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Zuo S, Li C, Sun X, Deng B, Zhang Y, Han Y, Ling Z, Xu J, Duan J, Wang Z, Yu X, Zheng Q, Xu X, Zong J, Tian Z, Shan L, Tang K, Huang H, Song Y, Niu Q, Zhou D, Feng S, Han Z, Wang G, Wu T, Pan J, Feng X. C-JUN overexpressing CAR-T cells in acute myeloid leukemia: preclinical characterization and phase I trial. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6155. [PMID: 39039086 PMCID: PMC11263573 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50485-9] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells show suboptimal efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We find that CAR T cells exposed to myeloid leukemia show impaired activation and cytolytic function, accompanied by impaired antigen receptor downstream calcium, ZAP70, ERK, and C-JUN signaling, compared to those exposed to B-cell leukemia. These defects are caused in part by the high expression of CD155 by AML. Overexpressing C-JUN, but not other antigen receptor downstream components, maximally restores anti-tumor function. C-JUN overexpression increases costimulatory molecules and cytokines through reinvigoration of ERK or transcriptional activation, independent of anti-exhaustion. We conduct an open-label, non-randomized, single-arm, phase I trial of C-JUN-overexpressing CAR-T in AML (NCT04835519) with safety and efficacy as primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. Of the four patients treated, one has grade 4 (dose-limiting toxicity) and three have grade 1-2 cytokine release syndrome. Two patients have no detectable bone marrow blasts and one patient has blast reduction after treatment. Thus, overexpressing C-JUN endows CAR-T efficacy in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Female
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/metabolism
- Animals
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Aged
- Adult
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Chuo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
- Central laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Biping Deng
- Cytology Laboratory, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yibing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Yajing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuojun Ling
- Department of Hematology, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiajia Duan
- Department of Hematology, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zelin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinjian Yu
- Medical Laboratory, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qinlong Zheng
- Medical Laboratory, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuwen Xu
- Medical Laboratory, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiao Zong
- Medical Laboratory, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenglong Tian
- Gobroad Research Center, Gobroad Medical Group, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaiting Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Huifang Huang
- Central laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanzhi Song
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Sizhou Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhongchao Han
- Institute of Stem Cells, Health-Biotech (Tianjin) Stem Cell Research Institute Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Guoling Wang
- Department of Hematology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Jing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Boren Clinical Translational Center, Department of Hematology, Beijing GoBroad Boren Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaoming Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China.
- Central laboratory, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
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2
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Klomp JA, Klomp JE, Stalnecker CA, Bryant KL, Edwards AC, Drizyte-Miller K, Hibshman PS, Diehl JN, Lee YS, Morales AJ, Taylor KE, Peng S, Tran NL, Herring LE, Prevatte AW, Barker NK, Hover LD, Hallin J, Chowdhury S, Coker O, Lee HM, Goodwin CM, Gautam P, Olson P, Christensen JG, Shen JP, Kopetz S, Graves LM, Lim KH, Wang-Gillam A, Wennerberg K, Cox AD, Der CJ. Defining the KRAS- and ERK-dependent transcriptome in KRAS-mutant cancers. Science 2024; 384:eadk0775. [PMID: 38843331 PMCID: PMC11301402 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk0775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
How the KRAS oncogene drives cancer growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, we established a systemwide portrait of KRAS- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent gene transcription in KRAS-mutant cancer to delineate the molecular mechanisms of growth and of inhibitor resistance. Unexpectedly, our KRAS-dependent gene signature diverges substantially from the frequently cited Hallmark KRAS signaling gene signature, is driven predominantly through the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, and accurately reflects KRAS- and ERK-regulated gene transcription in KRAS-mutant cancer patients. Integration with our ERK-regulated phospho- and total proteome highlights ERK deregulation of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) and other components of the cell cycle machinery as key processes that drive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) growth. Our findings elucidate mechanistically the critical role of ERK in driving KRAS-mutant tumor growth and in resistance to KRAS-ERK MAPK targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A. Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kirsten L. Bryant
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Cole Edwards
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristina Drizyte-Miller
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Priya S. Hibshman
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J. Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics & Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ye S. Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alexis J. Morales
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Khalilah E. Taylor
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sen Peng
- Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Nhan L. Tran
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Laura E. Herring
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alex W. Prevatte
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Natalie K. Barker
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Jill Hallin
- Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Saikat Chowdhury
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oluwadara Coker
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hey Min Lee
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Craig M. Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Prson Gautam
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Peter Olson
- Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | - John P. Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lee M. Graves
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kian-Huat Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Krister Wennerberg
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adrienne D. Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Channing J. Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics & Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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3
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González-Sánchez AM, Castellanos-Silva EA, Díaz-Figueroa G, Cate JHD. JUN mRNA translation regulation is mediated by multiple 5' UTR and start codon features. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299779. [PMID: 38483896 PMCID: PMC10939236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulation of mRNA translation by eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) is crucial for cell survival. In humans, eIF3 stimulates translation of the JUN mRNA which encodes the transcription factor JUN, an oncogenic transcription factor involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. Previous studies revealed that eIF3 activates translation of the JUN mRNA by interacting with a stem loop in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) and with the 5' -7-methylguanosine cap structure. In addition to its interaction site with eIF3, the JUN 5' UTR is nearly one kilobase in length, and has a high degree of secondary structure, high GC content, and an upstream start codon (uAUG). This motivated us to explore the complexity of JUN mRNA translation regulation in human cells. Here we find that JUN translation is regulated in a sequence and structure-dependent manner in regions adjacent to the eIF3-interacting site in the JUN 5' UTR. Furthermore, we identify contributions of an additional initiation factor, eIF4A, in JUN regulation. We show that enhancing the interaction of eIF4A with JUN by using the compound Rocaglamide A (RocA) represses JUN translation. We also find that both the upstream AUG (uAUG) and the main AUG (mAUG) contribute to JUN translation and that they are conserved throughout vertebrates. Our results reveal additional layers of regulation for JUN translation and show the potential of JUN as a model transcript for understanding multiple interacting modes of translation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica M. González-Sánchez
- Comparative Biochemistry Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Eimy A. Castellanos-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Díaz-Figueroa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Jamie H. D. Cate
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
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4
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Yan H, He L, Lv D, Yang J, Yuan Z. The Role of the Dysregulated JNK Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases and Its Potential Therapeutic Strategies: A Comprehensive Review. Biomolecules 2024; 14:243. [PMID: 38397480 PMCID: PMC10887252 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
JNK is named after c-Jun N-terminal kinase, as it is responsible for phosphorylating c-Jun. As a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, JNK is also known as stress-activated kinase (SAPK) because it can be activated by extracellular stresses including growth factor, UV irradiation, and virus infection. Functionally, JNK regulates various cell behaviors such as cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, and metabolic reprogramming. Dysregulated JNK signaling contributes to several types of human diseases. Although the role of the JNK pathway in a single disease has been summarized in several previous publications, a comprehensive review of its role in multiple kinds of human diseases is missing. In this review, we begin by introducing the landmark discoveries, structures, tissue expression, and activation mechanisms of the JNK pathway. Next, we come to the focus of this work: a comprehensive summary of the role of the deregulated JNK pathway in multiple kinds of diseases. Beyond that, we also discuss the current strategies for targeting the JNK pathway for therapeutic intervention and summarize the application of JNK inhibitors as well as several challenges now faced. We expect that this review can provide a more comprehensive insight into the critical role of the JNK pathway in the pathogenesis of human diseases and hope that it also provides important clues for ameliorating disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaying Yan
- Department of Ultrasound, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China; (H.Y.); (L.H.)
| | - Lanfang He
- Department of Ultrasound, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China; (H.Y.); (L.H.)
