1
|
Xiao S, Chen J, Wei Y, Song W. BHLHE41 inhibits bladder cancer progression via regulation of PYCR1 stability and thus inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:302. [PMID: 38811952 PMCID: PMC11134742 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01889-2] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The basic helix-loop-helix family member e41 (BHLHE41) is frequently dysregulated in tumors and plays a crucial role in malignant progression of various cancers. Nevertheless, its specific function and underlying mechanism in bladder cancer (BCa) remain largely unexplored. METHODS The expression levels of BHLHE41 in BCa tissues and cells were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot assays. BCa cells stably knocking down or overexpressing BHLHE41 were constructed through lentivirus infection. The changes of cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, migration, and invasion were detected by CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell invasion assays, respectively. The expression levels of related proteins were detected by western blot assay. The interaction between BHLHE41 and PYCR1 was explored by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. RESULTS In this study, we found that BHLHE41 was lowly expressed in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines, and lower expression of BHLHE41 was associated with poor overall survival in bladder cancer patients. Functionally, by manipulating the expression of BHLHE41, we demonstrated that overexpression of BHLHE41 significantly retarded cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest in bladder cancer through various in vitro and in vivo experiments, while silence of BHLHE41 caused the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we showed that BHLHE41 directly interacted with PYCR1, decreased its stability and resulted in the ubiquitination and degradation of PYCR1, thus inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Rescue experiments showed that the effects induced by BHLHE41 overexpression could be attenuated by further upregulating PYCR1. CONCLUSION BHLHE41 might be a useful prognostic biomarker and a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer. The BHLHE41/PYCR1/PI3K/AKT axis might be a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Xiao
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yongbao Wei
- Department of Urology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410011, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Y, Ma Y, Liu Y, Tang N, Zhang W, Huo J, Zhang D. Role of differentiated embryo-chondrocyte expressed gene 2 in immunity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1335473. [PMID: 38533496 PMCID: PMC10963606 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1335473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Differentiated embryo-chondrocyte expressed gene 2 (DEC2) is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) subfamily of transcription factors. DEC2 is implicated in tumor immunotherapy, immune system function regulation, and autoimmune diseases. DEC2 enhances Th2 cell differentiation by regulating the IL-2 and IL-4 signaling pathways and mediates the growth of B-1a cells, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of inflammatory responses. In this study, we review the reported roles of DEC2, including the regulation of immune cell differentiation and cytokine production in various cells in humans, and discuss its potential in treating autoimmune diseases and tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujing Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yinan Ma
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Tang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenzhu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingru Huo
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Park J, Park GY, Lee J, Park J, Kim S, Kim E, Park SY, Yoon JH, Lee Y. ERK phosphorylation disrupts the intramolecular interaction of capicua to promote cytoplasmic translocation of capicua and tumor growth. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1030725. [PMID: 36619173 PMCID: PMC9814488 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1030725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling inactivates capicua (CIC), a transcriptional repressor that functions as a tumor suppressor, via degradation and/or cytoplasmic translocation. Although CIC is known to be inactivated by phosphorylation, the mechanisms underlying the cytoplasmic translocation of CIC remain poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p90RSK, and c-SRC in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation-induced cytoplasmic translocation of CIC and further investigated the molecular basis for this process. We found that nuclear ERK induced the cytoplasmic translocation of CIC-S. We identified 12 serine and threonine (S/T) residues within CIC, including S173 and S301 residues that are phosphorylated by p90RSK, which contribute to the cytoplasmic translocation of CIC-S when phosphorylated. The amino-terminal (CIC-S-N) and carboxyl-terminal (CIC-S-C) regions of CIC-S were found to interact with each other to promote their nuclear localization. EGF treatment disrupted the interaction between CIC-S-N and CIC-S-C and induced their cytoplasmic translocation. Alanine substitution for the 12 S/T residues blocked the cytoplasmic translocation of CIC-S and consequently enhanced the tumor suppressor activity of CIC-S. Our study demonstrates that ERK-mediated disruption of intramolecular interaction of CIC is critical for the cytoplasmic translocation of CIC, and suggests that the nuclear retention of CIC may represent a strategy for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jongmin Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Guk-Yeol Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Jongeun Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Joonyoung Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Soeun Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Eunjeong Kim
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seung-Yeol Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Jong Hyuk Yoon
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Yoontae Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea,Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea,*Correspondence: Yoontae Lee,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu S, Yin R, Yang Z, Wei F, Hu J. The effects of rhein on D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury in mice: Results from gut microbiome-metabolomics and host transcriptome analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:971409. [PMID: 36389730 PMCID: PMC9648667 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.971409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhubarb is an important traditional Chinese medicine, and rhein is one of its most important active ingredients. Studies have found that rhein can improve ulcerative colitis by regulating gut microbes, but there are few reports on its effects on liver diseases. Therefore, this study aims to investigate these effects and underlying mechanisms. Methods Mice were given rhein (100 mg/kg), with both a normal control group and a model group receiving the same amount of normal saline for one week. Acute liver injury was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of D-GalN (800 mg/kg)/LPS (10 ug/kg). Samples (blood, liver, and stool) were then collected and