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Gu S, Yasen Y, Wang M, Huang B, Zhou Y, Wang W. NEK2 promotes the migration, invasion, proliferation of ESCC and mediates ESCC immunotherapy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29682. [PMID: 38707418 PMCID: PMC11066149 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a disease with a high incidence rate and high mortality worldwide. The Never in Mitosis A (NIMA) family member NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) plays an important role in mitosis. However, the role of NEK2 in the pathogenesis of ESCC remains unclear. Patients and methods The expression and function of NEK2 in TCGA and GEO data sets were analyzed by bioinformatics. We verified the expression of NEK2 in ESCC tissues and cell lines by Western blotting and immunohistochemical methods and further explored the relationship between tumor stage and NEK2 expression. The differences in NEK2 expression and survival in patients with EC were verified by bioinformatics analysis. ESCC cell lines with stable knockdown of NEK2 were established by lentivirus-mediated shRNA delivery. The effects of NEK2 on ESCC cells were analyzed on the cytological level with assays including CCK-8, EdU, cell scratch, Transwell migration and invasion, colony formation, flow cytometry and apoptosis assays. Tumor growth was measured in a mouse xenograft model. Results We found that NEK2 is highly expressed in ESCC tissues and ESCC cells and that the high expression of NEK2 is associated with poor tumor healing. Knockdown of the NEK2 gene inhibits the migration, proliferation, invasion and cell cycle of ESCC cells. Biologic analysis shows that NEK2 is involved in biological processes such as progression and apoptosis of esophageal cancer, and is related to E2F.Mechanistically, NEK2 knockdown decreases the expression levels of E2F1 and IGF2. NEK2 competes with the transcription factor E2F1 to bind CDC20, resulting in decreased degradation and increased expression of E2F1. IGF2 expression is also increased, which promotes the expression of thymidylate synthase, further promoting the drug resistance of ESCC cells. NEK2 is associated with immune infiltration in esophageal cancer. Conclusion NEK2 is highly expressed in ESCC and can promote the migration, proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells. NEK2 mediates ESCC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaorui Gu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital Affiliated With Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, PR China
| | - YakuFujiang Yasen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital Affiliated With Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, PR China
| | - Mengying Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated With Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Baiqing Huang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital Affiliated With Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, PR China
| | - Yongxin Zhou
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital Affiliated With Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, PR China
| | - Wenli Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Tongji Hospital Affiliated With Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, PR China
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Wu J, Luo D, Tou L, Xu H, Jiang C, Wu D, Que H, Zheng J. NEK2 affects the ferroptosis sensitivity of gastric cancer cells by regulating the expression of HMOX1 through Keap1/Nrf2. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-04960-y. [PMID: 38503948 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-04960-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
NEK2 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is involved in regulating the progression of various tumors. Our previous studies have found that NEK2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and suggests that patients have a worse prognosis. However, its role and mechanism in gastric cancer are only poorly studied. In this study, we established a model of ferroptosis induced by RSL3 or Erastin in AGS cells in vitro, and konckdown NEK2, HOMX1, Nrf2 by siRNA. The assay kit was used to analyzed cell viability, MDA levels, GSH and GSSG content, and FeRhoNox™-1 fluorescent probe, BODIPY™ 581/591 C11 lipid oxidation probe, CM-H2DCFDA fluorescent probe were used to detected intracellular Fe2+, lipid peroxidation, and ROS levels, respectively. Calcein-AM/PI staining was used to detect the ratio of live and dead cells, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to identify the mRNA and protein levels of genes in cells, immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the localization of Nrf2 in cells, RNA-seq was used to analyze changes in mRNA expression profile, and combined with the FerrDb database, ferroptosis-related molecules were screened to elucidate the impact of NEK2 on the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to ferroptosis. We found that inhibition of NEK2 could enhance the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to RSL3 and Erastin-induced ferroptosis, which was reflected in the combination of inhibition of NEK2 and ferroptosis induction compared with ferroptosis induction alone: cell viability and GSH level were further decreased, while the proportion of dead cells, Fe2+ level, ROS level, lipid oxidation level, MDA level, GSSG level and GSSG/GSH ratio were further increased. Mechanism studies have found that inhibiting NEK2 could promote the expression of HMOX1, a gene related to ferroptosis, and enhance the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to ferroptosis by increasing HMOX1. Further mechanism studies have found that inhibiting NEK2 could promote the ubiquitination and proteasome degradation of Keap1, increase the level of Nrf2 in the nucleus, and thus promote the expression of HMOX1. This study confirmed that NEK2 can regulate HMOX1 expression through Keap1/Nrf2 signal, and then affect the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to ferroptosis, enriching the role and mechanism of NEK2 in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Wu
- Gastroenterology Department, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Desheng Luo
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Laizhen Tou
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongtao Xu
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haifeng Que
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China.
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Peng Y, Zhang Y, Luo M, Pan Y, Zhou R, Yan YN, Yi T, Luo F, Wang B, Wang L, Ran C, Wang H. NEK2 overexpression aggravates IL-22-induced keratinocyte proliferation and cytokine level increases and IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2023; 1870:119525. [PMID: 37348763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by the excessive proliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. Protein kinases could act on intracellular signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation. OBJECTIVE Identifying more hub protein kinases affecting cellular and molecular processes in psoriasis, and exploring the dynamic effects of baicalin and NEK2 on the IL-22-induced cellular inflammation and IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, differentially expressed protein kinases playing a hub role in psoriasis initiation and development were identified using integrative bioinformatics analyses, and NEK2 has been chosen. NEK2 was significantly up-regulated in psoriatic samples according to online datasets and experimental analyses. In IL-22-induced cellular inflammation model in HaCaT cells, NEK2 overexpression promoted, whereas NEK2 knockdown partially abolished IL-22-induced alterations in cell viability, DNA synthesis, cytokine levels, as well as STAT3 phosphorylation and p-RB, cyclin D1, CDK4, and CDK6 protein contents. Baicalin treatment partially suppressed IL-22-induced HaCaT cell viability, DNA synthesis, and increases in cytokine levels, whereas NEK2 overexpression significantly abolished Baicalin-induced protection against cellular inflammation. In IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation model in mice, baicalin markedly ameliorated IMQ-induced psoriasis-like symptoms and local skin inflammation, whereas NEK2 overexpression partially eliminated the therapeutic effects of baicalin. CONCLUSION NEK2, up-regulated in psoriatic lesion skin, could aggravate IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis and attenuate the therapeutic efficiency of baicalin through promoting keratinocyte proliferation and cytokine levels. The STAT3 signaling might be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youhua Peng
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China; Department of Dermatology, Hunan Aerospace Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yujin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Meijunzi Luo
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Yi Pan
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Yi-Ning Yan
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Tingting Yi
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Feifei Luo
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Biying Wang
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Chongjun Ran
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
| | - Haizhen Wang
- Department of Dermatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, the Domestic First-class Discipline Construction Project of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China.
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Cheng Y, Sun F, Alapat DV, Wanchai V, Mery D, Guo W, Cao H, Zhu Y, Ashby C, Bauer MA, Nookaew I, Siegel ER, Ying J, Chen JR, Gai D, Peng B, Xu H, Bailey C, Al Hadidi S, Schinke C, Thanendrarajan S, Zangari M, Chesi M, Bergsagel PL, van Rhee F, Janz S, Tricot G, Shaughnessy JD, Zhan F. High NEK2 expression in myeloid progenitors suppresses T cell immunity in multiple myeloma. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101214. [PMID: 37794587 PMCID: PMC10591052 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) growth is supported by an immune-tolerant bone marrow microenvironment. Here, we find that loss of Never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) in tumor microenvironmental cells is associated with MM growth suppression. The absence of NEK2 leads to both fewer tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and inhibitory T cells. NEK2 expression in myeloid progenitor cells promotes the generation of functional TAMs when stimulated with MM conditional medium. Clinically, high NEK2 expression in MM cells is associated with increased CD8+ T effector memory cells, while low NEK2 is associated with an IFN-γ gene signature and activated T cell response. Inhibition of NEK2 upregulates PD-L1 expression in MM cells and myeloid cells. In a mouse model, the combination of NEK2 inhibitor INH154 with PD-L1 blockade effectively eliminates MM cells and prolongs survival. Our results provide strong evidence that NEK2 inhibition may overcome tumor immune escape and support its further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cheng
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Fumou Sun
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Daisy V Alapat
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Visanu Wanchai
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - David Mery
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Wancheng Guo
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Huojun Cao
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Department of Endodontics, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yuqi Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Cody Ashby
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Michael Anton Bauer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Intawat Nookaew
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Eric R Siegel
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Jun Ying
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Jin-Ran Chen
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
| | - Dongzheng Gai
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Bailu Peng
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Clyde Bailey
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Samer Al Hadidi
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Carolina Schinke
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Sharmilan Thanendrarajan
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Maurizio Zangari
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Marta Chesi
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - P Leif Bergsagel
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Frits van Rhee
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Siegfried Janz
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Guido Tricot
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - John D Shaughnessy
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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Khera N, Rajkumar AS, Abdulkader M Alkurdi K, Liu Z, Ma H, Waseem A, Teh MT. Identification of multidrug chemoresistant genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:146. [PMID: 37667354 PMCID: PMC10476423 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01846-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug resistance renders treatment failure in a large proportion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients that require multimodal therapy involving chemotherapy in conjunction with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Molecular events conferring chemoresistance remain unclear. Through transcriptome datamining, 28 genes were subjected to pharmacological and siRNA rescue functional assays on 12 strains of chemoresistant cell lines each against cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5FU), paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX). Ten multidrug chemoresistance genes (TOP2A, DNMT1, INHBA, CXCL8, NEK2, FOXO6, VIM, FOXM1B, NR3C1 and BIRC5) were identified. Of these, four genes (TOP2A, DNMT1, INHBA and NEK2) were upregulated in an HNSCC patient cohort (n = 221). Silencing NEK2 abrogated chemoresistance in all drug-resistant cell strains. INHBA and TOP2A were found to confer chemoresistance in majority of the drug-resistant cell strains whereas DNMT1 showed heterogeneous results. Pan-cancer Kaplan-Meier survival analysis on 21 human cancer types revealed significant prognostic values for INHBA and NEK2 in at least 16 cancer types. Drug library screens identified two compounds (Sirodesmin A and Carfilzomib) targeting both INHBA and NEK2 and re-sensitised cisplatin-resistant cells. We have provided the first evidence for NEK2 and INHBA in conferring chemoresistance in HNSCC cells and siRNA gene silencing of either gene abrogated multidrug chemoresistance. The two existing compounds could be repurposed to counteract cisplatin chemoresistance in HNSCC. This finding may lead to novel personalised biomarker-linked therapeutics that can prevent and/or abrogate chemoresistance in HNSCC and other tumour types with elevated NEK2 and INHBA expression. Further investigation is necessary to delineate their signalling mechanisms in tumour chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Khera
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Blizard Building, 4, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Asvika Soodhalaagunta Rajkumar
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Blizard Building, 4, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Khlood Abdulkader M Alkurdi
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Blizard Building, 4, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Zhiao Liu
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Blizard Building, 4, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
- China-British Joint Molecular Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong Ma
- China-British Joint Molecular Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Ahmad Waseem
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Blizard Building, 4, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Muy-Teck Teh
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Blizard Building, 4, Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK.
