oncogenic gene expression pathways were affected by viral regulatory proteins. Thus, identifying these genes and associated pathways could highlight predictive factors for HCC transformation and has implications in early diagnosis and treatment.
AIM To elucidate HBV oncogenesis in HCC and identify potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS We employed our Search, Tag, Analyze, Resource platform to conduct a meta-analysis of public data from National Center for Biotechnology Information’s Gene Expression Omnibus. We performed meta-analysis consisting of 155 tumor samples compared against 185 adjacent non-tumor samples and analyzed results with ingenuity pathway analysis.
RESULTS Our analysis revealed liver X receptors/retinoid X receptor (RXR) activation and farnesoid X receptor/RXR activation as top canonical pathways amongst others. Top upstream regulators identified included the Ras family gene rab-like protein 6 (RABL6). The role of RABL6 in oncogenesis is beginning to unfold but its specific role in HBV-related HCC remains undefined. Our causal analysis suggests RABL6 mediates pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC through promotion of genes related to cell division, epigenetic regulation, and Akt signaling. We conducted survival analysis that demonstrated increased mortality with higher RABL6 expression. Additionally, homeobox A10 (HOXA10) was a top upstream regulator and was strongly upregulated in our analysis. HOXA10 has recently been demonstrated to contribute to HCC pathogenesis in vitro. Our causal analysis suggests an in vivo role through downregulation of tumor suppressors and other mechanisms.
CONCLUSION This meta-analysis describes possible roles of RABL6 and HOXA10 in the pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC. RABL6 and HOXA10 represent potential therapeutic targets and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihad Aljabban
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Michael Rohr
- Department of Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, United States
| | - Saad Syed
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Eli Cohen
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Naima Hashi
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Sharjeel Syed
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Kamal Khorfan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, CA 93701, United States
| | - Hisham Aljabban
- Department of Medicine, Barry University, Miami, FL 33161, United States
| | - Vincent Borkowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Michael Segal
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Mohamed Mukhtar
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Lansing, MI 49503, United States
| | - Mohammed Mohammed
- Department of Medicine, Windsor University School of Medicine, Frankfort, IL 60423, United States
| | - Emmanuel Boateng
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Mary Nemer
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Maryam Panahiazar
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Dexter Hadley
- Department of Pathology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, United States
| | - Sajid Jalil
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Khalid Mumtaz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Mranda GM, Xiang ZP, Liu JJ, Wei T, Ding Y. Advances in prognostic and therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: The hippo signaling pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:937957. [PMID: 36033517 PMCID: PMC9411807 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.937957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the sixth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. The majority of the primary liver cancer cases are hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Worldwide, there is an increasing incidence of primary liver cancer cases due to multiple risk factors ranging from parasites and viruses to metabolic diseases and lifestyles. Often, patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, depriving them of surgical curability benefits. Moreover, the efficacy of the available chemotherapeutics is limited in advanced stages. Furthermore, tumor metastases and recurrence make primary liver cancer management exceptionally challenging. Thus, exploring the molecular mechanisms for the development and progression of primary liver cancer is critical in improving diagnostic, treatment, prognostication, and surveillance modalities. These mechanisms facilitate the discovery of specific targets that are critical for novel and more efficient treatments. Consequently, the Hippo signaling pathway executing a pivotal role in organogenesis, hemostasis, and regeneration of tissues, regulates liver cells proliferation, and apoptosis. Cell polarity or adhesion molecules and cellular metabolic status are some of the biological activators of the pathway. Thus, understanding the mechanisms exhibited by the Hippo pathway is critical to the development of novel targeted therapies. This study reviews the advances in identifying therapeutic targets and prognostic markers of the Hippo pathway for primary liver cancer in the past six years.
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Santonja Á, Moya-García AA, Ribelles N, Jiménez-Rodríguez B, Pajares B, Fernández-De Sousa CE, Pérez-Ruiz E, Del Monte-Millán M, Ruiz-Borrego M, de la Haba J, Sánchez-Rovira P, Romero A, González-Neira A, Lluch A, Alba E. Role of germline variants in the metastasis of breast carcinomas. Oncotarget 2022; 13:843-862. [PMID: 35782051 PMCID: PMC9245581 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cancer-related deaths in breast cancer patients are associated with metastasis, a multistep, intricate process that requires the cooperation of tumour cells, tumour microenvironment and metastasis target tissues. It is accepted that metastasis does not depend on the tumour characteristics but the host’s genetic makeup. However, there has been limited success in determining the germline genetic variants that influence metastasis development, mainly because of the limitations of traditional genome-wide association studies to detect the relevant genetic polymorphisms underlying complex phenotypes. In this work, we leveraged the extreme discordant phenotypes approach and the epistasis networks to analyse the genotypes of 97 breast cancer patients. We found that the host’s genetic makeup facilitates metastases by the dysregulation of gene expression that can promote the dispersion of metastatic seeds and help establish the metastatic niche—providing a congenial soil for the metastatic seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Santonja
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Spain.,Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Aurelio A Moya-García
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Departmento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Nuria Ribelles
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Bella Pajares
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Cristina E Fernández-De Sousa
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Spain.,Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - María Del Monte-Millán
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan de la Haba
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Biomedical Research Institute, Complejo Hospitalario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Atocha Romero
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna González-Neira
- Human Genotyping-CEGEN Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Lluch
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Emilio Alba
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Unidad de Gestión Clínica Intercentro de Oncología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospitales Universitarios Regional y Virgen de la Victoria de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología, CIBERONC-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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lncRNA SNHG15 as a ceRNA modulates Osteoclast Differentiation, Proliferation, and Metastasis by Sponging miR-381-3p/NEK2 Axis. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:8634820. [PMID: 35733923 PMCID: PMC9206997 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8634820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A growing number of studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs play an important role in osteoclast differentiation. However, there are few studies on the roles of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) in osteoclast differentiation. Methods The expressions of SNHG15, miR-381-3p, and never in mitosis-related kinase 2 (NEK2) mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); Western blot detected NEK2 and osteoclast markers (Cathepsin K, CTSK), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), nuclear factor of activated T cell 2 (NFAT2), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) protein levels; cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and the formation of osteoclasts was observed by TRAP staining; the F-actin skeleton was stained with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) phalloidin; cell migration rate was detected by Transwell; dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay verified the targeting relationship between miR-381-3p, SNHG15, and NEK2. Results The expression of SNHG15 was increased in THP-1 cells stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL). Overexpression of SNHG15 significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, osteoclast differentiation, and expression of osteoclast markers CTSK, MMP9, NFAT2, and TRAP of THP-1 cells induced by M-CSF/RANKL. Knockdown of SNHG15 reversed this effect. Overexpression of SNHG15 downregulated the inhibitory effect of overexpression of miR-381-3p on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of THP-1 cells induced by M-CSF/RANKL. Knockdown of miR-381-3p reversed the inhibitory effect of knockdown of NEK2 on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of THP-1 cells induced by M-CSF/RANKL. Conclusion SNHG15 acted as a ceRNA promoted the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of THP-1 cells induced by M-CSF/RANKL through sponging miR-381-3p to promote the expression of NEK2.
