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Badu P, Baniulyte G, Sammons MA, Pager CT. Activation of ATF3 via the Integrated Stress Response Pathway Regulates Innate Immune Response to Restrict Zika Virus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.26.550716. [PMID: 37546954 PMCID: PMC10402074 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.26.550716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that can have devastating health consequences. The developmental and neurological effects from a ZIKV infection arise in part from the virus triggering cellular stress pathways and perturbing transcriptional programs. To date, the underlying mechanisms of transcriptional control directing viral restriction and virus-host interaction are understudied. Activating Transcription Factor 3 (ATF3) is a stress-induced transcriptional effector that modulates the expression of genes involved in a myriad of cellular processes, including inflammation and antiviral responses, to restore cellular homeostasis. While ATF3 is known to be upregulated during ZIKV infection, the mode by which ATF3 is activated and the specific role of ATF3 during ZIKV infection is unknown. In this study, we show via inhibitor and RNA interference approaches that ZIKV infection initiates the integrated stress response pathway to activate ATF4 which in turn induces ATF3 expression. Additionally, by using CRISPR-Cas9 system to delete ATF3, we found that ATF3 acts to limit ZIKV gene expression in A549 cells. We also determined that ATF3 enhances the expression of antiviral genes such as STAT1 and other components in the innate immunity pathway to induce an ATF3-dependent anti-ZIKV response. Our study reveals crosstalk between the integrated stress response and innate immune response pathways and highlights an important role for ATF3 in establishing an antiviral effect during ZIKV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pheonah Badu
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
- The RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
| | - Gabriele Baniulyte
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
- The RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
| | - Morgan A. Sammons
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
- The RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
| | - Cara T. Pager
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
- The RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222
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2
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Peng L, Jiang Y, Chen H, Wang Y, Lan Q, Chen S, Huang Z, Zhang J, Tian D, Qiu Y, Cai D, Peng J, Lu D, Yuan X, Yang X, Yin D. Transcription factor EHF interacting with coactivator AJUBA aggravates malignancy and acts as a therapeutic target for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2119-2136. [PMID: 38799645 PMCID: PMC11120281 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation of genes is a hallmark of tumors and can serve as targets for cancer drug development. However, it is extremely challenging to develop small-molecule inhibitors to target abnormally expressed transcription factors (TFs) except for the nuclear receptor family of TFs. Little is known about the interaction between TFs and transcription cofactors in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) or the therapeutic effects of targeting TF and transcription cofactor complexes. In this study, we found that ETS homologous factor (EHF) expression is promoted by a core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CRC), specifically ELF3-KLF5-GATA6, and interference with its expression suppressed the malignant biological behavior of GEA cells. Importantly, we identified Ajuba LIM protein (AJUBA) as a new coactivator of EHF that cooperatively orchestrates transcriptional network activity in GEA. Furthermore, we identified KRAS signaling as a common pathway downstream of EHF and AJUBA. Applicably, dual targeting of EHF and AJUBA by lipid nanoparticles cooperatively attenuated the malignant biological behaviors of GEA in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, EHF is upregulated by the CRC and promotes GEA malignancy by interacting with AJUBA through the KRAS pathway. Targeting of both EHF and its coactivator AJUBA through lipid nanoparticles is a novel potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yanyi Jiang
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Hengxing Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Qiusheng Lan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shuiqin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Zhanwang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Duanqing Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yuntan Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Diankui Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiangyun Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Daning Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xianzhu Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Dong Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
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3
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DeSantis DF, Neal SJ, Zhou Q, Pignoni F. Peripodial adherens junctions regulate Ajuba-Yorkie signaling to preserve fly eye morphology. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio059579. [PMID: 36912729 PMCID: PMC10084860 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059579] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila eye develops from the larval eye disc, a flattened vesicle comprised of continuous retinal and peripodial epithelia (PE). The PE is an epithelium that plays a supporting role in retinal neurogenesis, but gives rise to cuticle in the adult. We report here that the PE is also necessary to preserve the morphology of the retinal epithelium. Depletion of the adherens junction (AJ) components β-Catenin (β-Cat), DE-Cadherin or α-Catenin from the PE leads to altered disc morphology, characterized by retinal displacement (RDis); so too does loss of the Ajuba protein Jub, an AJ-associated regulator of the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki). Restoring AJs or overexpressing Yki in β-Cat deficient PE results in suppression of RDis. Additional suppressors of AJ-dependent RDis include knockdown of Rho kinase (Rok) and Dystrophin (Dys). Furthermore, knockdown of βPS integrin (Mys) from the PE results in RDis, while overexpression of Mys can suppress RDis induced by the loss of β-Cat. We thus propose that AJ-Jub-Yki signaling in PE cells regulates PE cell contractile properties and/or attachment to the extracellular matrix to promote normal eye disc morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana F. DeSantis