- China-British Joint Molecular Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China.
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Jin X, Huang Z, Guo P, Yuan R. Screening of novel biomarkers for breast cancer based on WGCNA and multiple machine learning algorithms. Transl Cancer Res 2023; 12:1466-1489. [PMID: 37434679 PMCID: PMC10331707 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer (BC) ranks first in incidence among women, with approximately 2 million new cases per year. Therefore, it is essential to investigate emerging targets for BC patients' diagnosis and prognosis. Methods We analyzed gene expression data from 99 normal and 1,081 BC tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using "limma" R package, and relevant modules were chosen through Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Intersection genes were obtained by matching DEGs to WGCNA module genes. Functional enrichment studies were performed on these genes using Gene Ontology (GO), Disease Ontology (DO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Biomarkers were screened via Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks and multiple machine-learning algorithms. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), The University of ALabama at Birmingham CANcer (UALCAN), and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases were employed to examine mRNA and protein expression of eight biomarkers. Kaplan-Meier mapper tool assessed their prognostic capabilities. Key biomarkers were analyzed via single-cell sequencing, and their relationship with immune infiltration was examined using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and "xCell" R package. Lastly, drug prediction was conducted based on the identified biomarkers. Results We identified 1,673 DEGs and 542 important genes through differential analysis and WGCNA, respectively. Intersection analysis revealed 76 genes, which play significant roles in immune-related viral infection and IL-17 signaling pathways. DIX domain containing 1 (DIXDC1), Dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), Integrin subunit alpha 7 (ITGA7), NIMA related kinase 2 (NEK2), and Nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1) were selected as BC biomarkers using machine-learning algorithms. NEK2 was the most critical gene for diagnosis. Prospective drugs targeting NEK2 include etoposide and lukasunone. Conclusions Our study identified DIXDC1, DUSP6, PDK4, CXCL12, IRF7, ITGA7, NEK2, and NR3C1 as potential diagnostic biomarkers for BC, with NEK2 having the highest potential to aid in diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohu Jin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nantong City No. 1 People’s Hospital and Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhiqi Huang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nantong City No. 1 People’s Hospital and Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Peng Guo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nantong City No. 1 People’s Hospital and Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ronghua Yuan
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nantong City No. 1 People’s Hospital and Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Elsayed WSH, Harb OA, Alabiad MA, Faraj Saad RH, Anbaig A, Alorini M, Hemeda R, Negm M, Gertallah LM, Abdelhady WA, Ali RM. Protein Expression of NEK2, JMJD4, and REST in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC): Clinical, Pathological, and Prognostic Findings. Iran J Pathol 2023; 18:180-192. [PMID: 37600577 PMCID: PMC10439757 DOI: 10.30699/ijp.2023.1974154.3022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Background & Objective Cells of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are resistant to the most currently used chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies; hence, we evaluated the expression of NEK2, JMJD4, and REST in cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and benign adjacent tissues of kidney to detect associations between their expression and clinicopathological features, prognostic data, tumor recurrence, and survival rates. Methods We collected 200 samples including tumoral and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues related to 100 ccRCC patients. All samples were evaluated for the expression of NEK2, JMJD4, and REST, and the patients were followed up for about 5 years. Tumor recurrence and survival data were documented and analyzed. Results NEK2 and JMJD4 expression showed increase in ccRCC tissues (P=0.002 and 0.006), while REST was downregulated (P<0.001). The elevated expression of NEK2 was positively related ro the tumor size (P=0.015), higher grades (P=0.002), higher stages (P=0.013), distant spread (P=0.004), tumor recurrence, shorter progression-free survival (PFS) rate, and overall survival (OS) rate (P<0.001). Likewise, the high expression of JMJD4 showed positive correlation with the tumor size (P=0.047), higher grades (P=0.003), higher stages (P=0.043), distant spread (P=0.001), tumor recurrence, shorter PFS rate, and OS rate (P<0.001). Conversely, low expression of REST demonstrated positive relationship with the tumor size, higher grades, higher stages, distant spread, tumor recurrence, and shorter PFS and OS rates (P<0.001). Conclusion Overexpression of NEK2 and JMJD4 and downregulation of REST may be noted in malignant renal tissues compared to benign renal tissues and may be correlated with unfavorable pathological findings, poor clinical parameters, and poor patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid S H Elsayed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ola A Harb
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Ali Alabiad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Rema H Faraj Saad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
| | - Amal Anbaig
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
| | - Mohammed Alorini
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab Hemeda
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Negm
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Loay M Gertallah
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Waleed A Abdelhady
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ramadan M Ali
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Zagazig, Egypt
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8
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Guo D, Yao W, Du X, Dong J, Zhang X, Shen W, Zhu S. NEK2 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:80. [PMID: 37233832 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00692-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The NEK2 (never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2), a serine/threonine kinase involved in chromosome instability and tumorigenesis. Hence, this study aimed to explore the molecular function of NEK2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS By available transcriptome datasets (GSE53625 cohort, GSE38129 cohort, and GSE21293 cohort), we analyzed the differentially expressed genes in invading and non-invading ESCC. Subsequently, we evaluated the association between NEK2 expression level and clinical outcomes through Kaplan-Meier analysis method. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB) analyses were performed to determine the expression levels of NEK2 mRNA and protein, respectively. We knocked down the NEK2 expression in ESCC cells (ECA109 and TE1), and evaluated the NEK2 biology function associated with ESCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation abilities. Finally, the downstream pathway of NEK2 was analyzed through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and validated the regulatory mechanism of NEK2 on the potential pathway through WB. RESULTS We found that NEK2 was highly expressed in ESCC cells compared with human esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC) (P < 0.0001), and high NEK2 expression was remarkably associated with poor survival (P = 0.019). Knockdown of NEK2 showed the significant inhibitory effect for tumorigenesis, and suppressed the ESCC cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and formation of colonies abilities. Additionally, GSEA revealed that Wnt/β-catenin pathway was a downstream pathway of NEK2. WB results further validated the regulatory mechanism of NEK2 for Wnt/β-catenin signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that NEK2 promotes ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. NEK2 could be a promising target for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Weinan Yao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Xingyu Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Jing Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Xueyuan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Wenbin Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Shuchai Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China.
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9
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Streubel JMS, Pereira G. Control of centrosome distal appendages assembly and disassembly. Cells Dev 2023; 174:203839. [PMID: 37062431 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2023.203839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Centrosomes are microtubule organizing centers involved in chromosome segregation, spindle orientation, cell motility and cilia formation. In recent years, they have also emerged as key modulators of asymmetric cell division. Centrosomes are composed of two centrioles that initiate duplication in S phase. The conservative nature of centriole duplication means that the two centrioles of a G1 cell are of different ages. They are also structurally different as only the older centriole carry appendages, an assembly of a subset of proteins primarily required for cilia formation. In a growing tissue, the non-motile, primary cilium acts as a mechano- and sensory organelle that influences cell behavior via modulation of signaling pathways. Here, we discuss the most recent findings about distal appendage composition and function, as well as cell cycle-specific regulation and their implications in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M S Streubel
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gislene Pereira
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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Ni Z, Liu W, Pan G, Mao A, Liu J, Zhang Q, Li J, Liu L, Li H. Circular forms of dedicator of cytokinesis 1 promotes breast cancer progression by derepressing never in mitosis related kinase 2 via sponging miR-128-3p. Environ Toxicol 2023. [PMID: 37040338 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The conjecture of breast cancer is uncertain because of its explosive growth and the complicated molecular mechanisms. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are regulatory RNA sequences present in the genome and their regulatory mechanism involves the sponging of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we explored the regulation between circular forms of dedicator of cytokinesis 1 (circDOCK1) (hsa_circ_0007142) and miR-128-3p, and its implication on the pathogenesis of breast cancer modulated by never in mitosis (NIMA) related kinase 2 (NEK2). We revealed an increase in circDOCK1 and NEK2 expression, and a decrease in miR-128-3p expression in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation indicated a positive correlation between circDOCK1 and NEK2 expression but a negative correlation was recorded between miR-128-3p and circDOCK1 or NEK2, respectively. Furthermore, inhibition of circDOCK1 expression was followed by an increase in miR-128-3p and a decrease in NEK2 levels in vitro and in vivo. The luciferase assay concluded that miR-128-3p was a direct target of circDOCK1 while NEK2 was the direct target of miR-128-3p. Furthermore, circDOCK1 inhibition hindered breast cancer development by repressing NEK2 and thus promoting the increased expression of miR-128-3p both in vitro and in vivo. We therefore conclude that circDOCK1 promotes breast cancer progression by targeting miR-128-3p-mediated downregulation of NEK2 and that the circDOCK1/hsa-miR-128-3p/NEK2 axis may be a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxian Ni
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Weiyan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Gaofeng Pan
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Anwei Mao
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Jiazhe Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Jindong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Heze Domestic Professional College, Middle Xueyuan Road, Shanxian Development Zone, Heze, Shandong, 274300, China
| | - Hongchang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Rd, Shanghai, 201100, China
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11
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Wu Z, Zheng J, Zhang H, Shen N, Luo X, Shen C, Song P, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Yang S, Guo G, Xue X, Zhang F, Feng S. Molecular characteristics, oncogenic roles, and relevant immune and pharmacogenomic features of NEK2 in gastric cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109737. [PMID: 36738674 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common form of gastrointestinal cancer, with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. High levels of NEK2 are associated with malignant progression and a poor prognosis in several tumors; however, the role of NEK2 in GC remains unclear. We aimed to explore the potential role of NEK2 in the oncogenesis of GC and in the shaping of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The expression levels of NEK2 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We found that NEK2 expression was upregulated in GC and was a predictor of a poor prognosis. Based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment and gene set enrichment analyses, multiple tumor pathways were hyperactivated in patients with high NEK2 mRNA expression. Immunological characteristics indicated that NEK2 upregulation might lead to decreased immune cell infiltration and weakened immune activity in the cancer immunity cycle. Additionally, higher frequencies of amplifications and deletions were observed in the high NEK2 expression subpopulation. Based on the TME classification, patients with high expression of NEK2 were more susceptible to targeted therapy with drugs targeting the cell cycle and DNA replication. Following verification, a NEK2-derived genomic model reliably predicted the patient prognosis; A nomogram (radiation therapy, tumor/node/metastasis staging, and the NEK2-derived risk score) was used to better estimate an individual's survival probability. In summary, our findings indicate that NEK2 plays a vital role in the tumorigenesis of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghan Wu
- School of the First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University& Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haoke Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ningzhe Shen
- First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohui Luo
- School of the First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenfang Shen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peining Song
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaopeng Yang
- School of the First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gangqiang Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangyang Xue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Fabiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Department of Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zheiang, China.
