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Chen J, Cui L, Lu S, Xu S. Amino acid metabolism in tumor biology and therapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:42. [PMID: 38218942 PMCID: PMC10787762 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06435-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Amino acid metabolism plays important roles in tumor biology and tumor therapy. Accumulating evidence has shown that amino acids contribute to tumorigenesis and tumor immunity by acting as nutrients, signaling molecules, and could also regulate gene transcription and epigenetic modification. Therefore, targeting amino acid metabolism will provide new ideas for tumor treatment and become an important therapeutic approach after surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress of amino acid metabolism in malignancy and their interaction with signal pathways as well as their effect on tumor microenvironment and epigenetic modification. Collectively, we also highlight the potential therapeutic application and future expectation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Likun Cui
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shaoteng Lu
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Sheng Xu
- National Key Lab of Immunity and Inflammation and Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, 200120, China.
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2
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Oh S, Jo S, Kim HS, Mai VH, Endaya B, Neuzil J, Jung KH, Hong SS, Kim JM, Park S. Chemical Biopsy for GNMT as Noninvasive and Tumorigenesis-Relevant Diagnosis of Liver Cancer. Anal Chem 2023; 95:1184-1192. [PMID: 36602057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is difficult; the lack of convenient biomarker-based diagnostic modalities renders high-risk HCC patients burdened by life-long periodical examinations. Here, a new chemical biopsy approach was developed for noninvasive diagnosis of HCC using urine samples. Bioinformatic screening for tumor suppressors yielded glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) as a biomarker with clinical relevance to HCC tumorigenesis. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based chemical biopsy detecting nonradioactive 13C-sarcosine from 13C-glycine was designed to noninvasively assess liver GNMT activity extrahepatically. 13C-Sarcosine showed a strong correlation with GNMT in normal and cancerous liver cells. In an autochthonous animal model developing visible cancer nodules at 17 weeks, the urinary 13C-sarcosine chemical biopsy exhibited notable changes as early as 8 weeks, showing significant correlations with liver GNMT and molecular pathological changes. Our chemical biopsy approach should facilitate early and noninvasive diagnosis of HCC, with direct relevance to tumorigenesis, which can be straightforwardly applied to other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehyun Oh
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sihyang Jo
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Han Sun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Van-Hieu Mai
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Berwini Endaya
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport 4222, Qld, Australia
| | - Jiri Neuzil
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport 4222, Qld, Australia.,Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague-West 252 50, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Kyung Hee Jung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon 22332, Korea
| | - Soon-Sun Hong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, 3-ga, Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon 22332, Korea
| | - Jin-Mo Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sunghyouk Park
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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3
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Rome FI, Hughey CC. Disrupted Liver Oxidative Metabolism in Glycine N-Methyltransferase-Deficient Mice is Mitigated by Dietary Methionine Restriction. Mol Metab 2022; 58:101452. [PMID: 35121169 PMCID: PMC8866067 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Hyperlipidemia May Synergize with Hypomethylation in Establishing Trained Immunity and Promoting Inflammation in NASH and NAFLD. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:3928323. [PMID: 34859106 PMCID: PMC8632388 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3928323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed a panoramic analysis on both human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) microarray data and microarray/RNA-seq data from various mouse models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NASH/NAFLD with total 4249 genes examined and made the following findings: (i) human NASH and NAFLD mouse models upregulate both cytokines and chemokines; (ii) pathway analysis indicated that human NASH can be classified into metabolic and immune NASH; methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD)+high-fat diet (HFD), glycine N-methyltransferase deficient (GNMT-KO), methionine adenosyltransferase 1A deficient (MAT1A-KO), and HFCD (high-fat-cholesterol diet) can be classified into inflammatory, SAM accumulation, cholesterol/mevalonate, and LXR/RXR-fatty acid β-oxidation NAFLD, respectively; (iii) canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes play differential roles in the pathogenesis of NASH/NAFLD; (iv) trained immunity (TI) enzymes are significantly upregulated in NASH/NAFLD; HFCD upregulates TI enzymes more than cytokines, chemokines, and inflammasome regulators; (v) the MCD+HFD is a model with the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes; however, the HFCD is a model with upregulation of TI enzymes and lipid peroxidation enzymes; and (vi) caspase-11 and caspase-1 act as upstream master regulators, which partially upregulate the expressions of cytokines, chemokines, canonical and noncanonical inflammasome pathway regulators, TI enzymes, and lipid peroxidation enzymes. Our findings provide novel insights on the synergies between hyperlipidemia and hypomethylation in establishing TI and promoting inflammation in NASH and NAFLD progression and novel targets for future therapeutic interventions for NASH and NAFLD, metabolic diseases, transplantation, and cancers.
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Nuclear localization dictates hepatocarcinogenesis suppression by glycine N-methyltransferase. Transl Oncol 2021; 15:101239. [PMID: 34649149 PMCID: PMC8517931 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
GNMT gene expression contributes to determine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. GNMT expression is genetically determined. Nuclear GNMT binds to CYP1A1, PREX2, PARP1, and NFKB gene promoters and strongly inhibits their expression.
Background GNMT (glycine N-methyltransferase) is a tumor suppressor gene, but the mechanisms mediating its suppressive activity are not entirely known. Methods We investigated the oncosuppressive mechanisms of GNMT in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). GNMT mRNA and protein levels were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting. GNMT effect in HCC cell lines was modulated through GNMT cDNA induced overexpression or anti-GNMT siRNA transfection. Results GNMT was expressed at low level in human HCCs with a better prognosis (HCCB) while it was almost absent in fast-growing tumors (HCCP). In HCCB, the nuclear localization of the GNMT protein was much more pronounced than in HCCP. In Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines, GNMT forced expression inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis. At the molecular level, GNMT overexpression inhibited the expression of CYP1A (Cytochrome p450, aromatic compound-inducible), PREX2 (Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchange factor 2), PARP1 [Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1], and NFKB (nuclear factor-kB) genes. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found GNMT binding to the promoters of CYP1A1, PREX2, PARP1, and NFKB genes resulting in their strong inhibition. These genes are implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis, and are involved in the GNMT oncosuppressive action. Conclusion Overall, the present data indicate that GNMT exerts a multifaceted suppressive action by interacting with various cancer-related genes and inhibiting their expression.
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Kant R, Yang MH, Tseng CH, Yen CH, Li WY, Tyan YC, Chen M, Tzeng CC, Chen WC, You K, Wang WC, Chen YL, Chen YMA. Discovery of an Orally Efficacious MYC Inhibitor for Liver Cancer Using a GNMT-Based High-Throughput Screening System and Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8992-9009. [PMID: 34132534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glycine-N-methyl transferase (GNMT) downregulation results in spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Overexpression of GNMT inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cell lines and prevents carcinogen-induced HCC, suggesting that GNMT induction is a potential approach for anti-HCC therapy. Herein, we used Huh7 GNMT promoter-driven screening to identify a GNMT inducer. Compound K78 was identified and validated for its induction of GNMT and inhibition of Huh7 cell growth. Subsequently, we employed structure-activity relationship analysis and found a potent GNMT inducer, K117. K117 inhibited Huh7 cell growth in vitro and xenograft in vivo. Oral administration of a dosage of K117 at 10 mpk (milligrams per kilogram) can inhibit Huh7 xenograft in a manner equivalent to the effect of sorafenib at a dosage of 25 mpk. A mechanistic study revealed that K117 is an MYC inhibitor. Ectopic expression of MYC using CMV promoter blocked K117-mediated MYC inhibition and GNMT induction. Overall, K117 is a potential lead compound for HCC- and MYC-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Kant
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hui Yang
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hua Tseng
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.,Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Research Center for Natural Products and Drug Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-You Li
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chang Tyan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Marcelo Chen
- Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan
| | - Cherng-Chyi Tzeng
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Kaiting You
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yeh-Long Chen
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
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Sun L, Zhang H, Gao P. Metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modifications on the path to cancer. Protein Cell 2021; 13:877-919. [PMID: 34050894 PMCID: PMC9243210 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00846-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring and epigenetic remodeling, which are closely linked and reciprocally regulate each other, are among the well-known cancer hallmarks. Recent evidence suggests that many metabolites serve as substrates or cofactors of chromatin-modifying enzymes as a consequence of the translocation or spatial regionalization of enzymes or metabolites. Various metabolic alterations and epigenetic modifications also reportedly drive immune escape or impede immunosurveillance within certain contexts, playing important roles in tumor progression. In this review, we focus on how metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells and immune cells reshapes epigenetic alterations, in particular the acetylation and methylation of histone proteins and DNA. We also discuss other eminent metabolic modifications such as, succinylation, hydroxybutyrylation, and lactylation, and update the current advances in metabolism- and epigenetic modification-based therapeutic prospects in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linchong Sun
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Huafeng Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China. .,CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
| | - Ping Gao
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China. .,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China.
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8
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Ye W, Siwko S, Tsai RYL. Sex and Race-Related DNA Methylation Changes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083820. [PMID: 33917049 PMCID: PMC8067720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The number of HCC cases continues to rise despite advances in screening and therapeutic inventions. More importantly, HCC poses two major health disparity issues. First, HCC occurs more commonly in men than women. Second, with the global increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), it has also become evident that HCC is more prevalent in some races and/or ethnic groups compared to others, depending on its predisposing etiology. Most studies on HCC in the past have been focused on genetic factors as the driving force for HCC development, and the results revealed that genetic mutations associated with HCC are often heterogeneous and involve multiple pathogenic pathways. An emerging new research field is epigenetics, in which gene expression is modified without altering DNA sequences. In this article, we focus on reviewing current knowledge on HCC-related DNA methylation changes that show disparities among different sexes or different racial/ethnic groups, in an effort to establish a point of departure for resolving the broader issue of health disparities in gastrointestinal malignancies using cutting-edge epigenetic approaches.
