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Yan L, Liu S, Sun G, Ding B, Wang Z, Li H. Loss of SETD2-mediated downregulation of intracellular and exosomal miRNA-10b determines MAPK pathway activation and multidrug resistance in renal cancer. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1770-1781. [PMID: 37589422 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
SET domain-containing 2 (SETD2) is the most frequently mutated gene among all the histone methyltransferases in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Microarrays, RNA sequencing analysis and exosomes analysis of cellular supernatant were performed after transfection A498 cells with si-SETD2 or siRNA of negative control. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and Luciferase reporter assay were conducted to evaluate the interaction between SETD2 and miR-10b. Functional and drug experiments in vitro and in vivo were performed to verify the role of SETD2, miR-10b and MAP4K4. The results showed that loss of SETD2 mediated downregulation of intracellular and exosomal microRNA-10b. MAP4K4 were relevant to oncogenesis of ccRCC caused by loss of SETD2 and miR-10b. SETD2 could directly target miR-10b and regulate the expression of multidrug resistance (MDR)-1 (P-gp170) through JNK pathway, which was one of the downstream pathways of MAP4K4. The coordinated expression of SETD2/H3K36me3/miR-10b/MAPKs/JNK/MDR pathway was revealed to the progression of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libin Yan
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Siyue Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Beichen Ding
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Urinary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhize Wang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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2
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George N, Bhandari P, Shruptha P, Jayaram P, Chaudhari S, Satyamoorthy K. Multidimensional outlook on the pathophysiology of cervical cancer invasion and metastasis. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2581-2606. [PMID: 36905477 PMCID: PMC10006576 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer being one of the primary causes of high mortality rates among women is an area of concern, especially with ineffective treatment strategies. Extensive studies are carried out to understand various aspects of cervical cancer initiation, development and progression; however, invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma has poor outcomes. Moreover, the advanced stages of cervical cancer may involve lymphatic circulation with a high risk of tumor recurrence at distant metastatic sites. Dysregulation of the cervical microbiome by human papillomavirus (HPV) together with immune response modulation and the occurrence of novel mutations that trigger genomic instability causes malignant transformation at the cervix. In this review, we focus on the major risk factors as well as the functionally altered signaling pathways promoting the transformation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We further elucidate genetic and epigenetic variations to highlight the complexity of causal factors of cervical cancer as well as the metastatic potential due to the changes in immune response, epigenetic regulation, DNA repair capacity, and cell cycle progression. Our bioinformatics analysis on metastatic and non-metastatic cervical cancer datasets identified various significantly and differentially expressed genes as well as the downregulation of potential tumor suppressor microRNA miR-28-5p. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the genomic landscape in invasive and metastatic cervical cancer will help in stratifying the patient groups and designing potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neena George
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Poonam Bhandari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Padival Shruptha
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Pradyumna Jayaram
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Sima Chaudhari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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3
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Singh SK, Roy R, Kumar S, Srivastava P, Jha S, Rana B, Rana A. Molecular Insights of MAP4K4 Signaling in Inflammatory and Malignant Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082272. [PMID: 37190200 PMCID: PMC10136566 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are crucial in extracellular signal transduction to cellular responses. The classical three-tiered MAPK cascades include signaling through MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that activates a MAP kinase kinase (MAP2K), which in turn induces MAPK activation and downstream cellular responses. The upstream activators of MAP3K are often small guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins, but in some pathways, MAP3K can be activated by another kinase, which is known as a MAP kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K). MAP4K4 is one of the widely studied MAP4K members, known to play a significant role in inflammatory, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases. The MAP4K4 signal transduction plays an essential role in cell proliferation, transformation, invasiveness, adhesiveness, inflammation, stress responses, and cell migration. Overexpression of MAP4K4 is frequently reported in many cancers, including glioblastoma, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. Besides its mainstay pro-survival role in various malignancies, MAP4K4 has been implicated in cancer-associated cachexia. In the present review, we discuss the functional role of MAP4K4 in malignant/non-malignant diseases and cancer-associated cachexia and its possible use in targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Singh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ruchi Roy
- UICentre for Drug Discovery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Piush Srivastava
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Saket Jha
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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4
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Sun L, Qiu Y, Ching WK, Zhao P, Zou Q. PCB: A pseudotemporal causality-based Bayesian approach to identify EMT-associated regulatory relationships of AS events and RBPs during breast cancer progression. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010939. [PMID: 36930678 PMCID: PMC10057809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