| | - De Lv
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Zhu Yuan
- Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
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Zhu Y, Wang Q, Xie X, Ma C, Qiao Y, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Gao Y, Jiang J, Liu X, Chen J, Li C, Ge G. ZBTB7B is a permissive regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma initiation by repressing c-Jun expression and function. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:55. [PMID: 38225233 PMCID: PMC10789742 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06441-y] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multi-step process. However, the regulators of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation are understudied. Adult liver-specific gene expression was globally downregulated in HCC. We hypothesize that adult liver-specific genes, especially adult liver-enriched transcription factors may exert tumor-suppressive functions in HCC. In this study, we identify ZBTB7B, an adult liver-enriched transcription factor as a permissive regulator of HCC initiation. ZBTB7B is highly expressed in hepatocytes in adult livers, compared to fetal livers. To evaluate the functions of ZBTB7B in hepatocarcinogenesis, we performed hepatocyte-specific ZBTB7B knockout in hydrodynamic oncogene transfer-induced mouse liver cancer models. Hepatocyte-specific knockout of ZBTB7B promotes activated Akt and N-Ras-induced HCC development. Moreover, ZBTB7B deficiency sensitizes hepatocytes to a single oncogene Akt-induced oncogenic transformation and HCC initiation, which is otherwise incompetent in inducing HCC. ZBTB7B deficiency accelerates HCC initiation by down-regulating adult liver-specific gene expression and priming livers to a fetal-like state. The molecular mechanism underlying ZBTB7B functions in hepatocytes was investigated by integrated transcriptomic, phosphoproteomic, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analyses. Integrative multi-omics analyses identify c-Jun as the core signaling node in ZBTB7B-deficient liver cancer initiation. c-Jun is a direct target of ZBTB7B essential to accelerated liver cancer initiation in ZBTB7B-deficient livers. Knockdown of c-Jun expression or dominant negative c-Jun expression delays HCC development in ZBTB7B-deficient livers. In addition, ZBTB7B competes with c-Jun for chromatin binding. Ectopic ZBTB7B expression attenuates the tumor-promoting functions of c-Jun. Expression of ZBTB7B signature, composed of 140 genes co-regulated by ZBTB7B and c-Jun, is significantly downregulated in early-stage HCCs compared to adjacent normal tissues, correlates to liver-specific gene expression, and is associated with good prognosis in human HCC. Thus, ZBTB7B functions as a permissive regulator of HCC initiation by directly regulating c-Jun expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Qinqin Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xinyu Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Cuihong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuemei Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yanjun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Genome Tagging Project (GTP) Center, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Chen Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Gaoxiang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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González-Sánchez AM, Castellanos-Silva EA, Díaz-Figueroa G, Cate JHD. JUN mRNA Translation Regulation is Mediated by Multiple 5' UTR and Start Codon Features. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.17.567602. [PMID: 38014201 PMCID: PMC10680820 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.17.567602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of mRNA translation by eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) is crucial for cell survival. In humans, eIF3 stimulates translation of the JUN mRNA which encodes the transcription factor JUN, an oncogenic transcription factor involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. Previous studies revealed that eIF3 activates translation of the JUN mRNA by interacting with a stem loop in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) and with the 5'-7-methylguanosine cap structure. In addition to its interaction site with eIF3, the JUN 5' UTR is nearly one kilobase in length, and has a high degree of secondary structure, high GC content, and an upstream start codon (uAUG). This motivated us to explore the complexity of JUN mRNA translation regulation in human cells. Here we find that JUN translation is regulated in a sequence and structure-dependent manner in regions adjacent to the eIF3-interacting site in the JUN 5' UTR. Furthermore, we identify contributions of an additional initiation factor, eIF4A, in JUN regulation. We show that enhancing the interaction of eIF4A with JUN by using the compound Rocaglamide A (RocA) represses JUN translation. We also find that both the upstream AUG (uAUG) and the main AUG (mAUG) contribute to JUN translation and that they are conserved throughout vertebrates. Our results reveal additional layers of regulation for JUN translation and show the potential of JUN as a model transcript for understanding multiple interacting modes of translation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eimy A Castellanos-Silva
- University of California, Davis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gabriela Díaz-Figueroa
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jamie H D Cate
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
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7
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Croushore EE, Koppenhafer SL, Goss KL, Geary EL, Gordon DJ. Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) Signaling Inhibits the Growth of Ewing Sarcoma Cells in Response to DNA Replication Stress. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1580-1593. [PMID: 37599787 PMCID: PMC10434289 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleosides and is required for DNA replication. Multiple types of cancer, including Ewing sarcoma tumors, are sensitive to RNR inhibitors or a reduction in the levels of either the RRM1 or RRM2 subunits of RNR. However, the polypharmacology and off-target effects of RNR inhibitors have complicated the identification of the mechanisms that regulate sensitivity and resistance to this class of drugs. Consequently, we used a conditional knockout (CRISPR/Cas9) and rescue approach to target RRM1 in Ewing sarcoma cells and identified that loss of the RRM1 protein results in the upregulation of the expression of multiple members of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex, including c-Jun and c-Fos, and downregulation of c-Myc. Notably, overexpression of c-Jun and c-Fos in Ewing sarcoma cells is sufficient to inhibit cell growth and downregulate the expression of the c-Myc oncogene. We also identified that the upregulation of AP-1 is mediated, in part, by SLFN11, which is a replication stress response protein that is expressed at high levels in Ewing sarcoma. In addition, small-molecule inhibitors of RNR, including gemcitabine, and histone deacetylase inhibitors, which reduce the level of the RRM1 protein, also activate AP-1 signaling and downregulate the level of c-Myc in Ewing sarcoma. Overall, these results provide novel insight into the critical pathways activated by loss of RNR activity and the mechanisms of action of inhibitors of RNR. Significance RNR is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. Although RNR is the target of multiple chemotherapy drugs, polypharmacology and off-target effects have complicated the identification of the precise mechanism of action of these drugs. In this work, using a knockout-rescue approach, we identified that inhibition of RNR upregulates AP-1 signaling and downregulates the level of c-Myc in Ewing sarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Croushore
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Stacia L. Koppenhafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kelli L. Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Elizabeth L. Geary
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - David J. Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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8
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Kusuma FK, Prabhu A, Tieo G, Ahmed SM, Dakle P, Yong WK, Pathak E, Madan V, Jiang YY, Tam WL, Kappei D, Dröge P, Koeffler HP, Jeitany M. Signalling inhibition by ponatinib disrupts productive alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Nat Commun 2023; 14:1919. [PMID: 37024489 PMCID: PMC10079688 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) supports telomere maintenance in 10-15% of cancers, thus representing a compelling target for therapy. By performing anti-cancer compound library screen on isogenic cell lines and using extrachromosomal telomeric C-circles, as a bona fide marker of ALT activity, we identify a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor ponatinib that deregulates ALT mechanisms, induces telomeric dysfunction, reduced ALT-associated telomere synthesis, and targets, in vivo, ALT-positive cells. Using RNA-sequencing and quantitative phosphoproteomic analyses, combined with C-circle level assessment, we find an ABL1-JNK-JUN signalling circuit to be inhibited by ponatinib and to have a role in suppressing telomeric C-circles. Furthermore, transcriptome and interactome analyses suggest a role of JUN in DNA damage repair. These results are corroborated by synergistic drug interactions between ponatinib and either DNA synthesis or repair inhibitors, such as triciribine. Taken together, we describe here a signalling pathway impacting ALT which can be targeted by a clinically approved drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Karla Kusuma
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aishvaryaa Prabhu
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Galen Tieo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Syed Moiz Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pushkar Dakle
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Khang Yong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Elina Pathak
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vikas Madan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Yi Jiang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dennis Kappei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter Dröge
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS), National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maya Jeitany
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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9
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Proteomic and phosphoproteomic landscapes of acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2022; 140:1533-1548. [PMID: 35895896 PMCID: PMC9523374 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a deep-scale proteome and phosphoproteome database from 44 representative acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients from the LAML TCGA dataset and 6 healthy bone marrow-derived controls. After confirming data quality, we orthogonally validated several previously undescribed features of AML revealed by the proteomic data. We identified examples of posttranscriptionally regulated proteins both globally (ie, in all AML samples) and also in patients with recurrent AML driver mutations. For example, samples with IDH1/2 mutations displayed elevated levels of the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent histone demethylases KDM4A/B/C, despite no changes in messenger RNA levels for these genes; we confirmed this finding in vitro. In samples with NPMc mutations, we identified several nuclear importins with posttranscriptionally increased protein abundance and showed that they interact with NPMc but not wild-type NPM1. We identified 2 cell surface proteins (CD180 and MRC1/CD206) expressed on AML blasts of many patients (but not healthy CD34+ stem/progenitor cells) that could represent novel targets for immunologic therapies and confirmed these targets via flow cytometry. Finally, we detected nearly 30 000 phosphosites in these samples; globally, AML samples were associated with the abnormal phosphorylation of specific residues in PTPN11, STAT3, AKT1, and PRKCD. FLT3-TKD samples were associated with increased phosphorylation of activating tyrosines on the cytoplasmic Src-family tyrosine kinases FGR and HCK and related signaling proteins. PML-RARA-initiated AML samples displayed a unique phosphorylation signature, and TP53-mutant samples showed abundant phosphorylation of serine-183 on TP53 itself. This publicly available database will serve as a foundation for further investigations of protein dysregulation in AML pathogenesis.
