ERM proteins in cancer progression

Hypoxia regulates ANXA1 expression to support prostate cancer cell invasion and aggressiveness

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a Ca²⁺-binding protein overexpressed in the invasive stages of prostate cancer (PCa) development; however, its role in this tumor metastatization is largely unknown. Moreover, hypoxic conditions in solid tumors have been related to poor prognosis in PCa patients. We have previously demonstrated that ANXA1 is implicated in the acquisition of chemo-resistant features in DU145 PCa cells conferring them a mesenchymal/metastatic phenotype. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms by which ANXA1 regulates metastatic behavior in LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cells exposed to hypoxia. ANXA1 was differentially expressed by PCa cell lines in normoxia whereas hypoxic stimuli resulted in a significant increase of protein expression. Additionally, in low oxygen conditions ANXA1 was extensively secreted out-side the cells where its binding to formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) induced cell invasion. Loss and gain of function experiments performed by using the RNA interfering siANXA1 and an ANXA1 over-expressing plasmid (MF-ANXA1), also confirmed the leading role of the protein in modulating LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cell invasiveness. Finally, ANXA1 played a crucial role in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics underlying metastatization process, such as the loss of adhesion molecules and the occurrence of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). ANXA1 expression increased inversely to epithelial markers such as E-cadherin and cytokeratins 8 and 18 (CKs) and proportionally to mesenchymal ones such as vimentin, ezrin and moesin. Our results indicated that ANXA1 may be a key mediator of hypoxia-related metastasis-associated processes in PCa.

Similar expression pattern of NHERF1 and EZRIN in papillary but not in solid areas of human serous ovarian carcinomas

NHERF1 is an adaptor protein expressed in the apical membrane of polarized epithelia, which interacts with the EZRIN-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) family of proteins connecting signaling pathways to the cell cytoskeleton. NHERF1 and EZRIN cooperate in the maintenance of the apical microvilli in polarized epithelial cells. In several types of cancers, NHERF1 and EZRIN are displaced from the apical compartment to the cytoplasm and nuclei of cancer cells. At the present, the distribution of NHERF1 in ovarian tumors is not well known. In this study, NHERF1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in cyst adenofibromas, serous borderline tumors, and serous ovarian carcinomas. We observed a strong staining of NHERF1 and EZRIN at the membrane level of borderline tumors and areas of papillary structures in ovarian carcinomas. In tumors without papillary structures and compact structure, NHERF1 was exclusively expressed in the apical pole of the cells at the edges of the clefts of luminal spaces. In contrast, positive expression of EZRIN was found in the membrane of tumor cells within the solid tumor where NHERF1 was not expressed. In summary, this study shows, for the first time, the distribution of NHERF1 in ovarian cancer and reveals a different regulation of NHERF1 and EZRIN expression in ovarian tumors which represents the complexity of the molecular changes of this disease.

Ezrin Is Associated with Disease Progression in Ovarian Carcinoma

Objective

Ezrin and p130Cas are structural proteins with an important role in signaling pathways and have been shown to promote cancer dissemination. We previously reported on overexpression of both ezrin and p130Cas in breast carcinoma effusions compared to primary carcinomas. Since ovarian and breast carcinomas share the ability to disseminate by forming malignant effusions, we sought to study the role of these molecules in ovarian carcinoma (OC).

Methods

OC cell lines were cultured in two different 3-dimensional conditions, on alginate scaffolds and as spheroids, which served as models for solid tumor and malignant effusions, respectively. shRNA was used to reduce protein expression in the cells. The malignant potential was evaluated by chemo-invasion assay, branching capacity on Matrigel and rate of proliferation. Subsequently, clinical specimens of high-grade serous carcinoma effusions, ovarian tumors and solid metastases were analyzed for ezrin and p130Cas expression.

Results

Higher ezrin expression was found in cells composing the spheroids compared to their counterparts cultured on alginate scaffold and in clinical samples of malignant effusions compared to solid tumors. In addition, reduced Ezrin expression impaired the invasion ability and the branching capacity of OC cells to a greater extent than reduced p130Cas expression. However, ezrin and p130Cas expression in effusions was unrelated to clinical outcome.

Conclusions

The 3-dimensional cell cultures were found to mimic the different tumor sites and be applicable as a model. The in vitro results concur with the clinical specimen analysis, suggesting that in OC, the role of ezrin in disease progression is more pronounced than that of p130Cas.