During breast cancer metastasis, the developmental process epithelial-mesenchymal (EM) transition is abnormally activated. Transcriptional regulatory networks controlling EM transition are well-studied; however, alternative RNA splicing also plays a critical regulatory role during this process. Alternative splicing was proved to control the EM transition process, and RNA-binding proteins were determined to regulate alternative splicing. A comprehensive understanding of alternative splicing and the RNA-binding proteins that regulate it during EM transition and their dynamic impact on breast cancer remains largely unknown. To accurately study the dynamic regulatory relationships, time-series data of the EM transition process are essential. However, only cross-sectional data of epithelial and mesenchymal specimens are available. Therefore, we developed a pseudotemporal causality-based Bayesian (PCB) approach to infer the dynamic regulatory relationships between alternative splicing events and RNA-binding proteins. Our study sheds light on facilitating the regulatory network-based approach to identify key RNA-binding proteins or target alternative splicing events for the diagnosis or treatment of cancers. The data and code for PCB are available at: http://hkumath.hku.hk/~wkc/PCB(data+code).zip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangjie Sun
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yushan Qiu
- College of Mathematics and Statistics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Wai-Ki Ching
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pu Zhao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Quan Zou
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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MAP4K4 promotes ovarian cancer metastasis through diminishing ADAM10-dependent N-cadherin cleavage. Oncogene 2023; 42:1438-1452. [PMID: 36922678 PMCID: PMC10154218 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02650-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Peritoneal metastasis is a key feature of advanced ovarian cancer, but the critical protein required for ovarian cancer metastasis and progression is yet to be defined. Thus, an unbiased high throughput and in-depth study is warranted to unmask the mechanism. Transcriptomic sequencing of paired primary ovarian tumors and metastases unveiled that MAP4K4, a serine/threonine kinase belongs to the Ste20 family of kinases, was highly expressed in metastatic sites. Increased MAP4K4 expression in metastasis was further validated in other independent patients, with higher MAP4K4 expression associated with poorer survival, higher level of CA125 and more advanced FIGO stage. Down regulation of MAP4K4 inhibited cancer cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. Notably, MAP4K4 was found to stabilize N-cadherin. Further results showed that MAP4K4 mediated phosphorylation of ADAM10 at Ser436 results in suppression of N-cadherin cleavage by ADAM10, leading to N-cadherin stabilization. Pharmacologic inhibition of MAP4K4 abrogated peritoneal metastases. Overall, our data reveal MAP4K4 as a significant promoter in ovarian cancer metastasis. Targeting MAP4K4 may be a potential therapeutic approach for ovarian cancer patients.
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Zhang J, Cai X, Cui W, Wei Z. Bioinformatics and Experimental Analyses Reveal MAP4K4 as a Potential Marker for Gastric Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101786. [PMID: 36292671 PMCID: PMC9601900 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer remains the most prevalent and highly lethal disease worldwide. MAP4K4, a member of Ste20, plays an important role in various pathologies, including cancer. However, its role in gastric cancer is not yet fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to determine the tumor-promoting role of MAP4K4 in gastric cancer and whether it can be used as a new and reliable biomarker to predict the prognosis of gastric cancer. For this purpose, we divide the samples into high- and low-expression groups according to the expression level of MAP4K4. The association of MAP4K4 expression with prognosis is assessed using the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis using ESTIMATE is conducted to evaluate the tumor immune scores of the samples. Results: The findings reveal a significantly higher expression of MAP4K4 in tumor samples than in adjacent samples. The high-expression group was significantly enriched in tumor-related pathways, such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In addition, immune infiltration analysis revealed a positive correlation between immune scores and MAP4K4 expression. We also observed that miRNAs, such as miR-192-3p (R = −0.317, p-value 3.111 × 10−9), miR-33b-5p (R= −0.238, p-value 1.166 × 10−5), and miR-582-3p (R = −0.214, p-value 8.430 × 10−5), had potential negative regulatory effects on MAP4K4. Moreover, we identified several transcription factors, ubiquitinated proteins, and interacting proteins that might regulate MAP4K4. The relationship between MAP4K4 and DNA methylation was also identified. Finally, we verified the high expression of MAP4K4 and its effect on promoting cancer. Conclusion: MAP4K4 might be closely related to gastric cancer’s progression, invasion, and metastasis. Its high expression negatively impacts the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. This suggests MAP4K4 as an important prognostic factor for gastric cancer and could be regarded as a new potential prognostic detection and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Zhang
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Xiaoping Cai
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Weifeng Cui
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Zheng Wei
- Cancer Research Institute, Henan Academy Institute of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine; Zhengzhou 450004, China
- Correspondence:
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Hsa_circ_0000877 facilitates the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by miR-370-3p/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4/Hippo pathway. Anticancer Drugs 2022; 33:1091-1102. [PMID: 36066383 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) originates from B lymphocytes and is a fatal hematological malignancy. Circular RNAs have been increasingly reported as a promising biological target for cancer therapy, but their role in DLBCL remains poorly studied. Relative expression levels of has_circ_0000877 (circ_0000877), microRNA-370-3p (miR-370-3p), and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot analysis was employed to measure protein levels. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay were used to detect the proliferation of TMD8 and U2932 cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry. Transwell assay was used to analyze cell migration and invasion. Molecular interaction was determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The protein expression of Ki67 in tumor tissues of mice was detected by immunohistochemistry assay. The expression of circ_0000877 was markedly elevated in DLBCL tissues and cell lines. The decreased expression of circ_0000877 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of DLBCL cell lines. In addition, silencing circ_0000877 promoted cell apoptosis and induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Then, miR-370-3p directly interacted with circ_0000877 and MAP4K4. Circ_0000877 promoted MAP4K4 level by sponging miR-370-3p. MAP4K4 depletion inhibited the activation of Hippo pathway. Finally, circ_0000877 silencing significantly prevented the growth of DLBCL cells in vivo . Our findings revealed that circ_0000877 could regulate the malignant evolution of DLBCL by miR-370-3p/MAP4K4/Hippo pathway.
