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Yao B, Hu W, Chen Y, Li J, Jiang K, Dou J. Pan-cancer analysis of the TRAF family genes and their correlation with prognosis, TME, immune and drug sensitivity. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:307. [PMID: 38825674 PMCID: PMC11145793 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01875-8] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis, functioning as adapters or E3 ubiquitin ligases across various signaling pathways. To date, limited research has explored the association between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes and the clinicopathological characteristics of tumors, immunity, and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This comprehensive study investigates the relationship between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family and prognosis, TME, immune response, and drug sensitivity in a pan-cancer context. METHODS Utilizing current public databases, this study examines the expression levels and prognostic significance of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes in a pan-cancer context through bioinformatic analysis. In addition, it investigates the correlation between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors expression and various factors, including the TME, immune subtypes, stemness scores, and drug sensitivity in pan-cancer. RESULTS Elevated expression levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2, 3, 4, and 7 were observed across various cancer types. Patients exhibiting high expression of these genes generally faced a worse prognosis. Furthermore, a significant correlation was noted between the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes and multiple dimensions of the TME, immune subtypes, and drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yao
- Changshu NO.2 People's Hospital, Changshu, China
| | - Weikang Hu
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Huai'an Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Huai'an, China
| | - Jing Li
- The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Kuirong Jiang
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jin Dou
- The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China.
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
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2
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Wan JX, Wang YQ, Lan SN, Chen L, Feng MQ, Chen X. Research Progress in Function and Regulation of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase SMURF1. Curr Med Sci 2023; 43:855-868. [PMID: 37558865 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2774-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) is an important homologous member of E6-AP C-terminus type E3 ubiquitin ligase. Initially, Smurf1 was reportedly involved in the negative regulation of the bone morphogenesis protein (BMP) pathway. After further research, several studies have confirmed that Smurf1 is widely involved in various biological processes, such as bone homeostasis regulation, cell migration, apoptosis, and planar cell polarity. At the same time, recent studies have provided a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of Smurf1's expression, activity, and substrate selectivity. In our review, a brief summary of recent important biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf1 is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Xi Wan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yu-Qi Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Si-Na Lan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Liu Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ming-Qian Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xin Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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Li J, Wang C, Xiao W, Chen Y, Tu J, Wan F, Deng K, Li H. TRAF Family Member 4 Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy Through the Activation of the AKT Pathway. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028185. [PMID: 37642020 PMCID: PMC10547335 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Background Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a major cause of heart failure morbidity. The complex mechanism of intermolecular interactions underlying the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy has led to a lack of development and application of therapeutic methods. Methods and Results Our study provides the first evidence that TRAF4, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family, acts as a promoter of cardiac hypertrophy. Here, Western blotting assays demonstrated that TRAF4 is upregulated in cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, TRAF4 deletion inhibits the development of cardiac hypertrophy in a mouse model after transverse aortic constriction surgery, whereas its overexpression promotes phenylephrine stimulation-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis revealed that TRAF4 promoted the activation of the protein kinase B pathway during cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, we found that inhibition of protein kinase B phosphorylation rescued the aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophic phenotypes caused by TRAF4 overexpression in phenylephrine-treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, suggesting that TRAF4 may regulate cardiac hypertrophy in a protein kinase B-dependent manner. Conclusions Our results revealed the regulatory function of TRAF4 in cardiac hypertrophy, which may provide new insights into developing therapeutic and preventive targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
| | - Chang‐Quan Wang
- Department of NeurologyHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
| | - Wen‐Chang Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
| | - Yun Chen
- Clinical Trial CentersHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
| | - Jun Tu
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of NeurologyHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
| | - Ke‐Qiong Deng
- Huanggang Institute of Translational MedicineHuanggangChina
- Department of CardiologyZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Huo‐Ping Li
- Department of CardiologyHuanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze UniversityHuanggangChina