Structural characterization suggests models for monomeric and dimeric forms of full-length ezrin

Ezrin is a member of the ERM (ezrin–radixin–moesin) family of proteins that have been conserved through metazoan evolution. These proteins have dormant and active forms, where the latter links the actin cytoskeleton to membranes. ERM proteins have three domains: an N-terminal FERM [band Four-point-one (4.1) ERM] domain comprising three subdomains (F1, F2, and F3); a helical domain; and a C-terminal actin-binding domain. In the dormant form, FERM and C-terminal domains form a stable complex. We have determined crystal structures of the active FERM domain and the dormant FERM:C-terminal domain complex of human ezrin. We observe a bistable array of phenylalanine residues in the core of subdomain F3 that is mobile in the active form and locked in the dormant form. As subdomain F3 is pivotal in binding membrane proteins and phospholipids, these transitions may facilitate activation and signaling. Full-length ezrin forms stable monomers and dimers. We used small-angle X-ray scattering to determine the solution structures of these species. As expected, the monomer shows a globular domain with a protruding helical coiled coil. The dimer shows an elongated dumbbell structure that is twice as long as the monomer. By aligning ERM sequences spanning metazoan evolution, we show that the central helical region is conserved, preserving the heptad repeat. Using this, we have built a dimer model where each monomer forms half of an elongated antiparallel coiled coil with domain-swapped FERM:C-terminal domain complexes at each end. The model suggests that ERM dimers may bind to actin in a parallel fashion.

Analysis of the Bile Salt Export Pump (ABCB11) Interactome Employing Complementary Approaches

The bile salt export pump (BSEP, ABCB11) plays an essential role in the formation of bile. In hepatocytes, BSEP is localized within the apical (canalicular) membrane and a deficiency of canalicular BSEP function is associated with severe forms of cholestasis. Regulation of correct trafficking to the canalicular membrane and of activity is essential to ensure BSEP functionality and thus normal bile flow. However, little is known about the identity of interaction partners regulating function and localization of BSEP. In our study, interaction partners of BSEP were identified in a complementary approach: Firstly, BSEP interaction partners were co-immunoprecipitated from human liver samples and identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Secondly, a membrane yeast two-hybrid (MYTH) assay was used to determine protein interaction partners using a human liver cDNA library. A selection of interaction partners identified both by MYTH and MS were verified by in vitro interaction studies using purified proteins. By these complementary approaches, a set of ten novel BSEP interaction partners was identified. With the exception of radixin, all other interaction partners were integral or membrane-associated proteins including proteins of the early secretory pathway and the bile acyl-CoA synthetase, the second to last, ER-associated enzyme of bile salt synthesis.

Willing to Be Involved in Cancer

Genome sequencing is now a common procedure, but prior to this, screening experiments using protein baits was one of the routinely used methods that, occasionally, allowed the identification of new gene products. One such experiment uncovered the gene product called willin/human Expanded/FRMD6. Initial characterization studies found that willin bound phospholipids and was strongly co-localised with actin. However, subsequently, willin was found to be the closest human sequence homologue of the Drosophila protein Expanded (Ex), sharing 60% homology with the Ex FERM domain. This in turn suggested, and then was proven that willin could activate the Hippo signalling pathway. This review describes the increasing body of knowledge about the actions of willin in a number of cellular functions related to cancer. However, like many gene products involved in aspects of cell signalling, a convincing direct role for willin in cancer remains tantalisingly elusive, at present.

Moesin is activated in cardiomyocytes in experimental autoimmune myocarditis and mediates cytoskeletal reorganization with protrusion formation

Acute myocarditis is a self-limiting disease. Most patients with myocarditis recover without cardiac dysfunction in spite of limited capacity of myocardial regeneration. Therefore, to address intrinsic reparative machinery of inflamed hearts, we investigated the cellular dynamics of cardiomyocytes in response to inflammation using experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model. EAM was induced by immunization of BALB/c mice with α-myosin heavy chain peptides twice. The inflammatory reaction was evoked with myocardial damage with the peak at 3 wk after the first immunization (EAM3w). Morphological and functional restoration started from EAM3w, when active protrusion formation, a critical process of myocardial healing, was observed in cardiomyocytes. Shotgun proteomics revealed that cytoskeletal proteins were preferentially increased in cardiomyocytes at EAM3w, compared with preimmunized (EAM0w) hearts, and that moesin was the most remarkably upregulated among them. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that the expression of both total and phosphorylated moesin was upregulated in isolated cardiomyocytes from EAM3w hearts. Immunofluorescence staining showed that moesin was localized at cardiomyocyte protrusions at EAM3w. Adenoviral vectors expressing wild-type, constitutively active and inactive form of moesin (wtMoesin, caMoesin, and iaMoesin, respectively) were transfected in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The overexpression of wtMoesin and caMoesin resulted in protrusion formation, while not iaMoesin. Finally, we found that cardiomyocyte protrusions were accompanied by cell-cell contact formation. The expression of moesin was upregulated in cardiomyocytes under inflammation, inducing protrusion formation in a phosphorylation-dependent fashion. Moesin signal could be a novel therapeutic target that stimulates myocardial repair by promoting contact formation of cardiomyocytes.