| | - Shiyu Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-Related Pathogens and Immunity, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Zhang YR, Zheng PS. NEK2 inactivates the Hippo pathway to advance the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by cooperating with STRIPAK complexes. Cancer Lett 2022; 549:215917. [PMID: 36115593 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) protein has been reported to be an oncoprotein that plays different oncogenic roles in multiple cancers. Here, we confirmed that NEK2 highly expressed in cervical cancer cells rather than in normal epithelial basal layer cells in cervical tissues and correlated with worse outcomes. We also demonstrated that NEK2 promoted the in vivo growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors stemming from cervical cancer cells and the in vitro cell proliferation by decreasing Ser127-phosphorylation of the YAP protein retained in the cytoplasm while increasing the levels of active nucleus-associated YAP protein, which was followed by increases in the targeted proteins CTGF, CYR61 and GLI2. Furthermore, the Hippo signaling pathway was inactivated in manipulated NEK2-overexpressing cervical cancer cells by regulating the levels of MST1/2 dephosphorylation. Additionally, mass spectrometric sequencing and bilateral coimmunoprecipitation were employed suggested that NEK2 acted at an early upstream step to promote dephosphorylation of MST2 and inactivate the Hippo signaling cascade by cooperating with STRIPAK complexes. We conjecture that NEK2 may be a future target for cervical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ru Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Peng-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China; Section of Cancer Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China.
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13
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Su W, Hu H, Ding Q, Wang M, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Geng Z, Lin S, Zhou P. NEK2 promotes the migration and proliferation of ESCC via stabilization of YAP1 by phosphorylation at Thr-143. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:87. [PMID: 35705994 PMCID: PMC9199137 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00898-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) was characterized as a regional-prevalent and aggressive tumor with high morbidity and mortality. NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is an interesting oncogene, the alteration of which leads to patients-beneficial outcomes. We aimed to explore the role of NEK2 in ESCC and excavate its mechanism. METHODS RNA-seq data were downloaded from TCGA and GEO and analyzed by R software. The protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or western blot (WB), and mRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The in vitro role of proliferation and migration was detected by Transwell migration assay and by colony formation assay, respectively. The in vivo roles were explored using a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model, where immunofluorescence (IF) and IHC were employed to investigate expression and localization. The interaction between proteins was detected by immunoprecipitation. The stability of proteins was measured by WB in the presence of cycloheximide. RESULTS A higher level of NEK2 was found in ESCC than normal esophageal epithelia in GEO, TCGA, and tissue microarray, which was associated with worse prognoses. The NEK2 knockdown impaired the proliferation and migration of ESCC, which also downregulated YAP1 and EMT markers like N-cadherin and Vimentin in vitro. On the contrary, NEK2 overexpression enhanced the migration of ESCC and elevated the levels of YAP1, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Additionally, the overexpression of YAP1 in NEK2 knocked down ESCCs partly rescued the corresponding decrease in migration. The knockdown of NEK2 played an anti-tumor role in vivo and was accompanied by a lower level and nucleus shuffling of YAP1. In mechanism, NEK2 interacted with YAP1 and increased the stability of both endogenous and exogenous YAP1 by preventing ubiquitination. Moreover, the computer-predicted phosphorylation site of YAP1, Thr-143, reduced the ubiquitination of HA-YAP1, strengthened its stability, and thus influenced the migration in vitro. CONCLUSIONS NEK2 is a prognostic oncogene highly expressed in ESCC and promotes the progression of ESCC in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NEK2-mediated phosphorylation of YAP1 at Thr-143 protects it from proteasome degradation and might serve as a promising therapeutic target in ESCC. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Su
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiurong Ding
- Institute of Nutrition Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhaochao Zhang
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zihan Geng
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shengli Lin
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Pinghong Zhou
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University Endoscopy Center, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Endoscopy, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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14
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Ren Z, Gao M, Jiang W. Prognostic role of NLGN2 and PTGDS in medulloblastoma based on gene expression omnibus. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:3769-3782. [PMID: 35836891 PMCID: PMC9274574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common intracranial malignant tumour in children, but genes and pathways involved in its pathogenesis are still under investigation. This study was designed to screen and identify biomarkers of MB to provide markers for clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment. METHODS The data sets of GSE109401 and GSE42656 were acquired from Gene expression omnibus (GEO). Limma package in R was adopted to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and the GSE30074 data set was adopted to analyse their prognostic role. Children with MB (n=55) diagnosed in Affiliated Ezhou Central Hospital were enrolled and assigned to the patient group, and healthy children (n=30) who received physical examination in our hospital during the same time period were assigned to the control group. The two groups were compared in serum NLGN2 and PTGDS levels, and all patients were followed up for three years to understand the associations of Neuroligin 2 (NLGN2) and Prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) with the survival of patients. RESULTS With Limma, 247 DEGs were screened out. The LASSO-Cox regression analysis revealed that 6 genes were associated with MB prognosis, and the established model revealed a lower survival rate in the high-risk group. According to Cox regression analysis, NLGN2 and PTGDS may be independent prognostic factors of MB. Similar to the data sets, the Real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay revealed lowly-expressed NLGN2 and PTGDS levels in MB patients, and patients with lower expression of them showed a lower 3-year survival rate. CONCLUSION With low expression in MB cases, NLGN2 and PTGDS have high prognostic value for MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangping Ren
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Ezhou Central HospitalEzhou City 436000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Ezhou Central HospitalEzhou City 436000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, PR China
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15
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Naro C, Barbagallo F, Caggiano C, De Musso M, Panzeri V, Di Agostino S, Paronetto MP, Sette C. Functional Interaction Between the Oncogenic Kinase NEK2 and Sam68 Promotes a Splicing Program Involved in Migration and Invasion in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:880654. [PMID: 35530315 PMCID: PMC9068942 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.880654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive breast cancer subtype. Poor prognosis in TNBC is partly due to lack of efficacious targeted therapy and high propensity to metastasize. Dysregulation of alternative splicing has recently emerged as a trait of TNBC, suggesting that unveiling the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation could uncover new druggable cancer vulnerabilities. The oncogenic kinase NEK2 is significantly upregulated in TNBC and contributes to shaping their unique splicing profile. Herein, we found that NEK2 interacts with the RNA binding protein Sam68 in TNBC cells and that NEK2-mediated phosphorylation of Sam68 enhances its splicing activity. Genome-wide transcriptome analyses identified the splicing targets of Sam68 in TNBC cells and revealed a common set of exons that are co-regulated by NEK2. Functional annotation of splicing-regulated genes highlighted cell migration and spreading as biological processes regulated by Sam68. Accordingly, Sam68 depletion reduces TNBC cell migration and invasion, and these effects are potentiated by the concomitant inhibition of NEK2 activity. Our findings indicate that Sam68 and NEK2 functionally cooperate in the regulation of a splicing program that sustains the pro-metastatic features of TNBC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Naro
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.,Gemelli SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY PARK (GSTeP)-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Barbagallo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Caggiano
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.,Gemelli SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY PARK (GSTeP)-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica De Musso
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Panzeri
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.,Gemelli SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY PARK (GSTeP)-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Agostino
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Paronetto
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.,Gemelli SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY PARK (GSTeP)-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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16
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Feng X, Guo J, An G, Wu Y, Liu Z, Meng B, He N, Zhao X, Chen S, Zhu Y, Xia J, Li X, Yu Z, Li R, Ren G, Chen J, Wu M, He Y, Qiu L, Zhou J, Zhou W. Genetic Aberrations and Interaction of NEK2 and TP53 Accelerate Aggressiveness of Multiple Myeloma. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022; 9:e2104491. [PMID: 35088582 PMCID: PMC8948659 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
It has been previously shown that (never in mitosis gene A)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is upregulated in multiple myeloma (MM) and contributes to drug resistance. However, the mechanisms behind this upregulation remain poorly understood. In this study, it is found that amplification of NEK2 and hypermethylation of distal CpG islands in its promoter correlate strongly with increased NEK2 expression. Patients with NEK2 amplification have a poor rate of survival and often exhibit TP53 deletion, which is an independent prognostic factor in MM. This combination of TP53 knockout and NEK2 overexpression induces asymmetric mitosis, proliferation, drug resistance, and tumorigenic behaviors in MM in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, delivery of wild type p53 and suppression of NEK2 in TP53-/- MM cell lines inhibit tumor formation and enhance the effect of Bortezomib against MM. It is also discovered that inactivating p53 elevates NEK2 expression genetically by inducing NEK2 amplification, transcriptionally by increased activity of cell cycle-related genes like E2F8 and epigenetically by upregulating DNA methyltransferases. Dual defects of TP53 and NEK2 may define patients with the poorest outcomes in MM with p53 inactivation, and NEK2 may serve as a novel therapeutic target in aggressive MM with p53 abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
- Xiang Ya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Jiaojiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Gang An
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin300041China
| | - Yangbowen Wu
- Xiang Ya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Zhenhao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Shanghai Center for Bioinformation TechnologyShanghai201203China
| | - Bin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Nihan He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Xinying Zhao
- Xiang Ya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Shilian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Yinghong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Jiliang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Xin Li
- The third Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunan410013China
| | - Zhiyong Yu
- Department of PathologyChangsha eighth hospitalChangshaHunan410199China
| | - Ruixuan Li
- The third Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunan410013China
| | - Guofeng Ren
- Xiang Ya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Jihua Chen
- Xiang Ya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Minghua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Yanjuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
| | - Lugui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin300041China
| | - Jiaxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjin300041China
| | - Wen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisNational Health and Family Planning Commission; Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunan410028China
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceCentral South University110 # Xiangya streetChangshaHunan410028China