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Scott J. Neal
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Qingxiang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Francesca Pignoni
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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4
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Yu QX, Zhao WJ, Wang HY, Zhang L, Qin L, Zhang L, Han JL. Case Report: Identification of a novel NTRK3-AJUBA fusion co-existing with ETV6-NTRK3 fusion in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1123812. [PMID: 37188179 PMCID: PMC10176450 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1123812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
NTRK fusions are validated oncogenic drivers of various adult and pediatric tumor types, including thyroid cancer, and serve as a therapeutic target. Recently, tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors, such as entrectinib and larotrectinib, display promising therapeutic efficacy in NTRK-positive solid tumors. Although some NTRK fusion partners have been identified in thyroid cancer, the spectrum of NTRK fusion is not fully characterized. In this study, a dual NTRK3 fusion was identified by targeted RNA-Seq in a 47-year-old female patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient harbors a novel in-frame fusion between NTRK3 exon 13 and AJUBA exon 2, co-existing with a known in-frame fusion between ETV6 exon 4 and NTRK3 exon 14. The dual NTRK3 fusion was validated by Sanger sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) but lack TRK protein expression as defined by pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC). We supposed the pan-TRK IHC result to be falsely negative. In conclusion, we present the first case of a novel NTRK3-AJUBA fusion co-existing with a known ETV6-NTRK3 fusion in thyroid cancer. These findings extend the spectrum of translocation partners in NTRK3 fusion, and the effect of dual NTRK3 fusion on TRK inhibitor therapy and prognosis needs long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Xiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Digital Technology in Medical Diagnostics of Zhejiang Province, Dian Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhao
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - He-Yue Wang
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lan Qin
- Clinical Genome Center, Dian Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Technology in Medical Diagnostics of Zhejiang Province, Dian Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Zhang, ; Jian-li Han,
| | - Jian-li Han
- Department of Thyroid & Bariatric Metabolic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Zhang, ; Jian-li Han,
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5
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Hu Q, Bian Q, Rong D, Wang L, Song J, Huang HS, Zeng J, Mei J, Wang PY. JAK/STAT pathway: Extracellular signals, diseases, immunity, and therapeutic regimens. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1110765. [PMID: 36911202 PMCID: PMC9995824 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1110765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase/signal transduction and transcription activation (JAK/STAT) pathways were originally thought to be intracellular signaling pathways that mediate cytokine signals in mammals. Existing studies show that the JAK/STAT pathway regulates the downstream signaling of numerous membrane proteins such as such as G-protein-associated receptors, integrins and so on. Mounting evidence shows that the JAK/STAT pathways play an important role in human disease pathology and pharmacological mechanism. The JAK/STAT pathways are related to aspects of all aspects of the immune system function, such as fighting infection, maintaining immune tolerance, strengthening barrier function, and cancer prevention, which are all important factors involved in immune response. In addition, the JAK/STAT pathways play an important role in extracellular mechanistic signaling and might be an important mediator of mechanistic signals that influence disease progression, immune environment. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanism of the JAK/STAT pathways, which provides ideas for us to design more drugs targeting diseases based on the JAK/STAT pathway. In this review, we discuss the role of the JAK/STAT pathway in mechanistic signaling, disease progression, immune environment, and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qihui Bian
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dingchao Rong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leiyun Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianan Song
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hsuan-Shun Huang
- Department of Research, Center for Prevention and Therapy of Gynecological Cancers, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Jun Zeng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Mei
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng-Yuan Wang