NHERF1/EBP50 and NF2 as diagnostic markers for choroid plexus tumors

The adaptor protein NHERF1 (Na/H exchanger-3 regulatory factor-1) and its associated ezrin-radixin-moesin-merlin/neurofibromin-2 (ERM-NF2) family proteins are required for epithelial morphogenesis and have been implicated in cancer progression. NHERF1 is expressed in ependymal cells and constitutes a highly sensitive diagnostic marker for ependymoma, where it labels membrane polarity structures. Since NHERF1 and ERM-NF2 proteins show polarized expression in choroid plexus (CP) cells, we tested their diagnostic utility in CP neoplasms. NHERF1 immunohistochemistry in 43 adult and pediatric tumors with papillary morphology revealed strong apical plasma membrane staining in CP papilloma (WHO grade I) and cytoplasmic expression in CP carcinoma (WHO grade III). Ezrin and moesin showed similar but less distinctive staining. NHERF1 also labeled papillary tumors of the pineal region in a microlumen and focal apical membrane pattern, suggestive of a transitional morphology between CP papilloma and ependymoma. CP tumors of all grades could be differentiated from metastatic carcinomas with papillary architecture by NF2, which showed polarized membranous staining in CP tumors. NHERF1 and NF2 immunohistochemistry showed enhanced sensitivity and specificity for CP tumors compared to commonly used markers, including cytokeratins and Kir7.1, emerging as reliable diagnostic tools for the differential diagnosis of papillary tumors of the central nervous system.

A prospective study of autoantibodies to Ezrin and pancreatic cancer risk

PURPOSE

No biomarker is available for pancreatic cancer early detection, but a small prospective European study involving 16 cases and 32 controls raised the possibility that anti-Ezrin autoantibodies may be associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. We aimed to validate this finding in a case-control study nested within a prospective study in the USA.

METHODS

Levels of anti-Ezrin autoantibodies were examined using ELISA in pre-diagnostic plasma samples of 73 cases and 145 matched controls. Paired t test and paired signed rank tests were used to determine the difference between two groups, and conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between anti-Ezrin autoantibody levels and risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

No association was found between levels of anti-Ezrin plasma autoantibodies and subsequent risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSION

Anti-Ezrin autoantibodies did not appear to be useful as a plasma biomarker for early detection of pancreatic cancer.

The actin-binding ERM protein Moesin directly regulates spindle assembly and function during mitosis

Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin proteins are highly conserved, actin-binding cytoskeletal proteins that play an essential role in microvilli formation, T-cell activation, and tumor metastasis by linking actin filaments to the plasma membrane. Recent studies demonstrated that the only Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin protein of Drosophila melanogaster, Moesin, is involved in mitotic spindle function through stabilizing cell shape and microtubules at the cell cortex. We previously observed that Moesin localizes to the mitotic spindle; hence, we tested for the biological significance of this surprising localization and investigated whether it plays a direct role in spindle function. To separate the cortical and spindle functions of Moesin during mitosis we combined cell biological and genetic methods. We used early Drosophila embryos, in which mitosis occurs in the absence of a cell cortex, and found in vivo evidence for the direct requirement of Moesin in mitotic spindle assembly and function. We also found that the accumulation of Moesin precedes the construction of the microtubule spindle, and the fusiform structure formed by Moesin persists even after the microtubules have disassembled.

Actin, actin-binding proteins, and actin-related proteins in the nucleus

Extensive research in the past decade has significantly broadened our view about the role actin plays in the life of the cell and added novel aspects to actin research. One of these new aspects is the discovery of the existence of nuclear actin which became evident only recently. Nuclear activities including transcriptional activation in the case of all three RNA polymerases, editing and nuclear export of mRNAs, and chromatin remodeling all depend on actin. It also became clear that there is a fine-tuned equilibrium between cytoplasmic and nuclear actin pools and that this balance is ensured by an export-import system dedicated to actin. After over half a century of research on conventional actin and its organizing partners in the cytoplasm, it was also an unexpected finding that the nucleus contains more than 30 actin-binding proteins and new classes of actin-related proteins which are not able to form filaments but had evolved nuclear-specific functions. The actin-binding and actin-related proteins in the nucleus have been linked to RNA transcription and processing, nuclear transport, and chromatin remodeling. In this paper, we attempt to provide an overview of the wide range of information that is now available about actin, actin-binding, and actin-related proteins in the nucleus.