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10
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Li YZ, Zhang C, Pei JP, Zhang WC, Zhang CD, Dai DQ. The functional role of Pescadillo ribosomal biogenesis factor 1 in cancer. J Cancer 2022; 13:268-277. [PMID: 34976188 PMCID: PMC8692700 DOI: 10.7150/jca.58982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are neogrowths formed by the growth of normal cells or tissues through complex mechanisms under the influence of many factors. The occurrence and development of tumors are affected by many factors. Pescadillo ribosomal biogenesis factor 1 (PES1) has been identified as a cancer-related gene. The study of these genes may open up new avenues for early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of tumors. As a nucleolar protein and part of the Pes1/Bop1/WDR12 (PeBoW) complex, PES1 is involved in ribosome biogenesis and DNA replication. Many studies have shown that high expression of PES1 is often closely related to the occurrence, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, prognosis and sensitivity to chemotherapeutics of various human malignant tumors through a series of molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. The molecules that regulate the expression of PES1 include microRNA (miRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), c-Jun, bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and nucleolar phosphoprotein B23. However, the detailed pathogenic mechanisms of PES1 overexpression in human malignancies remains unclear. This article summarizes the role of PES1 in the carcinogenesis, prognosis and treatment of multiple tumors, and introduces the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways related to PES1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Zhi Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Jun-Peng Pei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Wan-Chuan Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Chun-Dong Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Dong-Qiu Dai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.,Cancer Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
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11
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Smith AO, Jonassen JA, Preval KM, Davis RJ, Pazour GJ. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling contributes to cystic burden in polycystic kidney disease. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009711. [PMID: 34962918 PMCID: PMC8746764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited degenerative disease in which the uriniferous tubules are replaced by expanding fluid-filled cysts that ultimately destroy organ function. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common form, afflicting approximately 1 in 1,000 people. It primarily is caused by mutations in the transmembrane proteins polycystin-1 (Pkd1) and polycystin-2 (Pkd2). The most proximal effects of Pkd mutations leading to cyst formation are not known, but pro-proliferative signaling must be involved for the tubule epithelial cells to increase in number over time. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway promotes proliferation and is activated in acute and chronic kidney diseases. Using a mouse model of cystic kidney disease caused by Pkd2 loss, we observe JNK activation in cystic kidneys and observe increased nuclear phospho c-Jun in cystic epithelium. Genetic removal of Jnk1 and Jnk2 suppresses the nuclear accumulation of phospho c-Jun, reduces proliferation and reduces the severity of cystic disease. While Jnk1 and Jnk2 are thought to have largely overlapping functions, we find that Jnk1 loss is nearly as effective as the double loss of Jnk1 and Jnk2. Jnk pathway inhibitors are in development for neurodegeneration, cancer, and fibrotic diseases. Our work suggests that the JNK pathway should be explored as a therapeutic target for ADPKD. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a leading cause of end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. During disease development, the cells lining the kidney tubules proliferate. This proliferation transforms normally small diameter tubules into fluid-filled cysts that enlarge with time, eventually destroying all kidney function. Despite decades of research, polycystic kidney disease remains incurable. Furthermore, the precise signaling events involved in cyst initiation and growth remain unclear. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), is a major pathway regulating cellular proliferation and differentiation but its importance to polycystic kidney disease was not known. We show that JNK activity is elevated in cystic kidneys and that reducing JNK activity decreases cyst growth pointing to JNK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for treating polycystic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail O. Smith
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Julie A. Jonassen
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kenley M. Preval
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roger J. Davis
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gregory J. Pazour
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Nguyen HT, Najih M, Martin LJ. The AP-1 family of transcription factors are important regulators of gene expression within Leydig cells. Endocrine 2021; 74:498-507. [PMID: 34599696 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Members of the AP-1 family of transcription factors are immediate early genes being modulated by different extracellular signals. The aim of this review is to highlight the important roles of AP-1 members in transcriptional regulation of genes important for testicular Leydig cell function and male testosterone production. METHODS A search of the relevant literature was performed in Google Scholar and NCBI Pubmed for AP-1 members and Leydig cells. Additional information was accessed from references of relevant articles. Only primary data from original peer-reviewed articles was considered for this review. RESULTS Different signaling pathways important for Leydig cells' functions are involved in the regulation of the activity of AP-1 members. These transcription factors participate in the regulation of genes related to different biological processes important for Leydig cells. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that members of the AP-1 family of transcription factors play critical roles in the regulation of Leydig cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, and cell-to-cell communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Tuyen Nguyen
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Mustapha Najih
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, E1A 3E9, Canada.
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13
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ROS Pleiotropy in Melanoma and Local Therapy with Physical Modalities. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:6816214. [PMID: 34777692 PMCID: PMC8580636 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6816214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic energy production naturally generates unwanted products such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative damage. Oxidative damage has been linked to several pathologies, including diabetes, premature aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. ROS were therefore originally anticipated as an imperative evil, a product of an imperfect system. More recently, however, the role of ROS in signaling and tumor treatment is increasingly acknowledged. This review addresses the main types, sources, and pathways of ROS in melanoma by linking their pleiotropic roles in antioxidant and oxidant regulation, hypoxia, metabolism, and cell death. In addition, the implications of ROS in various physical therapy modalities targeting melanoma, such as radiotherapy, electrochemotherapy, hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, and medical gas plasma, are also discussed. By including ROS in the main picture of melanoma skin cancer and as an integral part of cancer therapies, a greater understanding of melanoma cell biology is presented, which ultimately may elucidate additional clues on targeting therapy resistance of this most deadly form of skin cancer.
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14
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Traub B, Roth A, Kornmann M, Knippschild U, Bischof J. Stress-activated kinases as therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:4963-4984. [PMID: 34497429 PMCID: PMC8384741 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i30.4963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a dismal disease with high incidence and poor survival rates. With the aim to improve overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Protein kinases are key regulatory players in basically all stages of development, maintaining physiologic functions but also being involved in pathogenic processes. c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 kinases, representatives of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, as well as the casein kinase 1 (CK1) family of protein kinases are important mediators of adequate response to cellular stress following inflammatory and metabolic stressors, DNA damage, and others. In their physiologic roles, they are responsible for the regulation of cell cycle progression, cell proliferation and differentiation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of the underlying pathways consequently has been identified in various cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. Pharmacological targeting of those pathways has been the field of interest for several years. While success in earlier studies was limited due to lacking specificity and off-target effects, more recent improvements in small molecule inhibitor design against stress-activated protein kinases and their use in combination therapies have shown promising in vitro results. Consequently, targeting of JNK, p38, and CK1 protein kinase family members may actually be of particular interest in the field of precision medicine in patients with highly deregulated kinase pathways related to these kinases. However, further studies are warranted, especially involving in vivo investigation and clinical trials, in order to advance inhibition of stress-activated kinases to the field of translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benno Traub
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Aileen Roth
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Marko Kornmann
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Uwe Knippschild
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Joachim Bischof
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
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15
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VEGF-R2/Caveolin-1 Pathway of Undifferentiated ARPE-19 Retina Cells: A Potential Target as Anti-VEGF-A Therapy in Wet AMD by Resvega, an Omega-3/Polyphenol Combination. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126590. [PMID: 34205419 PMCID: PMC8234996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of deterioration in vision in adults aged 55 and older. In spite of therapies, the progression of the disease is often observed without reverse vision quality. In the present study, we explored whether, in undifferentiated ARPE-19 retinal cells, a disruption of the VEGF receptors (VEGF-R)/caveolin-1 (Cav-1)/protein kinases pathway could be a target for counteracting VEGF secretion. We highlight that Resvega®, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids with an antioxidant, resveratrol, inhibits VEGF-A secretion in vitro by disrupting the dissociation of the VEGF-R2/Cav-1 complex into rafts and subsequently preventing MAPK activation. Moreover, DNA ChIP analysis reveals that this combination prevents the interaction between AP-1 and vegf-a and vegf-r2 gene promoters. By these pathways, Resvega could present a potential interest as nutritional complementation against AMD.
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16
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Zhao Y, Zhang J, Sun H, Brasier AR. Crosstalk of the IκB Kinase with Spliced X-Box Binding Protein 1 Couples Inflammation with Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:3475-3488. [PMID: 34124911 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in airway injury, repair, and structural remodeling. IκB kinase (IKK)-NFκB signaling regulates late EMT-associated gene expression. However, IKK-mediated mesenchymal transition occurs earlier than NFκB/RelA subunit-dependent EMT gene expression, leading us to investigate the hypothesis that IKK plays an independent mechanism in transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-induced EMT. Time-resolved dissection of early proteome and phosphoproteome changes in response to TGFβ and a specific IKK inhibitor, BMS-345541, revealed that IKK regulates cascades of 23 signaling pathways essential in EMT, including TGFβ signaling, p38 mitogen associate protein kinase (MAPK), Toll receptor signaling, and integrin pathways. We identified early IKK-dependent phosphorylation of core regulatory proteins in essential EMT signaling cassettes, including ATF2, JUN, NFKB1/p105, and others. Interestingly, we found that IKKβ directly complexes with and phosphorylates the spliced X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1s). XBP1s is an arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR) that activates the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), a pathway that mediates protein N-glycosylation and survival from ER stress-induced apoptosis in EMT. We found that inhibition of IKK activity abolishes the phosphorylation of XBP1-T48, blocks XBP1s nuclear translocation, and inhibits the activation of HBP. Our study elucidates a previously unrecognized IKKβ-XBP1s-HBP crosstalk pathway that couples inflammation and glucose metabolic reprogramming in ETM. Because XBP1-HBP controls N-glycosylation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in EMT, this novel IKKβ-XBP1-HBP pathway may contain therapeutic targets whose inhibition could prevent ECM remodeling in lung fibrosis or other airway remodeling diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555-1060, United States.,Institute for Translational Sciences, UTMB, Galveston, Texas 77555-0342, United States.,Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, UTMB, Galveston, Texas 77555-0129, United States
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555-1060, United States
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas 77555-1060, United States
| | - Allan R Brasier
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
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17
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JNK signaling as a target for anticancer therapy. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:405-434. [PMID: 33710509 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00238-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The JNKs are members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) which regulate many physiological processes including inflammatory responses, macrophages, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and death. It is increasingly clear that the continuous activation of JNKs has a role in cancer development and progression. Therefore, JNKs represent attractive oncogenic targets for cancer therapy using small molecule kinase inhibitors. Studies showed that the two major JNK proteins JNK1 and JNK2 have opposite functions in different types of cancers, which need more specification in the design of JNK inhibitors. Some of ATP- competitive and ATP non-competitive inhibitors have been developed and widely used in vitro, but this type of inhibitors lack selectivity and inhibits phosphorylation of all JNK substrates and may lead to cellular toxicity. In this review, we summarized and discussed the strategies of JNK binding inhibitors and the role of JNK signaling in the pathogenesis of different solid and hematological malignancies.