assessed for histological lesions and used for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and RNA-seq analysis. Results The levels of ALT and AST in the Model group were abnormal higher compared to the normal control group, and the levels of ALT and AST were significantly relieved in the rhein group. Hepatic HE staining showed that the degree of liver injury in the rhein group was lighter than that in the model group, and microbiological results showed that norank_o:Clostridia_UCG-014, Lachnoclostridium, and Roseburia were more abundant in the model group compared to the normal control group. Notably, the rhein treatment group showed reshaped disturbance of intestinal microbial community by D-GalN/LPS and these mice also had higher levels of Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansiaceae and Bacteroidetes. Additionally, There were multiple metabolites that were significantly different between the normal control group and the model group, such as L-α-amino acid, ofloxacin-N-oxide, 1-hydroxy-1,3-diphenylpropan-2-one,and L-4-hydroxyglutamate semialdehyde, but that returned to normal levels after rhein treatment. The gene expression level in the model group also changed significantly, various genes such as Cxcl2, S100a9, Tnf, Ereg, and IL-10 were up-regulated, while Mfsd2a and Bhlhe41 were down-regulated, which were recovered after rhein treatment. Conclusion Overall, our results show that rhein alleviated D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury in mice. It may help modulate gut microbiota in mice, thereby changing metabolism in the intestine. Meanwhile, rhein also may help regulate genes expression level to alleviate D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhui Liu
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiying Yin
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwei Yang
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feili Wei
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Feili Wei, ; Jianhua Hu,
| | - Jianhua Hu
- Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Feili Wei, ; Jianhua Hu,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu C, Omilusik K, Toma C, Kurd NS, Chang JT, Goldrath AW, Wang W. Systems-level identification of key transcription factors in immune cell specification. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010116. [PMID: 36156073 PMCID: PMC9536753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial for regulating cell differentiation during the development of the immune system. However, the key TFs for orchestrating the specification of distinct immune cells are not fully understood. Here, we integrated the transcriptomic and epigenomic measurements in 73 mouse and 61 human primary cell types, respectively, that span the immune cell differentiation pathways. We constructed the cell-type-specific transcriptional regulatory network and assessed the global importance of TFs based on the Taiji framework, which is a method we have previously developed that can infer the global impact of TFs using integrated transcriptomic and epigenetic data. Integrative analysis across cell types revealed putative driver TFs in cell lineage-specific differentiation in both mouse and human systems. We have also identified TF combinations that play important roles in specific developmental stages. Furthermore, we validated the functions of predicted novel TFs in murine CD8+ T cell differentiation and showed the importance of Elf1 and Prdm9 in the effector versus memory T cell fate specification and Kdm2b and Tet3 in promoting differentiation of CD8+ tissue resident memory (Trm) cells, validating the approach. Thus, we have developed a bioinformatic approach that provides a global picture of the regulatory mechanisms that govern cellular differentiation in the immune system and aids the discovery of novel mechanisms in cell fate decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Kyla Omilusik
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Clara Toma
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Nadia S. Kurd
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John T. Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ananda W. Goldrath
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Generation of hematopoietic lineage cell-specific chimeric mice using retrovirus-transduced fetal liver cells. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101526. [PMID: 35779265 PMCID: PMC9256946 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic lineage cell-specific transgenic or knockout mice provide a valuable platform to identify the role of specific genes in hematopoiesis in vivo. Here, we describe protocols for preparation of retroviruses for overexpression or knockdown of a gene of interest, retroviral transduction of fetal liver cells, and generation of hematopoietic lineage cell-specific chimeric mice by transfer of the retrovirus-transduced fetal liver cells. This protocol is applicable for the study of in vivo functionality of a gene of interest in immune cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Chang et al. (2013), Lee et al. (2016), and Hong et al. (2022). Preparation of retroviruses for overexpression or knockdown of a gene of interest Retroviral transduction of E15.5 fetal liver cells Generation of chimeric mice by transfer of the retroviral transduced fetal liver cells Study of in vivo functionality of a gene of interest in immune cells
Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
Collapse
|
7
|
BHLHE41 Overexpression Alleviates the Malignant Behavior of Colon Cancer Cells Induced by Hypoxia via Modulating HIF-1α/EMT Pathway. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2022; 2022:6972331. [PMID: 35615737 PMCID: PMC9126723 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6972331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. BHLHE41 has been shown to be a marker of tumorigenesis. Colon cancer (CC) is a common malignant tumor of colonic mucosa. This study mainly explored the mechanism of BHLHE41 in alleviating malignant behavior of hypoxia-induced CC cells. Methods. The levels of BHLHE41 in CC and normal cell lines were tested by Western blot and qRT-PCR. After, CC cells were subjected to hypoxia treatment and BHLHE41 overexpression transfection, and the BHLHE41 expression, the effect of BHLHE41 on CC cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion and cell cycle were tested by qRT-PCR and relevant cell functional experiments. HIF-1α and epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) related proteins were tested by Western blot. Moreover, CC tumor-bearing model was established in nude mice, and the effect of BHLHE41 on the tumor was evaluated by measuring the tumor volume and weight. Then, the expressions of BHLHE41 and EMT-related proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results. Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that BHLHE41 was lowly expressed in CC cells. BHLHE41 overexpression could inhibit the hypoxia-induced CC cell viability, migration, and invasion, induce apoptosis, and alter cell cycle. Besides, BHLHE41 overexpression could enhance the levels of E-cadherin but reduce the levels of HIF-1α, N-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP9 in hypoxia-induced CC cells. Moreover, BHLHE41 overexpression reduced tumor volume, weight, and EMT-related proteins levels in tumor tissues. Conclusions. BHLHE41 overexpression could mitigate the malignant behavior of hypoxia-induced CC via modulating the HIF-1α/EMT pathway.
Collapse
|