FKBP3 Promotes Proliferation of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells through Regulating Sp1/HDAC2/p27

FKBP3, a poor prognostic indicator, promotes the progression of LUAD via regulating ferroptosis and immune infiltration

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis was reported to possess the therapeutic potentials in various human cancers. In the present study, we explored the expression, clinical significance and the molecular mechanism of FK506 binding protein 3 (FKBP3) in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Cox regression was performed to obtain the prognosis related to differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LUAD datasets from TCGA. We also downloaded the ferroptosis-related gene datasets from GeneCards. Venn diagram was performed to find the intersecting genes and FKBP3 was selected as the targeted gene by analyzing the diagnostic and prognostic values of Top10 intersecting genes. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association between clinicopathological factors and survival rates. GO/KEGG and GSEA analysis was performed to explore the function of FKBP3 in LUAD progression. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was performed via STRING database and the top10 hub genes were selected. Finally, the relationship between FKBP3 and immune infiltration was explored by ssGSEA analysis.

RESULTS

Firstly, 184 genes associated with the prognosis of LUAD and ferroptosis were obtained. FKBP3 was found to be significantly associated with a poor overall survival rate of LUAD patients. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that FKBP3 was highly located in cytoplasm and membrane of cells in LUAD tissues. PPI network analysis results showed that HDAC1, YY1, HDAC2, MTOR, PSMA3, PIN1, NCL, C14orf166, PIN4, and LARP6 were the top10 hub genes. Furthermore, spearman analysis results showed that the expression of FKBP3 was positively correlated with the abundance of Th2 cells and T helper cells.

CONCLUSION

High level of FKBP3 was associated with poor prognostic outcomes of LUAD patients, which also inhibited immune infiltration in LUAD tissues. Additionally, FKBP3 was involved in regulating the ferroptosis process in LUAD patients. Thus, FKBP3 possessed the tumor promotion role might be involving in regulating ferroptosis and immune infiltration in LUAD progression.

Identification of protein biomarkers for prediction of response to platinum-based treatment regimens in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

The majority of patients with resected stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are treated with platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in a one-size-fits-all approach. However, a significant number of patients do not derive clinical benefit, and no predictive patient selection biomarker is currently available. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we have profiled tumour resection material of 2 independent, multi-centre cohorts of in total 67 patients with NSCLC who underwent ACT. Unsupervised cluster analysis of both cohorts revealed a poor response/survival sub-cluster composed of ~ 25% of the patients, that displayed a strong epithelial-mesenchymal transition signature and stromal phenotype. Beyond this stromal sub-population, we identified and validated platinum response prediction biomarker candidates involved in pathways relevant to the mechanism of action of platinum drugs, such as DNA damage repair, as well as less anticipated processes such as those related to the regulation of actin cytoskeleton. Integration with pre-clinical proteomics data supported a role for several of these candidate proteins in platinum response prediction. Validation of one of the candidates (HMGB1) in a third independent patient cohort using immunohistochemistry highlights the potential of translating these proteomics results to clinical practice.

Biological landscape and nanostructural view in development and reversal of oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer

The treatment of cancer patients has been mainly followed using chemotherapy and it is a gold standard in improving prognosis and survival rate of patients. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is a third-platinum anti-cancer agent that reduces DNA synthesis in cancer cells to interfere with their growth and cell cycle progression. In spite of promising results of using OXA in cancer chemotherapy, the process of drug resistance has made some challenges. OXA is commonly applied in treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) as a malignancy of gastrointestinal tract and when CRC cells increase their proliferation and metastasis, they can obtain resistance to OXA chemotherapy. A number of molecular factors such as CHK2, SIRT1, c-Myc, LATS2 and FOXC1 have been considered as regulators of OXA response in CRC cells. The non-coding RNAs are able to function as master regulator of other molecular pathways in modulating OXA resistance. There is a close association between molecular mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, glycolysis and EMT with OXA resistance, so that apoptosis inhibition, pro-survival autophagy induction and stimulation of EMT and glycolysis can induce OXA resistance in CRC cells. A number of anti-tumor compounds including astragaloside IV, resveratrol and nobiletin are able to enhance OXA sensitivity in CRC cells. Nanoparticles for increasing potential of OXA in CRC suppression and reversing OXA resistance have been employed in cancer chemotherapy. These subjects are covered in this review article to shed light on molecular factors resulting in OXA resistance.

USP43 impairs cisplatin sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer through HDAC2-dependent regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of cancer death all over the world. USP43 functions as a tumor promoter in various malignant cancers. Nevertheless, the biological roles and mechanisms of USP43 in EOC remain unknown. In this study, USP43 was highly expressed in EOC tissues and cells, and high expression of USP43 were associated with a poor prognosis of EOC. USP43 overexpression promoted EOC cell proliferation, enhanced the ability of migration and invasion, decreased cisplatin sensitivity and inhibited apoptosis. Knockdown of USP43 in vitro effectively retarded above malignant progression of EOC. In vivo xenograft tumors, silencing USP43 slowed tumor growth and enhanced cisplatin sensitivity. Mechanistically, USP43 inhibited HDAC2 degradation and enhanced HDAC2 protein stability through its deubiquitylation function. USP43 diminished the sensitivity of EOC cells to cisplatin through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway mediated by HDAC2. Taken together, the data in this study revealed the functions of USP43 in proliferation, migration, invasion, chemoresistance of EOC cells, and the mechanism of HDAC2-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Thus, USP43 might serve as a potential target for the control of ovarian cancer progression.

High glucose impairs cognitive function through inducing mitochondrial calcium overload in Treg cells

High glucose has been proved to impair cognitive function in type 2 diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we found that high glucose increased transcription factors' SP1 O-GlcNAcylation in regulatory T (Treg) cells. Glycosylated SP1 further enhanced HDAC2 recruitment and histone deacetylation on Na+/Ca2+/Li+ exchanger (NCLX) promoter, which downregulated NCLX expression and led to mitochondrial calcium overload and oxidative damage, thereby promoting Treg cell dysfunction, M1 microglia polarization, and diabetes-associated cognitive impairment. Importantly, GLP-1 receptor agonist alleviated these deleterious effects via GLP-1-receptor-mediated upregulation of OGA and inhibition of SP1 O-GlcNAcylation in Treg cells. Our study highlighted a link between high-glucose-mediated SP1 O-GlcNAcylation and HDAC2/NCLX signaling in control of mitochondrial calcium concentrations in Treg cells. It also revealed a mechanism for linking Treg cell dysfunction and cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes and provides an insight into the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist.

FKBP3 aggravates the malignant phenotype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by PARK7-mediated activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is difficult to treat due to the high recurrence rate and therapy intolerance, so finding potential therapeutic targets for DLBCL is critical. FK506-binding protein 3 (FKBP3) contributes to the progression of various cancers and is highly expressed in DLBCL, but the role of FKBP3 in DLBCL and its mechanism are not clear. Our study demonstrated that FKBP3 aggravated the proliferation and stemness of DLBCL cells, and tumour growth in a xenograft mouse model. The interaction between FKBP3 and parkinsonism associated deglycase (PARK7) in DB cells was found using co-immunoprecipitation assay. Knockdown of FKBP3 enhanced the degradation of PARK7 through increasing its ubiquitination modification. Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3) belongs to the forkhead family of transcription factors and inhibits DLBCL, but the underlying mechanism has not been reported. We found that FOXO3 bound the promoter of FKBP3 and then suppressed its transcription, eventually weakening DLBCL. Mechanically, FKBP3 activated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway mediated by PARK7. Together, FKBP3 increased PARK7 and then facilitated the malignant phenotype of DLBCL through activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These results indicated that FKBP3 might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of DLBCL.