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18
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Yu Y, Liang Y, Li D, Wang L, Liang Z, Chen Y, Ma G, Wu H, Jiao W, Niu H. Glucose metabolism involved in PD-L1-mediated immune escape in the malignant kidney tumour microenvironment. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:15. [PMID: 33462221 PMCID: PMC7814120 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00401-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed death receptor-ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays a crucial role in immune evasion by tumour cells. Most tumour cells exhibit energy dependency and acquire energy from glycolysis. However, the relationship between glucose metabolism and PD-L1 expression remains unclear. In this study, changes in PD-L1 expression in renal carcinoma cells were evaluated during glucose deficiency and recovery, and PD-L1 could inversely regulate glycolysis. In addition, the possible signalling pathways activated by a low level of glucose to regulate PD-L1 were tested experimentally. The results showed that glucose deficiency could upregulate PD-L1 expression in two renal cancer cell lines, 786-O and OS-RC-2. Although the native levels of PD-L1 differed in the two cell lines, the upregulated PD-L1 expression was repristinated after glucose recovery. Moreover, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression was upregulated in both cell lines with glucose deficiency. The use of an EGFR inhibitor reversed the upregulation of PD-L1 expression induced by glucose deficiency and inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). EGFR activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced PD-L1 expression and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, an ERK1/2 inhibitor inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun and decreased the elevated PD-L1 expression induced by glucose deficiency. In addition, this study also showed that 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFK-2/FBPase 3 or PFKFB3) mediated upregulation of the level of glycolysis to improve the adverse environment through PD-L1 induction. Therefore, glucose metabolism can regulate the expression of PD-L1 through the EGFR/ERK/c-Jun pathway in renal cancer, and elevated PD-L1 can also regulate glycolysis by improving the expression of PFKFB3. The findings of this study could provide a new multiple target treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Yu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ye Liang
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Zhijuan Liang
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yuanbin Chen
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Guofeng Ma
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Wei Jiao
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Haitao Niu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
- Key Laboratory, Department of Urology and Andrology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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19
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Kirsch K, Zeke A, Tőke O, Sok P, Sethi A, Sebő A, Kumar GS, Egri P, Póti ÁL, Gooley P, Peti W, Bento I, Alexa A, Reményi A. Co-regulation of the transcription controlling ATF2 phosphoswitch by JNK and p38. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5769. [PMID: 33188182 PMCID: PMC7666158 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19582-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor phosphorylation at specific sites often activates gene expression, but how environmental cues quantitatively control transcription is not well-understood. Activating protein 1 transcription factors are phosphorylated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in their transactivation domains (TAD) at so-called phosphoswitches, which are a hallmark in response to growth factors, cytokines or stress. We show that the ATF2 TAD is controlled by functionally distinct signaling pathways (JNK and p38) through structurally different MAPK binding sites. Moreover, JNK mediated phosphorylation at an evolutionarily more recent site diminishes p38 binding and made the phosphoswitch differently sensitive to JNK and p38 in vertebrates. Structures of MAPK-TAD complexes and mechanistic modeling of ATF2 TAD phosphorylation in cells suggest that kinase binding motifs and phosphorylation sites line up to maximize MAPK based co-regulation. This study shows how the activity of an ancient transcription controlling phosphoswitch became dependent on the relative flux of upstream signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Kirsch
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Zeke
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Tőke
- Laboratory for NMR Spectroscopy, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Sok
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ashish Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anna Sebő
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Péter Egri
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám L Póti
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Paul Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Peti
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Isabel Bento
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anita Alexa
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Reményi
- Biomolecular Interactions Research Group, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary.
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20
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Papavassiliou AG, Musti AM. The Multifaceted Output of c-Jun Biological Activity: Focus at the Junction of CD8 T Cell Activation and Exhaustion. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112470. [PMID: 33202877 PMCID: PMC7697663 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Jun is a major component of the dimeric transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1), a paradigm for transcriptional response to extracellular signaling, whose components are basic-Leucine Zipper (bZIP) transcription factors of the Jun, Fos, activating transcription factor (ATF), ATF-like (BATF) and Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) gene families. Extracellular signals regulate c-Jun/AP-1 activity at multiple levels, including transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of c-Jun expression and transactivity, in turn, establishing the magnitude and the duration of c-Jun/AP-1 activation. Another important level of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation is due to the capability of Jun family members to bind DNA as a heterodimer with every other member of the AP-1 family, and to interact with other classes of transcription factors, thereby acquiring the potential to integrate diverse extrinsic and intrinsic signals into combinatorial regulation of gene expression. Here, we review how these features of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation underlie the multifaceted output of c-Jun biological activity, eliciting quite distinct cellular responses, such as neoplastic transformation, differentiation and apoptosis, in different cell types. In particular, we focus on the current understanding of the role of c-Jun/AP-1 in the response of CD8 T cells to acute infection and cancer. We highlight the transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms through which c-Jun/AP-1 participates in the productive immune response of CD8 T cells, and how its downregulation may contribute to the dysfunctional state of tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells. Additionally, we discuss recent insights pointing at c-Jun as a suitable target for immunotherapy-based combination approaches to reinvigorate anti-tumor immune functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Anna Maria Musti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3337543732
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21
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Nakano R, Nakayama T, Sugiya H. Biological Properties of JNK3 and Its Function in Neurons, Astrocytes, Pancreatic β-Cells and Cardiovascular Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081802. [PMID: 32751228 PMCID: PMC7464089 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
JNK is a protein kinase, which induces transactivation of c-jun. The three isoforms of JNK, JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, are encoded by three distinct genes. JNK1 and JNK2 are expressed ubiquitously throughout the body. By contrast, the expression of JNK3 is limited and observed mainly in the brain, heart, and testes. Concerning the biological properties of JNKs, the contribution of upstream regulators and scaffold proteins plays an important role in the activation of JNKs. Since JNK signaling has been described as a form of stress-response signaling, the contribution of JNK3 to pathophysiological events, such as stress response or cell death including apoptosis, has been well studied. However, JNK3 also regulates the physiological functions of neurons and non-neuronal cells, such as development, regeneration, and differentiation/reprogramming. In this review, we shed light on the physiological functions of JNK3. In addition, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge regarding interactions between JNK3 and cellular reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rei Nakano
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa 252-0880, Japan; (T.N.); (H.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tomohiro Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa 252-0880, Japan; (T.N.); (H.S.)
| | - Hiroshi Sugiya
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa 252-0880, Japan; (T.N.); (H.S.)
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22
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Panicker N, Coutman M, Lawlor-O’Neill C, Kahl RGS, Roselli S, Verrills NM. Ppp2r2a Knockout Mice Reveal That Protein Phosphatase 2A Regulatory Subunit, PP2A-B55α, Is an Essential Regulator of Neuronal and Epidermal Embryonic Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:358. [PMID: 32582689 PMCID: PMC7290052 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a master regulator of the complex cellular signaling that occurs during all stages of mammalian development. PP2A is composed of a catalytic, a structural, and regulatory subunit, for which there are multiple isoforms. The association of specific regulatory subunits determines substrate specificity and localization of phosphatase activity, however, the precise role of each regulatory subunit in development is not known. Here we report the generation of the first knockout mouse for the Ppp2r2a gene, encoding the PP2A-B55α regulatory subunit, using CRISPR/Cas9. Heterozygous animals developed and grew as normal, however, homozygous knockout mice were not viable. Analysis of embryos at different developmental stages found a normal Mendelian ratio of Ppp2r2a-/- embryos at embryonic day (E) 10.5 (25%), but reduced Ppp2r2a-/- embryos at E14.5 (18%), and further reduced at E18.5 (10%). No live Ppp2r2a-/- pups were observed at birth. Ppp2r2a-/- embryos were significantly smaller than wild-type or heterozygous littermates and displayed a variety of neural defects such as exencephaly, spina bifida, and cranial vault collapse, as well as syndactyly and severe epidermal defects; all processes driven by growth and differentiation of the ectoderm. Ppp2r2a-/- embryos had incomplete epidermal barrier acquisition, associated with thin, poorly differentiated stratified epithelium with weak attachment to the underlying dermis. The basal keratinocytes in Ppp2r2a-/- embryos were highly disorganized, with reduced immunolabeling of integrins and basement membrane proteins, suggesting impaired focal adhesion and hemidesmosome assembly. The spinous and granular layers were thinner in the Ppp2r2a-/- embryos, with aberrant expression of adherens and tight junction associated proteins. The overlying stratum corneum was either absent or incomplete. Thus PP2A-B55α is an essential regulator of epidermal stratification, and is essential for ectodermal development during embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Panicker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Melody Coutman
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Charley Lawlor-O’Neill
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard G. S. Kahl
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Séverine Roselli
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole M. Verrills
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
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23
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Bi M, Zhang Z, Jiang YZ, Xue P, Wang H, Lai Z, Fu X, De Angelis C, Gong Y, Gao Z, Ruan J, Jin VX, Marangoni E, Montaudon E, Glass CK, Li W, Huang THM, Shao ZM, Schiff R, Chen L, Liu Z. Enhancer reprogramming driven by high-order assemblies of transcription factors promotes phenotypic plasticity and breast cancer endocrine resistance. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:701-715. [PMID: 32424275 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-0514-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acquired therapy resistance is a major problem for anticancer treatment, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Using an established breast cancer cellular model, we show that endocrine resistance is associated with enhanced phenotypic plasticity, indicated by a general downregulation of luminal/epithelial differentiation markers and upregulation of basal/mesenchymal invasive markers. Consistently, similar gene expression changes are found in clinical breast tumours and patient-derived xenograft samples that are resistant to endocrine therapies. Mechanistically, the differential interactions between oestrogen receptor α and other oncogenic transcription factors, exemplified by GATA3 and AP1, drive global enhancer gain/loss reprogramming, profoundly altering breast cancer transcriptional programs. Our functional studies in multiple culture and xenograft models reveal a coordinated role of GATA3 and AP1 in re-organizing enhancer landscapes and regulating cancer phenotypes. Collectively, our study suggests that differential high-order assemblies of transcription factors on enhancers trigger genome-wide enhancer reprogramming, resulting in transcriptional transitions that promote tumour phenotypic plasticity and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Bi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengya Xue
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hu Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoyong Fu
- Department of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Lester & Sue Smith Breast Center, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carmine De Angelis
- Department of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Lester & Sue Smith Breast Center, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yue Gong
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Gao
- Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jianhua Ruan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Victor X Jin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Elisabetta Marangoni
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Montaudon
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Tim Hui-Ming Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Rachel Schiff
- Department of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Lester & Sue Smith Breast Center, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lizhen Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. .,Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Zhijie Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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24
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Activation of c-Jun by human cytomegalovirus UL42 through JNK activation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232635. [PMID: 32369499 PMCID: PMC7199950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Jun is a major component of the AP-1 transactivator complex. In this report, we demonstrated that AP-1 was activated by the expression of UL42, a human cytomegalovirus-encoded membrane protein that has two PPXY (PY) motifs and a C-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD). Although UL42 interacts with Itch, an ubiquitin E3 ligase, through the PY motifs, UL42 phosphorylated c-Jun and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the absence of any interaction with Itch. Experiments using mutated versions of UL42 suggest the importance of the carboxyl half (a.a. 52–124) of UL42 for the activation of the JNK signaling, while C-terminal TMD alone is not sufficient. Thus, we hypothesize that UL42 plays a role in the activation of JNK signaling in HCMV-infected cells. (118 words).