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17
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Huang X, Zhang G, Tang T, Gao X, Liang T. One shoot, three birds: Targeting NEK2 orchestrates chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188696. [PMID: 35157980 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Combinational therapy has improved the cancer therapeutic landscape but is associated with a concomitant increase in adverse side reactions. Emerging evidence proposes that targeting one core target with multiple critical roles in tumors can achieve combined anti-tumor effects. This review focuses on NEK2, a member of serine/threonine kinases, with broad sequence identity to the mitotic regulator NIMA of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Elevated expression of NEK2 was initially found to promote tumorigeneses through abnormal regulation of the cell cycle. Subsequent studies report that NEK2 is overexpressed in a broad spectrum of tumor types and is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Intriguingly, NEK2 has recently been revealed to mediate tumor immune escape by stabilizing the expression of PD-L1. Targeting NEK2 is thus becoming a promising approach for cancer treatment by orchestrating chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. It represents a novel strategy for inducing combined anti-cancer effects using a mono-agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Gang Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tianyu Tang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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18
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Naro C, De Musso M, Delle Monache F, Panzeri V, de la Grange P, Sette C. The oncogenic kinase NEK2 regulates an RBFOX2-dependent pro-mesenchymal splicing program in triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:397. [PMID: 34930366 PMCID: PMC8686545 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02210-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most heterogeneous and malignant subtype of breast cancer (BC). TNBC is defined by the absence of expression of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors and lacks efficacious targeted therapies. NEK2 is an oncogenic kinase that is significantly upregulated in TNBC, thereby representing a promising therapeutic target. NEK2 localizes in the nucleus and promotes oncogenic splice variants in different cancer cells. Notably, alternative splicing (AS) dysregulation has recently emerged as a featuring trait of TNBC that contributes to its aggressive phenotype. METHODS To investigate whether NEK2 modulates TNBC transcriptome we performed RNA-sequencing analyses in a representative TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231) and results were validated in multiple TNBC cell lines. Bioinformatics and functional analyses were carried out to elucidate the mechanism of splicing regulation by NEK2. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were mined to evaluate the potential of NEK2-sensitive exons as markers to identify the TNBC subtype and to assess their prognostic value. RESULTS Transcriptome analysis revealed a widespread impact of NEK2 on the transcriptome of TNBC cells, with 1830 AS events that are susceptible to its expression. NEK2 regulates the inclusion of cassette exons in splice variants that discriminate TNBC from other BC and that correlate with poor prognosis, suggesting that this kinase contributes to the TNBC-specific splicing program. NEK2 elicits its effects by modulating the expression of the splicing factor RBFOX2, a well-known regulator of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Accordingly, NEK2 splicing-regulated genes are enriched in functional terms related to cell adhesion and contractile cytoskeleton and NEK2 depletion in mesenchymal TNBC cells induces phenotypic and molecular traits typical of epithelial cells. Remarkably, depletion of select NEK2-sensitive splice-variants that are prognostic in TNBC patients is sufficient to interfere with TNBC cell morphology and motility, suggesting that NEK2 orchestrates a pro-mesenchymal splicing program that modulates migratory and invasive properties of TNBC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study uncovers an extensive splicing program modulated by NEK2 involving splice variants that confer an invasive phenotype to TNBCs and that might represent, together with NEK2 itself, valuable therapeutic targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Naro
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Monica De Musso
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Delle Monache
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Panzeri
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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19
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Wang C, Huang Y, Ma X, Wang B, Zhang X. Overexpression of NEK2 is correlated with poor prognosis in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2021; 35:20587384211065893. [PMID: 34910592 PMCID: PMC8689635 DOI: 10.1177/20587384211065893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2 (NEK2) has been implicated in tumorigenesis in various tissues, but its function in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumorigenesis is unclear. We evaluated the correlation between NEK2 expression and ccRCC. Methods: Immunohistochemistry analysis of NEK2 protein was done on high-density multi-organ Human Cancer tissue microarray derived from the patient samples from clear cell renal cell carcinoma. We used multiple clinical cohorts to analyze the NEK2 immunohistochemical staining expression across human cancers. The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) data analysis of NEK2 was done through UALCAN web servers. Association of NEK2 and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was done on both of our clinical database and available TCGA datasets. Results: Using the UALCAN cancer transcriptional data analysis website, we found that NEK2 is overexpressed in ccRCC, and its expression was associated with overall survival. According to the analyses of our own clinical database and immunohistochemical staining, protein levels of NEK2 were elevated in renal carcinoma compared to adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of both UALCAN and our database showed that high expression of NEK2 was associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that NEK2 expression was closely related to a poor prognosis. The findings suggest that NEK2 is associated with ccRCC. Conclusion: These studies show that NEK2 is over-expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and plays an essential role in cancer cell survival, as such NEK2 could serve as a novel potential target for therapeutic intervention in ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfeng Wang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.,Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Baojun Wang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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20
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Wang B, Cai Y, Li X, Kong Y, Fu H, Zhou J. ETV4 mediated lncRNA C2CD4D-AS1 overexpression contributes to the malignant phenotype of lung adenocarcinoma cells via miR-3681-3p/ NEK2 axis. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:2607-2618. [PMID: 34850664 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.2005273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is originated from the mucus-producing glands of the lungs. The involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been discovered in multiple diseases. In the present research, we aimed to unmask the role of C2CD4D and THEM5 antisense RNA 1 (C2CD4D-AS1) in LUAD. RT-qPCR or western blot analysis was respectively applied in the detection of RNA or protein expressions. The function of C2CD4D-AS1 in LUAD was assessed by functional assays. Through ChIP, RNA pull down, DNA pull down, RIP and luciferase reporter assays, the in-depth regulatory mechanism of C2CD4D-AS1 in LUAD was explored. C2CD4D-AS1 was dramatically overexpressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. As a result, depletion of C2CD4D-AS1 significantly repressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and stimulated cell apoptosis in LUAD. Mechanistically, ETS variant transcription factor 4 (ETV4) activated the transcription of C2CD4D-AS1 and stimulated its up-regulation in LUAD cells, thus affecting LUAD cell biological functions. Furthermore, C2CD4D-AS1 sponged microRNA-3681-3p (miR-3681-3p) and regulated NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2), thus participating in modulating LUAD cell biological behaviors. To conclude, C2CD4D-AS1 up-regulation induced by ETV4 enhanced NEK2 expression by sequestering miR-3681-3p to contribute to the malignant behaviors of LUAD cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binliang Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Respiratory Disease, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiming Kong
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiwei Fu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianying Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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21
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Chen Q, Li H, Yang L, Wen S, Huang X, Liu J, Guo X, Hu B, Li G, He M. Preparation of an anti- NEK2 monoclonal antibody and its application in liver cancer. BMC Biotechnol 2021; 21:62. [PMID: 34706700 PMCID: PMC8549277 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-021-00717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Never in mitosis gene-A (NIMA)-related expressed kinase 2 (NEK2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase regulated by the cell cycle. The purpose of this study was to obtain NEK2 protein to prepare an anti-NEK2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and explore the application of the anti-NEK2 mAb of therapeutic and diagnostic in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results The NEK2 gene sequence was cloned from the normal liver cell line HL7702, and the full-length NEK2 gene sequence was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET30a and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The recombinant fusion protein was obtained under optimized conditions and injected in BALB/c mice to prepare an anti-NEK2 mAb. By screening, we obtained a stable hybridoma cell line named 3A3 that could stably secrete anti-NEK2 mAb. Anti-NEK2 3A3 mAb was purified from ascites fluid. The isotype was IgG1, and the affinity constant (Kaff) was 6.0 × 108 L/mol. Western blot, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), immunofluorescence and immunocytochemical analyses showed that the mAb could specifically recognize the NEK2 protein. MTT assays showed that the mAb 3A3 could inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells. KEGG pathway analysis showed that NEK2 might affected pathways of the cell cycle. Moreover, NEK2-related genes were mainly enriched in the S and G2 phases and might act as tumor-promoting genes by regulating the S/G2 phase transition of HCC cells. Conclusions An anti-NEK2 mAb with high potency, high affinity and high specificity was prepared by prokaryotic expression system in this study and may be used in the establishment of ELISA detection kits and targeted treatment of liver cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12896-021-00717-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuli Chen
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Lichao Yang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Sha Wen
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xuejing Huang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jiajuan Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaoping Guo
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Gang Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Min He
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China. .,Laboratory Animal Center of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China. .,Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, China.
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22
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Nguyen TB, Do DN, Nguyen-Thanh T, Tatipamula VB, Nguyen HT. Identification of Five Hub Genes as Key Prognostic Biomarkers in Liver Cancer via Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:957. [PMID: 34681056 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers and the top leading cause of cancer death globally. However, the molecular mechanisms of liver tumorigenesis and progression remain unclear. In the current study, we investigated the hub genes and the potential molecular pathways through which these genes contribute to liver cancer onset and development. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA) was performed on the main data attained from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to evaluate the association between prognosis and these hub genes. The expression of genes from the black module was found to be significantly related to liver cancer. Based on the results of protein-protein interaction, gene co-expression network, and survival analyses, DNA topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), never in mitosis-related kinase 2 (NEK2), cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), and cyclin B1 (CCNB1) were identified as the hub genes. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in the immune-associated pathways. These hub genes were further screened and validated using statistical and functional analyses. Additionally, the TOP2A, RRM2, NEK2, CDK1, and CCNB1 proteins were overexpressed in tumor liver tissues as compared to normal liver tissues according to the Human Protein Atlas database and previous studies. Our results suggest the potential use of TOP2A, RRM2, NEK2, CDK1, and CCNB1 as prognostic biomarkers in liver cancer.