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Su W, Hu H, Ding Q, Wang M, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Geng Z, Lin S, Zhou P. NEK2 promotes the migration and proliferation of ESCC via stabilization of YAP1 by phosphorylation at Thr-143. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:87. [PMID: 35705994 PMCID: PMC9199137 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00898-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) was characterized as a regional-prevalent and aggressive tumor with high morbidity and mortality. NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is an interesting oncogene, the alteration of which leads to patients-beneficial outcomes. We aimed to explore the role of NEK2 in ESCC and excavate its mechanism. METHODS RNA-seq data were downloaded from TCGA and GEO and analyzed by R software. The protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or western blot (WB), and mRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The in vitro role of proliferation and migration was detected by Transwell migration assay and by colony formation assay, respectively. The in vivo roles were explored using a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model, where immunofluorescence (IF) and IHC were employed to investigate expression and localization. The interaction between proteins was detected by immunoprecipitation. The stability of proteins was measured by WB in the presence of cycloheximide. RESULTS A higher level of NEK2 was found in ESCC than normal esophageal epithelia in GEO, TCGA, and tissue microarray, which was associated with worse prognoses. The NEK2 knockdown impaired the proliferation and migration of ESCC, which also downregulated YAP1 and EMT markers like N-cadherin and Vimentin in vitro. On the contrary, NEK2 overexpression enhanced the migration of ESCC and elevated the levels of YAP1, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Additionally, the overexpression of YAP1 in NEK2 knocked down ESCCs partly rescued the corresponding decrease in migration. The knockdown of NEK2 played an anti-tumor role in vivo and was accompanied by a lower level and nucleus shuffling of YAP1. In mechanism, NEK2 interacted with YAP1 and increased the stability of both endogenous and exogenous YAP1 by preventing ubiquitination. Moreover, the computer-predicted phosphorylation site of YAP1, Thr-143, reduced the ubiquitination of HA-YAP1, strengthened its stability, and thus influenced the migration in vitro. CONCLUSIONS NEK2 is a prognostic oncogene highly expressed in ESCC and promotes the progression of ESCC in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NEK2-mediated phosphorylation of YAP1 at Thr-143 protects it from proteasome degradation and might serve as a promising therapeutic target in ESCC. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Su
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiurong Ding
- Institute of Nutrition Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhaochao Zhang
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zihan Geng
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shengli Lin
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Pinghong Zhou
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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10
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Cheng D, Wang L, Qu F, Yu J, Tang Z, Liu X. Identification and construction of a 13-gene risk model for prognosis prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24377. [PMID: 35421268 PMCID: PMC9102505 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We attempted to screen out the feature genes associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients through bioinformatics methods, to generate a risk model to predict the survival rate of patients. Gene expression information of HCC was accessed from GEO database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained through the joint analysis of multi-chip. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs indicated that the enrichment was mainly displayed in biological processes such as nuclear division. Based on TCGA-LIHC data set, univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted on the DEGs. Then, 13 feature genes were screened for the risk model. Also, the hub genes were examined in our collected clinical samples and GEPIA database. The performance of the risk model was validated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves. While its universality was verified in GSE76427 and ICGC (LIRI-JP) validation cohorts. Besides, through combining patients' clinical features (age, gender, T staging, and stage) and risk scores, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the risk score was an effective independent prognostic factor. Finally, a nomogram was implemented for 3-year and 5-year overall survival prediction of patients. Our findings aid precision prediction for prognosis of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daming Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan City, China
| | - Libing Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan City, China
| | - Fengzhi Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan City, China
| | - Jingkun Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan City, China
| | - Zhaoyuan Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan City, China
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan City, China
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In Mitosis You Are Not: The NIMA Family of Kinases in Aspergillus, Yeast, and Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23074041. [PMID: 35409400 PMCID: PMC8999480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Never in mitosis gene A (NIMA) family of serine/threonine kinases is a diverse group of protein kinases implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, including cilia regulation, microtubule dynamics, mitotic processes, cell growth, and DNA damage response. The founding member of this family was initially identified in Aspergillus and was found to play important roles in mitosis and cell division. The yeast family has one member each, Fin1p in fission yeast and Kin3p in budding yeast, also with functions in mitotic processes, but, overall, these are poorly studied kinases. The mammalian family, the main focus of this review, consists of 11 members named Nek1 to Nek11. With the exception of a few members, the functions of the mammalian Neks are poorly understood but appear to be quite diverse. Like the prototypical NIMA, many members appear to play important roles in mitosis and meiosis, but their functions in the cell go well beyond these well-established activities. In this review, we explore the roles of fungal and mammalian NIMA kinases and highlight the most recent findings in the field.
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Lei Q, Xia J, Feng X, Guo J, Li G, Zhou W. NEK2 promotes the progression of liver cancer by resisting the cellular senescence. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 47:153-164. [PMID: 35545405 PMCID: PMC10930516 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2022.210058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Liver cancer is the sixth most common malignant tumor in the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 85%-90% of all patients with liver cancer. It possesses the characteristics of insidious onset, rapid progression, early recurrence, easy drug resistance, and poor prognosis. NIMA related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a cell cycle regulating kinases, which regulates cell cycle in mitosis. Cellular senescence is a complex heterogeneous process, and is a stable form of cell cycle arrest that limits the proliferative potential of cells. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the expression level of NEK2 and the senescence in hepatoma cells, and to explore the effect of NEK2 expression on hepatoma cell senescence and the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS A total of 581 senescence-relevant genes were obtained from the GenAge website. The gene expression data of tumor tissues of 370 HCC patients were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. The co-expression of NEK2 and aging-related genes was analyzed by R-package. KEGG was used to analyze the significant gene enrichment pathway of differentially expressed genes in NEK2 overexpression HEK293. The stable transfected cell lines with overexpression and knockdown of NEK2 were constructed in hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 and HepG2, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining was used to detect senescence, the cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method and clone formation experiment, the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of proteins related to p53/p21, p16/Rb, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)/Akt signal transduction pathway was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS There were 320 senescence related genes co-expressed with NEK2. KEGG analysis showed that the senescence signaling pathway was significantly enriched in HEK293 cells with overexpression of NEK2.Compared with SMMC-7721 or HepG2 without knockdown of NEK2, the senescent cells of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 with knockdown of NEK2 were increased, cell proliferation and clone formation were decreased significantly, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was increased, the expression levels of phospho-Akt (p-Akt) and phospho-Rb (p-Rb) protein were decreased significantly, and the expression level of p16 protein was increased significantly (all P<0.05). Compared with SMMC-7721 or HepG2 transfected with blank plasmid, the senescent cells of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 overexpressing NEK2 were decreased, the cell proliferation and clone formation were increased significantly, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase were decreased, the expression levels of p-Akt and p-Rb protein were increased significantly, and the expression level of p16 protein was decreased significantly (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS NEK2 may mediate the anti-aging effect of hepatoma cells through p16/Rb and PTEN/Akt signal transduction pathways, which provides a new theoretical basis for NEK2 to promote the progress of liver cancer and a new idea for the targeting treatment for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Lei
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078.
| | - Jiliang Xia
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008
| | - Xiangling Feng
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Jiaojiao Guo
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078
| | - Guancheng Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078
| | - Wen Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078.