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Tumor methionine metabolism drives T-cell exhaustion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1455. [PMID: 33674593 PMCID: PMC7935900 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21804-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell exhaustion denotes a hypofunctional state of T lymphocytes commonly found in cancer, but how tumor cells drive T-cell exhaustion remains elusive. Here, we find T-cell exhaustion linked to overall survival in 675 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with diverse ethnicities and etiologies. Integrative omics analyses uncover oncogenic reprograming of HCC methionine recycling with elevated 5-methylthioadenosine (MTA) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to be tightly linked to T-cell exhaustion. SAM and MTA induce T-cell dysfunction in vitro. Moreover, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of MAT2A, a key SAM producing enzyme, results in an inhibition of T-cell dysfunction and HCC growth in mice. Thus, reprogramming of tumor methionine metabolism may be a viable therapeutic strategy to improve HCC immunity. Intratumoral CD8+ T cells commonly display a dysfunctional state, however it remains unclear whether tumor cell metabolism actively promotes T-cell exhaustion. Here, the authors show that the tumor methionine recycling pathway has a central role in promoting T-cell dysfunction in hepatocellular carcinoma, contributing to tumor immune evasion.
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10
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Abstract
T-cell exhaustion denotes a hypofunctional state of T lymphocytes commonly found in cancer, but how tumor cells drive T-cell exhaustion remains elusive. Here, we find T-cell exhaustion linked to overall survival in 675 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with diverse ethnicities and etiologies. Integrative omics analyses uncover oncogenic reprograming of HCC methionine recycling with elevated 5-methylthioadenosine (MTA) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to be tightly linked to T-cell exhaustion. SAM and MTA induce T-cell dysfunction in vitro. Moreover, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of MAT2A, a key SAM producing enzyme, results in an inhibition of T-cell dysfunction and HCC growth in mice. Thus, reprogramming of tumor methionine metabolism may be a viable therapeutic strategy to improve HCC immunity.
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Liu J, Huang J, Xin P, Liu G, Wu J. Biomedical applications of methionine-based systems. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:1961-1973. [PMID: 33537687 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm02180f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Methionine (Met), an essential amino acid in the human body, possesses versatile features based on its chemical modification, cell metabolism and metabolic derivatives. Benefitting from its multifunctional properties, Met holds immense potential for biomedical applications. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress in Met-based strategies for biomedical applications. First, given the unique structural characteristics of Met, two chemical modification methods are briefly introduced. Subsequently, due to the disordered metabolic state of tumor cells, applications of Met in cancer treatment and diagnosis are summarized in detail. Furthermore, the efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), as the most important metabolic derivative of Met, for treating liver diseases is mentioned. Finally, we analyze the current challenges and development trends of Met in the biomedical field, and suggest that Met-restriction therapy might be a promising approach to treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Heo JW, Kim SE, Sung MK. Sex Differences in the Incidence of Obesity-Related Gastrointestinal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031253. [PMID: 33513939 PMCID: PMC7865604 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 9.6 million people estimated to have died of cancer in 2018. Excess body fat deposition is a risk factor for many types of cancer. Men and women exhibit differences in body fat distribution and energy homeostasis regulation. This systematic review aimed to understand why sex disparities in obesity are associated with sex differences in the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers. Cancers of the esophagus, liver, and colon are representative gastrointestinal cancers, and obesity is a convincing risk factor for their development. Numerous epidemiological studies have found sex differences in the incidence of esophageal, liver, and colorectal cancers. We suggest that these sexual disparities are partly explained by the availability of estrogens and other genetic factors regulating inflammation, cell growth, and apoptosis. Sex differences in gut microbiota composition may contribute to differences in the incidence and phenotype of colorectal cancer. To establish successful practices in personalized nutrition and medicine, one should be aware of the sex differences in the pathophysiology and associated mechanisms of cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sung-Eun Kim
- Correspondence: (S.-E.K.); (M.-K.S.); Tel.: +82-2-2077-7722 (S.-E.K.); +82-2-710-9395 (M.-K.S.)
| | - Mi-Kyung Sung
- Correspondence: (S.-E.K.); (M.-K.S.); Tel.: +82-2-2077-7722 (S.-E.K.); +82-2-710-9395 (M.-K.S.)
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Wu HC, Cheng MJ, Yen CH, Chen YMA, Chen YS, Chen IS, Chang HS. Chemical Constituents with GNMT-Promoter-Enhancing and NRF2-Reduction Activities from Taiwan Agarwood Excoecaria formosana. Molecules 2020; 25:E1746. [PMID: 32290267 PMCID: PMC7181199 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered to be a silent killer, and was the fourth leading global cause of cancer deaths in 2018. For now, sorafenib is the only approved drug for advanced HCC treatment. The introduction of additional chemopreventive agents and/or adjuvant therapies may be helpful for the treatment of HCC. After screening 3000 methanolic extracts from the Formosan plant extract bank, Excoecaria formosana showed glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT)-promoter-enhancing and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-suppressing activities. Further, the investigation of the whole plant of E. formosana led to the isolation of a new steroid, 7α-hydroperoxysitosterol-3-O-β-d-(6-O-palmitoyl)glucopyranoside (1); two new coumarinolignans, excoecoumarin A (2) and excoecoumarin B (3); a new diterpene, excoeterpenol A (4); and 40 known compounds (5-44). Among them, Compounds 38 and 40-44 at a 100 μM concentration showed a 2.97 ± 0.27-, 3.17 ± 1.03-, 2.73 ± 0.23-, 2.63 ± 0.14-, 6.57 ± 0.13-, and 2.62 ± 0.05-fold increase in GNMT promoter activity, respectively. In addition, Compounds 40 and 43 could reduce NRF2 activity, a transcription factor associated with drug resistance, in Huh7 cells with relative activity of 33.1 ± 0.2% and 45.2 ± 2.5%. These results provided the basis for the utilization of Taiwan agarwood for the development of anti-HCC agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Cheng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-C.W.); (C.-H.Y.)
| | - Ming-Jen Cheng
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI), Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-C.W.); (C.-H.Y.)
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Siao Chen
- Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Ih-Sheng Chen
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Hsun-Shuo Chang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-C.W.); (C.-H.Y.)
