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Rosochowicz MA, Kulcenty K, Suchorska WM. Exploring the Role of HtrA Family Genes in Cancer: A Systematic Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:347-377. [PMID: 38717523 PMCID: PMC11211202 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-024-00712-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE HtrA1, HtrA2, HtrA3 and HtrA4 appear to be involved in the development of pathologies such as cancer. This systematic review reports the results of a literature search performed to compare the expression of HtrA family genes and proteins in cancer versus non-cancer tissues and cell lines, assess relationships between HtrA expression and cancer clinical features in cancer, and analyse the molecular mechanism, by which HtrA family affects cancer. METHODS The literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA statement among four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus). RESULTS A total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria and involved the expression of HtrA family members and concerned the effect of HtrA expression on cancer and metastasis development or on the factor that influences it. Additionally, 31 reports were retrieved manually. Most articles highlighted that HtrA1 and HtrA3 exhibited tumour suppressor activity, while HtrA2 was associated with tumour growth and metastasis. There were too few studies to clearly define the role of the HtrA4 protease in tumours. CONCLUSION Although the expression of serine proteases of the HtrA family was dependent on tumour type, stage and the presence of metastases, most articles indicated that HtrA1 and HtrA3 expression in tumours was downregulated compared with healthy tissue or cell lines. The expression of HtrA2 was completely study dependent. The limited number of studies on HtrA4 expression made it impossible to draw conclusions about differences in expression between healthy and tumour tissue. The conclusions drawn from the study suggest that HtrA1 and HtrA3 act as tumour suppressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Anna Rosochowicz
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland.
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
| | | | - Wiktoria Maria Suchorska
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Xiang X, Bao R, Wu Y, Luo Y. Targeting Mitochondrial Proteases for Therapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3268-3282. [PMID: 35352341 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting cancer metabolism has emerged as an attractive approach to improve therapeutic regimens in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Mitochondrial proteases are closely related to cancer metabolism, but their biological functions have not been well characterized in AML. According to different catogory, we comprehensively reviewed the role of mitochondrial proteases in AML. This review highlights some 'powerful' mitochondrial protease targets, including their biological function, chemical modulators, and applicative prospect in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrong Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Hematology and Hematology Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Hematology and Hematology Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Youfu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Letkovska K, Babal P, Cierna Z, Schmidtova S, Liskova V, Kalavska K, Miskovska V, Horak S, Rejlekova K, Chovanec M, Mardiak J, Janega P, Mego M. Prognostic Value of Apoptosis-Inducing Factor (AIF) in Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040776. [PMID: 33668443 PMCID: PMC7917670 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040776] [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: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common solid malignancies in young men. GCTs are extraordinary sensitive to chemotherapy and represent a model of curable cancer. However, in a small proportion of patients the disease progresses or relapses despite administration of salvage chemotherapy. Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. It is well established that dysregulation of apoptosis plays an important role in pathogenesis of malignant diseases and may be associated with tumor progression and resistance to cytotoxic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate expression of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in GCTs. We observed lower AIF expression in GCTs compared to normal testicular tissue. We also showed prognostic significance of AIF in GCTs. AIF downregulation might represent one of the mechanisms of inhibition of apoptosis with subsequent facilitation of cell survival and metastatic dissemination of GCTs and perhaps could serve as a potential therapeutic target. Abstract Apoptosis is a strictly regulated process essential for preservation of tissue homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate expression of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) and to correlate expression patterns with clinicopathological variables. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of non-neoplastic testicular tissue and GCTs obtained from 216 patients were included in the study. AIF expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, scored by the multiplicative quickscore method (QS). Normal testicular tissue exhibits higher cytoplasmic granular expression of AIF compared to GCTs (mean QS = 12.77 vs. 4.80, p < 0.0001). Among invasive GCTs, mean QS was the highest in embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor and seminoma, lower in teratoma and the lowest in choriocarcinoma. No nuclear translocation of AIF was observed. Nonpulmonary visceral metastases were associated with lower AIF expression. Metastatic GCTs patients with high AIF expression had better overall survival compared to patients with low AIF expression (HR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.62, p = 0.048). We observed significantly lower AIF expression in GCTs compared to normal testicular tissue, which is an uncommon finding in malignant tumors. AIF downregulation might represent one of the mechanisms of inhibition of apoptosis and promotion of cell survival in GCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Letkovska
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.L.); (P.B.); (Z.C.); (S.H.); (P.J.)
| | - Pavel Babal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.L.); (P.B.); (Z.C.); (S.H.); (P.J.)
| | - Zuzana Cierna
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.L.); (P.B.); (Z.C.); (S.H.); (P.J.)
- Department of Pathology, Faculty Hospital, A. Zarnova, 917 75 Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Silvia Schmidtova
- Translational Research Unit, 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (S.S.); (K.K.)