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very deadly disease. HCC initiation and progression involve multiple genetic events, including the activation of proto-oncogenes and disruption of the function of specific tumor suppressor genes. Activation of oncogenes stimulates cell growth and survival, while loss-of-function mutations of tumor suppressor genes result in unrestrained cell growth. In this review, we summarize the new findings that identified novel proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressors in HCC over the past five years. These findings may inspire the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of HCC patients.
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14
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Chen Q, Li H, Yang L, Wen S, Huang X, Liu J, Guo X, Hu B, Li G, He M. Preparation of an anti-NEK2 monoclonal antibody and its application in liver cancer. BMC Biotechnol 2021; 21:62. [PMID: 34706700 PMCID: PMC8549277 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-021-00717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Never in mitosis gene-A (NIMA)-related expressed kinase 2 (NEK2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase regulated by the cell cycle. The purpose of this study was to obtain NEK2 protein to prepare an anti-NEK2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and explore the application of the anti-NEK2 mAb of therapeutic and diagnostic in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results The NEK2 gene sequence was cloned from the normal liver cell line HL7702, and the full-length NEK2 gene sequence was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET30a and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The recombinant fusion protein was obtained under optimized conditions and injected in BALB/c mice to prepare an anti-NEK2 mAb. By screening, we obtained a stable hybridoma cell line named 3A3 that could stably secrete anti-NEK2 mAb. Anti-NEK2 3A3 mAb was purified from ascites fluid. The isotype was IgG1, and the affinity constant (Kaff) was 6.0 × 108 L/mol. Western blot, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), immunofluorescence and immunocytochemical analyses showed that the mAb could specifically recognize the NEK2 protein. MTT assays showed that the mAb 3A3 could inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells. KEGG pathway analysis showed that NEK2 might affected pathways of the cell cycle. Moreover, NEK2-related genes were mainly enriched in the S and G2 phases and might act as tumor-promoting genes by regulating the S/G2 phase transition of HCC cells. Conclusions An anti-NEK2 mAb with high potency, high affinity and high specificity was prepared by prokaryotic expression system in this study and may be used in the establishment of ELISA detection kits and targeted treatment of liver cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12896-021-00717-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuli Chen
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Lichao Yang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Sha Wen
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xuejing Huang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jiajuan Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaoping Guo
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Gang Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Min He
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China. .,Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China. .,Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, China.
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15
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Huang C, Luo H, Huang Y, Fang C, Zhao L, Li P, Zhong C, Liu F. AURKB, CHEK1 and NEK2 as the Potential Target Proteins of Scutellaria barbata on Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:3295-3312. [PMID: 34285555 PMCID: PMC8285231 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s318077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We aim to explore the potential anti-HCC mechanism of Scutellaria barbata through integrated bioinformatics analysis. Methods We searched active ingredients and related targets of Scutellaria barbata via TCMSP database, PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction database. Then, we identified HCC disease targets from GEO dataset by WGCNA. Next, the intersected targets of disease targets and drug targets were input into STRING database to construct PPI networking in order to obtain potential therapeutic targets of Scutellaria barbata. Cytoscape software was used to carry out network topology analysis of potential targets. We used the R package for GO analysis and KEGG analysis. Finally, we used AutoDock vina and PyMOL software for molecular docking. Results Sixteen active components from Scutellaria barbata were lastly selected for further investigation. A total of 442 component targets were identified from 16 active ingredients of Scutellaria barbata after the removal of duplicate targets. GSE45436 was selected for construction of WGCNA and screening of differentially expressed genes. A total of 354 genes were up-regulated in HCC samples and 100 were down-regulated in HCC patients. Twenty-one common genes were obtained by intersection and 10 critical targets were filtered for further investigation. The enrichment analysis showed that cell cycle, DNA replication, p53 signaling pathway were mainly involved. The molecular docking results showed that 4 potential combinations were with the best binding energy and molecular interactions. Conclusion AURKB, CHEK1 and NEK2 could be the potential target proteins of Scutellaria barbata in treating HCC. Cell cycle, DNA replication, p53 signaling pathway consist of the fundamental regulation cores in this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyuan Huang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hu Luo
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuancheng Huang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongkai Fang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Zhao
- Department of gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiwu Li
- Department of gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengbin Liu
- Department of gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of gastroenterology, Baiyun Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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16
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Zhang A, Aslam H, Sharma N, Warmflash A, Fakhouri WD. Conservation of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Process in Neural Crest Cells and Metastatic Cancer. Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 210:151-172. [PMID: 34218225 DOI: 10.1159/000516466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly conserved cellular process in several species, from worms to humans. EMT plays a fundamental role in early embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. For neural crest cell (NCC) development, EMT typically results in forming a migratory and potent cell population that generates a wide variety of cell and tissue, including cartilage, bone, connective tissue, endocrine cells, neurons, and glia amongst many others. The degree of conservation between the signaling pathways that regulate EMT during development and metastatic cancer (MC) has not been fully established, despite ample studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis dissects the major signaling pathways involved in EMT of NCC development and MC to unravel the similarities and differences. While the FGF, TGFβ/BMP, SHH, and NOTCH pathways have been rigorously investigated in both systems, the EGF, IGF, HIPPO, Factor Receptor Superfamily, and their intracellular signaling cascades need to be the focus of future NCC studies. In general, meta-analyses of the associated signaling pathways show a significant number of overlapping genes (particularly ligands, transcription regulators, and targeted cadherins) involved in each signaling pathway of both systems without stratification by body segments and cancer type. Lack of stratification makes it difficult to meaningfully evaluate the intracellular downstream effectors of each signaling pathway. Finally, pediatric neuroblastoma and melanoma are NCC-derived malignancies, which emphasize the importance of uncovering the EMT events that convert NCC into treatment-resistant malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Zhang
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hira Aslam
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Neha Sharma
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Aryeh Warmflash
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Walid D Fakhouri
- Center for Craniofacial Research, Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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17
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Khedkar HN, Wang YC, Yadav VK, Srivastava P, Lawal B, Mokgautsi N, Sumitra MR, Wu ATH, Huang HS. In-Silico Evaluation of Genetic Alterations in Ovarian Carcinoma and Therapeutic Efficacy of NSC777201, as a Novel Multi-Target Agent for TTK, NEK2, and CDK1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115895. [PMID: 34072728 PMCID: PMC8198179 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is often detected at the advanced stages at the time of initial diagnosis. Early-stage diagnosis is difficult due to its asymptomatic nature, where less than 30% of 5-year survival has been noticed. The underlying molecular events associated with the disease’s pathogenesis have yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, the identification of prognostic biomarkers as well as developing novel therapeutic agents for targeting these markers become relevant. Herein, we identified 264 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) common in four ovarian cancer datasets (GSE14407, GSE18520, GSE26712, GSE54388), respectively. We constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) interaction network with the overexpressed genes (72 genes) and performed gene enrichment analysis. In the PPI networks, three proteins; TTK Protein Kinase (TTK), NIMA Related Kinase 2 (NEK2), and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1) with higher node degrees were further evaluated as therapeutic targets for our novel multi-target small molecule NSC777201. We found that the upregulated DEGs were enriched in KEGG and gene ontologies associated with ovarian cancer progression, female gamete association, otic vesicle development, regulation of chromosome segregation, and therapeutic failure. In addition to the PPI network, ingenuity pathway analysis also implicate TTK, NEK2, and CDK1 in the elevated salvage pyrimidine and pyridoxal pathways in ovarian cancer. The TTK, NEK2, and CDK1 are over-expressed, demonstrating a high frequency of genetic alterations, and are associated with poor prognosis of ovarian cancer cohorts. Interestingly, NSC777201 demonstrated anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activities (GI50 = 1.6 µM~1.82 µM and TGI50 = 3.5 µM~3.63 µM) against the NCI panels of ovarian cancer cell lines and exhibited a robust interaction with stronger affinities for TTK, NEK2, and CDK1, than do the standard drug, paclitaxel. NSC777201 displayed desirable properties of a drug-like candidate and thus could be considered as a novel small molecule for treating ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshita Nivrutti Khedkar
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.N.K.); (B.L.); (N.M.); (M.R.S.)