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23
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Zhou L, Ding L, Gong Y, Zhao J, Zhang J, Mao Z, Wang Z, Zhang W, Zhou R. NEK2 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Glycolysis by Regulating PKM2 Abundance via Phosphorylation in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:677763. [PMID: 34168996 PMCID: PMC8217770 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.677763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent and commonly diagnosed subtype of NHL, which is characterized by high heterogeneity and malignancy, and most DLBCL patients are at advanced stages. The serine/threonine kinase NEK2 (NIMA-related kinase 2), a member of NIMA-related kinase (NEK) family that regulates cell cycle, is upregulated in a variety of malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of NEK2 in DLBCL have seldom been discussed. In this study, we identified that NEK2 is upregulated in DLBCL compared to normal lymphoid tissues, and overexpression of NEK2 predicted a worse prognosis of DLBCL patients. Gene set enrichment analysis indicates that NEK2 might participate in regulating glycolysis. Knockdown of NEK2 inhibited growth and glycolysis of DLBCL cells. The interaction between NEK2 and PKM2 was discovered by tandem affinity purification and then was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining, coimmunoprecipitation, and immunoprecipitation. NEK2 bounds to PKM2 and regulates PKM2 abundance via phosphorylation, which increases PKM2 stability. The xenograft tumor model checks the influence of NEK2 on tumor growth in vivo. Thus, NEK2 could be the novel biomarker and target of DLBCL, which remarkably ameliorates the diagnosis and treatment of DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingna Zhou
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute, Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Clinical Science, Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liya Ding
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Clinical Science, Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Gong
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengrong Mao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ren Zhou
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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24
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Bai R, Yuan C, Sun W, Zhang J, Luo Y, Gao Y, Li Y, Gong Y, Xie C. NEK2 plays an active role in Tumorigenesis and Tumor Microenvironment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:1995-2008. [PMID: 34131401 PMCID: PMC8193268 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.59019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expression and dysfunction of Never-in-mitosis-A-related kinase 2 (NEK2) result in tumorigenesis. High levels of NEK2 are related to malignant progression, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. However, the relationship between NEK2 levels and the occurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the impacts of NEK2 on the oncogenesis of NSCLC and the tumor microenvironment. Downregulation of NEK2 inhibited A549 and H1299 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, blocking cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Loss of NEK2 inhibited the release of IL-10 from tumor cells, M2-like polarization of macrophages, angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial cell migration. Furthermore, NEK2 deficiency inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, NEK2 knockdown inhibited the occurrence and development of NSCLC, M2 polarization of macrophages, and angiogenesis. The abnormal expression of NEK2 might not only indicate tumor progression and patient prognosis but also serve as a potential molecular therapeutic target with great development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Bai
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Cheng Yuan
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Yanping Gao
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Yangyi Li
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Yan Gong
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.,Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Conghua Xie
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan, University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumour Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
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Seachrist DD, Anstine LJ, Keri RA. Up to your NEK2 in CIN. Oncotarget 2021; 12:723-725. [PMID: 33889296 PMCID: PMC8057269 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ruth A. Keri
- Correspondence to:Ruth A. Keri, Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA email
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Jian F, Sun Y, Sun Q, Zhang B, Bian L. NEK2 regulates cellular proliferation and cabergoline sensitivity in pituitary adenomas. J Cancer 2021; 12:2083-2091. [PMID: 33754007 PMCID: PMC7974539 DOI: 10.7150/jca.52937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To identify critical roles played by NEK2 in prolactinomas and to clarify the corresponding underlying mechanisms. Methods: We performed RNA-seq on MMQ cell lines treated with the dopamine receptor agonist cabergoline (CAB) to identify genes involved in prolactinoma progression and dopamine receptor-agonist (DA) sensitivity. NEK2 was then selected for further study. The expression of NEK2 was examined using quantitative real-time PCR, western immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry - both in pituitary adenomas (PA) and in normal pituitary tissue. We used gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays to explore the biologic roles of NEK2 in cell growth in vivo and in vitro. Co-immunoprecipitation was also used to detect the binding between NEK2 and USP7. Results: Herein, we reported that NEK2 was upregulated in prolactinomas, particularly dopamine-resistant prolactinomas. NEK2 overexpression significantly promoted pituitary tumor GH3 and MMQ cell proliferation, and it impaired cellular sensitivity to CAB. Conversely, knockdown of NEK2 inhibited GH3 and MMQ cell growth, and sensitized the cells to CAB. Mechanistically, NEK2 regulated cell proliferation via the Wnt-signaling pathway; and in addition, we demonstrated that USP7 interacted with, deubiquitylated, and stabilized NEK2. Conclusions: Collectively, our results suggest that NEK2 might be a potential therapeutic target for prolactinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Jian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingfang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Benyan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liuguan Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wan H, Xu L, Zhang H, Wu F, Zeng W, Li T. High expression of NEK2 promotes gastric cancer progression via activating AKT signaling. J Physiol Biochem 2020; 77:25-34. [PMID: 33201407 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-020-00776-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2 (NEK2) has been recognized as an oncogene involved in the initiation and progression of various human cancers. However, our knowledge is still lacking in regard to the function of NEK2 in gastric cancer, the most common cancer in Eastern Asia associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the association of NEK2 with gastric cancer. We found that the development of gastric cancer is associated with NEK2 overexpression, particularly in patients with large tumor size and lymph node metastasis. We also provided evidence that NEK2 overexpression binds to and inhibits protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), which subsequently activates AKT and the downstream oncogenic pathways. As a result, via AKT/HIF1α axis, the glucose metabolism is reprogrammed towards aerobic glycolysis to provide rapid energy for the growth of gastric cancer cells. Moreover, the autophagic activity is suppressed via AKT/mTOR axis, leading to impaired response to cancer treatment and enhanced cell survival. In contrast, inactivating AKT by NEK2 silencing decreases aerobic glycolysis and promotes autophagic cell death, which eventually inhibits the growth of gastric cancer cell. All these results revealed that NEK2 promotes gastric cancer progression via activating AKT-mediated signaling pathways, which expanded our knowledge on gastric cancer pathogenesis and also provided novel target for clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.17 Yongwaizheng Street, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huangbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.17 Yongwaizheng Street, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Feixiang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.17 Yongwaizheng Street, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weiqiang Zeng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.17 Yongwaizheng Street, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Taiyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.17 Yongwaizheng Street, Donghu District, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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Ji YY, Meng M, Miao Y. lncRNA SNHG1 Promotes Progression of Cervical Cancer Through miR-195/ NEK2 Axis. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:11423-11433. [PMID: 33204155 PMCID: PMC7665511 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s277064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Cervical cancer is a common gynecologic cancer, and no study has been reported on the way through which lncRNA SNHG1, miR-195 and NEK2 jointly affect cervical cancer cells (CCCs), so this paper will explore a new approach to the development of cervical cancer in this respect. Methods Altogether 72 cervical cancer tissues and 54 adjacent tissues were collected. qPCR was performed to quantify lncRNA SNHG1 and miR-195, whose expression vectors were constructed and then transfected into CCCs, so as to observe their effects on the cells. Western blotting (WB) was carried out to detect protein levels. MTT assay was conducted to detect cell activity. Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptosis. Transwell was carried out to detect cell invasion and migration. Results The expression of lncRNA SNHG1 up-regulated while that of miR-195 down-regulated in CCCs. lncRNA SNHG1 regulated NEK2 through its targeted binding to miR-195. The down-regulation of lncRNA SNHG1 or the up-regulation of miR-195 led to the decrease of NEK2 and the reduction of cells’ activity, migration and invasion, also resulting in the increase of cell apoptosis. Rescue experiments showed that the down-regulation of miR-195 could offset the cell changes caused by lncRNA SNHG1. Conclusion lncRNA SNHG1 promotes the progression of cervical cancer through the miR-195/NEK2 axis, so lncRNA SNHG1, miR-195 and NEK2 may have potential values for diagnosing and treating cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan Ji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Meng
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Miao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People's Republic of China
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Zeng L, Fan X, Wang X, Deng H, Zhang X, Zhang K, He S, Li N, Han Q, Liu Z. Involvement of NEK2 and its interaction with NDC80 and CEP250 in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:158. [PMID: 33109182 PMCID: PMC7590453 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-00812-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NEK2 has an established involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but the roles of NEK2 and its interacting proteins in HCC have not been systematically explored. METHODS This study examined NEK2 and its interacting proteins in HCC based on multiple databases. RESULTS NEK2 mRNA was highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The survival of HCC patients with high NEK2 mRNA expression was shorter than those with low expression. MAD1L1, CEP250, MAPK1, NDC80, PPP1CA, PPP1R2 and NEK11 were the interacting proteins of NEK2. Among them, NDC80 and CEP250 were the key interacting proteins of NEK2. Mitotic prometaphase may be the key pathway that NEK2 and its interacting proteins contributed to HCC pathogenesis. NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 mRNAs were highly expressed in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. The mRNA levels of NEK2 were positively correlated with those of NDC80 or CEP250. Univariate regression showed that NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 mRNA expressions were significantly associated with HCC patients' survival. Multivariate regression showed that NDC80 mRNA expression was an independent predictor for HCC patients' survival. Methylations and genetic alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 were observed in HCC samples. The alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 genes were co-occurrence. Patients with high mRNA expression and genetic alterations of NEK2, NDC80 and CEP250 had poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS NEK2 and its interacting proteins NDC80 and CEP250 play important roles in HCC development and progression and thus may be potentially used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, 710021 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiude Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoge Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, 710021 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Qunying Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengwen Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, No. 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi Province People’s Republic of China
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Xu T, Zeng Y, Shi L, Yang Q, Chen Y, Wu G, Li G, Xu S. Targeting NEK2 impairs oncogenesis and radioresistance via inhibiting the Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway in cervical cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:183. [PMID: 32907622 PMCID: PMC7488040 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01659-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NEK2, a serine/threonine kinase involved in mitosis, has been found to function in chromosome instability, tumor progression and metastasis, but its role in cervical cancer radioresistance remains unknown. METHODS We detected the protein levels of NEK2 in cervical carcinoma tissues and paired paracarcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry. The roles of NEK2 in oncogenesis were examined using cell growth and colony formation assays, EdU assay, apoptosis assay as well as in vivo mouse model. γ-H2AX and Rad51 foci formation, neutral comet assay and clonogenic cell survival assay were applied to determine the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. RNA-seq was performed to identify the downstream effector of NEK2. The gene expression levels were measured by Real-time PCR. RESULTS We report that NEK2 protein level is overexpressed and correlated with the tumor stage and lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer tissues. Furthermore, we provided evidence that depletion of NEK2 impairs oncogenesis and enhances radiosensitivity in cervical cancer. Using RNA sequencing, we identify Wnt1 as a key downstream effector of NEK2. Knockdown of NEK2 downregulates the mRNA and protein levels of Wnt1, thereby inhibiting the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. More importantly, the observed consequences induced by NEK2 depletion in cervical cancer cells can be partially rescued by Wnt1 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that NEK2 activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via Wnt1 to drive oncogenesis and radioresistance in cervical cancer, indicating that NEK2 may be a promising target for the radiosensitization of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tie Xu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yulan Zeng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Linli Shi
