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Wang F, Zhou C, Zhu Y, Keshavarzi M. The microRNA Let-7 and its exosomal form: Epigenetic regulators of gynecological cancers. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:42. [PMID: 38836981 PMCID: PMC11153289 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09884-3] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Many types of gynecological cancer (GC) are often silent until they reach an advanced stage, and are therefore often diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Hence, there is a real need for more efficient diagnosis and treatment for patients with GC. During recent years, researchers have increasingly studied the impact of microRNAs cancer development, leading to a number of applications in detection and treatment. MicroRNAs are a particular group of tiny RNA molecules that regulate regular gene expression by affecting the translation process. The downregulation of numerous miRNAs has been observed in human malignancies. Let-7 is an example of a miRNA that controls cellular processes as well as signaling cascades to affect post-transcriptional gene expression. Recent research supports the hypothesis that enhancing let-7 expression in those cancers where it is downregulated may be a potential treatment option. Exosomes are tiny vesicles that move through body fluids and can include components like miRNAs (including let-7) that are important for communication between cells. Studies proved that exosomes are able to enhance tumor growth, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, metastasis, and immune evasion, thus suggesting their importance in GC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Haiyan People's Hospital, Zhejiang Province, Jiaxing, 314300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chundi Zhou
- Haiyan People's Hospital, Zhejiang Province, Jiaxing, 314300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanping Zhu
- Haiyan People's Hospital, Zhejiang Province, Jiaxing, 314300, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Maryam Keshavarzi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Su F, Koeberle A. Regulation and targeting of SREBP-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:673-708. [PMID: 38036934 PMCID: PMC11156753 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing burden on global public health and is associated with enhanced lipogenesis, fatty acid uptake, and lipid metabolic reprogramming. De novo lipogenesis is under the control of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and essentially contributes to HCC progression. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the regulation of SREBP-1 isoforms in HCC based on cellular, animal, and clinical data. Specifically, we (i) address the overarching mechanisms for regulating SREBP-1 transcription, proteolytic processing, nuclear stability, and transactivation and (ii) critically discuss their impact on HCC, taking into account (iii) insights from pharmacological approaches. Emphasis is placed on cross-talk with the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), protein kinase A (PKA), and other kinases that directly phosphorylate SREBP-1; transcription factors, such as liver X receptor (LXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1 (PGC-1), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), and Myc; epigenetic mechanisms; post-translational modifications of SREBP-1; and SREBP-1-regulatory metabolites such as oxysterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids. By carefully scrutinizing the role of SREBP-1 in HCC development, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance, we shed light on the potential of SREBP-1-targeting strategies in HCC prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengting Su
- Michael Popp Institute and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Koeberle
- Michael Popp Institute and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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3
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Rosenblum SL, Soueid DM, Giambasu G, Vander Roest S, Pasternak A, DiMauro EF, Simov V, Garner AL. Live cell screening to identify RNA-binding small molecule inhibitors of the pre-let-7-Lin28 RNA-protein interaction. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1539-1546. [PMID: 38784453 PMCID: PMC11110735 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00123k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the networking of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and RNAs drives many human diseases, including cancers, and the targeting of RNA-protein interactions (RPIs) has emerged as an exciting area of RNA-targeted drug discovery. Accordingly, methods that enable the discovery of cell-active small molecule modulators of RPIs are needed to propel this emerging field forward. Herein, we describe the application of live-cell assay technology, RNA interaction with protein-mediated complementation assay (RiPCA), for high-throughput screening to identify small molecule inhibitors of the pre-let-7d-Lin28A RPI. Utilizing a combination of RNA-biased small molecules and virtual screening hits, we discovered an RNA-binding small molecule that can disrupt the pre-let-7-Lin28 interaction demonstrating the potential of RiPCA for advancing RPI-targeted drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney L Rosenblum
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan 210 Washtenaw Avenue Ann Arbor MI 48109 USA
| | - Dalia M Soueid
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan 1600 Huron Parkway, NCRC B520 Ann Arbor MI 48109 USA
| | - George Giambasu
- Computational Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc. Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Steve Vander Roest
- Center for Chemical Genomics, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan 210 Washtenaw Avenue Ann Arbor MI 48109 USA
| | | | - Erin F DiMauro
- Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc. Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Vladimir Simov
- Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc. Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Amanda L Garner
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan 210 Washtenaw Avenue Ann Arbor MI 48109 USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan 1600 Huron Parkway, NCRC B520 Ann Arbor MI 48109 USA
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4
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Pastori V, Zambanini G, Citterio E, Weiss T, Nakamura Y, Cantù C, Ronchi AE. Transcriptional repression of the oncofetal LIN28B gene by the transcription factor SOX6. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10287. [PMID: 38704454 PMCID: PMC11069503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60438-3] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The identification of regulatory networks contributing to fetal/adult gene expression switches is a major challenge in developmental biology and key to understand the aberrant proliferation of cancer cells, which often reactivate fetal oncogenes. One key example is represented by the developmental gene LIN28B, whose aberrant reactivation in adult tissues promotes tumor initiation and progression. Despite the prominent role of LIN28B in development and cancer, the mechanisms of its transcriptional regulation are largely unknown. Here, by using quantitative RT-PCR and single cell RNA sequencing data, we show that in erythropoiesis the expression of the transcription factor SOX6 matched a sharp decline of LIN28B mRNA during human embryo/fetal to adult globin switching. SOX6 overexpression repressed LIN28B not only in a panel of fetal-like erythroid cells (K562, HEL and HUDEP1; ≈92% p < 0.0001, 54% p = 0.0009 and ≈60% p < 0.0001 reduction, respectively), but also in hepatoblastoma HepG2 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5H cells (≈99% p < 0.0001 and ≈59% p < 0.0001 reduction, respectively). SOX6-mediated repression caused downregulation of the LIN28B/Let-7 targets, including MYC and IGF2BP1, and rapidly blocks cell proliferation. Mechanistically, Lin28B repression is accompanied by SOX6 physical binding within its locus, suggesting a direct mechanism of LIN28B downregulation that might contribute to the fetal/adult erythropoietic transition and restrict cancer proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Pastori
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Zambanini
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Genetik, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabetta Citterio
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Tamina Weiss
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Antonella Ellena Ronchi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Seo Y, Rhim J, Kim JH. RNA-binding proteins and exoribonucleases modulating miRNA in cancer: the enemy within. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1080-1106. [PMID: 38689093 PMCID: PMC11148060 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01224-z] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in the investigation of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and the miRNA processing machinery has revealed previously unknown roles of posttranscriptional regulation in gene expression. The molecular mechanistic interplay between miRNAs and their regulatory factors, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and exoribonucleases, has been revealed to play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Moreover, recent studies have shown that the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-causing hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also characterized by close crosstalk of a multitude of host RBPs and exoribonucleases with miR-122 and its RNA genome, suggesting the importance of the mechanistic interplay among these factors during the proliferation of HCV. This review primarily aims to comprehensively describe the well-established roles and discuss the recently discovered understanding of miRNA regulators, RBPs and exoribonucleases, in relation to various cancers and the proliferation of a representative cancer-causing RNA virus, HCV. These have also opened the door to the emerging potential for treating cancers as well as HCV infection by targeting miRNAs or their respective cellular modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoona Seo
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea
| | - Jiho Rhim
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea
| | - Jong Heon Kim
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Korea.