The target cell of transformation is distinct from the leukemia stem cell in murine CALM/AF10 leukemia models

The CALM/AF10 fusion gene is found in various hematological malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and malignant lymphoma. We have previously identified the leukemia stem cell (LSC) in a CALM/AF10-driven murine bone marrow transplant AML model as B220+ lymphoid cells with B-cell characteristics. To identify the target cell for leukemic transformation or 'cell of origin of leukemia' (COL) in non-disturbed steady-state hematopoiesis, we inserted the CALM/AF10 fusion gene preceded by a loxP-flanked transcriptional stop cassette into the Rosa26 locus. Vav-Cre-induced panhematopoietic expression of the CALM/AF10 fusion gene led to acute leukemia with a median latency of 12 months. Mice expressing CALM/AF10 in the B-lymphoid compartment using Mb1-Cre or CD19-Cre inducer lines did not develop leukemia. Leukemias had a predominantly myeloid phenotype but showed coexpression of the B-cell marker B220, and had clonal B-cell receptor rearrangements. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified an average of two to three additional mutations per leukemia, including activating mutations in known oncogenes such as FLT3 and PTPN11. Our results show that the COL for CALM/AF10 leukemia is a stem or early progenitor cell and not a cell of B-cell lineage with a phenotype similar to that of the LSC in CALM/AF10+ leukemia.

Increased expression of FERM domain-containing 4A protein is closely associated with the development of rectal cancer

The aim of the present study was to detect the expression levels of FERM domain-containing 4A (FRMD4A) in rectal cancer tissues and peripheral blood and to investigate the correlation between FRMD4A and cancer development. A total of 78 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty healthy individuals were used as the control group. The expression of FRMD4A in rectal cancer and the corresponding normal adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression of FRMD4A mRNA in peripheral blood was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression of FRMD4A in rectal cancer tissues was found to be negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation, depth of invasion and Dukes' stage. A negative correlation was identified between FRMD4A and epithelial cadherin expression. The expression of FRMD4A in the peripheral blood of patients with rectal cancer was significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). Expression of FRMD4A in the peripheral blood in the patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly increased compared with that in the patients without lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). These results indicate that the expression of FRMD4A is significantly increased in rectal cancer tissues and the peripheral blood of patients with rectal cancer, and the expression levels of FRMD4A are closely associated with differentiation, invasion of rectal cancer and Dukes' stage. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that FRMD4A may be used as a target for the diagnosis and treatment of rectal cancer.

Vitamin D receptor knockout mice exhibit elongated intestinal microvilli and increased ezrin expression

In addition to its principle function as a calcium regulator, vitamin D can affect cell and tissue morphology. The intestine is an important target tissue of vitamin D, as it must ensure the efficient transport of nutrients across the epithelium while excluding the passage of harmful molecules and bacteria into the organism. These functions require a highly organized morphology, which may be modified by vitamin D deficiency. To elucidate the role of vitamin D in gut morphology and barrier function, we compared the enterocyte microstructures, gut permeability, and cytoskeletal and cell junction protein expression in vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. We found that the duodenal epithelial cells in the VDR-KO mice had longer microvilli (+19%) than those of the WT mice (P < .05). Interestingly, microvilli elongation in the VDR-KO mice was associated with higher messenger RNA and protein expression of ezrin, which is involved in the regulation of microvillus morphogenesis. Intestinal tight junction width and permeability were assessed by measuring the fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran concentrations in plasma; the concentrations were comparable between the 2 groups of mice. We further observed a decrease in the messenger RNA and protein expression of the calcium-transporting tight junction protein claudin-2 in the VDR-KO mice compared with the WT mice (P < .05). In conclusion, the mice lacking VDR had longer enterocyte microvilli, likely as a result of increased ezrin expression. However, the morphology of the tight junctions and the intestinal permeability for large molecules were not affected.