FKBP25 regulates myoblast viability and migration and is differentially expressed in in vivo models of muscle adaptation

FKBP25 (FKBP3 gene) is a dual-domain PPIase protein that consists of a C-terminal PPIase domain and an N-terminal basic tilted helix bundle (BTHB). The PPIase domain of FKBP25 has been shown to bind to microtubules, which has impacts upon microtubule polymerisation and cell cycle progression. Using quantitative proteomics, it was recently found that FKBP25 was expressed in the top 10% of the mouse skeletal muscle proteome. However, to date there have been few studies investigating the role of FKBP25 in non-transformed systems. As such, this study aimed to investigate potential roles for FKBP25 in myoblast viability, migration and differentiation and in adaptation of mature skeletal muscle. Doxycycline-inducible FKBP25 knockdown in C2C12 myoblasts revealed an increase in cell accumulation/viability and migration in vitro that was independent of alterations in tubulin dynamics; however, FKBP25 knockdown had no discernible impact on myoblast differentiation into myotubes. Finally, a series of in vivo models of muscle adaptation were assessed, where it was observed that FKBP25 protein expression was increased in hypertrophy and regeneration conditions (chronic mechanical overload and the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy) but decreased in an atrophy model (denervation). Overall, the findings of this study establish FKBP25 as a regulator of myoblast viability and migration, with possible implications for satellite cell proliferation and migration and muscle regeneration, and as a potential regulator of in vivo skeletal muscle adaptation.

TRIM64 promotes ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation, pyroptosis, and inflammation in THP-1-derived macrophages by activating a feedback loop with NF-κB via IκBα ubiquitination

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and the main pathology behind most cardiovascular diseases and the overactivation of macrophages initiates the development of atherosclerosis. However, the specific functions of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in macrophages remain elusive. Macrophages derived from monocyte (THP-1) were treated with ox-LDL and were used to generate atherosclerosis in an in vitro model. NLRP3 inflammasome markers were examined using quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cytokines were measured using ELISA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was utilized to detect nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and TRIM64 interactions. A fat-rich diet was applied to ApoE-/- mice for in vivo studies. ox-LDL promoted TRIM64 expression in a time-dependent manner. According to loss- and gain-of-function analyses, TRIM64 enhanced the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and the expression of downstream molecules. TRIM64 directly interacted with IκBα and promoted IκBα ubiquitination at K67 to activate NF-κB signaling. We detected direct binding between NF-κB and the TRIM64 promoter, as well as enhanced TRIM64 expression. Our study revealed an interaction between TRIM64 and NF-κB in the development of atherosclerosis. TRIM64 and NF-κB formed a positive feedback to activate NF-κB pathway. ox-LDL induces foam cell formation and TRIM64 expression TRIM64 regulates ox-LDL-induced foam cell formation, pyroptosis and inflammation via the NF-κB signaling TRIM64 activates NF-κB signaling by ubiquitination of IκBα NF-κB inhibition attenuates atherosclerosis in HFD-induced ApoE (-/-) mice.

PGAM4 silencing inhibited glycolysis and chemoresistance to temozolomide in glioma cells

Gliomas account for about 80% of malignant brain tumors. The incidence of a new brain tumor is 6.4 per 100,000 persons per year with an overall 5-year survival rate of 33.4%. Regardless of the great advances that have been made in recent years, the causes and pathogenesis of glioma remain unclear. Here we study how phosphoglycerate mutase 4 (PGAM4) contributes to glioma. Using a variety of methods to examine glioma cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, glycolysis, as well as ChIP coanalysis with modified histone H3, we showed that PGAM4 was significantly upregulated in patients with glioma and associated with poor survival. Silencing PGAM4 attenuated cell viability, proliferation, and glycolysis in T98G cells and suppressed tumor growth in vivo, while overexpressing PGAM4 promoted cell viability, proliferation, and glycolysis in U251 cells via regulating glycolysis pathway. Study also revealed that PGAM4 was regulated by EP300-mediated modifications of H3K27ac. PGAM4 silencing inhibited cell viability and proliferation, suppressed tumor growth, and decreased chemoresistance to temozolomide in glioma cells through suppressing glycolysis.

HDAC2 as a Target for developing Anti-cancer Drugs

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) deacetylate histones H3 and H4. An imbalance between histone acetylation and deacetylation can lead to various diseases. HDAC2 is present in the nucleus. It plays a critical role in modifying chromatin structures and regulates the expression of various genes by functioning as a transcriptional regulator. The roles of HDAC2 in tumorigenesis and anti-cancer drug resistance are discussed in this review. Several reports suggested that HDAC2 is a prognostic marker of various cancers. The roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) that directly regulate the expression of HDAC2 in tumorigenesis are also discussed in this review. This review also presents HDAC2 as a valuable target for developing anti-cancer drugs.

Knockdown of FKBP3 suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell growth, invasion and migration, deactivated NF-κB/IL-6 signaling pathway through inhibiting histone deacetylase 2 expression

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. FKBP3 has been reported to participate in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of FKBP3 in NPC remains unclear. In this study, FKBP3 expression was observed to upregulate in NPC patients and cells. Moreover, knockdown of FKBP3 suppressed cell growth, invasion, and migration in HK1 and C666-1 cells. Mechanically, FKBP3 could enhance the p-p65 expression and activated p65 signaling pathway and increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression through enhancing histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression. In rescued experiment, the overexpression of HDAC2 restored diminished cell growth, invasion, and migration caused by FKBP3 depletion. In summary, the knockdown of FKBP3 suppressed NPC cell growth, invasion and migration, deactivated nuclear factor-κB/IL-6 signaling pathway through inhibiting HDAC2 expression, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for NPC treatment.

HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 reduces resistance of mutant-KRAS non-small cell lung cancer to pemetrexed through a HDAC2/miR-130a-3p-dependent mechanism

BACKGROUND

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) contribute to oncogenic program, pointing to their inhibitors as a potential strategy against cancers. We, thus, studied the mechanism of HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 in resistance of mutant (mut)-KRAS non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to pemetrexed (Pem).

METHODS

We first determined the expression of NSCLC tumorigenesis-related HDAC2 and Rad51 in NSCLC tissues and cells. Next, we illustrated the effect of ITF2357 on the Pem resistance in wild type-KARS NSCLC cell line H1299, mut-KARS NSCLC cell line A549 and Pem-resistant mut-KARS cell line A549R in vitro and in xenografts of nude mice in vivo.

RESULTS

Expression of HDAC2 and Rad51 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Accordingly, it was revealed that ITF2357 downregulated HDAC2 expression to diminish the resistance of H1299, A549 and A549R cells to Pem. HDAC2 bound to miR-130a-3p to upregulate its target gene Rad51. The in vitro findings were reproduced in vivo, where ITF2357 inhibited the HDAC2/miR-130a-3p/Rad51 axis to reduce the resistance of mut-KRAS NSCLC to Pem.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 restores miR-130a-3p expression by inhibiting HDAC2, thereby repressing Rad51 and ultimately diminishing resistance of mut-KRAS NSCLC to Pem. Our findings suggested HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 as a promising adjuvant strategy to enhance the sensitivity of mut-KRAS NSCLC to Pem.