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6
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Cocchi S, Greco V, Sidarovich V, Vigna J, Broso F, Corallo D, Zasso J, Re A, Rosatti EF, Longhi S, Defant A, Ladu F, Sanna V, Adami V, D’Agostino VG, Sturlese M, Sechi M, Aveic S, Mancini I, Sighel D, Quattrone A. EGCG Disrupts the LIN28B/Let-7 Interaction and Reduces Neuroblastoma Aggressiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4795. [PMID: 38732012 PMCID: PMC11084668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most commonly diagnosed extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Although the 5-year survival rate of patients with a high-risk disease has increased in recent decades, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology, and the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets and agents is an urgent clinical need. The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an oncogene in NB and is associated with a poor prognosis. Given that LIN28B acts by negatively regulating the biogenesis of the tumor suppressor let-7 miRNAs, we reasoned that selective interference with the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction would increase let-7 miRNA levels, ultimately leading to reduced NB aggressiveness. Here, we selected (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) out of 4959 molecules screened as the molecule with the best inhibitory activity on LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction and showed that treatment with PLC/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles containing EGCG (EGCG-NPs) led to an increase in mature let-7 miRNAs and a consequent inhibition of NB cell growth. In addition, EGCG-NP pretreatment reduced the tumorigenic potential of NB cells in vivo. These experiments suggest that the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA axis is a good therapeutic target in NB and that EGCG, which can interfere with this interaction, deserves further preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cocchi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Valentina Greco
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Jacopo Vigna
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Francesca Broso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Diana Corallo
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Jacopo Zasso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Angela Re
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Emanuele Filiberto Rosatti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Sara Longhi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Andrea Defant
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Federico Ladu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Valentina Adami
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Vito G. D’Agostino
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35127 Padova, Italy;
| | - Mario Sechi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Ines Mancini
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Denise Sighel
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
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7
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Hasan Bou Issa L, Fléchon L, Laine W, Ouelkdite A, Gaggero S, Cozzani A, Tilmont R, Chauvet P, Gower N, Sklavenitis-Pistofidis R, Brinster C, Thuru X, Touil Y, Quesnel B, Mitra S, Ghobrial IM, Kluza J, Manier S. MYC dependency in GLS1 and NAMPT is a therapeutic vulnerability in multiple myeloma. iScience 2024; 27:109417. [PMID: 38510131 PMCID: PMC10952034 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109417] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy in which MYC alterations contribute to the malignant phenotype. Nevertheless, MYC lacks therapeutic druggability. Here, we leveraged large-scale loss-of-function screens and conducted a small molecule screen to identify genes and pathways with enhanced essentiality correlated with MYC expression. We reported a specific gene dependency in glutaminase (GLS1), essential for the viability and proliferation of MYC overexpressing cells. Conversely, the analysis of isogenic models, as well as cell lines dataset (CCLE) and patient datasets, revealed GLS1 as a non-oncogenic dependency in MYC-driven cells. We functionally delineated the differential modulation of glutamine to maintain mitochondrial function and cellular biosynthesis in MYC overexpressing cells. Furthermore, we observed that pharmaceutical inhibition of NAMPT selectively affects MYC upregulated cells. We demonstrate the effectiveness of combining GLS1 and NAMPT inhibitors, suggesting that targeting glutaminolysis and NAD synthesis may be a promising strategy to target MYC-driven MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama Hasan Bou Issa
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Léa Fléchon
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - William Laine
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Aicha Ouelkdite
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Silvia Gaggero
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Adeline Cozzani
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Remi Tilmont
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Paul Chauvet
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Gower
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Carine Brinster
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Yasmine Touil
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Suman Mitra
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Irene M. Ghobrial
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jérôme Kluza
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Salomon Manier
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
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8
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Ling RE, Cross JW, Roy A. Aberrant stem cell and developmental programs in pediatric leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1372899. [PMID: 38601080 PMCID: PMC11004259 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1372899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a finely orchestrated process, whereby hematopoietic stem cells give rise to all mature blood cells. Crucially, they maintain the ability to self-renew and/or differentiate to replenish downstream progeny. This process starts at an embryonic stage and continues throughout the human lifespan. Blood cancers such as leukemia occur when normal hematopoiesis is disrupted, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and a block in differentiation of progenitors of a particular lineage (myeloid or lymphoid). Although normal stem cell programs are crucial for tissue homeostasis, these can be co-opted in many cancers, including leukemia. Myeloid or lymphoid leukemias often display stem cell-like properties that not only allow proliferation and survival of leukemic blasts but also enable them to escape treatments currently employed to treat patients. In addition, some leukemias, especially in children, have a fetal stem cell profile, which may reflect the developmental origins of the disease. Aberrant fetal stem cell programs necessary for leukemia maintenance are particularly attractive therapeutic targets. Understanding how hijacked stem cell programs lead to aberrant gene expression in place and time, and drive the biology of leukemia, will help us develop the best treatment strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Ling
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joe W. Cross
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anindita Roy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Haematology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Welsh AM, Muljo SA. Post-transcriptional (re)programming of B lymphocyte development: From bench to bedside? Adv Immunol 2024; 161:85-108. [PMID: 38763703 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2024.03.003] [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] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis, a process which generates blood and immune cells, changes significantly during mammalian development. Definitive hematopoiesis is marked by the emergence of long-term hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Here, we will focus on the post-transcriptional differences between fetal liver (FL) and adult bone marrow (ABM) HSCs. It remains unclear how or why exactly FL HSCs transition to ABM HSCs, but we aim to leverage their differences to revive an old idea: in utero HSC transplantation. Unexpectedly, the expression of certain RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play an important role in HSC specification, and can be employed to convert or reprogram adult HSCs back to a fetal-like state. Among other features, FL HSCs have a broad differentiation capacity that includes the ability to regenerate both conventional B and T cells, as well as innate-like or unconventional lymphocytes such as B-1a and marginal zone B (MzB) cells. This chapter will focus on RNA binding proteins, namely LIN28B and IGF2BP3, that are expressed during fetal life and how they promote B-1a cell development. Furthermore, this chapter considers a potential clinical application of synthetic co-expression of LIN28B and IGF2BP3 in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia M Welsh
- Integrative Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Stefan A Muljo
- Integrative Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.
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10
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Guerrache A, Micheau O. TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand: Non-Apoptotic Signalling. Cells 2024; 13:521. [PMID: 38534365 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL or Apo2 or TNFSF10) belongs to the TNF superfamily. When bound to its agonistic receptors, TRAIL can induce apoptosis in tumour cells, while sparing healthy cells. Over the last three decades, this tumour selectivity has prompted many studies aiming at evaluating the anti-tumoral potential of TRAIL or its derivatives. Although most of these attempts have failed, so far, novel formulations are still being evaluated. However, emerging evidence indicates that TRAIL can also trigger a non-canonical signal transduction pathway that is likely to be detrimental for its use in oncology. Likewise, an increasing number of studies suggest that in some circumstances TRAIL can induce, via Death receptor 5 (DR5), tumour cell motility, potentially leading to and contributing to tumour metastasis. While the pro-apoptotic signal transduction machinery of TRAIL is well known from a mechanistic point of view, that of the non-canonical pathway is less understood. In this study, we the current state of knowledge of TRAIL non-canonical signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abderrahmane Guerrache
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France
- INSERM Research Center U1231, «Equipe DesCarTes», 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Olivier Micheau
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France
- INSERM Research Center U1231, «Equipe DesCarTes», 21000 Dijon, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence LipSTIC, 21000 Dijon, France
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11
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Wang S, Sun H, Chen G, Wu C, Sun B, Lin J, Lin D, Zeng D, Lin B, Huang G, Lu X, Lin H, Liang Y. RNA-binding proteins in breast cancer: Biological implications and therapeutic opportunities. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 195:104271. [PMID: 38272151 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104271] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) refer to a class of proteins that participate in alternative splicing, RNA stability, polyadenylation, localization and translation of RNAs, thus regulating gene expression in post-transcriptional manner. Dysregulation of RNA-RBP interaction contributes to various diseases, including cancer. In breast cancer, disorders in RBP expression and function influence the biological characteristics of tumor cells. Targeting RBPs has fostered the development of innovative therapies for breast cancer. However, the RBP-related mechanisms in breast cancer are not completely clear. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of RBPs and their signaling crosstalk in breast cancer. Specifically, we emphasize the potential of certain RBPs as prognostic factors due to their effects on proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and therapy resistance of breast cancer cells. Most importantly, we present a comprehensive overview of the latest RBP-related therapeutic strategies and novel therapeutic targets that have proven to be useful in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Wang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Hexing Sun
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Guanyuan Chen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Chengyu Wu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Bingmei Sun
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Jiajia Lin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Danping Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of SUMC, Shantou 515000, China
| | - De Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of SUMC, Shantou 515000, China
| | - Baohang Lin
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Longgang District Central Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Guan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Longgang District Central Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Haoyu Lin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China.
| | - Yuanke Liang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 57 Changping Road, Shantou 515041, China.
