The Map3k12 (Dlk)/JNK3 signaling pathway is required for pancreatic beta-cell proliferation during postnatal development

Beta cells are essential drivers of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development

Pancreatic endocrine-exocrine crosstalk plays a key role in normal physiology and disease. For instance, endocrine islet beta (β) cell secretion of insulin or cholecystokinin (CCK) promotes progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), an exocrine cell-derived tumor. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern endocrine-exocrine signaling in tumorigenesis remain incompletely understood. We find that β cell ablation impedes PDAC development in mice, arguing that the endocrine pancreas is critical for exocrine tumorigenesis. Conversely, obesity induces β cell hormone dysregulation, alters CCK-dependent peri-islet exocrine cell transcriptional states, and enhances islet proximal tumor formation. Single-cell RNA-sequencing, in silico latent-space archetypal and trajectory analysis, and genetic lineage tracing in vivo reveal that obesity stimulates postnatal immature β cell expansion and adaptation towards a pro-tumorigenic CCK+ state via JNK/cJun stress-responsive signaling. These results define endocrine-exocrine signaling as a driver of PDAC development and uncover new avenues to target the endocrine pancreas to subvert exocrine tumorigenesis.

Comprehensive analysis of MAPK genes in the prognosis, immune characteristics, and drug treatment of renal clear cell carcinoma using bioinformatic analysis and Mendelian randomization

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling is vitally important in tumour development and progression. This study is the first to comprehensively analyse the role of MAPK-family genes in the progression, prognosis, immune-cell infiltration, methylation, and potential therapeutic value drug candidates in ccRCC. We identified a novel prognostic panel of six MAPK-signature genes (MAP3K12, MAP3K1, MAP3K5, MAPK1, MAPK8, MAPK9), and introduced a robust MAPK-signature risk model for predicting ccRCC prognosis. Model construction, evaluation, and external validation using datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database demonstrated its stability, as well as high sensitivity and specificity. Enrichment analysis suggested the participation of immune-mediated mechanism in MAPK dysregulation in ccRCC. Immune-infiltration analysis confirmed the relationship and revealed that the MAPK-signature risk model might stratify immunotherapy response in ccRCC, which was verified in drug sensitivity analysis and validated in external ccRCC immunotherapy dataset (GSE67501). Potential therapeutic drug predictions for key MAPKs using DSigDB, Network Analyst, CTD, and DGIdb were subsequently verified by molecular docking with AutoDock Vina and PyMol. Mendelian randomization further demonstrated the possibilities of the MAPK-signature genes as targets for therapeutic drugs in ccRCC. Methylation analysis using UALCAN and MethSurv revealed the participation of epigenetic modifications in dysregulation and survival difference of MAPK pathway in ccRCC. Among the key MAPKs, MAP3K12 exhibited the highest significance, indicating its independent prognostic value as single gene in ccRCC. Knockout and overexpression validation experiments in vitro and in vivo found that MAP3K12 acted as a promoter of tumour progression in RCC, suggesting a pivotal role for MAP3K12 in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RCC cells. Our findings proposed the potential of MAPK-signature genes as biomarkers for prognosis and therapy response, as well as targets for therapeutic drugs in ccRCC.

The role of JNK signaling pathway in organ fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Fibrosis is a tissue damage repair response caused by multiple pathogenic factors which could occur in almost every apparatus and leading to the tissue structure damage, physiological abnormality, and even organ failure until death. Up to now, there is still no specific drugs or strategies can effectively block or changeover tissue fibrosis. JNKs, a subset of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), have been reported that participates in various biological processes, such as genetic expression, DNA damage, and cell activation/proliferation/death pathways. Increasing studies indicated that abnormal regulation of JNK signal pathway has strongly associated with tissue fibrosis.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review designed to sum up the molecular mechanism progresses in the role of JNK signal pathway in organ fibrosis, hoping to provide a novel therapy strategy to tackle tissue fibrosis.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Recent evidence shows that JNK signaling pathway could modulates inflammation, immunoreaction, oxidative stress and Multiple cell biological functions in organ fibrosis. Therefore, targeting the JNK pathway may be a useful strategy in cure fibrosis.