Moesin regulates the motility of oral cancer cells via MT1-MMP and E-cadherin/p120-catenin adhesion complex

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to clarify the role of Moesin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression, especially in regulation of cell motility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to investigate the expression of Moesin, E-cadherin, p120-catenin and MT1-MMP in normal epithelia, dysplasia and OSCCs. Then, Moesin was knockdown by siRNA in OSCC cell lines, WSU-HN6 and CAL27, and the biological role of Moesin in cell adhesion and motility was evaluated by transwell system, cell spreading and aggregation assays. The interactions between Moesin, MT1-MMP and E-cadherin/p120-catenin complex were determined by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Moesin expression was found decreased in the membrane and increased in cytoplasm during the malignant transformation of oral epithelia, and cytoplasmic overexpression of Moesin correlated with nodal metastasis and poor prognosis of OSCCs. Furthermore, Moesin-silencing induced an increased cell-cell adhesion but decreased invasiveness, which was subsequently demonstrated might due to Moesin-mediated E-cadherin and p120-catenin interaction. Meantime, Moesin-silencing significantly down-regulated MT1-MMP expression, accompanied by reduced cell motility and impaired filopodia formation, which was also observed when MT1-MMP knockdown by RNAi or tissue inhibitor (TIMP2), indicating the involvement of MT1-MMP in Moesin-mediated cell motility. Finally, the relationship between Moesin, E-cadherin and MT1-MMP was confirmed in OSCC tissue samples.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results indicate Moesin may regulate cell motility through its interactions with MT1-MMP and E-cadherin/p120-catenin adhesion complex and cytoplasmic expression of Moesin correlates with nodal metastasis and poor prognosis of OSCCs, indicating Moesin may be a potential candidate for targeted gene therapy for OSCCs.

Plasticity of tumor cell migration: acquisition of new properties or return to the past?

During tumor development cancer cells pass through several stages when cell morphology and migration abilities change remarkably. These stages are named epithelial-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-amoeboid transitions. The molecular mechanisms underlying cell motility are changing during these transitions. As result of transitions the cells acquire new characteristics and modes of motility. Cell migration becomes more independent from the environmental conditions, and thus cell dissemination becomes more aggressive, which leads to formation of distant metastases. In this review we discuss the characteristics of each of the transitions, cell morphology, and the specificity of cellular structures responsible for different modes of cell motility as well as molecular mechanisms regulating each transition.

A resilient formin-derived cortical actin meshwork in the rear drives actomyosin-based motility in 2D confinement

Cell migration is driven by the establishment of disparity between the cortical properties of the softer front and the more rigid rear allowing front extension and actomyosin-based rear contraction. However, how the cortical actin meshwork in the rear is generated remains elusive. Here we identify the mDia1-like formin A (ForA) from Dictyostelium discoideum that generates a subset of filaments as the basis of a resilient cortical actin sheath in the rear. Mechanical resistance of this actin compartment is accomplished by actin crosslinkers and IQGAP-related proteins, and is mandatory to withstand the increased contractile forces in response to mechanical stress by impeding unproductive blebbing in the rear, allowing efficient cell migration in two-dimensional-confined environments. Consistently, ForA supresses the formation of lateral protrusions, rapidly relocalizes to new prospective ends in repolarizing cells and is required for cortical integrity. Finally, we show that ForA utilizes the phosphoinositide gradients in polarized cells for subcellular targeting.

Identification of Novel Ezrin Inhibitors Targeting Metastatic Osteosarcoma by Screening Open Access Malaria Box

Ezrin is a member of the ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) family of proteins and functions as a linker between the plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. Ezrin is a key driver of tumor progression and metastatic spread of osteosarcoma. We discovered a quinoline-based small molecule, NSC305787, that directly binds to ezrin and inhibits its functions in promoting invasive phenotype. NSC305787 possesses a very close structural similarity to commonly used quinoline-containing antimalarial drugs. On the basis of this similarity and of recent findings that ezrin has a likely role in the pathogenesis of malaria infection, we screened antimalarial compounds in an attempt to identify novel ezrin inhibitors with better efficacy and drug properties. Screening of Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Malaria Box compounds for their ability to bind to recombinant ezrin protein yielded 12 primary hits with high selective binding activity. The specificity of the hits on ezrin function was confirmed by inhibition of the ezrin-mediated cell motility of osteosarcoma cells. Compounds were further tested for phenocopying the morphologic defects associated with ezrin suppression in zebrafish embryos as well as for inhibiting the lung metastasis of high ezrin-expressing osteosarcoma cells. The compound MMV667492 exhibited potent anti-ezrin activity in all biologic assays and had better physicochemical properties for drug-likeness than NSC305787. The drug-like compounds MMV020549 and MMV666069 also showed promising activities in functional assays. Thus, our study suggests further evaluation of antimalarial compounds as a novel class of antimetastatic agents for the treatment of metastatic osteosarcoma.