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, 814 39 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Liskova
- Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Katarína Kalavska
- Translational Research Unit, 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (S.S.); (K.K.)
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, 814 39 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Vera Miskovska
- 1st Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute, 812 50 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Samuel Horak
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.L.); (P.B.); (Z.C.); (S.H.); (P.J.)
| | - Katarina Rejlekova
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.R.); (M.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Michal Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.R.); (M.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Jozef Mardiak
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.R.); (M.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Pavel Janega
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.L.); (P.B.); (Z.C.); (S.H.); (P.J.)
| | - Michal Mego
- Translational Research Unit, 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (S.S.); (K.K.)
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.R.); (M.C.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-2-59378366; Fax: +421-2-54774943
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AIF meets the CHCHD4/Mia40-dependent mitochondrial import pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165746. [PMID: 32105825 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the mitochondria of healthy cells, Apoptosis-Inducing factor (AIF) is required for the optimal functioning of the respiratory chain machinery, mitochondrial integrity, cell survival, and proliferation. In all analysed species, it was revealed that the downregulation or depletion of AIF provokes mainly the post-transcriptional loss of respiratory chain Complex I protein subunits. Recent progress in the field has revealed that AIF fulfils its mitochondrial pro-survival function by interacting physically and functionally with CHCHD4, the evolutionarily-conserved human homolog of yeast Mia40. The redox-regulated CHCHD4/Mia40-dependent import machinery operates in the intermembrane space of the mitochondrion and controls the import of a set of nuclear-encoded cysteine-motif carrying protein substrates. In addition to their participation in the biogenesis of specific respiratory chain protein subunits, CHCHD4/Mia40 substrates are also implicated in the control of redox regulation, antioxidant response, translation, lipid homeostasis and mitochondrial ultrastructure and dynamics. Here, we discuss recent insights on the AIF/CHCHD4-dependent protein import pathway and review current data concerning the CHCHD4/Mia40 protein substrates in metazoan. Recent findings and the identification of disease-associated mutations in AIF or in specific CHCHD4/Mia40 substrates have highlighted these proteins as potential therapeutic targets in a variety of human disorders.
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Scott AJ, Walker SA, Krank JJ, Wilkinson AS, Johnson KM, Lewis EM, Wilkinson JC. AIF promotes a JNK1-mediated cadherin switch independently of respiratory chain stabilization. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:14707-14722. [PMID: 30093403 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a mitochondrial flavoprotein occasionally involved in cell death that primarily regulates mitochondrial energy metabolism under normal cellular conditions. AIF catalyzes the oxidation of NADH in vitro, yet the significance of this redox activity in cells remains unclear. Here, we show that through its enzymatic activity AIF is a critical factor for oxidative stress-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases JNK1 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), p38, and ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase). AIF-dependent JNK1 signaling culminates in the cadherin switch, and genetic reversal of this switch leads to apoptosis when AIF is suppressed. Notably, this widespread ability of AIF to promote JNK signaling can be uncoupled from its more limited role in respiratory chain stabilization. Thus, AIF is a transmitter of extra-mitochondrial signaling cues with important implications for human development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Scott
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108 and
| | - Sierra A Walker
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108 and
| | - Joshua J Krank
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108 and
| | - Amanda S Wilkinson
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108 and
| | - Kaitlyn M Johnson
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108 and
| | - Eric M Lewis
- the Department of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, Pennsylvania 16214
| | - John C Wilkinson
- From the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108 and
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Basal metabolic state governs AIF-dependent growth support in pancreatic cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:286. [PMID: 27108222 PMCID: PMC4841948 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2320-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), named for its involvement in cell death pathways, is a mitochondrial protein that regulates metabolic homeostasis. In addition to supporting the survival of healthy cells, AIF also plays a contributory role to the development of cancer through its enzymatic activity, and we have previously shown that AIF preferentially supports advanced-stage prostate cancer cells. Here we further evaluated the role of AIF in tumorigenesis by exploring its function in pancreatic cancer, a disease setting that most often presents at an advanced stage by the time of diagnosis. Methods A bioinformatics approach was first employed to investigate AIF mRNA transcript levels in pancreatic tumor specimens vs. normal tissues. AIF-deficient pancreatic cancer cell lines were then established via lentiviral infection. Immunoblot analysis was used to determine relative protein quantities within cells. Cell viability was measured by flow cytometry; in vitro and Matrigel™ growth/survival using Coulter™ counting and phase contrast microscopy; and glucose consumption in the absence and presence of Matrigel™ using spectrophotometric methods. Results Archival gene expression data revealed a modest elevation of AIF transcript levels in subsets of pancreatic tumor specimens, suggesting a possible role in disease progression. AIF expression was then suppressed in a panel of five pancreatic cancer cell lines that display diverse metabolic phenotypes. AIF ablation selectively crippled the growth of cells in vitro in a manner that directly correlated with the loss of mitochondrial respiratory chain subunits and altered glucose metabolism, and these effects were exacerbated in the presence of Matrigel™ substrate. This suggests a critical metabolic role for AIF to pancreatic tumorigenesis, while the spectrum of sensitivities to AIF ablation depends on basal cellular metabolic phenotypes. Conclusions Altogether these data indicate that AIF supports the growth and survival of metabolically defined pancreatic cancer cells and that this metabolic function may derive from a novel mechanism so far undocumented in other cancer types.