Research advances in understanding crosstalk between organs and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction

Obesity has increased dramatically worldwide. Being overweight or obese can lead to various conditions, including dyslipidaemia, hypertension, glucose intolerance and metabolic syndrome (MetS), which may further lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous studies have identified a link between β-cell dysfunction and the severity of MetS, with multiple organs and tissues affected. Identifying the associations between pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and organs is critical. Research has focused on the interaction between the liver, gut and pancreatic β-cells. However, the mechanisms and related core targets are still not perfectly elucidated. The aims of this review were to summarize the mechanisms of β-cell dysfunction and to explore the potential pathogenic pathways and targets that connect the liver, gut, adipose tissue, muscle, and brain to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction.

Potential Role of Phytochemicals as Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor (GLP-1R) Agonists in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Currently, there is no known cure for diabetes. Different pharmaceutical therapies have been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), some are in clinical trials and they have been classified according to their route or mechanism of action. Insulin types, sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors, and incretin-dependent therapies (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: GLP-1R, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors: DPP-4). Although some of the currently available drugs are effective in the management of T2DM, the side effects resulting from prolonged use of these drugs remain a serious challenge. GLP-1R agonists are currently the preferred medications to include when oral metformin alone is insufficient to manage T2DM. Medicinal plants now play prominent roles in the management of various diseases globally because they are readily available and affordable as well as having limited and transient side effects. Recently, studies have reported the ability of phytochemicals to activate glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), acting as an agonist just like the GLP-1R agonist with beneficial effects in the management of T2DM. Consequently, we propose that careful exploration of phytochemicals for the development of novel therapeutic candidates as GLP-1R agonists will be a welcome breakthrough in the management of T2DM and the co-morbidities associated with T2DM.

Regulation of the Activity of the Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase by Distinct Mechanisms

The dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) alias mitogen-activated protein 3 kinase 12 (MAP3K12) has gained much attention in recent years. DLK belongs to the mixed lineage kinases, characterized by homology to serine/threonine and tyrosine kinase, but exerts serine/threonine kinase activity. DLK has been implicated in many diseases, including several neurodegenerative diseases, glaucoma, and diabetes mellitus. As a MAP3K, it is generally assumed that DLK becomes phosphorylated and activated by upstream signals and phosphorylates and activates itself, the downstream serine/threonine MAP2K, and, ultimately, MAPK. In addition, other mechanisms such as protein-protein interactions, proteasomal degradation, dephosphorylation by various phosphatases, palmitoylation, and subcellular localization have been shown to be involved in the regulation of DLK activity or its fine-tuning. In the present review, the diverse mechanisms regulating DLK activity will be summarized to provide better insights into DLK action and, possibly, new targets to modulate DLK function.

Hub genes, key miRNAs and interaction analyses in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an integrative in silico approach