A novel truncated form of S100P predicts disease-free survival in patients with lymph node positive breast cancer

The calcium-binding protein S100P is overexpressed in various cancers and may contribute to the oncogenic phenotype. This study used mass spectrometry to characterize a novel 9.2-kDa C-terminally truncated form of S100P (t-S100P), and to investigate its potential prognostic value in breast cancer. Univariate analysis demonstrated the association between breast tissue t-S100P levels (n = 148) and conventional pathological markers. Across all tumor samples, high t-S100P was strongly prognostic for poor disease-free survival (P = 0.005), its efficacy confined to lymph node-positive tumors (n = 74, P = 0.007). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry confirmed differential t-S100P abundance between breast cancer and unaffected adjacent tissue. t-S100P was exclusively located in the cell nucleus of breast cancer tissue, and full-length S100P was essentially undetectable by mass spectrometry. We conclude that t-S100P is the predominant form of S100P in breast cancer tissue and is strongly prognostic for disease-free survival in women with lymph node-positive disease.

Integrated sequence and expression analysis of ovarian cancer structural variants underscores the importance of gene fusion regulation

Background

Genomic rearrangements or structural variants (SVs) are one of the most common classes of mutations in cancer.

Methods

An integrated DNA sequencing and transcriptional profiling (RNA sequence and microarray gene expression data) analysis was performed on six ovarian cancer patient samples. Matched sets of control (whole blood) samples from these same patients were used to distinguish cancer SVs of germline origin from those arising somatically in the cancer cell lineage.

Results

We detected 10,034 ovarian cancer SVs (5518 germline derived; 4516 somatically derived) at base-pair level resolution. Only 11 % of these variants were shown to have the potential to form gene fusions and, of these, less than 20 % were detected at the transcriptional level.

Conclusions

Collectively our results are consistent with the view that gene fusions and other SVs can be significant factors in the onset and progression of ovarian cancer. The results further indicate that it may not only be the occurrence of these variants in cancer but their regulation that contributes to their biological and clinical significance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-015-0118-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Uterine RAC1 via Pak1-ERM signaling directs normal luminal epithelial integrity conducive to on-time embryo implantation in mice

Successful embryo implantation requires functional luminal epithelia to establish uterine receptivity and blastocyst-uterine adhesion. During the configuration of uterine receptivity from prereceptive phase, the luminal epithelium undergoes dynamic membrane reorganization and depolarization. This timely regulated epithelial membrane maturation and precisely maintained epithelial integrity are critical for embryo implantation in both humans and mice. However, it remained largely unexplored with respect to potential signaling cascades governing this functional epithelial transformation prior to implantation. Using multiple genetic and cellular approaches combined with uterine conditional Rac1 deletion mouse model, we demonstrated herein that Rac1, a small GTPase, is spatiotemporally expressed in the periimplantation uterus, and uterine depletion of Rac1 induces premature decrease of epithelial apical-basal polarity and defective junction remodeling, leading to disrupted uterine receptivity and implantation failure. Further investigations identified Pak1-ERM as a downstream signaling cascade upon Rac1 activation in the luminal epithelium necessary for uterine receptivity. In addition, we also demonstrated that Rac1 via P38 MAPK signaling ensures timely epithelial apoptotic death at postimplantation. Besides uncovering a potentially important molecule machinery governing uterine luminal integrity for embryo implantation, our finding has high clinical relevance, because Rac1 is essential for normal endometrial functions in women.

Slp2-a inactivates ezrin by recruiting protein phosphatase 1 to the plasma membrane

Synaptotagmin-like protein 2-a (Slp2-a) was originally described as a membrane trafficking protein that consists of a Slp homology domain (SHD), a linker domain, and tandem C2 domains (named the C2A domain and C2B domain). Slp2-a mediates docking of Rab27-bearing vesicles to the plasma membrane through simultaneous interaction with Rab27 and phospholipids in the plasma membrane. We have recently reported that Slp2-a regulates renal epithelial cell size through interaction with Rap1GAP2 via the C2B domain independently of Rab27 and demonstrated the presence of excess activation of ezrin, a membrane-cytoskeleton linker and signal transducer, in Slp2-a-knockdown Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCK II) cells. However, the precise mechanism of ezrin inactivation by Slp2-a in cell size control has remained largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the functional relationship between Slp2-a and ezrin in MDCK II cells. The results showed that activation of ezrin in control MDCK II cells either pharmacologically or by overexpression of a constitutively active ezrin mutant caused an increase in cell size, whereas inactivation of ezrin in Slp2-a-knockdown cells by a specific ezrin inhibitor restored them to their normal cell size. We also found that Slp2-a interacts via its previously uncharacterized linker domain with protein phosphatase 1β (PP1β), which inactivates ezrin, and that the interaction is required for the plasma membrane localization of PP1β. These results indicate that Slp2-a inactivates ezrin by recruiting PP1 to the plasma membrane.