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25
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Gutiérrez A, Sambuco L, Álvarez L, Núñez M, Bergoc R, Zotta E, Martín G, Randi A. Expression of estrogen receptor α variants and c-Fos in rat mammary gland and tumors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 199:105594. [PMID: 31968225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. AP-1 (c-Fos/c-Jun) is associated with proliferation and survival, while cytoplasmic c-Fos activates phospholipid synthesis in cells induced to differentiate or grow. Estrogen receptor α 46 (ERα46) is a splice variant of full-length ERα66 and it is known that it has an inhibitory role in cancer cell growth. We investigated c-Fos localization, its relationship to AP-1, the non genomic pathway of phospho-Tyr537-ERα66, as well as ERα46 and ERα66 isoforms in rat mammary gland development and carcinogenic transformation, and in mammary tumors. Female rats were injected: a) saline solution (Control mammary gland, CMG) or b) N-Nitroso-N-methyl urea (NMU), and samples were taken at 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of life. In addition, we analyzed hormone-dependent (HD) and independent (HI) tumors in ovariectomized rats, and intact tumors (IT) in non-ovariectomized ones. Our results show that, in CMG, nuclear c-Fos and proliferation decreased with age, AP-1 content was low, and nuclear ERα46/ERα66 ratio was higher than 1. In NMU, nuclear c-Fos and proliferation increased with carcinogenic transformation, AP-1 content was high, and nuclear ERα46/ERα66 was below 1. As tumor grade increased, proliferation, nuclear c-Fos and AP-1 expression were negatively associated to nuclear ERα46/ERα66 in IT. In HD, nuclear ERα46/ERα66, nuclear c-Fos expression, AP-1 levels and proliferation were lower than in HI, whose growth is estrogen-independent. Phospho-Tyr537-ERα66 content and ERK1/2 activation were associated with AP-1 levels and cell proliferation. Collectively, our findings support the notion that variant detection and ERα46/ERα66 ratio could shed light on the role of ERα isoforms in mammary gland transformation and the behavior of ERα positive mammary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Gutiérrez
- Uiversidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to Piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Físicomatematica, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, Subsuelo, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lorena Sambuco
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Físicomatematica, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, Subsuelo, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Laura Álvarez
- Uiversidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to Piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mariel Núñez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Físicomatematica, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, Subsuelo, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Rosa Bergoc
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Físicomatematica, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, Subsuelo, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Elsa Zotta
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Sección Patología, Laboratorio de Fisiopatogenia, Paraguay 2155, 5º Piso, (CP1121) Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Gabriela Martín
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Físicomatematica, Laboratorio de Radioisótopos, Junín 954, Subsuelo, (CP1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Andrea Randi
- Uiversidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Laboratorio de Efectos Biológicos de Contaminantes Ambientales, Paraguay 2155, 5to Piso, (CP1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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26
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Gatius A, Tarabal O, Cayuela P, Casanovas A, Piedrafita L, Salvany S, Hernández S, Soler RM, Esquerda JE, Calderó J. The Y172 Monoclonal Antibody Against p-c-Jun (Ser63) Is a Marker of the Postsynaptic Compartment of C-Type Cholinergic Afferent Synapses on Motoneurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 13:582. [PMID: 32038174 PMCID: PMC6992659 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00582] [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: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
C-bouton-type cholinergic afferents exert an important function in controlling motoneuron (MN) excitability. During the immunocytochemical analysis of the role of c-Jun in MNs with a monoclonal (clone Y172) antibody against phospho (p)-c-Jun (serine [Ser]63), unexpected labeling was identified in the cell body cytoplasm. As predicted for c-Jun in adult spinal cord, very few, if any MNs exhibited nuclear immunoreactivity with the Y172 antibody; conversely, virtually all MNs displayed strong Y172 immunostaining in cytoplasmic structures scattered throughout the soma and proximal dendrites. The majority of these cytoplasmic Y172-positive profiles was closely associated with VAChT-positive C-boutons, but not with other types of nerve afferents contacting MNs. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that cytoplasmic Y172 immunostaining was selectively located at the subsurface cistern (SSC) of C-boutons and also in the inner areas of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We also described changes in cytoplasmic Y172 immunoreactivity in injured and degenerating MNs. Moreover, we noticed that MNs from NRG1 type III-overexpressing transgenic mice, which show abnormally expanded SSCs, exhibited an increase in the density and size of peripherally located Y172-positive profiles. A similar immunocytochemical pattern to that of the Y172 antibody in MNs was found with a polyclonal antibody against p-c-Jun (Ser63) but not with another polyclonal antibody that recognizes c-Jun phosphorylated at a different site. No differential band patterns were found by western blotting with any of the antibodies against c-Jun or p-c-Jun used in our study. In cultured MNs, Y172-positive oval profiles were distributed in the cell body and proximal dendrites. The in vitro lentiviral-based knockdown of c-Jun resulted in a dramatic decrease in nuclear Y172 immunostaining in MNs without any reduction in the density of cytoplasmic Y172-positive profiles, suggesting that the synaptic antigen recognized by the antibody corresponds to a C-bouton-specific protein other than p-c-Jun. Our results lay the foundation for further studies aimed at identifying this protein and determining its role in this particular type of synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaó Gatius
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Olga Tarabal
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Paula Cayuela
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Anna Casanovas
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Lídia Piedrafita
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Sara Salvany
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Sara Hernández
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Rosa M Soler
- Unitat de Senyalització Neuronal, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Josep E Esquerda
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
| | - Jordi Calderó
- Unitat de Neurobiologia Cel·lular, Departament de Medicina Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
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27
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Targeting MAPK Signaling in Cancer: Mechanisms of Drug Resistance and Sensitivity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031102. [PMID: 32046099 PMCID: PMC7037308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 393] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways represent ubiquitous signal transduction pathways that regulate all aspects of life and are frequently altered in disease. Here, we focus on the role of MAPK pathways in modulating drug sensitivity and resistance in cancer. We briefly discuss new findings in the extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, but mainly focus on the mechanisms how stress activated MAPK pathways, such as p38 MAPK and the Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), impact the response of cancer cells to chemotherapies and targeted therapies. In this context, we also discuss the role of metabolic and epigenetic aberrations and new therapeutic opportunities arising from these changes.