Diabetes is a rising global metabolic disorder and leads to long-term consequences. As a multifactorial disease, the gene-associated mechanisms are important to know. This study applied a bioinformatics approach to explore the molecular underpinning of type 2 diabetes mellitus through differential gene expression analysis. We used microarray datasets GSE16415 and GSE29226 to identify differentially expressed genes between type 2 diabetes and normal samples using R software. Following that, using the STRING database, the protein-protein interaction network was constructed and further analyzed by Cytoscape software. The EnrichR database was used for Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analysis to explore key pathways and functional annotations of hub genes. We also used miRTarBase and TargetScan databases to predict miRNAs targeting hub genes. We identified 21 hub genes in type 2 diabetes, some showing more significant changes in the PPI network. Our results revealed that GLUL, SLC32A1, PC, MAPK10, MAPT, and POSTN genes are more important in the PPI network and can be experimentally investigated as therapeutic targets. Hsa-miR-492 and hsa-miR-16-5p are suggested for diagnosis and prognosis by targeting GLUL, SLC32A1, PC, MAPK10, and MAPT genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway. Insight: Type 2 diabetes, as a rising global and multifactorial disorder, is important to know the gene-associated mechanisms. In an integrative bioinformatics analysis, we integrated different finding datasets to put together and find valuable diagnostic and prognostic hub genes and miRNAs. In contrast, genes, RNAs, and enzymes interact systematically in pathways. Using multiple databases and software, we identified differential expression between hub genes of diabetes and normal samples. We explored different protein-protein interaction networks, gene ontology, key pathway analysis, and predicted miRNAs that target hub genes. This study reported 21 significant hub genes and some miRNAs in the insulin signaling pathway for innovative and potential diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Venom Peptides, Polyphenols and Alkaloids: Are They the Next Antidiabetics That Will Preserve β-Cell Mass and Function in Type 2 Diabetes?

Improvement of insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells and preservation of their mass are the current challenges that future antidiabetic drugs should meet for achieving efficient and long-term glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The successful development of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues, derived from the saliva of a lizard from the Helodermatidae family, has provided the proof of concept that antidiabetic drugs directly targeting pancreatic β-cells can emerge from venomous animals. The literature reporting on the antidiabetic effects of medicinal plants suggests that they contain some promising active substances such as polyphenols and alkaloids, which could be active as insulin secretagogues and β-cell protectors. In this review, we discuss the potential of several polyphenols, alkaloids and venom peptides from snake, frogs, scorpions and cone snails. These molecules could contribute to the development of new efficient antidiabetic medicines targeting β-cells, which would tackle the progression of the disease.

Increase of c-FOS promoter transcriptional activity by the dual leucine zipper kinase

The dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) and the ubiquitously expressed transcription factor c-FOS have important roles in beta-cell proliferation and function. Some studies in neuronal cells suggest that DLK can influence c-FOS expression. Given that c-FOS is mainly regulated at the transcriptional level, the effect of DLK on c-FOS promoter activity was investigated in the beta-cell line HIT. The methods used in this study are the following: Luciferase reporter gene assays, immunoblot analysis, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing, and real-time quantitative PCR. In the beta-cell line HIT, overexpressed DLK increased c-FOS promoter activity twofold. Using 5'-,3'-promoter deletions, the promoter regions from - 348 to - 339 base pairs (bp) and from a - 284 to - 53 bp conferred basal activity, whereas the promoter region from - 711 to - 348 bp and from - 53 to + 48 bp mediated DLK responsiveness. Mutation of the cAMP response element within the promoter prevented the stimulatory effect of DLK. Treatment of HIT cells with KCl and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin increased c-FOS promoter transcriptional activity ninefold. Since the transcriptional activity of those promoter fragments activated by KCl and forskolin was decreased by DLK, DLK might interfere with KCl/forskolin-induced signaling. In a newly generated, genome-edited HIT cell line lacking catalytically active DLK, c-Fos mRNA levels were reduced by 80% compared to the wild-type cell line. DLK increased c-FOS promoter activity but decreased stimulated transcriptional activity, suggesting that DLK fine-tunes c-FOS promoter-dependent gene transcription. Moreover, at least in HIT cells, DLK is required for FOS mRNA expression.