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Aljabban J, Rohr M, Syed S, Cohen E, Hashi N, Syed S, Khorfan K, Aljabban H, Borkowski V, Segal M, Mukhtar M, Mohammed M, Boateng E, Nemer M, Panahiazar M, Hadley D, Jalil S, Mumtaz K. Dissecting novel mechanisms of hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma using meta-analysis of public data. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1856-1873. [PMID: 36187396 PMCID: PMC9516659 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i9.1856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interestingly, this process is not necessarily mediated through cirrhosis and may in fact involve oncogenic processes. Prior studies have suggested specific oncogenic gene expression pathways were affected by viral regulatory proteins. Thus, identifying these genes and associated pathways could highlight predictive factors for HCC transformation and has implications in early diagnosis and treatment.
AIM To elucidate HBV oncogenesis in HCC and identify potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS We employed our Search, Tag, Analyze, Resource platform to conduct a meta-analysis of public data from National Center for Biotechnology Information’s Gene Expression Omnibus. We performed meta-analysis consisting of 155 tumor samples compared against 185 adjacent non-tumor samples and analyzed results with ingenuity pathway analysis.
RESULTS Our analysis revealed liver X receptors/retinoid X receptor (RXR) activation and farnesoid X receptor/RXR activation as top canonical pathways amongst others. Top upstream regulators identified included the Ras family gene rab-like protein 6 (RABL6). The role of RABL6 in oncogenesis is beginning to unfold but its specific role in HBV-related HCC remains undefined. Our causal analysis suggests RABL6 mediates pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC through promotion of genes related to cell division, epigenetic regulation, and Akt signaling. We conducted survival analysis that demonstrated increased mortality with higher RABL6 expression. Additionally, homeobox A10 (HOXA10) was a top upstream regulator and was strongly upregulated in our analysis. HOXA10 has recently been demonstrated to contribute to HCC pathogenesis in vitro. Our causal analysis suggests an in vivo role through downregulation of tumor suppressors and other mechanisms.
CONCLUSION This meta-analysis describes possible roles of RABL6 and HOXA10 in the pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC. RABL6 and HOXA10 represent potential therapeutic targets and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihad Aljabban
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Michael Rohr
- Department of Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, United States
| | - Saad Syed
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Eli Cohen
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Naima Hashi
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States
| | - Sharjeel Syed
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Kamal Khorfan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, CA 93701, United States
| | - Hisham Aljabban
- Department of Medicine, Barry University, Miami, FL 33161, United States
| | - Vincent Borkowski
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Michael Segal
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Mohamed Mukhtar
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Lansing, MI 49503, United States
| | - Mohammed Mohammed
- Department of Medicine, Windsor University School of Medicine, Frankfort, IL 60423, United States
| | - Emmanuel Boateng
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Mary Nemer
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Maryam Panahiazar
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Dexter Hadley
- Department of Pathology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, United States
| | - Sajid Jalil
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Khalid Mumtaz
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Anand SK, Caputo M, Xia Y, Andersson E, Cansby E, Kumari S, Henricsson M, Porosk R, Keuenhof KS, Höög JL, Nair S, Marschall HU, Blüher M, Mahlapuu M. Inhibition of MAP4K4 Signaling Initiaties Metabolic Reprogramming to Protect Hepatocytes from Lipotoxic Damage. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100238. [PMID: 35679904 PMCID: PMC9293639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary hepatic consequence of obesity is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affecting about 25% of the global adult population. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of NAFLD characterized by liver lipid accumulation, inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning, with a different degree of hepatic fibrosis. In the light of rapidly increasing prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, there is an urgent need for improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases. The aim of this study was to decipher the possible role of STE20-type kinase MAP4K4 in the regulation of hepatocellular lipotoxicity and susceptibility to NAFLD. We found that MAP4K4 mRNA expression in human liver biopsies was positively correlated with key hallmarks of NAFLD (i.e., liver steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, and fibrosis). We also found that the silencing of MAP4K4 suppressed lipid deposition in human hepatocytes by stimulating β-oxidation and triacylglycerol secretion, while attenuating fatty acid influx and lipid synthesis. Furthermore, downregulation of MAP4K4 markedly reduced the glycolysis rate and lowered incidences of oxidative/endoplasmic reticulum stress. In parallel, we observed suppressed JNK and ERK and increased AKT phosphorylation in MAP4K4-deficient hepatocytes. Together, these results provide the first experimental evidence supporting the potential involvement of STE20-type kinase MAP4K4 as a component of the hepatocellular lipotoxic milieu promoting NAFLD susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar Anand
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mara Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emma Andersson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emmelie Cansby
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sima Kumari
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcus Henricsson
- Biomarker Discovery and Development, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rando Porosk
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Katharina Susanne Keuenhof
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johanna Louise Höög
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Syam Nair
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity, and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margit Mahlapuu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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10
