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Kim S, Yang H, Cho S, Jang Y, Han IO, Oh ES. Correlation of syndecan gene amplification with metastatic potential and clinical outcomes in carcinomas. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C380-C386. [PMID: 38953842 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00270.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Cell surface receptors play crucial roles in cellular responses to extracellular ligands, helping to modulate the functions of a cell based on information coming from outside the cell. Syndecan refers to a family of cell adhesion receptors that regulate both extracellular and cytosolic events. Alteration of syndecan expression disrupts regulatory mechanisms in a cell type-specific fashion, often leading to serious diseases, notably cancer. Given the multifaceted functions and distinct tissue distributions of syndecan, it will be important to unravel the gene-level intricacies of syndecan expression and thereby further understand its involvement in various carcinogenic processes. Although accumulating evidence indicates that the protein expression patterns of syndecan family members are significantly altered in cancer cells, the underlying gene-level mechanisms remain largely unknown. This review endeavors to explore syndecan gene expression levels across different cancer types by scrutinizing extensive cancer genome datasets using tools such as cBioPortal. Our analysis unveils that somatic mutations in SDC genes are rare occurrences, whereas copy number alterations are frequently observed across diverse cancers, particularly in SDC2 and SDC4. Notably, amplifications of SDC2 and SDC4 correlate with heightened metastatic potential and dismal prognosis. This underscores the recurrent nature of SDC2 and SDC4 amplifications during carcinogenesis and sheds light on their role in promoting cancer activity through augmented protein expression. The identification of these amplifications not only enriches our understanding of carcinogenic mechanisms but also hints at the potential therapeutic avenue of targeting SDC2 and SDC4 to curb cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sewoon Kim
- Institute of Sensor Technology, Easytem Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonju Yang
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Cho
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunjung Jang
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Inn-Oc Han
- Department of Biomedical Science, Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eok-Soo Oh
- Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Xu MH, Zheng YM, Liang BG, Xu WX, Cao J, Wang P, Dong ZY, Zhou CH, Sun HC, Ren N, Ke AW, Shen YH. Deubiquitination of CIB1 by USP14 promotes lenvatinib resistance via the PAK1-ERK1/2 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3269-3284. [PMID: 38993552 PMCID: PMC11234209 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.96031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Lenvatinib is the most common multitarget receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Acquired resistance to lenvatinib is one of the major factors leading to the failure of HCC treatment, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully characterized. Methods: We established lenvatinib-resistant cell lines, cell-derived xenografts (CDXs) and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and obtained lenvatinib-resistant HCC tumor tissues for further study. Results: We found that ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) was significantly increased in lenvatinib-resistant HCC cells and tumors. Silencing USP14 significantly attenuated lenvatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, USP14 directly interacts with and stabilizes calcium- and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) by reversing K48-linked proteolytic ubiquitination at K24, thus facilitating the P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1)-ERK1/2 signaling axis. Moreover, in vivo adeno-associated virus 9 mediated transduction of CIB1 promoted lenvatinib resistance in PDXs, whereas CIB1 knockdown resensitized the response of PDXs to lenvatinib. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into the role of CIB1/PAK1-ERK1/2 signaling in lenvatinib resistance in HCC. Targeting CIB1 and its pathways may be a novel pharmaceutical intervention for the treatment of lenvatinib-resistant HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hao Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yi-Min Zheng
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bu-Gang Liang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wen-Xin Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Digestive Medicine, Wuwei People's Hospital, Gansu, 733000, China
| | - Zi-Ying Dong
- Department of CT/MRI Center, Wuwei People's Hospital, Gansu, 733000, China
| | - Chen-Hao Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui-Chuan Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ning Ren
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ai-Wu Ke
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying-Hao Shen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Huang J, Yin Q, Wang Y, Zhou X, Guo Y, Tang Y, Cheng R, Yu X, Zhang J, Huang C, Huang Z, Zhang J, Guo Z, Huo X, Sun Y, Li Y, Wang H, Yang J, Xue L. EZH2 Inhibition Enhances PD-L1 Protein Stability Through USP22-Mediated Deubiquitination in Colorectal Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308045. [PMID: 38520088 PMCID: PMC11187912 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of PD-L1 is the key question, which largely determines the outcome of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based therapy. However, besides the transcription level, the protein stability of PD-L1 is closely correlated with its function and has drawn increasing attention. In this study, EZH2 inhibition enhances PD-L1 expression and protein stability, and the deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) is identified as a key mediator in this process. EZH2 inhibition transcriptionally upregulates USP22 expression, and upregulated USP22 further stabilizes PD-L1. Importantly, a combination of EZH2 inhibitors with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy improves the tumor microenvironment, enhances sensitivity to immunotherapy, and exerts synergistic anticancer effects. In addition, knocking down USP22 can potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors on colon cancer. These findings unveil the novel role of EZH2 inhibitors in tumor immune evasion by upregulating PD-L1, and this drawback can be compensated by combining ICI immunotherapy. Therefore, these findings provide valuable insights into the EZH2-USP22-PD-L1 regulatory axis, shedding light on the optimization of combining both immune checkpoint blockade and EZH2 inhibitor-based epigenetic therapies to achieve more efficacies and accuracy in cancer treatment.
