TRIM66 hastens the malignant progression of non-small cell lung cancer via modulating MMP9-mediated TGF-β/SMAD pathway

Unraveling the Core Components and Critical Targets of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. in Treating Non-small Cell Lung Cancer through Network Pharmacology and Multi-omics Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to preliminary explore the molecular mechanisms of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (H. cordata; Saururaceae) in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with the goal of screening drug potential targets for clinical drug development.

METHODS

This study employed a multi-omics and multi-source data integration approach to identify potential therapeutic targets of H. cordata against NSCLC from the TCMSP database, GEO database, BioGPS database, Metascape database, and others. Meanwhile, target localization was performed, and its possible mechanisms of action were predicted. Furthermore, dynamics simulations and molecular docking were used for verification. Multi-omics analysis was used to confirm the selected key genes' efficacy in treating NSCLC.

RESULTS

A total of 31 potential therapeutic targets, 8 key genes, and 5 core components of H. cordata against NSCLC were screened out. These potential therapeutic targets played a therapeutic role mainly by regulating lipid and atherosclerosis, the TNF signaling pathway, the IL-17 signaling pathway, and others. Molecular docking indicated a stable combination between MMP9 and quercetin. Finally, through multi-omics analysis, it was found that the expression of some key genes was closely related not only to the progression and prognosis of NSCLC but also to the level of immune infiltration.

CONCLUSION

Through comprehensive network pharmacology and multi-omics analysis, this study predicts that the core components of H. cordata play a role in treating NSCLC by regulating lipid and atherosclerosis, as well as the TNF signaling pathway. Among them, the anti-NSCLC activity of isoramanone is reported for the first time.

Emerging role of competing endogenous RNA in lung cancer drug resistance

Lung cancer remains one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide, and its survival rate is extremely low. Chemotherapy, the mainstay of lung cancer treatment, is not as effective as it could be due to the development of cellular resistance. The molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in lung cancer remain to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence suggests that ceRNAs are involved in various carcinogenesis and development. CeRNA is a transcript that regulates each other through competition with miRNA. However, the relationship between ceRNAs and chemoresistance in lung cancer remains unclear. In this narrative review, we provided a summary of treatment approaches that focus on ceRNA networks to overcome drug resistance.

Investigating the anti-lung cancer properties of Zhuang medicine Cycas revoluta Thunb. leaves targeting ion channels and transporters through a comprehensive strategy

BACKGROUND

Cycas revoluta Thunb., known for its ornamental, economic, and medicinal value, has leaves often discarded as waste. However, in ethnic regions of China, the leaves (CRL) are used in folk medicine for anti-tumor properties, particularly for regulating pathways related to cancer. Recent studies on ion channels and transporters (ICTs) highlight their therapeutic potential against cancer, making it vital to identify CRL's active constituents targeting ICTs in lung cancer.

PURPOSE

This study aims to uncover bioactive substances in CRL and their mechanisms in regulating ICTs for lung cancer treatment using network pharmacology, bioinformatics, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, in vitro cell assays and HPLC.

METHODS

We analyzed 62 CRL compounds, predicted targets using PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction, identified lung cancer and ICT targets via GeneCards, and visualized overlaps with R software. Interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape and STRING. Gene expression, GO, and KEGG analyses were performed using R software. TCGA data provided insights into differential, correlation, survival, and immune analyses. Key interactions were validated through molecular docking and MD simulations. Main biflavonoids were quantified using HPLC, and in vitro cell viability assays were conducted for key biflavonoids.

RESULTS

Venn diagram analysis identified 52 intersecting targets and ten active CRL compounds. The PPI network highlighted seven key targets. GO and KEGG analysis showed CRL-targeted ICTs involved in synaptic transmission, GABAergic synapse, and proteoglycans in cancer. Differential expression and correlation analysis revealed significant differences in five core targets in lung cancer tissues. Survival analysis linked EGFR and GABRG2 with overall survival, and immune infiltration analysis associated the core targets with most immune cell types. Molecular docking indicated strong binding of CRL ingredients to core targets. HPLC revealed amentoflavone as the most abundant biflavonoid, followed by hinokiflavone, sciadopitysin, and podocarpusflavone A. MD simulations showed that podocarpusflavone A and amentoflavone had better binding stability with GABRG2, and the cell viability assay also proved that they had better anti-lung cancer potential.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified potential active components, targets, and pathways of CRL-targeted ICTs for lung cancer treatment, suggesting CRL's utility in drug development and its potential beyond industrial waste.

