USP53 activated by H3K27 acetylation regulates cell viability, apoptosis, and metabolism in esophageal carcinoma via the AMPK signaling pathway

Activation of AMPK inhibits cervical cancer growth by hyperacetylation of H3K9 through PCAF

BACKGROUND

Dysregulation in histone acetylation, a significant epigenetic alteration closely associated with major pathologies including cancer, promotes tumorigenesis, inactivating tumor-suppressor genes and activating oncogenic pathways. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor that regulates a multitude of biological processes. Although a number of studies have identified the mechanisms by which AMPK regulates cancer growth, the underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain unknown.

METHODS

The impact of metformin, an AMPK activator, on cervical cancer was evaluated through assessments of cell viability, tumor xenograft model, pan-acetylation analysis, and the role of the AMPK-PCAF-H3K9ac signaling pathway. Using label-free quantitative acetylproteomics and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP) technology, the activation of AMPK-induced H3K9 acetylation was further investigated.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that metformin, acting as an AMPK agonist, activates AMPK, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of cervical cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, AMPK activation induces H3K9 acetylation at epigenetic level, leading to chromatin remodeling in cervical cancer. This also enhances the binding of H3K9ac to the promoter regions of multiple tumor suppressor genes, thereby promoting their transcriptional activation. Furthermore, the absence of PCAF renders AMPK activation incapable of inducing H3K9 acetylation.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that AMPK mediates the inhibition of cervical cancer growth through PCAF-dependent H3K9 acetylation. This discovery not only facilitates the clinical application of metformin but also underscores the essential role of PCAF in AMPK activation-induced H3K9 hyperacetylation.

USP53 Exerts Tumor-Promoting Effects in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Deubiquitinating CRKL

Breast cancer (BC) ranks in the top five malignant tumors in terms of morbidity and mortality rates. Among BC subtypes, TNBC has a high recurrence rate and metastasis rate and the worst prognosis. However, the exact mechanism by which TNBC develops is unclear. Here, we show that the deubiquitinase USP53 contributes to tumor growth and metastasis in TNBC. USP53 is overexpressed in TNBC, and this phenotype is linked to a poor prognosis. Functionally, USP53 promotes TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). More importantly, USP53 decreases the chemosensitivity of BC cells by enhancing v-crk sarcoma virus CT10 oncogene homologue (avian)-like (CRKL) expression. Mechanistically, USP53 directly binds CRKL to stabilize and deubiquitinate it, thereby preventing CRKL degradation. Overall, we discovered that USP53 deubiquitinates CRKL, encourages tumor development and metastasis, and reduces chemosensitivity in TNBC. These findings imply that USP53 might represent a new therapeutic target for the treatment of TNBC.

USP53 Regulates Bone Homeostasis by Controlling Rankl Expression in Osteoblasts and Bone Marrow Adipocytes

In the skeleton, osteoblasts and osteoclasts synchronize their activities to maintain bone homeostasis and integrity. Investigating the molecular mechanisms governing bone remodeling is critical and helps understand the underlying biology of bone disorders. Initially, we have identified the ubiquitin-specific peptidase gene (Usp53) as a target of the parathyroid hormone in osteoblasts and a regulator of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Mutations in USP53 have been linked to a constellation of developmental pathologies. However, the role of Usp53 in bone has never been visited. Here we show that Usp53 null mice have a low bone mass phenotype in vivo. Usp53 null mice exhibit a pronounced decrease in trabecular bone indices including trabecular bone volume (36%) and trabecular number (26%) along with an increase in trabecular separation (13%). Cortical bone parameters are also impacted, showing a reduction in cortical bone volume (12%) and cortical bone thickness (15%). As a result, the strength and mechanical bone properties of Usp53 null mice have been compromised. At the cellular level, the ablation of Usp53 perturbs bone remodeling, augments osteoblast-dependent osteoclastogenesis, and increases osteoclast numbers. Bone marrow adipose tissue volume increased significantly with age in Usp53-deficient mice. Usp53 null mice displayed increased serum receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) levels, and Usp53-deficient osteoblasts and bone marrow adipocytes have increased expression of Rankl. Mechanistically, USP53 regulates Rankl expression by enhancing the interaction between VDR and SMAD3. This is the first report describing the function of Usp53 during skeletal development. Our results put Usp53 in display as a novel regulator of osteoblast-osteoclast coupling and open the door for investigating the involvement of USP53 in pathologies. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Multi-genomic analysis of 260 adrenocortical cancer patient tumors identifies novel network BIRC5-hsa-miR-335-5p-PAX8-AS1 strongly associated with poor survival