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan;
| | - Vijesh Kumar Yadav
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (V.K.Y.); (P.S.)
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Prateeti Srivastava
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (V.K.Y.); (P.S.)
| | - Bashir Lawal
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.N.K.); (B.L.); (N.M.); (M.R.S.)
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ntlotlang Mokgautsi
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.N.K.); (B.L.); (N.M.); (M.R.S.)
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Maryam Rachmawati Sumitra
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.N.K.); (B.L.); (N.M.); (M.R.S.)
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Alexander T. H. Wu
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (V.K.Y.); (P.S.)
- The PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (H.-S.H.)
| | - Hsu-Shan Huang
- PhD Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.N.K.); (B.L.); (N.M.); (M.R.S.)
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
- National Defense Medical Center, School of Pharmacy, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (H.-S.H.)
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Silencing of Nek2 suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion and induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulating ERK/MAPK signaling. J Mol Histol 2021; 52:809-821. [PMID: 34009515 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-09979-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a frequent cancer among women. The current study investigated the biological functions of Nek2 in breast cancer and its possible mechanism. The mRNA expression of Nek2 in breast epithelial cells and eight breast cancer cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. Silencing Nek2 was transfected into MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells to examine its roles in the viability, migration, invasion, cell colony, apoptosis and cell cycle of the breast cancer cells by performing CCK-8, wound scratch, Transwell, clone formation and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The expressions of related genes were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blot. MAPK pathway agonist IGF (insulin-like growth factor-1) was added into MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells and then cell viability was examined. Nek2 expression was frequently up-regulated in breast cancer cell lines, and silencing Nek2 significantly inhibited the viability, cell migration, invasion and clone formation, promoted cell apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells, and arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, knocking down Nek2 decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2, CyclinB1 and CyclinD1, and increased Bax and p27 expressions. Moreover, knocking down Nek2 inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and p38, and almost completely reversed the expression of p-ERK increased by IGF, but Nek2 knockdown had no obvious effect on p-p38. The inhibitory effect of Nek2 silencing on the cell viability was mainly realized by the inhibition of ERK/MAPK signaling. Nek2 plays an important role in the regulation of the progression of breast cancer in vitro probably through regulating the ERK/MAPK signaling.
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Lin Z, Miao D, Xu Q, Wang X, Yu F. A novel focal adhesion related gene signature for prognostic prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:10724-10748. [PMID: 33850056 PMCID: PMC8064231 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Reduced expression of focal adhesion is considered as an important prerequisite for tumor cell invasion and metastasis. However, the prognostic value of focal adhesion related genes in HCC remains to be further determined. In this study, RNA expression profiles were downloaded from public databases. A five focal adhesion related gene signature model was established by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis, which categorized patients into high- and low-risk groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score was an independent predictor for overall survival. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis revealed that immune status was different between the two risk groups, and tumor-related pathways were enriched in high-risk group. The risk score was significantly associated with tumor grade, tumor stage, immune scores, and immune infiltrate types. Pearson correlation showed that the expression level of prognostic genes was associated with anti-tumor drug sensitivity. Besides, the mRNA and protein expression of prognostic genes was significantly different between HCC tissues and adjacent non-tumorous tissues in our separate cohort. Taken together, a novel focal adhesion related gene signature can be used for prognostic prediction in HCC, which may be a therapeutic alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Lin
- Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Liver Diseases, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Miao
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Liver Diseases, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fujun Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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20
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Li Q, Sun M, Wang M, Feng M, Yang F, Li L, Zhao J, Chang C, Dong H, Xie T, Chen J. Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by protein kinases in hepatocellular carcinoma and its therapeutic application. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:1695-1706. [PMID: 33605517 PMCID: PMC8088956 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is indispensable for many biological processes, including embryonic development, cell cycle, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling can promote tumorigenicity and enhance metastatic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting this pathway is a new opportunity for precise medicine for HCC. However, inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling alone is unlikely to significantly improve HCC patient outcome due to the lack of specific inhibitors and the complexity of this pathway. Combination with other therapies will be an important next step in improving the efficacy of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitors. Protein kinases play a key and evolutionarily conserved role in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and have become one of the most important drug targets in cancer. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its regulatory kinase together will be a promising HCC management strategy. In this review, we summarize the kinases that modulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC and briefly discuss their molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, we list some small molecules that target the kinases and may inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling, to offer new perspectives for preclinical and clinical HCC studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Menglan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengqing Feng
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lina Li
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cunjie Chang
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tian Xie
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianxiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases, Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Centre, Singapore City, Singapore
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21
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Colón-Marrero S, Jusino S, Rivera-Rivera Y, Saavedra HI. Mitotic kinases as drivers of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and as therapeutic targets against breast cancers. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:1036-1044. [PMID: 33601912 DOI: 10.1177/1535370221991094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological therapies against breast cancer patients with tumors positive for the estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors and Her2 amplification have greatly improved their survival. However, to date, there are no effective biological therapies against breast cancers that lack these three receptors or triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). TNBC correlates with poor survival, in part because they relapse following chemo- and radio-therapies. TNBC is intrinsically aggressive since they have high mitotic indexes and tend to metastasize to the central nervous system. TNBCs are more likely to display centrosome amplification, an abnormal phenotype that results in defective mitotic spindles and abnormal cytokinesis, which culminate in aneuploidy and chromosome instability (known causes of tumor initiation and chemo-resistance). Besides their known role in cell cycle control, mitotic kinases have been also studied in different types of cancer including breast, especially in the context of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a cellular process characterized by the loss of cell polarity, reorganization of the cytoskeleton, and signaling reprogramming (upregulation of mesenchymal genes and downregulation of epithelial genes). Previously, we and others have shown the effects of mitotic kinases like Nek2 and Mps1 (TTK) on EMT. In this review, we focus on Aurora A, Aurora B, Bub1, and highly expressed in cancer (Hec1) as novel targets for therapeutic interventions in breast cancer and their effects on EMT. We highlight the established relationships and interactions of these and other mitotic kinases, clinical trial studies involving mitotic kinases, and the importance that represents to develop drugs against these proteins as potential targets in the primary care therapy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Colón-Marrero