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Fu C, Cao N, Liu W, Zhang Z, Yang Z, Zhu W, Fan S. Crosstalk between mitophagy and innate immunity in viral infection. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1064045. [PMID: 36590405 PMCID: PMC9800879 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1064045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are important organelles involved in cell metabolism and programmed cell death in eukaryotic cells and are closely related to the innate immunity of host cells against viruses. Mitophagy is a process in which phagosomes selectively phagocytize damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria to form autophagosomes and is degraded by lysosomes, which control mitochondrial mass and maintain mitochondrial dynamics and cellular homeostasis. Innate immunity is an important part of the immune system and plays a vital role in eliminating viruses. Viral infection causes many physiological and pathological alterations in host cells, including mitophagy and innate immune pathways. Accumulating evidence suggests that some virus promote self-replication through regulating mitophagy-mediated innate immunity. Clarifying the regulatory relationships among mitochondria, mitophagy, innate immunity, and viral infection will shed new insight for pathogenic mechanisms and antiviral strategies. This review systemically summarizes the activation pathways of mitophagy and the relationship between mitochondria and innate immune signaling pathways, and then discusses the mechanisms of viruses on mitophagy and innate immunity and how viruses promote self-replication by regulating mitophagy-mediated innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Fu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Cao
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zilin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Wenhui Zhu,
| | - Shuangqi Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China,Shuangqi Fan,
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Kirichenko E, Irvine KD. AJUBA and WTIP can compete with LIMD1 for junctional localization and LATS regulation. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2022; 2022:10.17912/micropub.biology.000666. [PMID: 36439396 PMCID: PMC9685415 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Each of the three mammalian Ajuba family proteins, AJUBA, LIMD1 and WTIP, exhibit tension-dependent localization to adherens junctions, and can associate with Lats kinases. However, only LIMD1 has been directly demonstrated to directly regulate Lats activity in vivo. To assess the relationship of LIMD1 to AJUBA and WTIP, and the potential contributions of AJUBA and WTIP to Lats regulation, we examined the consequences of over-expressing AJUBA and WTIP in MCF10A cells. Over-expression of either AJUBA or WTIP reduced junctional localization of LIMD1, implying that these proteins can compete for binding to adherens junctions. This over-expression also reduced junctional localization of LATS1, implying that AJUBA or WTIP are unable to efficiently recruit Lats kinases to adherens junctions. This over-expression was also associated with increased YAP1 phosphorylation and decreased YAP1 nuclear localization, consistent with increased Lats kinase activity. These observations indicate that AJUBA and WTIP compete with LIMD1 for association with adherens junctions but have activities distinct from LIMD1 in Hippo pathway regulation. They further suggest that the ability of Ajuba family proteins to associate with Lats kinases in solution is not sufficient to enable regulation in vivo, and that tumor suppressor activities of AJUBA and WTIP could stem in part from competition with LIMD1 for regulation of Lats kinases at cell junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Kirichenko
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, 190 Frelinghusen Rd, Piscataway NJ 08854 USA
| | - Kenneth D Irvine
- Waksman Institute and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, 190 Frelinghusen Rd, Piscataway NJ 08854 USA
,
Correspondence to: Kenneth D Irvine (
)
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Song N, Liu J, Zhang K, Yang J, Cui K, Miao Z, Zhao F, Meng H, Chen L, Chen C, Li Y, Shao M, Su W, Wang H. The LIM Protein AJUBA is a Potential Oncogenic Target and Prognostic Marker in Human Cancer via Pan-Cancer Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921897. [PMID: 35898403 PMCID: PMC9309301 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921897] [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: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The LIM (Lin-11, Isl1, MEC-3) domain protein AJUBA is involved in multiple biological functions, and its aberrant expression is related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. However, there are no analytical studies on AJUBA in pan-cancer. Methods: We performed a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis and explored the potential oncogenic roles of AJUBA, including gene expression, genetic mutation, protein phosphorylation, clinical diagnostic biomarker, prognosis, and AJUBA-related immune infiltration based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases. Results: The results revealed that the expression of AJUBA highly correlated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with different types of cancer. Meanwhile, AJUBA expression was positively correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts in many human cancers, such as breast invasive carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, brain lower-grade glioma, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses showed that AJUBA is mainly involved in protein serine/threonine kinase activity, cell–cell junction, covalent chromatin modification, and Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusion: The pan-cancer study reveals the oncogenic roles of AJUBA and provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular biological genetic information of AJUBA in various tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Kai Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhuang Miao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Feiyue Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongjing Meng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Lu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chong Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yushan Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Minglong Shao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wei Su
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haijun Wang,
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9
