WBP2 promotes BTRC mRNA stability to drive migration and invasion in triple-negative breast cancer via NF-κB activation

Leveraging Diverse Cell-Death Patterns to Decipher the Interactive Relation of Unfavorable Outcome and Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Programmed cell death (PCD) dynamically influences breast cancer (BC) prognosis through interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME). We investigated 13 PCD patterns to decipher their prognostic impact and mechanistic links to TME-driven outcomes. Our study aimed to explore the complex mechanisms underlying these interactions and establish a prognostic prediction model for breast cancer.

METHODS

Using TCGA and METABRIC datasets, we integrated single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) to explore PCD-TME interactions. Multi-dimensional analyses included immune infiltration, genomic heterogeneity, and functional pathway enrichment.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that high apoptosis and pyroptosis activity, along with low autophagy, correlated with favorable prognosis, which was driven by enhanced anti-tumor immunity, including more M1 macrophage polarization and activated CD8+ T cells in TME. PCD-related genes could promote tumor metastasis and poor prognosis via VEGF/HIF-1/MAPK signaling and immune response, including Th1/Th2 cell differentiation, while new tumor event occurrences (metastasis/secondary cancers) were linked to specific clinical features and gene mutation spectrums, including TP53/CDH1 mutations and genomic instability. We constructed a six-gene LASSO model (BCAP31, BMF, GLUL, NFKBIA, PARP3, PROM2) to predict prognosis and identify high-risk BC patients (for five-year survival, AUC = 0.76 in TCGA; 0.74 in METABRIC). Therein, the high-risk subtype patients demonstrated a poorer prognosis, also characterized by lower microenvironment matrix and downregulated immunocyte infiltration. These six gene signatures also showed prognostic value with significant differential expression in gene and protein levels of BC samples.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided a comprehensive landscape of the cancer survival difference and related PCD-TME interaction axis and highlighted that high-apoptosis/pyroptosis states caused favorable prognosis, underlying mechanisms closely related with the TME where anti-tumor immunity would be beneficial for patient prognosis. These findings highlighted the model's potential for risk stratification in BC.

E3 ubiquitin ligase ITCH-mediated proteasomal degradation of WBP2 sensitizes breast cancer cells to chemotherapy through restraining AMOTL2/c-JUN axis

Our study had demonstrated that WW domain-binding protein 2 (WBP2) conferred chemoresistance in breast cancer (BC). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, a decreased expression of itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (ITCH) was observed in drug-resistant BC tissues which negatively regulated the expression of WBP2. However, ligase-deficient ITCH C830A mutant missed this function. WBP2 upregulation-initiated the chemoresistance to doxorubicin was reversed by exogenous ITCH, which was not affected by ITCH C830A mutant. In in vivo model, exogenous ITCH obstructed WBP2-mediated chemoresistance, which was destroyed by the proteasome inhibitor (MG132). Upon RNA sequencing, the excessive activations of angiomotin-like 2 (AMOTL2) and c-JUN (Jun proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit) were screened in WBP2-overexpressed BC cells. Additionally, AMOTL2 and endonuclear phosphorylated c-JUN were at a high level in chemoresistant BC tumors and WBP2-overexpressed BC cells. Mechanistically, exogenous ITCH transfection prevented the activation of AMOTL2/c-JUN induced by WBP2 overexpression, which was restored by MG132-mediated inhibition on ITCH activation. The increase of multiple drug-resistant proteins caused by WBP2 upregulation were restrained by AMOTL2 knockdown or c-JUN antagonist, respectively. Our findings present how ITCH/WBP2 signaling functions to link the intricate AMOTL2/c-JUN signaling networks in chemoresistant BC cells. Targeting WBP2 combined with c-JUN inhibitors may be a potential option to overcome chemoresistance in breast cancer patients.

SOX2 control activation of dormant prostate cancer cells in bone metastases by promoting CCNE2 gene expression

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have a powerful tumor initiation ability, which can promote the early dissemination of single disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), leading to tumor progression. SOX2, a pluripotent inducible transcription factor, is key to maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency of prostate cancer stem cells. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of how SOX2 regulates DTCs dormancy and proliferation in the bone marrow microenvironment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

By constructing a mouse bone metastasis model to simulate the progression of prostate cancer with bone metastasis, the bone tissue immunofluorescence showed that SOX2 expression increased with the progression of prostate cancer in the bone marrow microenvironment. We validated this phenomenon with publicly available single-cell and transcriptome datasets and found that SOX2 is involved in multiple phenotypes associated with prostate cancer dormancy, proliferation, and invasion. Further, CCNE2, a potential target downstream of SOX2, was identified through multiple transcription factor databases and protein interaction networks.

