HJURP promotes proliferation in prostate cancer cells through increasing CDKN1A degradation via the GSK3β/JNK signaling pathway

Actin Gamma Smooth Muscle 2 Promotes Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation via the AKT1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is associated with high mortality rates worldwide and is characterized as the most lethal gynecological cancer. The study aimed to investigate the functional role and underlying molecular mechanism of actin gamma smooth muscle 2 (ACTG2) in the progression of EOC. Data mining from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases showed the expression of ACTG2 was significantly upregulated in EOC and negatively associated with longer overall survival and better prognosis of patients. By using of gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments in vitro and in vivo, we found that ACTG2 promoted EOC cell proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis. Mechanistic study revealed that ACTG2 regulates EOC cell proliferation by activating the AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Importantly, p65 plays a crucial role in this newly identified regulatory mechanism. Our findings demonstrate that ACTG2 may play an oncogenic role in EOC, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

HJURP modulates cell proliferation and chemoresistance via the MYC/TOP2A transcriptional axis in gastric cancer

Background

The histone chaperone Holliday Junction Recognition Protein (HJURP) has been associated with multiple types of cancers, but its role in GC is not yet fully understood. Considering its functions in centromere stability and DNA repair, investigating HJURP's role in GC may offer novel therapeutic perspectives.

Methods

HJURP expression was examined in a dataset comprising TCGA-STAD samples and an internal group of GC patients, utilizing RNA sequencing and Western blot techniques. Functional experiments were carried out on the AGS and HGC-27 GC cell lines. The expression levels of HJURP, MYC, and Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) were assessed via quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Proliferation rates of the cells were determined through EdU, CCK-8, and colony formation assays.

Results

Compared to adjacent normal tissues, HJURP expression was notably increased in GC tissues, a finding consistent across both the TCGA-STAD database and our internal patient group. Silencing HJURP markedly reduced GC cell growth and chemoresistance. Mechanistically, HJURP enhanced MYC stability, which in turn promoted TOP2A transcription. Rescue experiments confirmed that overexpression of TOP2A alters proliferation and chemoresistance of GC cells with HJURP knockdown, indicating the dependency of this axis on MYC activity.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that HJURP is critical for promoting GC proliferation and chemoresistance through the regulation of the MYC/TOP2A transcriptional network. Targeting HJURP might offer a novel therapeutic avenue for GC, necessitating further exploration of its clinical potential. This work underscores the value of investigating histone chaperones as potential targets in cancer treatment.

A Senescence-Associated Gene Signature for Prognostic Prediction and Therapeutic Targeting in Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Background/Objectives: Cellular senescence plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, immune cell infiltration, and treatment response. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor that lacks effective therapies. This study aimed to construct and validate a senescence-related gene signature as an independent prognostic predictor for ACC and explore its impact on the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy response. Methods: Data were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, LASSO penalized Cox regression and multivariable Cox regression, we identified a prognostic model with four senescence-related genes (HJURP, CDK1, FOXM1, and CHEK1). The model's prognostic value was validated through survival analysis, risk score curves, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Tumor mutation burden was assessed with maftools, and the tumor microenvironment was analyzed using CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE. Immune and chemotherapeutic responses were assessed through Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) and OncoPredict. Results: The risk score derived from our model showed a strong association with overall survival (OS) in ACC patients (p < 0.001, HR = 2.478). Higher risk scores were correlated with more advanced tumor stages and a greater frequency of somatic mutations. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were downregulated in the high-risk group were significantly enriched in immune-related pathways. Furthermore, high-risk patients were predicted to have reduced sensitivity to immunotherapy (p = 0.02). Bioinformatics analysis identified potential chemotherapeutic agents, including BI-2536 and MIM1, as more effective treatment options for high-risk patients. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that this prognostic model may serve as a valuable tool for predicting overall survival (OS) and treatment responses in ACC patients, including those receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

miR-455-3p has superior diagnostic potential to PSA in peripheral blood for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is commonly used as a biomarker to diagnose and predict the course of prostate cancer (PCa). However, PSA detection is susceptible to changes in the physiologic environment, which may lead to some misdiagnosis. Thus, it is crucial to find a novel diagnostic marker.

METHODS

We accessed microRNA (miRNA) expression datasets (GSE206793 and GSE112264) from the GEO database, analyzing peripheral blood samples from PCa patients. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified using GEO2R. A specific miRNA, miR-455-3p, was pinpointed through rigorous analysis of clinical correlations and ROC curves. Peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals and PCa patients were subjected to qRT-PCR validation, aligning results with the GSE206793 dataset. The miRWalk database was utilized to predict downstream genes, while STRING facilitated the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. KEGG pathway analysis enriched our understanding of potential molecular pathways.