Identification of a novel stress regulated FERM domain containing cytosolic protein having PTP activity in Setaria cervi, a bovine filarial parasite

A 67 kDa cytosolic FERM domain containing protein having significant protein tyrosine phosphatases activity (PTPL) has been purified to homogeneity from Setaria cervi, a bovine filarial parasite. The MALDI-MS/MS analysis of the purified protein revealed 16 peptide peaks showing nearest match to Brugia malayi Moesin/ezrin/radixin homolog 1 protein and one peptide showing significant similarity with a region lying in the catalytic domain of human PTPD1. PTPL showed significant cross reactivity with the human PTP1B antibody and colocalize with actin in the coelomyrian cells of hypodermis in the parasite. PTPL was stress regulated as it showed marked decrease in the expression when exposed to Aspirin, an antifilarial drug and Phenylarsine Oxide, PTP inhibitor.

Desmoglein 3: a help or a hindrance in cancer progression?

Desmoglein 3 is one of seven desmosomal cadherins that mediate cell-cell adhesion in desmosomes. Desmosomes are the intercellular junctional complexes that anchor the intermediate filaments of adjacent cells and confer strong cell adhesion thus are essential in the maintenance of tissue architecture and structural integrity. Like adherens junctions, desmosomes function as tumour suppressors and are down regulated in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and in tumour cell invasion and metastasis. However, recently several studies have shown that various desmosomal components, including desmoglein 3, are up-regulated in cancer with increased levels of expression correlating with the clinical stage of malignancy, implicating their potentiality to serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated that overexpression of desmoglein 3 in cancer cell lines activates several signal pathways that have an impact on cell morphology, adhesion and locomotion. These additional signalling roles of desmoglein 3 may not be associated to its adhesive function in desmosomes but rather function outside of the junctions, acting as a key regulator in the control of actin based cellular processes. This review will discuss recent advances which support the role of desmoglein 3 in cancer progression.

NHERF1/EBP50 controls morphogenesis of 3D colonic glands by stabilizing PTEN and ezrin-radixin-moesin proteins at the apical membrane

Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 regulating factor 1/ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-binding phosphoprotein 50 (NHERF1/EBP50), an adaptor molecule that interacts with the ERM-neurofibromatosis type 2 family of cytoskeletal proteins through its ERM-binding region and with phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and β-catenin through its PDZ domains, has been recently implicated in the progression of various human malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). We report here that NHERF1 controls gland morphogenesis, as demonstrated in three-dimensional (3D) human intestinal glands developing from a single nonpolarized cell. Starting from the early two-cell developmental stage, NHERF1 concentrates at the cellular interface in a central membrane disc that marks the apical pole delimiting the forming lumen. NHERF1 depletion leads to severe disruption of the apical-basal polarity, with formation of enlarged and distorted cell spheroids devoid of a central lumen. This characteristic and the increased number of mitoses in NHERF1-depleted spheroids, including multipolar ones, mimic high-grade dysplasia lesions observed in CRC progression. NHERF1 ERM-binding or PDZ-domain mutants fail to localize apically and impair gland formation most likely by outcompeting endogenous ligands, with the latter mutant completely aborting gland development. Examination of NHERF1 ligands showed that even if both ezrin and moesin colocalized with NHERF1 at the apical membrane, moesin but not ezrin depletion disrupted morphogenesis similarly to NHERF1. NHERF1 depletion resulted also in membrane displacement of PTEN and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, events contributing to polarity loss and increased proliferation. These findings reveal an essential role of NHERF1 in epithelial morphogenesis and polarity and validate this 3D system for modeling the molecular changes observed in CRC.

Comparative membrane proteomics: a technical advancement in the search of renal cell carcinoma biomarkers

Set-up of a specific protocol for membrane protein analysis, applied to label free, comparative proteomics of renal cell carcinoma microdomains.

Novel regulators of endothelial barrier function

Endothelial barrier function is an essential and tightly regulated process that ensures proper compartmentalization of the vascular and interstitial space, while allowing for the diffusive exchange of small molecules and the controlled trafficking of macromolecules and immune cells. Failure to control endothelial barrier integrity results in excessive leakage of fluid and proteins from the vasculature that can rapidly become fatal in scenarios such as sepsis or the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Here, we highlight recent advances in our understanding on the regulation of endothelial permeability, with a specific focus on the endothelial glycocalyx and endothelial scaffolds, regulatory intracellular signaling cascades, as well as triggers and mediators that either disrupt or enhance endothelial barrier integrity, and provide our perspective as to areas of seeming controversy and knowledge gaps, respectively.

