NKAP plays an oncogenic function partly through AKT signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Knockdown of NF-κB activating protein promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis through mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

NF-κB activating protein (NKAP) acts as a transcriptional suppressor in the Notch signaling pathway, It plays a role in hematopoiesis maintenance, immune cell development, maturation, and functional competency acquisition. NKAP has been found to act as an oncogene in many tumors, but it has not been reported in PAAD.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of NKAP on the growth and metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAAD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, western blot and qRT-PCR showed that highly expressed NKAP was found in PAAD cell lines, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to reduce the expression of NKAP in PAAD cell lines. The results of CCK-8, clony formation, Transwell and flow cytometry showed that knockdown of NKAP significantly inhibited biological function of PAAD cells, and increased cell apoptosis. Study also observed that knockdown of NKAP inhibited the expression levels of apoptosis proteins and cyclin in PAAD cells. In addition, mTOR's degree of phosphorylation and the expression of its downstream target p70S6K can both be activated by NKAP. This effect was also confirmed in salvage experiments performed with Rapamycin(RaPa), an inhibitor of mTOR. At the end of the experiment, It was investigated how NKAP affected the drug sensitivity of gemcitabine used to treat PAAD. The results showed that knocking down NKAP could increase the drug sensitivity of gemcitabine.

CONCLUSIONS

NKAP as an oncogene regulates the development of PAAD cells. The research found that the mTOR signaling pathway is engaged in the oncogenic role of NKAP in PAAD for the first time.

First In Vivo Insights on the Effects of Tempol-Methoxycinnamate, a New UV Filter, as Alternative to Octyl Methoxycinnamate, on Zebrafish Early Development

The demand for organic UV filters as active components in sunscreen products has rapidly risen over the last century, as people have gradually realized the hazards of overexposure to UV radiation. Their extensive usage has resulted in their ubiquitous presence in different aquatic matrices, representing a potential threat to living organisms. In this context, the need to replace classic UV filters such as octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), one of the most popular UV filters reported to be a potential pollutant of aquatic ecosystems, with more environmentally friendly ones has emerged. In this study, using zebrafish, the first in vivo results regarding the effect of exposure to tempol-methoxycinnamate (TMC), a derivative of OMC, are reported. A comparative study between TMC and OMC was performed, analyzing embryos exposed to similar TMC and OMC concentrations, focusing on morphological and molecular changes. While both compounds seemed not to affect hatching and embryogenesis, OMC exposure caused an increase in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response genes, according to increased eif2ak3, ddit3, nrf2, and nkap mRNA levels and in oxidative stress genes, as observed from modulation of the sod1, sod2, gpr, and trx mRNA levels. On the contrary, exposure to TMC led to reduced toxicity, probably due to the presence of the nitroxide group in the compound's molecular structure responsible for antioxidant activity. In addition, both UV filters were docked with estrogen and androgen receptors where they acted differently, in agreement with the molecular analysis that showed a hormone-like activity for OMC but not for TMC. Overall, the results indicate the suitability of TMC as an alternative, environmentally safer UV filter.

IL-1β promotes hypoxic vascular endothelial cell proliferation through the miR-24-3p/NKAP/NF-kB axis

Purpose: Our previous data indicated that miR-24-3p is involved in the regulation of vascular endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and migration/invasion. However, whether IL-1β affects hypoxic HUVECs by miR-24-3p is still unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in hypoxic HUVECs.

Methods: We assessed the mRNA expression levels of miR-24-3p, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1A) and NF-κB-activating protein (NKAP) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ELISA measured the expression level of IL-1β. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays evaluated the effect of miR-24-3p or si-NKAP+miR-24 on cell proliferation (with or without IL-1β). Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to examine the effects of miR-24-3p or si-NKAP+miR-24-3p on cell migration and invasion (with or without IL-1β). Luciferase reporter assays were used to identify the target of miR-24-3p.

Results: We demonstrated that in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patient blood samples, the expression of miR-24-3p is down-regulated, the expression of IL-1β or NKAP is up-regulated, and IL-1β or NKAP is negatively correlated with miR-24-3p. Furthermore, IL-1β promotes hypoxic HUVECs proliferation by down-regulating miR-24-3p. In addition, IL-1β also significantly promotes the migration and invasion of hypoxic HUVECs; overexpression of miR-24-3p can partially rescue hypoxic HUVECs migration and invasion. Furthermore, we discovered that NKAP is a novel target of miR-24-3p in hypoxic HUVECs. Moreover, both the overexpression of miR-24-3p and the suppression of NKAP can inhibit the NF-κB/pro-IL-1β signaling pathway. However, IL-1β mediates suppression of miR-24-3p activity, leading to activation of the NKAP/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, our results reveal a new function of IL-1β in suppressing miR-24-3p up-regulation of the NKAP/NF-κB pathway.