CONCLUSION

The expression of SOX2 affects multiple phenotypes related to dormancy, proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer, and may indirectly activate the dormant prostate cancer cells through the downstream target gene CCNE2, thus affecting the progression and bone metastasis of prostate cancer.

Evaluating the involvement and mutual interaction of wbp2 and yap in embryogenesis with an emphasis on liver function in zebrafish embryos

The Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) play complex roles in liver health, influencing processes such as fibrosis, cancer development, and regeneration. WW domain binding protein-2 (WBP2) primarily enhances the co-translational activity of YAP/TAZ, which is crucial for the progression of liver diseases. Despite existing knowledge, the specific functions of WBP2 and its interactions with YAP remain inadequately understood. This study investigates the expression levels of WBP2 in zebrafish embryos and its molecular interaction with YAP. We employed morpholino-mediated knockdown of wbp2 and yap, followed by assessments of liver histology, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation. Subsequently, RNA sequencing analyses were conducted to elucidate the signaling pathways and mechanisms underlying the interplay between YAP and WBP2 in liver injury. Our findings highlight the significant interaction between WBP2 and YAP, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic targets for liver diseases.

Non-coding RNAs and estrogen receptor signaling in breast cancer: Nanotechnology-based therapeutic approaches

This review investigates the regulatory role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathways, particularly in the context of breast cancer therapy, with an emphasis on the emerging potential of nanotechnology for drug delivery. The information was obtained from reputable databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, Taylor, and Francis, which contain past and present research. Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, and ER signaling mechanisms heavily influence its progression. Treatment options have traditionally encompassed surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. In recent decades, nanomedicine has emerged as a promising approach to breast cancer treatment. By passively targeting tumor cells and reducing toxicity, nanodrugs can overcome the challenges of conventional chemotherapy. Additionally, nanocarriers can stimulate tumor cells, enhancing treatment efficacy. Recent advancements in nanomedicine offer promising approaches for targeted cancer therapy, potentially overcoming the limitations of conventional treatments. This review explores the interactions between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) with ER pathways, their impact on breast cancer progression, and how these interactions can be leveraged to enhance therapeutic efficacy through nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems.

NUMB attenuates posttraumatic osteoarthritis by inhibiting BTRC and inactivating the NF-κB pathway

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is closely related to the inflammatory response caused by mechanical injury and leads to joint degeneration. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the role and underlying mechanism of NUMB in PTOA progression. Anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced rats and interleukin (IL)-1β-treated chondrocytes were used as in vivo and in vitro models of PTOA, respectively. The NUMB overexpression plasmid (pcDNA-NUMB) was administered by intra-articular injection to PTOA model rats, and safranin O-fast green staining, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system, and HE staining were used to evaluate the severity of cartilage damage. The secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and chondrocyte-specific markers (MMP13 and COL2A1) was detected via ELISA. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT and TUNEL assays. NUMB was expressed at lower levels in ACLT-induced PTOA rats and in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes than in control rats and cells. NUMB overexpression enhanced cell viability and reduced cell apoptosis, inflammation and cartilage degradation in chondrocytes stimulated by IL-1β. NUMB bound to BTRC to promote p-IκBα expression, resulting in NF-κB pathway inactivation. BTRC overexpression reversed the promoting effect of NUMB overexpression on cell viability and the inhibitory effects of NUMB overexpression on apoptosis, inflammation and cartilage degradation in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. In addition, overexpression of NUMB alleviated articular cartilage damage by repressing inflammation and cartilage degradation in ACLT-induced PTOA rats. Our data indicated that NUMB regulated PTOA progression through the BTRC/NF-κB pathway, which may be a viable therapeutic target in PTOA.

WBP2 restrains the lysosomal degradation of GPX4 to inhibit ferroptosis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Cisplatin is one of the major causes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in clinical practice, and ferroptosis is an essential form of cell death in cisplatin-induced AKI (CP-AKI). WW domain binding protein-2 (WBP2), a molecular chaperon, is involved in the progression of various malignancies, but its role in renal injuries has not been investigated. Our present study employed bioinformatics analysis to identify WBP2 as a potential modulator of AKI and ferroptosis. Preliminary laboratory investigations showed that WBP2, highly expressed in renal proximal tubular cells, was downregulated in CP-AKI. Further studies demonstrated that WBP2 decelerated ferroptosis to alleviate CP-AKI. Mechanistically, WBP2 interacted with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4, a key detoxicating enzyme for ferroptosis) via its PPXY1 motif to inhibit ferroptosis. Furthermore, the in-depth investigations revealed that WBP2 competed with heat shock cognate protein 70 (HSC70) for the binding with the KEFRQ-like motifs of GPX4, leading to the deceleration of chaperon-mediated autophagy of GPX4. All in all, this study indicated the beneficial effect of WBP2 in CP-AKI and its relevance with ferroptosis, thus providing a novel insight into the modulation of ferroptosis in cisplatin-related nephropathy.