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Yang PW, Chen TT, Zhao WX, Liu GW, Feng XJ, Wang SM, Pan YC, Wang Q, Zhang SH. Scutellaria barbata D.Don and Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb crude extracts inhibit hepatitis-B-virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma growth through regulating circRNA expression. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 275:114110. [PMID: 33864890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Scutellaria barbata D.Don (SB) and Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb are commonly known as Ban Zhi Lian and Bai Hua She Cao in Chinese herbal medicines, respectively. As a pair of herbs, they have traditionally been used as ethnomedicines for clearing away heat and toxins, removing blood stasis, and promoting blood circulation, diuresis, and detumescence. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of the present study was to determine the active ingredients in SB and OD extracts and to investigate whether these extracts can inhibit the growth of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2.2.15 and Hep3B) in vitro and in vivo, as well as to explore their mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS We determined the levels of total flavonoids, luteolin, and apigenin in SB and OD extracts via ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of SB and OD extracts on HBV-associated HCC cell growth were assessed by HepG2.2.15 and Hep3B cells phenotype and RNA sequencing of Hep3B cells in vitro, and xenograft models in vivo. RESULTS The extracts of SB and OD contained total flavonoids. There were active ingredients of luteolin and apigenin in SB, but not in OD. The extracts of SB and OD significantly inhibited HCC growth, migration, invasion, and HBV activity in vitro and in vivo, as well as altered circRNA expression in Hep3B cells. Moreover, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network. CONCLUSIONS The extracts of SB and OD may inhibit HCC cell growth and HBV activity in vitro and in vivo through altering circRNA-miRNA-gene expression and that the efficacies of these extracts may be related to the presence of luteolin and apigenin.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apigenin/analysis
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Autophagy-Related Proteins/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use
- Flavonoids/analysis
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Regulatory Networks/drug effects
- Hepatitis B/complications
- Hepatitis B/drug therapy
- Hepatitis B virus/drug effects
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/etiology
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Luteolin/analysis
- Mice, Nude
- Oldenlandia/chemistry
- RNA, Circular/genetics
- RNA, Circular/metabolism
- Scutellaria/chemistry
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Wei Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
| | - Ting-Ting Chen
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wen-Xia Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
| | - Guang-Wei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
| | - Xiao-Jun Feng
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shou-Mei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yun-Cui Pan
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shu-Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Wang SM, Yang PW, Feng XJ, Zhu YW, Qiu FJ, Hu XD, Zhang SH. Apigenin Inhibits the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Affecting the Expression of microRNA Transcriptome. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657665. [PMID: 33959508 PMCID: PMC8095173 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Apigenin, as a natural flavonoid, has low intrinsic toxicity and has potential pharmacological effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms involving microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes regulated by apigenin in the treatment of HCC have not been addressed. Objective In this study, the molecular mechanisms of apigenin involved in the prevention and treatment of HCC were explored in vivo and in vitro using miRNA transcriptomic sequencing to determine the basis for the clinical applications of apigenin in the treatment of HCC. Methods The effects of apigenin on the proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and invasion of human hepatoma cell line Huh7 and Hep3B were studied in vitro, and the effects on the tumorigenicity of Huh7 cells were assessed in vivo. Then, a differential expression analysis of miRNAs regulated by apigenin in Huh7 cells was performed using next-generation RNA sequencing and further validated by qRT-PCR. The potential genes targeted by the differentially expressed miRNAs were identified using a curated miRTarBase miRNA database and their molecular functions were predicted using Gene Ontology and KEGG signaling pathway analysis. Results Compared with the control treatment group, apigenin significantly inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation, cell cycle, colony formation, and cell invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, apigenin reduced tumor growth, promoted tumor cell necrosis, reduced the expression of Ki67, and increased the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the xenograft tumors of Huh7 cells. Bioinformatics analysis of the miRNA transcriptome showed that hsa-miR-24, hsa-miR-6769b-3p, hsa-miR-6836-3p, hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-663a, hsa-miR-4739, hsa-miR-6892-3p, hsa-miR-7107-5p, hsa-miR-1273g-3p, hsa-miR-1343, and hsa-miR-6089 were the most significantly up-regulated miRNAs, and their key gene targets were MAPK1, PIK3CD, HRAS, CCND1, CDKN1A, E2F2, etc. The core regulatory pathways of the up-regulated miRNAs were associated with the hepatocellular carcinoma pathway. The down-regulated miRNAs were hsa-miR-181a-5p and hsa-miR-148a-3p, and the key target genes were MAPK1, HRAS, STAT3, FOS, BCL2, SMAD2, PPP3CA, IFNG, MET, and VAV2, with the core regulatory pathways identified as proteoglycans in cancer pathway. Conclusion Apigenin can inhibit the growth of HCC cells, which may be mediated by up-regulation or down-regulation of miRNA molecules and their related target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Mei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Wei Yang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Feng
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Wei Zhu
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng-Jun Qiu
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu-Dong Hu
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Selective protection of human cardiomyocytes from anthracycline cardiotoxicity by small molecule inhibitors of MAP4K4. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12060. [PMID: 32694738 PMCID: PMC7374628 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68907-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the poor track record to date of animal models for creating cardioprotective drugs, human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) have been proposed as a therapeutically relevant human platform to guide target validation and cardiac drug development. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase Kinase-4 (MAP4K4) is an “upstream” member of the MAPK superfamily that is implicated in human cardiac muscle cell death from oxidative stress, based on gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition in hPSC-CMs. A further role for MAP4K4 was proposed in heart muscle cell death triggered by cardiotoxic anti-cancer drugs, given its reported activation in failing human hearts with doxorubicin (DOX) cardiomyopathy, and its activation acutely by DOX in cultured cardiomyocytes. Here, we report successful protection from DOX in two independent hPSC-CM lines, using two potent, highly selective MAP4K4 inhibitors. The MAP4K4 inhibitors enhanced viability and reduced apoptosis at otherwise lethal concentrations of DOX, and preserved cardiomyocyte function, as measured by spontaneous calcium transients, at sub-maximal ones. Notably, in contrast, no intereference was seen in tumor cell killing, caspase activation, or mitochondrial membrane dissipation by DOX, in human cancer cell lines. Thus, MAP4K4 is a plausible, tractable, selective therapeutic target in DOX-induced human heart muscle cell death.
