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Peng L, Jiang Y, Chen H, Wang Y, Lan Q, Chen S, Huang Z, Zhang J, Tian D, Qiu Y, Cai D, Peng J, Lu D, Yuan X, Yang X, Yin D. Transcription factor EHF interacting with coactivator AJUBA aggravates malignancy and acts as a therapeutic target for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2119-2136. [PMID: 38799645 PMCID: PMC11120281 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation of genes is a hallmark of tumors and can serve as targets for cancer drug development. However, it is extremely challenging to develop small-molecule inhibitors to target abnormally expressed transcription factors (TFs) except for the nuclear receptor family of TFs. Little is known about the interaction between TFs and transcription cofactors in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) or the therapeutic effects of targeting TF and transcription cofactor complexes. In this study, we found that ETS homologous factor (EHF) expression is promoted by a core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CRC), specifically ELF3-KLF5-GATA6, and interference with its expression suppressed the malignant biological behavior of GEA cells. Importantly, we identified Ajuba LIM protein (AJUBA) as a new coactivator of EHF that cooperatively orchestrates transcriptional network activity in GEA. Furthermore, we identified KRAS signaling as a common pathway downstream of EHF and AJUBA. Applicably, dual targeting of EHF and AJUBA by lipid nanoparticles cooperatively attenuated the malignant biological behaviors of GEA in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, EHF is upregulated by the CRC and promotes GEA malignancy by interacting with AJUBA through the KRAS pathway. Targeting of both EHF and its coactivator AJUBA through lipid nanoparticles is a novel potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yanyi Jiang
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Hengxing Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Qiusheng Lan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shuiqin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Zhanwang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Duanqing Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yuntan Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Diankui Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Jiangyun Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Daning Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xianzhu Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Dong Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
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Rasche R, Apken LH, Michalke E, Kümmel D, Oeckinghaus A. κB-Ras proteins are fast-exchanging GTPases and function via nucleotide-independent binding of Ral GTPase-activating protein complexes. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38604989 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14860] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
κB-Ras (NF-κB inhibitor-interacting Ras-like protein) GTPases are small Ras-like GTPases but harbor interesting differences in important sequence motifs. They act in a tumor-suppressive manner as negative regulators of Ral (Ras-like) GTPase and NF-κB signaling, but little is known about their mode of function. Here, we demonstrate that, in contrast to predictions based on primary structure, κB-Ras GTPases possess hydrolytic activity. Combined with low nucleotide affinity, this renders them fast-cycling GTPases that are predominantly GTP-bound in cells. We characterize the impact of κB-Ras mutations occurring in tumors and demonstrate that nucleotide binding affects κB-Ras stability but is not strictly required for RalGAP (Ral GTPase-activating protein) binding. This demonstrates that κB-Ras control of RalGAP/Ral signaling occurs in a nucleotide-binding- and switch-independent fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Rasche
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Münster, Germany
| | | | - Esther Michalke
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, University Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Kümmel
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Münster, Germany
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Gou J, Zhang T, Othmer HG. The Interaction of Mechanics and the Hippo Pathway in Drosophila melanogaster. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4840. [PMID: 37835534 PMCID: PMC10571775 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194840] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as an ideal system for studying the networks that control tissue development and homeostasis and, given the similarity of the pathways involved, controlled and uncontrolled growth in mammalian systems. The signaling pathways used in patterning the Drosophila wing disc are well known and result in the emergence of interaction of these pathways with the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a central role in controlling cell proliferation and apoptosis. Mechanical effects are another major factor in the control of growth, but far less is known about how they exert their control. Herein, we develop a mathematical model that integrates the mechanical interactions between cells, which occur via adherens and tight junctions, with the intracellular actin network and the Hippo pathway so as to better understand cell-autonomous and non-autonomous control of growth in response to mechanical forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Gou
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA;
| | - Tianhao Zhang
- School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Hans G. Othmer
- School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
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Gilhaus K, Cepok C, Kamm D, Surmann B, Nedvetsky PI, Emich J, Sundukova A, Saatkamp K, Nüsse H, Klingauf J, Wennmann DO, George B, Krahn MP, Pavenstädt HJ, Vollenbröker BA. Activation of Hippo Pathway Damages Slit Diaphragm by Deprivation of Ajuba Proteins. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:1039-1055. [PMID: 36930055 PMCID: PMC10278832 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000107] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Nuclear exclusion of the cotranscription factor YAP, which is a consequence of activation of the Hippo signaling pathway, leads to FSGS and podocyte apoptosis. Ajuba proteins play an important role in the glomerular filtration barrier by keeping the Hippo pathway inactive. In nephrocytes from Drosophila melanogaster , a well-established model system for podocyte research, Ajuba proteins ensure slit diaphragm (SD) formation and function. Hippo pathway activation leads to mislocalization of Ajuba proteins, decreased SD formation, rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, and increased SD permeability. Targeting the kinases of the Hippo pathway with specific inhibitors in the glomerulus could, therefore, be a promising strategy for therapy of FSGS. BACKGROUND The highly conserved Hippo pathway, which regulates organ growth and cell proliferation by inhibiting transcriptional cofactors YAP/TAZ, plays a special role in podocytes, where activation of the pathway leads to apoptosis. The Ajuba family proteins (Ajuba, LIM domain-containing protein 1 (LIMD1) and Wilms tumor protein 1-interacting protein [WTIP]) can bind and inactivate large tumor suppressor kinases 1 and 2, (LATS1/2) two of the Hippo pathway key kinases. WTIP, furthermore, connects the slit diaphragm (SD), the specialized cell-cell junction between podocytes, with the actin cytoskeleton. METHODS We used garland cell nephrocytes of Drosophila melanogaster to monitor the role of Ajuba proteins in Hippo pathway regulation and structural integrity of the SD. Microscopy and functional assays analyzed the interplay between Ajuba proteins and LATS2 regarding expression, localization, interaction, and effects on the functionality of the SD. RESULTS In nephrocytes, the Ajuba homolog Djub recruited Warts (LATS2 homolog) to the SD. Knockdown of Djub activated the Hippo pathway. Reciprocally, Hippo activation reduced the Djub level. Both Djub knockdown and Hippo activation led to morphological changes in the SD, rearrangement of the cortical actin cytoskeleton, and increased SD permeability. Knockdown of Warts or overexpression of constitutively active Yki prevented these effects. In podocytes, Hippo pathway activation or knockdown of YAP also decreased the level of Ajuba proteins. CONCLUSIONS Ajuba proteins regulate the structure and function of the SD in nephrocytes, connecting the SD protein complex to the actin cytoskeleton and maintaining the Hippo pathway in an inactive state. Hippo pathway activation directly influencing Djub expression suggests a self-amplifying feedback mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Gilhaus
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Cepok
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - David Kamm
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Beate Surmann
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Pavel I. Nedvetsky
- Medical Cell Biology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jana Emich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Alina Sundukova
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Katharina Saatkamp
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Harald Nüsse
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Westfälische-Wilhelms University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Klingauf
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Westfälische-Wilhelms University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dirk O. Wennmann
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Britta George
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael P. Krahn
- Medical Cell Biology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Beate A. Vollenbröker
- Molecular Nephrology, Medical Clinic D, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Madhavan SM, Konieczkowski M, Bruggeman LA, DeWalt M, Nguyen JK, O'Toole JF, Sedor JR. Essential role of Wtip in mouse development and maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 323:F272-F287. [PMID: 35862649 PMCID: PMC9394782 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00051.2022] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wilms' tumor interacting protein (Wtip) has been implicated in cell junction assembly and cell differentiation and interacts with proteins in the podocyte slit diaphragm, where it regulates podocyte phenotype. To define Wtip expression and function in the kidney, we created a Wtip-deleted mouse model using β-galactosidase-neomycin (β-geo) gene trap technology. Wtip gene trap mice were embryonic lethal, suggesting additional developmental roles outside kidney function. Using β-geo heterozygous and normal mice, Wtip expression was identified in the developing kidneys, heart, and eyes. In the kidney, expression was restricted to podocytes, which appeared initially at the capillary loop stage coinciding with terminal podocyte differentiation. Heterozygous mice had an expected lifespan and showed no evidence of proteinuria or glomerular pathology. However, heterozygous mice were more susceptible to glomerular injury than wild-type littermates and developed more significant and prolonged proteinuria in response to lipopolysaccharide or adriamycin. In normal human kidneys, WTIP expression patterns were consistent with observations in mice and were lost in glomeruli concurrent with loss of synaptopodin expression in disease. Mechanistically, we identified the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 12 (ARHGEF12) as a binding partner for WTIP. ARHGEF12 was expressed in human podocytes and formed high-affinity interactions through their LIM- and PDZ-binding domains. Our findings suggest that Wtip is essential for early murine embryonic development and maintaining normal glomerular filtration barrier function, potentially regulating slit diaphragm and foot process function through Rho effector proteins.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study characterized dynamic expression patterns of Wilms' tumor interacting protein (Wtip) and demonstrates the novel role of Wtip in murine development and maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sethu M Madhavan
- Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Leslie A Bruggeman
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Nephrology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Megan DeWalt
- Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jane K Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - John F O'Toole
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Nephrology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - John R Sedor
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Nephrology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
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Song N, Liu J, Zhang K, Yang J, Cui K, Miao Z, Zhao F, Meng H, Chen L, Chen C, Li Y, Shao M, Su W, Wang H. The LIM Protein AJUBA is a Potential Oncogenic Target and Prognostic Marker in Human Cancer via Pan-Cancer Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:921897. [PMID: 35898403 PMCID: PMC9309301 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.921897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The LIM (Lin-11, Isl1, MEC-3) domain protein AJUBA is involved in multiple biological functions, and its aberrant expression is related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. However, there are no analytical studies on AJUBA in pan-cancer. Methods: We performed a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis and explored the potential oncogenic roles of AJUBA, including gene expression, genetic mutation, protein phosphorylation, clinical diagnostic biomarker, prognosis, and AJUBA-related immune infiltration based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases. Results: The results revealed that the expression of AJUBA highly correlated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with different types of cancer. Meanwhile, AJUBA expression was positively correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts in many human cancers, such as breast invasive carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, brain lower-grade glioma, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses showed that AJUBA is mainly involved in protein serine/threonine kinase activity, cell–cell junction, covalent chromatin modification, and Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusion: The pan-cancer study reveals the oncogenic roles of AJUBA and provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular biological genetic information of AJUBA in various tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Kai Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhuang Miao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Feiyue Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongjing Meng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Lu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chong Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yushan Li
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Minglong Shao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wei Su
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haijun Wang,
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7
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Yu Z, Li H, Zhu J, Wang H, Jin X. The roles of E3 ligases in Hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1179-1214. [PMID: 35411231 PMCID: PMC8984888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex multistep biological process involving genetic and epigenetic alterations that are accompanied by activation of oncoproteins and inactivation of tumor suppressors, which in turn results in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the common tumors with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the key to protein degradation and regulation of physiological and pathological processes, and E3 ligases are key enzymes in the UPS that contain a variety of subfamily proteins involved in the regulation of some common signal pathways in HCC. There is growing evidence that many structural or functional dysfunctions of E3 are engaged in the development and progression of HCC. Herein, we review recent research advances in HCC-associated E3 ligases, describe their structure, classification, functional roles, and discuss some mechanisms of the abnormal activation or inactivation of the HCC-associated signal pathway due to the binding of E3 to known substrates. In addition, given the success of proteasome inhibitors in the treatment of malignant cancers, we characterize the current knowledge and future prospects for targeted therapies against aberrant E3 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongdong Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibiao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medical School of Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, China
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Reis AH, Xiang B, Ossipova O, Itoh K, Sokol SY. Identification of the centrosomal maturation factor SSX2IP as a Wtip-binding partner by targeted proximity biotinylation. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259068. [PMID: 34710136 PMCID: PMC8553094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wilms tumor-1-interacting protein (Wtip) is a LIM-domain-containing adaptor that links cell junctions with actomyosin complexes and modulates actomyosin contractility and ciliogenesis in Xenopus embryos. The Wtip C-terminus with three LIM domains associates with the actin-binding protein Shroom3 and modulates Shroom3-induced apical constriction in ectoderm cells. By contrast, the N-terminal domain localizes to apical junctions in the ectoderm and basal bodies in skin multiciliated cells, but its interacting partners remain largely unknown. Targeted proximity biotinylation (TPB) using anti-GFP antibody fused to the biotin ligase BirA identified SSX2IP as a candidate protein that binds GFP-WtipN. SSX2IP, also known as Msd1 or ADIP, is a component of cell junctions, centriolar satellite protein and a targeting factor for ciliary membrane proteins. WtipN physically associated with SSX2IP and the two proteins readily formed mixed aggregates in overexpressing cells. By contrast, we observed only partial colocalization of full length Wtip and SSX2IP, suggesting that Wtip adopts a ‘closed’ conformation in the cell. Furthermore, the double depletion of Wtip and SSX2IP in early embryos uncovered the functional interaction of the two proteins during neural tube closure. Our results suggest that the association of SSX2IP and Wtip is essential for cell junction remodeling and morphogenetic processes that accompany neurulation. We propose that TPB can be a general approach that is applicable to other GFP-tagged proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice H. Reis
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Olga Ossipova
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Keiji Itoh
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Sergei Y. Sokol
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Erasmus JC, Smolarczyk K, Brezovjakova H, Mohd-Naim NF, Lozano E, Matter K, Braga VMM. Rac1-PAK1 regulation of Rab11 cycling promotes junction destabilization. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212034. [PMID: 33914026 PMCID: PMC8091128 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202002114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rac1 GTPase is hyperactivated in tumors and contributes to malignancy. Rac1 disruption of junctions requires its effector PAK1, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. Here, we show that E-cadherin is internalized via micropinocytosis in a PAK1–dependent manner without catenin dissociation and degradation. In addition to internalization, PAK1 regulates E-cadherin transport by fine-tuning Rab small GTPase function. PAK1 phosphorylates a core Rab regulator, RabGDIβ, but not RabGDIα. Phosphorylated RabGDIβ preferentially associates with Rab5 and Rab11, which is predicted to promote Rab retrieval from membranes. Consistent with this hypothesis, Rab11 is activated by Rac1, and inhibition of Rab11 function partially rescues E-cadherin destabilization. Thus, Rac1 activation reduces surface cadherin levels as a net result of higher bulk flow of membrane uptake that counteracts Rab11-dependent E-cadherin delivery to junctions (recycling and/or exocytosis). This unique small GTPase crosstalk has an impact on Rac1 and PAK1 regulation of membrane remodeling during epithelial dedifferentiation, adhesion, and motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Erasmus
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kasia Smolarczyk
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helena Brezovjakova
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Noor F Mohd-Naim
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Encarnación Lozano
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Karl Matter
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vania M M Braga
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Exploring the dermotoxicity of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol: combined morphologic and proteomic profiling of human epidermal cells reveals alteration of lipid biosynthesis machinery and membrane structural integrity relevant for skin barrier function. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2201-2221. [PMID: 33890134 PMCID: PMC8166681 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin, DON) is a secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium spp. fungi and it is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins worldwide. Crop infestation results not only in food and feed contamination, but also in direct dermal exposure, especially during harvest and food processing. To investigate the potential dermotoxicity of DON, epidermoid squamous cell carcinoma cells A431 were compared to primary human neonatal keratinocytes (HEKn) cells via proteome/phosphoproteome profiling. In A431 cells, 10 µM DON significantly down-regulated ribosomal proteins, as well as mitochondrial respiratory chain elements (OXPHOS regulation) and transport proteins (TOMM22; TOMM40; TOMM70A). Mitochondrial impairment was reflected in altered metabolic competence, apparently combined with interference of the lipid biosynthesis machinery. Functional effects on the cell membrane were confirmed by live cell imaging and membrane fluidity assays (0.1–10 µM DON). Moreover, a common denominator for both A431 and HEKn cells was a significant downregulation of the squalene synthase (FDFT1). In sum, proteome alterations could be traced back to the transcription factor Klf4, a crucial regulator of skin barrier function. Overall, these results describe decisive molecular events sustaining the capability of DON to impair skin barrier function. Proteome data generated in the study are fully accessible via ProteomeXchange with the accession numbers PXD011474 and PXD013613.