Beta-Transducin Repeats-Containing Proteins as an Anticancer Target

Beta-transducin repeat-containing proteins (β-TrCPs) are E3-ubiquitin-ligase-recognizing substrates and regulate proteasomal degradation. The degradation of β-TrCPs' substrates is tightly controlled by various external and internal signaling and confers diverse cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and DNA damage response. In addition, β-TrCPs function to regulate transcriptional activity and stabilize a set of substrates by distinct mechanisms. Despite the association of β-TrCPs with tumorigenesis and tumor progression, studies on the mechanisms of the regulation of β-TrCPs' activity have been limited. In this review, we studied publications on the regulation of β-TrCPs themselves and analyzed the knowledge gaps to understand and modulate β-TrCPs' activity in the future.

RNA atlas and competing endogenous RNA regulation in tissue-derived exosomes from luminal B and triple-negative breast cancer patients

Background

Luminal B and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are malignant subtypes of breast cancer (BC), which can be attributed to the multifaceted roles of tissue-derived exosomes (T-exos). Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks can regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.

Methods

RNAs in T-exos from luminal B BC (n=8) and TNBC (n=8) patients were compared with those from persons with benign breast disease (n=8). The differentially expressed (DE) mRNA, microRNA (miRNA), and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) target genes were annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to reveal the relevant biological processes.The ceRNA networks were constructed to show distinct regulation, and the mRNAs involved were annotated. The miRNAs involved in the ceRNA networks were screened with the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database to identify dysregulated ceRNAs with prognostic power.

Results

In total, 802 DE mRNAs, 441 DE lncRNAs, and 104 DE miRNAs were identified in luminal B BC T-exos, while 1699 DE mRNAs, 590 DE lncRNAs, and 277 DE miRNAs were identified in TNBC T-exos. Gene annotation revealed that the RAS-MAPK pathway was the primary biological process in luminal B BC T-exos, while endocrine system development and growth were the main processes in TNBC T-exos. Survival analysis established seven survival-related lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulations in luminal B BC T-exos, and nineteen survival-related lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulations in TNBC T-exos.

Conclusion

In addition to survival-related ceRNA regulations, ceRNA regulation of RAS-MAPK in luminal B and endocrine system development and growth regulation in TNBC might contribute to the tumorigenesis of BC.

The role of NF-κB in breast cancer initiation, growth, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most fatal disease and is the prime cause of cancer allied female deaths. BC is caused by aberrant tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes regulated by transcription factors (TFs) like NF-κB. NF-κB is a pro-inflammatory TF that crucially alters the expressions of various genes associated with inflammation, cell progression, metastasis, and apoptosis and modulates a network of genes that underlie tumorigenesis. Herein, we focus on NF-κB signaling pathways, its regulators, and the rationale for targeting NF-κB. This review also includes TFs that maintain NF-κB crosstalk and their roles in promoting angiogenesis and metastasis. In addition, we discuss the importance of combination therapies, resistance to treatment, and potential novel therapeutic strategies including nanomedicine that targets NF-κB.

A Comprehensive Analysis Revealing FBXW9 as a Potential Prognostic and Immunological Biomarker in Breast Cancer

The WD40 repeat-containing F-box proteins (FBXWs) family belongs to three major classes of F-box proteins. Consistent with the function of other F-box proteins, FBXWs are E3 ubiquitin ligases to mediate protease-dependent protein degradation. However, the roles of several FBXWs remain elusive. In the present study, via integrative analysis of transcriptome profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, we found that FBXW9 was upregulated in the majority of cancer types, including breast cancer. FBXW expression was correlated with the prognosis of patients with various types of cancers, especially for FBXW4, 5, 9, and 10. Moreover, FBXWs were associated with infiltration of immune cells, and expression of FBXW9 was associated with poor prognosis of patients receiving anti-PD1 therapy. We predicted several substrates of FBXW9, and TP53 was the hub gene in the list. Downregulation of FBXW9 increased the expression of p21, a target of TP53, in breast cancer cells. FBXW9 was also strongly correlated with cancer cell stemness, and genes correlated with FBXW9 were associated with several MYC activities according to gene enrichment analysis in breast cancer. Cell-based assays showed that silencing of FBXW9 inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in breast cancer cells. Our study highlights the potential role of FBXW9 as a biomarker and promising target for patients with breast cancer.