The Role of PGK1 in Promoting Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury-Induced Microglial M1 Polarization and Inflammation by Regulating Glycolysis

Stroke is a leading cause of death, with a continuously increasing incidence. As a metabolic process that catabolizes glucose pyruvate and provides adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glycolysis plays a crucial role in different diseases. Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) facilitates energy production with biosynthesis in many diseases, including stroke. However, the exact role of PGK1/glycolysis in stroke remains to be elucidated. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to mimic ischemia/reperfusion injuries. Oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) was used to induce injury to highly aggressively proliferating immortalized (HAPI) rat microglial cells. The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was determined using an XFe24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. ATP, lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 levels were measured using commercial kits. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to examine the interaction between H3K27ac or p300 and the PGK1 promoter region. PGK1 was either knocked down or overexpressed by lentivirus. Thus, to examine its role in stroke, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were used to measure gene expression. The expression of PGK1 was increased and associated with M1 polarization and glycolysis in MCAO rat models. OGD/R promoted M1 polarization and HAPI microglial cell inflammation by regulating glycolysis. Silencing PGK1 reduced OGD/R-increased M1 polarization, inflammation, and glycolysis. Conversely, the overexpression of PGK1 promoted HAPI microglial cell inflammation by regulating glycolysis. The mechanism showed that histone acetyltransferase p300 promoted PGK1 expression through H3K27 acetylation. Finally, data indicated that silencing PGK1 inhibited microglia M1 polarization, inflammation, and glycolysis in MCAO rat models. PGK1 could promote ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced microglial M1 polarization and inflammation by regulating glycolysis, which might provide a novel direction in developing new therapeutic medications for preventing or treating stroke.

Penetrating Exploration of Prognostic Correlations of the FKBP Gene Family with Lung Adenocarcinoma

The complexity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the development of which involves many interacting biological processes, makes it difficult to find therapeutic biomarkers for treatment. FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) are composed of 12 members classified as conservative intracellular immunophilin family proteins, which are often connected to cyclophilin structures by tetratricopeptide repeat domains and have peptidyl prolyl isomerase activity that catalyzes proline from residues and turns the trans form into the cis form. Since FKBPs belong to chaperone molecules and promote protein folding, previous studies demonstrated that FKBP family members significantly contribute to the degradation of damaged, misfolded, abnormal, and foreign proteins. However, transcript expressions of this gene family in LUAD still need to be more fully investigated. In this research, we adopted high-throughput bioinformatics technology to analyze FKBP family genes in LUAD to provide credible information to clinicians and promote the development of novel cancer target drugs in the future. The current data revealed that the messenger (m)RNA levels of FKBP2, FKBP3, FKBP4, FKBP10, FKBP11, and FKBP14 were overexpressed in LUAD, and FKBP10 had connections to poor prognoses among LUAD patients in an overall survival (OS) analysis. Based on the above results, we selected FKBP10 to further conduct a comprehensive analysis of the downstream pathway and network. Through a DAVID analysis, we found that FKBP10 was involved in mitochondrial electron transport, NADH to ubiquinone transport, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly, etc. The MetaCore pathway analysis also indicated that FKBP10 was involved in "Ubiquinone metabolism", "Translation_(L)-selenoaminoacid incorporation in proteins during translation", and "Transcription_Negative regulation of HIF1A function". Collectively, this study revealed that FKBP family members are both significant prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer progression and promising clinical therapeutic targets, thus providing new targets for treating LUAD patients.

Sp1 Inhibits PGC-1α via HDAC2-Catalyzed Histone Deacetylation in Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain

BACKGROUND

Our previous study has illuminated that PGC-1α downregulation promoted chronification of pain after burn injury. RNA-seq analysis predicted association between Sp1 and chronic constriction injury (CCI)-provoked neuropathic pain. Further ChIP-Atlas data investigation suggested the binding to Sp1 to PGC-1α. Thereby, we performed this study to illustrate the functional relevance of the Sp1/PGC-1α axis in neuropathic pain.

METHODS

Neuropathic pain was induced by CCI in vivo in rats, followed by assessment of neuropathic pain-like behaviors. The expression of Sp1 and correlated genes was determined in CCI rat spinal cord tissues. Furthermore, microglia were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic inflammation and then cocultured with neurons. Knockdown and ectopic expression methods were used in vivo and in vitro to define the role the Sp1/HDAC2/PGC-1α axis.

RESULTS

Sp1 expression was upregulated in spinal cord tissues of CCI rats. Silencing Sp1 ameliorated CCI-induced neuropathic pain, as reflected by elevated paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency, as well as alleviated microglia activation, neuronal dysfunction, inflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in spinal cord tissues. Sp1 knockdown also reversed LPS-induced microglial inflammation and neuronal dysfunction. Sp1 promoted histone deacetylation in the PGC-1α promoter and inhibited PGC-1α expression via recruiting HDAC2. PGC-1α overexpression diminished CCI-induced neuropathic pain and LPS-induced inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, based on which Sp1 aggravated microglial inflammation and neuronal dysfunction in neuropathic pain.

CONCLUSION

This study elucidated the promoting effects of Sp1 on CCI-induced neuropathic pain via the HDAC2/PGC-1α axis.

Genome-wide CRISPR screens identify combinations of candidate latency reversing agents for targeting the latent HIV-1 reservoir

Reversing HIV-1 latency promotes killing of infected cells and is essential for cure strategies; however, no single latency reversing agent (LRA) or LRA combination have been shown to reduce HIV-1 latent reservoir size in persons living with HIV-1 (PLWH). Here, we describe an approach to systematically identify LRA combinations to reactivate latent HIV-1 using genome-wide CRISPR screens. Screens on cells treated with suboptimal concentrations of an LRA can identify host genes whose knockout enhances viral gene expression. Therefore, inhibitors of these genes should synergize with the LRA. We tested this approach using AZD5582, an activator of the noncanonical nuclear factor κB (ncNF-κB) pathway, as an LRA and identified histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and bromodomain-containing protein 2 (BRD2), part of the bromodomain and extra-terminal motif (BET) protein family targeted by BET inhibitors, as potential targets. Using CD4⁺ T cells from PLWH, we confirmed synergy between AZD5582 and several HDAC inhibitors and between AZD5582 and the BET inhibitor, JQ1. A reciprocal screen using suboptimal concentrations of an HDAC inhibitor as an LRA identified BRD2 and ncNF-κB regulators, especially BIRC2, as synergistic candidates for use in combination with HDAC inhibition. Moreover, we identified and validated additional synergistic drug candidates in latency cell line cells and primary lymphocytes isolated from PLWH. Specifically, the knockout of genes encoding CYLD or YPEL5 displayed synergy with existing LRAs in inducing HIV mRNAs. Our study provides insights into the roles of host factors in HIV-1 reactivation and validates a system for identifying drug combinations for HIV-1 latency reversal.