RESULTS

We found that miR-455-3p was highly expressed in the peripheral blood of PCa patients with Gleason score (GS) ≥ 8, while independent of T stage, age and PSA. ROC analysis revealed a favorable diagnostic efficacy of miR-455-3p and AUC for the two datasets was respectively 0.943 and 0.847. The qRT-PCR assay also revealed consistent results. Interestingly, the PSA levels of P1 (GS = 5 + 4) and P6 (GS = 3 + 3) were respectively 3.38 and 4.45 ng/ml, while miR-455-3p was highly expressed in both, suggesting its low misdiagnosis. The speculation was validated in GSE206793 dataset. Finally, 9 potential targets of miR-455-3p were predicted. PPI network revealed PPP2R2A, ITGB1 and CDKN1A as key nodes. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that they were enriched in various cancers, biological processes and molecular signals.

CONCLUSION

Our study identifies miR-455-3p as a promising diagnostic marker for PCa, outperforming PSA in terms of specificity and sensitivity. The robustness of miR-455-3p, coupled with its potential downstream targets and associated pathways, highlights its clinical significance for improved PCa diagnosis and management.

Harnessing machine learning and multi-omics to explore tumor evolutionary characteristics and the role of AMOTL1 in prostate cancer

Although recent advancements have shed light on the crucial role of coordinated evolution among cell subpopulations in influencing disease progression, the full potential of these insights has not yet been fully harnessed in the clinical application of personalized precision medicine for prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we utilized single-cell sequencing to identify the evolutionary characteristics of tumoral cell states and employed comprehensive bulk RNA sequencing to evaluate their potential as prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets. Leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence, we integrated machine learning with multi-omics to develop and validate the tumor evolutionary characteristic predictive indicator (TECPI). TECPI not only demonstrated superior prognostic performance compared to traditional clinical predictors and 81 previously published models but also improved patient outcomes by accurately identifying individuals who would benefit from immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Furthermore, we experimentally validated the critical role of AMOTL1 in PCa pharmacodynamics through its interaction with AR, pivotal for modulating the sensitivity to AR antagonist. Additionally, we demonstrated the generalizability and applicability of TECPI across pan-cancers. In summary, this study emphasizes the importance of understanding cellular diversity and dynamics within the tumor microenvironment to predict PCa progression and to guide targeted therapy effectively.

Oncogenic HJURP enhancer promotes the aggressive behavior of triple-negative breast cancer in association with p53/E2F1/FOXM1-axis

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, lacking effective targeted therapies and presenting with a poor prognosis. In this study, we utilized the epigenomic landscape, TCGA database, and clinical samples to uncover the pivotal role of HJURP in TNBC. Our investigation revealed a strong correlation between elevated HJURP expression and unfavorable prognosis, metastatic progression, and late-stage of breast cancer. RNA-seq analysis indicated that HJURP silencing suppressed transcriptional signatures associated with malignant phenotypes of TNBC, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promoting apoptosis. Knockdown of HJURP impaired the growth of MDA-MB231-engrafted tumors, reducing KI67 and HJURP expression in the shHJURP group. Publicly available datasets showed differential expression of HJURP in TNBC cells harboring mutant p53 (mutp53) compared to those with wild-type p53 (wtp53), highlighting a potential mechanism underlying TNBC's aggressiveness. Mechanistically, we established that loss or mutation of wtp53 enhances HJURP expression, whereas wtp53 accumulation restrains HJURP transcription. We elucidated a regulatory axis where wtp53 positively modulates the transcription factors FOXM1 and E2F1, which form a complex with H3K27ac to bind preferentially to the HJURP enhancer, driving its transcription. CRISPR interference targeting the enhancer region resulted in diminished HJURP expression and phenotypes reminiscent of HJURP knockdown, accompanied by reduced binding of E2F1, FOXM1, and H3K27ac to the enhancer. In a translational perspective, we found marked decreases in survival of breast cancer patients expressing high HJURP levels carrying wtp53. Collectively, our findings identify enhancer-driven HJURP as a pivotal molecular bypass that suppresses the tumor-suppressive and pro-apoptotic effects of wtp53. Targeting HJURP presents a compelling therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor proliferation, metastasis, and invasiveness specifically p53-mutant TNBC.

Holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP) could reflect the clinical outcomes of lung adenocarcinoma patients, and impact the choice of precision therapy

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), characterized by poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of HJURP expression in LUAD using data from four cohorts: TCGA-LUAD (n = 453), GSE31210 (n = 226), GSE68465 (n = 442), and GSE72094 (n = 386). Univariate Cox regression analysis was employed to identify prognostic genes, with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis used to assess the predictive power of HJURP. Functional enrichment analyses were performed using MetaScape and FGSEA, and spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing data were analyzed to explore HJURP's distribution and potential functions. Additionally, correlations between HJURP expression and genetic alterations, immune cell infiltration, and potential therapeutic responses were evaluated.

Results

HJURP was identified as a significant prognostic biomarker in all four cohorts, with high expression associated with increased risk of overall survival (OS) death (TCGA-LUAD: HR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.321-2.815, P < 0.001; GSE31210: HR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.319-5.735, P = 0.007; GSE68465: HR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.215-2.038, P < 0.001; GSE72094: HR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.485-3.27, P < 0.001). Functional analyses indicated that HJURP is involved in DNA metabolic processes, cell cycle regulation, and mitotic processes, with significant activation of pathways related to MYC targets, G2M checkpoint, and DNA repair. High HJURP expression was associated with higher mutation frequencies in TP53, CSMD3, TTN, and MUC16, and positively correlated with pro-inflammatory immune cell infiltration and several immune checkpoints, including PD-L1 and PD-L2. Chemotherapeutic agents such as gefitinib and sorafenib were predicted to be effective against high HJURP-expressing tumors.

Conclusion

HJURP is a pivotal biomarker for LUAD, consistently associated with poor prognosis and advanced disease stages. Its high expression correlates with specific genetic alterations and immune profiles, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Future studies should validate these findings in larger cohorts.

HJURP inhibits sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers in prostate cancer cells by enhancing the peroxidase activity of PRDX1

Ferroptosis induction has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for prostate cancer (PCa), either as a monotherapy or in combination with hormone therapy. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms regulating ferroptosis in PCa cells is essential. Our previous study demonstrated that HJURP, an oncogene upregulated in PCa cells, plays a role in tumor proliferation. Here, we expand these findings by elucidating a novel mechanism by which HJURP inhibits sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers in PCa cells via the PRDX1/reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HJURP forms disulfide-linked intermediates with PRDX1 through Cys327 and Cys457 residues. This disulfide binding promotes PRDX1 redox cycling and inhibits its hyperoxidation. As a result, HJURP enhances the peroxidase activity of PRDX1, leading to a decrease in ROS levels and subsequently suppressing lipid peroxidation induced by ferroptosis inducers. These findings reveal the potential of HJURP/PRDX1 as novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers of ferroptosis in PCa patients.

The Impact of DAXX, HJURP and CENPA Expression in Uveal Melanoma Carcinogenesis and Associations with Clinicopathological Parameters

Uveal melanomas (UMs) represent rare malignant tumors associated with grim prognosis for the majority of patients. DAXX (Death Domain-Associated Protein), HJURP (Holliday Junction Recognition Protein) and CENPA (Centromere Protein A) proteins are implicated in epigenetic mechanisms, now in the spotlight of cancer research to better understand the molecular background of tumorigenesis. Herein, we investigated their expression in UM tissues using immunohistochemistry and explored possible correlations with a multitude of clinicopathological and survival parameters. The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) was used for the investigation of their mRNA levels in UM cases. Nuclear DAXX expression correlated with an advanced T-stage (p = 0.004), while cytoplasmic expression marginally with decreased disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.084). HJURP nuclear positivity also correlated with advanced T-status (p = 0.054), chromosome 3 loss (p = 0.042) and increased tumor size (p = 0.03). More importantly, both nuclear and cytoplasmic HJURP immunopositivity correlated with decreased overall survival (OS) (p = 0.011 and 0.072, respectively) and worse DFS (p = 0.071 and 0.019, respectively). Lastly, nuclear CENPA overexpression was correlated with presence of irido-corneal angle involvement (p = 0.015) and loss of chromosome 3 (p = 0.041). Nuclear and cytoplasmic CENPA immunopositivity associated with decreased OS (p = 0.028) and DFS (p = 0.018), respectively. HJURP and CENPA mRNA overexpression exhibited strong association with tumor epithelioid histology and was linked to worse prognosis. Our results show the compounding role of DAXX, HJURP and CENPA in UM carcinogenesis, designating them as potential biomarkers for assessing prognosis and possible targets for novel therapeutic interventions.

