TRAF4 Inhibits Bladder Cancer Progression by Promoting BMP/SMAD Signaling

BMP2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its effects on SCC9 cell biological behavior

This study examined bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its effects on the biological behavior of OSCC cells, along with potential underlying mechanisms. BMP2 expression in OSCC was analyzed using mRNA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genomics Expression Omnibus Database (GEO). SCC9 cells were transfected in vitro with small interfering RNA targeting BMP2 (si-BMP2), a negative control sequence (si-NC), BMP2 plasmid, or empty plasmid (vector). After transfection, Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, colony formation, scratch wound healing, Transwell, flow cytometry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses were conducted to assess changes in SCC9 cell behavior in response to altered BMP2 expression and to explore relevant signaling pathways.BMP2 upregulation promoted SCC9 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; inhibited apoptosis; and activated the Smad1/5 and p38 signaling pathways. Conversely, BMP2 downregulation inhibited SCC9 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; promoted apoptosis; and suppressed the Smad1/5 and p38 pathways. BMP2 is highly expressed in OSCC and may drive its progression through the BMP/Smad and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, indicating potential prognostic value and promise as a therapeutic target for small-molecule OSCC treatments.

Correlation between TCF7 and bladder cancer and feasibility of Erlotinib targeting in bladder cancer: Molecular mechanism and expression of TCF7 recombinant protein

The primary objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the mechanism by which TCF7 recombinant protein operates, as well as to examine its expression patterns within bladder cancer cells. This research seeks to establish a new theoretical framework and provide experimental data that could advance the field of molecular targeted therapy for bladder cancer. Erlotinib, a well-known targeted therapy drug, was administered to the bladder cancer cells, and we evaluated its antitumor effects through various assays such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis. To delve deeper into the mechanisms of action associated with the TCF7 recombinant protein, we conducted extensive analyses of signaling pathways as well as gene expression profiles. The findings indicated a significant correlation between the expression levels of TCF7 in bladder cancer cells and the tumor's malignancy grade. Following the treatment with Erlotinib, we observed a marked inhibition of cell proliferation, an increase in apoptotic activity, and notable alterations in cell cycle distribution. The results suggested that the molecules of the TCF7 recombinant protein could potentially influence the biological characteristics and behavior of bladder cancer cells by modulating specific signaling pathways, particularly the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further analysis of the gene expression profiles also enabled us to identify downstream target genes associated with TCF7, ultimately shedding light on its specific mechanisms of action in the context of bladder cancer.

Oncogenic mechanisms of COL10A1 in cancer and clinical challenges (Review)

Collagen type X α1 chain (COL10A1), a gene encoding the α‑1 chain of type X collagen, serves a key role in conferring tensile strength and structural integrity to tissues. Upregulation of COL10A1 expression has been observed in different malignancies, including lung, gastric and pancreatic cancer, and is associated with poor prognosis. The present review provides an updated synthesis of the evolving biological understanding of COL10A1, with a particular focus on its mechanisms of action and regulatory functions within the context of tumorigenesis. For example, it has been established that increased COL10A1 expression promotes cancer progression by activating multiple signaling pathways, including the TGF‑β1/Smad, MEK/ERK and focal adhesion kinase signaling pathways, thereby inducing proliferation, invasion and migration. Additionally, COL10A1 has been demonstrated to induce epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and reshapes the extracellular matrix within tumor tissues. Furthermore, on the basis of methyltransferase‑like 3‑mediated N6‑methyladenosine methylation, COL10A1 intricately regulates the epitranscriptomic machinery, thereby augmenting its oncogenic role. However, although COL10A1 serves a pivotal role in gene transcription and the orchestration of tumor growth, the question of whether COL10A1 would serve as a viable therapeutic target remains a subject of scientific hypothesis requiring rigorous examination. Variables such as distinct tumor microenvironments and treatment associations necessitate further experimental validation. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment and understanding of the functional and mechanistic roles of COL10A1 in cancer may pave the way for the development of innovative cancer treatment strategies.

CircWDR37 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis by mediating the miR-646/TRAF4 regulatory pathway

BACKGROUND

CircRNA has emerged as a significant player in human malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hsa_circ_0004277 (circWDR37) is abnormally up-regulated in HCC. But, its function and underlying mechanism in HCC progression are largely unknown.

METHODS

qRT-PCR and western blot assays were used to measure the expression of circWDR37, miR-646, and TRAF4. Cell malignant phenotypes were assessed via CCK-8, EdU, colony formation, flow cytometry, transwell, and tube formation experiments. The intermolecular interaction between miR-646 and circWDR37 or TRAF4 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. The in vivo effect of circWDR37 on xenograft tumor growth was also investigated in mice.