PFKM inhibits doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by enhancing oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis

Heart failure (HF) is a global pandemic which affects about 26 million people. PFKM (Phosphofructokinase, Muscle), catalyzing the phosphorylation of fructose-6-phosphate, plays a very important role in cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of PFKM in glycolysis and HF remains to be elucidated. H9c2 rat cardiomyocyte cells were treated with doxorubicin (DOX) to establish injury models, and the cell viability, apoptosis and glycolysis were measured. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting were used for gene expression. DOX treatment significantly inhibited PFKM expression in H9c2 cells. Overexpression of PFKM inhibited DOX-induced cell apoptosis and DOX-decreased glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), while silencing PFKM promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited glycolysis and OXPHOS in H9c2 cells. Moreover, PFKM regulated DOX-mediated cell viability and apoptosis through glycolysis pathway. Mechanism study showed that histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) inhibited H3K27ac-induced transcription of PFKM in DOX-treated cells and regulated glycolysis. PFKM could inhibit DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by enhancing OXPHOS and glycolysis, which might benefit us in developing novel therapeutics for prevention or treatment of HF.

Silencing of lncRNA CRNDE attenuates nonsmall-cell lung cancer progression by mediating the miR-455-3p/HDAC2 axis

Nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. LncRNAs are confirmed to be involved in the progression of NSCLC. Meanwhile, lncRNA CRNDE is known to be upregulated in NSCLC; however, the mechanism by which CRNDE regulates the tumourigenesis of NSCLC remains unclear. To test the function of CRNDE in NSCLC, cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were investigated by colony formation and Transwell assays, respectively. qPCR and Western blotting were applied to test gene and protein levels. In addition, the relationship among CRNDE, miR-455-3p, and HDAC2 was explored by dual-luciferase and RIP assays. The data revealed that the expression of CRNDE was upregulated in NSCLC tissues, while miR-455-3p was downregulated. CRNDE knockdown inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells or epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR)-mutant NSCLC cells. Moreover, inhibition of miR-455-3p exhibited the opposite effect. CRNDE bound with miR-455-3p, and HDAC2 was found to be targeted by miR-455-3p. Meanwhile, miR-455-3p downregulation reversed the effect of CRNDE knockdown on NSCLC cell function. Furthermore, miR-455-3p notably inhibited the growth and invasion of NSCLC cells via downregulation of HDAC2. Knockdown of CRNDE attenuated NSCLC progression via modulation of the miR-455-3p/HDAC2 axis. Thus, those findings might provide a novel strategy against NSCLC.

USP53 activated by H3K27 acetylation regulates cell viability, apoptosis, and metabolism in esophageal carcinoma via the AMPK signaling pathway

Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, despite an overall decline in the incidence of new cases. However, knowledge of gene expression signatures for risk and prognosis stratification of ESCA is inadequate. Thus, identifying novel molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ESCA might improve its prognosis and treatment. The current study investigated the role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 53 (USP53), a member of the USP family that exhibits deubiquitinating activity, in ESCA and showed that USP53 is downregulated in ESCA tissues, indicating poor prognosis. USP53 suppresses the proliferation and growth of ESCA cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas its knockdown exerts opposite effects. AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor reverses the effects of USP53 knockdown. USP53 also inhibits glycolysis, oxidative metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics. H3K27 acetylation increases USP53 expression by binding to its promoter region. Our study reveals that USP53 is activated by H3K27 acetylation and suppresses ESCA progression by regulating cell growth and metabolism. USP53 is therefore a promising target for ESCA treatment.

Comparative analysis of the miRNA-mRNA regulation networks in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) following Vibrio anguillarum infection

MicroRNAs could not only regulate posttranscriptional silencing of target genes in eukaryotic organisms, but also have positive effect on their target genes as well. These microRNAs have been reported to be involved in mucosal immune responses to pathogen infection in teleost. Therefore, we constructed the immune-related miRNA-mRNA networks in turbot intestine following Vibrio anguillarum infection. In our results, 1550 differentially expressed (DE) genes and 167 DE miRNAs were identified. 113 DE miRNAs targeting 89 DE mRNAs related to immune response were used to construct miRNA-mRNA interaction networks. Functional analysis showed that target genes were associated with synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, mucin type O-Glycan biosynthesis, homologous recombination, biotin metabolism, and intestinal immune network for IgA production that were equivalent to the function of IgT and IgM in fish intestine. Finally, 10 DE miRNAs and 7 DE mRNAs were selected for validating the accuracy of high-throughput sequencing results by qRT-PCR. The results of this study will provide valuable information for the elucidation of the regulation mechanisms of miRNA-mRNA interactions involved in disease resistance in teleost mucosal immune system.

Comprehensive network analysis of different subtypes of molecular disorders in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In this study, we attempted to identify the common pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) based on a modular and comprehensive analysis method. Data were downloaded and the differences analyzed in LUAD samples, LUSC samples, and normal samples, respectively. Co-expression analysis, enrichment analysis, and hypergeometric testing were used to predict transcription factors (TFs) and ncRNAs, as well as target genes. We obtained 4,596 differentially expressed genes which were clustered into 14 modules dysfunction. The 14 clustered genes (including DOK2, COL5A1, and TSPAN8) were identified as the core genes of the module. Module genes are substantially involved in biological processes, such as extracellular matrix, carbohydrate binding and renal system development, and signal transduction as well, including PPAR signal transduction, cGMP-PKG signal transduction, PI3K-Akt signal transduction, and Apelin signal transduction. We identified ncRNA (miR-335-5p, ANCR, TUG1) and transcription factors (RELA, SP1) to regulate dysfunction module genes essentially. The analysis showed that comprehensive co-expression analysis contributes to understanding the TF ncRNA. Moreover, it assisted in further understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of co-expression of modular genes that regulate LUAD and LUSC. It provided a precious resource and theoretical basis for further experiments.

Comprehensive analysis of competitive endogenous RNA associated with immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma

To identify the prognostic biomarker of the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and explore the tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) which might be the potential prognostic factors in lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, we also try to explain the crosstalk between the ceRNA and TIICs to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in lung adenocarcinoma. The transcriptome data of lung adenocarcinoma were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the hypergeometric correlation of the differently expressed miRNA-lncRNA and miRNA-mRNA were analyzed based on the starBase. In addition, the Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression model analysis were used to identify the prognostic ceRNA network and TIICs. Correlation analysis was performed to analysis the correlation between the ceRNA network and TIICs. In the differently expressed RNAs between tumor and normal tissue, a total of 190 miRNAs, 224 lncRNAs and 3024 mRNAs were detected, and the constructed ceRNA network contained 5 lncRNAs, 92 mRNAs and 10 miRNAs. Then, six prognostic RNAs (FKBP3, GPI, LOXL2, IL22RA1, GPR37, and has-miR-148a-3p) were viewed as the key members for constructing the prognostic prediction model in the ceRNA network, and three kinds of TIICs (Monocytes, Macrophages M1, activated mast cells) were identified to be significantly related with the prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Correlation analysis suggested that the FKBP3 was associated with Monocytes and Macrophages M1, and the GPI was obviously related with Monocytes and Macrophages M1. Besides, the LOXL2 was associated with Monocytes and Activated mast cells, and the IL22RA1 was significantly associated with Monocytes and Macrophages M1, while the GPR37 and Macrophages M1 was closely related. The constructed ceRNA network and identified Monocytes, Macrophages M1 and activated Mast cells are all prognostic factors for lung adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the crosstalk between the ceRNA network and TIICs might be a potential molecular mechanism involved.