Histone methyltransferase SUV39H2 regulates apoptosis and chemosensitivity in prostate cancer through AKT/FOXO signaling pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors that exhibit both chemoresistance and recurrence. SUV39H2 is highly expressed in many types of human tumors, but its role in the development and progression of PCa has never been clarified. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of SUV39H2 in the development and progression of PCa, its association with the AKT/FOXO signaling pathway, and its potential implications for PCa diagnosis and treatment. SUV39H2 expression was analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and genotype tissue expression pan-cancer data. The TCGA database was evaluated for SUV39H2 enrichment and its correlation to immune cell infiltration. SUV39H2 levels in PCa tissues and control tissues were determined in 30 patients using qPCR and IHC. Clinical relevance was assessed via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). In vitro assessments including colony formation assays, Western Blot analysis, CCK-8 assays, and flow cytometry were utilized to establish SUV39H2's contribution to PCa cell growth. The influence of SUV39H2 on PC3 and DU145 cell proliferation was assessed through a cell line-derived xenograft model. Sphere formation assays and qPCR were employed to delineate SUV39H2's role in PCa stemness and chemosensitivity. In vitro macrophage polarization assays provided insights into SUV39H2's association with M2 macrophages, while enrichment analysis shed light on its role in FOXO signaling. PCa tissues expressed higher levels of SUV39H2 than normal tissues. By knocking down SUV39H2, PCa cells were made more chemosensitive to docetaxel and cell proliferation and stemness were inhibited. Additionally, SUV39H2 knockdown significantly inhibited in vivo PCa cell growth and inhibited the polarization of macrophages. Furthermore, SUV39H2 was found to regulate AKT/FOXO signaling by increasing Akt and FOXO3a phosphorylation. Our findings highlight SUV39H2's role in PCa cell apoptosis and chemosensitivity mainly by regulating the AKT/FOXO signaling pathway and suggest that SUV39H2 could be a potential target for PCa diagnosis and treatment.

Downregulation of BUBR1 regulates the proliferation and cell cycle of breast cancer cells and increases the sensitivity of cells to cisplatin

Breast cancer (BC) is a significant tissue for women's health worldwide. The spindle assembly checkpoint protein family includes BUBR1 (Bub1-related kinase or MAD3/Bub1b). High expression of BUBR1 promotes cell cycle disorders, leading to cell carcinogenesis and cancer progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and the role of BUBR1 in BC progression are unclear. The published dataset was analyzed to evaluate the clinical relevance of BUBR1. BUBR1 was knocked down in BC cells using shRNA. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the cell viability, and mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot (WB). Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Subcutaneous xenograft model was used to assess in vivo tumor growth. BUBR1 was found to be highly expressed in BC. The high expression of BUBR1 was associated with poor prognosis of BC patients. Upon BUBR1 knockdown using shRNA, the proliferation and metastatic ability of cells were decreased. Moreover, the cells with BUBR1 knockdown underwent cell cycle arrest. And the results showed that BUBR1 loss inhibited the phosphorylation of TAK1/JNK. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated the knockdown of BUBR1 rendered the BC cells more sensitive to cisplatin. In summary, BUBR1 may be a potential therapeutic target for BC and targeting BUBR1 may help overcome cisplatin resistance in BC patients.

Integrated machine learning identifies epithelial cell marker genes for improving outcomes and immunotherapy in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa), a globally prevalent malignancy, displays intricate heterogeneity within its epithelial cells, closely linked with disease progression and immune modulation. However, the clinical significance of genes and biomarkers associated with these cells remains inadequately explored. To address this gap, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the roles and clinical value of epithelial cell-related genes in PCa.

METHODS

Leveraging single-cell sequencing data from GSE176031, we conducted an extensive analysis to identify epithelial cell marker genes (ECMGs). Employing consensus clustering analysis, we evaluated the correlations between ECMGs, prognosis, and immune responses in PCa. Subsequently, we developed and validated an optimal prognostic signature, termed the epithelial cell marker gene prognostic signature (ECMGPS), through synergistic analysis from 101 models employing 10 machine learning algorithms across five independent cohorts. Additionally, we collected clinical features and previously published signatures from the literature for comparative analysis. Furthermore, we explored the clinical utility of ECMGPS in immunotherapy and drug selection using multi-omics analysis and the IMvigor cohort. Finally, we investigated the biological functions of the hub gene, transmembrane p24 trafficking protein 3 (TMED3), in PCa using public databases and experiments.