RESULTS

Increased CircWDR37 and TRAF4 and decreased miR-646 were found in HCC tissues and cells. Scilencing circWDR37 impeded cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation, while accelerated apoptosis. CircWDR37 directly bind to miR-646 to suppress miR-646 expression and up-regulate TRAF4 expression. MiR-646 inhibitor partially abated the cell phenotype changes caused by circWDR37 knockdown. Moreover, miR-646 exerted an inhibitory effect on cell malignant phenotypes, which were attenuated due to the increase of TRAF4. Additionally, circWDR37 knockdown blocked HCC tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

CircWDR37 exerted an oncogenic effect in HCC by sponging miR-646 to up-regulate TRAF4 expression. Our finding elucidates a novel 'circWDR37-miR-646-TRAF4' regulatory axis in HCC and provides a promising target for HCC treatment.

RNF26-mediated ubiquitination of TRIM21 promotes bladder cancer progression

RNF26 is an important E3 ubiquitin ligase that has been associated with poor prognosis in bladder cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of RNF26 in bladder cancer tumorigenesis are not fully understood. In the present study, we found that RNF26 expression level was significantly upregulated in the bladder cancer tissues, and higher RNF26 expression is closely associated with poorer prognosis, lower immune cell infiltration, and more sensitive to immune checkpoint blockade drugs and chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin, VEGFR-targeting drugs and MET-targeting drugs. RNF26 knockdown in UMUC3 and T24 cell lines inhibited cell growth, colony formation and migratory capacity. Meanwhile, RNF26 overexpression had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, RNF26 exerts its oncogenic function by binding to TRIM21 and promoting its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Moreover, we revealed ZHX3 as a downstream target of RNF26/TRIM21 pathway in bladder cancer. Taken together, we identified a novel RNF26/TRIM21/ZHX3 axis that promotes bladder cancer progression. Thus, the RNF26/TRIM21/ZHX3 axis constitutes a potential efficacy predictive marker and may serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Pan-cancer analysis of the TRAF family genes and their correlation with prognosis, TME, immune and drug sensitivity

BACKGROUND

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis, functioning as adapters or E3 ubiquitin ligases across various signaling pathways. To date, limited research has explored the association between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes and the clinicopathological characteristics of tumors, immunity, and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This comprehensive study investigates the relationship between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family and prognosis, TME, immune response, and drug sensitivity in a pan-cancer context.

METHODS

Utilizing current public databases, this study examines the expression levels and prognostic significance of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes in a pan-cancer context through bioinformatic analysis. In addition, it investigates the correlation between tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors expression and various factors, including the TME, immune subtypes, stemness scores, and drug sensitivity in pan-cancer.

RESULTS

Elevated expression levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2, 3, 4, and 7 were observed across various cancer types. Patients exhibiting high expression of these genes generally faced a worse prognosis. Furthermore, a significant correlation was noted between the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors family genes and multiple dimensions of the TME, immune subtypes, and drug sensitivity.

BHLHE41 inhibits bladder cancer progression via regulation of PYCR1 stability and thus inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

The basic helix-loop-helix family member e41 (BHLHE41) is frequently dysregulated in tumors and plays a crucial role in malignant progression of various cancers. Nevertheless, its specific function and underlying mechanism in bladder cancer (BCa) remain largely unexplored.

METHODS

The expression levels of BHLHE41 in BCa tissues and cells were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot assays. BCa cells stably knocking down or overexpressing BHLHE41 were constructed through lentivirus infection. The changes of cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, migration, and invasion were detected by CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell invasion assays, respectively. The expression levels of related proteins were detected by western blot assay. The interaction between BHLHE41 and PYCR1 was explored by co-immunoprecipitation analysis.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that BHLHE41 was lowly expressed in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines, and lower expression of BHLHE41 was associated with poor overall survival in bladder cancer patients. Functionally, by manipulating the expression of BHLHE41, we demonstrated that overexpression of BHLHE41 significantly retarded cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induced cell cycle arrest in bladder cancer through various in vitro and in vivo experiments, while silence of BHLHE41 caused the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we showed that BHLHE41 directly interacted with PYCR1, decreased its stability and resulted in the ubiquitination and degradation of PYCR1, thus inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Rescue experiments showed that the effects induced by BHLHE41 overexpression could be attenuated by further upregulating PYCR1.