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13
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Bai Z, Yao Q, Sun Z, Xu F, Zhou J. Prognostic Value of mRNA Expression of MAP4K Family in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2020; 18:1533033819873927. [PMID: 31522654 PMCID: PMC6747867 DOI: 10.1177/1533033819873927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite diverse functions in diseases, the prognostic potential of the family of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase genes in acute myeloid leukemia remains unknown. Methods: The messenger RNA expression of the MAP4K family members in 151 patients with acute myeloid leukemia was extracted from the OncoLnc database. Data for gender, age, cytogenetic, leukocyte count, CD34, FAB classification, RUNX1, and TP53 were provided by the University of California–Santa Cruz Xena platform. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model provided an estimate of the hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals for overall survival. Results: Analysis demonstrated favorable overall survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia attributing to high expression of MAP4K3, MAP4K4, and MAP4K5 and low expression of MAP4K1 (adjusted P = .005, P = .022, P = .002, and P = .024; adjusted hazard ratio = 0.490, 95% confidence interval = 0.297-0.809, hazard ratio = 0.598, 95% confidence interval = 0.385-0.928, hazard ratio = 0.490, 95% confidence interval = 0.310-0.776, and hazard ratio = 0.615, 95% confidence interval = 0.403-0.938, respectively). Combining the high-expressing MAP4K3, MAP4K4, and MAP4K5 with the low-expressing MAP4K1 in a joint effect analysis predicted a favorable prognosis of overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia. Conclusion: High expression of MAP4K3, MAP4K4, and MAP4K5 combined with low expression of MAP4K1 can serve as a sensitive tool to predict favorable overall survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjie Bai
- Department of Medical Hematopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Qingmei Yao
- School of Preclinical Medicine Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Department of Medical Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Fang Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
| | - Jicheng Zhou
- Department of Medical Hematopathy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P.R. China
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14
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Dent P, Booth L, Poklepovic A, Martinez J, Hoff DV, Hancock JF. Neratinib degrades MST4 via autophagy that reduces membrane stiffness and is essential for the inactivation of PI3K, ERK1/2, and YAP/TAZ signaling. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:7889-7899. [PMID: 31912905 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The irreversible ERBB1/2/4 inhibitor neratinib causes plasma membrane-associated K-RAS to mislocalize into intracellular vesicles liminal to the plasma membrane; this effect is enhanced by HDAC inhibitors and is now a Phase I trial (NCT03919292). The combination of neratinib and HDAC inhibitors killed pancreatic cancer and lymphoma T cells. Neratinib plus HDAC inhibitor exposure was as efficacious as (paclitaxel+gemcitabine) at killing pancreatic cancer cells. Neratinib reduced the phosphorylation of PAK1, Merlin, LATS1/2, AKT, mTOR, p70 S6K, and ERK1/2 which required expression of Rubicon, Beclin1, and Merlin. Neratinib altered pancreatic tumor cell morphology which was associated with MST4 degradation reduced Ezrin phosphorylation and enhanced phosphorylation of MAP4K4 and LATS1/2. Knockdown of the MAP4K4 activator and sensor of membrane rigidity RAP2A reduced basal LATS1/2 and YAP phosphorylation but did not prevent neratinib from stimulating LATS1/2 or YAP phosphorylation. Beclin1 knockdown prevented MST4 degradation, Ezrin dephosphorylation and neratinib-induced alterations in tumor cell morphology. Our findings demonstrate that neratinib enhances LATS1/2 phosphorylation independently of RAP2A/MAP4K4 and that MST4 degradation and Ezrin dephosphorylation may represent a universal trigger for the biological actions of neratinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dent
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Laurence Booth
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | | | - Jennifer Martinez
- Inflammation & Autoimmunity Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Daniel Von Hoff
- Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN), Phoenix, Arizona
| | - John F Hancock
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
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15
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Linck-Paulus L, Hellerbrand C, Bosserhoff AK, Dietrich P. Dissimilar Appearances Are Deceptive-Common microRNAs and Therapeutic Strategies in Liver Cancer and Melanoma. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010114. [PMID: 31906510 PMCID: PMC7017070 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on miRNAs as therapeutic targets in two cancer types that were frequently described to be driven by miRNAs—melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By focusing on common microRNAs and associated pathways in these—at first sight—dissimilar cancer types, we aim at revealing similar molecular mechanisms that are evolved in microRNA-biology to drive cancer progression. Thereby, we also want to outlay potential novel therapeutic strategies. After providing a brief introduction to general miRNA biology and basic information about HCC and melanoma, this review depicts prominent examples of potent oncomiRs and tumor-suppressor miRNAs, which have been proven to drive diverse cancer types including melanoma and HCC. To develop and apply miRNA-based therapeutics for cancer treatment in the future, it is essential to understand how miRNA dysregulation evolves during malignant transformation. Therefore, we highlight important aspects such as genetic alterations, miRNA editing and transcriptional regulation based on concrete examples. Furthermore, we expand our illustration by focusing on miRNA-associated proteins as well as other regulators of miRNAs which could also provide therapeutic targets. Finally, design and delivery strategies of miRNA-associated therapeutic agents as well as potential drawbacks are discussed to address the question of how miRNAs might contribute to cancer therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Linck-Paulus
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja K. Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.K.B.); (P.D.); Tel.: +49-9131-85-24190 (A.K.B.); +49-9131-85-29384 (P.D.)
| | - Peter Dietrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.L.-P.); (C.H.)
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.K.B.); (P.D.); Tel.: +49-9131-85-24190 (A.K.B.); +49-9131-85-29384 (P.D.)
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16
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Targeted genomic CRISPR-Cas9 screen identifies MAP4K4 as essential for glioblastoma invasion. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14020. [PMID: 31570734 PMCID: PMC6768851 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50160-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Among high-grade brain tumors, glioblastoma is particularly difficult to treat, in part due to its highly infiltrative nature which contributes to the malignant phenotype and high mortality in patients. In order to better understand the signaling pathways underlying glioblastoma invasion, we performed the first large-scale CRISPR-Cas9 loss of function screen specifically designed to identify genes that facilitate cell invasion. We tested 4,574 genes predicted to be involved in trafficking and motility. Using a transwell invasion assay, we discovered 33 genes essential for invasion. Of the 11 genes we selected for secondary testing using a wound healing assay, 6 demonstrated a significant decrease in migration. The strongest regulator of invasion was mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MAP4K4). Targeting of MAP4K4 with single guide RNAs or a MAP4K4 inhibitor reduced migration and invasion in vitro. This effect was consistent across three additional patient derived glioblastoma cell lines. Analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in U138 cells with lack or inhibition of MAP4K4 demonstrated protein expression consistent with a non-invasive state. Importantly, MAP4K4 inhibition limited migration in a subset of human glioma organotypic slice cultures. Our results identify MAP4K4 as a novel potential therapeutic target to limit glioblastoma invasion.
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17
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Lemberger M, Loewenstein S, Lubezky N, Nizri E, Pasmanik-Chor M, Barazovsky E, Klausner JM, Lahat G. MicroRNA profiling of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) reveals signature expression related to lymph node metastasis. Oncotarget 2019; 10:2644-2656. [PMID: 31080555 PMCID: PMC6498999 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymph node (LN) metastasis occurs frequently in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), representing an advanced disease stage and independently predicting patient survival. Current nodal staging is inadequate preoperatively and even less so postoperatively, and molecular biomarkers are needed to improve prognostication and selection of therapy. Recent data have suggested important roles of miRNAs in PDAC tumorigenesis and progression. The aim of the present study was to identify miRNA expression signature for nodal spread in PDAC patients. Using PDAC human tissue specimens, we identified 39 miRNAs which were differently expressed in LN positive compared to LN negative PDAC samples. Of them, six miRNAs have been reported to play a role in cancer invasion and metastasis. A high versus low six- miRNA signature score was predictive of LN metastasis in the PDAC validation cohort. We demonstrated a similar expression pattern of four out of the six miRNAs in the plasma of PDAC patients. The results of our in-vitro studies revealed that miR-141 and miR-720 are involved in the process of epithelial to mesenchymal-transition in PDAC. These miRNAs significantly inhibited in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion of PDAC cells as evidence by gain- and loss- of function studies, specifically, via ZEB-1 and TWIST1 transcription factors, as well as through the activation of the MAP4K4/JNK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Lemberger
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Division of Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shelly Loewenstein
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Division of Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Lubezky
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Division of Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Eran Nizri
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Division of Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Eli Barazovsky
- Institute of Pathology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Joseph M Klausner
- Division of Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,The Nikolas and Elizabeth Shlezak Cathedra for Experimental Surgery, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Guy Lahat
- Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Division of Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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18
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Yang PW, Lu ZY, Pan Q, Chen TT, Feng XJ, Wang SM, Pan YC, Zhu MH, Zhang SH. MicroRNA-6809-5p mediates luteolin-induced anticancer effects against hepatoma by targeting flotillin 1. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 57:18-29. [PMID: 30668319 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Luteolin (3,4,5,7-tetrahydroxy flavone) is a natural flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables. Although luteolin has shown pro-apoptotic activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, the underlying molecular mechanism has not yet been clarified. PURPOSE The aim of this study is to identify novel miRNAs involved in the action of luteolin in HCC cells and to explore the biological roles of these miRNAs. METHODS The effect of luteolin on HCC cell growth was assessed using CCK-8 colony formation assay, flow cytometric analysis in vitro, and a xenograft model in vivo. miRNA expression profiles were assessed using next-generation sequencing. Differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by quantitative PCR. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were utilized to confirm the binding of miR-6809-5p to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of flotillin 1 (FLOT1). Furthermore, the effects of ectopic FLOT1 and miR-6809-5 expression on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell apoptosis were also assessed. Western blotting analysis was used to detect activation of multiple signaling molecules including Erk1/2, p38, JNK, and NF-κB/p65 in the MAPK pathway. RESULTS It was found that luteolin significantly inhibited HCC growth and caused apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in Huh7 cells, at the G2/M phase in HepG2 cells in vitro. Tumorigenic studies revealed that luteolin treatment significantly suppressed HCC growth in vivo. miR-6809-5p was upregulated by luteolin. Overexpression of miR-6809-5p suppressed HCC cell growth, while knockdown of miR-6809-5p reversed the anticancer effect of luteolin. With regards to its signaling mechanism, miR-6809-5p directly targets FLOT1in HCC cells. Enforced expression of FLOT1 prevented miR-6809-5p-mediated growth suppression. Downregulation of FLOT1 exerted growth-suppressive effects on HCC cells. Multiple signaling pathways including Erk1/2, p38, JNK, and NF-κB/p65 were inactivated by miR-6809-5p overexpression or FLOT1 downregulation. CONCLUSION These findings indicated that miR-6809-5p mediates the growth-suppressive activity of luteolin in HCC, which is causally linked to FLOT1 downregulation. Induction of miR-6809-5p may provide therapeutic benefits in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Wei Yang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng-Yu Lu
- Department of Neurology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qing Pan
- Department of Pathology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting-Ting Chen
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Feng
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shou-Mei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun-Cui Pan
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Hua Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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19
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Chemotherapy-induced miR-141/MAP4K4 signaling suppresses progression of colorectal cancer. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20180978. [PMID: 30429233 PMCID: PMC6435556 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20180978] [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: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the treatment failures for colorectal cancer (CRC) is resistance to chemotherapy drugs. miRNAs have been demonstrated to be a new regulator of pathobiological processes in various tumors. While few studies have explored the specific role of miR-141 in mediating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of CRC cells, the present study aimed to detect the contribution of miR-141 in 5-FU sensitivity. The CRC cells viability was measured by MTS assay and cell colony forming. The expression of miR-141 and its downstream targets were assessed by reverse transcription quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The functional assays were conducted using CRC cells and nude mice. At the present study, we found overexpression of miR-141 could inhibit proliferation, migration, tumor-forming and invasive potential of CRC cells in vitro and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) was verified as a directed target of miR-141 The combination treatment of miR-141 with 5-FU, directly targetting MAP4K4, could better inhibit invasion and metastasis of CRC cells colony than either one alone. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-141, targetting MAP4K4, enhanced the effected of 5-FU and suppressed the malignant biological behaviors, in vivo Our findings showed that 5-FU inhibited malignant behavior of human CRC cells in vitro and in vivo by enhancing the efficiency of miR-141 Our data suggested that targetting the miR-141/MAP4K4 signaling pathway could be a potential molecular target that may enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy in the treatment of CRC.
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20
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Majerska J, Feretzaki M, Glousker G, Lingner J. Transformation-induced stress at telomeres is counteracted through changes in the telomeric proteome including SAMHD1. Life Sci Alliance 2018; 1:e201800121. [PMID: 30456372 PMCID: PMC6238619 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors apply telomeric chromatin analysis to identify factors that accumulate at telomeres during cellular transformation, promoting telomere replication and repair and counteracting oncogene-borne telomere replication stress. Telomeres play crucial roles during tumorigenesis, inducing cellular senescence upon telomere shortening and extensive chromosome instability during telomere crisis. However, it has not been investigated if and how cellular transformation and oncogenic stress alter telomeric chromatin composition and function. Here, we transform human fibroblasts by consecutive transduction with vectors expressing hTERT, the SV40 early region, and activated H-RasV12. Pairwise comparisons of the telomeric proteome during different stages of transformation reveal up-regulation of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, and replication at chromosome ends. Depletion of several of these proteins induces telomere fragility, indicating their roles in replication of telomeric DNA. Depletion of SAMHD1, which has reported roles in DNA resection and homology-directed repair, leads to telomere breakage events in cells deprived of the shelterin component TRF1. Thus, our analysis identifies factors, which accumulate at telomeres during cellular transformation to promote telomere replication and repair, resisting oncogene-borne telomere replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Majerska
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Feretzaki
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Galina Glousker
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Lingner
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Dietrich P, Koch A, Fritz V, Hartmann A, Bosserhoff AK, Hellerbrand C. Wild type Kirsten rat sarcoma is a novel microRNA-622-regulated therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma and contributes to sorafenib resistance. Gut 2018; 67:1328-1341. [PMID: 29275358 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sorafenib is the only effective therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Combinatory approaches targeting mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)- and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein-kinase B(AKT) signalling yield major therapeutic improvements. RAS proteins regulate both RAF/MAPK and PI3K/AKT signalling. However, the most important RAS isoform in carcinogenesis, Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS), remains unexplored in HCC. DESIGN Human HCC tissues and cell lines were used for expression and functional analysis. Sorafenib-resistant HCC cells were newly generated. RNA interference and the novel small molecule deltarasin were used for KRAS inhibition both in vitro and