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Shin JY, Jung HJ, Moon A. Molecular Markers in Sex Differences in Cancer. Toxicol Res 2019; 35:331-341. [PMID: 31636844 PMCID: PMC6791665 DOI: 10.5487/tr.2019.35.4.331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the common causes of death with a high degree of mortality, worldwide. In many types of cancers, if not all, sex-biased disparities have been observed. In these cancers, an individual's sex has been shown to be one of the crucial factors underlying the incidence and mortality of cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that differentially expressed genes and proteins may contribute to sex-biased differences in male and female cancers. Therefore, identification of these molecular differences is important for early diagnosis of cancer, prediction of cancer prognosis, and determination of response to specific therapies. In the present review, we summarize the differentially expressed genes and proteins in several cancers including bladder, colorectal, liver, lung, and non-small cell lung cancers as well as renal clear cell carcinoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The sex-biased molecular differences were identified via proteomics, genomics, and big data analysis. The identified molecules represent potential candidates as sex-specific cancer biomarkers. Our study provides molecular insights into the impact of sex on cancers, suggesting strategies for sex-biased therapy against certain types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yoon Shin
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jin Jung
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Aree Moon
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
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15
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Männistö V, Kaminska D, Kärjä V, Tiainen M, de Mello VD, Hanhineva K, Soininen P, Ala-Korpela M, Pihlajamäki J. Total liver phosphatidylcholine content associates with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and glycine N-methyltransferase expression. Liver Int 2019; 39:1895-1905. [PMID: 31199045 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Alterations in liver phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although genetic variation in the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) enzyme synthesizing PC has been associated with disease, the functional mechanism linking PC metabolism to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. METHODS Serum PC levels and liver PC contents were measured using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in 169 obese individuals [age 46.6 ± 10 (mean ± SD) years, BMI 43.3 ± 6 kg/m2 , 53 men and 116 women] with histological assessment of NAFLD; 106 of these had a distinct liver phenotype. All subjects were genotyped for PEMT rs7946 and liver mRNA expression of PEMT and glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) was analysed. RESULTS Liver PC content was lower in those with NASH (P = 1.8 x 10-6 ) while serum PC levels did not differ between individuals with NASH and normal liver (P = 0.591). Interestingly, serum and liver PC did not correlate (rs = -0.047, P = 0.557). Serum PC and serum cholesterol levels correlated strongly (rs = 0.866, P = 7.1 x 10-49 ), while liver PC content did not correlate with serum cholesterol (rs = 0.065, P = 0.413). Neither PEMT V175M genotype nor PEMT expression explained the association between liver PC content and NASH. Instead, liver GNMT mRNA expression was decreased in those with NASH (P = 3.8 x 10-4 ) and correlated with liver PC content (rs = 0.265, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Decreased liver PC content in individuals with the NASH is independent of PEMT V175M genotype and could be partly linked to decreased GNMT expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville Männistö
- Department of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Dorota Kaminska
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vesa Kärjä
- Department of Pathology, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mika Tiainen
- NMR Metabolomics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vanessa D de Mello
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kati Hanhineva
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,LC-MS Metabolomics Center, Biocenter Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pasi Soininen
- NMR Metabolomics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mika Ala-Korpela
- NMR Metabolomics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Systems Epidemiology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Computational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jussi Pihlajamäki
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Clinical Nutrition and Obesity Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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16
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Huang JW, Chen CJ, Yen CH, Chen YMA, Liu YP. Loss of Glycine N-Methyltransferase Associates with Angiopoietin-Like Protein 8 Expression in High Fat-Diet-Fed Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174223. [PMID: 31470507 PMCID: PMC6747252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Imbalance of lipid metabolism is a main cause of metabolic syndrome leading to life-threatening metabolic diseases. Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (Angptl8) was recently identified as a liver and adipose tissue-released hormone that is one of the molecules involved in triglyceride metabolism. However, the regulatory mechanism of Angptl8 is largely unknown. A high fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse model, which showed high cholesterol, high triglyceride, and high insulin in the blood, revealed the upregulation of hepatic and plasma Angptl8 and the downregulation of hepatic glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT). The inverse correlation of hepatic Angptl8 and GNMT expression in the livers of HFD-fed mice was also confirmed in a publicly available microarray dataset. The mechanistic study using primary hepatocytes showed that the Angptl8 expression could be induced by insulin treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway by the specific inhibitors or the dominant-negative Akt blocked the insulin-induced Angptl8 expression. Moreover, knockout of GNMT promoted the Akt activation as well as the Angptl8 expression. These results suggested that GNMT might be involved in insulin-induced Angptl8 expression in HFD-mediated metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Wei Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Ju Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Master Program of Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Peng Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
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17
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Glycine Metabolism and Its Alterations in Obesity and Metabolic Diseases. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11061356. [PMID: 31208147 PMCID: PMC6627940 DOI: 10.3390/nu11061356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycine is the proteinogenic amino-acid of lowest molecular weight, harboring a hydrogen atom as a side-chain. In addition to being a building-block for proteins, glycine is also required for multiple metabolic pathways, such as glutathione synthesis and regulation of one-carbon metabolism. Although generally viewed as a non-essential amino-acid, because it can be endogenously synthesized to a certain extent, glycine has also been suggested as a conditionally essential amino acid. In metabolic disorders associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLDs), lower circulating glycine levels have been consistently observed, and clinical studies suggest the existence of beneficial effects induced by glycine supplementation. The present review aims at synthesizing the recent advances in glycine metabolism, pinpointing its main metabolic pathways, identifying the causes leading to glycine deficiency-especially in obesity and associated metabolic disorders-and evaluating the potential benefits of increasing glycine availability to curb the progression of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disturbances. This study focuses on the importance of diet, gut microbiota, and liver metabolism in determining glycine availability in obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
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18
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Tumor suppressor gene glycine N-methyltransferase and its potential in liver disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 378:114607. [PMID: 31170416 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase is a protein with many functions. In addition to catalyzing the production of sarcosine in the one carbon metabolism pathway, it plays a role in the detoxification of environmental carcinogens such as benzo[a]pyrene, aflatoxin B1, and aristocholic acid. There is also increasing evidence suggesting a role of GNMT deficiency in liver carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss the role of GNMT in the detoxification of xenobiotics and the mechanism of GNMT suppression during liver tumorigenesis. The protective role of GNMT in the liver allows GNMT to not only serve as a marker of liver disease, but also potentially be applied in the treatment of liver disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma. We describe the potential use of GNMT in gene therapy and we introduce the development of a GNMT promoter reporter assay that can be used to screen medicinal drugs and herbal libraries for natural compounds with anti-cancer properties.
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19
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Hughey CC, James FD, Wang Z, Goelzer M, Wasserman DH. Dysregulated transmethylation leading to hepatocellular carcinoma compromises redox homeostasis and glucose formation. Mol Metab 2019; 23:1-13. [PMID: 30850319 PMCID: PMC6479583 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The loss of liver glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) promotes liver steatosis and the transition to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous work showed endogenous glucose production is reduced in GNMT-null mice with gluconeogenic precursors being used in alternative biosynthetic pathways that utilize methyl donors and are linked to tumorigenesis. This metabolic programming occurs before the appearance of HCC in GNMT-null mice. The metabolic physiology that sustains liver tumor formation in GNMT-null mice is unknown. The studies presented here tested the hypothesis that nutrient flux pivots from glucose production to pathways that incorporate and metabolize methyl groups in GNMT-null mice with HCC. Methods 2H/13C metabolic flux analysis was performed in conscious, unrestrained mice lacking GNMT to quantify glucose formation and associated nutrient fluxes. Molecular analyses of livers from mice lacking GNMT including metabolomic, immunoblotting, and immunochemistry were completed to fully interpret the nutrient fluxes. Results GNMT knockout (KO) mice showed lower blood glucose that was accompanied by a reduction in liver glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. NAD+ was lower and the NAD(P)H-to-NAD(P)+ ratio was higher in livers of KO mice. Indices of NAD+ synthesis and catabolism, pentose phosphate pathway flux, and glutathione synthesis were dysregulated in KO mice. Conclusion Glucose precursor flux away from glucose formation towards pathways that regulate redox status increase in the liver. Moreover, synthesis and scavenging of NAD+ are both impaired resulting in reduced concentrations. This metabolic program blunts an increase in methyl donor availability, however, biosynthetic pathways underlying HCC are activated. Loss of glycine N-methyltransferase results in hepatocellular carcinoma. Metabolic reprogramming ensues to attenuate the increased S-adenosylmethionine. The metabolic changes include dysregulated liver NAD+ homeostasis and redox state. Liver glucose formation is reduced and precursors directed to biosynthetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis C Hughey
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Freyja D James
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Zhizhang Wang
- Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mickael Goelzer
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David H Wasserman
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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20
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Loss of ALDH1L1 folate enzyme confers a selective metabolic advantage for tumor progression. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 302:149-155. [PMID: 30794800 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ALDH1L1 (cytosolic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase) is the enzyme in folate metabolism commonly downregulated in human cancers. One of the mechanisms of the enzyme downregulation is methylation of the promoter of the ALDH1L1 gene. Recent studies underscored ALDH1L1 as a candidate tumor suppressor and potential marker of aggressive cancers. In agreement with the ALDH1L1 loss in cancer, its re-expression leads to inhibition of proliferation and to apoptosis, but also affects migration and invasion of cancer cells through a specific folate-dependent mechanism involved in invasive phenotype. A growing body of literature evaluated the prognostic value of ALDH1L1 expression for cancer disease, the regulatory role of the enzyme in cellular proliferation, and associated metabolic and signaling cellular responses. Overall, there is a strong indication that the ALDH1L1 silencing provides metabolic advantage for tumor progression at a later stage when unlimited proliferation and enhanced motility become critical processes for the tumor expansion. Whether the ALDH1L1 loss is involved in tumor initiation is still an open question.
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21
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Interplay between early-life malnutrition, epigenetic modulation of the immune function and liver diseases. Nutr Res Rev 2019; 32:128-145. [PMID: 30707092 DOI: 10.1017/s0954422418000239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Early-life nutrition plays a critical role in fetal growth and development. Food intake absence and excess are the two main types of energy malnutrition that predispose to the appearance of diseases in adulthood, according to the hypothesis of 'developmental origins of health and disease'. Epidemiological data have shown an association between early-life malnutrition and the metabolic syndrome in later life. Evidence has also demonstrated that nutrition during this period of life can affect the development of the immune system through epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, epigenetics has an essential role in the complex interplay between environmental factors and genetics. Altogether, this leads to the inflammatory response that is commonly seen in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. In conjunction, DNA methylation, covalent modification of histones and the expression of non-coding RNA are the epigenetic phenomena that affect inflammatory processes in the context of NAFLD. Here, we highlight current understanding of the mechanisms underlying developmental programming of NAFLD linked to epigenetic modulation of the immune system and environmental factors, such as malnutrition.