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Zhong K, Liu X, Ding W, Peng L, Zeng X, Gu Y. TRAF inhibition drives cancer cell apoptosis and improves retinoic acid sensitivity in multiple cancers models. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:117. [PMID: 37389738 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00703-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are signaling adaptor proteins that play a crucial role in regulating cellular receptors' signaling transduction to downstream pathways and exert multifaceted roles in regulating signaling pathways, cell survival, and carcinogenesis. The 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, exhibits anti-cancer properties, but the development of retinoic acid resistance poses a challenge in clinical application. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between TRAFs and retinoic acid sensitivity in various cancers. Here, we revealed that TRAFs' expression varied significantly across The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer cohorts and human cancer cell lines. Additionally, inhibiting TRAF4, TRAF5, or TRAF6 improved retinoic acid sensitivity and reduced colony formation in ovarian cancer and melanoma cells. Mechanistically, knocking down TRAF4, TRAF5, or TRAF6 in retinoic acid-treated cancer cell lines increased the levels of procaspase 9 and induced cell apoptosis. Further in vivo studies using the SK-OV-3 and MeWo xenograft models confirmed the anti-tumor effects of TRAF knockdown combined with retinoic acid treatment. These findings support that combination therapy with retinoic acid and TRAF silencing may offer significant therapeutic advantages in treating melanoma and ovarian cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhong
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihua Ding
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lizhong Peng
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuhui Zeng
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yayun Gu
- Medical School, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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TRAF4 Silencing Induces Cell Apoptosis and Improves Retinoic Acid Sensitivity in Human Neuroblastoma. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:2116-2128. [PMID: 36795185 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03882-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric malignancy that arises in the peripheral nervous system, and the prognosis in the high-risk group remains dismal, despite the breakthroughs in multidisciplinary treatments. The oral treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) after high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant has been proven to reduce the incidence of tumor relapse in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. However, many patients still have tumors relapsed following retinoid therapy, highlighting the need for the identification of resistant factors and the development of more effective treatments. Herein, we sought to investigate the potential oncogenic roles of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family in neuroblastoma and explore the correlation between TRAFs and retinoic acid sensitivity. We discovered that all TRAFs were efficiently expressed in neuroblastoma, but TRAF4, in particular, was found to be strongly expressed. The high expression of TRAF4 was associated with a poor prognosis in human neuroblastoma. The inhibition of TRAF4, rather than other TRAFs, improved retinoic acid sensitivity in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS cells. Further in vitro studies indicated that TRAF4 suppression induced retinoic acid-induced cell apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, probably by upregulating the expression of Caspase 9 and AP1 while downregulating Bcl-2, Survivin, and IRF-1. Notably, the improved anti-tumor effects from the combination of TRAF4 knockdown and retinoic acid were confirmed in vivo using the SK-N-AS human neuroblastoma xenograft model. In conclusion, the highly expressed TRAF4 might be implicated in developing resistance to retinoic acid treatment in neuroblastoma, and the combination therapy with retinoic acid and TRAF4 inhibition may offer significant therapeutic advantages in the treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma.
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Silencing TRAIP suppresses cell proliferation and migration/invasion of triple negative breast cancer via RB-E2F signaling and EMT. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:74-84. [PMID: 36064576 PMCID: PMC9842503 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00517-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
TRAIP, as a 53 kDa E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, is involved in various cellular processes and closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. At present, few studies on the relationship between TRAIP and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) were reported. Bioinformatic analysis and Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC), CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, Transwell, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed, and xenograft mouse models were established to explore the role of TRAIP in TNBC. This study showed that the expression of TRAIP protein was upregulated in TNBC tissues and cell lines. Silencing of TRAIP significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells, whereas opposite results were observed in the TRAIP overexpression. In addition, TRAIP regulated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through RB-E2F signaling and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT). MiR-590-3p directly targeted the TRAIP 3'-UTR, and its expression were lower in TNBC tissues. Its mimic significantly downregulated the expression of TRAIP and subsequently suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Rescue experiments indicated that TRAIP silencing reversed the promotion of miR-590-3p inhibitor on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. TRAIP overexpression could also reverse the inhibition of miR-590-3p mimic on tumorigenesis. Finally, TRAIP knockdown significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in animal experiments. In conclusion, TRAIP is an oncogene that influences the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells through RB-E2F signaling and EMT. Therefore, TRAIP may be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.