Lessons from neonatal β-cell epigenomic for diabetes prevention and treatment

Pancreatic β-cell expansion and functional maturation during the birth-to-weaning period plays an essential role in the adaptation of plasma insulin levels to metabolic needs. These events are driven by epigenetic programs triggered by growth factors, hormones, and nutrients. These mechanisms operating in the neonatal period can be at least in part reactivated in adult life to increase the functional β-cell mass and face conditions of increased insulin demand such as obesity or pregnancy. In this review, we will highlight the importance of studying these signaling pathways and epigenetic programs to understand the causes of different forms of diabetes and to permit the design of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat this metabolic disorder affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Colocalization and Interaction Study of Neuronal JNK3, JIP1, and β-Arrestin2 Together with PSD95

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are stress-activated serine/threonine protein kinases belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. Among them, JNK3 is selectively expressed in the central nervous system, cardiac smooth muscle, and testis. In addition, it is the most responsive JNK isoform to stress stimuli in the brain, and it is involved in synaptic dysfunction, an essential step in neurodegenerative processes. JNK3 pathway is organized in a cascade of amplification in which signal transduction occurs by stepwise, highly controlled phosphorylation. Since different MAPKs share common upstream activators, pathway specificity is guaranteed by scaffold proteins such as JIP1 and β-arrestin2. To better elucidate the physiological mechanisms regulating JNK3 in neurons, and how these interactions may be involved in synaptic (dys)function, we used (i) super-resolution microscopy to demonstrate the colocalization among JNK3-PSD95-JIP1 and JNK3-PSD95-β-arrestin2 in cultured hippocampal neurons, and (ii) co-immunoprecipitation techniques to show that the two scaffold proteins and JNK3 can be found interacting together with PSD95. The protein-protein interactions that govern the formation of these two complexes, JNK3-PSD95-JIP1 and JNK3-PSD95-β-arrestin2, may be used as targets to interfere with their downstream synaptic events.

Mechanisms Underlying the Expansion and Functional Maturation of β-Cells in Newborns: Impact of the Nutritional Environment

The functional maturation of insulin-secreting β-cells is initiated before birth and is completed in early postnatal life. This process has a critical impact on the acquisition of an adequate functional β-cell mass and on the capacity to meet and adapt to insulin needs later in life. Many cellular pathways playing a role in postnatal β-cell development have already been identified. However, single-cell transcriptomic and proteomic analyses continue to reveal new players contributing to the acquisition of β-cell identity. In this review, we provide an updated picture of the mechanisms governing postnatal β-cell mass expansion and the transition of insulin-secreting cells from an immature to a mature state. We then highlight the contribution of the environment to β-cell maturation and discuss the adverse impact of an in utero and neonatal environment characterized by calorie and fat overload or by protein deficiency and undernutrition. Inappropriate nutrition early in life constitutes a risk factor for developing diabetes in adulthood and can affect the β-cells of the offspring over two generations. A better understanding of these events occurring in the neonatal period will help developing better strategies to produce functional β-cells and to design novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

The Human Islet: Mini-Organ With Mega-Impact

This review focuses on the human pancreatic islet-including its structure, cell composition, development, function, and dysfunction. After providing a historical timeline of key discoveries about human islets over the past century, we describe new research approaches and technologies that are being used to study human islets and how these are providing insight into human islet physiology and pathophysiology. We also describe changes or adaptations in human islets in response to physiologic challenges such as pregnancy, aging, and insulin resistance and discuss islet changes in human diabetes of many forms. We outline current and future interventions being developed to protect, restore, or replace human islets. The review also highlights unresolved questions about human islets and proposes areas where additional research on human islets is needed.

JNK1 ablation improves pancreatic β-cell mass and function in db/db diabetic mice without affecting insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue inflammation