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28
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Chilewski SD, Bhosale D, Dees S, Hutchinson I, Trimble R, Pontiggia L, Mercier I, Jasmin JF. Development of CAPER peptides for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Cell Cycle 2020; 19:432-447. [PMID: 31931653 PMCID: PMC7100886 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1711579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease, which lacks expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and the human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2). This subtype of breast cancer has the poorest prognosis with limited therapies currently available, and hence additional options are needed. CAPER is a coactivator of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) (interacting specifically with the c-Jun component) and the ER and is known to be involved in human breast cancer pathogenesis. Recent published data have demonstrated a role for CAPER in TNBC and, as such, disrupting the function of CAPER with c-Jun could be a novel approach to treat TNBC patients. The data presented here shows the development and in vitro testing of CAPER-derived peptides that inhibit the coactivator activity of CAPER with c-Jun. These CAPER peptides result in a decrease in cell number and an increase in apoptosis in two TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and BT-549, while having no effect on the non-tumorigenic cell line MCF 10A. Additionally, two modes of action were demonstrated which appear to be cell line dependent: 1) a modulation of phosphorylated c-Jun leading to a decrease in Bcl-2 in MDA-MB-231 cells and a decrease in p21 in BT-549 cells and 2) a decrease in DNA repair proteins, leading to impaired DNA repair function in MDA-MB-231 cells. The data presented here supports further development of CAPER-derived peptides for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon D. Chilewski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Devyani Bhosale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sundee Dees
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Isaac Hutchinson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Trimble
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura Pontiggia
- Department of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Isabelle Mercier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jean-Francois Jasmin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Schellino R, Boido M, Vercelli A. JNK Signaling Pathway Involvement in Spinal Cord Neuron Development and Death. Cells 2019; 8:E1576. [PMID: 31817379 PMCID: PMC6953032 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) is a Janus-faced kinase, which, in the nervous system, plays important roles in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. Three genes, encoding for 10 JNK isoforms, have been identified: jnk1, jnk2, and jnk3. In the developing spinal cord, JNK proteins control neuronal polarity, axon growth/pathfinding, and programmed cell death; in adulthood they can drive degeneration and regeneration, after pathological insults. Indeed, recent studies have highlighted a role for JNK in motor neuron (MN) diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. In this review we discuss how JNK-dependent signaling regulates apparently contradictory functions in the spinal cord, in both the developmental and adult stages. In addition, we examine the evidence that the specific targeting of JNK signaling pathway may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MN diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Schellino
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), 10125 Turin, Italy
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Sundqvist A, Voytyuk O, Hamdi M, Popeijus HE, Bijlsma-van der Burgt C, Janssen J, Martens JW, Moustakas A, Heldin CH, ten Dijke P, van Dam H. JNK-Dependent cJun Phosphorylation Mitigates TGFβ- and EGF-Induced Pre-Malignant Breast Cancer Cell Invasion by Suppressing AP-1-Mediated Transcriptional Responses. Cells 2019; 8:E1481. [PMID: 31766464 PMCID: PMC6952832 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) has both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects in breast cancer. These functions are partly mediated through Smads, intracellular transcriptional effectors of TGFβ. Smads form complexes with other DNA-binding transcription factors to elicit cell-type-dependent responses. Previously, we found that the collagen invasion and migration of pre-malignant breast cancer cells in response to TGFβ and epidermal growth factor (EGF) critically depend on multiple Jun and Fos components of the activator protein (AP)-1 transcription factor complex. Here we report that the same process is negatively regulated by Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent cJun phosphorylation. This was demonstrated by analysis of phospho-deficient, phospho-mimicking, and dimer-specific cJun mutants, and experiments employing a mutant version of the phosphatase MKP1 that specifically inhibits JNK. Hyper-phosphorylation of cJun by JNK strongly inhibited its ability to induce several Jun/Fos-regulated genes and to promote migration and invasion. These results show that MEK-AP-1 and JNK-phospho-cJun exhibit distinct pro- and anti-invasive functions, respectively, through differential regulation of Smad- and AP-1-dependent TGFβ target genes. Our findings are of importance for personalized cancer therapy, such as for patients suffering from specific types of breast tumors with activated EGF receptor-Ras or inactivated JNK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Sundqvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.M.); (C.-H.H.); (P.t.D.)
| | - Oleksandr Voytyuk
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.M.); (C.-H.H.); (P.t.D.)
| | - Mohamed Hamdi
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (H.E.P.); (C.B.-v.d.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Herman E. Popeijus
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (H.E.P.); (C.B.-v.d.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Corina Bijlsma-van der Burgt
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (H.E.P.); (C.B.-v.d.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Josephine Janssen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (H.E.P.); (C.B.-v.d.B.); (J.J.)
| | - John W.M. Martens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.M.); (C.-H.H.); (P.t.D.)
| | - Carl-Henrik Heldin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.M.); (C.-H.H.); (P.t.D.)
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.M.); (C.-H.H.); (P.t.D.)
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (H.E.P.); (C.B.-v.d.B.); (J.J.)
| | - Hans van Dam
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.H.); (H.E.P.); (C.B.-v.d.B.); (J.J.)
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Zhong CQ, Wu R, Chen X, Wu S, Shuai J, Han J. Systematic Assessment of the Effect of Internal Library in Targeted Analysis of SWATH-MS. J Proteome Res 2019; 19:477-492. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Qi Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cellular Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Rui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cellular Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- SpecAlly Life Technology Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Suqin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cellular Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jianwei Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cellular Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jiahuai Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cellular Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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JNK1 Induces Notch1 Expression to Regulate Genes Governing Photoreceptor Production. Cells 2019; 8:cells8090970. [PMID: 31450635 PMCID: PMC6769813 DOI: 10.3390/cells8090970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) regulate cell proliferation and differentiation via phosphorylating such transcription factors as c-Jun. The function of JNKs in retinogenesis remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that knocking out Jnk1, but not Jnk2, increased the number of photoreceptors, thus enhancing the electroretinogram (ERG) responses. Intriguingly, Notch1, a well-established negative regulator of photoreceptor genesis, was significantly attenuated in Jnk1 knockout (KO) mice compared to wild-type mice. Mechanistically, light specifically activated JNK1 to phosphorylate c-Jun, which in turn induced Notch1 transcription. The identified JNK1–c-Jun–Notch1 axis strongly inhibited photoreceptor-related transcriptional factor expression and ultimately impaired photoreceptor opsin expression. Our study uncovered an essential function of JNK1 in retinogenesis, revealing JNK1 as a potential candidate for targeting ophthalmic diseases.
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Lang CMR, Chan CK, Veltri A, Lien WH. Wnt Signaling Pathways in Keratinocyte Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091216. [PMID: 31438551 PMCID: PMC6769728 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The skin functions as a barrier between the organism and the surrounding environment. Direct exposure to external stimuli and the accumulation of genetic mutations may lead to abnormal cell growth, irreversible tissue damage and potentially favor skin malignancy. Skin homeostasis is coordinated by an intricate signaling network, and its dysregulation has been implicated in the development of skin cancers. Wnt signaling is one such regulatory pathway orchestrating skin development, homeostasis, and stem cell activation. Aberrant regulation of Wnt signaling cascades not only gives rise to tumor initiation, progression and invasion, but also maintains cancer stem cells which contribute to tumor recurrence. In this review, we summarize recent studies highlighting functional evidence of Wnt-related oncology in keratinocyte carcinomas, as well as discussing preclinical and clinical approaches that target oncogenic Wnt signaling to treat cancers. Our review provides valuable insight into the significance of Wnt signaling for future interventions against keratinocyte carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chim Kei Chan
- de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Anthony Veltri
- de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
| | - Wen-Hui Lien
- de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium.
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34
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Evolution Shapes the Gene Expression Response to Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20123040. [PMID: 31234431 PMCID: PMC6627103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20123040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in cell physiology and function. ROS represents a potential source of damage for many macromolecules including DNA. It is thought that daily changes in oxidative stress levels were an important early factor driving evolution of the circadian clock which enables organisms to predict changes in ROS levels before they actually occur and thereby optimally coordinate survival strategies. It is clear that ROS, at relatively low levels, can serve as an important signaling molecule and also serves as a key regulator of gene expression. Therefore, the mechanisms that have evolved to survive or harness these effects of ROS are ancient evolutionary adaptations that are tightly interconnected with most aspects of cellular physiology. Our understanding of these mechanisms has been mainly based on studies using a relatively small group of genetic models. However, we know comparatively little about how these mechanisms are conserved or have adapted during evolution under different environmental conditions. In this review, we describe recent work that has revealed significant species-specific differences in the gene expression response to ROS by exploring diverse organisms. This evidence supports the notion that during evolution, rather than being highly conserved, there is inherent plasticity in the molecular mechanisms responding to oxidative stress.