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12
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Zhou C, Ma J, Luo W, Hu J, Chen J, Liang S, He S. A Novel Platinum Resistance-Related Immune Gene Signature for Overall Survival Prediction in Patients with Ovarian Cancer. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:112-124. [PMID: 37270714 PMCID: PMC10901932 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10379-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OV) is a highly heterogeneous gynecological tumor that makes the prognostic prediction challenging. Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is associated with a poor prognosis in OV. There seems to be an overlap between molecular mechanisms responsible for platinum resistance and immunogenicity in OV. However, the predictive role of platinum resistance-related immune genes for OV prognosis needs to be further explored. In our study, the mRNA expression data of OV patients with corresponding clinical information were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohort. A multigene signature was constructed for OV patients in the TCGA cohort using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model according to the optimal value of λ and was validated in the ICGC cohort. Furthermore, we performed functional analysis to explore the immune status between low- and high-risk groups based on the median value of the risk score for the multigene signature. Our data showed that there were 41.1% of the platinum resistance-related genes which differentially expressed between immune score low- and high-OV patients in the TCGA cohort. Univariate Cox regression analysis identified 30 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05). 14 genes were identified to construct a novel platinum resistance-related immune model for classifying OV patients into the low- and high- risk groups. Patients in the low-risk group showed significantly higher OS than those in the high-risk group (P < 0.0001 in the both TCGA and ICGC cohort), which was associated with different immune status for the two risk groups. A novel platinum resistance-related immune model can be used for prognostic prediction in OV. Targeting tumor immunity may be a therapeutic alternative for OV with platinum resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medical, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junnan Ma
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanjun Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiemei Hu
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medical, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medical, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Suiying Liang
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medical, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanyang He
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medical, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Ueda K, Ikeda K. Cellular carcinogenesis in preleukemic conditions:drivers and defenses. Fukushima J Med Sci 2024; 70:11-24. [PMID: 37952978 PMCID: PMC10867434 DOI: 10.5387/fms.2023-17] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises from preleukemic conditions. We have investigated the pathogenesis of typical preleukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and clonal hematopoiesis. Hematopoietic stem cells in both preleukemic conditions harbor recurrent driver mutations; additional mutation provokes further malignant transformation, leading to AML onset. Although genetic alterations are defined as the main cause of malignant transformation, non-genetic factors are also involved in disease progression. In this review, we focus on a non-histone chromatin protein, high mobility group AT-hook2 (HMGA2), and a physiological p53 inhibitor, murine double minute X (MDMX). HMGA2 is mainly overexpressed by dysregulation of microRNAs or mutations in polycomb components, and provokes expansion of preleukemic clones through stem cell signature disruption. MDMX is overexpressed by altered splicing balance in myeloid malignancies. MDMX induces leukemic transformation from preleukemia via suppression of p53 and p53-independent activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling. We also discuss how these non-genetic factors can be targeted for leukemia prevention therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Ueda
- Department of Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Fukushima Medical University
| | - Kazuhiko Ikeda
- Department of Blood Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology, Fukushima Medical University
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14
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Jaiswal AK, Thaxton ML, Scherer GM, Sorrentino JP, Garg NK, Rao DS. Small molecule inhibition of RNA binding proteins in haematologic cancer. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-14. [PMID: 38329136 PMCID: PMC10857685 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2303558] [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] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, advances in biomedicine have revealed an important role for post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression regulation in pathologic conditions. In cancer in general and leukaemia specifically, RNA binding proteins have emerged as important regulator of RNA homoeostasis that are often dysregulated in the disease state. Having established the importance of these pathogenetic mechanisms, there have been a number of efforts to target RNA binding proteins using oligonucleotide-based strategies, as well as with small organic molecules. The field is at an exciting inflection point with the convergence of biomedical knowledge, small molecule screening strategies and improved chemical methods for synthesis and construction of sophisticated small molecules. Here, we review the mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation, specifically in leukaemia, current small-molecule based efforts to target RNA binding proteins, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K. Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle L. Thaxton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Georgia M. Scherer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacob P. Sorrentino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neil K. Garg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dinesh S. Rao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Maklad A, Sedeeq M, Chan KM, Gueven N, Azimi I. Exploring Lin28 proteins: Unravelling structure and functions with emphasis on nervous system malignancies. Life Sci 2023; 335:122275. [PMID: 37984514 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122275] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer and stem cells share many characteristics related to self-renewal and differentiation. Both cell types express the same critical proteins that govern cellular stemness, which provide cancer cells with the growth and survival benefits of stem cells. LIN28 is an example of one such protein. LIN28 includes two main isoforms, LIN28A and LIN28B, with diverse physiological functions from tissue development to control of pluripotency. In addition to their physiological roles, LIN28A and LIN28B affect the progression of several cancers by regulating multiple cancer hallmarks. Altered expression levels of LIN28A and LIN28B have been proposed as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers for various malignancies. This review discusses the structure and modes of action of the different LIN28 proteins and examines their roles in regulating cancer hallmarks with a focus on malignancies of the nervous system. This review also highlights some gaps in the field that require further exploration to assess the potential of targeting LIN28 proteins for controlling cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Maklad
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mohammed Sedeeq
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kai Man Chan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Nuri Gueven
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Iman Azimi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005, Tasmania, Australia; Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Victoria, Australia.
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16
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Borgelt L, Hohnen L, Pallesen JS, Hommen P, Goebel GL, Bosica F, Liu Y, O’Mahony G, Wu P. N-Biphenyl Pyrrolinones and Dibenzofurans as RNA-Binding Protein LIN28 Inhibitors Disrupting the LIN28- Let-7 Interaction. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1707-1715. [PMID: 38116413 PMCID: PMC10726440 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein LIN28 is a regulator of miRNA let-7 biogenesis. Inhibitors of LIN28 are highly sought after given the central role that LIN28 plays in tumorigenesis and development of cancer stem cells as well as LIN28's association with poor clinical prognosis. Although LIN28 inhibitors of different scaffolds have been reported, the potential of most LIN28 inhibiting small molecules was not fully explored since very limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies have been performed. We previously identified trisubstituted pyrrolinones as a new class of LIN28 inhibitors disrupting the LIN28-let-7 interaction. Here, we performed extensive SAR by evaluating 95 small molecules and identified new trisubstituted pyrrolinones featuring either an N-biphenyl or N-dibenzofuran substituent, overthrowing the existing conclusion that a salicylic acid moiety is indispensable for activity. Exchange of the negatively charged salicylic acid moiety in LIN28 inhibitors with a heterocyclic substituent is beneficial for membrane permeability, leading to increased activity in a cellular assay, and will potentially reduce toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Borgelt
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Otto-Hahn
Str. 6, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Lisa Hohnen
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr-University
Bochum, Universitätsstr.
150, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Jakob S. Pallesen
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, SE-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Pascal Hommen
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Otto-Hahn
Str. 6, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Georg L. Goebel
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Otto-Hahn
Str. 6, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Francesco Bosica
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, SE-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Yang Liu
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund
University, Otto-Hahn
Str. 6, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Gavin O’Mahony
- Medicinal
Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and
Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, SE-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical
Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of
Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund 44227, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute
of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
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17
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Shu Z, Fan M, Tu B, Tang Z, Wang H, Li H, Li H, Yuan M, Bai J, Huo S, Wang L, Zhu WG, Wang W, Liu X, Shu S, Zhao Y. The Lin28b/Wnt5a axis drives pancreas cancer through crosstalk between cancer associated fibroblasts and tumor epithelium. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6885. [PMID: 37898598 PMCID: PMC10613206 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42508-8] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Bidirectional signal transduction between tumor epithelial cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) is important for tumor development. Here we show that Lin28b/let-7 pathway is indispensable for modulating the expression of Wnt5a in tumor epithelium, which could be secreted and then up-regulates Lin28b in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Moreover, we demonstrate that Lin28b in CAFs promoted growth of PDAC by inducing cytokine PCSK9's production. Using an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC, we find that depletion of Lin28b in CAFs reduced tumor weight, highlighting the importance of Lin28b in PDAC stroma. Thus, our study shows that the Lin28b-Wnt5a axis plays a critical role in bidirectional crosstalk between pancreatic tumor epithelium and TME and results in a pro-tumorigenic contexture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqi Shu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Minghe Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Bo Tu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Department, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Clinical Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Zhiheng Tang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Haojie Wang
- Center for Precision Medicine Multi-Omics Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center and Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Haimeng Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hengchao Li
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, FuDan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Meng Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jingru Bai
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sihan Huo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Shaokun Shu
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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18
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Zhang Q, Zhou X, Li X, Yao S, Jiang S, Zhang R, Zou Z, Liao L, Dong J. Effect of down-regulation of let-7c/g on triggering a double-negative feedback loop and promoting restenosis. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:2484-2495. [PMID: 37433785 PMCID: PMC10586861 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002763] [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: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the main causes of restenosis (RS) in diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). However, the relevant pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. METHODS In this study, we introduced a "two-step injury protocol" rat RS model, which started with the induction of atherosclerosis (AS) and was followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry staining were used to verify the form of RS. Two-step transfection was performed, with the first transfection of Lin28a followed by a second transfection of let-7c and let-7g, to explore the possible mechanism by which Lin28a exerted effects. 5-ethynyl-2΄-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Transwell assay were performed to evaluate the ability of proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to detect the expression of Lin28a protein and let-7 family members. RESULTS Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we discovered that let-7c, let-7g, and microRNA98 (miR98) were downstream targets of Lin28a. More importantly, decreased expression of let-7c/let-7g increased Lin28a, leading to further inhibition of let-7c/let-7g. We also found an increased level of let-7d in the RS pathological condition, suggesting that it may function as a protective regulator of the Lin28a/let-7 loop by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. CONCLUSION These findings indicated the presence of a double-negative feedback loop consisting of Lin28a and let-7c/let-7g, which may be responsible for the vicious behavior of VSMCs in RS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Xianzhi Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shuai Yao
