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Rakoczy K, Szymańska N, Stecko J, Kisiel M, Sleziak J, Gajewska-Naryniecka A, Kulbacka J. The Role of RAC2 and PTTG1 in Cancer Biology. Cells 2025; 14:330. [PMID: 40072059 PMCID: PMC11899714 DOI: 10.3390/cells14050330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2025] [Revised: 02/19/2025] [Accepted: 02/20/2025] [Indexed: 03/14/2025] Open
Abstract
Several molecular pathways are likely involved in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) via Ras-associated C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2, RAC2, and pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 product, PTTG1, given their roles in cellular signaling, survival, proliferation, and metastasis. RAC2 is a member of the Rho GTPase family and plays a crucial role in actin cytoskeleton dynamics, reactive oxygen species production, and cell migration, contributing to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune evasion, and therapy resistance. PTTG1, also known as human securin, regulates key processes such as cell cycle progression, apoptosis suppression, and EMT, promoting metastasis and enhancing cancer cell survival. This article aims to describe the molecular pathways involved in the proliferation, invasiveness, and drug response of cancer cells through RAC2 and PTTG1, aiming to clarify their respective roles in neoplastic process dependencies. Both proteins are involved in critical signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, and NF-κB, which facilitate tumor progression by modulating CSC properties, angiogenesis, and immune response. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms by which RAC2 and PTTG1 influence tumorigenesis and describes their potential and efficacy as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in managing various neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Rakoczy
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.R.); (N.S.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Natalia Szymańska
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.R.); (N.S.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Jakub Stecko
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.R.); (N.S.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Michał Kisiel
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.R.); (N.S.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Jakub Sleziak
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.R.); (N.S.); (J.S.); (M.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Gajewska-Naryniecka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių g. 5, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
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Chen Q, Hao Q, Yang Y, Li L, Li D, Zhao R, Wei W, Deng L, Su J, Liang Z, Tang S, Lu Y, Liang Y, Zhang Z, Zhou X, Xiao X, Li P, Huang Y, Zhao W. Carboxylesterase 4A Inhibits the Malignant Biological Behavior of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma via the PI3K/AKT Pathway. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2025; 24:15330338251319144. [PMID: 39912257 PMCID: PMC11800256 DOI: 10.1177/15330338251319144] [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: 08/06/2024] [Revised: 12/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2025] [Indexed: 02/07/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carboxylesterase 4A (CES4A) belongs to the member of the carboxylesterase family, yet there has been limited research into its malignant biological behavior in malignant tumors. Here, we aim to investigate the expression, cellular biological functions, and the potential underlying mechanism of CES4A in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD A standardized mean difference (SMD) analysis was used to analyze the dysregulation of CES4A based on the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) were used to identify the mRNA and protein levels of CES4A in NPC cell lines and tissues, respectively. CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays were utilized to estimate cellular growth and metastasis, respectively. Western blot was conducted to evaluate the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. RESULT Both mRNA and protein expression of CES4A was significantly diminished both in NPC cell lines and primary tumor tissues. Ectopic expression of CES4A restrains the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of NPC. Additionally, KEGG analysis based on GEO data and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of cell lines all strongly suggested that CES4A was involved in regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. It was observed that AKT and phosphorylated AKT were remarkably reduced in CES4A overexpressing NPC cells, indicating that PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is hindered by CES4A. CONCLUSION CES4A expression is silenced in NPC, functioning as a tumor suppressor by negatively modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoli Chen
- Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Oral Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Regional Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Tumors, Nanning, China
| | - Quanxiang Hao
- Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Oral Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Regional Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Tumors, Nanning, China
| | - Yanping Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Limei Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Oral Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Danping Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Oral Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Ran Zhao
- Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wanqi Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lixian Deng
- Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiaming Su
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ziyuan Liang
- Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shiyue Tang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yaomin Lu
- Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yushan Liang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhou
- Life Science Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of Oral Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Weilin Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Exertier C, Antonelli L, Fiorillo A, Bernardini R, Colotti B, Ilari A, Colotti G. Sorcin in Cancer Development and Chemotherapeutic Drug Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2810. [PMID: 39199583 PMCID: PMC11352664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162810] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
SOluble Resistance-related Calcium-binding proteIN (sorcin) earned its name due to its co-amplification with ABCB1 in multidrug-resistant cells. Initially thought to be an accidental consequence of this co-amplification, recent research indicates that sorcin plays a more active role as an oncoprotein, significantly impacting multidrug resistance (MDR). Sorcin is a highly expressed calcium-binding protein, often overproduced in human tumors and multidrug-resistant cancers, and is a promising novel MDR marker. In tumors, sorcin levels inversely correlate with both patient response to chemotherapy and overall prognosis. Multidrug-resistant cell lines consistently exhibit higher sorcin expression compared to their parental counterparts. Furthermore, sorcin overexpression via gene transfection enhances drug resistance to various chemotherapeutic drugs across numerous cancer lines. Conversely, silencing sorcin expression reverses drug resistance in many cell lines. Sorcin participates in several mechanisms of MDR, including drug efflux, drug sequestering, cell death inhibition, gene amplification, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The present review focuses on the structure and function of sorcin, on sorcin's role in cancer and drug resistance, and on the approaches aimed at targeting sorcin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Exertier
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), c/o Department Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ed. CU027, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.E.); (A.I.)
| | - Lorenzo Antonelli
- Department Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ed. CU027, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ed. CU027, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Roberta Bernardini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Colotti
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Child Neuropsychiatry School, University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), c/o Department Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ed. CU027, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.E.); (A.I.)
| | - Gianni Colotti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), c/o Department Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ed. CU027, P.le A.Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.E.); (A.I.)
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