The cJun N‐terminal Kinases (JNK) emerged as a major link between obesity and insulin resistance, but their role in the loss of pancreatic β‐cell mass and function driving the progression from insulin resistance to type‐2 diabetes and in the complications of diabetes was not investigated to the same extent. Furthermore, it was shown that pan‐JNK inhibition exacerbates kidney damage in the db/db model of obesity‐driven diabetes. Here we investigate the role of JNK1 in the db/db model of obesity‐driven type‐2 diabetes. Mice with systemic ablation of JNK1 (JNK1^−/−) were backcrossed for more than 10 generations in db/+ C57BL/KS mice to generate db/db‐JNK1^−/− mice and db/db control mice. To define the role of JNK1 in the loss of β‐cell mass and function occurring during obesity‐driven diabetes we performed comprehensive metabolic phenotyping, evaluated steatosis and metabolic inflammation, performed morphometric and cellular composition analysis of pancreatic islets, and evaluated kidney function in db/db‐JNK1^−/− mice and db/db controls. db/db‐JNK1^−/− mice and db/db control mice developed insulin resistance, fatty liver, and metabolic inflammation to a similar extent. However, db/db‐JNK1^−/− mice displayed better glucose tolerance and improved insulin levels during glucose tolerance test, higher pancreatic insulin content, and larger pancreatic islets with more β‐cells than db/db mice. Finally, albuminuria, kidney histopathology, kidney inflammation and oxidative stress in db/db‐JNK1^−/− mice and in db/db mice were similar. Our data indicate that selective JNK1 ablation improves glucose tolerance in db/db mice by reducing the loss of functional β‐cells occurring in the db/db mouse model of obesity‐driven diabetes, without significantly affecting metabolic inflammation, steatosis, and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we have found that, differently from what previously reported for pan‐JNK inhibitors, selective JNK1 ablation does not exacerbate kidney dysfunction in db/db mice. We conclude that selective JNK1 inactivation may have a superior therapeutic index than pan‐JNK inhibition in obesity‐driven diabetes.

Regulation of dual leucine zipper kinase activity through its interaction with calcineurin

Hyperglycemia enhancing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to dysfunction and progressive loss of beta cells and thereby to diabetes mellitus. The oxidation sensitive calcium/calmodulin dependent phosphatase calcineurin promotes pancreatic beta cell function and survival whereas the dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) induces apoptosis. Therefore, it was studied whether calcineurin interferes with DLK action. In a beta cell line similar concentrations of H₂O₂ decreased calcineurin activity and activated DLK. DLK interacted via its φLxVP motif (aa 362-365) with the interface of the calcineurin subunits A and B. Mutation of the Val prevented this protein protein interaction, hinting at a distinct φLxVP motif. Indeed, mutational analysis revealed an ordered structure of DLK's φLxVP motif whereby Val mediates the interaction with calcineurin and Leu maintains an enzymatically active conformation. Overexpression of DLK wild-type but not the DLK mutant unable to bind calcineurin diminished calcineurin-induced nuclear localisation of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), suggesting that both, DLK and NFAT compete for the substrate binding site of calcineurin. The calcineurin binding-deficient DLK mutant exhibited increased DLK activity measured as phosphorylation of the downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inhibition of CRE-dependent gene transcription and induction of apoptosis. These findings show that calcineurin interacts with DLK; and inhibition of calcineurin increases DLK activity. Hence, this study demonstrates a novel mechanism regulating DLK action. These findings suggest that ROS through inhibition of calcineurin enhance DLK activity and thereby lead to beta cell dysfunction and loss and ultimately diabetes mellitus.

Biological Properties of JNK3 and Its Function in Neurons, Astrocytes, Pancreatic β-Cells and Cardiovascular Cells

JNK is a protein kinase, which induces transactivation of c-jun. The three isoforms of JNK, JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, are encoded by three distinct genes. JNK1 and JNK2 are expressed ubiquitously throughout the body. By contrast, the expression of JNK3 is limited and observed mainly in the brain, heart, and testes. Concerning the biological properties of JNKs, the contribution of upstream regulators and scaffold proteins plays an important role in the activation of JNKs. Since JNK signaling has been described as a form of stress-response signaling, the contribution of JNK3 to pathophysiological events, such as stress response or cell death including apoptosis, has been well studied. However, JNK3 also regulates the physiological functions of neurons and non-neuronal cells, such as development, regeneration, and differentiation/reprogramming. In this review, we shed light on the physiological functions of JNK3. In addition, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge regarding interactions between JNK3 and cellular reprogramming.