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Zhiwei Zou
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Shandong Institute of Nephrology, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Jianjun Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
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19
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Doi A, Suarez GD, Droste R, Horvitz HR. A DEAD-box helicase drives the partitioning of a pro-differentiation NAB protein into nuclear foci. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6593. [PMID: 37852948 PMCID: PMC10584935 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
How cells regulate gene expression in a precise spatiotemporal manner during organismal development is a fundamental question in biology. Although the role of transcriptional condensates in gene regulation has been established, little is known about the function and regulation of these molecular assemblies in the context of animal development and physiology. Here we show that the evolutionarily conserved DEAD-box helicase DDX-23 controls cell fate in Caenorhabditis elegans by binding to and facilitating the condensation of MAB-10, the C. elegans homolog of mammalian NGFI-A-binding (NAB) protein. MAB-10 is a transcriptional cofactor that functions with the early growth response (EGR) protein LIN-29 to regulate the transcription of genes required for exiting the cell cycle, terminal differentiation, and the larval-to-adult transition. We suggest that DEAD-box helicase proteins function more generally during animal development to control the condensation of NAB proteins important in cell identity and that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved. In mammals, such a mechanism might underlie terminal cell differentiation and when dysregulated might promote cancerous growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Doi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Gianmarco D Suarez
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Rita Droste
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - H Robert Horvitz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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20
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Xiao S, Zhang W, Li J, Manley NR. Lin28 regulates thymic growth and involution and correlates with MHCII expression in thymic epithelial cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1261081. [PMID: 37868985 PMCID: PMC10588642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1261081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are essential for T cell development in the thymus, yet the mechanisms governing their differentiation are not well understood. Lin28, known for its roles in embryonic development, stem cell pluripotency, and regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, is expressed in endodermal epithelial cells during embryogenesis and persists in adult epithelia, implying postnatal functions. However, the detailed expression and function of Lin28 in TECs remain unknown. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of Lin28 and its target Let-7g in fetal and postnatal TECs and discovered opposing expression patterns during postnatal thymic growth, which correlated with FOXN1 and MHCII expression. Specifically, Lin28b showed high expression in MHCIIhi TECs, whereas Let-7g was expressed in MHCIIlo TECs. Deletion of Lin28a and Lin28b specifically in TECs resulted in reduced MHCII expression and overall TEC numbers. Conversely, overexpression of Lin28a increased total TEC and thymocyte numbers by promoting the proliferation of MHCIIlo TECs. Additionally, our data strongly suggest that Lin28 and Let-7g expression is reliant on FOXN1 to some extent. These findings suggest a critical role for Lin28 in regulating the development and differentiation of TECs by modulating MHCII expression and TEC proliferation throughout thymic ontogeny and involution. Our study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying TEC differentiation and highlights the significance of Lin28 in orchestrating these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Xiao
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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21
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Pan S, Zhu J, Liu P, Wei Q, Zhang S, An W, Tong Y, Cheng Z, Liu F. FN1 mRNA 3'-UTR supersedes traditional fibronectin 1 in facilitating the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer through the FN1 3'-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis. Theranostics 2023; 13:5130-5150. [PMID: 37771777 PMCID: PMC10526670 DOI: 10.7150/thno.82492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Current clinical treatments for gastric cancer (GC), particularly advanced GC, lack infallible therapeutic targets. The 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) has attracted increasing attention as a drug target. Methods: In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to determine the function of FN1 3'-UTR and FN1 protein in invasion and metastasis. RNA pull-down assay and high-throughput sequencing were used to screen the factors regulated by FN1 3'-UTR and construct the regulatory network. Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction were used to examine the correlation of intermolecular expression levels. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to verify the correlation between FN1 3'-UTR and target mRNAs. Results: The FN1 3'-UTR may have stronger prognostic implications than the FN1 protein in GC patients. Upregulation of FN1 3'-UTR significantly promoted the invasive and metastatic abilities of GC cells to a greater extent than FN1 protein in vitro and in vivo. A novel regulatory network was constructed based on the FN1 3'-UTR-let-7i-5p-THBS1 axis, wherein FN1 3'-UTR displayed stronger oncogenic effects than the FN1 protein. Conclusions: FN1 3'-UTR may be a better therapeutic target for constructing targeted drugs in GC than the FN1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Pan
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
| | - Jiaming Zhu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
| | - Qiaochu Wei
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Wen An
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
| | - Yuxin Tong
- Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Zhenguo Cheng
- National Center for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, Sino-British Research Centre for Molecular Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention Treatment, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhenzhou 450000, China
| | - Funan Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110016 China
- Phase I Clinical Trails Center, The First Hospital, China Medical University, 518 North Chuangxin Road, Baita Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, 110102 Liaoning, China
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22
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Borgelt L, Huang F, Hohnen L, Qiu X, Goebel GL, Hommen P, Wu P. Spirocyclic Chromenopyrazole Inhibitors Disrupting the Interaction between the RNA-Binding Protein LIN28 and Let-7. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300168. [PMID: 37129525 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule inhibitors of the RNA-binding and regulating protein LIN28 have the potential to be developed as chemical probes for biological perturbation and as therapeutic candidates. Reported small molecules disrupting the interaction between LIN28 and let-7 miRNA suffer from moderate to weak inhibitory activity and flat structure-activity relationship, which hindered the development of next-generation LIN28 inhibitors that warrant further evaluations. We report herein the identification of new LIN28 inhibitors utilizing a spirocyclization strategy based on a chromenopyrazole scaffold. Representative compounds 2-5 showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity against LIN28-let-7 interaction and single-digit micromolar potency in inhibiting the proliferation of LIN28-expressing JAR cancer cells. The spirocyclic compound 5 incorporated a position that is amenable for functional group appendage and further structural modifications. The binding mode of compound 5 with the LIN28 cold shock domain was rationalized via a molecular docking analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Borgelt
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Fubao Huang
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Lisa Hohnen
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum, 44780, Germany
| | - Xiaqiu Qiu
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Georg L Goebel
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Pascal Hommen
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 15, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
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23
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Hommen P, Hwang J, Huang F, Borgelt L, Hohnen L, Wu P. Chromenopyrazole-Peptide Conjugates as Small-Molecule Based Inhibitors Disrupting the Protein-RNA Interaction of LIN28-let-7. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300376. [PMID: 37224100 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the protein-RNA interaction of LIN28 and let-7 is a promising strategy for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics. However, a limited number of small-molecule inhibitors disrupting the LIN28-let-7 interaction with potent efficacy are available. Herein, we developed a novel LIN28-inhibiting strategy by targeting selective hotspot amino acids at the LIN28-let-7 binding interface with small-molecule-based bifunctional conjugates. Starting from reported small-molecule LIN28 inhibitors, we identified a feasible linker-attachment position after performing a structure-activity relationship exploration based on the LIN28-targeting chromenopyrazoles. In parallel, a virtual alanine scan identified hotspot residues at the protein-RNA binding interface, based on which we designed a set of peptides to enhance the interaction with the identified hotspot residues. Conjugation of the tailor-designed peptides with linker-attached chromenopyrazoles yielded a series of bifunctional small-molecule-peptide conjugates, represented by compound 83 (PH-223), as a new LIN28-targeting chemical modality. Our result demonstrated an unexplored rational design approach using bifunctional conjugates to target protein-RNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Hommen
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Jimin Hwang
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Fubao Huang
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Lydia Borgelt
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
| | - Lisa Hohnen
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum, 44780, Germany
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund, 44227, Germany
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24
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El-Dakroury WA, Midan HM, Abulsoud AI, Elshaer SS, El-Husseiny AA, Fathi D, Abdelmaksoud NM, Abdel Mageed SS, Elballal MS, Zaki MB, Abd-Elmawla MA, Al-Noshokaty TM, Rizk NI, Elrebehy MA, Hashem AH, Moustafa YM, Doghish AS. miRNAs orchestration of adrenocortical carcinoma - Particular emphasis on diagnosis, progression and drug resistance. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154665. [PMID: 37418996 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon aggressive endocrine malignancy that is nonetheless associated with significant mortality and morbidity rates because of endocrine and oncological consequences. Recent genome-wide investigations of ACC have advanced our understanding of the disease, but substantial obstacles remain to overcome regarding diagnosis and prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) play a crucial role in the development and metastasis of a wide range of carcinomas by regulating the expression of their target genes through various mechanisms causing translational repression or messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation. Along with miRNAs in the adrenocortical cancerous tissue, circulating miRNAs are considered barely invasive diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers of ACC. miRNAs may serve as treatment targets that expand the rather-limited therapeutic repertoire in the field of ACC. Patients with advanced ACC still have a poor prognosis when using the available treatments, despite a substantial improvement in understanding of the illness over the previous few decades. Accordingly, in this review, we provide a crucial overview of the recent studies in ACC-associated miRNAs regarding their diagnostic, prognostic, and potential therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walaa A El-Dakroury
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829 Egypt
| | - Heba M Midan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231 Cairo, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Shereen Saeid Elshaer
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Nasr city, Cairo 11823, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A El-Husseiny
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231 Cairo, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City 11829 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa Fathi
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | | | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Bakr Zaki
- Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Menoufia 32897, Egypt
| | - Mai A Abd-Elmawla
- Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tohada M Al-Noshokaty
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Nehal I Rizk
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Amr H Hashem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11884 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasser M Moustafa
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231 Cairo, Egypt.
