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Li K, Wu X, Li Y, Hu TT, Wang W, Gonzalez FJ, Liu W. AKAP12 promotes cancer stem cell-like phenotypes and activates STAT3 in colorectal cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:3263-3276. [PMID: 37326825 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03230-5] [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: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have unique biological characteristics, including tumorigenicity, immortality, and chemoresistance. Colorectal CSCs have been identified and isolated from colorectal cancers by various methods. AKAP12, a scaffolding protein, is considered to act as a potential suppressor in colorectal cancer, but its role in CSCs remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of AKAP12 in Colorectal CSCs. METHODS Herein, Colorectal CSCs were enriched by cell culture with a serum-free medium. CSC-associated characteristics were evaluated by Flow cytometry assay and qPCR. AKAP12 gene expression was regulated by lentiviral transfection assay. The tumorigenicity of AKAP12 in vivo by constructing a tumor xenograft model. The related pathways were explored by qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS The depletion of AKAP12 reduced colony formation, sphere formation, and expression of stem cell markers in colorectal cancer cells, while its knockdown decreased the volume and weight of tumor xenografts in vivo. AKAP12 expression levels also affected the expression of stemness markers associated with STAT3, potentially via regulating the expression of protein kinase C. CONCLUSION This study suggests Colorectal CSCs overexpress AKAP12 and maintain stem cell characteristics through the AKAP12/PKC/STAT3 pathway. AKAP12 may be an important therapeutic target for blocking the development of colorectal cancer in the field of cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, 200070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, 200070, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Kimura S, Lok J, Gelman IH, Lo EH, Arai K. Role of A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 12 in the Central Nervous System. J Clin Neurol 2023; 19:329-337. [PMID: 37417430 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2023.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) 12 is a scaffolding protein that anchors various signaling proteins to the plasma membrane. These signaling proteins include protein kinase A, protein kinase C, protein phosphatase 2B, Src-family kinases, cyclins, and calmodulin, which regulate their respective signaling pathways. AKAP12 expression is observed in the neurons, astrocytes, endothelial cells, pericytes, and oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system (CNS). Its physiological roles include promoting the development of the blood-brain barrier, maintaining white-matter homeostasis, and even regulating complex cognitive functions such as long-term memory formation. Under pathological conditions, dysregulation of AKAP12 expression levels may be involved in the pathology of neurological diseases such as ischemic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease. This minireview aimed to summarize the current literature on the role of AKAP12 in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Kimura
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Life Science Research Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Josephine Lok
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irwin H Gelman
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Eng H Lo
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken Arai
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Departments of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Li H. Physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of AKAP12. Sci Prog 2022; 105:368504221109212. [PMID: 35775596 PMCID: PMC10450473 DOI: 10.1177/00368504221109212] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) 12 is a scaffolding protein that improves the specificity and efficiency of spatiotemporal signal through assembling intracellular signal proteins into a specific complex. AKAP12 is a negative mitogenic regulator that plays an important role in controlling cytoskeletal architecture, maintaining endothelial integrity, regulating glial function and forming blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood retinal barrier (BRB). Moreover, elevated or reduced AKAP12 contributes to a variety of diseases. Complex connections between AKAP12 and various diseases including chronic liver diseases (CLDs), inflammatory diseases and a series of cancers will be tried to delineate in this paper. We first describe the expression, distribution and physiological function of AKAP12. Then we summarize the current knowledge of different connections between AKAP12 expression and various diseases. Some research groups have found paradoxical roles of AKAP12 in different diseases and further confirmation is needed. This paper aims to assess the role of AKAP12 in physiology and diseases to help lay the foundation for the design of small molecules for specific AKAP12 to correct the pathological signal defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Central Laboratory, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, P. R. China
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AKAP12/Gravin is over-expressed in patients with ulcerative colitis. Immunol Res 2021; 69:429-435. [PMID: 34327631 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09214-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The gene of A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12) regulates cell cycle progression, cell motility, and morphology through its multiple scaffolding domains. However, the role of AKAP12 expression in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients has not been yet described. The aim of the study was to describe the gene and protein of AKAP12 expression in patients with UC and its association regarding the disease severity. We included a total of 40 patients with confirmed diagnosis of UC and 25 controls without endoscopic evidence of colitis or neoplasia. The relative quantification of the gene expression was performed by real-time PCR for AKAP12. Kruskal-Wallis was used to test differences among groups, and Spearman correlation to assess the relationship between AKAP12 gene and clinical outcomes. The extent of disease was evaluated using total colonoscopy, and biopsies were taken from rectum segments. The AKAP12 gene expression was increased in colonic mucosa from patients with active UC when compared with UC remission and control group. The overexpression of AKAP12 in patients with UC was associated with the presence of extensive colitis (p = 0.04, RM = 12, IC = 1.29-186.37). AKAP12/CD16 double positive cells were higher in submucosa (p = 0.04), muscular (p < 0.001), and cells from serosa (p < 0.001) in patients affected by UC in comparison to controls. The overexpression of AKAP12 was associated with the extent of disease. This is the first report about the role of AKAP12 in patients with UC suggesting that this gene and its protein could be involved in the modulation of the disease.