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare endocrine cancer with poor overall survival. Linking survival outcomes to a common target across multiple genomic datasets incorporating microRNA-long non-coding RNA dysregulation have not been well described. We hypothesized that a multi-database analysis of microRNA-long noncoding RNA-messenger RNA regulatory networks associated with survival will identify novel biomarkers.

METHODS

Significantly dysregulated genes or microRNA in adrenocortical carcinoma compared to normal adrenal was identified from sequencing data for 260 human adrenocortical carcinomas using GEO2R. The miRnet identified hub microRNA and genes and long noncoding RNA and microRNA associated with survival genes. The R2 generated Kaplan-Meier curves. The database miRTarBase linked genes associated with poor survival and dysregulated microRNA.

RESULTS

Analysis of genes and microRNAs differentially regulated in >50% of datasets revealed 75 genes and 12 microRNAs were upregulated, and 167 genes and 12 microRNAs were downregulated (bonf. P < .05). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed cell cycle, P53 signaling, arachidonic acid and innate immune response, and PI3/Akt are altered in adrenocortical carcinoma. A microRNA-target interaction network of differentially regulated microRNAs identified upregulated miRNA107, 103a-3p and 27a-3p, 16-5p, and downregulated 335-5p to have the highest degree of interaction with upregulated (ie, TPX2, CDK1, BIRC5, PRC1, CCNB1, GINS1) and downregulated (ie, RSPO3, NR2F1, TLR4, HOXA5, USP53, SLC16A9) hub genes as well as hub long noncoding RNAs XIST, NEAT1, KCNQ1OT1, and PAX8-AS1. Survival analysis revealed that the hub genes are associated with poor overall survival (P < .05) of adrenocortical carcinoma in the Cancer Genome Atlas data.

CONCLUSION

A messenger RNA-microRNA-long noncoding RNA network analysis identified the BIRC5-miR335-5p-PAX8-AS1 network as one that was associated with poor overall survival in adrenocortical carcinoma, warranting further validation as a potential therapeutic target.

Genetics in Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis: Clinical Patterns and Development of Liver and Biliary Cancers: A Review of the Literature

The family of inherited intrahepatic cholestasis includes autosomal recessive cholestatic rare diseases of childhood involved in bile acids secretion or bile transport defects. Specific genetic pathways potentially cause many otherwise unexplained cholestasis or hepatobiliary tumours in a healthy liver. Lately, next-generation sequencing and whole-exome sequencing have improved the diagnostic procedures of familial intrahepatic cholestasis (FIC), as well as the discovery of several genes responsible for FIC. Moreover, mutations in these genes, even in the heterozygous status, may be responsible for cryptogenic cholestasis in both young and adults. Mutations in FIC genes can influence serum and hepatic levels of bile acids. Experimental studies on the NR1H4 gene have shown that high bile acids concentrations cause excessive production of inflammatory cytokines, resistance to apoptosis, and increased cell regeneration, all risk conditions for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). NR1H4 gene encodes farnesoid X-activated receptor having a pivotal role in bile salts synthesis. Moreover, HCC and CCA can emerge in patients with several FIC genes such as ABCB11, ABCB4 and TJP2. Herein, we reviewed the available data on FIC-related hepatobiliary cancers, reporting on genetics to the pathophysiology, the risk factors and the clinical presentation.