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Erba F, Di Paola L, Di Venere A, Mastrangelo E, Cossu F, Mei G, Minicozzi V. Head or tail? A molecular dynamics approach to the complex structure of TNF-associated factor TRAF2. Biomol Concepts 2023; 14:bmc-2022-0031. [PMID: 37377424 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor proteins (TRAFs) are trimeric proteins that play a fundamental role in signaling, acting as intermediaries between the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors and the proteins that transmit the downstream signal. The monomeric subunits of all the TRAF family members share a common tridimensional structure: a C-terminal globular domain and a long coiled-coil tail characterizing the N-terminal section. In this study, the dependence of the TRAF2 dynamics on the length of its tail was analyzed in silico. In particular, we used the available crystallographic structure of a C-terminal fragment of TRAF2 (168 out of 501 a.a.), TRAF2-C, and that of a longer construct, addressed as TRAF2-plus, that we have re-constructed using the AlphaFold2 code. The results indicate that the longer N-terminal tail of TRAF2-plus has a strong influence on the dynamics of the globular regions in the protein C-terminal head. In fact, the quaternary interactions among the TRAF2-C subunits change asymmetrically in time, while the movements of TRAF2-plus monomers are rather limited and more ordered than those of the shorter construct. Such findings shed a new light on the dynamics of TRAF subunits and on the protein mechanism in vivo, since TRAF monomer-trimer equilibrium is crucial for several reasons (receptor recognition, membrane binding, hetero-oligomerization).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Erba
- Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Di Paola
- Unit of Chemical-Physics Fundamentals in Chemical Engineering, Department of Engineering, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Almerinda Di Venere
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Eloise Mastrangelo
- National Research Council (IBF-CNR) Milan Unit, Institute of Biophysics, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cossu
- National Research Council (IBF-CNR) Milan Unit, Institute of Biophysics, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giampiero Mei
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Velia Minicozzi
- Department of Physics and INFN, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Gu Y, Gao H, Zhang H, John A, Zhu X, Shivaram S, Yu J, Weinshilboum RM, Wang L. TRAF4 hyperactivates HER2 signaling and contributes to Trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:4119-4129. [PMID: 35864174 PMCID: PMC9417995 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02415-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The HER2 receptor modulates downstream signaling by forming homodimers and heterodimers with other members of the HER family. For patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody as first-line therapy has shown significant survival benefits. However, the development of acquired resistance to Trastuzumab continues to be a significant obstacle. TNF receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) upregulation was discovered to be associated with a worse clinical outcome. Here we identified TRAF4 overexpression as one of the putative mechanisms for HER2-positive breast cancer cells to maintain HER2 signaling during Trastuzumab treatment, while TRAF4 knockdown reduced HER2 stability and improved Trastuzumab sensitivity. Mechanistically, TRAF4 regulates HER2 level through its impact on SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase protein 2 (SMURF2). The development of a membrane-associated protein complex containing HER2, TRAF4, and SMURF2 has been observed. SMURF2 bound to the HER2 cytoplasmic domain, and directly ubiquitinated it leading to HER2 degradation, whereas TRAF4 stabilized HER2 by degrading SMURF2 and inhibiting the binding of SMURF2 to HER2. Moreover, downregulation of TRAF4 has decreased the AKT/mTOR signaling. In conclusion, we discovered a new HER2 signaling regulation that involves the TRAF4-SMURF2 complex, a possible mechanism that might contribute to anti-HER2 resistance, making TRAF4 a viable target for treating HER2 + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayun Gu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Huanyao Gao
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Huan Zhang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - August John
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Suganti Shivaram
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jia Yu
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Richard M Weinshilboum
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Liewei Wang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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