FKBP11 promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenesis via p53-related pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The abnormal proliferation ability of OSCC has become one of the major reasons for its poor prognosis. FK-506 binding protein 11 (FKBP11) is abnormally expressed in malignant tumors and affects many biological processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of FKBP11 on cell proliferation in OSCC and explore the possible regulatory mechanism. The expression of FKBP11 was detected by western blotting (WB) and/or real-time PCR in OSCC and paracancerous normal tissues in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell lines, revealing high expression in OSCC and CAL-27 cells. Furthermore, FKBP11 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of CAL-27 cells by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. G₂/M arrest and induction of apoptosis were observed using flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 and Calcein-AM/PI staining, accompanied by changes in some cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins, including CDK1, Cyclin B1, p21, p27, p53, Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3. Additionally, the expression of these proteins can be reversed by the use of pifithrin-α (PFT-α), a p53 inhibitor. An in vivo xenograft model further confirmed that FKBP11 enhanced OSCC progression. In conclusion, FKBP11 could promote cell proliferation by regulating G₂/M phase and apoptosis via the p53/p21/p27 and p53/Bcl-2/Bax pathways, respectively, which suggests that it may be a new candidate target for the treatment of OSCC.

Construction of the optimization prognostic model based on differentially expressed immune genes of lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common pathology subtype of lung cancer. In recent years, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapeutics conferred a certain curative effects. However, the effect and prognosis of LUAD patients are different, and the efficacy of existing LUAD risk prediction models is unsatisfactory.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUAD dataset was downloaded. The differentially expressed immune genes (DEIGs) were analyzed with edgeR and DESeq2. The prognostic DEIGs were identified by COX regression. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was inferred by STRING using prognostic DEIGs with p value< 0.05. The prognostic model based on DEIGs was established using Lasso regression. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of FERMT2, FKBP3, SMAD9, GATA2, and ITIH4 in 30 cases of LUAD tissues.

Results

In total,1654 DEIGs were identified, of which 436 genes were prognostic. Gene functional enrichment analysis indicated that the DEIGs were involved in inflammatory pathways. We constructed 4 models using DEIGs. Finally, model 4, which was constructed using the 436 DEIGs performed the best in prognostic predictions, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.824 for 3 years, 0.838 for 5 years, 0.834 for 10 years. High levels of FERMT2, FKBP3 and low levels of SMAD9, GATA2, ITIH4 expression are related to the poor overall survival in LUAD (p < 0.05). The prognostic model based on DEIGs reflected infiltration by immune cells.

Conclusions

In our study, we built an optimal prognostic signature for LUAD using DEIGs and verified the expression of selected genes in LUAD. Our result suggests immune signature can be harnessed to obtain prognostic insights.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07911-8.

FKBP10 promotes proliferation of glioma cells via activating AKT-CREB-PCNA axis

Background

Although the availability of therapeutic options including temozolomide, radiotherapy and some target agents following neurosurgery, the prognosis of glioma patients remains poor. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore possible targets for clinical treatment of this disease.

Methods

Tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry were used to detect FKBP10, Hsp47, p-AKT (Ser473), p-CREB (Ser133) and PCNA expression in glioma tissues and xenografts. CCK-8 tests, colony formation assays and xenograft model were performed to test proliferation ability of FKBP10 in glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR, western-blotting, GST-pull down, co-immunoprecipitation and confocal-immunofluorescence staining assay were used to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the functions of overexpressed FKBP10 in glioma cells.

Results

FKBP10 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and its expression was positively correlates with grade, poor prognosis. FKBP10-knockdown suppressed glioma cell proliferation in vitro and subcutaneous/orthotopic xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Silencing of FKBP10 reduced p-AKT (Ser473), p-CREB (Ser133), PCNA mRNA and PCNA protein expression in glioma cells. FKBP10 interacting with Hsp47 enhanced the proliferation ability of glioma cells via AKT-CREB-PCNA cascade. In addition, correlation between these molecules were also found in xenograft tumor and glioma tissues.

Conclusions

We showed for the first time that FKBP10 is overexpressed in glioma and involved in proliferation of glioma cells by interacting with Hsp47 and activating AKT-CREB-PCNA signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that inhibition of FKBP10 related signaling might offer a potential therapeutic option for glioma patients.

LncRNA NEAT1 Promotes High Glucose-Induced Mesangial Cell Hypertrophy by Targeting miR-222-3p/CDKN1B Axis

Glomerular hypertrophy is an early morphological alteration in diabetic nephropathy. Cyclin-Dependent Kinases have been shown to be required for high glucose (HG)-induced hypertrophy; however, the upstream regulators of CDKN1B in glomerular hypertrophy remain unclear. Herein we describe a novel pathway in which Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 regulates the progression of mesangial cell hypertrophy via a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the relative NEAT1 and miR-222-3p expressions and further confirmed the relationship between NEAT1 and miR-222-3p. Cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry. The related mechanisms were explored by Western blot, RNA immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We show that NEAT1 forms double stranded RNA (dsRNA) with miR-222-3p, thus limiting miR-222-3p's binding with CDKN1B. This release of CDKN1B mRNA leads to elevated CDKN1B protein expression, resulting in hypertrophy. In addition, we demonstrated that STAT3 which is activated by HG induces the transcription of NEAT1 by binding to its promoter. Our findings underscore an unexpected role of lncRNAs on gene regulation and introduce a new mode of proliferation regulation in mesangial cells.

STK35 Is Ubiquitinated by NEDD4L and Promotes Glycolysis and Inhibits Apoptosis Through Regulating the AKT Signaling Pathway, Influencing Chemoresistance of Colorectal Cancer

The development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is often sporadic, but its etiology is multifactorial. Chemoresistance of CRC leads to tumor recurrence and poor prognosis in patients. The phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) can activate metabolic reprogramming toward cellular glycolysis. Serine/threonine kinase 35 (STK35) regulates the cell cycle and is frequently associated with cancer progression, whereas little is known about its specific roles in CRC. In the current study, bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between STK35 and CRC prognosis. STK35 knockdown and overexpressing CRC cells were established to examine its functions in CRC. Fluorouracil (5-FU) was utilized to evaluate the effect of STK35 on CRC chemoresistance. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the ubiquitination of STK35. STK35 was highly expressed in CRC, and its protein expression was negatively correlated with the survival of CRC patients. Furthermore, STK35 overexpression could promote glycolysis, suppress apoptosis, upregulate p-AKT, and counteract the antitumor functions of 5-FU and neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4-like (NEDD4L) in CRC cells. NEDD4L was associated with and could ubiquitinate STK35. STK35 could be a prognostic biomarker for CRC prognosis and has promotive effects on CRC cellular activities, partially through the AKT pathway. Moreover, STK35 also interferes with the chemosensitivity of CRC.