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qin Yang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yeshan Chen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Guiling Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Shuangbing Xu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Abstract
Dysregulations of the NEK2 and PIM1-3 kinase signaling axes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cancers, including those with a neuroendocrine phenotype. However, their impact on bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms (BP-NENs) has not been investigated. The aim of this pilot study was to determine mRNA and protein levels of NEK2, PIM1, and PIM3 in a group of 49 patients with BP-NENs: 11 typical carcinoids, 5 atypical carcinoids, 11 large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, 22 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC). The expression was measured using TaqMan-based RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. NEK2 and PIM1 mRNA levels were higher in the SCLC patients than in the other BP-NEN groups (p < 0.001). There was an association between NEK2 mRNA and protein expression (p = 0.023) and elevated NEK2 mRNA levels were related to reduced survival in BP-NEN patients (p = 0.015). Patients with higher PIM1 protein expression had also diminished survival comparing with those with weak or no PIM1 expression (p = 0.037). Elevated NEK2 and PIM1 expression were related to aggressive tumor phenotype and indirectly affected the overall survival of BP-NEN patients. Our pilot study supports the need for future investigation of the biological function of NEK2 and PIM1 in BP-NEN transformation to verify the clinical value of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Motylewska
- Department of Immunoendocrinology, Chair of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Marcin Braun
- Department of Pathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland
| | - Henryk Stępień
- Department of Immunoendocrinology, Chair of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland
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Chen C, Peng S, Li P, Ma L, Gan X. High expression of NEK2 promotes lung cancer progression and drug resistance and is regulated by mutant EGFR. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 475:15-25. [PMID: 32761510 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03854-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activating mutations within the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are observed in 10 ~ 30% of the patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and are causally related to NSCLC initiation and progression. Treatments with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR significantly improve the outcome of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation, but are often associated with drug resistance, which is the main cause of treatment failure and cancer relapse. In the present study, by screening the transcriptome of NSCLC patients, we found that EGFR activation is highly correlated with the up-regulation of mitotic regulator, never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2 (NEK2). NEK2 overexpression is associated with the poor survival of EGFR-mutant patients but not the wild-type patients. Further functional validation revealed that EGFR mutation induces NEK2 expression by activating ERK signaling pathway. Elevated NEK2 level promotes the rapid cell cycle progression and favors the rapid proliferation of EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells. Of note, NEK2 overexpression also impairs the efficacy of TKI treatment via inhibiting apoptosis, while depleting NEK2 suppresses cell growth and restored the sensitivity of TKI in NSCLC cells. Taken together, our study revealed that NEK2 is an oncogene regulated by EGFR mutation and is involved in disease progression and treatment response in NSCLC with EGFR mutation. These findings will pave the road for optimizing personalized treatment strategies to overcome drug resistance and improve the prognosis of lung cancer patients with EGFR mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanhui Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Peng
- Department of Healthy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Penghui Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Gan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
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Hu H, Xu H, Lu F, Zhang J, Xu L, Xu S, Jiang H, Zeng Q, Chen E, He Z. Exosome-Derived miR-486-5p Regulates Cell Cycle, Proliferation and Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma via Targeting NEK2. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:259. [PMID: 32322578 PMCID: PMC7156548 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to describe the mechanism of exosome-derived miR-486-5p underlying the cell cycle and progression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods Bioinformatics methods were applied for identifying the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GEO-LUAD dataset, predicting where the potential target miRNA was expressed and exploring the corresponding downstream target mRNA. qRT-PCR was conducted to detect the levels of the target genes in cancer cells. Thereafter, a series of in vitro experiments were performed for cell activities evaluation, including CCK-8, EdU, colony formation assay and transwell. Besides, Western blot was applied to determine the protein levels of the migration and invasion-related factors (NEK2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, MMP-2, and MMP-9). Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was employed for validating the targeted relationship between the target genes. Furthermore, nude mouse transplantation tumor experiment was conducted to further validate the role of the target miRNA in tumor development, and immunohistochemistry was used for Ki67 detection and TUNEL was applied for cell apoptosis assay. Results miR-486-5p was observed to be enriched in serum exosomes, and seen to be significantly down-regulated in cancer tissues as well as in cancer serum exosomes. It was proven that exosomes could release miR-486-5p, thus regulating LUAD progression and affecting cell cycle. Moreover, NEK2 was identified as a target of miR-486-5p both in vivo and in vitro. Enrichment analysis revealed that NEK2 was mainly activated in cell cycle and mitosis-related pathways. Meanwhile, NEK2 was found to present significant difference in different TNM stages. Furthermore, rescue experiments indicated that the inhibitory effect of miR-486-5p overexpression on LUAD progression could be abrogated when miR-486-5p and NEK2 were simultaneously up-regulated. Conclusion Exosome-derived miR-486-5p is responsible for cell cycle arrest as well as the inhibition of cell proliferation and metastasis in LUAD via targeting NEK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangdi Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fen Lu
- Operation Room, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jisong Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanliang Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingxin Zeng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Enguo Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengfu He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Xia J, He Y, Meng B, Chen S, Zhang J, Wu X, Zhu Y, Shen Y, Feng X, Guan Y, Kuang C, Guo J, Lei Q, Wu Y, An G, Li G, Qiu L, Zhan F, Zhou W. NEK2 induces autophagy-mediated bortezomib resistance by stabilizing Beclin-1 in multiple myeloma. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:763-778. [PMID: 31955515 PMCID: PMC7138399 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
NEK2 is associated with drug resistance in multiple cancers. Our previous studies indicated that high NEK2 confers inferior survival in multiple myeloma (MM); thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which NEK2 induces drug resistance in MM is required. In this study, we discovered that NEK2 enhances MM cell autophagy, and a combination of autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) and chemotherapeutic bortezomib (BTZ) significantly prevents NEK2-induced drug resistance in MM cells. Interestingly, NEK2 was found to bind and stabilize Beclin-1 protein but did not affect its mRNA expression and phosphorylation. Moreover, autophagy enhanced by NEK2 was significantly prevented by knockdown of Beclin-1 in MM cells, suggesting that Beclin-1 mediates NEK2-induced autophagy. Further studies demonstrated that Beclin-1 ubiquitination is decreased through NEK2 interaction with USP7. Importantly, knockdown of Beclin-1 sensitized NEK2-overexpressing MM cells to BTZ in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we identify a novel mechanism whereby autophagy is activated by the complex of NEK2/USP7/Beclin-1 in MM cells. Targeting the autophagy signaling pathway may provide a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome NEK2-induced drug resistance in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiliang Xia
- Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yanjuan He
- Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Bin Meng
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Shilian Chen
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xuan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yinghong Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgerySecond Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of MedicineDivision of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow TransplantationHolden Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of IowaIAUSA
| | - Xiangling Feng
- Xiangya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yongjun Guan
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chunmei Kuang
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Jiaojiao Guo
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Qian Lei
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yangbowen Wu
- Xiangya School of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Gang An
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjinChina
| | - Guancheng Li
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Lugui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyInstitute of Hematology & Blood Diseases HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjinChina
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Department of MedicineDivision of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow TransplantationHolden Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of IowaIAUSA
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of HematologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and InvasionChinese Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of CarcinogenesisChinese Ministry of HealthCancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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Guan Y, Cao Z, Du J, Liu T, Wang T. Circular RNA circPITX1 knockdown inhibits glycolysis to enhance radiosensitivity of glioma cells by miR-329-3p/ NEK2 axis. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:80. [PMID: 32190004 PMCID: PMC7071619 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01169-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been recognized as vital modulators of human malignancies, including glioma. Whereas, the functional role of circRNA Pituitary Homeo Box 1 (circPITX1) in the radioresistance of glioma cells remains largely uncertain. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or western blot analysis was employed to examine the expression of circPITX1, microRNA (miR)-329-3p and NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2). 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine cell viability. Glycolysis was assessed by commercial kits and western blot analysis. Colony formation assay was conducted to analyze cell survival and clonogenicity capacity. The relationship among circPITX1, miR-329-3p and NEK2 was confirmed via dual-luciferase reporter assay. The in vivo function of circPITX1 was evaluated by tumor xenograft assay. Results Expression of circPITX1 and NEK2 was up-regulated in glioma tissues and cells, while miR-329-3p exhibited reverse trend. CircPITX1 knockdown repressed viability, glycolysis and colony formation, but promoted radiosensitivity of glioma cells, as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. MiR-329-3p was a target miRNA of circPITX1 and miR-329-3p deficiency reversed knockdown of circPITX1-mediated glycolysis inhibition and radioresistance reduction. MiR-329-3p exerted inhibitory effects on glycolysis and radioresistance of glioma cells by targeting NEK2. CircPITX1 facilitated NEK2 expression by sponging miR-329-3p. Glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) disposition weakened the promoted impact on glycolysis caused by circPITX1. Conclusion CircPITX1 knockdown reduced glycolysis to contribute to radiosensitivity in glioma through miR-329-3p/NEK2 axis, providing a possible mechanism of circPITX1 in the development of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchang Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning China
| | - Zhi Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning China
| | - Jinghua Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning China
| | - Tingzhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110000 Liaoning China
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Hanáková K, Bernatík O, Kravec M, Micka M, Kumar J, Harnoš J, Ovesná P, Paclíková P, Rádsetoulal M, Potěšil D, Tripsianes K, Čajánek L, Zdráhal Z, Bryja V. Comparative phosphorylation map of Dishevelled 3 links phospho-signatures to biological outputs. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:170. [PMID: 31870452 PMCID: PMC6927192 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0470-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dishevelled (DVL) is an essential component of the Wnt signaling cascades. Function of DVL is controlled by phosphorylation but the molecular details are missing. DVL3 contains 131 serines and threonines whose phosphorylation generates complex barcodes underlying diverse DVL3 functions. In order to dissect the role of DVL phosphorylation we analyzed the phosphorylation of human DVL3 induced by previously reported (CK1ε, NEK2, PLK1, CK2α, RIPK4, PKCδ) and newly identified (TTBK2, Aurora A) DVL kinases. Methods Shotgun proteomics including TiO2 enrichment of phosphorylated peptides followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry on immunoprecipitates from HEK293T cells was used to identify and quantify phosphorylation of DVL3 protein induced by 8 kinases. Functional characterization was performed by in-cell analysis of phospho-mimicking/non-phosphorylatable DVL3 mutants and supported by FRET assays and NMR spectroscopy. Results We used quantitative mass spectrometry and calculated site occupancies and quantified phosphorylation of > 80 residues. Functional validation demonstrated the importance of CK1ε-induced phosphorylation of S268 and S311 for Wnt-3a-induced β-catenin activation. S630–643 cluster phosphorylation by CK1, NEK2 or TTBK2 is essential for even subcellular distribution of DVL3 when induced by CK1 and TTBK2 but not by NEK2. Further investigation showed that NEK2 utilizes a different mechanism to promote even localization of DVL3. NEK2 triggered phosphorylation of PDZ domain at S263 and S280 prevents binding of DVL C-terminus to PDZ and promotes an open conformation of DVL3 that is more prone to even subcellular localization. Conclusions We identify unique phosphorylation barcodes associated with DVL function. Our data provide an example of functional synergy between phosphorylation in structured domains and unstructured IDRs that together dictate the biological outcome. Video Abtract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Hanáková
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Bernatík
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Kravec
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Micka
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jitender Kumar
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Harnoš
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Ovesná
- Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Paclíková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Matěj Rádsetoulal
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Potěšil
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Konstantinos Tripsianes
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Čajánek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Vítězslav Bryja
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Li Y, Chen L, Feng L, Zhu M, Shen Q, Fang Y, Liu X, Zhang X. NEK2 promotes proliferation, migration and tumor growth of gastric cancer cells via regulating KDM5B/H3K4me3. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:2364-2378. [PMID: 31815040 PMCID: PMC6895449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of how Never in Mitosis (NIMA) Related Kinase 2 (NEK2) coordinates altered signaling to malignant gastric cancer (GC) transformation remain unclear. Overexpression of NEK2 and KDM5B were observed in GC cell lines with high sensitivity to NEK2 inhibitors. Here we investigated the biological behaviors of NEK2 and the possible mechanisms of regulative effects of NEK2 on KDM5B in GC cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that NEK2 and KDM5B were highly expressed in most of the 10 GC cell lines. NEK2 knockdown in MGC-803 cells led to suppression of cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, while NEK2 overexpression in BGC-823 cells exhibited the reverse biological effect. When NEK2 was inhibited by NEK2 inhibitors or shNEK2, cellular KDM5B level decreased and H3K4me3 level increased, while overexpression of NEK2 resulted in enhanced KDM5B expression and decreased H3K4me3 level. Though direct interaction between NEK2 and KDM5B was excluded, NEK2 could regulate KDM5B/H3K4me3 expression through β-catenin/Myc both in vitro and in vivo, which was double confirmed by c-myc and KDM5B inhibitor experiments. Taken together, our study showed that NEK2 was highly expressed in GC cell lines and related to promoting cell proliferation, migration and tumor growth. A NEK2/β-catenin/Myc/KDM5B/H3K4me3 signaling pathway may contribute to the important carcinogenic role of NEK2-mediated malignant behaviors in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Li
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200062, China
| | - Lijuan Chen
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200062, China
| | - Lixing Feng
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200062, China
| | - Mengli Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200062, China
| | - Qiang Shen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Biomedical Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai 201203, China
| | - Yanfen Fang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200062, China
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai 201203, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Biomedical Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiongwen Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200062, China
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38
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Kokuryo T, Yokoyama Y, Yamaguchi J, Tsunoda N, Ebata T, Nagino M. NEK2 Is an Effective Target for Cancer Therapy With Potential to Induce Regression of Multiple Human Malignancies. Anticancer Res 2019; 39:2251-2258. [PMID: 31092416 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation due to the aberrant activity of various proteins. Cell cycle-related proteins are thought to be important in several functions, such as proliferation, invasion and drug resistance in human malignancies. Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a cell cycle-related protein. NEK2 is highly expressed in various tumor types and cancer cell lines. NEK2 expression is correlated with rapid relapse and poor outcome in multiple cancer types. Several researchers have demonstrated that NEK2 inhibition results in anticancer effects against many types of cancers, both in vitro and in vivo. Recent research strongly indicates the advantages of NEK2-targeted therapy for cancer. This review focuses on the current understanding of NEK2 in cancer and the rationale of a xenograft cancer model for cancer treatment. A possible therapeutic strategy, such as inhibitor and nucleic acid medicine targeting of NEK2, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshio Kokuryo
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yokoyama
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Junpei Yamaguchi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Tsunoda
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoki Ebata
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masato Nagino
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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39
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Xu W, Gao P, Zhang Y, Piao L, Dong D. microRNA-138 induces cell survival and reduces WNT/β-catenin signaling of osteoarthritis chondrocytes through NEK2. IUBMB Life 2019; 71:1355-1366. [PMID: 31034758 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and function degeneration with high incidence. Recent studies have been inspired based on the association between microRNAs (miRs) and therapeutic research of OA. Hence, the present study evaluates the effects of miR-138 on chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis through the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in mice with OA by binding to NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2). Appropriate dataset was selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes and potential miRNAs that could regulate NEK2 were explored. A mouse model of OA was established. The expressions of miR-138, NEK2, β-catenin, GSK3β, Bcl-2, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), p53, MMP-13, Col2, and Aggrecan and the phosphorylation levels of β-catenin were determined by the reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were employed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The potential functional role of NEK2 was revealed to be related to the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, and miR-138 was the putative regulator of NEK2. miR-138 expression was downregulated while expressions of NEK2 and β-catenin as well as the phosphorylation levels of β-catenin were upregulated in mice with OA. The chondrocytes treated with miR-138 mimic and siRNA-NEK2 exhibited reduced expressions of NEK2, β-catenin, MMP-13, Bax, and p53 and elevated expressions of Col2, Aggrecan, and Bcl-2 as well as phosphorylation levels of β-catenin along with enhanced chondrocytes' proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-138 induces cell survival and reduces WNT/β-catenin signaling of OA chondrocytes through NEK2. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1355-1366, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Xu
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Peihong Gao
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Jilin Province Population Life Science and Technology Research Institute, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Piao
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Dong
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
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Kaowinn S, Yawut N, Koh SS, Chung YH. Cancer upregulated gene (CUG)2 elevates YAP1 expression, leading to enhancement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lung cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 511:122-128. [PMID: 30771899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although our previous studies have showed that a novel oncogene, cancer upregulated gene (CUG)2 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the detailed molecular mechanism remains unknown. Because several lines of evidence documented that Yes-Associated Protein (YAP)1 is closely associated with cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes including EMT, stemness, and drug resistance, we wondered if YAP1 is involved in CUG2-induced EMT. We herein found that the overexpression of CUG2 increased YAP1 expression at the transcriptional as well as protein levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that the elevated YAP1 transcripts are attributed to c-Jun and AP2 bindings to the YAP1 promoter. Akt and MAPK kinases including ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK enhanced the level of YAP1 protein. In spite of a close relationship between β-catenin and YAP1, not β-catenin but NEK2 played the role in increasing YAP1 expression. Silencing YAP1 inhibited CUG2-induced cell migration and invasion. N-cadherin and vimentin expressions were decreased during YAP1 knockdown. The suppression of YAP1 diminished TGF-β transcriptional activity and expression as well as phosphorylation level of Smad2 and Twist protein. Conversely, LY2109761 or Smad2 siRNA treatment reduced YAP1 protein levels, indicating a close interplay between YAP1 and TGF-β signaling. Taken together, we suggest that CUG2 induces up-regulation of YAP1 expression, leading to enhancing CUG2-induced EMT via a close crosstalk between YAP1 and TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirichat Kaowinn
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Natpaphan Yawut
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biosciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hwa Chung
- BK21 Plus, Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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Yao Y, Su J, Zhao L, Luo N, Long L, Zhu X. NIMA-related kinase 2 overexpression is associated with poor survival in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:455-465. [PMID: 30655697 PMCID: PMC6322518 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s188347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) has been reported to be overexpressed in various types of cancer and correlated with poor prognosis. The role(s) of NEK2 in cancer, however, is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of NEK2 in human tumors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed for PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases, and eligible studies were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of the included studies was then carried out. Results Fifteen studies with 3,280 cancer patients were included in the present meta-analysis. All publications were of moderate to high quality, and had no significant heterogeneity (I2=46%, P=0.03) or publication bias was discovered. The results showed that a high NEK2 level was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) in patients with various types of cancers (pooled HR=1.72, 95% CI 1.49–2.00, P<0.00001). However, the disease-free survival (DFS) had no significant association with NEK2 level (HR=1.13, 95% CI: 0.29–4.38, P=0.85). In the subgroup analyses, high NEK2 level was correlated with an increased risk of poor OS in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.25–2.10, P=0.02) and lung cancer (HR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.40–3.38, P=0.0005). However, other factors, including sample size, follow-up period, HR estimation method, and country, also affect the association between NEK2 expression and OS. Analysis of clinicopathological parameters further showed that increased NEK2 level was correlated with younger age, male gender, better tumor differentiation, and lower number of tumor nodules. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that increased expression of NEK2 was associated with unfavorable survival of cancer patients and that NEK2 could be used as a prognostic predictor for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, PR China,
| | - Jie Su
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, PR China,
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Na Luo
- Department of Clinical Medicine (Four-Year Program) of Grade 2014, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, PR China
| | - Lihui Long
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, PR China
| | - Xingmei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712046, PR China
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42
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Cheng Y, Chen X, Ye L, Zhang Y, Liang J, Liu W, Zhou B, Zheng S, Huang Y, Chen G, Deng Y, Zhang Q, Yang Y. The Prognostic Significance of NEK2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis and Retrospective Cohort Study. Cell Physiol Biochem 2018; 51:2746-2759. [PMID: 30562736 DOI: 10.1159/000495966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Numerous studies have shown that NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue is associated with survival and clinicopathological features; however, the evidence remains inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to further explore the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of NEK2 expression in HCC using a two-part study consisting of a retrospective cohort study and a meta-analysis. METHODS In the cohort study, NEK2 expression in 206 HCC samples and adjacent normal liver tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Patients were divided into a high NEK2 expression group and a low NEK2 expression group by the median value of the immunohistochemical scores. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test was used to analyze survival outcomes in the two groups, and multivariate analysis based on Cox proportional hazard regression models was applied to identify independent prognostic factors. In the meta-analysis, eligible studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. STATA version 12.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX) was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS The IHC results of our cohort study showed higher NEK2 expression in HCC tissues compared with adjacent normal liver tissues. Multivariate analysis revealed that high NEK2 expression was an independent risk factor for poor overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.763; 95% CI, 1.060-2.935; P = 0.029] and disease-free survival (DFS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.687; 95% CI, 1.102-2.584; P = 0.016] in HCC patients. A total of 11 studies with 1,698 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis, consisting of 10 studies from the database search and our cohort study. The pooled results revealed that high NEK2 expression correlated closely with poor OS among HCC patients (HR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-1.80; P < 0.01), and DFS/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.41-2.63; P < 0.01). Additionally, our meta-analysis also showed that the proportion of HCC patients with high NEK2 expression was greater in the group with larger tumors (> 5 cm) than in the group with smaller tumors (≤ 5 cm) [odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.13-3.64; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that high NEK2 expression is a risk factor for poor survival in HCC patients. More prospective, homogeneous, and multiethnic studies are required to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuSheng Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - XiaoLong Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - LinSen Ye
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - YinCai Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - BoXuan Zhou
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - ShiYang Zheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiming Huang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - GuiHua Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - YiNan Deng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.,Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou,