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Abstract
Human coronavirus (HCoV) infection causes respiratory diseases with mild to severe outcomes. In the last 15 years, we have witnessed the emergence of two zoonotic, highly pathogenic HCoVs: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Replication of HCoV is regulated by a diversity of host factors and induces drastic alterations in cellular structure and physiology. Activation of critical signaling pathways during HCoV infection modulates the induction of antiviral immune response and contributes to the pathogenesis of HCoV. Recent studies have begun to reveal some fundamental aspects of the intricate HCoV-host interaction in mechanistic detail. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of host factors co-opted and signaling pathways activated during HCoV infection, with an emphasis on HCoV-infection-induced stress response, autophagy, apoptosis, and innate immunity. The cross talk among these pathways, as well as the modulatory strategies utilized by HCoV, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- To Sing Fung
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control and Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China;
| | - Ding Xiang Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control and Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China;
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Nagpal A, Chauhan M. Quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis of thiophene derivatives to explore the structural requirements for c-Jun NH 2-terminal kinase 1 inhibitory activity. JOURNAL OF REPORTS IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/jrptps.jrptps_32_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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37
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Guo X, Huang H, Jin H, Xu J, Risal S, Li J, Li X, Yan H, Zeng X, Xue L, Chen C, Huang C. ISO, via Upregulating MiR-137 Transcription, Inhibits GSK3β-HSP70-MMP-2 Axis, Resulting in Attenuating Urothelial Cancer Invasion. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 12:337-349. [PMID: 30195772 PMCID: PMC6037888 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Our most recent studies demonstrate that miR-137 is downregulated in human bladder cancer (BC) tissues, while treatment of human BC cells with isorhapontigenin (ISO) elevates miR-137 abundance. Since ISO showed a strong inhibition of invasive BC formation in the N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)-induced invasive BC mouse model, the elucidation of a potential biological effect of miR-137 on antagonizing BC invasion and molecular mechanisms underlying ISO upregulation of miR-137 are very important. Here we discovered that ectopic expression of miR-137 led to specific inhibition of BC invasion in human high-grade BC T24T and UMUC3 cells, while miR-137 deletion promoted the invasion of both cells, indicating the inhibitory effect of miR-137 on human BC invasion. Mechanistic studies revealed that ISO treatment induced miR-137 transcription by promoting c-Jun phosphorylation and, in turn, abolishing matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) abundance and invasion in BC cells. Moreover, miR-137 was able to directly bind to the 3' UTR of Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) mRNA and inhibit GSK3β protein translation, consequently leading to a reduction of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) translation via targeting the mTOR/S6 axis. Collectively, our studies discover an unknown function of miR-137, directly targeting the 3' UTR of GSK3β mRNA and, thereby, inhibiting GSK3β protein translation, mTOR/S6 activation, and HSP70 protein translation and, consequently, attenuating HSP70-mediated MMP-2 expression and invasion in human BC cells. These novel discoveries provide a deep insight into understanding the biomedical significance of miR-137 downregulation in invasive human BCs and the anti-cancer effect of ISO treatment on mouse invasive BC formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirui Guo
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA; School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Haishan Huang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Honglei Jin
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA; School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Jiheng Xu
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA; School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Sanjiv Risal
- The Center of Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jingxia Li
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA
| | - Xin Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Huiying Yan
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Xingruo Zeng
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA
| | - Lei Xue
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA
| | - Changyan Chen
- The Center of Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chuanshu Huang
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA.
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El-Sharkawy A, Al Zaidan L, Malki A. Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Malignancies: Roles of Viral Oncoproteins in Carcinogenesis. Front Oncol 2018; 8:265. [PMID: 30116721 PMCID: PMC6082928 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the first herpesvirus identified to be associated with human cancers known to infect the majority of the world population. EBV-associated malignancies are associated with a latent form of infection, and several of the EBV-encoded latent proteins are known to mediate cellular transformation. These include six nuclear antigens and three latent membrane proteins (LMPs). In lymphoid and epithelial tumors, viral latent gene expressions have distinct pattern. In both primary and metastatic tumors, the constant expression of latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) at the RNA level suggests that this protein is the key player in the EBV-associated tumorigenesis. While LMP2A contributing to the malignant transformation possibly by cooperating with the aberrant host genome. This can be done in part by dysregulating signaling pathways at multiple points, notably in the cell cycle and apoptotic pathways. Recent studies also have confirmed that LMP1 and LMP2 contribute to carcinoma progression and that this may reflect the combined effects of these proteins on activation of multiple signaling pathways. This review article aims to investigate the aforementioned EBV-encoded proteins that reveal established roles in tumor formation, with a greater emphasis on the oncogenic LMPs (LMP1 and LMP2A) and their roles in dysregulating signaling pathways. It also aims to provide a quick look on the six members of the EBV nuclear antigens and their roles in dysregulating apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El-Sharkawy
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati-Traverso" (IGB)-CNR, Naples, Italy.,Biomolecular Science Programme, Università Degli Studi Della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lobna Al Zaidan
- Biomedical Science Department, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Malki
- Biomedical Science Department, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Meng S, Wang G, Lu Y, Fan Z. Functional cooperation between HIF-1α and c-Jun in mediating primary and acquired resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR. Lung Cancer 2018; 121:82-90. [PMID: 29858032 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) are important transcription factors regulating expression of genes involved in cell survival. HIF-1α and c-Jun are key components of HIF-1 and AP-1, respectively, and are regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated cell signaling and tumor microenvironmental cues. The roles of HIF-1α and c-Jun in development of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating mutation of EGFR have not been explored. In this study, we investigated the roles of HIF-1α and c-Jun in mediating primary and acquired resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Changes in HIF-1α protein and in total and phosphorylated c-Jun levels in relation to changes in total and phosphorylated EGFR levels before and after gefitinib treatment were measured using Western blot analysis in NSCLC cells sensitive or resistant to gefitinib. The impact of overexpression of a constitutively expressed HIF-1α (HIF-1α/ΔODD) or a constitutively active c-Jun upstream regulator (SEK1 S220E/T224D mutant) on cell response to gefitinib was also examined. The effect of pharmacological inhibition of SEK1-JNK-c-Jun pathway on cell response to gefitinib was evaluated. RESULTS Downregulation of HIF-1α and total and phosphorylated c-Jun levels correlated with cell inhibitory response to gefitinib better than decrease in phosphorylated EGFR did in NSCLC cells with intrinsic or acquired resistance to gefitinib. Overexpression of HIF-1α/ΔODD or SEK1 S220E/T224D mutant conferred resistance to gefitinib. There exists a positive feed-forward regulation loop between HIF-1 and c-Jun. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 sensitized gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells to gefitinib. CONCLUSIONS HIF-1α and c-Jun functionally cooperate in development of resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells. The translational value of inhibiting HIF-1α/c-Jun cooperation in overcoming resistance to EGFR TKI treatment of NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Meng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Guorui Wang
- Department of Surgery, Jiangyuan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Province, 214063, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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40
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The Role of Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) Family Members in CD30-Positive Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10040093. [PMID: 29597249 PMCID: PMC5923348 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10040093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor (TF) family, composed of a variety of members including c-JUN, c-FOS and ATF, is involved in mediating many biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Since their discovery, the role of AP-1 TFs in cancer development has been extensively analysed. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the complexity of these TFs, mainly due to their cell-type specific homo- or hetero-dimerization resulting in diverse transcriptional response profiles. However, as a result of the increasing knowledge of the role of AP-1 TFs in disease, these TFs are being recognized as promising therapeutic targets for various malignancies. In this review, we focus on the impact of deregulated expression of AP-1 TFs in CD30-positive lymphomas including Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma and Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.
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41
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The dTAG system for immediate and target-specific protein degradation. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:431-441. [PMID: 29581585 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 576] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Dissection of complex biological systems requires target-specific control of the function or abundance of proteins. Genetic perturbations are limited by off-target effects, multicomponent complexity, and irreversibility. Most limiting is the requisite delay between modulation to experimental measurement. To enable the immediate and selective control of single protein abundance, we created a chemical biology system that leverages the potency of cell-permeable heterobifunctional degraders. The dTAG system pairs a novel degrader of FKBP12F36V with expression of FKBP12F36V in-frame with a protein of interest. By transgene expression or CRISPR-mediated locus-specific knock-in, we exemplify a generalizable strategy to study the immediate consequence of protein loss. Using dTAG, we observe an unexpected superior antiproliferative effect of pan-BET bromodomain degradation over selective BRD4 degradation, characterize immediate effects of KRASG12V loss on proteomic signaling, and demonstrate rapid degradation in vivo. This technology platform will confer kinetic resolution to biological investigation and provide target validation in the context of drug discovery.