RESULTS

We identified a comprehensive set of 543 ECMGs and established a strong correlation between ECMGs and both the prognostic evaluation and immune classification in PCa. Notably, ECMGPS exhibited robust predictive capability, surpassing traditional clinical features and 80 published signatures in terms of both independence and accuracy across five cohorts. Significantly, ECMGPS demonstrated significant promise in identifying potential PCa patients who might benefit from immunotherapy and personalized medicine, thereby moving us nearer to tailored therapeutic approaches for individuals. Moreover, the role of TMED3 in promoting malignant proliferation of PCa cells was validated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight ECMGPS as a powerful tool for improving PCa patient outcomes and supply a robust conceptual framework for in-depth examination of PCa complexities. Simultaneously, our study has the potential to develop a novel alternative for PCa diagnosis and prognostication.

Inflammation-related signature for prognostic prediction, tumor immune, genomic heterogeneity, and drug choices in prostate cancer: Integrated analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks as the second most prevalent malignancy among males on a global scale. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation has an intricate relationship with tumorigenesis, tumor progression and tumor immune microenvironment. However, the overall impact of inflammation-related genes on the clinical prognosis and tumor immunity in PCa remains unclear.

METHODS

Machine learning methods were utilized to construct and validate a signature using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for training, while the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and GSE70769 cohorts for independent validation. The efficacy of the signature in predicting outcomes and its clinical utility were assessed through a series of investigations encompassing in vitro experiments, survival analysis, and nomogram development. The association between the signature and precision medicine was explored via tumor immunity, genomic heterogeneity, therapeutic response, and molecular docking analyses, using bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing data.

RESULTS

We identified 7 inflammation-related genes with prognostic significance and developed an inflammation-related prognostic signature (IRPS) with 6 genes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that both the IRPS and a nomogram integrating risk score and pathologic T stage exhibited excellent predictive ability for the survival outcomes in PCa patients. Moreover, the IRPS was found to be significantly associated with the tumor immune, genomic heterogeneity, therapeutic response, and drug selection.

CONCLUSION

IRPS can serve as a reliable predictor for PCa patients. The signature may provide clinicians with valuable information on the efficacy of therapy and help personalize treatment for PCa patients.

Effects of Holliday Junction-Recognition Protein-Mediated C-Jun N-Terminal Kinase/ Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathway on Cell Proliferation, Cell Cycle and Cell Apoptosis in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma

The Holliday Junction-Recognition Protein (HJURP) was upregulated in several tumors, which was associated with poor outcome. This study investigated the effects of the HJURP-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway on bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLUC). Online databases were used to analyze HJURP expression in BLUC and the correlation of HJURP to JNK1 [mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8)], JNK2 (MAPK9), STAT3, marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKI67), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4 and CDK6. HJURP expression was detected in BLUC cells and human normal primary bladder epithelial cells (BdECs). BLUC cells were treated with HJURP lentivirus activation /shRNA lentivirus particles or JNK inhibitor SP600125. HJURP was upregulated in BLUC tissues and correlated with poor prognosis of patients (all P < 0.05). HJURP in tumor positively correlated with MAPK8 (R = 0.30), MAPK9 (R = 0.30), STAT3 (R = 0.15), MKI67 (R = 0.60), PCNA (R = 0.46), CDK2 (R = 0.39), CDK4 (R = 0.24) and CDK6 (R = 0.21). The JNK inhibitor SP600125 decreased p-JNK/JNK and p-STAT3/STAT3 in BLUC cells, which was reversed by HJURP overexpression (P < 0.05). The HJURP-mediated JNK/STAT3 pathway promoted BLUC cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). HJURP reversed the arrested G0/G1 phase of BLUC cells by SP600125. HJURP acted as an oncogene to regulate BLUC cell proliferation, apoptosis and the cell cycle by mediating the JNK/STAT3 pathway. Therefore, HJURP targeting might be an attractive novel therapeutic target for early diagnosis and treatment in BLUC.

Advances in holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP): Structure, molecular functions, and roles in cancer

Oncogenes are increasingly recognized as important factors in the development and progression of cancer. Holliday Junction Recognition Protein (HJURP) is a highly specialized mitogenic protein that is a chaperone protein of histone H3. The HJURP gene is located on chromosome 2q37.1 and is involved in nucleosome composition in the mitotic region, forming a three-dimensional crystal structure with Centromere Protein A (CENP-A) and the histone 4 complex. HJURP is involved in the recruitment and assembly of centromere and kinetochore and plays a key role in stabilizing the chromosome structure of tumor cells, and its dysfunction may contribute to tumorigenesis. In the available studies HJURP is upregulated in a variety of cancer tissues and cancer cell lines and is involved in tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis and immune response. In an in vivo model, overexpression of HJURP in most cancer cell lines promotes cell proliferation and invasiveness, reduces susceptibility to apoptosis, and promotes tumor growth. In addition, upregulation of HJURP was associated with poorer prognosis in a variety of cancers. These properties suggest that HJURP may be a possible target for the treatment of certain cancers. Various studies targeting HJURP as a prognostic and therapeutic target for cancer are gradually attracting interest and attention. This paper reviews the functional and molecular mechanisms of HJURP in a variety of tumor types with the aim of providing new targets for future cancer therapy.