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Ouyang Y, Li Y, Huang Y, Li X, Zhu Y, Long Y, Wang Y, Guo X, Gong K. CircRNA circPDSS1 promotes the gastric cancer progression by sponging miR-186-5p and modulating NEK2. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:10458-10469. [PMID: 30417526 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory mechanism of circPDSS1/miR-186-5p/NEK2 axis on the viability and proliferation in gastric cancer (GC) cell line. Differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in GC tissues and paracarcinoma tissues were analyzed using gene chips GSE83521, GSE89143, and GSE93415. Then, the expression of circPDSS1, miR-186-5p, and NEK2 was analyzed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Survival analysis was adopted to explore the association between the circPDSS1 expression and the prognosis of GC. The effect of circPDSS1 on GC cell cycle and apoptosis was verified with the flow cytometry. Targeting relationships among circPDSS1, miR-186-5p, and NEK2 were predicted via bioinformatics analysis and demonstrated by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Our results showed that circPDSS1 and NEK2 were high-expressed whereas miR-186-5p was low-expressed in GC tissues and cells. CircPDSS1 promoted GC cell cycle and inhibited apoptosis by sponging miR-186-5p, while miR-186-5p inhibited cell cycle and promoted apoptosis by targeting NEK2. Thus, circPDSS1 acts as a tumor promoter by regulating miR-186-5p and NEK2, which could be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the management of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Ouyang
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuejin Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yingguang Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xing Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yaxin Long
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongzhi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaodong Guo
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Kunmei Gong
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology), Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Ren Q, Li B, Liu M, Hu Z, Wang Y. Prognostic value of NEK2 overexpression in digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:7169-7178. [PMID: 30425509 PMCID: PMC6203090 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s169911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Many studies have reported that NEK2 is overexpressed in digestive system cancers (DSCs) and is also correlated with patient survival. We performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic role of NEK2 expression in DSCs. Materials and methods A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Synthesized hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the influence of NEK2 overexpression on the prognosis and clinicopathological features of patients with DSCs. Results A total of 13 studies involving 1,917 patients was included. Overall, patients with high NEK2 expression had poorer overall survival (HR =1.45; 95% CI: 1.15–1.83; P=0.002) and disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival (HR =2.28; 95% CI: 1.54–3.37; P<0.0001). Furthermore, subgroup analysis also suggested that elevated NEK2 expression was associated with poorer overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HR =1.45; 95% CI: 1.05–2.00; P=0.02) and colorectal cancer (HR =2.03; 95% CI: 1.16–3.54; P=0.01). Additionally, NEK2 overexpression was also associated with pretreatment serum AFP level (OR =1.79; 95% CI: 1.23–2.61; P<0.01) and portal vein thrombosis (OR =2.74; 95% CI: 1.22–6.17; P=0.01) in hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion NEK2 might act as a useful prognostic predictor and a potential therapeutic target in DSCs. However, multicenter homogeneous studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further confirm our findings owing to some limitations in our meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China, .,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China,
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China, .,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China,
| | - Zenan Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China, .,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China,
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China, .,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China,
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Xu H, Zeng L, Guan Y, Feng X, Zhu Y, Lu Y, Shi C, Chen S, Xia J, Guo J, Kuang C, Li W, Jin F, Zhou W. High NEK2 confers to poor prognosis and contributes to cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:3547-3558. [PMID: 30295336 PMCID: PMC6704366 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant tumor in southern China and Southeast Asia, but the molecular mechanism of its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Our previous work demonstrated that NEK2 is overexpressed in multiple cancers. However, how NEK2 involves in NPC development remains to be elucidated. In this study, we firstly identified NEK2, located at +1q32‐q33, a late event in NPC pathogenesis, overexpressed in the stage III‐IV and paired sequential recurrent patients with NPC by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated high NEK2 conferred an inferior overall survival in NPC. In addition, cisplatin experiments with cell counting kit‐8, colony formation, and a xenograft mice model of NPC demonstrated that NEK2 contributed to proliferation and cisplatin resistance in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, downregulation of NEK2 by short hairpin RNA inhibited NPC cell growth and increased the sensitivity of cisplatin treatment in vitro. Thus, increased expression of NEK2 protein could not be predicted for poor survival but used as a novel biomarker for recurrence of NPC. Targeting NEK2 has the potential to eradicate the cisplatin‐based chemotherapy resistant NPC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Xu
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liang Zeng
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongjun Guan
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangling Feng
- School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yinghong Zhu
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yichen Lu
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Shi
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shilian Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiliang Xia
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiaojiao Guo
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunmei Kuang
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fengyan Jin
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Fang Y, Kong Y, Xi J, Zhu M, Zhu T, Jiang T, Hu W, Ma M, Zhang X. Preclinical activity of MBM-5 in gastrointestinal cancer by inhibiting NEK2 kinase activity. Oncotarget 2018; 7:79327-79341. [PMID: 27764815 PMCID: PMC5346717 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
NEK2 is a conserved mitotic regulator critical for cell cycle progression. Aberrant expression of NEK2 has been found in a variety of human cancers, making it an attractive molecular target for the design of novel anticancer therapeutics. In the present study, we have identified a novel compound MBM-5, which was found to bind to NEK2 with high affinity by docking simulations study. MBM-5 potently inhibited NEK2 kinase activity in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. MBM-5 also suppressed cellular NEK2 kinase activity, as evidenced by the decreased phosphorylation of its substrate Hec1 on S165 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This inhibition impeded mitotic progression by inducing chromosome segregation defects and cytokinesis failure; therefore leading to accumulation of cells with ≥4N DNA content, which finally underwent apoptosis. More importantly, MBM-5 treatment effectively suppressed the tumor growth of human gastric and colorectal cancer cells xenografts. Taken together, we demonstrated that MBM-5 effectively inhibited the kinase activity of NEK2 and showed a potential application in anti-cancer treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Fang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yannan Kong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianbei Xi
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengli Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongtong Jiang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Hu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingliang Ma
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiongwen Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Zhao D, Han W, Liu X, Cui D, Chen Y. MicroRNA-128 promotes apoptosis in lung cancer by directly targeting NIMA-related kinase 2. Thorac Cancer 2017; 8:304-311. [PMID: 28514100 PMCID: PMC5494458 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNA‐128 (miR‐128) serves as a regulator by inducing cancer cell apoptosis, differentiation, the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition process, and tumor growth by mediating different targets. NIMA‐related kinase 2 (NEK2) is aberrantly expressed in lung cancer. The miR‐128/NEK2 pathway has been reported to predict prognosis in colorectal cancer; however, the determination of a relationship between miR‐128 and NEK2 in lung cancer has remained elusive. We explored the association between miR‐128 and NEK2 in lung cancer. Methods MiR‐128 and NEK2 expression were examined in 15 lung cancer tissues by real time‐PCR. Lung cancer SK‐MES‐1 cells were transfected with miR‐128 mimic, an inhibitor or a negative control. MiR‐128 and NEK2 expression levels were detected using quantitative real time‐PCR and Western blot. SK‐MES‐1 cell apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. Results Compared to adjacent non‐tumor tissues, miR‐128 was downregulated and NEK2 was upregulated in 15 lung cancer tissues. Lung cancer SK‐MES‐1 cells transfected with miR‐128 mimic induced a higher apoptotic rate than those transfected with the negative control. Dual luciferase assay further confirmed that NEK2 was a direct target of miR‐128 in lung cancer, and transfection with miR‐128 mimic could decrease the NEK2 protein level while the miR‐128 inhibitor increased NEK2 expression. Finally, the apoptotic effect of lung cancer cells induced by miR‐128 mimic could be reversed by NEK2 overexpression. Conclusions NEK2 was regulated by miR‐128 in lung cancer and miR‐128 induced lung cancer cell apoptosis by mediating NEK2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejian Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenzheng Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dawei Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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48
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Zhao D, Han W, Liu X, Cui D, Chen Y. Deguelin inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of human non-small cell lung cancer cells by regulating NIMA-related kinase 2. Thorac Cancer 2017; 8:320-327. [PMID: 28509438 PMCID: PMC5494456 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non‐small cell lung cancer is a lethal malignancy with a high mortality rate. Deguelin displays an anti‐tumor effect and inhibits metastasis in various cancers. The aberrant expression of NIMA‐related kinase 2 (NEK2) indicates poor prognosis and induces epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis processes. However, the underlying mechanism between deguelin and NEK2 has remained elusive. Methods NSCLC cell lines were treated with deguelin. Wound‐healing and invasion assays were applied to study the inhibitory effect of deguelin on NSCLC cells. EMT markers, E‐cadherin and Vimentin, were also detected by Western blot. NEK2 protein and messenger RNA expression levels were evaluated when NSCLC cells were treated with different concentrations of deguelin. The effect of NEK2 on NSCLC cell metastasis was evaluated through NEK2 knockdown. To investigate whether deguelin induced EMT by regulating NEK2, we overexpressed NEK2 in both NCI‐H520 and SK‐MES‐1 cell lines, and then used real time‐PCR to study the E‐cadherin and Vimentin messenger RNA expression in both NSCLC cells. Results Deguelin inhibited migration and invasion processes in NSCLC cell lines and decreased NEK2 expression in a concentration‐dependent manner. Furthermore, NEK2 knockdown inhibited NSCLC cell migration and invasion. Finally, overexpressing NEK2 in NCI‐H520 and SK‐MES‐1 cells could restore the inhibition of metastasis induced by deguelin. Conclusions Deguelin could inhibit EMT and metastasis, while overexpression of NEK2 promotes these processes. Deguelin could decrease NEK2 expression, while NEK2 overexpression could restore deguelin‐induced inhibition of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejian Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenzheng Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dawei Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical in vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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49
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Fu SJ, Chen J, Ji F, Ju WQ, Zhao Q, Chen MG, Guo ZY, Wu LW, Ma Y, Wang DP, Zhu XF, He XS. MiR-486-5p negatively regulates oncogenic NEK2 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:52948-52959. [PMID: 28881785 PMCID: PMC5581084 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NEK2 is a member of the NIMA-related family of serine/threonine centrosomal kinases. We analyzed the relationship between differential expression of NEK2 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient outcomes after liver transplants. We also studied the microRNAs that affect NEK2 expression. Analysis of multiple microarrays in the Oncomine database revealed that NEK2 expression was higher in HCC tissues than adjacent normal liver tissues. High NEK2 expression correlated with tumor size, pathological grade and macro- and microvascular invasion. Consequently, patients exhibiting high NEK2 expression had poorer prognosis. This was corroborated by our multivariate analysis that showed NEK2 to be an independent prognostic factor for HCC patient survival. Further, high NEK2 expression promoted proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of HCC cell lines. Tumor xenograft data from Balb/c nude mice demonstrated that HCC cells with high NEK2 expression formed larger tumors than those with low NEK2 expression. Finally, we showed that miR-486-5p suppressed NEK2 by directly binding to its transcript 3′UTR. We also demonstrated an inverse relationship between miR-486-5p and NEK2 expression in HCC patients. These findings suggest miR-486-5p negatively regulates NEK2, which is a critical prognostic indicator of HCC patient survival after liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Jun Fu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Jian Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Fei Ji
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Qiang Ju
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Mao-Gen Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Yong Guo
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Lin-Wei Wu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Yi Ma
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Ping Wang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Shun He
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, P. R. China
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Abstract
Never in Mitosis (NIMA) Related Kinase 2 (NEK2) plays a key role in regulating mitotic processes, including centrosome duplication and separation, microtubule stabilization, kinetochore attachment and spindle assembly checkpoint. NEK2 is aberrantly overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers and has been implicated in various aspects of malignant transformation, including tumorigenesis, drug resistance and tumor progression. The close relationship between NEK2 and cancer has made it an attractive target for anticancer therapeutic development; however, the mechanisms of how NEK2 coordinates altered signaling to malignant transformation remains unclear. In this paper, we discuss the functional roles of NEK2 in cancer development; highlight some of the significant NEK2 signaling in cancer, and summarize recent advances in the development of NEK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Fang
- a Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
| | - Xiongwen Zhang
- a Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
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