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Sarin N, Engel F, Rothweiler F, Cinatl J, Michaelis M, Frötschl R, Fröhlich H, Kalayda GV. Key Players of Cisplatin Resistance: Towards a Systems Pharmacology Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2018. [PMID: 29518977 PMCID: PMC5877628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The major obstacle in the clinical use of the antitumor drug cisplatin is inherent and acquired resistance. Typically, cisplatin resistance is not restricted to a single mechanism demanding for a systems pharmacology approach to understand a whole cell's reaction to the drug. In this study, the cellular transcriptome of untreated and cisplatin-treated A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells and their cisplatin-resistant sub-line A549rCDDP2000 was screened with a whole genome array for relevant gene candidates. By combining statistical methods with available gene annotations and without a previously defined hypothesis HRas, MAPK14 (p38), CCL2, DOK1 and PTK2B were identified as genes possibly relevant for cisplatin resistance. These and related genes were further validated on transcriptome (qRT-PCR) and proteome (Western blot) level to select candidates contributing to resistance. HRas, p38, CCL2, DOK1, PTK2B and JNK3 were integrated into a model of resistance-associated signalling alterations describing differential gene and protein expression between cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cells in reaction to cisplatin exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navin Sarin
- Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Florian Engel
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), 53175 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Florian Rothweiler
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
| | - Martin Michaelis
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre and School of Biosciences, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - Roland Frötschl
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), 53175 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Holger Fröhlich
- Bonn-Aachen International Center for IT (b-it), Life Science Data Analytics & Algorithmic Bioinformatics, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Ganna V Kalayda
- Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
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Hanson RL, Brown RB, Steele MM, Grandgenett PM, Grunkemeyer JA, Hollingsworth MA. Identification of FRA-1 as a novel player in pancreatic cancer in cooperation with a MUC1: ERK signaling axis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:39996-40011. [PMID: 27220889 PMCID: PMC5129987 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The MUC1 glycoprotein is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in >90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cases and impacts tumor progression by initiating downstream signaling through phosphorylation of its cytoplasmic tail. Previous studies have demonstrated that MUC1 alters expression of known targets of activator protein 1 (AP-1); however, no studies have evaluated the precise impact of MUC1 signaling on the activity and formation of AP-1. Given the known role of these proteins in modulating migration, invasion, and tumor progression, we explored the effects of MUC1 on AP-1 dimer formation and function. We determined that MUC1 increased the protein levels of c-Jun, the major component of AP-1, and promoted dimerization of c-Jun with the Fos-protein FRA-1. We demonstrate that FRA-1 acts as a potent mediator of migration and invasion in a manner that is modulated by signals through MUC1, which acts as a dominant regulator of specific AP-1 and FRA-1 target genes. Our results provide the first in vivo evidence of a FRA-1 mediated expression profile that impacts pancreatic tumor growth properties. In summary, we show that MUC1 enhancement of ERK activation influences FRA-1 activity to modulate tumor migration, invasion and metastasis in a subset of pancreatic cancer cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan L Hanson
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Roger B Brown
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Maria M Steele
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Paul M Grandgenett
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - James A Grunkemeyer
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Fung TS, Liu DX. Activation of the c-Jun NH 2-terminal kinase pathway by coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus promotes apoptosis independently of c-Jun. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:3215. [PMID: 29238080 PMCID: PMC5870581 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved protein kinases that regulate a variety of important cellular signaling pathways. Among them, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) are known to be activated by various environmental stresses including virus infections. Previously, activation of the JNK pathway has been detected in cells infected with several coronaviruses. However, detailed characterization of the pathway as well as its implication in host-virus interactions has not been fully investigated. Here we report that the JNK pathway was activated in cells infected with the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Of the two known upstream MAPK kinases (MKK), MKK7, but not MKK4, was shown to be responsible for IBV-induced JNK activation. Moreover, knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrated that JNK served as a pro-apoptotic protein during IBV infection. Interestingly, pro-apoptotic activity of JNK was not mediated via c-Jun, but involved modulation of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). Taken together, JNK constitutes an important aspect of coronavirus-host interaction, along with other MAPKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- To Sing Fung
- 0000 0000 9546 5767grid.20561.30South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory Microbial Signals & Disease Co, and Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ding Xiang Liu
- 0000 0000 9546 5767grid.20561.30South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory Microbial Signals & Disease Co, and Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong, People’s Republic of China ,0000 0001 2224 0361grid.59025.3bSchool of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 63755 Singapore
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45
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Ghouili F, Martin LJ. Cooperative regulation of Gja1 expression by members of the AP-1 family cJun and cFos in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells. Gene 2017; 635:24-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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46
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Wang J, Tai G. Role of C-Jun N-terminal Kinase in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development. Target Oncol 2017; 11:723-738. [PMID: 27392951 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-016-0446-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most frequently occurring cancers and the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Identification of the signaling pathways regulating liver carcinogenesis is critical for developing novel chemoprevention and targeted therapies. C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of a larger group of serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinases known as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. JNK is an important signaling component that converts external stimuli into a wide range of cellular responses, including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, as well as the development of inflammation, fibrosis, cancer growth, and metabolic diseases. Because of the essential roles of JNK in these cellular functions, deregulated JNK is often found to contribute to the development of HCC. Recently, the functions and molecular mechanisms of JNK in HCC development have been addressed using mouse models and human HCC cell lines. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrate that the activation of JNK by oncogenes can promote the development of cancers by regulating the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad pathway, which makes the oncogenes/JNK/Smad signaling pathway an attractive target for cancer therapy. Additionally, JNK-targeted therapy has a broad potential for clinical applications. In summary, we are convinced that promising new avenues for the treatment of HCC by targeting JNK are on the horizon, which will undoubtedly lead to better, more effective, and faster therapies in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Jilin, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Guixiang Tai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Jilin, Changchun, 130021, China.
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Mohideen F, Paulo JA, Ordureau A, Gygi SP, Harper JW. Quantitative Phospho-proteomic Analysis of TNFα/NFκB Signaling Reveals a Role for RIPK1 Phosphorylation in Suppressing Necrotic Cell Death. Mol Cell Proteomics 2017; 16:1200-1216. [PMID: 28539327 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m117.068189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
TNFα is a potent inducer of inflammation due to its ability to promote gene expression, in part via the NFκB pathway. Moreover, in some contexts, TNFα promotes Caspase-dependent apoptosis or RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL-dependent necrosis. Engagement of the TNF Receptor Signaling Complex (TNF-RSC), which contains multiple kinase activities, promotes phosphorylation of several downstream components, including TAK1, IKKα/IKKβ, IκBα, and NFκB. However, immediate downstream phosphorylation events occurring in response to TNFα signaling are poorly understood at a proteome-wide level. Here we use Tandem Mass Tagging-based proteomics to quantitatively characterize acute TNFα-mediated alterations in the proteome and phosphoproteome with or without inhibition of the cIAP-dependent survival arm of the pathway with a SMAC mimetic. We identify and quantify over 8,000 phosphorylated peptides, among which are numerous known sites in the TNF-RSC, NFκB, and MAP kinase signaling systems, as well as numerous previously unrecognized phosphorylation events. Functional analysis of S320 phosphorylation in RIPK1 demonstrates a role for this event in suppressing its kinase activity, association with CASPASE-8 and FADD proteins, and subsequent necrotic cell death during inflammatory TNFα stimulation. This study provides a resource for further elucidation of TNFα-dependent signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firaz Mohideen
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Joao A Paulo
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Alban Ordureau
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Steve P Gygi
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - J Wade Harper
- From the ‡Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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Novel tumor-suppressor function of KLF4 in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exp Hematol 2017; 53:16-25. [PMID: 28479419 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematological malignancy in pediatric patients. Despite advances in the treatment of this disease, many children with T-cell ALL (T-ALL) die from disease relapse due to low responses to standard chemotherapy and the lack of a targeted therapy that selectively eradicates the chemoresistant leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) responsible for disease recurrence. We reported recently that the reprogramming factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) has a tumor-suppressive function in children with T-ALL. KLF4 silencing by promoter deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation in patients with T-ALL leads to aberrant activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase MAP2K7 and the downstream c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway that controls the expansion of leukemia cells via c-Jun and activating transcription factor 2. This pathway can be inhibited with small molecules and therefore has the potential to eliminate LICs and eradicate disease in combination with standard therapy for patients with refractory and relapsed disease. The present review summarizes the role of the KLF4-MAP2K7 pathway in T-ALL pathogenesis and the function of JNK and MAP2K7 in carcinogenesis and therapy.
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Wang J, Ni WH, Hu KB, Zhai XY, Xie F, Jie J, Zhang NN, Jiang LN, Yuan HY, Tai GX. Targeting MUC1 and JNK by RNA interference and inhibitor inhibit the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:504-511. [PMID: 28012230 PMCID: PMC5378288 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucin 1 (MUC1), as an oncogene, is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and promotes the progression and tumorigenesis of HCC through JNK/TGF-β signaling pathway. In the present study, RNA interference (RNAi) and JNK inhibitor SP600125, which target MUC1 and/or JNK, were used to treat HCC cells in vitro, and the results showed that both silencing the expression of MUC1 and blocking the activity of JNK inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells. In addition, MUC1-stable-knockdown and SP600125 significantly inhibited the growth of tumors in the subcutaneous transplant tumor models that established in BALB/c nude mice rather than MUC1 or JNK siRNAs transiently transfection. Furthermore, the results from immunohistochemical staining assays showed that the inhibitory effects of MUC1 gene silencing and SP600125 on the proliferation of HCC cells in vivo were through the JNK/TGF-β signaling pathway. These results indicate that MUC1 and JNK are attractive targets for HCC therapy and may provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei-Hua Ni
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ke-Bang Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Jie
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Nan-Nan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li-Na Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hong-Yan Yuan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Gui-Xiang Tai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Abstract
The ADP-ribosyltransferase C3 exoenzyme from C. botulinum selectively inactivates Rho and is therefore often used as an inhibitor for investigations on Rho signaling. Previous studies of our group revealed that C3 inhibited cell proliferation in HT22 cells accompanied by increased transcriptional activities of Sp1 and c-Jun and reduced levels of cyclin D1, p21 and phosphorylated p38. By use of a p38α-deficient and a p38α-expressing control cell line, the impact of p38 on C3-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and alterations on MAPK signaling was studied by growth kinetic experiments and Western blot analyses. The cell growth of p38α-expressing cells was impaired by C3, while the p38α-deficient cells did not exhibit any C3-induced effect. The activity of the MKK3/6-p38 MAPK signaling cascade as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun and JNK was reduced by C3 exclusively in the presence of p38α. Moreover, the activity of upstream MAPKKK TAK1 was lowered in the p38α-expressing cells. These results indicated a resistance of p38α-deficient cells to C3-mediated inhibition of cell growth. This anti-proliferative effect was highly associated with the decreased activity of c-Jun and upstream p38 and JNK MAPK signaling as a consequence of the absence of p38α in these cells.
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