SIRT1 silencing ameliorates malignancy of non-small cell lung cancer via activating FOXO1

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), being the most prevalent and lethal malignancy affecting the lungs, poses a significant threat to human health. This research aims at illustrating the precise role and related mechanisms of silent information regulator type-1 (SIRT1) in NSCLC progression. The expression pattern of SIRT1 in NSCLC cell lines was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Functional assays in NSCLC cell lines validated the biological capabilities of SIRT1 on malignant phenotypes, and its impact on tumorigenicity was further evaluated in vivo. In addition, the FOXO1 inhibitor AS1842856 was applied to verify the role of SIRT1 on FOXO pathway in vitro. SIRT1 expression was prominently elevated in NSCLC cell lines. The depletion of SIRT1 retarded the capabilities of proliferation, migration and invasion, while enhancing apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, SIRT1 silencing restricted the tumorigenesis of NSCLC in vivo. Additionally, AS1842856 treatment ameliorated the inhibitory effect of SIRT1 deficiency on malignant phenotypes in NSCLC cells. SIRT1 deletion exerted an anti-oncogenic role in NSCLC via activation of FOXO1.

The tripartite motif-containing 24 is a multifunctional player in human cancer

Tripartite motif-containing 24 (TRIM24), also known as transcriptional intermediary factor 1α (TIF1α), is the founding member of TIF1 family. Recent evidence indicates that aberrant expression of TRIM24, functions as an oncogene, is associated with poor prognosis across various cancer types. TRIM24 exhibits a multifaceted structure comprising an N-terminal TRIM region with a RING domain, B-box type 1 and type 2 domains, and a coiled-coil region, as well as a C-terminal plant-homeodomain (PHD)-bromodomain. The bromodomain serves as a 'reader' of epigenetic histone marks, regulating chromatin structure and gene expression by linking associated proteins to acetylated nucleosomal targets, thereby controlling transcription of genes. Notably, bromodomains have emerged as compelling targets for cancer therapeutic development. In addition, TRIM24 plays specialized roles as a signal transduction molecule, orchestrating various cellular signaling cascades in cancer cells. Herein, we review the recent advancements in understanding the functions of TRIM24, and demonstrate the research progress in utilizing TRIM24 as a target for cancer therapy.

IL-17 induces non-small cell lung cancer metastasis via GCN5-dependent SOX4 acetylation enhancing MMP9 gene transcription and expression

Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a potent proinflammatory cytokine, can trigger the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the underlying mechanism involved in IL-17-induced NSCLC cell metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we found that not only the expression of IL-17, IL-17RA, and/or general control nonrepressed protein 5 (GCN5), SRY-related HMG-BOX gene 4 (SOX4), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was increased in the NSCLC tissues and in the IL-17-stimulated NSCLC cells, but also IL-17 treatment could enhance NSCLC cell migration and invasion. Further mechanism exploration revealed that IL-17-upregulated GCN5 and SOX4 could bind to the same region (-915 to -712 nt) of downstream MMP9 gene promoter driving its gene transcription. In the process, GCN5 could mediate SOX4 acetylation at lysine 118 (K118, a newly identified site) boosting MMP9 gene expression as well as cell migration and invasion. Moreover, the SOX4 acetylation or MMP9 induction and metastatic nodule number in the lung tissues of the BALB/c nude mice inoculated with the NSCLC cells stably infected by corresponding LV-shGCN5 or LV-shSOX4, LV-shMMP9 plus IL-17 incubation were markedly reduced. Overall, our findings implicate that NSCLC metastasis is closely associated with IL-17-GCN5-SOX4-MMP9 axis.

Bromodomain (BrD) Family Members as Regulators of Cancer Stemness-A Comprehensive Review

Epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation and chromatin modifications have emerged as critical facilitators of cancer heterogeneity, substantially affecting cancer development and progression, modulating cell phenotypes, and enhancing or inhibiting cancer cell malignant properties. Not surprisingly, considering the importance of epigenetic regulators in normal stem cell maintenance, many chromatin-related proteins are essential to maintaining the cancer stem cell (CSC)-like state. With increased tumor-initiating capacities and self-renewal potential, CSCs promote tumor growth, provide therapy resistance, spread tumors, and facilitate tumor relapse after treatment. In this review, we characterized the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the acquisition and maintenance of cancer stemness concerning selected epigenetic factors belonging to the Bromodomain (BrD) family of proteins. An increasing number of BrD proteins reinforce cancer stemness, supporting the maintenance of the cancer stem cell population in vitro and in vivo via the utilization of distinct mechanisms. As bromodomain possesses high druggable potential, specific BrD proteins might become novel therapeutic targets in cancers exhibiting de-differentiated tumor characteristics.

TRIM family contribute to tumorigenesis, cancer development, and drug resistance

The tripartite-motif (TRIM) family represents one of the largest classes of putative single protein RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligases. TRIM family is involved in a variety of cellular signaling transductions and biological processes. TRIM family also contributes to cancer initiation, progress, and therapy resistance, exhibiting oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions in different human cancer types. Moreover, TRIM family members have great potential to serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we focus on the specific mechanisms of the participation of TRIM family members in tumorigenesis, and cancer development including interacting with dysregulated signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, and p53 hub. In addition, many studies have demonstrated that the TRIM family are related to tumor resistance; modulate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and guarantee the acquisition of cancer stem cells (CSCs) phenotype. In the end, we havediscussed the potential of TRIM family members for cancer therapeutic targets.