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Dommann N, Gavini J, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Baier FA, Birrer F, Loforese G, Candinas D, Stroka D. LIM protein Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation through its involvement in DNA replication and DNA damage control. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1746-1764. [PMID: 35535434 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The LIM-domain protein Ajuba is associated with cell proliferation, a fundamental process of tissue regeneration and cancer. We report that in the liver, Ajuba expression is increased during regeneration and in tumor cells and tissues. Knockout of Ajuba using CRISPR/Cas9 is embryonic lethal in mice. shRNA targeting of Ajuba reduces cell proliferation, delays cell entry into S-phase, reduces cell survival and tumor growth in vivo, and increases expression of the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Ajuba binding partners include proteins involved in DNA replication and damage, such as SKP2, MCM2, MCM7 and RPA70. Taken together, our data support that Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation associated with development, regeneration, and tumor growth and is involved in DNA replication and damage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlle Dommann
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Gavini
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Felix Alexander Baier
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Birrer
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Loforese
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
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10
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Ajuba Overexpression Promotes Breast Cancer Chemoresistance and Glucose Uptake through TAZ-GLUT3/Survivin Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:3321409. [PMID: 35178446 PMCID: PMC8844350 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3321409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The LIM protein Ajuba has been implicated in the development of human cancers. To date, its expression pattern and biological significance in breast cancers (BC) have not been fully investigated. In the current study, we examined Ajuba protein levels in 93 invasive ductal carcinoma specimens by immunohistochemistry. The Ajuba expression level was elevated in breast cancer tissue compared with normal tissue. Ajuba overexpression is correlated with advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, positive node status, and adverse patient outcomes. The Ajuba protein level was also higher in BC cell lines compared to normal breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A. Ectopically expressed Ajuba in MCF-7 cells stimulated in vitro and in vivo cell growth, invasion, cell cycle progression, and decreased paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) followed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis showed that Ajuba overexpression regulated the Hippo signaling pathway. Ajuba overexpression also increased glucose uptake and increased expression of TAZ, GLUT3, and Survivin. TAZ knockdown abolished the role of Ajuba on GLUT3 and Survivin induction. The ChIP assay showed that TEAD4, a major TAZ binding transcription factor, could bind to the GLUT3 and Survivin promoter regions. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that elevated Ajuba expression is correlated with poor BC prognosis and regulated malignant behavior through TAZ-GLUT3/Survivin signaling in BC cells.
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11
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Yan H, Li Q, Li M, Zou X, Bai N, Yu Z, Zhang J, Zhang D, Zhang Q, Wang J, Jia H, Wu Y, Hou Z. Ajuba functions as a co-activator of C/EBPβ to induce expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα during adipogenesis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 539:111485. [PMID: 34619292 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Adipogenesis is regulated by a complicated network of transcription factors among which PPARγ and C/EBP family members are the major regulators. During adipogenesis, C/EBPβ is induced early and then transactivates PPARγ and C/EBPα, which cooperatively induce genes whose expressions give rise to the mature adipocyte phenotype. Identifying the factors that influence the expression and activity of C/EBPβ should provide additional insight into the mechanisms regulating adipogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that depletion of Ajuba in 3T3-L1 cells significantly decreases mRNA and protein levels of PPARγ and C/EBPα and impairs adipocyte differentiation, while overexpression increases expression of these genes and promotes adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, restoration of C/EBPα or PPARγ expression in Ajuba-deficient 3T3-L1 cells improves the impaired lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, Ajuba interacts with C/EBPβ and recruits CBP to facilitate the binding of C/EBPβ to the promoter of PPARγ and C/EBPα, resulting in increased H3 histone acetylation and target gene expression. Collectively, these data indicate that Ajuba functions as a co-activator of C/EBPβ, and may be an important therapeutic target for combating obesity-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yan
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Cellular Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qi Li
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mengying Li
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiuqun Zou
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ningning Bai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes, Shanghai Institute for Diabetes, Shanghai Clinical Medical Centre of Diabetes, Shanghai Key Clinical Centre of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Zichao Yu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong Laboratory Animal Center, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jiamin Wang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hao Jia
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Yingjie Wu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong Laboratory Animal Center, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China; Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, 10010, USA.