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, 6650Ponce Health Sciences University/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
| | - Shirley Jusino
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, 6650Ponce Health Sciences University/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
| | - Yainyrette Rivera-Rivera
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, 6650Ponce Health Sciences University/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
| | - Harold I Saavedra
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, 6650Ponce Health Sciences University/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, PR 00732, USA
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22
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Zeng L, Fan X, Wang X, Deng H, Zhang X, Zhang K, He S, Li N, Han Q, Liu Z. Involvement of NEK2 and its interaction with NDC80 and CEP250 in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:158. [PMID: 33109182 PMCID: PMC7590453 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-00812-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NEK2 has an established involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but the roles of NEK2 and its interacting proteins in HCC have not been systematically explored. METHODS This study examined NEK2 and its interacting proteins in HCC based on multiple databases. RESULTS NEK2 mRNA was highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The survival of HCC patients with high NEK2 mRNA expression was shorter than those with low expression. MAD1L1, CEP250, MAPK1, NDC80, PPP1CA, PPP1R2 and NEK11 were the interacting proteins of NEK2. Among them, NDC80 and CEP250 were the key interacting proteins of NEK2. Mitotic prometaphase may be the key pathway that NEK2 and its interacting proteins contributed to HCC pathogenesis. NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 mRNAs were highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The mRNA levels of NEK2 were positively correlated with those of NDC80 or CEP250. Univariate regression showed that NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 mRNA expressions were significantly associated with HCC patients' survival. Multivariate regression showed that NDC80 mRNA expression was an independent predictor for HCC patients' survival. Methylations and genetic alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 were observed in HCC samples. The alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 genes were co-occurrence. Patients with high mRNA expression and genetic alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 had poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS NEK2 and its interacting proteins NDC80 and CEP250 play important roles in HCC development and progression and thus may be potentially used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, 710021 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiude Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoge Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, 710021 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Qunying Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengwen Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
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23
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Vidal A, Redmer T. Decoding the Role of CD271 in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092460. [PMID: 32878000 PMCID: PMC7564075 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer, is triggered by driver mutations that are acquired in the coding regions of particularly BRAF (rat fibrosarcoma serine/threonine kinase, isoform B) or NRAS (neuroblastoma-type ras sarcoma virus) in melanocytes. Although driver mutations strongly determine tumor progression, additional factors are likely required and prerequisite for melanoma formation. Melanocytes are formed during vertebrate development in a well-controlled differentiation process of multipotent neural crest stem cells (NCSCs). However, mechanisms determining the properties of melanocytes and melanoma cells are still not well understood. The nerve growth factor receptor CD271 is likewise expressed in melanocytes, melanoma cells and NCSCs and programs the maintenance of a stem-like and migratory phenotype via a comprehensive network of associated genes. Moreover, CD271 regulates phenotype switching, a process that enables the rapid and reversible conversion of proliferative into invasive or non-stem-like states into stem-like states by yet largely unknown mechanisms. Here, we summarize current findings about CD271-associated mechanisms in melanoma cells and illustrate the role of CD271 for melanoma cell migration and metastasis, phenotype-switching, resistance to therapeutic interventions, and the maintenance of an NCSC-like state.
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24
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Yang J, Cui R, Liu Y. MicroRNA-212-3p inhibits paclitaxel resistance through regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion by targeting ZEB2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:23. [PMID: 32774496 PMCID: PMC7406882 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumor malignances with poor chemotherapeutic efficiency due to chemoresistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have essential roles in regulating chemoresistance. However, the mechanism underlying the involvement of miR-212-3p in paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in HCC remains unclear. PTX resistance was investigated in the present study by assessing cell viability, the half maximal inhibitory concentration of PTX, resistance-associated protein levels and apoptosis. The expression levels of miR-212-3p and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion were evaluated by western blotting and transwell assay. The association between miR-212-3p and ZEB2 was investigating by the luciferase activity. The results showed that treatment of HCC cells with PTX inhibited cell viability and miR-212-3p level. Moreover, miR-212-3p was reduced and its overexpression resulted in decreased cell viability, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PTX and levels of P-glycoprotein and glutathione S-transferase π, but increased cell apoptosis, in Huh7/PTX cells. However, miR-212-3p knockdown induced opposite effects in Huh7 cells. Furthermore, EMT, migration and invasion were induced in Huh7/PTX cells and the addition of miR-212-3p inhibited EMT, migration and invasion. Meanwhile, miR-212-3p abrogation caused the opposite effects in Huh7 cells. Additionally, ZEB2 was directly targeted by miR-212-3p and its restoration or silencing abated the effect of miR-221-3p overexpression or knockdown in Huh7/PTX or Huh7 cells, respectively. The data from the present study suggest that miR-212-3p attenuates PTX resistance, by regulating EMT, migration and invasion via targeting ZEB2 in HCC cells, indicating a novel target for HCC chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Yang
- Workshop of National TCM Master, Sun Guangrong, The Harmonizing School of TCM, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Haikou, Hainan 570208, P.R. China.,Inheritance Workshop in Beijing Hepingli Hospital for National TCM Master, Sun Guangrong, Haikou, Hainan 570208, P.R. China
| | - Ronghua Cui
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan 570208, P.R. China
| | - Yingke Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Hepingli Hospital, Beijing 100013, P.R. China
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25
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Peres de Oliveira A, Kazuo Issayama L, Betim Pavan IC, Riback Silva F, Diniz Melo-Hanchuk T, Moreira Simabuco F, Kobarg J. Checking NEKs: Overcoming a Bottleneck in Human Diseases. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081778. [PMID: 32294979 PMCID: PMC7221840 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In previous years, several kinases, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), have been linked to important human diseases, although some kinase families remain neglected in terms of research, hiding their relevance to therapeutic approaches. Here, a review regarding the NEK family is presented, shedding light on important information related to NEKs and human diseases. NEKs are a large group of homologous kinases with related functions and structures that participate in several cellular processes such as the cell cycle, cell division, cilia formation, and the DNA damage response. The review of the literature points to the pivotal participation of NEKs in important human diseases, like different types of cancer, diabetes, ciliopathies and central nervous system related and inflammatory-related diseases. The different known regulatory molecular mechanisms specific to each NEK are also presented, relating to their involvement in different diseases. In addition, important information about NEKs remains to be elucidated and is highlighted in this review, showing the need for other studies and research regarding this kinase family. Therefore, the NEK family represents an important group of kinases with potential applications in the therapy of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa Peres de Oliveira
- Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil; (A.P.d.O.); (L.K.I.); (I.C.B.P.); (F.R.S.); (T.D.M.-H.)
| | - Luidy Kazuo Issayama
- Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil; (A.P.d.O.); (L.K.I.); (I.C.B.P.); (F.R.S.); (T.D.M.-H.)