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Wen W, Ertas YN, Erdem A, Zhang Y. Dysregulation of autophagy in gastric carcinoma: Pathways to tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216857. [PMID: 38583648 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216857] [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] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The considerable death rates and lack of symptoms in early stages of gastric cancer (GC) make it a major health problem worldwide. One of the most prominent risk factors is infection with Helicobacter pylori. Many biological processes, including those linked with cell death, are disrupted in GC. The cellular "self-digestion" mechanism necessary for regular balance maintenance, autophagy, is at the center of this disturbance. Misregulation of autophagy, however, plays a role in the development of GC. In this review, we will examine how autophagy interacts with other cell death processes, such as apoptosis and ferroptosis, and how it affects the progression of GC. In addition to wonderful its role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, it is engaged in GC metastasis. The role of autophagy in GC in promoting drug resistance stands out. There is growing interest in modulating autophagy for GC treatment, with research focusing on natural compounds, small-molecule inhibitors, and nanoparticles. These approaches could lead to breakthroughs in GC therapy, offering new hope in the fight against this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Shenyang, China
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey; ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Ahmet Erdem
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ), Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kocaeli University, Umuttepe Campus, Kocaeli, 41001 Turkey.
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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Li KQ, Bai X, Ke AT, Ding SQ, Zhang CD, Dai DQ. Ubiquitin-specific proteases: From biological functions to potential therapeutic applications in gastric cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116323. [PMID: 38401523 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116323] [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] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Deubiquitination, a post-translational modification regulated by deubiquitinases, is essential for cancer initiation and progression. Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) are essential elements of the deubiquitinase family, and are overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC). Through the regulation of several signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-Catenin and nuclear factor-κB signaling, and the promotion of the expression of deubiquitination- and stabilization-associated proteins, USPs promote the proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of GC. In addition, the expression of USPs is closely related to clinicopathological features, patient prognosis, and chemotherapy resistance. USPs therefore could be used as prognostic biomarkers. USP targeting small molecule inhibitors have demonstrated strong anticancer activity. However, they have not yet been tested in the clinic. This article provides an overview of the latest fundamental research on USPs in GC, aiming to enhance the understanding of how USPs contribute to GC progression, and identifying possible targets for GC treatment to improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Qiang Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China
| | - Xiao Bai
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China
| | - Ang-Ting Ke
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China
| | - Si-Qi Ding
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China
| | - Chun-Dong Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China
| | - Dong-Qiu Dai
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China; Cancer Center, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110032, China.
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Gan L, Yang Y, Liang Z, Zhang M, He Y, Zhang SL. Targeting the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex/pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDC/PDK) axis to discover potent PDK inhibitors through structure-based virtual screening and pharmacological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116008. [PMID: 38056298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Proliferating cancer cells are characterized by the Warburg effect, a metabolic alteration in which ATP is generated from cytoplasmic glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation. The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex/pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDC/PDK) axis plays a crucial role in this effect and has been identified as a potential target for anticancer drug development. Herein, we present the discovery and pharmacological evaluation of potent PDK inhibitors targeting the PDK/PDC axis. We successfully identified 6 compounds from a small molecule library through a structure-based virtual screening campaign and evaluated their enzymatic inhibitory potencies for PDK1-4. Our results indicated that compound 1 exhibited submicromolar inhibitory activities against PDK1-3 (IC50 = 109.3, 135.8, and 458.7 nM, respectively), but is insensitive to PDK4 (IC50 = 8.67 μM). Furthermore, compound 1 inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells with an EC50 value of 10.7 μM. In addition, compound 1 induced cell apoptosis, arrested the cell cycle at the S phase, and reduced cell invasion and migration, while showing low in vivo toxicity at a high dose. Based on these observations, it can be concluded that compound 1 is a promising anti-PDK1-3 lead that merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linling Gan
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, 401331, PR China
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, PR China
| | - Zizhen Liang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, PR China
| | - Maojie Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, PR China
| | - Yun He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, PR China.
| | - Shao-Lin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, PR China.
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