Pan-cancer analysis based on epigenetic modification explains the value of HJURP in the tumor microenvironment

To analyze the expression levels, prognostic value and immune infiltration association of Holliday junction protein (HJURP) as well as its feasibility as a pan-cancer biomarker for different cancers. The Protter online tool was utilized to obtain the localization of HJURP, then the methylation of HJURP in tumors were further explored. Thereafter, the mRNA data and clinical characteristics of 33 tumor types from TCGA database were obtained to investigate the expression and prognostic relationship of HJURP in different tumor types. Finally, the composition pattern and immune infiltration of HJURP in different tumors were detected in Tumor Immune Estimation Resource. HJURP was abnormally expressed in most of the cancer types and subtypes in TCGA database. Also, it was associated with poor prognosis of different cohorts. At the same time, the results also showed that HJURP was related to tumor immune evasion through different mechanisms, including T cell rejection and methylation in different cancer types. Besides, the methylation of HJURP was inversely proportional to mRNA expression levels, which mediated the dysfunctional phenotypes of T cells and poor prognosis of different cancer types. Alternatively, our results indicated that HJURP expression was associated with immune cell infiltration in a variety of cancers. HJURP may serve as an oncogenic molecule, and its expression and immune infiltration characteristics can be used as a biomarker for cancer detection, prognosis, treatment design and follow-up.

Histone Chaperones and Digestive Cancer: A Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

The global burden of digestive cancer is expected to increase. Therefore, crucial for the prognosis of patients with these tumors is to identify early diagnostic markers or novel therapeutic targets. There is accumulating evidence connecting histone chaperones to the pathogenesis of digestive cancer. Histone chaperones are now broadly defined as a class of proteins that bind histones and regulate nucleosome assembly. Recent studies have demonstrated that multiple histone chaperones are aberrantly expressed and have distinct roles in digestive cancers.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to present the current evidence regarding the role of histone chaperones in digestive cancer, particularly their mechanism in the development and progression of esophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. In addition, the prognostic significance of particular histone chaperones in patients with digestive cancer is discussed.

METHODS

According to PRISMA guidelines, we searched the PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases to identify studies on histone chaperones and digestive cancer from inception until June 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 104 studies involving 21 histone chaperones were retrieved.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirms the roles and mechanisms of selected histone chaperones in digestive cancer and suggests their significance as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, due to their non-specificity, more research on histone chaperones should be conducted in the future to elucidate novel strategies of histone chaperones for prognosis and treatment of digestive cancer.

The expression, clinical relevance, and prognostic significance of HJURP in cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the malignancy originating from the biliary epithelium, including intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), and distal (dCCA) CCA. The prognosis of CCA is very poor, and the biomarkers of different CCA subsets should be investigated separately. Holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP) is a key component of the pre-nucleosomal complex, which is responsible for normal mitosis. The ectopic expression of HJURP has been reported in several cancers, but not CCA.

Materials and methods

In our study, we investigated the expression of HJURP in 127 CCA patients which were composed of 32 iCCAs, 71 pCCAs, and 24 dCCAs with immunohistochemistry and divided these patients into subgroups with a low or high expression of HJURP. With chi-square test and univariate and multivariate analyses, we evaluated the clinical relevance and prognostic significance of HJURP in iCCAs, pCCAs, and dCCAs.

Results

HJURP was ectopically upregulated in CCAs compared with the para-tumor tissues based on TCGA and other mRNA-seq databases. A high expression of HJURP was correlated with low overall survival rates of iCCA and pCCA, but not in dCCA. Moreover, HJURP was an independent prognostic biomarker in both iCCA and pCCA. Patients with high HJURP were more likely to suffer CCA-related death after operation.

Conclusions

HJURP was an independent prognostic biomarker in both iCCA and pCCA, but not in dCCA. Our results provide more evidence of the molecular features of different CCA subsets and suggest that patients with high HJURP are more high-risk, which can guide more precision follow-up and treatment of CCA.