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Isadora Carolina Betim Pavan
- Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil; (A.P.d.O.); (L.K.I.); (I.C.B.P.); (F.R.S.); (T.D.M.-H.)
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-871, Brazil
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar em Alimentos e Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo 13484-350, Brazil;
| | - Fernando Riback Silva
- Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil; (A.P.d.O.); (L.K.I.); (I.C.B.P.); (F.R.S.); (T.D.M.-H.)
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Talita Diniz Melo-Hanchuk
- Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil; (A.P.d.O.); (L.K.I.); (I.C.B.P.); (F.R.S.); (T.D.M.-H.)
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Fernando Moreira Simabuco
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar em Alimentos e Saúde, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo 13484-350, Brazil;
| | - Jörg Kobarg
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-871, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-19-3521-8143
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26
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Sun C, Hu A, Wang S, Tian B, Jiang L, Liang Y, Wang H, Dong J. ADAM17-regulated CX3CL1 expression produced by bone marrow endothelial cells promotes spinal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Oncol 2020; 57:249-263. [PMID: 32319605 PMCID: PMC7252465 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.5045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal metastasis occurs in 50-75% of bone metastases caused by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and HCC-derived spinal metastasis can lead to a less favorable prognosis. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) is closely associated with cancer metastasis, and its secretion is modulated by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17). Bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs) are an essential component of bone marrow. However, little is known about the roles in and effects of BMECs on HCC spinal metastasis. The present study demonstrated that CX3CL1 and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) expression was upregulated in HCC spinal metastases, and that CX3CL1 promoted the migration and invasion of HCC cells to the spine. Western blot analysis revealed that the Src/protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) axis participated in CX3CL1-induced HCC cell invasion and migration. CX3CL1 also increased the expression of M2 macrophage markers in THP-1 monocytes. BMECs promoted the migration and invasion of Hep3B and MHCC97H cells by secreting soluble CX3CL1, whereas the neutralization of CX3CL1 inhibited this enhancement. CX3CL1 enhanced the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphos-phate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA)/AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and Ras homolog family member A (RHOA)/Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) signaling pathways through the Src/PTK2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, ADAM17 was activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) z14 in BMECs and significantly promoted the secretion of CX3CL1. HCC cells enhanced the recruitment and proliferation of BMECs. The overexpression of CX3CR1 facilitated the spinal metastasis of HCC in a mouse model in vivo. In addition, in vivo experiments revealed that BMECs promoted the growth of HCC in the spine. The present study demonstrated that CX3CL1 participates in HCC spinal metastasis, and that BMECs play an important role in the regulation of CX3CL1 in the spinal metastatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Sun
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Annan Hu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Shengxing Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Libo Jiang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yun Liang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Houlei Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jian Dong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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27
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Huang WT, Liu AG, Cai KT, He RQ, Li Z, Wei QJ, Chen MY, Huang JY, Yan WY, Zhou H, Chen G, Ma J. Exploration and validation of downregulated microRNA-199a-3p, downstream messenger RNA targets and transcriptional regulation in osteosarcoma. Am J Transl Res 2019; 11:7538-7554. [PMID: 31934299 PMCID: PMC6943471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone tumor with a high incidence and mortality in children and adolescents. Emerging evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in biological tumor mechanisms by targeting downstream messenger RNAs (mRNAs). This article aimed to investigate the potential regulatory targets of microRNA-199a-3p (miR-199a-3p) in OS and to contribute to the understanding of miR-199a-3p-related OS regulatory mechanisms. MicroRNA-related Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) chips, ArrayExpress chips and literature data were used to determine the expression of miR-199a-3p in OS and pooled to explore its potential clinical value. To investigate the target genes of miR-199a-3p further, we integrated the results from the following three-part gene study: Twelve online prediction tools were used to predict the target genes of miR-199a-3p; the GEO GSE89370 chip transfected with miRSelect pEP-miR-199a-3p was used to analyze the downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in OS cells; and highly expressed DEGs were derived from an in-house microarray generated from three pairs of clinical OS and normal tissue samples acquired through our department. Then, we analyzed the target genes using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to further identify the primary target genes. In addition, we constructed transcription factor (TF)-miRNA-joint gene feed-forward regulatory loops (FFLs) with Circuits DB using miR-199a-3p as the core. A comprehensive meta-analysis of a hub of miR-199a-3p targeted genes was performed to integrate expression level, summary ROC (sROC) curves and survival analysis results from the GEO data for verification and exploration. Finally, the expression levels of the hub genes were verified in OS tissues and U2OS cells by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Data on miR-199a-3p expression were obtained from three data sets (GSE65071, GSE69524, and PMID 21666078), which showed low miR-199a-3p expression levels in OS tissues. The combined data indicated the same tendency, with the SMD of the random effect model, as shown in forest plots, being -2.8 (95% CI: -4.49, -1.11). In addition, we determined that miR-199a-3p may serve as a molecular marker useful for distinguishing OS tissues from normal tissues with high sensitivity and specificity, with the measured outcomes being 0.94 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.99) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.00), respectively. In addition, 391 genes were considered targets of miR-199a-3p in OS, and the enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were mainly enriched in proteoglycans in cancer and in spliceosomes. Four genes, CDKI, CCNB1, AURKA and NEK2, were regarded as hub targets based on the PPI data. Subsequently, TF-miRNA-joint genes FFLs were constructed in Circuits DB and included 17 TFs and 82 joint targets. These joint targets were mainly enriched in spliceosomes. UBE2D1 and RBM25 were regarded as hub joint targets based on the enrichment analysis. All selected target genes were further verified to ensure that they were upregulated in OS and to determine their prognostic significance. At the experimental verification level, the CDK1 protein was confirmed to be positively expressed in the cytoplasm of OS tissues and the U2OS cell line. Our study verified that miR-199a-3p was obviously downregulated in OS. CDK1, CCNB1, NEK2, AURKA, UBE2D1 and RBM25 were identified as potential target genes of miR-199a-3p in OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ting Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - An-Gui Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Kai-Teng Cai
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Rong-Quan He
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Qing-Jun Wei
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Yue Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Yuan Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Wan-Yun Yan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
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Si M, Zhang J, Cao J, Xie Z, Shu S, Zhu Y, Lang J. Integrated Analysis To Identify Molecular Biomarkers Of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10057-10075. [PMID: 31819501 PMCID: PMC6877452 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s228678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death worldwide. Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer can significantly improve patient prognosis. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify key diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers specific for ovarian cancer. Because high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer and accounts for the majority of deaths, we identified potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of HGSOC. Methods Six datasets (GSE14001, GSE18520, GSE26712, GSE27651, GSE40595, and GSE54388) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database for analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HGSOC and normal ovarian surface epithelium samples were screened via integrated analysis. Hub genes were identified by analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) network data. The online Kaplan-Meier plotter was utilized to evaluate the prognostic roles of these hub genes. The expression of these hub genes was confirmed with Oncomine datasets and validated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results A total of 103 DEGs in patients with HGSOC-28 upregulated genes and 75 downregulated genes-were successfully screened. Enrichment analyses revealed that the upregulated genes were enriched in cell division and cell proliferation and that the downregulated genes mainly participated in the Wnt signaling pathway and various metabolic processes. Ten hub genes were associated with HGSOC pathogenesis. Seven overexpressed hub genes were partitioned into module 1 of the PPI network, which was enriched in the cell cycle and DNA replication pathways. Survival analysis revealed that MELK, CEP55 and KDR expression levels were significantly correlated with the overall survival of HGSOC patients (P < 0.05). The RNA and protein expression levels of these hub genes were validated experimentally. Conclusion Based on an integrated analysis, we propose the further investigation of MELK, CEP55 and KDR as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfei Si