FKBP-related ncRNA-mRNA axis in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is a disease with morbidity ranking the first of women worldwidely. In current study, 11 DE-miRNAs, consisting of four FKBP4 related DE-miRNAs and seven FKBP5 related DE-miRNAs, were screened. Four hundred and eighty two predicted lncRNAs were found for DE-miRNAs. Then, expression and prognostic results of nine of top 20 lncRNAs of BC were significantly identified. LINC00662 and LINC00963 expression were significantly associated with patients' overall survival (OS). Then, nine potential upstream transcription factors were identified in motifs of DE-miRNAs. Three hundred and twenty target genes were identified for GO annotation and KEGG pathway analysis, which were mainly enriched in cysteine-type endopeptidase activity involved in apoptotic process. Construction and analysis in PPI network showed that RAB7A was selected as a hub gene with the topest connectivity scores. Differential expression analysis of nine in top ten hub genes of BC were significantly identified. RAB7A and ARRB1 expression were significantly related with BC patients' OS.

Protein acetylation derepresses Serotonin Synthesis to potentiate Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function through HDAC1-PKA-Tph1 signaling

Rationale: Protein acetylation is tightly linked to transcriptional control and energy metabolism. However, the role of protein acetylation in islet function remains enigmatic. This study aims to determine how protein acetylation controls β-cell function and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: The gene-expression profiles were analyzed for rat islets in response to two histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Insulin secretion, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) expression, and serotonin synthesis of rat islets were detected after HDAC inhibitor treatment both in vivo and ex vivo. β-cell-specific Tph1-overexpressing transgenic rats and β-cell-specific Tph1 knockout mice were constructed to evaluate the role of Tph1 in β-cell function. The deacetylation of PKA in β-cells by HDAC1 was investigated by adenoviral infection, immunoprecipitation, and western blot. Results: Inhibition of HDACs greatly potentiated pancreatic β-cell function and reprogrammed transcriptional landscape of islets. Among the commonly up-regulated genes by two pan-HDAC inhibitors, Tph1 displayed the most prominent change. Specifically, inhibition of HDAC1 and HDAC3 by MS-275 strongly promoted Tph1 expression and endogenous serotonin synthesis in rat islets, concomitantly with enhanced insulin secretory capacity in vivo and ex vivo. β-cell-specific Tph1-overexpressing transgenic rats exhibited improved glucose tolerance and amplified glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. On the contrary, β-cell-specific Tph1 knockout mice displayed glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion with aging. Moreover, depletion of Tph1 in β-cells abrogated MS-275-induced insulin hypersecretion. Overexpression of HDAC1, not HDAC3, inhibited Tph1 transcriptional activity and decreased MS-275-stimulated Tph1 expression. Mechanistically, HDAC1 deacetylated PKA catalytic subunit and decreased its activity, resulting in Tph1 transcriptional repression. The acetylation mimetic K62Q mutant of PKA increased its catalytic activity. HDAC1 inhibition exerted a synergistic effect with cAMP/PKA signal on Tph1 expression. Conclusions: The present findings highlight a novel role of HDAC1-PKA-Tph1 signaling in governing β-cell functional compensation by derepressing serotonin synthesis.

Mechanism analysis of toxicity of sodium sulfite to human hepatocytes L02

Food additives are widely used in various food products to preserve the taste, color, and other qualities. However, if they are used improperly or exceed the standard, they will cause damage to the human body. Sulfite is a commonly used food additive to prevent oxidation from deteriorating the nutrients in foods, it has been widely used as a bleaching agent in the food industry for a long time. In this study, human hepatocytes L02 cells were used as a model cell line to evaluate the toxicity of sodium sulfite. The cell morphology and cell proliferation were affected by sodium sulfite treatment, and apoptosis was detected. Transcriptome sequencing showed 97 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the experimental group (IC50) and the control group (MOCK), and 27 differentially expressed genes related to cell apoptosis, metabolism and inflammation were selected for validation by qPCR. Among them, 13 significantly upregulated genes and 14 significantly downregulated genes were identified by qPCR. The results showed that with increase of sodium sulfite concentration, the morphology of L02 changed, cell proliferation and activity were inhibited, and sodium sulfite caused apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The resulting toxic mechanism inhibits proliferation, damages the mitochondrial integrity, and promotes apoptosis.

RNAseq profiling of circRNA expression in radiation-treated A549 cells and bioinformatics analysis of radiation-related circRNA-miRNA networks

With the development of new biochemical and computational methods, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as microRNA sponges. circRNAs are associated with many diseases, particularly cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the expression profile of circRNAs in irradiated A549 lung cancer cells using high-throughput sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses were used to examine the potential functions of circRNAs. RNA sequencing data demonstrated that 1,875 circRNA targets were differentially expressed in A549 cells in response to irradiation. A total of 30 circRNAs were upregulated and 37 circRNAs were downregulated significantly in irradiation-treated A549 cells (fold change ≥2.0; P<0.05). The top 5 upregulated and downregulated circRNAs were successfully validated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. In addition, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that differentially expressed circRNAs might be pivotal in biological irradiation responses to irradiation. circRNA-microRNA co-expression networks highlighted the biological significance of circRNA_0002174 and circRNA_0036627, which require further study. In conclusion, the present study is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first to describe the differentially expressed profile of circRNAs in response to irradiation in A549 cells. These results provide a new perspective to elucidate insight into the molecular mechanisms by which A549 cells respond to radiation, and a basis for a more in-depth analysis of the potential application of circRNAs in the treatment of lung cancer therapy.

Combination of pembrolizumab and 125I attenuates the aggressiveness of non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. Therapies targeting programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD1L1) have promising effects on NSCLC. However, resistance to targeted therapy has become the main problem and the underling molecular mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, the expression of PD1L1 in NSCLC was determined and the association with clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. A combination therapy was also constructed, including pembrolizumab (Pem) and iodine-125 (¹²⁵I), which represented an efficient strategy for the treatment of NSCLC. The expression of PD1L1 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and positively correlated with the Ki-67 index, pathological subtypes and risk stages. A higher level of PD1L1 expression was associated with poorer survival in patients with NSCLC, which could be used as a prognostic indicator. When NSCLC cells were cultured in the presence of Pem and ¹²⁵I seeds, the combination treatment significantly abrogated the tumor proliferation and aggressiveness through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 secretion. Flow cytometry analysis revealed pembrolizumab combined with ¹²⁵I contributed to a higher rate of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, indicating that the combination treatment improved the resistance to immunotherapy. Furthermore, the associated molecular mechanism was the dysregulation of ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17. The findings from the present study revealed that PD1L1 could be used as a predictive biomarker, and the application of combination treatment of pembrolizumab and ¹²⁵I showed promising effects on NSCLC.

USP5 Promotes Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that functions as an oncoprotein in a variety of human cancers. However, the expression and role of USP5 in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been addressed. In this study, we examined the expression and prognostic significance of USP5 in NSCLC. The results revealed that USP5 was overexpressed and correlated with metastasis and overall survival in NSCLC tissues. A further in vitro study revealed that the levels of USP5 protein in NSCLC cells were associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Furthermore, USP5 overexpression significantly enhanced, whereas USP5 silencing significantly decreased the expression of EMT proteins and migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. In addition, the results from western blotting demonstrated that USP5 regulated EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further immunohistochemical analysis revealed that USP5 was significantly associated with the expression of β-catenin and EMT markers in NSCLC tissues. Overall, USP5 upregulation is associated with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC. USP5 promotes EMT and the invasion and migration of NSCLC cells. Therefore, USP5 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and provide a potential target for the treatment of metastasis in NSCLC.