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11
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Schleicher K, Schramek D. AJUBA: A regulator of epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:546-559. [PMID: 33372298 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The epidermis, outermost layer of the skin, is constantly renewing itself through proliferative and differentiation processes. These processes are vital to maintain proper epidermal integrity during skin development and homeostasis and for preventing skin diseases and cancers. The biological mechanisms that permit this balancing act are vast, where individual pathway regulators are known, but the exact regulatory control and cross-talk between simultaneously turning one biological pathway on and an opposing one off remain elusive. This review explores the diverse roles the scaffolding protein AJUBA plays during epidermal homeostasis and cancer. Initially identified for its role in promoting meiotic progression in oocytes through Grb2 and MAP kinase activity, AJUBA also maintains cytoskeletal tension permitting epidermal tissue development and responds to retinoic acid committing cells to initiate development of surface epidermal layer. AJUBA regulates proliferation of skin stem cells through Hippo and Wnt signalling and encourages mitotic commitment through Aurora-A, Aurora-B and CDK1. In addition, AJUBA also induces epidermal differentiation to maintain appropriate epidermal thickness and barrier function by activating Notch signalling and stabilizing catenins and actin during cellular remodelling. AJUBA also plays an imperative context-dependent tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive role within epithelial cancers. AJUBA's abundant roles within the epidermis signify its importance as a molecular switchboard, vetting multiple signalling pathways to control epidermal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Schleicher
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Schramek
- Molecular, Structural and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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12
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Videira A, Beckedorff FC, daSilva LF, Verjovski-Almeida S. PVT1 signals an androgen-dependent transcriptional repression program in prostate cancer cells and a set of the repressed genes predicts high-risk tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:5. [PMID: 33430890 PMCID: PMC7798249 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00691-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen receptor (AR) and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) are known to co-occupy the loci of genes that are downregulated by androgen-stimulus. Long intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA) PVT1 is an overexpressed oncogene that is associated with AR in LNCaP prostate cancer cells, and with PRC2 in HeLa and many other types of cancer cells. The possible involvement of PVT1 in mediating androgen-induced gene expression downregulation in prostate cancer has not been explored. METHODS LNCaP cell line was used. Native RNA-binding-protein immunoprecipitation with anti-AR or anti-EZH2 was followed by RT-qPCR with primers for PVT1. Knockdown of PVT1 with specific GapmeRs (or a control with scrambled GapmeR) was followed by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) determination with Agilent microarrays and with Significance Analysis of Microarrays statistical test. DEGs were tested as a tumor risk classifier with a machine learning Random Forest algorithm run with gene expression data from all TCGA-PRAD (prostate adenocarcinoma) tumors as input. ChIP-qPCR was performed for histone marks at the promoter of one DEG. RESULTS We show that PVT1 knockdown in androgen-stimulated LNCaP cells caused statistically significant expression upregulation/downregulation of hundreds of genes. Interestingly, PVT1 knockdown caused upregulation of 160 genes that were repressed by androgen, including a significantly enriched set of tumor suppressor genes, and among them FAS, NOV/CCN3, BMF, HRK, IFIT2, AJUBA, DRAIC and TNFRSF21. A 121-gene-set (out of the 160) was able to correctly predict the classification of all 293 intermediate- and high-risk TCGA-PRAD tumors, with a mean ROC area under the curve AUC = 0.89 ± 0.04, pointing to the relevance of these genes in cancer aggressiveness. Native RIP-qPCR in LNCaP showed that PVT1 was associated with EZH2, a component of PRC2. PVT1 knockdown followed by ChIP-qPCR showed significant epigenetic remodeling at the enhancer and promoter regions of tumor suppressor gene NOV, one of the androgen-repressed genes that were upregulated upon PVT1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we provide first evidence that PVT1 was involved in signaling a genome-wide androgen-dependent transcriptional repressive program of tumor suppressor protein-coding genes in prostate cancer cells. Identification of transcriptional inhibition of tumor suppressor genes by PVT1 highlights the pathway to the investigation of mechanisms that lie behind the oncogenic role of PVT1 in cancer. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Videira
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica Em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900 Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900 Brazil
| | - Felipe C. Beckedorff
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica Em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900 Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900 Brazil
- Present Address: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA
| | - Lucas F. daSilva
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica Em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900 Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900 Brazil
- Present Address: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica Em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900 Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-900 Brazil
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13
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Dommann N, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Eggs L, Birrer F, Brodie T, Salm L, Baier FA, Medová M, Humbert M, Tschan MP, Beldi G, Candinas D, Stroka D. The LIM Protein Ajuba Augments Tumor Metastasis in Colon Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071913. [PMID: 32679899 PMCID: PMC7409172 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer, along with its high potential for recurrence and metastasis, is a major health burden. Uncovering proteins and pathways required for tumor cell growth is necessary for the development of novel targeted therapies. Ajuba is a member of the LIM domain family of proteins whose expression is positively associated with numerous cancers. Our data shows that Ajuba is highly expressed in human colon cancer tissue and cell lines. Publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas shows a negative correlation between survival and Ajuba expression in patients with colon cancer. To investigate its function, we transduced SW480 human colon cancer cells, with lentiviral constructs to knockdown or overexpress Ajuba protein. The transcriptome of the modified cell lines was analyzed by RNA sequencing. Among the pathways enriched in the differentially expressed genes, were cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. We confirmed our sequencing data with biological assays; cells depleted of Ajuba were less proliferative, more sensitive to irradiation, migrated less and were less efficient in colony formation. In addition, loss of Ajuba expression decreased the tumor burden in a murine model of colorectal metastasis to the liver. Taken together, our data supports that Ajuba promotes colon cancer growth, migration and metastasis and therefore is a potential candidate for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlle Dommann
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Linda Eggs
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Fabienne Birrer
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Tess Brodie
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Lilian Salm
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Felix Alexander Baier
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department of Biomedical Research, Radiation Oncology, University of Bern, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Magali Humbert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.H.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Mario P. Tschan
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (M.H.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Guido Beldi
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Department of Biomedical Research, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Bern, Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (N.D.); (D.S.-T.); (L.E.); (F.B.); (T.B.); (L.S.); (F.A.B.); (G.B.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-31-632-27-48
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14
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Liu M, Banerjee R, Rossa C, D'Silva NJ. RAP1-RAC1 Signaling Has an Important Role in Adhesion and Migration in HNSCC. J Dent Res 2020; 99:959-968. [PMID: 32401565 DOI: 10.1177/0022034520917058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell adhesion is a key mechanism to control tissue integrity and migration. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), cell migration facilitates distant metastases and is correlated with poor prognosis. RAP1, a ras-like protein, has an important role in the progression of HNSCC. RAC1 is an integrin-linked, ras-like protein that promotes cell migration. Here we show that loss of cell-cell adhesion is correlated with inactivation of RAP1 confirmed by 2 different biochemical approaches. RAP1 activation is required for cell-matrix adhesion confirmed by adhesion to fibronectin-coated plates with cells that have biochemically activated RAP1. This effect is reversed when RAP1 is inactivated. In addition, RAP1GTP-mediated adhesion is only facilitated through α5β1 integrin complex and is not a function of either α5 or β1 integrin alone. Moreover, the inside-out signaling of RAP1 activation is coordinated with RAC1 activation. These findings show that RAP1 has a prominent role in cell-matrix adhesion via extracellular matrix molecule fibronectin-induced α5β1 integrin and supports a critical role for the RAP1/RAC1 signaling axis in HNSCC cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Liu
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - R Banerjee
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C Rossa
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry at Araraquara, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - N J D'Silva
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Pathology, Medical School; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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15
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Loganathan SK, Schleicher K, Malik A, Quevedo R, Langille E, Teng K, Oh RH, Rathod B, Tsai R, Samavarchi-Tehrani P, Pugh TJ, Gingras AC, Schramek D. Rare driver mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas converge on NOTCH signaling. Science 2020; 367:1264-1269. [PMID: 32165588 DOI: 10.1126/science.aax0902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In most human cancers, only a few genes are mutated at high frequencies; most are mutated at low frequencies. The functional consequences of these recurrent but infrequent "long tail" mutations are often unknown. We focused on 484 long tail genes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and used in vivo CRISPR to screen for genes that, upon mutation, trigger tumor development in mice. Of the 15 tumor-suppressor genes identified, ADAM10 and AJUBA suppressed HNSCC in a haploinsufficient manner by promoting NOTCH receptor signaling. ADAM10 and AJUBA mutations or monoallelic loss occur in 28% of human HNSCC cases and are mutually exclusive with NOTCH receptor mutations. Our results show that oncogenic mutations in 67% of human HNSCC cases converge onto the NOTCH signaling pathway, making NOTCH inactivation a hallmark of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampath K Loganathan
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krista Schleicher
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmad Malik
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rene Quevedo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen Langille
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katie Teng
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robin H Oh
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bhavisha Rathod
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ricky Tsai
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Payman Samavarchi-Tehrani
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Schramek
- Centre for Molecular and Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Brezovjakova H, Tomlinson C, Mohd Naim N, Swiatlowska P, Erasmus JC, Huveneers S, Gorelik J, Bruche S, Braga VM. Junction Mapper is a novel computer vision tool to decipher cell-cell contact phenotypes. eLife 2019; 8:45413. [PMID: 31793877 PMCID: PMC7034980 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable cell–cell contacts underpin tissue architecture and organization. Quantification of junctions of mammalian epithelia requires laborious manual measurements that are a major roadblock for mechanistic studies. We designed Junction Mapper as an open access, semi-automated software that defines the status of adhesiveness via the simultaneous measurement of pre-defined parameters at cell–cell contacts. It identifies contacting interfaces and corners with minimal user input and quantifies length, area and intensity of junction markers. Its ability to measure fragmented junctions is unique. Importantly, junctions that considerably deviate from the contiguous staining and straight contact phenotype seen in epithelia are also successfully quantified (i.e. cardiomyocytes or endothelia). Distinct phenotypes of junction disruption can be clearly differentiated among various oncogenes, depletion of actin regulators or stimulation with other agents. Junction Mapper is thus a powerful, unbiased and highly applicable software for profiling cell–cell adhesion phenotypes and facilitate studies on junction dynamics in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Brezovjakova