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junji Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibo Xie
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Shu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yapei Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghe Lang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Chen Z, Lin Y, Gao J, Lin S, Zheng Y, Liu Y, Chen SQ. Identification of key candidate genes for colorectal cancer by bioinformatics analysis. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:6583-6593. [PMID: 31788116 PMCID: PMC6865583 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers of the digestive tract. Although numerous studies have been conducted to elucidate the cause of CRC, the exact mechanism of CRC development remains to be determined. To identify candidate genes that may be involved in CRC development and progression, the microarray datasets GSE41657, GSE77953 and GSE113513 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were used for functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and the hub genes were subjected to module analysis and identification using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and Cytoscape. A total of 142 DEGs were identified, with enriched functions and pathways in the ‘cell cycle’, ‘cell proliferation’, ‘the mitotic cell cycle’ and ‘one-carbon metabolic process’. In addition, 10 hub genes were identified, and functional analysis indicated that these genes are mainly enriched in ‘cell division’, ‘cell cycle’ and functions associated with nucleotide binding processes. Survival analysis demonstrated that DNA topoisomerase II α, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 2 may be involved in cancer invasion or recurrence. The DEGs identified in the present study may help explain the molecular mechanisms of CRC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Yilin Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Ji Gao
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Suyong Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Yisu Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Shao Qin Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
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Jusino S, Saavedra HI. Role of E2Fs and mitotic regulators controlled by E2Fs in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1419-1429. [PMID: 31575294 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219881360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex cellular process in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal properties. EMT occurs in three biological settings: development, wound healing and fibrosis, and tumor progression. Despite occurring in three independent biological settings, EMT signaling shares some molecular mechanisms that allow epithelial cells to de-differentiate and acquire mesenchymal characteristics that confer cells invasive and migratory capacity to distant sites. Here we summarize the molecular mechanism that delineates EMT and we will focus on the role of E2 promoter binding factors (E2Fs) in EMT during tumor progression. Since the E2Fs are presently undruggable due to their control in numerous pivotal cellular functions and due to the lack of selectivity against individual E2Fs, we will also discuss the role of three mitotic regulators and/or mitotic kinases controlled by the E2Fs (NEK2, Mps1/TTK, and SGO1) in EMT that can be useful as drug targets. Impact statement The study of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an active area of research since it is one of the early intermediates to invasion and metastasis—a state of the cancer cells that ultimately kills many cancer patients. We will present in this review that besides their canonical roles as regulators of proliferation, unregulated expression of the E2F transcription factors may contribute to cancer initiation and progression to metastasis by signaling centrosome amplification, chromosome instability, and EMT. Since our discovery that the E2F activators control centrosome amplification and mitosis in cancer cells, we have identified centrosome and mitotic regulators that may represent actionable targets against EMT and metastasis in cancer cells. This is impactful to all of the cancer patients in which the Cdk/Rb/E2F pathway is deregulated, which has been estimated to be most cancer patients with solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Jusino
- Basic Sciences Department, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce PR 00732, USA
| | - Harold I Saavedra
- Basic Sciences Department, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce PR 00732, USA
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FBXW7 circular RNA regulates proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal carcinoma through NEK2, mTOR, and PTEN signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:918. [PMID: 31519156 PMCID: PMC6744671 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6028-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds A number of circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified in various cancer including F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7) circular RNA (circ-FBXW7), which can suppress glioma cell growth. However, the role of circ-FBXW7 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of circ-FBXW7 on CRC progression. Methods The expression of circ-FBXW7 in CRC patients was detected by PCR. Stably knockdown of circ-FBXW7 (si circ-FBXW7) cell lines and overexpression of circ-FBXW7 (oe circ-FBXW7) cell lines were constructed by small interfering RNA method and plasmids transfection in CRC SW480 and SW620 cells. The functional experiments including cell proliferation, migration and invasion were carried out by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound healing assay and trans well assay. The xenograft animal models were established to evaluate the effect and the underlying molecular mechanisms of circ-FBXW7 on CRC progression. Results CRC samples had a significantly lower level of circ-FBXW7 compared to normal tissue. si circ-FBXW7 notably promoted the proliferation, colony formation, cell migration and invasion of CRC cell in vitro. On contrast, circ-FBXW7 overexpressed significantly suppressed CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Similarly, si circ-FBXW7 stimulated the tumor growth and circ-FBXW7 overexpression repressed the tumor progression in SW480 and SW620 tumor models, which suggested that circ-FBXW7 could serve as a target biomarker of CRC. Further study found that si circ-FBXW7 up-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of NEK2 and mTOR, and diminished the PTEN expression. Whereas, overexpressed circ-FBXW7 induced the tumor suppression via reversing the expressions of NEK2, mTOR, and PTEN. Conclusion circ-FBXW7 plays a major role in controlling the progression of CRC through NEK2, mTOR, and PTEN signaling pathways and may be a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment. Graphical abstract Circ-FBXW7 controls the progression of CRC through NEK2, mTOR, and PTEN signaling pathways and its overexpression inhibits colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion, suggesting the potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.
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Intergrated analysis of ELMO1, serves as a link between tumour mutation burden and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma. EBioMedicine 2019; 46:105-118. [PMID: 31324602 PMCID: PMC6710851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for cancer cell metastasis. Recently, EMT was reported to be associated with the inflammatory tumour microenvironment and, therefore, might be a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade agents. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. METHODS Patient survival data for our HCC cohort, TCGA and GEO datasets were determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The functional roles of ELMO1 in HCC were demonstrated by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Gene microarray analysis was used to demonstrate potential mechanisms of ELMO1. Data retrieved from the TCGA datasets were used to determine the relationships of ELMO1, EMT and TMB. FINDINGS Here, we report an indispensable role for ELMO1 in linking EMT with tumour mutation burden (TMB), which is a promising biomarker for the immune checkpoint blockade agent response. Upregulated ELMO1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as increased cell growth, invasion, migration, angiogenesis and EMT in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that ELMO1 regulates SOX10 expression and induces EMT through PI3K/Akt signalling. Moreover, ELMO1 is negatively associated with TMB, indicating a negative relationship between EMT and TMB. INTERPRETATION ELMO1 serves as a link between EMT and TMB, providing a mechanistic basis for the further development of ELMO1 as a therapeutic target against HCC and potentially a promising biomarker of the immune checkpoint blockade agent response. FUND: National Natural Science Foundation of China; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province; Young Teacher Training Program of Sun Yat-sen University; Science and Technology Plan of Guangdong Province; Special Support Program of Guangdong Province, Science and Technology Innovation Youth Talent Support Program; the Pearl River Science and Technology New Talent of Guangzhou City; Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province.