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25
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Sugiura K, Masuike Y, Suzuki K, Shin AE, Sakai N, Matsubara H, Otsuka M, Sims PA, Lengner CJ, Rustgi AK. LIN28B promotes cell invasion and colorectal cancer metastasis via CLDN1 and NOTCH3. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167310. [PMID: 37318881 PMCID: PMC10443801 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167310] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein LIN28B is overexpressed in over 30% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and is associated with poor prognosis. In the present study, we unraveled a potentially novel mechanism by which LIN28B regulates colonic epithelial cell-cell junctions and CRC metastasis. Using human CRC cells (DLD-1, Caco-2, and LoVo) with either knockdown or overexpression of LIN28B, we identified claudin 1 (CLDN1) tight junction protein as a direct downstream target and effector of LIN28B. RNA immunoprecipitation revealed that LIN28B directly binds to and posttranscriptionally regulates CLDN1 mRNA. Furthermore, using in vitro assays and a potentially novel murine model of metastatic CRC, we show that LIN28B-mediated CLDN1 expression enhances collective invasion, cell migration, and metastatic liver tumor formation. Bulk RNA sequencing of the metastatic liver tumors identified NOTCH3 as a downstream effector of the LIN28B/CLDN1 axis. Additionally, genetic and pharmacologic manipulation of NOTCH3 signaling revealed that NOTCH3 was necessary for invasion and metastatic liver tumor formation. In summary, our results suggest that LIN28B promotes invasion and liver metastasis of CRC by posttranscriptionally regulating CLDN1 and activating NOTCH3 signaling. This discovery offers a promising new therapeutic option for metastatic CRC to the liver, an area where therapeutic advancements have been relatively scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Sugiura
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yasunori Masuike
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kensuke Suzuki
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of General Surgery and
| | - Alice E. Shin
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Hisahiro Matsubara
- Department of Frontier Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Peter A. Sims
- Department of Systems Biology and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher J. Lengner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anil K. Rustgi
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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26
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García-Moreno JF, Lacerda R, da Costa PJ, Pereira M, Gama-Carvalho M, Matos P, Romão L. DIS3L2 knockdown impairs key oncogenic properties of colorectal cancer cells via the mTOR signaling pathway. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:185. [PMID: 37340282 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04833-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
DIS3L2 degrades different types of RNAs in an exosome-independent manner including mRNAs and several types of non-coding RNAs. DIS3L2-mediated degradation is preceded by the addition of nontemplated uridines at the 3'end of its targets by the terminal uridylyl transferases 4 and 7. Most of the literature that concerns DIS3L2 characterizes its involvement in several RNA degradation pathways, however, there is some evidence that its dysregulated activity may contribute to cancer development. In the present study, we characterize the role of DIS3L2 in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Using the public RNA datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we found higher DIS3L2 mRNA levels in CRC tissues versus normal colonic samples as well as worse prognosis in patients with high DIS3L2 expression. In addition, our RNA deep-sequencing data revealed that knockdown (KD) of DIS3L2 induces a strong transcriptomic disturbance in SW480 CRC cells. Moreover, gene ontology (GO) analysis of significant upregulated transcripts displays enrichment in mRNAs encoding proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and cancer-related pathways, which guided us to evaluate which specific hallmarks of cancer are differentially regulated by DIS3L2. To do so, we employed four CRC cell lines (HCT116, SW480, Caco-2 and HT-29) differing in their mutational background and oncogenicity. We demonstrate that depletion of DIS3L2 results in reduced cell viability of highly oncogenic SW480 and HCT116 CRC cells, but had little or no impact in the more differentiated Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. Remarkably, the mTOR signaling pathway, crucial for cell survival and growth, is downregulated after DIS3L2 KD, whereas AZGP1, an mTOR pathway inhibitor, is upregulated. Furthermore, our results indicate that depletion of DIS3L2 disturbs metastasis-associated properties, such as cell migration and invasion, only in highly oncogenic CRC cells. Our work reveals for the first time a role for DIS3L2 in sustaining CRC cell proliferation and provides evidence that this ribonuclease is required to support the viability and invasive behavior of dedifferentiated CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F García-Moreno
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rafaela Lacerda
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo J da Costa
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marcelo Pereira
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Margarida Gama-Carvalho
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Matos
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Romão
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Faculdade de Ciências, BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
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27
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Bhavsar SP. Metastasis in neuroblastoma: the MYCN question. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1196861. [PMID: 37274289 PMCID: PMC10233040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1196861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers like MYCN in neuroblastoma subsets continues to present a significant challenge owing to its strong correlation with high-risk metastatic disease and poor prognosis. However, only a limited number of MYCN-regulatory proteins associated with tumor initiation and progression have been elucidated. In this minireview, I summarize the recent progress in understanding the functional role of MYCN and its regulatory partners in neuroblastoma metastasis.
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28
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Zhou H, Luo J, Mou K, Peng L, Li X, Lei Y, Wang J, Lin S, Luo Y, Xiang L. Stress granules: functions and mechanisms in cancer. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:86. [PMID: 37179344 PMCID: PMC10182661 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01030-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are non-enveloped structures formed primarily via protein and RNA aggregation under various stress conditions, including hypoxia and viral infection, as well as oxidative, osmotic, and heat-shock stress. SGs assembly is a highly conserved cellular strategy to reduce stress-related damage and promote cell survival. At present, the composition and dynamics of SGs are well understood; however, data on the functions and related mechanisms of SGs are limited. In recent years, SGs have continued to attract attention as emerging players in cancer research. Intriguingly, SGs regulate the biological behavior of tumors by participating in various tumor-associated signaling pathways, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, radiotherapy resistance, and immune escape. This review discusses the roles and mechanisms of SGs in tumors and suggests novel directions for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Kelin Mou
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lin Peng
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyue Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yulin Lei
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianmei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China.
| | - Li Xiang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China.
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29
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Abdallah MG, Teoh VSI, Dutta B, Yokomizo T, Osato M. Childhood hematopoietic stem cells constitute the permissive window for RUNX1-ETO leukemogenesis. Int J Hematol 2023; 117:830-838. [PMID: 37129801 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-023-03605-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a very rare event at the cellular level, although it is a common disease at the body level as one third of humans die of cancer. A small subset of cells in the body harbor the cellular features that constitute a permissive window for a particular genetic change to induce cancer. The significance of a permissive window is ironically best shown by a large number of failures in generating the animal model for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21). Over the decades, the RUNX1-ETO fusion gene created by t(8;21) has been introduced into various types of hematopoietic cells, largely at adult stage, in mice; however, all the previous attempts failed to generate tractable AML models. In stark contrast, we recently succeeded in inducing AML with the clinical features seen in human patients by specifically introducing RUNX1-ETO in childhood hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This result in mice is consistent with adolescent and young adult (AYA) onset in human t(8;21) patients, and suggests that childhood HSCs constitute the permissive window for RUNX1-ETO leukemogenesis. If loss of a permissive window is induced pharmacologically, cancer cells might be selectively targeted. Such a permissive window modifier may serve as a novel therapeutic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Gaber Abdallah
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Vania Swee Imm Teoh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bibek Dutta
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tomomasa Yokomizo
- Department of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motomi Osato
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kumamoto Kenhoku Hospital, Tamana, Japan.
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30
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Yeh DW, Zhao X, Siddique HR, Zheng M, Choi HY, Machida T, Narayanan P, Kou Y, Punj V, Tahara SM, Feldman DE, Chen L, Machida K. MSI2 promotes translation of multiple IRES-containing oncogenes and virus to induce self-renewal of tumor initiating stem-like cells. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:141. [PMID: 37117191 PMCID: PMC10147607 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01427-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding protein Musashi 2 (MSI2) is elevated in several cancers and is linked to poor prognosis. Here, we tested if MSI2 promotes MYC and viral mRNA translation to induce self-renewal via an internal ribosome entry sequence (IRES). We performed RIP-seq using anti-MSI2 antibody in tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs). MSI2 binds the internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-containing oncogene mRNAs including MYC, JUN and VEGFA as well as HCV IRES to increase their synthesis and promote self-renewal and tumor-initiation at the post-transcriptional level. MSI2 binds a lncRNA to interfere with processing of a miRNA that reduced MYC translation in basal conditions. Deregulation of this integrated MSI2-lncRNA-MYC regulatory loop drives self-renewal and tumorigenesis through increased IRES-dependent translation of MYC mRNA. Overexpression of MSI2 in TICs promoted their self-renewal and tumor-initiation properties. Inhibition of MSI2-RNA binding reduced HCV IRES activity, viral replication and liver hyperplasia in humanized mice predisposed by virus infection and alcohol high-cholesterol high-fat diet. Together MSI2, integrating the MYC oncogenic pathway, can be employed as a therapeutic target in the treatment of HCC patients. A hypothetical model shows that MSI2 binds and activates cap-independent translation of MYC, c-JUN mRNA and HCV through MSI2-binding to Internal Ribosome Entry Sites (IRES) resulting in upregulated MYC, c-JUN and viral protein synthesis and subsequent liver oncogenesis. Inhibitor of the interaction between MYC IRES and MSI2 reduces liver hyperplasia, viral mRNA translation and tumor formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Wei Yeh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Xuyao Zhao
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Hifzur R Siddique
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Mengmei Zheng
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Hye Yeon Choi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Tatsuya Machida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Padmini Narayanan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Yi Kou
- Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 90089, USA
| | - Vasu Punj
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Stanley M Tahara
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Douglas E Feldman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA
| | - Lin Chen
- Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 90089, USA
| | - Keigo Machida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, 90033, USA.
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, 90033, USA.