Tumor suppressor role of protein 4.1B/DAL-1

Protein 4.1B/DAL-1 is a membrane skeletal protein that belongs to the protein 4.1 family. Protein 4.1B/DAL-1 is localized to sites of cell-cell contact and functions as an adapter protein, linking the plasma membrane to the cytoskeleton or associated cytoplasmic signaling effectors and facilitating their activities in various pathways. Protein 4.1B/DAL-1 is involved in various cytoskeleton-associated processes, such as cell motility and adhesion. Moreover, protein 4.1B/DAL-1 also plays a regulatory role in cell growth, differentiation, and the establishment of epithelial-like cell structures. Protein 4.1B/DAL-1 is normally expressed in multiple human tissues, but loss of its expression or prominent down-regulation of its expression is frequently observed in corresponding tumor tissues and tumor cell lines, suggesting that protein 4.1B/DAL-1 is involved in the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors and acts as a potential tumor suppressor. This review will focus on the structure of protein 4.1B/DAL-1, 4.1B/DAL-1-interacting molecules, 4.1B/DAL-1 inactivation and tumor progression, and anti-tumor activity of the 4.1B/DAL-1.

Radixin enhances colon cancer cell invasion by increasing MMP-7 production via Rac1-ERK pathway

As a member of the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family, radixin is overexpressed in many tumor tissues. However, little is known about its role in the progression of colon cancer. So we here aimed to determine the function of radixin in colon cancer cell invasion. Interestingly, we found that the expression of radixin was significantly elevated in colon cancer cells. Knockdown of radixin suppressed the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells. Further, knockdown of radixin inhibited the activation of Rac1 and ERK1/2, and decreased the expression and secretion of MMP-7. In addition, Rac1-ERK signaling pathway was required for the radixin-promoted invasion and MMP-7 production. Together, our findings suggest that radixin enhances the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells. Activation of Rac1-ERK pathway and consequent upregulation of MMP-7 production may contribute to the function of radixin in the regulation of colon cancer cell invasion. Thus, radixin may act as a novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.

Plasma membrane proteomics of human breast cancer cell lines identifies potential targets for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

The use of broad spectrum chemotherapeutic agents to treat breast cancer results in substantial and debilitating side effects, necessitating the development of targeted therapies to limit tumor proliferation and prevent metastasis. In recent years, the list of approved targeted therapies has expanded, and it includes both monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors that interfere with key proteins involved in the uncontrolled growth and migration of cancer cells. The targeting of plasma membrane proteins has been most successful to date, and this is reflected in the large representation of these proteins as targets of newer therapies. In view of these facts, experiments were designed to investigate the plasma membrane proteome of a variety of human breast cancer cell lines representing hormone-responsive, ErbB2 over-expressing and triple negative cell types, as well as a benign control. Plasma membranes were isolated by using an aqueous two-phase system, and the resulting proteins were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. Overall, each of the cell lines expressed some unique proteins, and a number of proteins were expressed in multiple cell lines, but in patterns that did not always follow traditional clinical definitions of breast cancer type. From our data, it can be deduced that most cancer cells possess multiple strategies to promote uncontrolled growth, reflected in aberrant expression of tyrosine kinases, cellular adhesion molecules, and structural proteins. Our data set provides a very rich and complex picture of plasma membrane proteins present on breast cancer cells, and the sorting and categorizing of this data provides interesting insights into the biology, classification, and potential treatment of this prevalent and debilitating disease.

ERM proteins at a glance

The cell cortex is a dynamic and heterogeneous structure that governs cell identity and behavior. The ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin and moesin) are major architects of the cell cortex, and they link plasma membrane phospholipids and proteins to the underlying cortical actin cytoskeleton. Recent studies in several model systems have uncovered surprisingly dynamic and complex molecular activities of the ERM proteins and have provided new mechanistic insight into how they build and maintain cortical domains. Among many well-established and essential functions of ERM proteins, this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster will focus on the role of ERMs in organizing the cell cortex during cell division and apical morphogenesis. These examples highlight an emerging appreciation that the ERM proteins both locally alter the mechanical properties of the cell cortex, and control the spatial distribution and activity of key membrane complexes, establishing the ERM proteins as a nexus for the physical and functional organization of the cell cortex and making it clear that they are much more than scaffolds. This article is part of a Minifocus on Establishing polarity.