| | - Zhaoyuan Hou
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Cellular Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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12
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Ponia SS, Robertson SJ, McNally KL, Subramanian G, Sturdevant GL, Lewis M, Jessop F, Kendall C, Gallegos D, Hay A, Schwartz C, Rosenke R, Saturday G, Bosio CM, Martens C, Best SM. Mitophagy antagonism by ZIKV reveals Ajuba as a regulator of PINK1 signaling, PKR-dependent inflammation, and viral invasion of tissues. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109888. [PMID: 34706234 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated inflammation dominated by chemokine expression is a key feature of disease following infection with the globally important human pathogens Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus, but a mechanistic understanding of how pro-inflammatory responses are initiated is lacking. Mitophagy is a quality-control mechanism that regulates innate immune signaling and cytokine production through selective degradation of damaged mitochondria. Here, we demonstrate that ZIKV nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) antagonizes mitophagy by binding to the host protein Ajuba and preventing its translocation to depolarized mitochondria where it is required for PINK1 activation and downstream signaling. Consequent mitophagy suppression amplifies the production of pro-inflammatory chemokines through protein kinase R (PKR) sensing of mitochondrial RNA. In Ajuba-/- mice, ZIKV induces early expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines associated with significantly enhanced dissemination to tissues. This work identifies Ajuba as a critical regulator of mitophagy and demonstrates a role for mitophagy in limiting systemic inflammation following infection by globally important human viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket S Ponia
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Shelly J Robertson
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Kristin L McNally
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Gayatri Subramanian
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Gail L Sturdevant
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Matthew Lewis
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Forrest Jessop
- Immunity to Pulmonary Pathogens Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Catherine Kendall
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA; School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Dylan Gallegos
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Arielle Hay
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Cindi Schwartz
- Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Rebecca Rosenke
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Greg Saturday
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Catherine M Bosio
- Immunity to Pulmonary Pathogens Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Craig Martens
- Research Technology Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Sonja M Best
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
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13
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Wu Z, Zou X, Xu Y, Zhou F, Kuai R, Li J, Yang D, Chu Y, Peng H. Ajuba transactivates N-cadherin expression in colorectal cancer cells through interaction with Twist. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8006-8014. [PMID: 34173718 PMCID: PMC8358848 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ajuba is a multiple LIM domain‐containing protein and functions as a transcriptional coregulator to modulate many gene expressions in various cellular processes. Here, we describe that the LIM domain of Ajuba interacts with Twist, and the Twist box is a pivotal motif for the interaction. Biologically, Ajuba enhances transcription of target gene N‐cadherin as an obligate coactivator of Twist. The enhancement is achieved by binding to the E‐box element within N‐cadherin promoter as revealed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mechanistic investigation demonstrates that Ajuba recruits CBP and Twist to form a ternary complex at the Twist target promoter region and concomitantly enhances histone acetylation at these sites. These findings identify that Twist is a new interacting protein of Ajuba and Ajuba/Twist/CBP ternary complex may be a potential treatment strategy for Twist‐related tumour metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxia Wu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Key Laboratory for Translational Research and Innovative Therapeutics of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuqun Zou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Cellular Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengli Zhou
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Kuai
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji Li
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daming Yang
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Chu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixia Peng
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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14
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Prime SS, Cirillo N, Cheong SC, Prime MS, Parkinson EK. Targeting the genetic landscape of oral potentially malignant disorders has the potential as a preventative strategy in oral cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 518:102-114. [PMID: 34139286 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study reviews the molecular landscape of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). We examine the impact of tumour heterogeneity, the spectrum of driver mutations (TP53, CDKN2A, TERT, NOTCH1, AJUBA, PIK3CA, CASP8) and gene transcription on tumour progression. We comment on how some of these mutations impact cellular senescence, field cancerization and cancer stem cells. We propose that OPMD can be monitored more closely and more dynamically through the use of liquid biopsies using an appropriate biomarker of transformation. We describe new gene interactions through the use of a systems biology approach and we highlight some of the first studies to identify functional genes using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. We believe that this information has translational implications for the use of re-purposed existing drugs and/or new drug development. Further, we argue that the use of digital technology encompassing clinical and laboratory-based data will create relevant datasets for machine learning/artificial intelligence. We believe that therapeutic intervention at an early molecular premalignant stage should be an important preventative strategy to inhibit the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and that this approach is applicable to other aerodigestive tract cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Prime
- Centre for Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - N Cirillo
- Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, 720 Swanson Street, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, 3053, Australia.