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31
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Xu Y, Yuan Y, Fu DQ, Fu Y, Zhou S, Yang WT, Wang XY, Li GX, Dong J, Du F, Huang X, Wang QW, Tang Z. The aptamer-based RNA-PROTAC. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 86:117299. [PMID: 37137271 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) dysfunction has been implicated in a number of diseases, and RBPs have traditionally been considered to be undruggable targets. Here, targeted degradation of RBPs is achieved based on the aptamer-based RNA-PROTAC, which consists of a genetically encoded RNA scaffold and a synthetic heterobifunctional molecule. The target RBPs can bind to their RNA consensus binding element (RCBE) on the RNA scaffold, while the small molecule can recruit E3 ubiquitin ligase to the RNA scaffold in a non-covalent manner, thereby inducing proximity-dependent ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-mediated degradation of the target protein. Different RBPs targets, including LIN28A and RBFOX1, have been successfully degraded by simply replacing the RCBE module on the RNA scaffold. In addition, the simultaneous degradation of multiple target proteins has been realized by inserting more functional RNA oligonucleotides into the RNA scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yi Yuan
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Ding-Qiang Fu
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Yi Fu
- Department of Chemistry, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, PR China
| | - Shan Zhou
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Wan-Ting Yang
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xu-Yang Wang
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Guang-Xun Li
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Juan Dong
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Feng Du
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Xin Huang
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Qi-Wei Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; Department of Chemistry, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, PR China.
| | - Zhuo Tang
- Natural Products Research Center, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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GEWALT TABEA, NOH KAWON, MEDER LYDIA. The role of LIN28B in tumor progression and metastasis in solid tumor entities. Oncol Res 2023; 31:101-115. [PMID: 37304235 PMCID: PMC10208000 DOI: 10.32604/or.2023.028105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
LIN28B is an RNA-binding protein that targets a broad range of microRNAs and modulates their maturation and activity. Under normal conditions, LIN28B is exclusively expressed in embryogenic stem cells, blocking differentiation and promoting proliferation. In addition, it can play a role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by repressing the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs. In malignancies, LIN28B is frequently overexpressed, which is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and metastatic properties. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of LIN28B in promoting tumor progression and metastasis in solid tumor entities and its potential use as a clinical therapeutic target and biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- TABEA GEWALT
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - KA-WON NOH
- Institute for Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - LYDIA MEDER
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Mildred Scheel School of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Hernandez JC, Chen CL, Machida T, Uthaya Kumar DB, Tahara SM, Montana J, Sher L, Liang J, Jung JU, Tsukamoto H, Machida K. LIN28 and histone H3K4 methylase induce TLR4 to generate tumor-initiating stem-like cells. iScience 2023; 26:106254. [PMID: 36949755 PMCID: PMC10025994 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance and plasticity of tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs) promote tumor recurrence and metastasis. The gut-originating endotoxin-TLR4-NANOG oncogenic axis is responsible for the genesis of TICs. This study investigated mechanisms as to how TICs arise through transcriptional, epigenetic, and post-transcriptional activation of oncogenic TLR4 pathways. Here, we expressed constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4) in mice carrying pLAP-tTA or pAlb-tTA, under a tetracycline withdrawal-inducible system. Liver progenitor cell induction accelerated liver tumor development in caTLR4-expressing mice. Lentiviral shRNA library screening identified histone H3K4 methylase SETD7 as central to activation of TLR4. SETD7 combined with hypoxia induced TLR4 through HIF2 and NOTCH. LIN28 post-transcriptionally stabilized TLR4 mRNA via de-repression of let-7 microRNA. These results supported a LIN28-TLR4 pathway for the development of HCCs in a hypoxic microenvironment. These findings not only advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible for TIC generation in HCC, but also represent new therapeutic targets for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Hernandez
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- MS Biotechnology Program, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA 93012, USA
| | - Chia-Lin Chen
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Life Sciences & Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Tatsuya Machida
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Dinesh Babu Uthaya Kumar
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Stanley M. Tahara
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jared Montana
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Linda Sher
- Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | | - Jae U. Jung
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Hidekazu Tsukamoto
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keigo Machida
- Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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34
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Maklad A, Sedeeq M, Wilson R, Heath JA, Gueven N, Azimi I. LIN28 expression and function in medulloblastoma. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:533-548. [PMID: 36649308 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30946] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Current treatment modalities are not completely effective and can lead to severe neurological and cognitive adverse effects. In addition to urgently needing better treatment approaches, new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are required to improve the therapy outcomes of MB patients. The RNA-binding proteins, LIN28A and LIN28B, are known to regulate invasive phenotypes in many different cancer types. However, the expression and function of these proteins in MB had not been studied to date. This study identified the expression of LIN28A and LIN28B in MB patient samples and cell lines and assessed the effect of LIN28 inhibition on MB cell growth, metabolism and stemness. LIN28B expression was significantly upregulated in MB tissues compared to normal brain tissues. This upregulation, which was not observed in other brain tumors, was specific for the aggressive MB subgroups and correlated with patient survival and metastasis rates. Functionally, pharmacological inhibition of LIN28 activity concentration-dependently reduced LIN28B expression, as well as the growth of D283 MB cells. While LIN28 inhibition did not affect the levels of intracellular ATP, it reduced the expression of the stemness marker CD133 in D283 cells and the sphere formation of CHLA-01R cells. LIN28B, which is highly expressed in the human cerebellum during the first few months after birth, subsequently decreased with age. The results of this study highlight the potential of LIN28B as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for MB and open the possibility to utilize LIN28 as a pharmacological target to suppress MB cell growth and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Maklad
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mohammed Sedeeq
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Richard Wilson
- Central Science Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - John A Heath
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
| | - Nuri Gueven
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Iman Azimi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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35
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Meze K, Axhemi A, Thomas DR, Doymaz A, Joshua-Tor L. A shape-shifting nuclease unravels structured RNA. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:339-347. [PMID: 36823385 PMCID: PMC10023572 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00923-x] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
RNA turnover pathways ensure appropriate gene expression levels by eliminating unwanted transcripts. Dis3-like 2 (Dis3L2) is a 3'-5' exoribonuclease that plays a critical role in human development. Dis3L2 independently degrades structured substrates, including coding and noncoding 3' uridylated RNAs. While the basis for Dis3L2's substrate recognition has been well characterized, the mechanism of structured RNA degradation by this family of enzymes is unknown. We characterized the discrete steps of the degradation cycle by determining cryogenic electron microscopy structures representing snapshots along the RNA turnover pathway and measuring kinetic parameters for RNA processing. We discovered a dramatic conformational change that is triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), repositioning two cold shock domains by 70 Å. This movement exposes a trihelix linker region, which acts as a wedge to separate the two RNA strands. Furthermore, we show that the trihelix linker is critical for dsRNA, but not single-stranded RNA, degradation. These findings reveal the conformational plasticity of Dis3L2 and detail a mechanism of structured RNA degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Meze
- W.M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Armend Axhemi
- W.M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dennis R Thomas
- W.M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ahmet Doymaz
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leemor Joshua-Tor
- W.M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA.
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, NY, USA.
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36
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Patra T, Cunningham DM, Meyer K, Toth K, Ray RB, Heczey A, Ray R. Targeting Lin28 axis enhances glypican-3-CAR T cell efficacy against hepatic tumor initiating cell population. Mol Ther 2023; 31:715-728. [PMID: 36609146 PMCID: PMC10014222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of Lin28 is detected in various cancers with involvement in the self-renewal process and cancer stem cell generation. In the present study, we evaluated how the Lin28 axis plays an immune-protective role for tumor-initiating cancer cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our result using HCC patient samples showed a positive correlation between indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), a kynurenine-producing enzyme with effects on tumor immune escape, and Lin28B. Using in silico prediction, we identified a Sox2/Oct4 transcriptional motif acting as an enhancer for IDO1. Knockdown of Lin28B reduced Sox2/Oct4 and downregulated IDO1 in tumor-initiating hepatic cancer cells. We further observed that inhibition of Lin28 by a small-molecule inhibitor (C1632) suppressed IDO1 expression. Suppression of IDO1 resulted in a decline in kynurenine production from tumor-initiating cells. Inhibition of the Lin28 axis also impaired PD-L1 expression in HCC cells. Consequently, modulating Lin28B enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity of glypican-3 (GPC3)-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and NK cells. Next, we observed that GPC3-CAR T cell treatment together with C1632 in a HCC xenograft mouse model led to enhanced anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of Lin28B reduces IDO1 and PD-L1 expression and enhances immunotherapeutic potential of GPC3-CART cells against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapas Patra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - David M Cunningham
- Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Keith Meyer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Karoly Toth
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Ratna B Ray
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Andras Heczey
- Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ranjit Ray
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
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Ni C, Buszczak M. The homeostatic regulation of ribosome biogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 136:13-26. [PMID: 35440410 PMCID: PMC9569395 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The continued integrity of biological systems depends on a balance between interdependent elements at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. This is particularly true for the generation of ribosomes, which influence almost every aspect of cell and organismal biology. Ribosome biogenesis (RiBi) is an energetically demanding process that involves all three RNA polymerases, numerous RNA processing factors, chaperones, and the coordinated expression of 79-80 ribosomal proteins (r-proteins). Work over the last several decades has revealed that the dynamic regulation of ribosome production represents a major mechanism by which cells maintain homeostasis in response to changing environmental conditions and acute stress. More recent studies suggest that cells and tissues within multicellular organisms exhibit dramatically different levels of ribosome production and protein synthesis, marked by the differential expression of RiBi factors. Thus, distinct bottlenecks in the RiBi process, downstream of rRNA transcription, may exist within different cell populations of multicellular organisms during development and in adulthood. This review will focus on our current understanding of the mechanisms that link the complex molecular process of ribosome biogenesis with cellular and organismal physiology. We will discuss diverse topics including how different steps in the RiBi process are coordinated with one another, how MYC and mTOR impact RiBi, and how RiBi levels change between stem cells and their differentiated progeny. In turn, we will also review how regulated changes in ribosome production itself can feedback to influence cell fate and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Ni
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA
| | - Michael Buszczak
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA.