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22
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Yang MH, Liao CC, Hung JH, Lai XT, Yen CH, Chen YMA. Utilizing proteomic approach to identify nuclear translocation related serine kinase phosphorylation site of GNMT as downstream effector for benzo[a]pyrene. J Food Drug Anal 2019; 27:603-609. [PMID: 30987732 PMCID: PMC9296196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) protein is highly expressed in certain tissues, such as liver, pancreas, and prostate. GNMT serves multiple roles which include a methyl group transfer enzyme and a liver tumor suppressor. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a family member of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is a known environmental carcinogen found in coal tar, tobacco smoke, barbecued food and incomplete combustion of auto fuel. BaP recruits cytochrome P450 to transform itself into benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (B(a) PDE), which covalently interacts with DNA causing tumorigenesis. BaP can be detoxified through GNMT and induces GNMT translocation into the cellular nucleus. GNMT translocation is accompanied by phosphorylation, but the role of phosphorylation in GNMT remains to be explored. Using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, this study identified serine 9 of GNMT as the phosphorylation site upon BaP treatment. When serine 9 was mutated and lost the capability to be phosphorylated, the occurrence of BaP-induced GNMT nuclear translocation was dramatically decreased. Also, this mutant from of GNMT lost the ability of phosphorylation and increased cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a) expression upon BaP treatment. In addition, protein kinase C (PKC) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) may be required for such phosphorylation. Further characterization of phosphorylated GNMT for its link to BaP may bring new insights into chemical detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hui Yang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529,
Taiwan
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708,
Taiwan
- Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031,
Taiwan
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807,
Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chung Liao
- Proteomics Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221,
Taiwan
| | - Jung-Hsien Hung
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708,
Taiwan
| | - Xiu-Ting Lai
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221,
Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708,
Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708,
Taiwan
- Research Center for Natural products and Drug Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung,
Taiwan
- Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: (C.-H. Yen), (Y.-M.A. Chen)
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708,
Taiwan
- Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031,
Taiwan
- Corresponding author. No. 100, Shih-Chuan Ist Rd, Kaohsiung City, 80708, Taiwan. Fax: +886 7 3222783
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23
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Fang CC, Wu CF, Liao YJ, Huang SF, Chen M, Chen YMA. AAV serotype 8-mediated liver specific GNMT expression delays progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and prevents carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13802. [PMID: 30217986 PMCID: PMC6138656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30800-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is abundantly expressed in normal livers and plays a protective role against tumor formation. GNMT depletion leads to progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the activity of ectopic GNMT delivered using recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy in mouse models of liver cirrhosis and HCC. Injection of AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) vector carrying the GNMT gene (AAV8-GNMT) in Gnmt−/− mice increased GNMT expression and downregulated pro-inflammatory responses, resulting in reduced liver damage and incidence of liver tumors. Moreover, AAV8-GNMT resulted in the amelioration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in BALB/c mice. We showed that AAV8-GNMT protected hepatocytes from CCl4-induced liver damage. AAV8-GNMT significantly attenuated the levels of pro-fibrotic markers and increased efficiency of hepatocyte proliferation. These results suggest that correction of hepatic GNMT by gene therapy of AAV8-mediated gene enhancement may provide a potential strategy for preventing and delaying development of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fen Wu
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Liao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Feng Huang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Marcelo Chen
- Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Research and Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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24
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MicroRNA-224 down-regulates Glycine N-methyltransferase gene expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12284. [PMID: 30115977 PMCID: PMC6095880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30682-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a tumor suppressor for HCC. It is down-regulated in HCC, but the mechanism is not fully understood. MicroRNA-224 (miR-224) acts as an onco-miR in HCC. This study is the first to investigate miR-224 targeting the coding region of GNMT transcript. The GNMT-MT plasmid containing a miR-224 binding site silent mutation of the GNMT coding sequence can escape the suppression of miR-224 in HEK293T cells. Expression of both exogenous and endogenous GNMT was suppressed by miR-224, while miR-224 inhibitor enhanced GNMT expression. miR-224 counteracts the effects of GNMT on the reduction of cell proliferation and tumor growth. The levels of miR-224 and GNMT mRNA showed a significant inverse relationship in tumor specimens from HCC patients. Utilizing CCl4-treated hepatoma cells and mice as a cell damage of inflammatory or liver injury model, we observed that the decreased expression levels of GNMT were accompanied with the elevated expression levels of miR-224 in hepatoma cells and mouse liver. Finally, hepatic AAV-mediated GNMT also reduced CCl4-induced miR-224 expression and liver fibrosis. These results indicated that AAV-mediated GNMT has potential liver protection activity. miR-224 can target the GNMT mRNA coding sequence and plays an important role in GNMT suppression during liver tumorigenesis.
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25
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Simile MM, Latte G, Feo CF, Feo F, Calvisi DF, Pascale RM. Alterations of methionine metabolism in hepatocarcinogenesis: the emergent role of glycine N-methyltransferase in liver injury. Ann Gastroenterol 2018; 31:552-560. [PMID: 30174391 PMCID: PMC6102450 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2018.0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The methionine and folate cycles play a fundamental role in cell physiology and their alteration is involved in liver injury and hepatocarcinogenesis. Glycine N-methyltransferase is implicated in methyl group supply, DNA methylation, and nucleotide biosynthesis. It regulates the cellular S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio and S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyl transfer reactions. Glycine N-methyltransferase is absent in fast-growing hepatocellular carcinomas and present at a low level in slower growing HCC ones. The mechanism of tumor suppression by glycine N-methyltransferase is not completely known. Glycine N-methyltransferase inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth through interaction with Dep domain-containing mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTor)-interacting protein, a binding protein overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. The interaction of the phosphatase and tensin homolog inhibitor, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent rac exchanger, with glycine N-methyltransferase enhances proteasomal degradation of this exchanger by the E3 ubiquitin ligase HectH. Glycine N-methyltransferase also regulates genes related to detoxification and antioxidation pathways. It supports pyrimidine and purine syntheses and minimizes uracil incorporation into DNA as consequence of folate depletion. However, recent evidence indicates that glycine N-methyltransferase targeted into nucleus still exerts strong anti-proliferative effects independent of its catalytic activity, while its restriction to cytoplasm prevents these effects. Our current knowledge suggest that glycine N-methyltransferase plays a fundamental, even if not yet completely known, role in cellular physiology and highlights the need to further investigate this role in normal and cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Simile
- Department of Clinical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology (Maria M. Simile, Gavinella Latte, Francesco Feo, Diego F. Calvisi, Rosa M. Pascale), University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Gavinella Latte
- Department of Clinical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology (Maria M. Simile, Gavinella Latte, Francesco Feo, Diego F. Calvisi, Rosa M. Pascale), University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudio F Feo
- Department of Clinical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Surgery (Claudio F. Feo), University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesco Feo
- Department of Clinical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology (Maria M. Simile, Gavinella Latte, Francesco Feo, Diego F. Calvisi, Rosa M. Pascale), University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Department of Clinical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology (Maria M. Simile, Gavinella Latte, Francesco Feo, Diego F. Calvisi, Rosa M. Pascale), University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Rosa M Pascale
- Department of Clinical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology (Maria M. Simile, Gavinella Latte, Francesco Feo, Diego F. Calvisi, Rosa M. Pascale), University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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26
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Hughey CC, Trefts E, Bracy DP, James FD, Donahue EP, Wasserman DH. Glycine N-methyltransferase deletion in mice diverts carbon flux from gluconeogenesis to pathways that utilize excess methionine cycle intermediates. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:11944-11954. [PMID: 29891549 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is the most abundant liver methyltransferase regulating the availability of the biological methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Moreover, GNMT has been identified to be down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite its role in regulating SAM levels and association of its down-regulation with liver tumorigenesis, the impact of reduced GNMT on metabolic reprogramming before the manifestation of HCC has not been investigated in detail. Herein, we used 2H/13C metabolic flux analysis in conscious, unrestrained mice to test the hypothesis that the absence of GNMT causes metabolic reprogramming. GNMT-null (KO) mice displayed a reduction in blood glucose that was associated with a decline in both hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The reduced gluconeogenesis was due to a decrease in liver gluconeogenic precursors, citric acid cycle fluxes, and anaplerosis and cataplerosis. A concurrent elevation in both hepatic SAM and metabolites of SAM utilization pathways was observed in the KO mice. Specifically, the increase in metabolites of SAM utilization pathways indicated that hepatic polyamine synthesis and catabolism, transsulfuration, and de novo lipogenesis pathways were increased in the KO mice. Of note, these pathways utilize substrates that could otherwise be used for gluconeogenesis. Also, this metabolic reprogramming occurs before the well-documented appearance of HCC in GNMT-null mice. Together, these results indicate that GNMT deletion promotes a metabolic shift whereby nutrients are channeled away from glucose formation toward pathways that utilize the elevated SAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis C Hughey
- From the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and
| | - Elijah Trefts
- From the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and
| | - Deanna P Bracy
- From the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and.,the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232
| | - Freyja D James
- From the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and.,the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232
| | | | - David H Wasserman
- From the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and.,the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232
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27
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Chang MM, Lin CN, Fang CC, Chen M, Liang PI, Li WM, Yeh BW, Cheng HC, Huang BM, Wu WJ, Chen YMA. Glycine N-methyltransferase inhibits aristolochic acid nephropathy by increasing CYP3A44 and decreasing NQO1 expression in female mouse hepatocytes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6960. [PMID: 29725048 PMCID: PMC5934382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22298-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants containing aristolochic acids (AA) are nephrotoxins. Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) acts to bind environmental toxins such as benzo(a)pyrene and aflatoxin B1, translocate into nucleus, and alter hepatic metabolism. This study aims to determine the role of GNMT in AA-induced nephropathy. We established an AA nephropathy mouse model and found that AA type I (AAI)-induced nephropathy at a lower concentration in male than in female mice, implying sex differences in AAI resistance. Microarray analysis and AAI-treated mouse models showed that GNMT moderately reduced AAI-induced nephropathy by lowering the upregulated level of NQO1 in male, but significantly improved the nephropathy additionally by increasing Cyp3A44/3A41 in female. The protective effects of GNMT were absent in female GNMT knockout mice, in which re-expression of hepatic GNMT significantly decreased AAI-induced nephropathy. Mechanism-wise, AAI enhanced GNMT nuclear translocation, resulting in GNMT interaction with the promoter region of the genes encoding Nrf2 and CAR/PXR, the transcription factors for NQO1 and CYP3A44/3A41, respectively. Unlike the preference for Nrf2/NQO1 transcriptions at lower levels of GNMT, overexpression of GNMT preferred CAR/PXR/CYP3A44/3A41 transcriptions and alleviated kidney injury upon AAI treatment. In summary, hepatic GNMT protected mice from AAI nephropathy by enhancing CAR/PXR/CYP3A44/3A41 transcriptions and reducing Nrf2/NQO1 transcriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Min Chang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Ni Lin
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Marcelo Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Cosmetic Applications and Management, Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Peir-In Liang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ming Li
- Pingtung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Bi-Wen Yeh
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Bu-Miin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Jeng Wu
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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28
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Validation of a multi-omics strategy for prioritizing personalized candidate driver genes. Oncotarget 2018; 7:38440-38450. [PMID: 27469031 PMCID: PMC5122402 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant heterogeneity between different tumors prevents the discovery of cancer driver genes, especially in a patient-specific manner. We previously prioritized five personalized candidate mutation-driver genes in a hyper-mutated hepatocellular carcinoma patient using a multi-omics strategy. However, the roles of the prioritized driver genes and patient-specific mutations in hepatocarcinogenesis are unclear. We investigated the impact of the tumor-mutated allele on structure-function relationship of the encoded protein and assessed both loss- and gain-of-function of these genes and mutations on hepatoma cell behaviors in vitro. The prioritized mutation-driver genes act as tumor suppressor genes and inhibit cell proliferation and migration. In addition, the loss-of-function effect of the patient-specific mutations promoted cell proliferation and migration. Of note, the HNF1A S247T mutation significantly reduced the HNF1A transcriptional activity for hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) but did not disrupt nuclear localization of HNF1A. The results provide evidence for supporting the validity of our proposed multi-omics strategy, which supplies a new avenue for prioritizing mutation-drivers towards personalized cancer therapy.