The functional roles, cross-talk and clinical implications of m6A modification and circRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC has high rates of death and recurrence, as well as very low survival rates. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic RNAs, and circRNAs are a class of circular noncoding RNAs that are generated by back-splicing and they modulate multiple functions in a variety of cellular processes. Although the carcinogenesis of HCC is complex, emerging evidence has indicated that m6A modification and circRNA play vital roles in HCC development and progression. However, the underlying mechanisms governing HCC, their cross-talk, and clinical implications have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this paper, we elucidated the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of m6A modification in the carcinogenesis of HCC by illustrating three different regulatory factors ("writer", "eraser", and "reader") of the m6A modification process. Additionally, we dissected the functional roles of circRNAs in various malignant behaviors of HCC, thereby contributing to HCC initiation, progression and relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated the cross-talk and interplay between m6A modification and circRNA by revealing the effects of the collaboration of circRNA and m6A modification on HCC progression. Finally, we proposed the clinical potential and implications of m6A modifiers and circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation.

Nuclear Factor-κB Activating Protein Plays an Oncogenic Role in Neuroblastoma Tumorigenesis and Recurrence Through the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway

Nuclear factor-κB activating protein (NKAP) is a conserved nuclear protein that acts as an oncogene in various cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of NKAP in neuroblastoma (NB) progression and recurrence. We compared NKAP gene expression between 89 recurrence and 134 non-recurrence patients with NB by utilizing the ArrayExpress database. The relationship between NKAP expression and clinicopathological features was evaluated by correlation analysis. We knocked down NKAP expression in NB1 and SK-N-SH cells by small interfering RNA transfection to verify its role in tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. NKAP gene expression in NB tissues was significantly overexpressed in the recurrence group compared with the non-recurrence group, and NKAP was enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Correlation analysis revealed NKAP expression was correlated with chromosome 11q deletion in patients with NB. Knockdown of NKAP expression significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of NB1 and SK-N-SH cells. Moreover, we found that small interfering NKAP significantly reduced p-PI3K and p-AKT expression. NKAP knockdown played an oncogenic role in NB by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activations both in vitro and in vivo. Our research revealed that NKAP mediates NB cells by inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis through activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and the expression of NKAP may act as a novel biomarker for predicting recurrence and chromosome 11q deletion in patients with NB.

NKAP promotes renal cell carcinoma growth via AKT/mTOR signalling pathway

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the seventh most common site for malignant tumours worldwide leading to a high risk of death. NKAP is a conserved nuclear protein that has critical roles in the development, maturation, and functional acquisition of T cells, iNKT cells, and cancers. But the function and underlying mechanism of NKAP in RCC is still unknown. Knockdown of NKAP by siRNA interference (siNKAP) was used to explore the roles of NAKP in human RCC cells. Here, we found that siNKAP strongly inhibited the proliferation and motility of Ketr-3 and 786-0 cells and induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 in the siNKAP group was strongly decreased, while the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-9 was significantly increased. Finally, to identify the potential mechanisms, we detected related proteins of the AKT/mTOR signalling pathway by western blot assay. We found that siNKAP significantly inhibited the expression of cyclin D1 and the phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR. The findings for the first time reveal that the AKT/mTOR signalling pathway is involved in the oncogenic role of NKAP in RCC, which provides an important basis for exploring the molecular regulation mechanism of RCC. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: There is an urgent need to study the molecular mechanisms involved in RCC to promote the development of early diagnosis and more effective treatment options. This research provides an important basis for exploring the accurate regulatory mechanism of NKAP in RCC and a novel perspective to find the potential utility of NKAP inhibitors for RCC therapy.

Triacontanoic ester of 5''-hydroxyjustisolin: Tumour suppressive role in cervical cancer via Bcl-2, BAX and caspase-3 mediated signalling

Triacontanoic ester of 5"-hydroxyjustisolin, a lignan from Justicia simplex D. Don, possesses antitumor activity. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this is not yet clearly understood. The present study showed significant inhibition in cell viability on HeLa cell line and induced minor toxicity in normal cells. This compound induced mitotic arrest at G0/G1 phase followed by apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells and was accompanied by the upregulation of BAX, caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2. Taken together, these data reveal that the title compound acts through multiple cellular/molecular pathways, which strongly suggest the role of pro and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. Triacontanoic ester of 5''-hydroxyjustisolin may be a potential agent for the cervical cancer treatment.

FADD in Cancer: Mechanisms of Altered Expression and Function, and Clinical Implications

FADD was initially described as an adaptor molecule for death receptor-mediated apoptosis, but subsequently it has been implicated in nonapoptotic cellular processes such as proliferation and cell cycle control. During the last decade, FADD has been shown to play a pivotal role in most of the signalosome complexes, such as the necroptosome and the inflammasome. Interestingly, various mechanisms involved in regulating FADD functions have been identified, essentially posttranslational modifications and secretion. All these aspects have been thoroughly addressed in previous reviews. However, FADD implication in cancer is complex, due to pleiotropic effects. It has been reported either as anti- or protumorigenic, depending on the cell type. Regulation of FADD expression in cancer is a complex issue since both overexpression and downregulation have been reported, but the mechanisms underlying such alterations have not been fully unveiled. Posttranslational modifications also constitute a relevant mechanism controlling FADD levels and functions in tumor cells. In this review, we aim to provide detailed, updated information on alterations leading to changes in FADD expression and function in cancer. The participation of FADD in various biological processes is recapitulated, with a mention of interesting novel functions recently proposed for FADD, such as regulation of gene expression and control of metabolic pathways. Finally, we gather all the available evidence regarding the clinical implications of FADD alterations in cancer, especially as it has been proposed as a potential biomarker with prognostic value.