CONCLUSION

BHLHE41 might be a useful prognostic biomarker and a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer. The BHLHE41/PYCR1/PI3K/AKT axis might be a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer intervention.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 5 promotes bladder cancer progression through stabilizing Twist1

Aberrant activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway drives the development of solid tumors, which is precisely regulated by core EMT-related transcription factors, including Twist1. However, the expression pattern and regulatory mechanism of Twist1 in the progression of bladder cancer is still unclear. In this study, we explore the role of Twist1 in the progression of bladder cancer. We discovered that the EMT regulon Twist1 protein, but not Twist1 mRNA, is overexpressed in bladder cancer samples using RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) coupled with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry identified USP5 as a binding partner of Twist1, and the binding of Twist1 to ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5) stabilizes Twist through its deubiquitinase activity to activate the EMT. Further studies found that USP5 depletion reduces cell proliferation, invasion and the EMT in bladder cancer cells, and ectopic expression of Twist1 rescues the adverse effects of USP5 loss on cell invasion and the EMT. A xenograft tumor model was used to reconfirmed the inhibitor effect of silencing USP5 expression on tumorigenesis in vivo. In addition, USP5 protein levels are significantly elevated and positively associated with Twist1 levels in clinical bladder cancer samples. Collectively, our study revealed that USP5-Twist1 axis is a novel regulatory mechanism driving bladder cancer progression and that approaches targeting USP5 may become a promising cancer treatment strategy.

piR-368 promotes odontoblastic differentiation of dental papilla cells via the Smad1/5 signaling pathway by targeting Smurf1

PURPOSE

The important role of non-coding RNAs in odontoblastic differentiation of dental tissue-derived stem cells has been widely demonstrated; however, whether piRNA (a subclass of non-coding RNA) involved in the course of odontoblastic differentiation is not yet available. This study aimed to investigate the expression profile of piRNA during odontogenic differentiation of mDPCs and the potential molecular mechanism in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The primary mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs) were isolated from the first molars of 1-day postnatal Kunming mice. Then, they were cultured in odontogenic medium for 9 days. The expression profile of piRNA was detected by Small RNA sequencing. RT-qPCR was used to verify the elevation of piR-368. The mRNA and protein levels of mineralization markers were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S staining were conducted to assess the odontoblastic differentiation ability.

RESULTS

We validated piR-368 was significantly upregulated and interference with piR-368 markedly inhibited the odontogenic differentiation of mDPCs. In addition, the relationship between Smad1/5 signaling pathway and piR-368-induced odontoblastic differentiation has been discovered. Finally, we demonstrated Smurf1 as a target gene of piR-368 using dual-luciferase assays.

CONCLUSION

This study was the first to illustrate the participation of piRNA in odontoblastic differentiation. We proved that piR-368 promoted odontoblastic differentiation of mouse dental papilla cells via the Smad1/5 signaling pathway by targeting Smurf1.

TRAF4 regulates ubiquitination-modulated survivin turnover and confers radioresistance

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common cancer originating in the nasopharynx. Despite continuous improvement in treatment strategies, recurrence or persistence of cancer after radiotherapy is still inevitable, highlighting the need to identify therapeutic resistance factors and develop effective methods for NPC treatment. Herein, we found that TRAF4 is overexpressed in NPC cells and tissues. Knockdown TRAF4 significantly increased the radiosensitivity of NPC cells, possibly by inhibiting the Akt/Wee1/CDK1 axis, thereby suppressing survivin phosphorylation and promoting its degradation by FBXL7. TRAF4 is positively correlated with p-Akt and survivin in NPC tissues. High protein levels of TRAF4 were observed in acquired radioresistant NPC cells, and knockdown of TRAF4 overcomes radioresistant in vitro and the xenograft mouse model. Altogether, our study highlights the TRAF4-survivin axis as a potential therapeutic target for radiosensitization in NPC.

Non-coding RNAs: Emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the colon's mucosal lining, leading to chronic bowel inflammation. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying UC pathogenesis remain elusive. NcRNAs form a category of functional RNA molecules devoid of protein-coding capacity. They have recently surfaced as pivotal modulators of gene expression and integral participants in various pathological processes, particularly those related to inflammatory disorders. The diverse classes of ncRNAs, encompassing miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs, have been implicated in UC. It highlights their involvement in key UC-related processes, such as immune cell activation, epithelial barrier integrity, and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. ncRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for UC diagnosis and monitoring disease progression, offering promising avenues for personalized medicine. This approach may pave the way for novel, more specific treatments with reduced side effects, addressing the current limitations of conventional therapies. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between ncRNAs and UC will advance our knowledge of the disease, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments for patients suffering from this debilitating condition. This review explores the pivotal role of ncRNAs in the context of UC, shedding light on their possible targets for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic interventions.