WW domain binding protein 2 (WBP2) as an oncogene in breast cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects-a narrative review

Background and Objective

WW domain binding protein 2 (WBP2), considered an emerging breast cancer gene, functions as a binding partner for WW domain proteins. The WBP2 gene is involved in mediating the malignant development and clinical drug resistance of breast cancer, but its potential mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of WBP2 in breast cancer, which will help to provide new methods for clinical diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched using the terms "WW Domain Binding Protein 2" or "WBP2", "breast cancer" or "breast neoplasms" or "human cancer" from January 1997 through August 2022. Through the screening and evaluation of titles and abstracts, about 120 English articles were included in this study.

Key Content and Findings

By describing the multiple regulatory functions of WBP2 at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels, and summarizing how WBP2 as a key node crosstalks multiple signaling pathways, we reveal the ability of WBP2 to promote breast cancer malignant progression. In different subtypes of breast cancer, the mechanism of WBP2-mediated drug resistance is related to estrogen receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) 2 status, and hormones may be an essential factor in WBP2-mediated drug resistance. In addition, we discuss the application prospects of WBP2 in targeted therapy and immunotherapy and propose therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance in breast cancer by jointly targeting WBP2 and its related molecules. This provides a theoretical basis for the innovation of breast cancer targeted drugs.

Conclusions

WBP2 is a promising target for breast cancer therapy. Nuclear WBP2, as the main functional form of WBP2 after its activation, is a meaningful indicator for the diagnosis and prediction of breast cancer progression.

EIF4A3-mediated circPRKCI expression promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression by regulating WBP2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known as a highly aggressive subtype of BC due to high rate of recurrence and metastasis, poor prognosis and lacking of effective targeted therapies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to participate in the progression of TNBC. In this study, we demonstrated that circPRKCI, derived from the PRKCI gene, was elevated in BC tissues and cell lines, especially in TNBC. The functional investigation showed that circPRKCI could significantly promote the proliferation and migration of TNBC in vivo and in vitro. In addition, circPRKCI regulated WBP2 and the phosphorylation of AKT via serving as miR-545-3p sponge. Of note, EIF4A3 could induce circPRKCI expression and nuclear export in TNBC cells. Taken together, EIF4A3-mediated circPRKCI could promote TNBC progression by regulating WBP2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, providing a new avenue of therapy for TNBC.

SIPL1, Regulated by MAZ, Promotes Tumor Progression and Predicts Poor Survival in Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer owing to a lack of effective targeted therapy and acquired chemoresistance. Here, we explored the function and mechanism of shank-interacting protein-like 1 (SIPL1) in TNBC progression.

METHODS

SIPL1 expression was examined in human TNBC tissues and cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. SIPL1 overexpression and silenced cell lines were established in BT-549 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The biological functions of SIPL1 in TNBC were studied in vitro using the CCK-8 assay, CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability assay, caspase-3/8/9 assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay and in vivo using a nude mouse model. The potential mechanisms underlying the effects of SIPL1 on TNBC progression were explored using bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by qPCR.

RESULTS

SIPL1 expression was higher in human TNBC tissues and cell lines than in adjacent normal tissues and a breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A). High expression of SIPL1 was positively correlated with poor overall and disease-free survival in patients with TNBC. SIPL1 overexpression elevated and SIPL1 silencing repressed the malignant phenotypes of TNBC cells in vitro. SIPL1 overexpression promoted xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Myc-associated zinc-finger protein (MAZ) transcriptionally activated SIPL1. Finally, we found that SIPL1 promoted TNBC malignant phenotypes via activation of the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the MAZ/SIPL1/AKT/NF-κB axis plays a crucial role in promoting the malignant phenotypes of TNBC cells.

Reciprocal Regulation of Hippo and WBP2 Signalling-Implications in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is a global health problem. The delineation of molecular mechanisms pertinent to cancer initiation and development has spurred cancer therapy in the form of precision medicine. The Hippo signalling pathway is a tumour suppressor pathway implicated in a multitude of cancers. Elucidation of the Hippo pathway has revealed an increasing number of regulators that are implicated, some being potential therapeutic targets for cancer interventions. WW domain-binding protein 2 (WBP2) is an oncogenic transcriptional co-factor that interacts, amongst others, with two other transcriptional co-activators, YAP and TAZ, in the Hippo pathway. WBP2 was recently discovered to modulate the upstream Hippo signalling components by associating with LATS2 and WWC3. Exacerbating the complexity of the WBP2/Hippo network, WBP2 itself is reciprocally regulated by Hippo-mediated microRNA biogenesis, contributing to a positive feedback loop that further drives carcinogenesis. Here, we summarise the biological mechanisms of WBP2/Hippo reciprocal regulation and propose therapeutic strategies to overcome Hippo defects in cancers through targeting WBP2.