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Tomlinson
- Bioinformatics Data Science Group, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Noor Mohd Naim
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela Swiatlowska
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer C Erasmus
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephan Huveneers
- Department Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Julia Gorelik
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Susann Bruche
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vania Mm Braga
- National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Xu B, Li Q, Chen N, Zhu C, Meng Q, Ayyanathan K, Qian W, Jia H, Wang J, Ni P, Hou Z. The LIM protein Ajuba recruits DBC1 and CBP/p300 to acetylate ERα and enhances ERα target gene expression in breast cancer cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2322-2335. [PMID: 30597111 PMCID: PMC6412004 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen/ERα signaling is critical for breast cancer progression and therapeutic treatments. Thus, identifying new regulators of this pathway will help to develop new therapeutics to overcome chemotherapy resistance of the breast cancer cells. Here, we report Ajuba directly interacts with ERα to potentiate ERα target gene expression, and biologically Ajuba promotes breast cancer cell growth and contributes to tamoxifen resistance of these cells. Ajuba constitutively binds the DBD and AF2 regions of ERα, and these interactions can be markedly enhanced by estrogen treatment. Mechanistically, Ajuba recruits DBC1 and CBP/p300 and forms a ternary complex to co-activate ERα transcriptional activity and concomitantly enhances ERα acetylation. Moreover, components of this complex can be found at endogenous promoters containing functional ERα responsive elements. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Ajuba functions as a novel co-activator of ERα and that Ajuba/DBC1/CBP/p300 ternary complex may be a new target for developing therapeutics to treat breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beihui Xu
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Hongqiao Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Li
- Hongqiao Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Chen
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxiao Zhu
- Department of Allergy, Linyi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qingrong Meng
- Department of Gynecology, Lanling People's Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | | | - Wenli Qian
- Hongqiao Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Jia
- Hongqiao Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamin Wang
- Hongqiao Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peihua Ni
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoyuan Hou
- Hongqiao Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Gynecology, Lanling People's Hospital, Shandong Province, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Cellular Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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18
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Zhang B, Song L, Cai J, Li L, Xu H, Li M, Wang J, Shi M, Chen H, Jia H, Hou Z. The LIM protein Ajuba/SP1 complex forms a feed forward loop to induce SP1 target genes and promote pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2019; 38:205. [PMID: 31101117 PMCID: PMC6525466 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1203-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to explore the molecular mechanism of the LIM protein Ajuba and the transcription factor SP1 in the pathogenesis and progression of PDAC. Ajuba is a newly defined transcriptional co-regulator and plays important role in various cancer development, while SP1 is a classic transcription factor, and is closely related with a variety of gene expression and cancer development including PDAC. METHODS The expression of Ajuba and SP1 in PDAC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the correlation between expression level and clinical prognosis of Ajuba and SP1 was extensively analyzed using online tools. The interaction between Ajuba and SP1 was examined by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and GST-pulldown assays. Stable cell lines were established via lentiviral infection, and was examined by qRT-PCR and western blot assays. The effects of Ajuba/SP1 on PDAC cell proliferation were examined using CCK8 and colony formation assays. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were employed to examine the transcription activity. RESULTS The expression level (protein and mRNA) of Ajuba and SP1 was elevated in PDAC tissues and was positively correlated; patients with high Ajuba and SP1 expression had a poor prognosis. Mechanistically, Ajuba binds to the C-terminus of SP1 and functions as a co-activator to enhance SP1 gene expression and promote cell proliferation; the promoter of Ajuba contains functional SP1 responsive elements and Ajuba itself is a target gene of SP1. CONCLUSION Ajuba functions as a co-activator of SP1 to induce its target gene, and that Ajuba itself is a target genes of SP1. Ajuba/SP1 complex could form a feed forward loop to drive SP1 target gene transcription and promote cell proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. Ajuba and SP1 might be biomarkers for PDAC diagnostics, prognosis and targets for new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bosen Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Liwei Song
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiali Cai
- Department of Radiology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003 China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanling People’s Hospital, Lanling County, Linyi, 277700 China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Mengying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Jiamin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Minmin Shi
- Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Hao Jia
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Zhaoyuan Hou
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanling People’s Hospital, Lanling County, Linyi, 277700 China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
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Miller CJ, Lou HJ, Simpson C, van de Kooij B, Ha BH, Fisher OS, Pirman NL, Boggon TJ, Rinehart J, Yaffe MB, Linding R, Turk BE. Comprehensive profiling of the STE20 kinase family defines features essential for selective substrate targeting and signaling output. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e2006540. [PMID: 30897078 PMCID: PMC6445471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Specificity within protein kinase signaling cascades is determined by direct and indirect interactions between kinases and their substrates. While the impact of localization and recruitment on kinase-substrate targeting can be readily assessed, evaluating the relative importance of direct phosphorylation site interactions remains challenging. In this study, we examine the STE20 family of protein serine-threonine kinases to investigate basic mechanisms of substrate targeting. We used peptide arrays to define the phosphorylation site specificity for the majority of STE20 kinases and categorized them into four distinct groups. Using structure-guided mutagenesis, we identified key specificity-determining residues within the kinase catalytic cleft, including an unappreciated role for the kinase β3-αC loop region in controlling specificity. Exchanging key residues between the STE20 kinases p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and Mammalian sterile 20 kinase 4 (MST4) largely interconverted their phosphorylation site preferences. In cells, a reprogrammed PAK4 mutant, engineered to recognize MST substrates, failed to phosphorylate PAK4 substrates or to mediate remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. In contrast, this mutant could rescue signaling through the Hippo pathway in cells lacking multiple MST kinases. These observations formally demonstrate the importance of catalytic site specificity for directing protein kinase signal transduction pathways. Our findings further suggest that phosphorylation site specificity is both necessary and sufficient to mediate distinct signaling outputs of STE20 kinases and imply broad applicability to other kinase signaling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad J. Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Hua Jane Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Craig Simpson
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bert van de Kooij
- Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Oriana S. Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Natasha L. Pirman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Titus J. Boggon
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jesse Rinehart
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Michael B. Yaffe
- Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rune Linding
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benjamin E. Turk
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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20
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Zhang Q, Lou L, Cai X, Hao Z, Nie S, Liu Y, Su L, Wu W, Shen H, Li Y. Clinical significance of AJUBA, YAP1, and MMP14 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:6018-6024. [PMID: 31949690 PMCID: PMC6963081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is generally known to be a highly fatal cancer, and thus novel molecular targets are needed to improve its diagnosis and treatment. AJUBA has been shown to regulate cell cycle, adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration in many malignant tumors. However, the clinical significance of AJUBA in ESCC tumor metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we explored the role of AJUBA, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), and matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) in the clinical presentation and survival of ESCC. Immunohistochemical staining showed higher expression of these proteins in cancer tissues than in paired adjacent tissues, and this upregulation was differently related to lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. AJUBA expression was positively correlated with that of YAP1. High expression of MMP14 was associated with reduced survival. In general, our findings reveal that AJUBA, YAP1, and MMP14 might function as oncoproteins and contribute to novel targeted therapy in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Lei Lou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Cai
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Zengfang Hao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Saisai Nie
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Lingrui Su
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Wenxin Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Haitao Shen
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Yuehong Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, PR China
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21
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Braga V. Signaling by Small GTPases at Cell-Cell Junctions: Protein Interactions Building Control and Networks. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:cshperspect.a028746. [PMID: 28893858 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a028746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A number of interesting reports highlight the intricate network of signaling proteins that coordinate formation and maintenance of cell-cell contacts. We have much yet to learn about how the in vitro binding data is translated into protein association inside the cells and whether such interaction modulates the signaling properties of the protein. What emerges from recent studies is the importance to carefully consider small GTPase activation in the context of where its activation occurs, which upstream regulators are involved in the activation/inactivation cycle and the GTPase interacting partners that determine the intracellular niche and extent of signaling. Data discussed here unravel unparalleled cooperation and coordination of functions among GTPases and their regulators in supporting strong adhesion between cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vania Braga
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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22
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Liu M, Jiang K, Lin G, Liu P, Yan Y, Ye T, Yao G, Barr MP, Liang D, Wang Y, Gong P, Meng S, Piao H. Ajuba inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth via targeting of β-catenin and YAP signaling and is regulated by E3 ligase Hakai through neddylation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:165. [PMID: 30041665 PMCID: PMC6057013 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0806-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant activation of β-catenin and Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathways has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. The LIM domain protein Ajuba regulates β-catenin and YAP signaling and is implicated in tumorigenesis. However, roles and mechanism of Ajuba expression in HCC cells remain unclear. The E3 ligase Hakai has been shown to interact with other Ajuba family members and whether Hakai interacts and regulates Ajuba is unknown. METHODS HCC cell lines stably depleted of Ajuba or Hakai were established using lentiviruses expressing shRNAs against Ajuba or Hakai. The effects of Ajuba on HCC cells were determined by a number of cell-based analyses including anchorage-independent growth, three dimension cultures and trans-well invasion assay. In vivo tumor growth was determined in a xenograft model and Ajuba expression in tumor sections was examined by immunohistochemistry. Co-immunoprecipitation, confocal microscopy and immunoblot assay were used to examine the expression and interaction between Ajuba and Hakai. RESULTS Depletion of Ajuba in HCC cells significantly enhanced anchorage-independent growth, invasion, the formation of spheroids and tumor growth in a xenograft model, suggesting a tumor suppressor function for Ajuba in HCC. Mechanistically, Ajuba depletion triggered E-cadherin loss and β-catenin translocation with increased Cyclin D1 levels. In addition, depletion of Ajuba upregulated the levels of YAP and its target gene CYR61. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of either β-catenin or YAP attenuated the pro-tumor effects by Ajuba depletion on HCC cells. Notably, Ajuba stability in HCC cells was regulated by Hakai, an E3 ligase for E-cadherin. Hakai interacted with Ajuba via its HYB domain and induced Ajuba neddylation, which was antagonized by the neddylation inhibitor, MLN4924, but not MG132. We further show that overexpression of Hakai in HCC cells markedly increased anchorage-independent growth, spheroid-formation ability and tumor growth in xenografts whereas Hakai depletion resulted in these opposite effects, indicating an oncogenic role for Hakai in HCC. Hakai also induced β-catenin translocation with increased levels of Cyclin D1. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a role for Ajuba and Hakai in HCC, and uncover the mechanism underlying the regulation of Ajuba stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Ke Jiang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
- Department of neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042 Liaoning Province China
| | - Guibin Lin
- Huizhou No. 3 People’s Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 1 Xuebei Street, Qiaodong Road, Huizhou, 615000 China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, No. 222 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021 China
| | - Yumei Yan
- The First Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, No. 222 Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116021 China
| | - Tian Ye
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Gang Yao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Martin P. Barr
- Thoracic Oncology Research Group, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital & Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dapeng Liang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Peng Gong
- Department of general surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, No. 1098 Xueyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518055 China
- Carson International Cancer Research Centre, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, No.3688 Nanhai Road, Shenzhen, 518060 China
| | - Songshu Meng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University Cancer Center, 9 Lvshun Road South, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Haozhe Piao
- Department of neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No. 44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042 Liaoning Province China
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23
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Razzell W, Bustillo ME, Zallen JA. The force-sensitive protein Ajuba regulates cell adhesion during epithelial morphogenesis. J Cell Biol 2018; 217:3715-3730. [PMID: 30006462 PMCID: PMC6168262 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201801171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces are generated during epithelial morphogenesis, but how cells maintain adhesion when exposed to these forces is poorly understood. Razzell et al. show that the LIM domain protein Ajuba localizes to adherens junctions under tension in the Drosophila embryo and is required to maintain cell adhesion during epithelial remodeling. The reorganization of cells in response to mechanical forces converts simple epithelial sheets into complex tissues of various shapes and dimensions. Epithelial integrity is maintained throughout tissue remodeling, but the mechanisms that regulate dynamic changes in cell adhesion under tension are not well understood. In Drosophila melanogaster, planar polarized actomyosin forces direct spatially organized cell rearrangements that elongate the body axis. We show that the LIM-domain protein Ajuba is recruited to adherens junctions in a tension-dependent fashion during axis elongation. Ajuba localizes to sites of myosin accumulation at adherens junctions within seconds, and the force-sensitive localization of Ajuba requires its N-terminal domain and two of its three LIM domains. We demonstrate that Ajuba stabilizes adherens junctions in regions of high tension during axis elongation, and that Ajuba activity is required to maintain cell adhesion during cell rearrangement and epithelial closure. These results demonstrate that Ajuba plays an essential role in regulating cell adhesion in response to mechanical forces generated by epithelial morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Razzell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY
| | - Maria E Bustillo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY.,Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY
| | - Jennifer A Zallen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY
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24
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Chu CW, Xiang B, Ossipova O, Ioannou A, Sokol SY. The Ajuba family protein Wtip regulates actomyosin contractility during vertebrate neural tube closure. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.213884. [PMID: 29661847 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.213884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ajuba family proteins are implicated in the assembly of cell junctions and have been reported to antagonize Hippo signaling in response to cytoskeletal tension. To assess the role of these proteins in actomyosin contractility, we examined the localization and function of Wtip, a member of the Ajuba family, in Xenopus early embryos. Targeted in vivo depletion of Wtip inhibited apical constriction in neuroepithelial cells and elicited neural tube defects. Fluorescent protein-tagged Wtip showed predominant punctate localization along the cell junctions in the epidermis and a linear junctional pattern in the neuroectoderm. In cells undergoing Shroom3-induced apical constriction, the punctate distribution was reorganized into a linear pattern. Conversely, the linear junctional pattern of Wtip in neuroectoderm changed to a more punctate distribution in cells with reduced myosin II activity. The C-terminal fragment of Wtip physically associated with Shroom3 and interfered with Shroom3 activity and neural fold formation. We therefore propose that Wtip is a tension-sensitive cytoskeletal adaptor that regulates apical constriction during vertebrate neurulation.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wen Chu
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Olga Ossipova
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andriani Ioannou
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sergei Y Sokol
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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25
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Xi T, Zhang G. Integrated analysis of tumor differentiation genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193427. [PMID: 29596435 PMCID: PMC5875763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor differentiation is an important process in the development of cancer. It is valuable to identify key differentiation related genes in the prognosis and therapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS The mRNA expression data were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Then, differentially expressed tumor differentiation related genes were identified. Additionally, Gene Ontology functional categories and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes biochemical pathway was used to explore the function. In addition, receiver operating characteristic and survival analysis were carried out to assess the diagnosis and prognosis value. Finally, the electronic validation of selected tumor differentiation related genes was performed. RESULTS A total of 932 genes were identified. Among which, 8 genes including JUB, ERLIN1, HMGA2, FAM110B, EGFR, MCM2, TCTA and SSTR1 were differentially expressed in all different tumor differentiation grades. Functional analysis revealed those genes between highly differentiated and other differentiation were remarkably enriched in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and cell cycle pathway. Finally, ERLIN1, HMGA2, FAM110B, EGFR, MCM2, BCL2L1, E2F1 and RAC1 were associated with the survival time of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patient. Among these genes, JUB, ERLIN1, FAM110B, MCM2 and BCL2L1 also had a diagnosis value for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the expression trend of JUB, HMGA2 and MCM2 was increased along with the tumor differentiation grades. And the expression trend of FAM110B was decreased along with the tumor differentiation grades. The electronic validation result was consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. CONCLUSIONS 12 tumor differentiation related genes including JUB, ERLIN1, HMGA2, FAM110B, EGFR, MCM2, TCTA, SSTR1, BCL2L1, E2F1, RAC1 and STAT1 played crucial roles in the differentiation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xi
- Department of Gastroenterology, First People’s Hospital of Liaocheng, Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Guizhi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second People’s Hospital of Liaocheng, Liaocheng, Shandong Province, China
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26
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Tavano S, Taverna E, Kalebic N, Haffner C, Namba T, Dahl A, Wilsch-Bräuninger M, Paridaen JT, Huttner WB. Insm1 Induces Neural Progenitor Delamination in Developing Neocortex via Downregulation of the Adherens Junction Belt-Specific Protein Plekha7. Neuron 2018; 97:1299-1314.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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27
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Bi L, Ma F, Tian R, Zhou Y, Lan W, Song Q, Cheng X. AJUBA increases the cisplatin resistance through hippo pathway in cervical cancer. Gene 2017; 644:148-154. [PMID: 29126926 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Though LIM-domain protein AJUBA was identified as a putative oncogene, the function and underlying mechanisms of AJUBA in cervical cancer remain largely unknown. Firstly, AJUBA expression was detected via real-time quantitative PCR in patients' samples. Furthermore, Hela and Siha cells were transfected with AJUBA-overexpressing plasmids, and then exposed to cisplatin, the apoptosis was measured by cytometry assay. In addition, the expression of YAP and TAZ was disclosed through western blot assay. Our results revealed that AJUBA expression was significantly higher in the cervical cancer patients resistant to cisplatin treatment compared with cervical cancer patients sensitive to cisplatin treatment. In addition, overall survival time was significantly shorter in the cervical cancer patients with high AJUBA expression compare with those with low AJUBA expression using kaplan-meier analysis. Hela and Siha cells transfected with AJUBA-expressing plasmids exposed to cisplatin treatment had higher survival rate compared with the cells transfected with empty vector control. Mechanistic studies revealed the AJUBA upregulated the downstream targets YAP and TAZ. These results suggest that high AJUBA level enhances cervical cancer cells drug resistance to cisplatin, also associates with decreased patient survival times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Bi
- Department of Gynecology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Feng Ma
- Department of Oncology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China.
| | - Rui Tian
- Department of Gynecology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Yanli Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Weiguang Lan
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Quanmao Song
- Department of Oncology, PKUCare Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Xiankui Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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28
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Abstract
Malignant carcinomas are often characterized by metastasis, the movement of carcinoma cells from a primary site to colonize distant organs. For metastasis to occur, carcinoma cells first must adopt a pro-migratory phenotype and move through the surrounding stroma towards a blood or lymphatic vessel. Currently, there are very limited possibilities to target these processes therapeutically. The family of Rho GTPases is an ubiquitously expressed division of GTP-binding proteins involved in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular signaling. The best characterized members of the Rho family GTPases are RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42. Abnormalities in Rho GTPase function have major consequences for cancer progression. Rho GTPase activation is driven by cell surface receptors that activate GTP exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on Rho GTPase function in the regulation of metastasis. We will focus on key discoveries in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), cell-cell junctions, formation of membrane protrusions, plasticity of cell migration and adaptation to a hypoxic environment. In addition, we will emphasize on crosstalk between Rho GTPase family members and other important oncogenic pathways, such as cyclic AMP-mediated signaling, canonical Wnt/β-catenin, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) and provide an overview of the advancements and challenges in developing pharmacological tools to target Rho GTPase and the aforementioned crosstalk in the context of cancer therapeutics.
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29
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McCormack JJ, Bruche S, Ouadda ABD, Ishii H, Lu H, Garcia-Cattaneo A, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Lamarche-Vane N, Braga VMM. The scaffold protein Ajuba suppresses CdGAP activity in epithelia to maintain stable cell-cell contacts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9249. [PMID: 28835688 PMCID: PMC5569031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09024-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Levels of active Rac1 at epithelial junctions are partially modulated via interaction with Ajuba, an actin binding and scaffolding protein. Here we demonstrate that Ajuba interacts with the Cdc42 GTPase activating protein CdGAP, a GAP for Rac1 and Cdc42, at cell-cell contacts. CdGAP recruitment to junctions does not require Ajuba; rather Ajuba seems to control CdGAP residence at sites of cell-cell adhesion. CdGAP expression potently perturbs junctions and Ajuba binding inhibits CdGAP activity. Ajuba interacts with Rac1 and CdGAP via distinct domains and can potentially bring them in close proximity at junctions to facilitate activity regulation. Functionally, CdGAP-Ajuba interaction maintains junctional integrity in homeostasis and diseases: (i) gain-of-function CdGAP mutants found in Adams-Oliver Syndrome patients strongly destabilize cell-cell contacts and (ii) CdGAP mRNA levels are inversely correlated with E-cadherin protein expression in different cancers. We present conceptual insights on how Ajuba can integrate CdGAP binding and inactivation with the spatio-temporal regulation of Rac1 activity at junctions. Ajuba provides a novel mechanism due to its ability to bind to CdGAP and Rac1 via distinct domains and influence the activation status of both proteins. This functional interplay may contribute towards conserving the epithelial tissue architecture at steady-state and in different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J McCormack
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - S Bruche
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - A B D Ouadda
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute-McGill University Hospital Centre and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H4A 3J1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - H Ishii
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute-McGill University Hospital Centre and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H4A 3J1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - H Lu
- Cancer Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - A Garcia-Cattaneo
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK
| | - C Chávez-Olórtegui
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - N Lamarche-Vane
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute-McGill University Hospital Centre and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H4A 3J1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - V M M Braga
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
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30
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Jia L, Gui B, Zheng D, Decker KF, Tinay I, Tan M, Wang X, Kibel AS. Androgen receptor-regulated miRNA-193a-3p targets AJUBA to promote prostate cancer cell migration. Prostate 2017; 77:1000-1011. [PMID: 28422308 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression is implicated in cancer development and progression by modulating oncogenes or tumor suppressors at the post-transcriptional level. Methods To investigate the role of miRNAs in prostate cancer (PCa) progression, we performed small RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis in androgen-dependent LNCaP cells and LNCaP-derived castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) C4-2B cells. For functional validation, we specifically investigated miR-193a-3p, which is highly upregulated in C4-2B cells and modulated by the androgen receptor (AR). We elucidated the role of miR-193a-3p and its downstream target gene in PCa cell migration using biochemical approaches. Results We identified a subset of differentially expressed miRNAs in C4-2B cells compared to LNCaP cells. Computational analysis shows that the targets of upregulated miRNAs are significantly associated with downregulated protein-coding mRNAs in C4-2B cells. Gene Ontology analysis further reveals that these downregulated mRNAs are significantly enriched in cell-cell adhesion functions. Downregulation of these miRNA-targeted genes may change PCa cell motility resulting in the acquisition of metastatic potential. We then focus on miR-193a-3p and demonstrate overexpression of miR-193a-3p increases cell migration through downregulating its target AJUBA. AJUBA is a LIM domain protein and contributes to the formation and stability of cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. Loss of AJUBA enhances PCa migration and downregulation of AJUBA expression is observed in metastatic PCa tumors. Conclusions Our results suggest a novel AR/miR-193a-3p/AJUBA pathway implicated in PCa progression. MiR-193a-3p is a potential therapeutic target for metastatic PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jia
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bin Gui
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dali Zheng
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Keith F Decker
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ilker Tinay
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mingyue Tan
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Adam S Kibel
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Marei H, Malliri A. GEFs: Dual regulation of Rac1 signaling. Small GTPases 2017; 8:90-99. [PMID: 27314616 PMCID: PMC5464116 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1202635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
GEFs play a critical role in regulating Rac1 signaling. They serve as signaling nodes converting upstream signals into downstream Rac1-driven cellular responses. Through associating with membrane-bound Rac1, GEFs facilitate the exchange of GDP for GTP, thereby activating Rac1. As a result, Rac1 undergoes conformational changes that mediate its interaction with downstream effectors, linking Rac1 to a multitude of physiological and pathological processes. Interestingly, there are at least 20 GEFs involved in Rac1 activation, suggesting a more complex role of GEFs in regulating Rac1 signaling apart from promoting the exchange of GDP for GTP. Indeed, accumulating evidence implicates GEFs in directing the specificity of Rac1-driven signaling cascades, although the underlying mechanisms were poorly defined. Recently, through conducting a comparative study, we highlighted the role of 2 Rac-specific GEFs, Tiam1 and P-Rex1, in dictating the biological outcome downstream of Rac1. Importantly, further proteomic analysis uncovered a GEF activity-independent function for both GEFs in modulating the Rac1 interactome, which results in the stimulation of GEF-specific signaling cascades. Here, we provide an overview of our recent findings and discuss the role of GEFs as master regulators of Rac1 signaling with a particular focus on GEF-mediated modulation of cell migration following Rac1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadir Marei
- Cell Signaling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Angeliki Malliri
- Cell Signaling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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32
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Spatial integration of E-cadherin adhesion, signalling and the epithelial cytoskeleton. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2016; 42:138-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Integrative genomic and functional analysis of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines reveals synergistic effects of FAT1 and CASP8 inactivation. Cancer Lett 2016; 383:106-114. [PMID: 27693639 PMCID: PMC5090049 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is genetically highly heterogeneous, which contributes to the challenges of treatment. To create an in vitro model that accurately reflects this heterogeneity, we generated a panel of HPV-negative OSCC cell lines. By whole exome sequencing of the lines and matched patient blood samples, we demonstrate that the mutational spectrum of the lines is representative of primary OSCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas. We show that loss of function mutations in FAT1 (an atypical cadherin) and CASP8 (Caspase 8) frequently occur in the same tumour. OSCC cells with inactivating FAT1 mutations exhibited reduced intercellular adhesion. Knockdown of FAT1 and CASP8 individually or in combination in OSCC cells led to increased cell migration and clonal growth, resistance to Staurosporine-induced apoptosis and, in some cases, increased terminal differentiation. The OSCC lines thus represent a valuable resource for elucidating the impact of different mutations on tumour behaviour.
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Schwayer C, Sikora M, Slováková J, Kardos R, Heisenberg CP. Actin Rings of Power. Dev Cell 2016; 37:493-506. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Chu CW, Ossipova O, Ioannou A, Sokol SY. Prickle3 synergizes with Wtip to regulate basal body organization and cilia growth. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24104. [PMID: 27062996 PMCID: PMC4827067 DOI: 10.1038/srep24104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PCP proteins maintain planar polarity in many epithelial tissues and have been implicated in cilia development in vertebrate embryos. In this study we examine Prickle3 (Pk3), a vertebrate homologue of Drosophila Prickle, in Xenopus gastrocoel roof plate (GRP). GRP is a tissue equivalent to the mouse node, in which cilia-generated flow promotes left-right patterning. We show that Pk3 is enriched at the basal body of GRP cells but is recruited by Vangl2 to anterior cell borders. Interference with Pk3 function disrupted the anterior polarization of endogenous Vangl2 and the posterior localization of cilia in GRP cells, demonstrating its role in PCP. Strikingly, in cells with reduced Pk3 activity, cilia growth was inhibited and γ-tubulin and Nedd1 no longer associated with the basal body, suggesting that Pk3 has a novel function in basal body organization. Mechanistically, this function of Pk3 may involve Wilms tumor protein 1-interacting protein (Wtip), which physically associates with and cooperates with Pk3 to regulate ciliogenesis. We propose that, in addition to cell polarity, PCP components control basal body organization and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wen Chu
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Olga Ossipova
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andriani Ioannou
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sergei Y Sokol
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Abstract
Schimizzi and Longmore summarise what we know about Ajuba LIM-domain proteins and their various subcellular roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory V Schimizzi
- ICCE Institute, Department of Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gregory D Longmore
- ICCE Institute, Department of Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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37
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Marei H, Carpy A, Woroniuk A, Vennin C, White G, Timpson P, Macek B, Malliri A. Differential Rac1 signalling by guanine nucleotide exchange factors implicates FLII in regulating Rac1-driven cell migration. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10664. [PMID: 26887924 PMCID: PMC4759627 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase Rac1 has been implicated in the formation and dissemination of tumours. Upon activation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), Rac1 associates with a variety of proteins in the cell thereby regulating various functions, including cell migration. However, activation of Rac1 can lead to opposing migratory phenotypes raising the possibility of exacerbating tumour progression when targeting Rac1 in a clinical setting. This calls for the identification of factors that influence Rac1-driven cell motility. Here we show that Tiam1 and P-Rex1, two Rac GEFs, promote Rac1 anti- and pro-migratory signalling cascades, respectively, through regulating the Rac1 interactome. In particular, we demonstrate that P-Rex1 stimulates migration through enhancing the interaction between Rac1 and the actin-remodelling protein flightless-1 homologue, to modulate cell contraction in a RhoA-ROCK-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadir Marei
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M204BX, UK
| | - Alejandro Carpy
- Proteome Center Tuebingen, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72026, Germany
| | - Anna Woroniuk
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M204BX, UK
| | - Claire Vennin
- Invasion and Metastasis Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Gavin White
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M204BX, UK
| | - Paul Timpson
- Invasion and Metastasis Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Boris Macek
- Proteome Center Tuebingen, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen 72026, Germany
| | - Angeliki Malliri
- Cell Signalling Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M204BX, UK
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Sosa-García B, Vázquez-Rivera V, González-Flores JN, Engel BE, Cress WD, Santiago-Cardona PG. The Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Transcriptionally Represses Pak1 in Osteoblasts. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142406. [PMID: 26555075 PMCID: PMC4640669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously characterized the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb) as a regulator of adherens junction assembly and cell-to-cell adhesion in osteoblasts. This is a novel function since Rb is predominantly known as a cell cycle repressor. Herein, we characterized the molecular mechanisms by which Rb performs this function, hypothesizing that Rb controls the activity of known regulators of adherens junction assembly. We found that Rb represses the expression of the p21-activated protein kinase (Pak1), an effector of the small Rho GTPase Rac1. Rac1 is a well-known regulator of adherens junction assembly whose increased activity in cancer is linked to perturbations of intercellular adhesion. Using nuclear run-on and luciferase reporter transcription assays, we found that Pak1 repression by Rb is transcriptional, without affecting Pak1 mRNA and protein stability. Pak1 promoter bioinformatics showed multiple E2F1 binding sites within 155 base pairs of the transcriptional start site, and a Pak1-promoter region containing these E2F sites is susceptible to transcriptional inhibition by Rb. Chromatin immunoprecipitations showed that an Rb-E2F complex binds to the region of the Pak1 promoter containing the E2F1 binding sites, suggesting that Pak1 is an E2F target and that the repressive effect of Rb on Pak1 involves blocking the trans-activating capacity of E2F. A bioinformatics analysis showed elevated Pak1 expression in several solid tumors relative to adjacent normal tissue, with both Pak1 and E2F increased relative to normal tissue in breast cancer, supporting a cancer etiology for Pak1 up-regulation. Therefore, we propose that by repressing Pak1 expression, Rb prevents Rac1 hyperactivity usually associated with cancer and related to cytoskeletal derangements that disrupt cell adhesion, consequently enhancing cancer cell migratory capacity. This de-regulation of cell adhesion due to Rb loss could be part of the molecular events associated with cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Sosa-García
- Department of Basic Sciences, Biochemistry Division, Ponce Health Science University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Viviana Vázquez-Rivera
- Department of Basic Sciences, Biochemistry Division, Ponce Health Science University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Brienne E. Engel
- Molecular Oncology and Thoracic Oncology Departments, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - W. Douglas Cress
- Molecular Oncology and Thoracic Oncology Departments, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Pedro G. Santiago-Cardona
- Department of Basic Sciences, Biochemistry Division, Ponce Health Science University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
- * E-mail:
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Hayes DN, Van Waes C, Seiwert TY. Genetic Landscape of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Head and Neck Cancer and Comparison to Tobacco-Related Tumors. J Clin Oncol 2015; 33:3227-34. [PMID: 26351353 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.62.1086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. It is often amenable to curative intent therapy when localized to the head and neck region, but it carries a poor prognosis when it is recurrent or metastatic. Therefore, initial treatment decisions are critical to improve patient survival. However, multimodality therapy used with curative intent is toxic. The balance between offering intensive versus tolerable and function-preserving therapy has been thrown into sharp relief with the recently described epidemic of human papillomavirus-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas characterized by improved clinical outcomes compared with smoking-associated head and neck tumors. Model systems and clinical trials have been slow to address the clinical questions that face the field to date. With this as a background, a host of translational studies have recently reported the somatic alterations in head and neck cancer and have highlighted the distinct genetic and biologic differences between viral and tobacco-associated tumors. This review seeks to summarize the main findings of studies, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, for the clinician scientist, with a goal of leveraging this new knowledge toward the betterment of patients with head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Neil Hayes
- D. Neil Hayes, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Carter Van Waes, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD; and Tanguy Y. Seiwert, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
| | - Carter Van Waes
- D. Neil Hayes, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Carter Van Waes, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD; and Tanguy Y. Seiwert, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Tanguy Y Seiwert
- D. Neil Hayes, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Carter Van Waes, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD; and Tanguy Y. Seiwert, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Abstract
Signaling via the Rho GTPases provides crucial regulation of numerous cell polarization events, including apicobasal (AB) polarity, polarized cell migration, polarized cell division and neuronal polarity. Here we review the relationships between the Rho family GTPases and epithelial AB polarization events, focusing on the 3 best-characterized members: Rho, Rac and Cdc42. We discuss a multitude of processes that are important for AB polarization, including lumen formation, apical membrane specification, cell-cell junction assembly and maintenance, as well as tissue polarity. Our discussions aim to highlight the immensely complex regulatory mechanisms that encompass Rho GTPase signaling during AB polarization. More specifically, in this review we discuss several emerging common themes, that include: 1) the need for Rho GTPase activities to be carefully balanced in both a spatial and temporal manner through a multitude of mechanisms; 2) the existence of signaling feedback loops and crosstalk to create robust cellular responses; and 3) the frequent multifunctionality that exists among AB polarity regulators. Regarding this latter theme, we provide further discussion of the potential plasticity of the cell polarity machinery and as a result the possible implications for human disease.
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Key Words
- AB, Apicobasal
- AJ, Adherens junction
- Amot, Angiomotin
- Arp2/3, Actin-related protein-2/3
- Baz, Bazooka
- C. elegans, Caenorhabditis elegans
- CA, Constitutively-active
- CD2AP, CD2-associated protein
- Caco2, Human colon carcinoma
- Cdc42
- Cora, Coracle
- Crb, Crumbs
- DN, Dominant-negative
- Dia1, Diaphanous-related formin 1
- Dlg, Discs large
- Drosophila, Drosophila melanogaster
- Dys-β, Dystrobrevin-β
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- Ect2, Epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 oncogene
- Eya1, Eyes absent 1
- F-actin, Filamentous actin
- FRET, Fluorescence resonance energy transfer
- GAP, GTPase-activating protein
- GDI, Guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor
- GEF, Guanine nucleotide exchange factor
- GTPases
- JACOP, Junction-associated coiled-coiled protein
- JAM, Junctional adhesion molecule
- LKB1, Liver kinase B1
- Lgl, Lethal giant larvae
- MDCK, Madin-Darby canine kidney
- MTOC, Microtubule-organizing center
- NrxIV, Neurexin IV
- Pals1, Protein associated with Lin-7 1
- Par, Partitioning-defective
- Patj, Pals1-associated TJ protein
- ROCK, Rho-associated kinase
- Rac
- Rho
- Rich1, RhoGAP interacting with CIP4 homologues
- S. cerevisiae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- S. pombe, Schizosaccharomyces pombe
- SH3BP1, SH3-domain binding protein 1
- Scrib, Scribble
- Std, Stardust
- TEM4, Tumor endothelial marker 4
- TJ, Tight junction
- Tiam1, T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis-inducing protein 1
- WASp, Wiskott-aldrich syndrome protein
- Yrt, Yurt
- ZA, zonula adherens
- ZO, Zonula occludens
- aPKC, Atypical Protein Kinase C
- apicobasal
- epithelia
- junction
- par
- polarity
- α-cat, Alpha-catenin
- β-cat, Beta-Catenin
- β2-syn, Beta-2-syntrophin
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Ann Mack
- a School of Life Sciences; Queens Medical Center ; University of Nottingham ; Nottingham , UK
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Enomoto M, Kizawa D, Ohsawa S, Igaki T. JNK signaling is converted from anti- to pro-tumor pathway by Ras-mediated switch of Warts activity. Dev Biol 2015; 403:162-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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The LIM protein Ajuba promotes adipogenesis by enhancing PPARγ and p300/CBP interaction. Cell Death Differ 2015; 23:158-68. [PMID: 26113042 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2015.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipocytes play a vital role in energy homeostasis and adipogenesis is a hierarchically regulated cellular differentiation process, in which the precursor mesenchymal stem cells are differentiated into mature adipocytes. Here, we report Ajuba is an important regulator of adipocyte differentiation by functioning as an obligate co-activator of PPARγ. Ajuba binds the DNA-binding domain of PPARγ via its preLIM region in a ligand-independent manner. Depletion of Ajuba in 3T3-L1 cells decreases PPARγ target gene expression and results in delayed adipogenic differentiation. Conversely, stable overexpression of Ajuba in 3T3-L1 cells increases PPARγ target gene expression and accelerates adipogenic differentiation. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that Ajuba recruits p300/CBP via its LIM domain and facilitates p300/CBP binding to PPARγ. Moreover, Ajuba, PPARγ, p300/CBP can cooperatively occupy the PPARγ target promoters and concomitantly increases histone acetylation at these loci. Collectively, these data suggest that Ajuba is a co-activator constitutively associated with PPARγ and may be a potential therapeutic target for PPARγ-mediated metabolic disorders.
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Mulvey CM, Schröter C, Gatto L, Dikicioglu D, Fidaner IB, Christoforou A, Deery MJ, Cho LTY, Niakan KK, Martinez-Arias A, Lilley KS. Dynamic Proteomic Profiling of Extra-Embryonic Endoderm Differentiation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2015; 33:2712-25. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.2067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Claire M. Mulvey
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics; Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre; Wellcome Trust Stem Cell building; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Christian Schröter
- Department of Genetics; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Gatto
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics; Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre; Wellcome Trust Stem Cell building; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Computational Proteomics Unit; Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Duygu Dikicioglu
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre; Wellcome Trust Stem Cell building; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Isik Baris Fidaner
- Department of Computer Engineering; Bogazici University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Andy Christoforou
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics; Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre; Wellcome Trust Stem Cell building; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Deery
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics; Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre; Wellcome Trust Stem Cell building; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Lily T. Y. Cho
- Neusentis; Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development; Granta Park Science Park, Great Abington; Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - Kathy K. Niakan
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory; London United Kingdom
| | | | - Kathryn S. Lilley
- Cambridge Centre for Proteomics; Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Cambridge Systems Biology Centre; Wellcome Trust Stem Cell building; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry; University of Cambridge; Cambridge United Kingdom
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Erasmus JC, Welsh NJ, Braga VMM. Cooperation of distinct Rac-dependent pathways to stabilise E-cadherin adhesion. Cell Signal 2015; 27:1905-13. [PMID: 25957131 PMCID: PMC4508347 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The precise mechanisms via which Rac1 is activated by cadherin junctions are not fully known. In keratinocytes Rac1 activation by cadherin junctions requires EGFR signalling, but how EGFR does so is unclear. To address which activator could mediate E-cadherin signalling to Rac1, we investigated EGFR and two Rac1 GEFs, SOS1 and DOCK180. EGFR RNAi prevented junction-induced Rac1 activation and led to fragmented localization of E-cadherin at cadherin contacts. In contrast, depletion of another EGFR family member, ErbB3, did not interfere with either process. DOCK180 RNAi, but not SOS1, prevented E-cadherin-induced Rac1 activation. However, in a strong divergence from EGFR RNAi phenotype, DOCK180 depletion did not perturb actin recruitment or cadherin localisation at junctions. Rather, reduced DOCK180 levels impaired the resistance to mechanical stress of pre-formed cell aggregates. Thus, within the same cell type, EGFR and DOCK180 regulate Rac1 activation by newly-formed contacts, but control separate cellular events that cooperate to stabilise junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Erasmus
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, SW7 2AZ London, UK
| | - Natalie J Welsh
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, SW7 2AZ London, UK
| | - Vania M M Braga
- Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, SW7 2AZ London, UK.
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Daneshjou N, Sieracki N, van Nieuw Amerongen GP, Conway DE, Schwartz MA, Komarova YA, Malik AB. Rac1 functions as a reversible tension modulator to stabilize VE-cadherin trans-interaction. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 208:23-32. [PMID: 25559184 PMCID: PMC4284224 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201409108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The role of the RhoGTPase Rac1 in stabilizing mature endothelial adherens junctions (AJs) is not well understood. In this paper, using a photoactivatable probe to control Rac1 activity at AJs, we addressed the relationship between Rac1 and the dynamics of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin). We demonstrated that Rac1 activation reduced the rate of VE-cadherin dissociation, leading to increased density of VE-cadherin at AJs. This response was coupled to a reduction in actomyosin-dependent tension across VE-cadherin adhesion sites. We observed that inhibiting myosin II directly or through photo-release of the caged Rho kinase inhibitor also reduced the rate of VE-cadherin dissociation. Thus, Rac1 functions by stabilizing VE-cadherin trans-dimers in mature AJs by counteracting the actomyosin tension. The results suggest a new model of VE-cadherin adhesive interaction mediated by Rac1-induced reduction of mechanical tension at AJs, resulting in the stabilization of VE-cadherin adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazila Daneshjou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Nathan Sieracki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Geerten P van Nieuw Amerongen
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, Vrije University of Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Daniel E Conway
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Martin A Schwartz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284
| | - Yulia A Komarova
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Asrar B Malik
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
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46
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Comprehensive genomic characterization of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Nature 2015; 517:576-82. [PMID: 25631445 PMCID: PMC4311405 DOI: 10.1038/nature14129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2783] [Impact Index Per Article: 309.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Cancer Genome Atlas profiled 279 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) to provide a comprehensive landscape of somatic genomic alterations. Here we show that human-papillomavirus-associated tumours are dominated by helical domain mutations of the oncogene PIK3CA, novel alterations involving loss of TRAF3, and amplification of the cell cycle gene E2F1. Smoking-related HNSCCs demonstrate near universal loss-of-function TP53 mutations and CDKN2A inactivation with frequent copy number alterations including amplification of 3q26/28 and 11q13/22. A subgroup of oral cavity tumours with favourable clinical outcomes displayed infrequent copy number alterations in conjunction with activating mutations of HRAS or PIK3CA, coupled with inactivating mutations of CASP8, NOTCH1 and TP53. Other distinct subgroups contained loss-of-function alterations of the chromatin modifier NSD1, WNT pathway genes AJUBA and FAT1, and activation of oxidative stress factor NFE2L2, mainly in laryngeal tumours. Therapeutic candidate alterations were identified in most HNSCCs.
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47
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Hammer A, Diakonova M. Tyrosyl phosphorylated serine-threonine kinase PAK1 is a novel regulator of prolactin-dependent breast cancer cell motility and invasion. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 846:97-137. [PMID: 25472536 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-12114-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite efforts to discover the cellular pathways regulating breast cancer metastasis, little is known as to how prolactin (PRL) cooperates with extracellular environment and cytoskeletal proteins to regulate breast cancer cell motility and invasion. We implicated serine-threonine kinase p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) as a novel target for PRL-activated Janus-kinase 2 (JAK2). JAK2-dependent PAK1 tyrosyl phosphorylation plays a critical role in regulation of both PAK1 kinase activity and scaffolding properties of PAK1. Tyrosyl phosphorylated PAK1 facilitates PRL-dependent motility via at least two mechanisms: formation of paxillin/GIT1/βPIX/pTyr-PAK1 complexes resulting in increased adhesion turnover and phosphorylation of actin-binding protein filamin A. Increased adhesion turnover is the basis for cell migration and phosphorylated filamin A stimulates the kinase activity of PAK1 and increases actin-regulating activity to facilitate cell motility. Tyrosyl phosphorylated PAK1 also stimulates invasion of breast cancer cells in response to PRL and three-dimensional (3D) collagen IV via transcription and secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in a MAPK-dependent manner. These data illustrate the complex interaction between PRL and the cell microenvironment in breast cancer cells and suggest a pivotal role for PRL/PAK1 signaling in breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Hammer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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48
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Zhang Y, Wang H, Li Y, Xu D, Lu L. Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the Ajuba gene of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) involved in cellular response to viral infection. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 48:164-170. [PMID: 25452047 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ajuba belongs to the LIM domain proteins, which are involved in the assembly of the extracellular matrix and, along with associated proteins, regulate target genes that connect the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton. In the present study, we characterized the entire cDNA sequence of the Ajuba gene from grass carp (gcAjuba). The gcAjuba cDNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 2121 bp encoding a polypeptide of 706 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 75.966 kDa and three LIM domains in the C-terminal. The transcriptional level of gcAjuba was significantly up-regulated following the stimulation of virus in vitro. Sub-cellular location of gcAjuba and GCRV-JX01 NS26 proteins did not overlap in the cytoplasm and no direct interaction between gcAjuba and the protein NS26 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) test in grass carp kidney cells. Based on these results, the gcAjuba is determined to be an immediately inducible gene responding to viral infection and in vivo association of gcAjuba with NS26 could not be confirmed, which has been suggested by yeast two-hybrid assay in previous report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Liqun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture of P. R. China, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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49
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Parrini MC. Untangling the complexity of PAK1 dynamics: The future challenge. CELLULAR LOGISTICS 2014; 2:78-83. [PMID: 23125950 PMCID: PMC3485744 DOI: 10.4161/cl.19817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PAK1 kinase is a crucial regulator of a variety of cellular processes, such as motility, cell division, gene transcription and apoptosis. Its deregulation is involved in several pathologies, including cancer, viral infection and neurodegenerative diseases. Due to this strong implication in human health, the complex network of signaling pathways centered on PAK1 is a subject of intensive investigations. This review summarizes the present knowledge on the multiple PAK1 intracellular localizations and on its shuttling between different compartments. The dynamics of PAK1 localization and activation are finely tuned by the cell and it is this tight control that underlies the capacity of PAK1 to participate in the regulation of many fundamental cell functions. Recently, PAK1 biosensors have been developed to visualize PAK1 activation in live cells. These new imaging tools should be of great help to better understand PAK1 biology and to conceive strategies for efficient and specific PAK1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carla Parrini
- Institut Curie; Centre de Recherche; Paris, France; Inserm U830; Paris, France
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50
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Adhesion molecule-mediated hippo pathway modulates hemangioendothelioma cell behavior. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:4485-99. [PMID: 25266662 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00671-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemangioendotheliomas are categorized as intermediate-grade vascular tumors that are commonly localized in the lungs and livers. The regulation of this tumor cell's proliferative and apoptotic mechanisms is ill defined. We recently documented an important role for Hippo pathway signaling via endothelial cell adhesion molecules in brain microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis. We found that endothelial cells lacking cell adhesion molecules escaped from contact inhibition and exhibited abnormal proliferation and apoptosis. Here we report on the roles of adherens junction molecule modulation of survivin and the Hippo pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of a murine hemangioendothelioma (EOMA) cell. We demonstrated reduced adherens junction molecule (CD31 and VE-cadherin) expression, increased survivin and Ajuba expression, and a reduction in Hippo pathway signaling resulting in increased proliferation and decreased activation of effector caspase 3 in postconfluent EOMA cell cultures. Furthermore, we confirmed that YM155, an antisurvivin drug that interferes with Sp1-survivin promoter interactions, and survivin small interference RNA (siRNA) transfection elicited induction of VE-cadherin, decreased Ajuba expression, increased Hippo pathway and caspase activation and apoptosis, and decreased cell proliferation. These findings support the importance of the Hippo pathway in hemangioendothelioma cell proliferation and survival and YM155 as a potential therapeutic agent in this category of vascular tumors.
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