Unraveling the Role of Histone Variant CENP-A and Chaperone HJURP Expression in Thymic Epithelial Neoplasms

Background: Recent advances demonstrate the role of chromatin regulators, including histone variants and histone chaperones, in cancer initiation and progression. Methods: Histone H3K4me3, histone variant centromere protein (CENP-A) and histone chaperones Holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP) as well as DAXX expression were examined immunohistochemically in 95 thymic epithelial tumor (TET) specimens. Our results were compared with the expression profile of DAXX, HJURP and CENP-A in gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA2). Results: The lymphocyte-poor B3- and C-type TETs were more frequently DAXX negative (p = 0.043). B3 and C-Type TETs showed higher cytoplasmic and nuclear CENP-A (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002) and higher cytoplasmic HJURP H-score (p < 0.001). Higher nuclear CENP-A and cytoplasmic HJURP expression was associated with advanced Masaoka−Koga stage (p = 0.048 and p < 0.001). A positive correlation between HJURP and CENP-A was also observed. The presence of cytoplasmic CENP-A expression was correlated with a favorable overall survival (p = 0.03). CENP-A overexpression in survival analysis of TCGA TETs showed similar results. H3K4me3 expression was not associated with any clinicopathological parameters. Conclusions: Our results suggest a significant interaction between CENP-A and HJURP in TETs. Moreover, we confirmed the presence of a cytoplasmic CENP-A immunolocalization, suggesting also a possible favorable prognostic value of this specific immunostaining pattern.

An Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis towards the Identification of Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Predictive Key Biomarkers for Urinary Bladder Cancer

Simple Summary

Bladder cancer is evidently a challenge as far as its prognosis and treatment are concerned. The investigation of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets is indispensable and still in progress. Most studies attempt to identify differential signatures between distinct molecular tumor subtypes. Therefore, keeping in mind the heterogeneity of urinary bladder tumors, we attempted to identify a consensus gene-related signature between the common expression profile of bladder cancer and control samples. In the quest for substantive features, we were able to identify key hub genes, whose signatures could hold diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic significance, but, primarily, could contribute to a better understanding of urinary bladder cancer biology.

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and accounts for high morbidity and mortality. This study intended to elucidate potential key biomarkers related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of BCa through an integrated bioinformatics analysis. In this context, a systematic meta-analysis, integrating 18 microarray gene expression datasets from the GEO repository into a merged meta-dataset, identified 815 robust differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The key hub genes resulted from DEG-based protein–protein interaction and weighted gene co-expression network analyses were screened for their differential expression in urine and blood plasma samples of BCa patients. Subsequently, they were tested for their prognostic value, and a three-gene signature model, including COL3A1, FOXM1, and PLK4, was built. In addition, they were tested for their predictive value regarding muscle-invasive BCa patients’ response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A six-gene signature model, including ANXA5, CD44, NCAM1, SPP1, CDCA8, and KIF14, was developed. In conclusion, this study identified nine key biomarker genes, namely ANXA5, CDT1, COL3A1, SPP1, VEGFA, CDCA8, HJURP, TOP2A, and COL6A1, which were differentially expressed in urine or blood of BCa patients, held a prognostic or predictive value, and were immunohistochemically validated. These biomarkers may be of significance as prognostic and therapeutic targets for BCa.

Chromatin Separation Regulators Predict the Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment Estimation in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Abnormal chromosome segregation is identified to be a common hallmark of cancer. However, the specific predictive value of it in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is unclear.

Method: The RNA sequencing and the clinical data of LUAD were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TACG) database, and the prognosis-related genes were identified. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) were carried out for functional enrichment analysis of the prognosis genes. The independent prognosis signature was determined to construct the nomogram Cox model. Unsupervised clustering analysis was performed to identify the distinguishing clusters in LUAD-samples based on the expression of chromosome segregation regulators (CSRs). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the enriched biological processes and pathways between different clusters were identified. The immune environment estimation, including immune cell infiltration, HLA family genes, immune checkpoint genes, and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), was assessed between the clusters. The potential small-molecular chemotherapeutics for the individual treatments were predicted via the connectivity map (CMap) database.

Results: A total of 2,416 genes were determined as the prognosis-related genes in LUAD. Chromosome segregation is found to be the main bioprocess enriched by the prognostic genes. A total of 48 CSRs were found to be differentially expressed in LUAD samples and were correlated with the poor outcome in LUAD. Nine CSRs were identified as the independent prognostic signatures to construct the nomogram Cox model. The LUAD-samples were divided into two distinct clusters according to the expression of the 48 CSRs. Cell cycle and chromosome segregation regulated genes were enriched in cluster 1, while metabolism regulated genes were enriched in cluster 2. Patients in cluster 2 had a higher score of immune, stroma, and HLA family components, while those in cluster 1 had higher scores of TIDES and immune checkpoint genes. According to the hub genes highly expressed in cluster 1, 74 small-molecular chemotherapeutics were predicted to be effective for the patients at high risk.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the CSRs were correlated with the poor prognosis and the possible immunotherapy resistance in LUAD.