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Cloning and Transcriptional Activity of the Mouse Omi/HtrA2 Gene Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17010119. [PMID: 26784188 PMCID: PMC4730360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
HtrA serine peptidase 2 (HtrA2), also named Omi, is a pro-apoptotic protein that exhibits dramatic changes in expression levels in a variety of disorders, including ischemia/reperfusion injury, cancer, and neurodegeneration. In our study, Omi/HtrA2 protein levels were high in the heart, brain, kidney and liver, with elevated heart/brain expression in aging mice. A similar expression pattern was observed at the mRNA level, which suggests that the regulation of Omi/HtrA2 is predominately transcriptional. Promoter binding by transcription factors is the main influencing factor of transcription, and to identify specific promoter elements that contribute to the differential expression of mouse Omi/HtrA2, we constructed truncated Omi/HtrA2 promoter/luciferase reporter vectors and analyzed their relative luciferase activity; it was greatest in the promoter regions at -1205~-838 bp and -146~+93 bp, with the -838~-649 bp region exhibiting negative regulatory activity. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the Omi/HtrA2 gene promoter contains a CpG island at -709~+37 bp, and eight heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) sites, two Sp1 transcription factor (SP1)sites, one activator protein (AP) site, seven p53 sites, and four YY1 transcription factor(YY1) sites were predicted in the core areas. Furthermore, we found that p53 and HSF1 specifically binds to the Omi/HtrA2 promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. These results provide a foundation for understanding Omi/HtrA2 regulatory mechanisms, which could further understanding of HtrA-associated diseases.
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Implications of Bit1 and AIF overexpressions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2013; 35:519-27. [PMID: 23955799 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-013-1073-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Overwhelming evidence has demonstrated that Bit1 and AIF as mitochondrial proteins are implicated in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. However, their expressions and biological functions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain to be delineated. In the present study, we found that Bit1, AIF, and Bcl-2 levels in ESCC tissues were significantly higher than those in normal esophageal epithelial tissues and dysplasia tissues (P < 0.05). Stepwise investigation demonstrated that Bit1 and Bcl-2 levels were both tightly associated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM staging (P < 0.05), and the levels of Bit1 mRNA as well as AIF and Bcl-2 proteins were both closely related to tumor differentiation (P < 0.05), but not related to the patients' age and gender (P > 0.05). Importantly, Bit1 mRNA and protein levels in ESCC with lymphatic metastasis and TNM staging in III and IV were markedly higher than that without lymphatic metastasis and TMN staging in I and II. Further analysis showed that expression of Bit1 protein was both positively correlated with expressions of AIF and Bcl-2 proteins (r = 0.408 and 0.405, respectively; P < 0.05). Correctively, our data cited earlier suggest that Bit1 plays pivotal roles in the development and progression of ESCC, and its biological functions in ESCC may be closely associated with AIF and Bcl-2 levels.
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Lewis EM, Wilkinson AS, Jackson JS, Mehra R, Varambally S, Chinnaiyan AM, Wilkinson JC. The enzymatic activity of apoptosis-inducing factor supports energy metabolism benefiting the growth and invasiveness of advanced prostate cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:43862-75. [PMID: 23118229 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.407650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) promotes cell death yet also controls mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. It is unclear how these activities are coordinated, and the impact of AIF upon human disease, in particular cancer, is not well documented. In this study we have explored the contribution of AIF to the progression of prostate cancer. Analysis of archival gene expression data demonstrated that AIF transcript levels are elevated in human prostate cancer, and we found that AIF protein is increased in prostate tumors. Suppression of AIF expression in the prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU145, and PC3 demonstrated that AIF does not contribute to cell toxicity via a variety of chemical death triggers, and growth under nutrient-rich conditions is largely unaffected by AIF ablation. However, under growth stress conditions, AIF depletion from DU145 and PC3 cell lines led to significant reductions in cell survival and growth that were not observed in LNCaP cells. Moreover AIF-deficient PC3 cells exhibited substantial reduction of tumorigenic growth in vivo. This reduced survival correlated with decreased expression of mitochondrial complex I protein subunits and concomitant changes in glucose metabolism. Finally, restoration of AIF-deficient PC3 cells with AIF variants demonstrated that the enzymatic activity of AIF is required for aggressive growth. Overall these studies show that AIF is an important factor for advanced prostate cancer cells and that through control of energy metabolism and redox balance, the enzymatic activity of AIF is critical for this support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Lewis
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA
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