Small-Molecule Probes as Pharmacological Tools for the Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Pathway

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway is highly conserved and plays central roles in health and disease. The quality and quantity of its signaling outputs are regulated at multiple levels, offering pharmacological options for targeted modulation. Both target-centric and phenotypic drug discovery (PDD) approaches were applied to identify small-molecule BMP inhibitors and stimulators. In this Review, we accumulated and systematically classified the different reported chemotypes based on their targets as well as modes-of-action, and herein we illustrate the discovery history of selected candidates. A comprehensive summary of available biochemical, cellular, and in vivo activities is provided for the most relevant BMP modulators, along with recommendations on their preferred use as chemical probes to study BMP-related (patho)physiological processes. There are a number of high-quality probes used as BMP inhibitors that potently and selectively interrogate the kinase activities of distinct type I (16 chemotypes available) and type II receptors (3 chemotypes available). In contrast, only a few high-quality BMP stimulator modalities have been introduced to the field due to a lack of profound target knowledge. FK506-derived macrolides such as calcineurin-sparing FKBP12 inhibitors currently represent the best-characterized chemical tools for direct activation of BMP-SMAD signaling at the receptor level. However, several PDD campaigns succeeded in expanding the druggable space of BMP stimulators. Albeit the majority of them do not entirely fulfill the strict chemical probe criteria, many chemotypes exhibit unique and unrecognized mechanisms as pathway potentiators or synergizers, serving as valuable pharmacological tools for BMP perturbation.

PI3K/Akt signaling in urological cancers: Tumorigenesis function, therapeutic potential, and therapy response regulation

In addition to environmental conditions, lifestyle factors, and chemical exposure, aberrant gene expression and mutations involve in the beginning and development of urological tumors. Even in Western nations, urological malignancies are among the top causes of patient death, and their prevalence appears to be gender dependent. The prognosis for individuals with urological malignancies remains dismal and unfavorable due to the ineffectiveness of conventional treatment methods. PI3K/Akt is a popular biochemical mechanism that is activated in tumor cells as a result of PTEN loss. PI3K/Akt escalates growth and metastasis. Moreover, due to the increase in tumor cell viability caused by PI3K/Akt activation, cancer cells may acquire resistance to treatment. This review article examines the function of PI3K/Akt in major urological tumors including bladder, prostate, and renal tumors. In prostate, bladder, and kidney tumors, the level of PI3K and Akt are notably elevated. In addition, the activation of PI3K/Akt enhances the levels of Bcl-2 and XIAP, hence increasing the tumor cell survival rate. PI3K/Akt ] upregulates EMT pathways and matrix metalloproteinase expression to increase urological cancer metastasis. Furthermore, stimulation of PI3K/Akt results in drug- and radio-resistant cancers, but its suppression by anti-tumor drugs impedes the tumorigenesis.

E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases in bladder cancer tumorigenesis and implications for immunotherapies

With the rapidly increasing incidence of bladder cancer in China and worldwide, great efforts have been made to understand the detailed mechanism of bladder cancer tumorigenesis. Recently, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy has changed the treatment strategy for bladder cancer, especially for advanced bladder cancer, and has improved the survival of patients. The ubiquitin-proteasome system, which affects many biological processes, plays an important role in bladder cancer. Several E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases target immune checkpoints, either directly or indirectly. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases in bladder cancer tumorigenesis and further highlight the implications for bladder cancer immunotherapies.

TRAF4 Silencing Induces Cell Apoptosis and Improves Retinoic Acid Sensitivity in Human Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric malignancy that arises in the peripheral nervous system, and the prognosis in the high-risk group remains dismal, despite the breakthroughs in multidisciplinary treatments. The oral treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) after high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant has been proven to reduce the incidence of tumor relapse in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. However, many patients still have tumors relapsed following retinoid therapy, highlighting the need for the identification of resistant factors and the development of more effective treatments. Herein, we sought to investigate the potential oncogenic roles of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family in neuroblastoma and explore the correlation between TRAFs and retinoic acid sensitivity. We discovered that all TRAFs were efficiently expressed in neuroblastoma, but TRAF4, in particular, was found to be strongly expressed. The high expression of TRAF4 was associated with a poor prognosis in human neuroblastoma. The inhibition of TRAF4, rather than other TRAFs, improved retinoic acid sensitivity in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS cells. Further in vitro studies indicated that TRAF4 suppression induced retinoic acid-induced cell apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, probably by upregulating the expression of Caspase 9 and AP1 while downregulating Bcl-2, Survivin, and IRF-1. Notably, the improved anti-tumor effects from the combination of TRAF4 knockdown and retinoic acid were confirmed in vivo using the SK-N-AS human neuroblastoma xenograft model. In conclusion, the highly expressed TRAF4 might be implicated in developing resistance to retinoic acid treatment in neuroblastoma, and the combination therapy with retinoic acid and TRAF4 inhibition may offer significant therapeutic advantages in the treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma.