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Almasi S, SarmastiEmami S, Baird S, Ning Z, Figeys D, Côté J, Cowan KN, Jasmin BJ. Staufen1 controls mitochondrial metabolism via HIF2α in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and promotes tumorigenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:328. [PMID: 37847286 PMCID: PMC11071833 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04969-4] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Elevated mitochondrial metabolism promotes tumorigenesis of Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcomas (ERMS). Accordingly, targeting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) could represent a therapeutic strategy for ERMS. We previously demonstrated that genetic reduction of Staufen1 (STAU1) levels results in the inhibition of ERMS tumorigenicity. Here, we examined STAU1-mediated mechanisms in ERMS and focused on its potential involvement in regulating OXPHOS. We report the novel and differential role of STAU1 in mitochondrial metabolism in cancerous versus non-malignant skeletal muscle cells (NMSkMCs). Specifically, our data show that STAU1 depletion reduces OXPHOS and inhibits proliferation of ERMS cells. Our findings further reveal the binding of STAU1 to several OXPHOS mRNAs which affects their stability. Indeed, STAU1 depletion reduced the stability of OXPHOS mRNAs, causing inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism. In parallel, STAU1 depletion impacted negatively the HIF2α pathway which further modulates mitochondrial metabolism. Exogenous expression of HIF2α in STAU1-depleted cells reversed the mitochondrial inhibition and induced cell proliferation. However, opposite effects were observed in NMSkMCs. Altogether, these findings revealed the impact of STAU1 in the regulation of mitochondrial OXPHOS in cancer cells as well as its differential role in NMSkMCs. Overall, our results highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting STAU1 as a novel approach for inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism in ERMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekoufeh Almasi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Sahar SarmastiEmami
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Stephen Baird
- High Throughput Lab, CHEO, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Zhibin Ning
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Daniel Figeys
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Côté
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- The Eric J. Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Kyle N Cowan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Paediatric Surgery, University of Ottawa, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Molecular Biomedicine Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
- The Eric J. Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
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2
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Niu F, Li Z, Ren Y, Li Z, Guan H, Li Y, Zhang Y, Li Y, Yang J, Qian L, Shi W, Fan X, Li J, Shi L, Yu Y, Xiong Y. Aberrant hyper-expression of the RNA binding protein GIGYF2 in endothelial cells modulates vascular aging and function. Redox Biol 2023; 65:102824. [PMID: 37517320 PMCID: PMC10400931 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) senescence plays a crucial role in vascular aging that promotes the initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. The mutation of Grb10-interacting GYF protein 2 (GIGYF2) is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases, whereas its role in regulating ECs senescence and dysfunction still remains elusive. In this study, we found aberrant hyperexpression of GIGYF2 in senescent human ECs and aortas of old mice. Silencing GIGYF2 in senescent ECs suppressed eNOS-uncoupling, senescence, and endothelial dysfunction. Conversely, in nonsenescent cells, overexpressing GIGYF2 promoted eNOS-uncoupling, cellular senescence, endothelial dysfunction, and activation of the mTORC1-SK61 pathway, which were ablated by rapamycin or antioxidant N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Transcriptome analysis revealed that staufen double-stranded RNA binding protein 1 (STAU1) is remarkably downregulated in the GIGYF2-depleted ECs. STAU1 depletion significantly attenuated GIGYF2-induced cellular senescence, dysfunction, and inflammation in young ECs. Furthermore, we disclosed that GIGYF2 acting as an RNA binding protein (RBP) enhances STAU1 mRNA stability, and that the intron region of the late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor MAPK and mTOR activator 4 (LAMTOR4) could bind to STAU1 protein to upregulate LAMTOR4 expression. Immunofluorescence staining showed that GIGYF2 overexpression promoted the translocation of mTORC1 to lysosome. In the mice model, GIGYF2flox/flox Cdh-Cre+ mice protected aged mice from aging-associated vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation and arterial stiffness. Our work discloses that GIGYF2 serving as an RBP enhances the mRNA stability of STAU1 that upregulates LAMTOR4 expression through binding with its intron region, which activates the mTORC1-S6K1 signaling via recruitment of mTORC1 to the lysosomal membrane, ultimately leading to ECs senescence, dysfunction, and vascular aging. Disrupting the GIGYF2-STAU1-mTORC1 signaling cascade may represent a promising therapeutic approach against vascular aging and aging-related cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanglin Niu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Zhuozhuo Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Zi Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Hua Guan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Diseases & Institute of Basic and Translational Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Yirong Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Junle Yang
- Department of Radiology, Xi' an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China
| | - Lu Qian
- Department of Endocrinology, Xi' an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China
| | - Wenzhen Shi
- Medical Research Center, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China
| | - Xiaobin Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China
| | - Jinli Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Lele Shi
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China
| | - Yi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China.
| | - Yuyan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710069, PR China; Xi'an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710018, PR China.
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Suga N, Ikeda Y, Yoshikawa S, Taniguchi K, Sawamura H, Matsuda S. In Search of a Function for the N6-Methyladenosine in Epitranscriptome, Autophagy and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurol Int 2023; 15:967-979. [PMID: 37606395 PMCID: PMC10443253 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15030062] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in epitranscriptome with N6-methyladenine (m6A) modification could be involved in the development of multiple diseases, which might be a prevalent modification of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in eukaryotes. The m6A modification might be performed through the action of methyltransferases, demethylases, and methylation-binding proteins. Importantly, the m6A methylation may be associated with various neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), depression, aging-related diseases, and/or aging itself. In addition, the m6A methylation might functionally regulate the eukaryotic transcriptome by influencing the splicing, export, subcellular localization, translation, stability, and decay of mRNAs. Neurodegenerative diseases may possess a wide variety of phenotypes, depending on the neurons that degenerate on occasion. Interestingly, an increasing amount of evidence has indicated that m6A modification could modulate the expression of autophagy-related genes and promote autophagy in neuronal cells. Oxidative stresses such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) could stimulate the m6A RNA methylation, which may also be related to the regulation of autophagy and/or the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Both m6A modification and autophagy could also play critical roles in regulating the health condition of neurons. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the m6A and autophagy relationship in human diseases may benefit in developing therapeutic strategies in the future. This paper reviews advances in the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of m6A modification in the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases and/or aging, discussing the possible therapeutic procedures related to mechanisms of m6A RNA methylation and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Satoru Matsuda
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kita-Uoya Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
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Paul S, Dansithong W, Gandelman M, Figueroa KP, Zu T, Ranum LPW, Scoles DR, Pulst SM. Staufen Impairs Autophagy in Neurodegeneration. Ann Neurol 2023; 93:398-416. [PMID: 36151701 PMCID: PMC9892312 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is one of the master coordinators of cellular stress responses, regulating metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis. We recently reported that staufen1 (STAU1), a stress granule (SG) protein, was overabundant in fibroblast cell lines from patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal degeneration, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases as well as animal models, and patient tissues. STAU1 overabundance is associated with mTOR hyperactivation and links SG formation with autophagy. Our objective was to determine the mechanism of mTOR regulation by STAU1. METHODS We determined STAU1 abundance with disease- and chemical-induced cellular stressors in patient cells and animal models. We also used RNA-binding assays to contextualize STAU1 interaction with MTOR mRNA. RESULTS STAU1 and mTOR were overabundant in bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-C9ORF72, ATXN2Q127 , and Thy1-TDP-43 transgenic mouse models. Reducing STAU1 levels in these mice normalized mTOR levels and activity and autophagy-related marker proteins. We also saw increased STAU1 levels in HEK293 cells transfected to express C9ORF72-relevant dipeptide repeats (DPRs). Conversely, DPR accumulations were not observed in cells treated by STAU1 RNA interference (RNAi). Overexpression of STAU1 in HEK293 cells increased mTOR levels through direct MTOR mRNA interaction, activating downstream targets and impairing autophagic flux. Targeting mTOR by rapamycin or RNAi normalized STAU1 abundance in an SCA2 cellular model. INTERPRETATION STAU1 interaction with mTOR drives its hyperactivation and inhibits autophagic flux in multiple models of neurodegeneration. Staufen, therefore, constitutes a novel target to modulate mTOR activity and autophagy, and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:398-416.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharan Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Mandi Gandelman
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Tao Zu
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daniel R Scoles
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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Camero S, Cassandri M, Pomella S, Milazzo L, Vulcano F, Porrazzo A, Barillari G, Marchese C, Codenotti S, Tomaciello M, Rota R, Fanzani A, Megiorni F, Marampon F. Radioresistance in rhabdomyosarcomas: Much more than a question of dose. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1016894. [PMID: 36248991 PMCID: PMC9559533 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1016894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, frequently accounting the genitourinary tract is complex and requires a multimodal therapy. In particular, as a consequence of the advancement in dose conformity technology, radiation therapy (RT) has now become the standard therapeutic option for patients with RMS. In the clinical practice, dose and timing of RT are adjusted on the basis of patients' risk stratification to reduce late toxicity and side effects on normal tissues. However, despite the substantial improvement in cure rates, local failure and recurrence frequently occur. In this review, we summarize the general principles of the treatment of RMS, focusing on RT, and the main molecular pathways and specific proteins involved into radioresistance in RMS tumors. Specifically, we focused on DNA damage/repair, reactive oxygen species, cancer stem cells, and epigenetic modifications that have been reported in the context of RMS neoplasia in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The precise elucidation of the radioresistance-related molecular mechanisms is of pivotal importance to set up new more effective and tolerable combined therapeutic approaches that can radiosensitize cancer cells to finally ameliorate the overall survival of patients with RMS, especially for the most aggressive subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Camero
- Department of Maternal, Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassandri
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Milazzo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Vulcano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Porrazzo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Units of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCSS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Miriam Tomaciello
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Shi DL, Grifone R. RNA-Binding Proteins in the Post-transcriptional Control of Skeletal Muscle Development, Regeneration and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:738978. [PMID: 34616743 PMCID: PMC8488162 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.738978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic myogenesis is a temporally and spatially regulated process that generates skeletal muscle of the trunk and limbs. During this process, mononucleated myoblasts derived from myogenic progenitor cells within the somites undergo proliferation, migration and differentiation to elongate and fuse into multinucleated functional myofibers. Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue of the body and has the remarkable ability to self-repair by re-activating the myogenic program in muscle stem cells, known as satellite cells. Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression mediated by RNA-binding proteins is critically required for muscle development during embryogenesis and for muscle homeostasis in the adult. Differential subcellular localization and activity of RNA-binding proteins orchestrates target gene expression at multiple levels to regulate different steps of myogenesis. Dysfunctions of these post-transcriptional regulators impair muscle development and homeostasis, but also cause defects in motor neurons or the neuromuscular junction, resulting in muscle degeneration and neuromuscular disease. Many RNA-binding proteins, such as members of the muscle blind-like (MBNL) and CUG-BP and ETR-3-like factors (CELF) families, display both overlapping and distinct targets in muscle cells. Thus they function either cooperatively or antagonistically to coordinate myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Evidence is accumulating that the dynamic interplay of their regulatory activity may control the progression of myogenic program as well as stem cell quiescence and activation. Moreover, the role of RNA-binding proteins that regulate post-transcriptional modification in the myogenic program is far less understood as compared with transcription factors involved in myogenic specification and differentiation. Here we review past achievements and recent advances in understanding the functions of RNA-binding proteins during skeletal muscle development, regeneration and disease, with the aim to identify the fundamental questions that are still open for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Li Shi
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Developmental Biology Laboratory, CNRS-UMR 7622, Institut de Biologie de Paris-Seine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Raphaëlle Grifone
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, CNRS-UMR 7622, Institut de Biologie de Paris-Seine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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Almasi S, Jasmin BJ. The multifunctional RNA-binding protein Staufen1: an emerging regulator of oncogenesis through its various roles in key cellular events. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7145-7160. [PMID: 34633481 PMCID: PMC8629789 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03965-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The double-stranded multifunctional RNA-binding protein (dsRBP) Staufen was initially discovered in insects as a regulator of mRNA localization. Later, its mammalian orthologs have been described in different organisms, including humans. Two human orthologues of Staufen, named Staufen1 (STAU1) and Staufen2 (STAU2), share some structural and functional similarities. However, given their different spatio-temporal expression patterns, each of these orthologues plays distinct roles in cells. In the current review, we focus on the role of STAU1 in cell functions and cancer development. Since its discovery, STAU1 has mostly been studied for its involvement in various aspects of RNA metabolism. Given the pivotal role of RNA metabolism within cells, recent studies have explored the mechanistic impact of STAU1 in a wide variety of cell functions ranging from cell growth to cell death, as well as in various disease states. In particular, there has been increasing attention on the role of STAU1 in neuromuscular disorders, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the role of STAU1 in RNA metabolism and cell functions. We also highlight the link between STAU1-mediated control of cellular functions and cancer development, progression, and treatment. Hence, our review emphasizes the potential of STAU1 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer diagnosis and treatment, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekoufeh Almasi
- grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada
| | - Bernard J. Jasmin
- grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada ,grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255The Eric J. Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1H 8M5 Canada
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