Holliday Cross-Recognition Protein HJURP: Association With the Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and With Patient Prognosis

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer, and it is associated with poor prognosis. It often fails to respond to immunotherapy, highlighting the need to identify genes that are associated with the tumor microenvironment and may be good therapeutic targets. We and others have shown that the Holliday cross-recognition protein HJURP can promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and that HJURP overexpression is associated with poor survival. Here we explored the potential relationship between HJURP and the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: We used the Immuno-Oncology-Biological-Research (IOBR) software package to analyze the potential roles of HJURP in the tumor microenvironment. Using single-cell RNA sequencing data, we identified the cell clusters expressing abundant HJURP, then linked some of these clusters to certain bioprocesses using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). We validated the differential expression of HJURP in tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells, sorted by flow cytometry into populations based on the expression level of PD-1. We used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify immunity-related genes whose expression strongly correlated with that of HJURP. The function of these genes was validated based on enrichment in Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and they were used to establish a prognosis prediction model.

Results: IOBR analysis suggested that HJURP is significantly related to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and was significantly related to T cells, dendritic cells, and B cells. Based on single-cell RNA sequencing, HJURP was strongly expressed in T cells, erythrocytes, and B cells from normal liver tissues, as well as in CD8⁺ T cells, dendritic cells, and one cluster of hepatocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Malignant hepatocytes strongly expressing HJURP were associated with the downregulation of immune bioprocesses. HJURP expression was significantly higher in CD8⁺ T cells strongly expressing PD-1 than in those expressing no or intermediate levels of PD1. WGCNA identified two module eigengenes (comprising 397 and 84 genes) related to the tumor microenvironment. We identified 24 hub genes and confirmed that they were related to immune regulation. A prognostic risk score model based on expression of HJURP, PPT1, PML, and CLEC7A showed moderate ability to predict survival.

Conclusion:HJURP is associated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immune checkpoints, and immune suppression in hepatocellular carcinoma. HJURP-related genes involved in immune responses may be useful for predicting patient prognosis.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Heterogeneity of Myf5-Derived Cells and Altered Myogenic Fate in the Absence of SRSF2

Splicing factor SRSF2 acts as a critical regulator for cell survival, however, it remains unknown whether SRSF2 is involved in myoblast proliferation and myogenesis. Here, knockdown of SRSF2 in myoblasts causes high rates of apoptosis and defective differentiation. Combined conditional knockout and lineage tracing approaches show that Myf5-cre mice lacking SRSF2 die immediately at birth and exhibit a complete absence of mature myofibers. Mutant Myf5-derived cells (tdtomato-positive cells) are randomly scattered in the myogenic and non-myogenic regions, indicating loss of the community effect required for skeletal muscle differentiation. Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals high heterogeneity of myf5-derived cells and non-myogenic cells are significantly increased at the expense of skeletal muscle cells in the absence of SRSF2, reflecting altered cell fate. SRSF2 is demonstrated to regulate the entry of Myf5 cells into the myogenic program and ensures their survival by preventing precocious differentiation and apoptosis. In summary, SRSF2 functions as an essential regulator for Myf5-derived cells to respond correctly to positional cues and to adopt their myogenic fate.

HJURP regulates cell proliferation and chemo-resistance via YAP1/NDRG1 transcriptional axis in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer is still a difficult point in clinical treatment at present, and a deep study of its pathogenesis has great clinical value. Therefore, our research mainly focuses on exploring the progression of triple-negative breast cancer and determines the important role of the HJURP/YAP1/NDRG1 transcriptional regulation axis in triple-negative breast cancer. We observed significantly increased HJURP expression levels in triple-negative breast cancer compared to other subtypes. HJURP could affect the level of ubiquitination modification of YAP1 protein and then regulate its downstream transcriptional activity. Mechanistically, we found that YAP1 positively regulates NDRG1 transcription by binding the promoter region of the NDRG1 gene. And HJURP/YAP1/NDRG1 axis could affect cell proliferation and chemotherapy sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer. Taken together, these findings provide insights into the transcriptional regulation axis of HJURP/YAP1/NDRG1 in triple-negative breast cancer progression and therapeutic response.