| | - S C Cheong
- Head and Neck Cancer Research Team, Cancer Research Malaysia, 1 Jalan SS12/1A, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - M S Prime
- Roche Diagnostics Information Solutions, Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - E K Parkinson
- Centre for Immunology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
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15
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Schleicher K, Schramek D. AJUBA: A regulator of epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:546-559. [PMID: 33372298 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epidermis, outermost layer of the skin, is constantly renewing itself through proliferative and differentiation processes. These processes are vital to maintain proper epidermal integrity during skin development and homeostasis and for preventing skin diseases and cancers. The biological mechanisms that permit this balancing act are vast, where individual pathway regulators are known, but the exact regulatory control and cross-talk between simultaneously turning one biological pathway on and an opposing one off remain elusive. This review explores the diverse roles the scaffolding protein AJUBA plays during epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Initially identified for its role in promoting meiotic progression in oocytes through Grb2 and MAP kinase activity, AJUBA also maintains cytoskeletal tension permitting epidermal tissue development and responds to retinoic acid committing cells to initiate development of surface epidermal layer. AJUBA regulates proliferation of skin stem cells through Hippo and Wnt signalling and encourages mitotic commitment through Aurora-A, Aurora-B and CDK1. In addition, AJUBA also induces epidermal differentiation to maintain appropriate epidermal thickness and barrier function by activating Notch signalling and stabilizing catenins and actin during cellular remodelling. AJUBA also plays an imperative context-dependent tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive role within epithelial cancers. AJUBA's abundant roles within the epidermis signify its importance as a molecular switchboard, vetting multiple signalling pathways to control epidermal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Schleicher
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Schramek
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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16
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Zhao H, Li Z, Zhu Y, Bian S, Zhang Y, Qin L, Naik AK, He J, Zhang Z, Krangel MS, Hao B. A role of the CTCF binding site at enhancer Eα in the dynamic chromatin organization of the Tcra-Tcrd locus. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9621-9636. [PMID: 32853367 PMCID: PMC7515734 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of T cell receptor Tcra gene rearrangement has been extensively studied. The enhancer Eα plays an essential role in Tcra rearrangement by establishing a recombination centre in the Jα array and a chromatin hub for interactions between Vα and Jα genes. But the mechanism of the Eα and its downstream CTCF binding site (here named EACBE) in dynamic chromatin regulation is unknown. The Hi-C data showed that the EACBE is located at the sub-TAD boundary which separates the Tcra–Tcrd locus and the downstream region including the Dad1 gene. The EACBE is required for long-distance regulation of the Eα on the proximal Vα genes, and its deletion impaired the Tcra rearrangement. We also noticed that the EACBE and Eα regulate the genes in the downstream sub-TAD via asymmetric chromatin extrusion. This study provides a new insight into the role of CTCF binding sites at TAD boundaries in gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoqiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Yongchang Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Shasha Bian
- Henan Medical Genetics Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Litao Qin
- Henan Medical Genetics Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Abani Kanta Naik
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jiangtu He
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhenhai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Center for Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Michael S Krangel
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bingtao Hao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China.,Henan Medical Genetics Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
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