CPNE1 predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumorigenesis and radioresistance via the AKT singling pathway in triple-negative breast cancer

Elevated expression of Copine 1 (CPNE1) has been observed in multiple cancers; however, the underlying mechanisms by which it affects cancer cells are unclear. We aimed to study the effect of CPNE1 on the tumorigenesis and radioresistance of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of CPNE1 in TNBC tissues and cell lines. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the levels of CPNE1, p‐AKT, AKT, cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved PARP1, and γ‐H2AX. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry, respectively. CPNE1 was overexpressed in TNBC tissues and cell lines and was associated with tumor size, distant metastases, and survival rates of patients with TNBC. Moreover, function study shows that CPNE1 promoted cell viability and inhibited cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibited the radiosensitivity of TNBC. Importantly, inactivation of AKT signaling inhibited the tumorigenesis and radioresistance mediated by CPNE1 in TNBC cells. In vivo xenograft study also shows that CPNE1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth and promoted cell apoptosis. Overall, our findings suggest that CPNE1 promotes tumorigenesis and radioresistance in TNBC by regulating AKT activation and targeted CPNE1 expression may be a strategy to sensitize TNBC cells toward radiation therapy.

Downregulation of miR-3568 Protects Against Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction in Rats and Apoptosis in H9C2 Cardiomyocytes Through Targeting TRIM62

microRNA-3568 (miR-3568) has been reported to be associated with atherosclerosis. Only few data describe the expression and underlying mechanism of miR-3568 in regulating cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury such as apoptosis. In this study, we therefore sought to investigate the potential function of miR-3568 in simulated I/R-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocytes and related signaling pathways involved. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the cell apoptosis. The expression of miR-3568, Survivin, Bcl-2, ERK, JNK, p38, AKT, and STAT3 was measured by western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. The correlation between TRIM62 and p-STAT3 was measured by co-immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination. We found that miR-3568 expression in simulated I/R-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes was increased in a time-dependent manner. miR-3568 mimic transfection in H9C2 cardiomyocytes significantly enhanced cell apoptosis, decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin, and activated STAT3 signaling, which were reversed by miR-3568 inhibitor. The direct interaction between miR-3568 and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of TRIM62 mRNA was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. TRIM62 overexpression or AG490, a selective inhibitor of JAK2/STAT3 significantly, significantly inhibited I/R and miR-3568 mimic induced cell apoptosis and STAT3 activation. TRIM62 was found to interact with and induce ubiquitination of p-STAT3. The facilitating role of miR-3568 in I/R injury was also observed in our in vivo rat models. In conclusion, our study suggests that miR-3568 promotes simulated I/R-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocytes through targeting TRIM62.

Melatonin Regulates Breast Cancer Progression by the lnc010561/miR-30/FKBP3 Axis

Melatonin has been recognized to slow breast cancer growth. The molecular mechanisms may involve long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, little is known on how melatonin affects lncRNA expression and function in breast cancer. We used microarrays to explore the expression profile of mRNAs and lncRNAs in melatonin-treated breast cancer cells. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and Reactome pathways analysis were performed to identify the signaling pathways affected by altered expressed mRNAs after melatonin treatment. To explore the functions and mechanisms of the selected differentially expressed mRNA and lncRNA in breast cancer, we performed a series of experiments. We found that FK506-binding protein 3 (FKBP3) and lnc010561 were downregulated in melatonin-treated breast cancer cells. Knockdown of FKBP3 and lnc010561 inhibited breast cancer proliferation and invasion, and induced apoptosis. Also, lnc010561 and FKBP3 functioned as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) for miR-30. Our findings suggested that melatonin regulated breast cancer progression by the lnc010561/miR-30/FKBP3 axis. Melatonin may, therefore, function as an anticancer strategy for breast cancer.

Targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer therapy: mechanisms and advances in clinical trials

Epigenetic alternations concern heritable yet reversible changes in histone or DNA modifications that regulate gene activity beyond the underlying sequence. Epigenetic dysregulation is often linked to human disease, notably cancer. With the development of various drugs targeting epigenetic regulators, epigenetic-targeted therapy has been applied in the treatment of hematological malignancies and has exhibited viable therapeutic potential for solid tumors in preclinical and clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the aberrant functions of enzymes in DNA methylation, histone acetylation and histone methylation during tumor progression and highlight the development of inhibitors of or drugs targeted at epigenetic enzymes.

Ubiquitin specific peptidase 5 promotes ovarian cancer cell proliferation through deubiquitinating HDAC2

Globally, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common gynecological malignancy with poor prognosis. The expression and oncogenic roles of ubiquitin specific peptidase 5 (USP5) have been reported in several cancers except EOC. In the current study, USP5 amplification was highly prevalent in patients with EOC and associated with higher mRNA expression of USP5. USP5 amplification and overexpression was positively correlated with poor prognosis of patients of ovarian serous carcinomas. Disruption of USP5 profoundly repressed cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle G0/G1 phase arrest in ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, USP5 knockdown inhibited xenograft growth in nude mice. Knockdown of USP5 decreased histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression and increased p27 (an important cell cycle inhibitor) expression in vitro and in vivo. The promoting effects of USP5 overexpression on cell proliferation and cell cycle transition, as well as the inhibitory effects of USP5 overexpression on p27 expression were mediated by HDAC2. Moreover, USP5 interacted with HDAC2, and disruption of USP5 enhanced the ubiquitination of HDAC2. HDAC2 protein was positively correlated USP5 protein, and negatively correlated with p27 protein in ovarian serous carcinomas tissues. Collectively, our data suggest the oncogenic function of USP5 and the potential regulatory mechanisms in ovarian carcinogenesis.

LncRNA LINC00963 Promotes Tumorigenesis and Radioresistance in Breast Cancer by Sponging miR-324-3p and Inducing ACK1 Expression

Upregulation of long non-coding RNA LINC00963 has been observed in several cancer types. In this study, we analyzed the clinical and biological significance of LINC00963 in breast cancer. The key microRNA (miR) mediating the action of LINC00963 was identified. We show that LINC00963 upregulation is correlated with aggressive parameters of breast cancer. Silencing of LINC00963 suppresses the proliferation and tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells, whereas LINC00963 overexpression exerts an opposite effect. Knockdown of LINC00963 enhances DNA damage and oxidative stress and sensitizes breast cancer cells to radiation. Mechanistically, LINC00963 antagonizes the repressive activity of miR-324-3p on ACK1 expression. Clinically, there is a negative correlation between miR-324-3p and LINC00963 expression in breast cancer tissues. Overexpression of LINC00963 or ACK1 rescues the inhibitory effects of miR-324-3p on breast cancer cell proliferation and radiosensitivity. In addition, knockdown of ACK1 attenuates LINC00963-dependent breast cancer growth and tumorigenesis. Taken together, LINC00963 promotes tumorigenesis and radioresistance in breast cancer through interplay with miR-324-3p and derepression of ACK1. LINC00963 may represent a potential target for the treatment of breast cancer.

CACYBP Enhances Cytoplasmic Retention of P27Kip1 to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression in the Absence of RNF41 Mediated Degradation

Calcyclin-binding protein (CACYBP) is a multi-ligand protein implicated in the progression of various human cancers. However, its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown.