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Characterization of a new murine cell line of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma and its application for biomarker/therapy development. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3052. [PMID: 28596515 PMCID: PMC5465177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03164-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (SHC) is a rare type of HCC with significantly poorer survival than ordinary HCC. Little is known about the mechanism associated with SHC and its biomarkers and therapy. Here, we established a mouse liver cancer cell line and designated as Ymac-1. A sarcomatous appearance was observed in the allograft tumor arose from Ymac-1. Liver-secreted plasma proteins were found in Ymac-1 cultured supernatant by proteomics analysis. The positive staining of CK7, CK8, Vimentin and the suppressed expression of AFP indicated that Ymac-1 is a SHC cell line. Compared to its original tumor, an elevated level of EMT markers, N-cadherin and Vimentin, was found in Ymac-1. Ymac-1 displayed a higher migration rate and side population percentage than a mouse ordinary HCC cell line-Hepa1-6. Microarray analysis was performed to identify potential biomarkers/therapeutic targets for SHC. G6pd, a vital enzyme in pentose phosphate pathway, is highly expressed in Ymac-1. Depletion of G6pd in Ymac-1 reduced CD133 expression and sphere formation. Positive correlations between G6PD and CD133 were observed in human specimen. Higher expression of both G6PD and CD133 in tumor were associated with poor survival. In summary Ymac-1 can be a useful SHC cell model for novel biomarker and therapy development.
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30
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Li CH, Yen CH, Chen YF, Lee KJ, Fang CC, Zhang X, Lai CC, Huang SF, Lin HK, Arthur Chen YM. Characterization of the GNMT-HectH9-PREX2 tripartite relationship in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:2284-2297. [PMID: 28205209 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves many molecular pathways. Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is downregulated in almost all HCC and its gene knockout mice developed HCC with high penetrance. We identified PREX2, a novel PTEN inhibitor, as a GNMT-interacting protein. Such interaction enhanced degradation of PREX2 through an E3 ligase HectH9-mediated proteasomal ubiquitination pathway. Depletion of GNMT or HectH9 resulted in AKT activation in a PREX2 dependent manner and enhanced cell proliferation. An elevated PREX2 protein expression accompanied by activation of AKT was observed in the liver of Gnmt knockout mice. PREX2 protein expression was upregulated in 54.9% of human HCC samples, while its mRNA level was comparable in tumor and tumor-adjacent tissue, suggesting a post-translational alteration of PREX2 expression. Higher level of PREX2 in the tumor tissues was associated with poorer survival. These results reveal a novel mechanism in which GNMT participates in AKT signaling and HCC tumorigenesis by promoting HectH9-mediated PREX2 degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Hsien Li
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Fu Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Jui Lee
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Xian Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Cancer Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Chih-Chung Lai
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Feng Huang
- Division of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Kuan Lin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest Cancer Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
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31
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Wahid B, Ali A, Rafique S, Idrees M. New Insights into the Epigenetics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:1609575. [PMID: 28401148 PMCID: PMC5376429 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1609575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most predominant malignancies with high fatality rate. This deadly cancer is rising at an alarming rate because it is quite resistant to radio- and chemotherapy. Different epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and expression of noncoding RNAs drive the cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, initiation, progression, and development of HCC. These epigenetic alterations because of potential reversibility open way towards the development of biomarkers and therapeutics. The contribution of these epigenetic changes to HCC development has not been thoroughly explored yet. Further research on HCC epigenetics is necessary to better understand novel molecular-targeted HCC treatment and prevention. This review highlights latest research progress and current updates regarding epigenetics of HCC, biomarker discovery, and future preventive and therapeutic strategies to combat the increasing risk of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braira Wahid
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, 87 West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ali
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, 87 West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Rafique
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, 87 West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Idrees
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, 87 West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
- Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
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32
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Won SB, Han A, Kwon YH. Maternal consumption of low-isoflavone soy protein isolate alters hepatic gene expression and liver development in rat offspring. J Nutr Biochem 2017; 42:51-61. [PMID: 28126648 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In utero environment is known to affect fetal development. Especially, the distinct fetal programming of carcinogenesis was reported in offspring exposed to maternal diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI) or genistein. Therefore, we investigated whether maternal consumption of low-isoflavone SPI or genistein alters hepatic gene expression and liver development in rat offspring. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a casein diet, a low-isoflavone SPI diet or a casein diet supplemented with genistein (250 mg/kg diet) for 2 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were studied on postnatal day 21 (CAS, SPI and GEN groups). Among 965 differentially expressed hepatic genes related to maternal diet (P<.05), the expression of 590 was significantly different between CAS and SPI groups. Conversely, the expression of 88 genes was significantly different between CAS and GEN groups. Especially, genes involved in drug metabolism were significantly affected by the maternal diet. SPI group showed increased cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis and activation of the mTOR pathway, which may contribute to a higher relative liver weight compared to other groups. We observed higher serum homocysteine levels and lower global and CpG site-specific DNA methylation of Gadd45b, a gene involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, in SPI group compared to CAS group. Maternal SPI diet also reduced histone H3-Lysine 9 (H3K9) trimethylation and increased H3K9 acetylation in offspring. These results demonstrate that maternal consumption of a low-isoflavone SPI diet alters the hepatic gene expression profile and liver development in offspring possibly by epigenetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Bom Won
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Anna Han
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hye Kwon
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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33
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Liao YJ, Lee TS, Twu YC, Hsu SM, Yang CP, Wang CK, Liang YC, Chen YMA. Glycine N-methyltransferase deficiency in female mice impairs insulin signaling and promotes gluconeogenesis by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway in the liver. J Biomed Sci 2016; 23:69. [PMID: 27716281 PMCID: PMC5050923 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0278-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is abundantly expressed in the normal liver but is down-regulated in liver cancer tissues. GNMT knockout (Gnmt−/−) mice can spontaneously develop chronic hepatitis, fatty liver, and liver cancer. We previously demonstrated that hepatic GNMT is decreased in high-fat-diet-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus, but its contribution to metabolic syndrome is unclear. Here we show that GNMT modulates key aspects of metabolic syndrome in mice. Methods Eleven-week-old Gnmt−/− and wild-type (WT) mice with a C57BL/6 genetic background were used in this study. The metabolic defects of GNMT deficiency were measured by glucose and insulin tolerance tests, lipid homeostasis, gluconeogenesis, and insulin signaling. Results Gnmt−/− mice, especially females, exhibited glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. However, their body fat and lean mass, food and water intakes, and energy expenditure did not differ from those of WT mice. In addition, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin-stimulated glucagon secretion were normal in the serum and pancreatic islets of Gnmt−/− mice. Importantly, we found that GNMT deficiency increased lipogenesis and triglycerides in the liver. The elevated triglycerides disrupted the ability of insulin to induce Akt and S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation, and then triggered insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis in female Gnmt−/− mice. Conclusions Our data indicate that hepatic GNMT regulates lipid and glucose homeostasis, and provide insight into the development of insulin resistance through modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-016-0278-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jen Liao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Shyuan Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ching Twu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ping Yang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Kwe Wang
- Department of International Medicine, Taipei City Hospital Ranai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chih Liang
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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34
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Kant R, Yen CH, Lu CK, Lin YC, Li JH, Chen YMA. Identification of 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside as a Glycine N-Methyltransferase Enhancer by High-Throughput Screening of Natural Products Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17050669. [PMID: 27153064 PMCID: PMC4881495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) expression is vastly downregulated in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). High rates of GNMT knockout mice developed HCC, while overexpression of GNMT prevented aflatoxin-induced carcinogenicity and inhibited liver cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, in this study, we aimed for the identification of a GNMT inducer for HCC therapy. We established a GNMT promoter-driven luciferase reporter assay as a drug screening platform. Screening of 324 pure compounds and 480 crude extracts from Chinese medicinal herbs resulted in the identification of Paeonia lactiflora Pall (PL) extract and the active component 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (PGG) as a GNMT inducer. Purified PL extract and PGG induced GNMT mRNA and protein expression in Huh7 human hepatoma cells and in xenograft tumors. PGG and PL extract had potent anti-HCC effects both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PGG treatment induced apoptosis in Huh7 cells. Moreover, PGG treatment sensitized Huh7 cells to sorafenib treatment. Therefore, these results indicated that identifying a GNMT enhancer using the GNMT promoter-based assay might be a useful approach to find drugs for HCC. These data also suggested that PGG has therapeutic potential for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Kant
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Lipid Science and Aging Research Center (CHY), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Research Center for natural products and Drug Development (CHY), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Kuang Lu
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, College of Life Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Ying-Chi Lin
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Ph.D. Program in Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Jih-Heng Li