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38
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Gao Y, Cao H, Huang D, Zheng L, Nie Z, Zhang S. RNA-Binding Proteins in Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041150. [PMID: 36831493 PMCID: PMC9953953 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key regulators of transcription and translation, with highly dynamic spatio-temporal regulation. They are usually involved in the regulation of RNA splicing, polyadenylation, and mRNA stability and mediate processes such as mRNA localization and translation, thereby affecting the RNA life cycle and causing the production of abnormal protein phenotypes that lead to tumorigenesis and development. Accumulating evidence supports that RBPs play critical roles in vital life processes, such as bladder cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Uncovering the regulatory mechanisms of RBPs in bladder cancer is aimed at addressing the occurrence and progression of bladder cancer and finding new therapies for cancer treatment. This article reviews the effects and mechanisms of several RBPs on bladder cancer and summarizes the different types of RBPs involved in the progression of bladder cancer and the potential molecular mechanisms by which they are regulated, with a view to providing information for basic and clinical researchers.
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Xu L, Desai K, Kim J, Zhou Q, Guo L, Xiao X, Zhang Y, Zhou L, Yuksel A, Catchpoole DR, Amatruda JF, Chen KS. WILMS TUMOR MUTATIONAL SUBCLASSES CONVERGE TO DRIVE CCND2 OVEREXPRESSION. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.01.30.23285117. [PMID: 36778325 PMCID: PMC9915828 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.23285117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Wilms tumor, the most common kidney cancer in pediatrics, arises from embryonic renal progenitors. Although many patients are cured with multimodal therapy, outcomes remain poor for those with high-risk features. Recent sequencing efforts have provided few biological or clinically actionable insights. Here, we performed DNA and RNA sequencing on 94 Wilms tumors to understand how Wilms tumor mutations transform the transcriptome to arrest differentiation and drive proliferation. We show that most Wilms tumor mutations fall into four classes, each with unique transcriptional signatures: microRNA processing, MYCN activation, chromatin remodeling, and kidney development. In particular, the microRNA processing enzyme DROSHA is one of the most commonly mutated genes in Wilms tumor. We show that DROSHA mutations impair pri-microRNA cleavage, de-repress microRNA target genes, halt differentiation, and overexpress cyclin D2 (CCND2). Several mutational classes converge to drive CCND2 overexpression, which could render them susceptible to cell-cycle inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
| | - Kavita Desai
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jiwoong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
| | - Qinbo Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
| | - Xue Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
| | - Li Zhou
- Australia Biospecimen Research Services, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
| | - Aysen Yuksel
- Australia Biospecimen Research Services, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
| | - Daniel R. Catchpoole
- Australia Biospecimen Research Services, Children’s Cancer Research Unit, Kids Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
| | - James F. Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kenneth S. Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
- Children’s Medical Center Research Institute, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
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Kamenova M, Kaneva R, Genova K, Gabrovsky N. Embryonal Tumors of the Central Nervous System with Multilayered Rosettes and Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1405:225-252. [PMID: 37452940 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-23705-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system affected importantly the group of CNS embryonal tumors. Molecular analysis on methylome, genome, and transcriptome levels allowed better classification, identification of specific molecular hallmarks of the different subtypes of CNS embryonal tumors, and their more precise diagnosis. Routine application of appropriate molecular testing and standardized reporting are of pivotal importance for adequate prognosis and treatment, but also for epidemiology studies and search for efficient targeted therapies. As a result of this approach, the term primitive neuroectodermal tumor-PNET was removed and a new clinic-pathological entity was introduced-Embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR). The group of CNS embryonal tumors include also medulloblastoma, medulloepithelioma, CNS neuroblastoma, CNS ganglioneuroblastoma, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) and their subtypes. This chapter will focus mainly on ETMR and ATRT. Embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes and the atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors are undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumors of the nervous system that originate from primitive brain cells, develop exclusively in childhood or adolescence, and are characterized by a high degree of malignancy, aggressive evolution and a tendency to metastasize to the cerebrospinal fluid. Their clinical presentation is similar to other malignant, intracranial, neoplastic lesions and depends mainly on the localization of the tumor, the rise of the intracranial pressure, and eventually the obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid pathways. The MRI image characteristics of these tumors are largely overlappingintra-axial, hypercellular, heterogeneous tumors, frequently with intratumoral necrosis and/or hemorrhages. Treatment options for ETMR and ATRT are very restricted. Surgery can seldom achieve radical excision. The rarity of the disease hampers the establishment of a chemotherapy protocol and the usual age of the patients limits severely the application of radiotherapy as a therapeutic option. Consequently, the prognosis of these undifferentiated, malignant, aggressive tumors remains dismal with a 5-year survival between 0 and 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Radka Kaneva
- Molecular Medicine Center, Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Kamelia Genova
- Department of Image Diagnostic, University Hospital "Pirogov", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Nikolay Gabrovsky
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital "Pirogov", Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Yamamoto H, Uchida Y, Kurimoto R, Chiba T, Matsushima T, Ito Y, Inotsume M, Miyata K, Watanabe K, Inada M, Goshima N, Uchida T, Asahara H. RNA-binding protein LIN28A upregulates transcription factor HIF1α by posttranscriptional regulation via direct binding to UGAU motifs. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102791. [PMID: 36509142 PMCID: PMC9823215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) is a transcription factor that regulates angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions. To investigate the posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism of HIF1α, we performed a cell-based screening to reveal potential cis-elements and the regulatory RNA-binding proteins that act as trans-factors. We found that LIN28A promoted HIF1α protein expression independently of the downregulation of microRNA let-7, which is also directly mediated by LIN28A. Transcriptome analysis and evaluation of RNA stability using RNA-seq and SLAM-seq analyses, respectively, revealed that LIN28A upregulates HIF1A expression via mRNA stabilization. To investigate the physical association of LIN28A with HIF1A mRNA, we performed enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation in 293FT cells and integrally analyzed the transcriptome. We observed that LIN28A associates with HIF1A mRNA via its cis-element motif "UGAU". The "UGAU" motifs are recognized by the cold shock domain of LIN28A, and the introduction of a loss-of-function mutation to the cold shock domain diminished the upregulatory activities performed by LIN28A. Finally, the microvessel density assay showed that the expression of LIN28A promoted angiogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidated the role of LIN28A in enhancing the HIF1α axis at the posttranscription layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Yamamoto
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan; Department of Anesthesiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaro Uchida
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryota Kurimoto
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoki Chiba
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahide Matsushima
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Ito
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Inotsume
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyata
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenta Watanabe
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Inada
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Goshima
- Biomedicinal Information Research Center, The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Human Science, Faculty of Human Science, Musashino University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tokujiro Uchida
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Asahara
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan; Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA.
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Pharmacological inhibition of Lin28 promotes ketogenesis and restores lipid homeostasis in models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7940. [PMID: 36572670 PMCID: PMC9792516 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lin28 RNA-binding proteins are stem-cell factors that play key roles in development. Lin28 suppresses the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs and regulates mRNA translation. Notably, let-7 inhibits Lin28, establishing a double-negative feedback loop. The Lin28/let-7 axis resides at the interface of metabolic reprogramming and oncogenesis and is therefore a potential target for several diseases. In this study, we use compound-C1632, a drug-like Lin28 inhibitor, and show that the Lin28/let-7 axis regulates the balance between ketogenesis and lipogenesis in liver cells. Hence, Lin28 inhibition activates synthesis and secretion of ketone bodies whilst suppressing lipogenesis. This occurs at least partly via let-7-mediated inhibition of nuclear receptor co-repressor 1, which releases ketogenesis gene expression mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha. In this way, small-molecule Lin28 inhibition protects against lipid accumulation in multiple cellular and male mouse models of hepatic steatosis. Overall, this study highlights Lin28 inhibitors as candidates for the treatment of hepatic disorders of abnormal lipid deposition.