Methods: The expression of CACYBP and RNF41 (RING finger protein 41) in HCC cancer and adjacent non-tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, flow cytometry detection and xenograft models were used to evaluate the impact of CACYBP expression on HCC cell growth, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assays were performed to determine how RNF41 regulates CACYBP. The regulatory mechanism of RNF41-CACYBP signaling axis on P27^Kip1 was investigated by western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results: CACYBP was highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis in HCC. CACYBP expression was required for HCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we identified RNF41 as a specific binding partner of CACYBP at exogenous and endogenous levels. RNF41 recruited CACYBP by its C-terminal substrate binding domain, subsequently ubiquitinating CACYBP and promoting its degradation in both proteasome- and lysosome-dependent pathways. In HCC tissues, RNF41 expression was reduced and conferred a negative correlation with CACYBP expression. Mechanistically, CACYBP overexpression stimulated the Ser10, Thr157 and Thr198 phosphorylation of P27^Kip1 and its cytoplasmic retention, and RNF41 co-expression attenuated this phenomenon. CACYBP depletion led to decreased levels of cyclin D1, cyclin A2, CDK2 and CDK4, causing a typical cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase and increasing apoptosis in HCC cells. P27^Kip1-S10D but not P27^Kip1-S10A reconstitution rescued partially the cell cycle function and apoptotic feature after CACYBP depletion.

Conclusion: Our findings provide novel insights into the functional role and regulatory mechanism of CACYBP in HCC.

Effect of HDAC2/Inpp5f on neuropathic pain and cognitive function through regulating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signal pathway in rats with neuropathic pain

The effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC)2/Inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase F (Inpp5f) on neuropathic pain and cognitive dysfunction through regulating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signal pathway in rats with neuropathic pain was investigated. A total of 80 SPF mature male SD rats were averagely randomized into the sham operation group, the model group, the HDAC2 intervention group (group A) and the Inpp5f intervention group (group B). The rat models of neuropathic pain were established in the model group, and groups A and B. At the 15th day after modeling, rats in group A were transfected with the interference vector of HDAC2, and rats in group B were transfected with the overexpression vector of Inpp5f. Rats in the four groups were observed before modeling, after modeling/before intervention and 3 days after intervention in terms of paw thermal withdrawal latency (PWL), paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWT) and changes in cognitive function (Morris water maze and passive avoidance task). Then the rats were sacrificed. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the levels of HDAC2 mRNA, Inpp5f mRNA, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) in rat brain tissue. Correlation of HDAC2 mRNA with Inpp5f mRNA expression levels was detected by Pearsons correlation analysis. Compared with the sham operation group, PWL was significantly lower while PWT was higher in the other 3 groups (P<0.05). Three days after intervention, PWL was significantly higher while PWT was significantly lower (P<0.05). Inhibiting the expression of HDAC2 or promoting the expression of Inpp5f can effectively improve cognitive function in rats (P<0.05). After intervention, compared with the sham operation group, rats in the other 3 groups had higher HDAC2 mRNA level and lower Inpp5f mRNA level (P<0.05). In conclusion, neuropathic pain can cause an increase in HDAC2 expression level and a decrease in Inpp5f expression level, and activate the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signal pathway. Inhibition of HDAC2 expression can inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signal pathway through increasing Inpp5f expression, thus improving the condition and cognitive disorder of rats with neuropathic pain.

A panel of noncoding RNAs in non-small-cell lung cancer

Non-small-lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death. Early detection of NSCLC could pave the way for effective therapies. Analysis of molecular genetic biomarkers in biological fluids has been proposed as a useful tool for cancer diagnosis. Here, we aimed to develop a panel of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in sputum for NSCLC early detection. Expression of 11 ncRNAs were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in sputum samples of 30 NSCLC patients and 30 sex- and age-matched cancer-free controls. Stability of endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) in sputum was evaluated after 3 and 6 days at 4°C, 6 months, and 1 year at -80°C. Nine ncRNAs showed significant differences of their expression in sputum between NSCLC patients and controls. A logistic regression model with the best prediction was built based on miR-145, miR-126, and miR-7. The composite of the three miRNAs produced 90% sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing NSCLC patients from the controls. Results indicate that miRNAs could be useful biomarkers based on their stability under various storage conditions and maintain differential changes between cancer and control groups. Moreover, measurement of miRNAs in sputum could be a noninvasive approach for detection of lung cancer.

The PAX6-ZEB2 axis promotes metastasis and cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer through PI3K/AKT signaling

Paired-box 6 (PAX6) is an important transcription factor required for the function of human neuroectodermal epithelial tissues. Previous studies have suggested that it is also expressed in several types of tumors and has an oncogenic role. However, little is known about its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we found that PAX6 expression levels were upregulated in human lung cancer tissues and correlated with poor clinical outcomes. PAX6 overexpression significantly promoted NSCLC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, whereas its knockdown inhibited these processes. PAX6 is commonly correlated with EMT-mediated stem cell transformation, thereby inducing cisplatin resistance. Using the RT² Profiler PCR Array, we found that WNT5A, EGFR, and ZEB2 were differentially regulated in response to PAX6 modulation. In addition, PAX6 directly bound to the promoter region of ZEB2. ZEB2 knockdown significantly reduced the expression and function of PAX6. ZEB2 was upregulated upon PAX6 overexpression and downregulated upon PAX6 knockdown, whereas E-cadherin expression negatively correlated with PAX6 levels. Moreover, p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly enhanced by PAX6, which was reversed by the addition of the PI3K-AKT inhibitor, LY294002. These data suggest that PAX6 can mediate E-cadherin downregulation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by directly binding the promoter region of ZEB2, thereby mediating cell migration, stem cell transformation, and cisplatin resistance; and ultimately, affecting survival in NSCLC patients.

FKBP Ligands-Where We Are and Where to Go?

In recent years, many members of the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) family were increasingly linked to various diseases. The binding domain of FKBPs differs only in a few amino acid residues, but their biological roles are versatile. High-affinity ligands with selectivity between close homologs are scarce. This review will give an overview of the most prominent ligands developed for FKBPs and highlight a perspective for future developments. More precisely, human FKBPs and correlated diseases will be discussed as well as microbial FKBPs in the context of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal therapeutics. The last section gives insights into high-affinity ligands as chemical tools and dimerizers.

ECD promotes gastric cancer metastasis by blocking E3 ligase ZFP91-mediated hnRNP F ubiquitination and degradation

The human ortholog of the Drosophila ecdysoneless gene (ECD) is required for embryonic development and cell-cycle progression; however, its role in cancer progression and metastasis remains unclear. Here, we found that ECD is frequently overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC), especially in metastatic GC, and is correlated with poor clinical outcomes in GC patients. Silencing ECD inhibited GC migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo, while ECD overexpression promoted GC migration and invasion. ECD promoted GC invasion and metastasis by protecting hnRNP F from ubiquitination and degradation. We identified ZFP91 as the E3 ubiquitin ligase that is responsible for hnRNP F ubiquitination at Lys 185 and proteasomal degradation. ECD competitively bound to hnRNP F via the N-terminal STG1 domain (13-383aa), preventing hnRNP F from interacting with ZFP91, thus preventing ZFP91-mediated hnRNP F ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Collectively, our findings indicate that ECD promotes cancer invasion and metastasis by preventing E3 ligase ZFP91-mediated hnRNP F ubiquitination and degradation, suggesting that ECD may be a marker for poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target for GC patients.