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Prognostic significance of NEK2 in human solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20180618. [PMID: 30578380 PMCID: PMC6341124 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20180618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A consensus about the prognostic role of NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) expression in various solid tumors has not been made yet. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the prognostic role of NEK2 expression in patients with solid tumors. The eligible studies were identified through searching PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. The hazard ratios (HRs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the link between NEK2 overexpression and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival (DFS/RFS) of patients with solid tumors. A total of 17 studies with 4897 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Among these studies, all of them explored the association between NEK2 expression and OS of patients with solid tumors. Our pooled analysis indicated that NEK2 overexpression was significantly related to adverse OS (HR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.38–2.00; P = 0.001). Additionally, there were six studies with 854 patients that investigated the association between NEK2 expression and DFS/RFS. Our pooled result indicated that there was a substantial relationship between NEK2 overexpression and poorer DFS/RFS (HR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.61–2.48; P = 0.003). In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicated that NEK2 may be a useful predictor of prognosis and an effective therapeutic target in solid tumors. Nevertheless, more high-quality studies are warranted to further support our conclusions because of several limitations in our meta-analysis.
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Yao Y, Su J, Zhao L, Luo N, Long L, Zhu X. NIMA-related kinase 2 overexpression is associated with poor survival in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:455-465. [PMID: 30655697 PMCID: PMC6322518 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s188347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) has been reported to be overexpressed in various types of cancer and correlated with poor prognosis. The role(s) of NEK2 in cancer, however, is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of NEK2 in human tumors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed for PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases, and eligible studies were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of the included studies was then carried out. Results Fifteen studies with 3,280 cancer patients were included in the present meta-analysis. All publications were of moderate to high quality, and had no significant heterogeneity (I2=46%, P=0.03) or publication bias was discovered. The results showed that a high NEK2 level was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) in patients with various types of cancers (pooled HR=1.72, 95% CI 1.49–2.00, P<0.00001). However, the disease-free survival (DFS) had no significant association with NEK2 level (HR=1.13, 95% CI: 0.29–4.38, P=0.85). In the subgroup analyses, high NEK2 level was correlated with an increased risk of poor OS in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.25–2.10, P=0.02) and lung cancer (HR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.40–3.38, P=0.0005). However, other factors, including sample size, follow-up period, HR estimation method, and country, also affect the association between NEK2 expression and OS. Analysis of clinicopathological parameters further showed that increased NEK2 level was correlated with younger age, male gender, better tumor differentiation, and lower number of tumor nodules. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that increased expression of NEK2 was associated with unfavorable survival of cancer patients and that NEK2 could be used as a prognostic predictor for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, PR China,
| | - Jie Su
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, PR China,
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Na Luo
- Department of Clinical Medicine (Four-Year Program) of Grade 2014, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China
| | - Lihui Long
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, PR China
| | - Xingmei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712046, PR China
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Zhang B, Shi D, Zhang X, Liang G, Liu W, Qiao S. FK866 inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocarcinoma MHCC97-H cells. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:7231-7238. [PMID: 30546461 PMCID: PMC6256367 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to serve a pivotal function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the key enzyme in the nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-mediated pathway for the activation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), serves a key function in HCC cell invasion and metastasis. Previous studies demonstrated that FK866, a targeted NAMPT inhibitor, inhibits the viability of HCC cells and induces cancer cell apoptosis; however, the effect of FK866 on the invasion and metastasis of HCC cells, particularly those associated with EMT through the SIRT1 pathway, remains unknown. In the present study, FK866 was identified to inhibit the capability of invasion and metastasis of cells from the HCC MHCC97-H line in a dose-dependent manner using a wound healing assay, an invasion assay and a migration assay. Furthermore, FK866 markedly decreased NAD+ and adenosine 5′-triphosphate content in MHCC97-H cells by inhibiting NAMPT expression. The results of the present study also revealed that FK866 led to a decrease in the expression of SIRT1, and to increased and decreased levels of the EMT marker proteins epithelial cadherin and vimentin, respectively, in MHCC97-H cells. Furthermore, FK866 inhibited the SIRT1-mediated EMT, invasion and migration of HCC cells by decreasing the expression of the NAMPT/NAD+ pathway. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that FK866 may be an effective drug targeting HCC metastasis and invasion, and that the NAMPT/NAD+/SIRT1 pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan-Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Shi
- Department of Dermatology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Guanzhao Liang
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210042, P.R. China
| | - Weida Liu
- Department of Mycology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210042, P.R. China
| | - Sen Qiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
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Kaowinn S, Kaewpiboon C, Koh SS, Krämer OH, Chung YH. STAT1‑HDAC4 signaling induces epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and sphere formation of cancer cells overexpressing the oncogene, CUG2. Oncol Rep 2018; 40:2619-2627. [PMID: 30226605 PMCID: PMC6151883 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies have shown that the novel oncogene, cancer upregulated gene 2 (CUG2), activates STAT1, which is linked to anticancer drug resistance, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell-like phenotypes as determined by MTT, migration and sphere formation assays. We thus aimed to ascertain whether the activation of STAT1 by CUG2 is involved in these malignant phenotypes besides drug resistance. Here, we showed that STAT1 suppression decreased the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, biomarkers of EMT, which led to inhibition of the migration and invasion of human lung A549 cancer cells stably expressing CUG2, but did not recover E-cadherin expression. STAT1 siRNA also diminished CUG2-induced TGF-β signaling, which is critical in EMT, and TGF-β transcriptional activity. Conversely, inhibition of TGF-β signaling reduced phosphorylation of STAT1, indicating a crosstalk between STAT1 and TGF-β signaling. Furthermore, STAT1 silencing diminished sphere formation, which was supported by downregulation of stemness-related factors such as Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog. Constitutive suppression of STAT1 also inhibited cell migration, invasion and sphere formation. As STAT1 acetylation counteracts STAT1 phosphorylation, acetylation of STAT1 by treatment with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), reduced cell migration, invasion, and sphere formation. As HDAC4 is known to target STAT1, its role was investigated under CUG2 overexpression. HDAC4 suppression resulted in inhibition of cell migration, invasion, and sphere formation as HDAC4 silencing hindered TGF-β signaling and decreased expression of Sox2 and Nanog. Taken together, we suggest that STAT1-HDAC4 signaling induces malignant tumor features such as EMT and sphere formation in CUG2-overexpressing cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirichat Kaowinn
- BK21+, Department of Cogno‑Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Chutima Kaewpiboon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Thaksin University, Phatthalung 93210, Thailand
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong‑A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Oliver H Krämer
- Department of Toxicology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz D‑55131, Germany
| | - Young-Hwa Chung
- BK21+, Department of Cogno‑Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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