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Ph.D. Program in Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Research and Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
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35
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Lu X, Sun W, Tang Y, Zhu L, Li Y, Ou C, Yang C, Su J, Luo C, Hu Y, Cao J. Identification of key genes in hepatocellular carcinoma and validation of the candidate gene, cdc25a, using gene set enrichment analysis, meta-analysis and cross-species comparison. Mol Med Rep 2015; 13:1172-8. [PMID: 26647881 PMCID: PMC4732839 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine key pathways and genes involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through bioinformatic analyses of HCC microarray data based on cross-species comparison. Microarray data of gene expression in HCC in different species were analyzed using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and meta-analysis. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of cdc25a, one of the identified candidate genes, in human, rat and tree shrew samples. The cell cycle pathway had the largest overlap between the GSEA and meta-analysis. Meta-analyses showed that 25 genes, including cdc25a, in the cell cycle pathway were differentially expressed. Cdc25a mRNA levels in HCC tissues were higher than those in normal liver tissues in humans, rats and tree shrews, and the expression level of cdc25a in HCC tissues was higher than in corresponding paraneoplastic tissues in humans and rats. In human HCC tissues, the cdc25a mRNA level was significantly correlated with clinical stage, portal vein tumor thrombosis and extrahepatic metastasis. Western blotting showed that, cdc25a protein levels were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues in humans, rats and tree shrews. In conclusion, GSEA and meta-analysis can be combined to identify key molecules and pathways involved in HCC. This study demonstrated that the cell cycle pathway and the cdc25a gene may be crucial in the pathogenesis and progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Lu
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Wen Sun
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Tang
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Lingqun Zhu
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Chao Ou
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jianjia Su
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Chengpiao Luo
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yanling Hu
- The Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, P.R. China
| | - Ji Cao
- Department of Research, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
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36
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Ding K, Wu S, Ying W, Pan Q, Li X, Zhao D, Li X, Zhao Q, Zhu Y, Ren H, Qian X. Leveraging a Multi-Omics Strategy for Prioritizing Personalized Candidate Mutation-Driver Genes: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17564. [PMID: 26631547 PMCID: PMC4668376 DOI: 10.1038/srep17564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of mutant forms of proteins (e.g., oncogenes and tumor suppressors) has implications in cancer biology and clinical practice. Initial efforts have been made to characterize the transcription of tumor-mutated alleles; however, few studies have been reported to link tumor-mutated alleles to proteomics. We aimed to characterize the transcriptional and translational patterns of tumor-mutated alleles. We performed whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, and proteome profiling in a hyper-mutated patient of hepatocellular carcinoma. Using the patient as a model, we show that only a small proportion of tumor-mutated alleles were expressed. In this case, 42% and 3.5% of the tumor-mutated alleles were identified to be transcribed and translated, respectively. Compared with genes with germline variations or without mutations, somatic mutations significantly reduced protein expression abundance. Using the transcriptional and translational patterns of tumor-mutated alleles, we classified the mutations into four types, and only one type may be associated with the liver cancer and lead to hepatocarcinogenesis in the patient. Our results demonstrate how tumor-mutated alleles are transcribed and translated, and how the expression enables the classification of somatic mutations that cause cancer. Leveraging multiple ‘omics’ datasets provides a new avenue for understanding patient-specific mutations that underlie carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyue Ding
- Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education of China; Depeartment of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China, 400010
| | - Songfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Protein Science Beijing Center, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 102206
| | - Wantao Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Protein Science Beijing Center, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 102206
| | - Qi Pan
- Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education of China; Depeartment of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China, 400010
| | - Xiaoyuan Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China, 100730
| | - Dachun Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China, 100730
| | - Xianyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Protein Science Beijing Center, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 102206
| | - Qing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Protein Science Beijing Center, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 102206
| | - Yunping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Protein Science Beijing Center, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 102206
| | - Hong Ren
- Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education of China; Depeartment of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China, 400010
| | - Xiaohong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Protein Science Beijing Center, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 102206
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Liao YJ, Fang CC, Yen CH, Hsu SM, Wang CK, Huang SF, Liang YC, Lin YY, Chu YT, Arthur Chen YM. Niemann-Pick type C2 protein regulates liver cancer progression via modulating ERK1/2 pathway: Clinicopathological correlations and therapeutical implications. Int J Cancer 2015; 137:1341-51. [PMID: 25754535 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. It is important to identify new targets for early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) plays an important role in the regulation of intracellular cholesterol homeostasis via direct binding with free cholesterol. However, little is known about the significance of NPC2 in HCC tumorigenesis. In this study, we showed that NPC2 is abundantly expressed in normal liver, but is downregulated in human HCC tissues. The patients with NPC2 downregulation expressed much higher α-fetoprotein, multiple tumor type, vascular invasion, later pathological stage and shorter survival rate. Knockdown NPC2 in liver cancer cell lines promote cell proliferation, migration and xenograft tumorigenesis. In contrast, NPC2 overexpression inhibits HuH7 promoted tumor growth. Furthermore, administration of hepatotropic adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) delivered NPC2 decreased the inflammatory infiltration, the expression of two early HCC markers-glypican 3 and survivin and suppressed the spontaneous HCC development in mice. To identify the NPC2-dependent mechanism, we emphasized on the status of MAPK/ERK signaling. MEK1/2 inhibitor treatment demonstrated that the expression of NPC2 affected the activation of ERK1/2 but not MEK1/2. In addition, cholesterol trafficking inhibitor treatment did not alter the cell proliferation and the activation of MEK/ERK. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that NPC2 may play an important role in negatively regulate cell proliferation and ERK1/2 activation that were independent of cholesterol accumulation. AAV-NPC2 may thus represent a new treatment strategy for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jen Liao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Infections Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Infections Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of National Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Kwe Wang
- Department of International Medicine, Taipei City Hospital Ranai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Feng Huang
- Division of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chih Liang
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Yu Lin
- Center for Infections Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tseng Chu
- Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infections Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Center for Lipid and Glycomedicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Li CH, Lin MH, Chu SH, Tu PH, Fang CC, Yen CH, Liang PI, Huang JC, Su YC, Sytwu HK, Chen YMA. Role of glycine N-methyltransferase in the regulation of T-cell responses in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Mol Med 2015; 20:684-96. [PMID: 25535034 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2014.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is known for its function as a tumor suppressor gene. Since 100% of female Gnmt(-/-) mice developed hepatocellular carcinoma, we hypothesized that Gnmt(-/-) mice may have defective immune surveillance. In this study, we examined the immune modulation of GNMT in T-cell responses using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The results showed that EAE severity was reduced significantly in Gnmt(-/-) mice. Pathological examination of the spinal cords revealed that Gnmt(-/-) mice had significantly lower levels of mononuclear cell infiltration and demyelination than the wild-type mice. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR showed that expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17A, were much lower in the spinal cord of Gnmt(-/-) than in that of wild-type mice. Accordingly, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific T-cell proliferation and induction of T-helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells were markedly suppressed in MOG(35-55)-induced Gnmt(-/-) mice. Moreover, the number of regulatory T (Treg) cells was increased significantly in these mice. When the T-cell receptor was stimulated, the proliferative capacity and the activation status of mTOR-associated downstream signaling were decreased significantly in Gnmt(-/-) CD4(+) T cells via an IL-2- and CD25-independent manner. Moreover, GNMT deficiency enhanced the differentiation of Treg cells without affecting the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells. Furthermore, the severity of EAE in mice adoptive transferred with GNMT-deficient CD4(+) T cells was much milder than in those with wild-type CD4(+) T cells. In summary, our findings suggest that GNMT is involved in the pathogenesis of EAE and plays a crucial role in the regulation of CD4(+) T-cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Hsien Li
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Lin
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Chu
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pang-Hsien Tu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Peir-In Liang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jason C Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chia Su
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories
| | - Huey-Kang Sytwu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Research and Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Tummala KS, Gomes AL, Yilmaz M, Graña O, Bakiri L, Ruppen I, Ximénez-Embún P, Sheshappanavar V, Rodriguez-Justo M, Pisano DG, Wagner EF, Djouder N. Inhibition of de novo NAD(+) synthesis by oncogenic URI causes liver tumorigenesis through DNA damage. Cancer Cell 2014; 26:826-839. [PMID: 25453901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms responsible for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. Using genetically engineered mouse models, we show that hepatocyte-specific expression of unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor (URI) leads to a multistep process of HCC development, whereas its genetic reduction in hepatocytes protects against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. URI inhibits aryl hydrocarbon (AhR)- and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcription of enzymes implicated in L-tryptophan/kynurenine/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) metabolism, thereby causing DNA damage at early stages of tumorigenesis. Restoring NAD(+) pools with nicotinamide riboside (NR) prevents DNA damage and tumor formation. Consistently, URI expression in human HCC is associated with poor survival and correlates negatively with L-tryptophan catabolism pathway. Our results suggest that boosting NAD(+) can be prophylactic or therapeutic in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna S Tummala
- Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group, BBVA Foundation-Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana L Gomes
- Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group, BBVA Foundation-Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mahmut Yilmaz
- Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group, BBVA Foundation-Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Osvaldo Graña
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology and Biocomputing Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Latifa Bakiri
- Genes, Development, and Disease Group, BBVA Foundation-Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Ruppen
- Proteomics Core Unit, ProteoRed ISCIII, Biotechnology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Ximénez-Embún
- Proteomics Core Unit, ProteoRed ISCIII, Biotechnology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Rodriguez-Justo
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London NHS Trust, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - David G Pisano
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology and Biocomputing Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Erwin F Wagner
- Genes, Development, and Disease Group, BBVA Foundation-Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nabil Djouder
- Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group, BBVA Foundation-Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, CNIO, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Abstract
Accumulation of triacylglycerols within the cytoplasm of hepatocytes to the degree that lipid droplets are visible microscopically is called liver steatosis. Most commonly, it occurs when there is an imbalance between the delivery or synthesis of fatty acids in the liver and their disposal through oxidative pathways or secretion into the blood as a component of triacylglycerols in very low density lipoprotein. This disorder is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the absence of alcoholic abuse and viral hepatitis, and it is often associated with insulin resistance, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Also, liver steatosis can be induced by many other causes including excessive alcohol consumption, infection with genotype 3 hepatitis C virus and certain medications. Whereas hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation was once considered the ultimate effector of hepatic lipotoxicity, triacylglycerols per se are quite inert and do not induce insulin resistance or cellular injury. Rather, lipotoxic injury in the liver appears to be mediated by the global ongoing fatty acid enrichment in the liver, paralleling the development of insulin resistance. A considerable number of fatty acid metabolites may be responsible for hepatic lipotoxicity and liver injury. Additional key contributors include hepatic cytosolic lipases and the "lipophagy" of lipid droplets, as sources of hepatic fatty acids. The specific origin of the lipids, mainly triacylglycerols, accumulating in liver has been unraveled by recent kinetic studies, and identifying the origin of the accumulated triacylglycerols in the liver of patients with NAFLD may direct the prevention and treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q-H Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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41
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Liu H, Gong M, French BA, Li J, Tillman B, French SW. Mallory-Denk Body (MDB) formation modulates Ufmylation expression epigenetically in alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Exp Mol Pathol 2014; 97:477-83. [PMID: 25290169 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Promoter CpG island hypermethylation is an important mechanism for inactivating key cellular enzymes that mediate epigenetic processes in hepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (Ufm1) conjugation pathway (Ufmylation) plays an essential role in protein degradation, protein quality control and signal transduction. Previous studies showed that the Ufmylation pathway was downregulated in alcoholic hepatitis (AH), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and in mice fed DDC, resulting in the formation of Mallory-Denk Bodies (MDBs). In this study, we further discovered that betaine, a methyl donor, fed together with DDC significantly prevents the increased expression of Ufmylation in drug-primed mice fed DDC. Betaine significantly prevented transcript silencing of Ufm1, Uba5 and UfSP1 where MDBs developed and also prevented the increased expression of FAT10 and LMP7 caused by DDC re-fed mice. Similar downregulation of Ufmylation was observed in multiple AH and NASH biopsies which had formed MDBs. The DNA methylation levels of Ufm1, Ufc1 and UfSP1 in the promoter CpG region were significantly increased both in AH and NASH patients compared to normal subjects. DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B) mRNA levels were markedly upregulated in AH and NASH patients, implying that the maintenance of Ufmylation methylation might be mediated by DNMT1 and DNMT3B together. These data show that MDB formation results from Ufmylation expression epigenetically in AH and NASH patients. Promoter CpG methylation may be a major mechanism silencing Ufmylation expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Pathology, LABioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA
| | - Ming Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, LABioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Barbara A French
- Department of Pathology, LABioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Pathology, LABioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA
| | - Brittany Tillman
- Department of Pathology, LABioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA
| | - Samuel W French
- Department of Pathology, LABioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA.
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42
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Yang D, Hanna DL, Usher J, LoCoco J, Chaudhari P, Lenz HJ, Setiawan VW, El-Khoueiry A. Impact of sex on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis. Cancer 2014; 120:3707-16. [PMID: 25081299 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.28912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men are 4 to 8 times more likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than women. Preclinical models have suggested a role for sex hormones in the development of HCC. In the current study, the authors investigated the impact of age, sex, race, and ethnicity on the survival of patients with HCC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. METHODS Patients diagnosed with HCC from 1988 through 2010 were identified from the SEER registry. Hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) were derived using the Cox regression model adjusted for race, year of diagnosis, marital status, treatment, birthplace, tumor differentiation, and tumor size. RESULTS A total of 39,345 patients were identified; 76% were men and 34% were women (50% white, 12% African American, 21% Asian, 16% Hispanic, and 1% Native American). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 61 years for men and 67 years for women. Approximately 84% of patients had liver-limited disease and 16% had metastatic disease. Treatment information was available for patients diagnosed after 1998 (34,674 patients): 11% received liver-directed therapy, 11% underwent surgical resection, and 7% underwent liver transplantation. The HR for the OS of women versus men was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.77-0.88) for patients aged <55 years. The protective effect of sex on OS was found to be greatest in patients aged 18 to 44 years (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.65-0.86 [P<.001]), especially those with surgically resected tumors (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.86 [P = .001]) and those who were African American (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.92 [P<.001]). There was no survival difference between sexes noted among Hispanics or patients aged >65 years. CONCLUSIONS Sex appears to be associated with survival in patients with HCC. The role of androgens and estrogens in the development and progression of HCC warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyun Yang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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43
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Dong Y, Wang A. Aberrant DNA methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma tumor suppression (Review). Oncol Lett 2014; 8:963-968. [PMID: 25120642 PMCID: PMC4114628 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation leads to altered gene expression, resulting in cancerous features. Numerous tumor suppressor genes are silenced by DNA methylation during hepatocarcinogenesis. Promoter CpG island hypermethylation is an important mechanism for inactivating tumor suppressor genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypermethylation of CpG islands in the p16 (INK4a) and p15 (INK4b) promoters may increase the risk of developing HCC, particularly hepatitis B virus-related HCC. Environmental factors can lead to geographic variations in the methylation status of CpG islands. Aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Thus, abnormal variations of DNMTs can contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. In hepatitis-related HCC, microRNAs participate in hepatocarcinogenesis by directly targeting DNMTs, during which hepatitis B virus X acts as a regulator. DNA methylation may also contribute to HCC tumorigenesis by regulating the cell cycle. Based on the importance of DNA methylation in tumor suppression of HCC, certain DNA methylations may predict the risk of tumor development, tumor staging, patient survival and HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youhong Dong
- Oncology Department, Xiangyang Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei 441000, P.R. China
| | - Anping Wang
- Oncology Department, Xiangyang Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei 441000, P.R. China
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44
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Chen M, Huang YL, Huang YC, Shui IM, Giovannucci E, Chen YC, Chen YMA. Genetic polymorphisms of the glycine N-methyltransferase and prostate cancer risk in the health professionals follow-up study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94683. [PMID: 24800880 PMCID: PMC4011739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) affects genetic stability by regulating the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine, by binding to folate, and by interacting with environmental carcinogens. In Taiwanese men, GNMT was found to be a tumor susceptibility gene for prostate cancer. However, the association of GNMT with prostate cancer risk in other ethnicities has not been studied. It was recently reported that sarcosine, which is regulated by GNMT, increased markedly in metastatic prostate cancer. We hereby explored the association of GNMT polymorphisms with prostate cancer risk in individuals of European descent from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). METHODS A total of 661 incident prostate cancer cases and 656 controls were identified from HPFS. The GNMT short tandem repeat polymorphism 1 (STRP1), 4-bp insertion/deletion polymorphisms (INS/DEL) and the single nucleotide polymorphism rs10948059 were genotyped to test for their association with prostate cancer risk. RESULTS The rs10948059 T/T genotype was associated with a 1.62-fold increase in prostate cancer risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 2.22) when compared with the C/C genotype. The STRP1 ≥ 16GAs/≥ 16GAs genotype was associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer when compared with the < 16GAs/< 16GAs genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.01). INS/DEL was not associated with prostate cancer risk. Haplotypes containing the rs10948059 T allele were significantly associated with increased prostate cancer risk. CONCLUSION In men of European descent, the GNMT rs10948059 and STRP1 were associated with prostate cancer risk. Compared to the study conducted in Taiwanese men, the susceptibility GNMT alleles for prostate cancer had a reverse relationship. This study highlights the differences in allelic frequencies and prostate cancer susceptibility in different ethnicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Chen
- Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Applications and Management, Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Huang
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuen Huang