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Rosenblum SL, Garner AL. Optimization of RiPCA for the Live-Cell Detection of Pre-MicroRNA-Protein Interactions. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200508. [PMID: 36322053 PMCID: PMC9831681 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Advancements in methods for identifying RNA-protein interactions (RPIs) on a large scale has necessitated the development of assays for validation of these interactions, particularly in living cells. We previously reported the development of RiPCA (RNA interaction with protein-mediated complementation assay) to enable the cellular detection of the well-characterized interaction between the pre-microRNA, pre-let-7, and its RNA-binding protein (RBP) partner Lin28. In this study, the applicability of RiPCA for the detection of putative pre-miRNA-protein interactions was explored using an improved RiPCA protocol, termed RiPCA 2.0. RiPCA 2.0 was adapted to detect the sequence specificity of the RBPs hnRNP A1, Msi1, and Msi2 for reported pre-microRNA binding partners. Additionally, the ability of RiPCA 2.0 to detect site-specific binding was explored. Collectively, this work highlights the versatility of RiPCA 2.0 in detecting cellular RPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney L. Rosenblum
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (USA)
| | - Amanda L. Garner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (USA)
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Mehta M, Raguraman R, Ramesh R, Munshi A. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and their role in DNA damage and radiation response in cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 191:114569. [PMID: 36252617 PMCID: PMC10411638 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally majority of eukaryotic gene expression is influenced by transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Alterations in the expression of proteins that act post-transcriptionally can affect cellular signaling and homeostasis. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are a family of proteins that specifically bind to RNAs and are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and important cellular processes such as cell differentiation and metabolism. Deregulation of RNA-RBP interactions and any changes in RBP expression or function can lead to various diseases including cancer. In cancer cells, RBPs play an important role in regulating the expression of tumor suppressors and oncoproteins involved in various cell-signaling pathways. Several RBPs such as HuR, AUF1, RBM38, LIN28, RBM24, tristetrapolin family and Musashi play critical roles in various types of cancers and their aberrant expression in cancer cells makes them an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review we provide an overview of i). RBPs involved in cancer progression and their mechanism of action ii). the role of RBPs, including HuR, in breast cancer progression and DNA damage response and iii). explore RBPs with emphasis on HuR as therapeutic target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA.
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45
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Discovery of Novel Lin28 Inhibitors to Suppress Cancer Cell Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225687. [PMID: 36428779 PMCID: PMC9688808 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lin28 is a pluripotency factor that regulates cancer cell stem-like phenotypes to promote cancer development and therapy-resistant tumor progression. It acts through its cold shock domain and zinc knuckle domain (ZKD) to interact with the Let-7 pre-microRNA and block Let-7 biosynthesis. Chemical inhibition of Lin28 from interacting with Let-7 presents a therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. Herein, we present the computer-aided development of small molecules by in silico screening 18 million compounds from the ZINC20 library, followed by the biological validation of 163 predicted compounds to confirm 15 new Lin28 inhibitors. We report three lead compounds, Ln7, Ln15, and Ln115, that target the ZKD of both Lin28A and Lin28B isoforms and block Lin28 from binding Let-7. They restore Let-7 expression and suppress tumor oncogenes such as SOX2 in cancer cells and show strong inhibitory effects on cancer cell stem-like phenotypes. However, minimal impacts of these compounds were observed on Lin28-negative cells, confirming the on-target effects of these compounds. We conclude from this study the discovery of several new Lin28 inhibitors as promising candidate compounds that warrant further drug development into potential anticancer therapies.
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46
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Nag S, Goswami B, Das Mandal S, Ray PS. Cooperation and competition by RNA-binding proteins in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:286-297. [PMID: 35248729 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression plays a major role in determining the cellular proteome in health and disease. Post-transcriptional control mechanisms are disrupted in many cancers, contributing to multiple processes of tumorigenesis. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), the main post-transcriptional regulators, often show altered expression and activity in cancer cells. Dysregulation of RBPs contributes to many cancer phenotypes, functioning in complex regulatory networks with other cellular players such as non-coding RNAs, signaling mediators and transcription factors to alter the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. RBPs often function combinatorially, based on their binding to target sequences/structures on shared mRNA targets, to regulate the expression of cancer-related genes. This gives rise to cooperativity and competition between RBPs in mRNA binding and resultant functional outcomes in post-transcriptional processes such as mRNA splicing, stability, export and translation. Cooperation and competition is also observed in the case of interaction of RBPs and microRNAs with mRNA targets. RNA structural change is a common mechanism mediating the cooperative/competitive interplay between RBPs and between RBPs and microRNAs. RNA modifications, leading to changes in RNA structure, add a new dimension to cooperative/competitive binding of RBPs to mRNAs, further expanding the RBP regulatory landscape. Therefore, cooperative/competitive interplay between RBPs is a major determinant of the RBP interactome and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharanya Nag
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Binita Goswami
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Sukhen Das Mandal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Partho Sarothi Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India.
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Chadda KR, Blakey EE, Coleman N, Murray MJ. The clinical utility of dysregulated microRNA expression in paediatric solid tumours. Eur J Cancer 2022; 176:133-154. [PMID: 36215946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-protein-coding genes that regulate the expression of numerous protein-coding genes. Their expression is dysregulated in cancer, where they may function as oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes. As miRNAs are highly resistant to degradation, they are ideal biomarker candidates to improve the diagnosis and clinical management of cancer, including prognostication. Furthermore, miRNAs dysregulated in malignancy represent potential therapeutic targets. The use of miRNAs for these purposes is a particularly attractive option to explore for paediatric malignancies, where the mutational burden is typically low, in contrast to cancers affecting adult patients. As childhood cancers are rare, it has taken time to accumulate the necessary body of evidence showing the potential for miRNAs to improve clinical management across this group of tumours. Here, we review the current literature regarding the potential clinical utility of miRNAs in paediatric solid tumours, which is now both timely and justified. Exploring such avenues is warranted to improve the management and outcomes of children affected by cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan R Chadda
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Ellen E Blakey
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Nicholas Coleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK; Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - Matthew J Murray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
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48
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Tran TM, Rao DS. RNA binding proteins in MLL-rearranged leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:80. [PMID: 36307883 PMCID: PMC9615162 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRNA binding proteins (RBPs) have recently emerged as important post-transcriptional gene expression regulators in both normal development and disease. RBPs influence the fate of mRNAs through multiple mechanisms of action such as RNA modifications, alternative splicing, and miR-mediated regulation. This complex and, often, combinatorial regulation by RBPs critically impacts the expression of oncogenic transcripts and, thus, the activation of pathways that drive oncogenesis. Here, we focus on the major features of RBPs, their mechanisms of action, and discuss the current progress in investigating the function of important RBPs in MLL-rearranged leukemia.
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49
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Lin Z, Radaeva M, Cherkasov A, Dong X. Lin28 Regulates Cancer Cell Stemness for Tumour Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4640. [PMID: 36230562 PMCID: PMC9564245 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumours develop therapy resistance through complex mechanisms, one of which is that cancer stem cell (CSC) populations within the tumours present self-renewable capability and phenotypical plasticity to endure therapy-induced stress conditions and allow tumour progression to the therapy-resistant state. Developing therapeutic strategies to cope with CSCs requires a thorough understanding of the critical drivers and molecular mechanisms underlying the aforementioned processes. One such hub regulator of stemness is Lin28, an RNA-binding protein. Lin28 blocks the synthesis of let-7, a tumour-suppressor microRNA, and acts as a global regulator of cell differentiation and proliferation. Lin28also targets messenger RNAs and regulates protein translation. In this review, we explain the role of the Lin28/let-7 axis in establishing stemness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and glucose metabolism reprogramming. We also highlight the role of Lin28 in therapy-resistant prostate cancer progression and discuss the emergence of Lin28-targeted therapeutics and screening methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohui Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Faculty of Food and Land Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mariia Radaeva
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
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50
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Imp interacts with Lin28 to regulate adult stem cell proliferation in the Drosophila intestine. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010385. [PMID: 36070313 PMCID: PMC9484684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are essential for the development and long-term maintenance of tissues and organisms. Preserving tissue homeostasis requires exquisite control of all aspects of stem cell function: cell potency, proliferation, fate decision and differentiation. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are essential components of the regulatory network that control gene expression in stem cells to maintain self-renewal and long-term homeostasis in adult tissues. While the function of many RBPs may have been characterized in various stem cell populations, how these interact and are organized in genetic networks remains largely elusive. In this report, we show that the conserved RNA binding protein IGF2 mRNA binding protein (Imp) is expressed in intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and progenitors in the adult Drosophila midgut. We demonstrate that Imp is required cell autonomously to maintain stem cell proliferative activity under normal epithelial turnover and in response to tissue damage. Mechanistically, we show that Imp cooperates and directly interacts with Lin28, another highly conserved RBP, to regulate ISC proliferation. We found that both proteins bind to and control the InR mRNA, a critical regulator of ISC self-renewal. Altogether, our data suggests that Imp and Lin28 are part of a larger gene regulatory network controlling gene expression in ISCs and required to maintain epithelial homeostasis. Stem cells are essential to maintain healthy organs. However, dysregulation of their function is a potential major driver of diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration, and significantly contributes to the aging process. For these reasons, numerous mechanisms control the ability of stem cells to divide and give rise to functional daughter cells. In this study, we used the Drosophila fruitfly as a genetically amenable experimental model to characterize the function of a conserved protein, the IGF2 mRNA binding protein, in the regulation of adult intestinal stem cells. We found that it is essential for stem cell proliferation under normal conditions and in response to tissue damage. We also report that it interacts with another known regulator, Lin28. Importantly, these two factors largely control stem cell biology and development in mammals, including humans, and are often dysregulated in cancer. This suggests that our work is shedding new light on the conserved mechanisms that maintain long-term stem cell function across organisms.
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