in a murine syngeneic orthotopic HCC model. RESULTS Expression of wild type KRAS messenger RNA and protein was increased in HCC and correlated with extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) activation, proliferation rate, advanced tumour size and poor patient survival. Bioinformatic analysis and reporter assays revealed that KRAS is a direct target of microRNA-622. This microRNA was downregulated in HCC, and functional analysis demonstrated that KRAS-suppression is the major mediator of its inhibitory effect on HCC proliferation. KRAS inhibition markedly suppressed RAF/ERK and PI3K/AKT signalling and proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Combinatory KRAS inhibition and sorafenib treatment revealed synergistic antitumorigenic effects in HCC. Sorafenib-resistant HCC cells showed elevated KRAS expression, and KRAS inhibition resensitised sorafenib-resistant cells to suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS KRAS is dysregulated in HCC by loss of tumour-suppressive microRNA-622, contributing to tumour progression, sorafenib sensitivity and resistance. KRAS inhibition alone or in combination with sorafenib appears as novel promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Dietrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Koch
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valerie Fritz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Katrin Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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22
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Kline A, Curry T, Lewellyn L. The Misshapen kinase regulates the size and stability of the germline ring canals in the Drosophila egg chamber. Dev Biol 2018; 440:99-112. [PMID: 29753016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intercellular bridges are conserved structures that allow neighboring cells to exchange cytoplasmic material; defects in intercellular bridges can lead to infertility in many organisms. Here, we use the Drosophila egg chamber to study the mechanisms that regulate intercellular bridges. Within the developing egg chamber, the germ cells (15 nurse cells and 1 oocyte) are connected to each other through intercellular bridges called ring canals, which expand over the course of oogenesis to support the transfer of materials from the nurse cells to the oocyte. The ring canals are enriched in actin and actin binding proteins, and many proteins have been identified that localize to the germline ring canals and control their expansion and stability. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for the Ste20 family kinase, Misshapen (Msn), in regulation of the size of the germline ring canals. Msn localizes to ring canals throughout most of oogenesis, and depletion of Msn led to the formation of larger ring canals. Over-expression of Msn decreased ring canal diameter, and expression of a membrane tethered form of Msn caused ring canal detachment and nurse cell fusion. Altering the levels or localization of Msn also led to changes in the actin cytoskeleton and altered the localization of E-cadherin, which suggests that Msn could be indirectly limiting ring canal size by altering the structure or dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton and/or adherens junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Kline
- Department of Biological Sciences, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
| | - Travis Curry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
| | - Lindsay Lewellyn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA.
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23
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Lin JC, Lee YC, Tan TH, Liang YC, Chuang HC, Fann YC, Johnson KR, Lin YJ. RBM4-SRSF3-MAP4K4 splicing cascade modulates the metastatic signature of colorectal cancer cell. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:259-272. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Selwa E, Martiny VY, Iorga BI. Molecular docking performance evaluated on the D3R Grand Challenge 2015 drug-like ligand datasets. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2016; 30:829-839. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-016-9983-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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25
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Matsumoto Y, Itami S, Kuroda M, Yoshizato K, Kawada N, Murakami Y. MiR-29a Assists in Preventing the Activation of Human Stellate Cells and Promotes Recovery From Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Mol Ther 2016; 24:1848-1859. [PMID: 27480597 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The microRNA-29 (miR-29) family is known to suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and reversibly control liver fibrosis; however, the mechanism of how miR-29a controls liver fibrosis remains largely unknown. This study was conducted to clarify the mechanism of anti-fibrotic effect of miR-29a and to explore if miR-29a is a promising candidate for nucleic acid medicine against liver fibrosis. Two liver fibrosis murine models (carbon tetrachloride or thioacetamide) were used. MiR-29a mixed with atelocollagen was systemically administered. Hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by histological analysis and the expression levels of fibrosis-related genes. We observed that miR-29a treatment dramatically accelerated the reversion of liver fibrosis in vivo. Additionally, miR-29a regulated the mRNA expression of collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGFC). We also noted that miR-29a significantly suppressed COL1A1 mRNA expression and cell viability and significantly increased caspase-9 activity (P < 0.05) in LX-2 cells. Pretreatment of miR-29a inhibited activation of LX-2 cell by transforming growth factor beta treatment. MiR-29a exhibited anti-fibrotic effect without cell toxicity in vivo and directly suppressed the expression of PDGF-related genes as well as COL1A1 and induced apoptosis of LX-2 cells. MiR-29a is a promising nucleic acid inhibitor to target liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinari Matsumoto
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Medical Nutrition, Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.,Current address: Department of Nutrition Management, Osaka University Medical Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Saori Itami
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Norifumi Kawada
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Murakami
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
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