- Genetics Center, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Irene M. Shui
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Edward Giovannucci
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yen-Ching Chen
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Genes, Environment, and Human Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (YCC); (YMC)
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (YCC); (YMC)
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45
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Chou WY, Zhao JF, Chen YMA, Lee KI, Su KH, Shyue SK, Lee TS. Role of glycine N-methyltransferase in experimental ulcerative colitis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 29:494-501. [PMID: 24219143 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders with unclear etiology and mechanism(s). Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) plays a central role in inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis and atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the impact of GNMT and the involved mechanism in the pathogenesis of IBD. In the current study, we investigated the role of GNMT in the mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. METHODS Protein expression was determined by Western blotting or immunohistochemistry. Histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by ELISA kits. RESULTS GNMT was expressed in the epithelium of the colon under normal conditions, and with DSS treatment, its expression was predominant in infiltrated leukocytes of lesions. Mice with genetic deletion of GNMT (GNMT(-/-) ) showed increased susceptibility to DSS induction of colitis, as revealed by the progression of colitis. Additionally, severe colonic inflammation, including increased crypt loss, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage, was greater with DSS treatment in GNMT(-/-) than wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression of adhesion molecule and inflammatory mediators in the colon was significantly higher with DSS treatment in GNMT(-/-) than wild-type mice. Moreover, loss of GNMT decreased cell apoptosis in colitis lesions with DSS treatment. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings suggest that GNMT may be a crucial molecule in the pathogenesis of DSS-induced colitis. This finding may provide new information for a potential therapeutic target in treating IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yueh Chou
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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46
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Abstract
NAFLD affects a large proportion of the US population and its incidence and prevalence are increasing to epidemic proportions around the world. As with other liver diseases that cause cirrhosis, NAFLD increases the risk of liver cancer, a disease with poor outcomes and limited therapeutic options. The incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are also rising, and HCC is now the leading cause of obesity-related cancer deaths in middle-aged men in the USA. In this Review, we summarize the correlations between liver cancer and NAFLD-related cirrhosis, and the role of the metabolic syndrome in the development of liver cancer from diverse aetiologies, including HCV-mediated cirrhosis. Recent advances in understanding the progression of NAFLD to HCC from preclinical models will also be discussed. Targeted genetic manipulation of certain metabolic or stress-response pathways, including one-carbon metabolism, NF-κB, PTEN and microRNAs, has been valuable in elucidating the pathways that regulate carcinogenesis in NAFLD. Although tremendous advances have occurred in the identification of diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities to reduce the progression of NAFLD, considerable gaps in our knowledge remain with regard to the mechanisms by which NAFLD and its risk factors promote liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Michelotti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 595 LaSalle Street, Snyderman Building, Suite 1073, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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47
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Witham KL, Butcher NJ, Sugamori KS, Brenneman D, Grant DM, Minchin RF. 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate and the S-adenosylmethionine cycle in C57BL/6J mouse tissues: gender differences and effects of arylamine N-acetyltransferase-1 deletion. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77923. [PMID: 24205029 PMCID: PMC3808426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Folate catabolism involves cleavage of the C9-N10 bond to form p-aminobenzoylgluamate (PABG) and pterin. PABG is then acetylated by human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) before excretion in the urine. Mice null for the murine NAT1 homolog (Nat2) show several phenotypes consistent with altered folate homeostasis. However, the exact role of Nat2 in the folate pathway in vivo has not been reported. Here, we examined the effects of Nat2 deletion in male and female mice on the tissue levels of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate and the methionine-S-adenosylmethionine cycle. We found significant gender differences in hepatic and renal homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine and methionine levels consistent with a more active methionine-S-adenosylmethionine cycle in female tissues. In addition, methionine levels were significantly higher in female liver and kidney. PABG was higher in female liver tissue but lower in kidney compared to male tissues. In addition, qPCR of mRNA extracted from liver tissue suggested a significantly lower level of Nat2 expression in female animals. Deletion of Nat2 affected liver 5- methyl-tetrahydrofolate in female mice but had little effect on other components of the methionine-S-adenosylmethionine cycle. No N-acetyl-PABG was observed in any tissues in Nat2 null mice, consistent with the role of Nat2 in PABG acetylation. Surprisingly, tissue PABG levels were similar between wild type and Nat2 null mice. These results show that Nat2 is not required to maintain tissue PABG homeostasis in vivo under normal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey L. Witham
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Neville J. Butcher
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kim S. Sugamori
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Debbie Brenneman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Denis M. Grant
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rodney F. Minchin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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48
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Wang YC, Lin WL, Lin YJ, Tang FY, Chen YM, Chiang EPI. A novel role of the tumor suppressor GNMT in cellular defense against DNA damage. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:799-810. [PMID: 23922098 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a folate binding protein commonly diminished in human hepatoma yet its role in tumor development remains to be established. GNMT binds to methylfolate but is also inhibited by it; how such interactions affect human carcinogenesis is unclear. We postulated that GNMT plays a role in folate-dependent methyl group homeostasis and helps maintain genome integrity by promoting nucleotide biosynthesis and DNA repair. To test the hypothesis, GNMT was over-expressed in GNMT-null cell lines cultured in conditions of folate abundance or restriction. The partitioning of folate dependent 1-carbon groups was investigated using stable isotopic tracers and GC/MS. DNA damage was assessed as uracil content in cell models, as well as in Gnmt wildtype (Gnmt(+/+)), heterozygote (Gnmt(+/-)) and knockout (Gnmt(-/-)) mice under folate deplete, replete, or supplementation conditions. Our study demonstrated that GMMT 1) supports methylene-folate dependent pyrimidine synthesis; 2) supports formylfolate dependent purine syntheses; 3) minimizes uracil incorporation into DNA when cells and animals were exposed to folate depletion; 4) translocates into nuclei during prolonged folate depletion. In conclusion, loss of GNMT impairs nucleotide biosynthesis. Over-expression of GNMT enhances nucleotide biosynthesis and improves DNA integrity by reducing uracil misincorporation in DNA both in vitro and in vivo. To our best knowledge, the role of GNMT in folate dependent 1-carbon transfer in nucleotide biosynthesis has never been investigated. The present study gives new insights into the underlying mechanism by which GNMT can participate in tumor prevention/suppression in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Cheng Wang
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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49
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Frau M, Feo F, Pascale RM. Pleiotropic effects of methionine adenosyltransferases deregulation as determinants of liver cancer progression and prognosis. J Hepatol 2013; 59:830-41. [PMID: 23665184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Downregulation of liver-specific MAT1A gene, encoding S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesizing isozymes MATI/III, and upregulation of widely expressed MAT2A, encoding MATII isozyme, known as MAT1A:MAT2A switch, occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Being inhibited by its reaction product, MATII isoform upregulation cannot compensate for MATI/III decrease. Therefore, MAT1A:MAT2A switch contributes to decrease in SAM level in rodent and human hepatocarcinogenesis. SAM administration to carcinogen-treated rats prevents hepatocarcinogenesis, whereas MAT1A-KO mice, characterized by chronic SAM deficiency, exhibit macrovesicular steatosis, mononuclear cell infiltration in periportal areas, and HCC development. This review focuses upon the pleiotropic changes, induced by MAT1A/MAT2A switch, associated with HCC development. Epigenetic control of MATs expression occurs at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In HCC cells, MAT1A/MAT2A switch is associated with global DNA hypomethylation, decrease in DNA repair, genomic instability, and signaling deregulation including c-MYC overexpression, rise in polyamine synthesis, upregulation of RAS/ERK, IKK/NF-kB, PI3K/AKT, and LKB1/AMPK axis. Furthermore, decrease in MAT1A expression and SAM levels results in increased HCC cell proliferation, cell survival, and microvascularization. All of these changes are reversed by SAM treatment in vivo or forced MAT1A overexpression or MAT2A inhibition in cultured HCC cells. In human HCC, MAT1A:MAT2A and MATI/III:MATII ratios correlate negatively with cell proliferation and genomic instability, and positively with apoptosis and global DNA methylation. This suggests that SAM decrease and MATs deregulation represent potential therapeutic targets for HCC. Finally, MATI/III:MATII ratio strongly predicts patients' survival length suggesting that MAT1A:MAT2A expression ratio is a putative prognostic marker for human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Frau
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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50
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Epigenetic regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Semin Cancer Biol 2013; 23:471-82. [PMID: 24018165 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence that epigenetics converts alterations in nutrient and metabolism into heritable pattern of gene expression has profound implications in understanding human physiology and diseases. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome including obesity and diabetes which elevate the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) especially in male. This review focuses on the molecular connections between metabolic dysfunction and aberrant epigenetic alterations in the development of HCC in NAFLD. The metabolites derived from excessive insulin, glucose and lipid may perturb epigenetic gene regulation through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA interference, leading to activation of pro-inflammatory signaling and deregulation of metabolic pathways. The interplay and crosstalk of chromatin-modifying enzymes, microRNAs, signaling pathways and the downstream transcription factors result in epigenomic reprogramming that drives hepatocellular transformation. The interactions between sex hormone pathways and the epigenetic machineries that influence chromatin states in NAFLD provide potential molecular mechanisms of gender disparity in HCC. A deeper understanding of these connections and comprehensive molecular catalog of hepatocarcinogenesis may shed light in the identification of druggable epigenetic targets for the prevention and treatment of HCC in obese or diabetic patients.
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