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Benz PM, Ding Y, Stingl H, Loot AE, Zink J, Wittig I, Popp R, Fleming I. AKAP12 deficiency impairs VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration and sprouting. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020; 228:e13325. [PMID: 31162891 PMCID: PMC6916389 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aim Protein kinase (PK) A anchoring protein (AKAP) 12 is a scaffolding protein that anchors PKA to compartmentalize cyclic AMP signalling. This study assessed the consequences of the downregulation or deletion of AKAP12 on endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. Methods The consequences of siRNA‐mediated downregulation AKAP12 were studied in primary cultures of human endothelial cells as well as in endothelial cells and retinas from wild‐type versus AKAP12−/− mice. Molecular interactions were investigated using a combination of immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Results AKAP12 was expressed at low levels in confluent endothelial cells but its expression was increased in actively migrating cells, where it localized to lamellipodia. In the postnatal retina, AKAP12 was expressed by actively migrating tip cells at the angiogenic front, and its deletion resulted in defective extension of the vascular plexus. In migrating endothelial cells, AKAP12 was co‐localized with the PKA type II‐α regulatory subunit as well as multiple key regulators of actin dynamics and actin filament‐based movement; including components of the Arp2/3 complex and the vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). Fitting with the evidence of a physical VASP/AKAP12/PKA complex, it was possible to demonstrate that the VEGF‐stimulated and PKA‐dependent phosphorylation of VASP was dependent on AKAP12. Indeed, AKAP12 colocalized with phospho‐Ser157 VASP at the leading edge of migrating endothelial cells. Conclusion The results suggest that compartmentalized AKAP12/PKA signalling mediates VASP phosphorylation at the leading edge of migrating endothelial cells to translate angiogenic stimuli into altered actin dynamics and cell movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Benz
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Yindi Ding
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Heike Stingl
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Annemarieke E. Loot
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Joana Zink
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Ilka Wittig
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Functional Proteomics, SFB 815 Core Unit, Faculty of Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Rüdiger Popp
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Ingrid Fleming
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Germany
- German Center of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain Frankfurt am Main Germany
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He P, Li K, Li SB, Hu TT, Guan M, Sun FY, Liu WW. Upregulation of AKAP12 with HDAC3 depletion suppresses the progression and migration of colorectal cancer. Int J Oncol 2018; 52:1305-1316. [PMID: 29484387 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A-kinase anchor protein 12 (AKAP12; also known as Gravin) functions as a tumor suppressor in several human primary cancers. However, the potential correlation between histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and AKAP12 and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, in this study, in an aim to shed light into this matter, the expression levels of HDAC3 and AKAP12 in 96 colorectal cancer (CRC) and adjacent non-cancerous tissues, as well as in SW480 cells were examined by immunohistochemical, RT-qPCR and western blot analyses. The effects of HDAC3 and AKAP12 on the proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis of CRC cells were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assays, flow cytometry, cell cycle analysis and Transwell assays. The results revealed that the reduction or loss of AKAP12 expression was detected in 69 (71.8%) of the 96 tissue specimens, whereas HDAC3 was upregulated in 50 (52.1%) of the 96 tumor tissue specimens. AKAP12 expression was markedly increased upon treatment with the HDAC3 inhibitors, trichostatin A (TSA) and RGFP966, at both the mRNA and protein level. Mechanistically, the direct binding of HDAC3 within the intron-1 region of AKAP12 was identified to be indispensable for the inhibition of AKAP12 expression. Moreover, the proliferation, colony-forming ability, cell cycle progression and the migration of the CRC cells were found to be promoted in response to AKAP12 silencing or AKAP12/HDAC3 co-silencing, whereas transfection with si-HDAC3 yielded opposite effects. Apart from the elevated expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, after AKAP12 knockdown, the increased activity of PI3K/AKT signaling was found to be indispensable for AKAP12-mediated colony formation and migration. On the whole, these findings indicate that AKAP12 may be a potential prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC in combination with HDAC3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping He
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, P.R. China
| | - Ke Li
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Bao Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221100, P.R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Ming Guan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Fen-Yong Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Wei Liu
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, P.R. China
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