The FOXK1-CCDC43 Axis Promotes the Invasion and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis reveals CCDC58 as a carcinogenic factor related to immune infiltration

CCDC58, a member of the CCDC protein family, has been primarily associated with the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer, with limited research conducted on its involvement in other tumor types. We aimed to assess the significance of CCDC58 in pan-cancer. We utilized the TCGA, GTEx, and UALCAN databases to perform the differential expression of CCDC58 at both mRNA and protein levels. Prognostic value was evaluated through univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods. Mutation and methylation analyses were conducted using the cBioPortal and SMART databases. We identified genes interacting with and correlated to CCDC58 through STRING and GEPIA2, respectively. Subsequently, we performed GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. To gain insights into the functional status of CCDC58 at the single-cell level, we utilized CancerSEA. We explored the correlation between CCDC58 and immune infiltration as well as immunotherapy using the ESTIMATE package, TIMER2.0, TISIDB, TIDE, TIMSO, and TCIA. We examined the relationship between CCDC58 and tumor heterogeneity, stemness, DNA methyltransferases, and MMR genes. Lastly, we constructed a nomogram based on CCDC58 in HCC and investigated its association with drug sensitivity. CCDC58 expression was significantly upregulated and correlated with poor prognosis across various tumor types. The mutation frequency of CCDC58 was found to be increased in 25 tumors. We observed a negative correlation between CCDC58 expression and the methylation sites in the majority of tumors. CCDC58 showed negative correlations with immune and stromal scores, as well as with NK T cells, Tregs, CAFs, endothelial cells, and immunomodulators. Its value in immunotherapy was comparable to that of tumor mutational burden. CCDC58 exhibited positive correlations with tumor heterogeneity, stemness, DNA methyltransferase genes, and MMR genes. In HCC, CCDC58 was identified as an independent risk factor and demonstrated potential associations with multiple drugs. CCDC58 demonstrates significant clinical value as a prognostic marker and indicator of immune response across various tumor types. Its comprehensive analysis provides insights into its potential implications in pan-cancer research.

Expression of lymphoid structure-associated cytokine/chemokine gene transcripts in tumor and protein in serum are prognostic of melanoma patient outcomes

Background

Proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines support development and maturation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the current study, we sought to investigate the prognostic value of TLS-associated chemokines/cytokines (TLS-kines) expression levels in melanoma patients by performing serum protein and tissue transcriptomic analyses, and to then correlate these data with patients clinicopathological and TME characteristics.

Methods

Levels of TLS-kines in patients' sera were quantitated using a custom Luminex Multiplex Assay. The Cancer Genomic Atlas melanoma cohort (TCGA-SKCM) and a Moffitt Melanoma cohort were used for tissue transcriptomic analyses. Associations between target analytes and survival outcomes, clinicopathological variables, and correlations between TLS-kines were statistically analyzed.

Results

Serum of 95 patients with melanoma were evaluated; 48 (50%) female, median age of 63, IQR 51-70 years. Serum levels of APRIL/TNFSF13 were positively correlated with levels of both CXCL10 and CXCL13. In multivariate analyses, high levels of serum APRIL/TNFSF13 were associated with improved event-free survival after adjusting for age and stage (HR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.43-0.95; p = 0.03). High expression of APRIL/TNFSF13 tumor transcripts was significantly associated with improved OS in TCGA-SKCM (HR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.93; p = 0.01) and in Moffitt Melanoma patients (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.32-0.82; p = 0.006). Further incorporation of CXCL13 and CXCL10 tumor transcript levels in a 3-gene index revealed that high APRIL/CXCL10/CXCL13 expression was associated with improved OS in the TCGA SKCM cohort (HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.19-0.94; p = 0.035). Melanoma differentially expressed genes positively associated with high APRIL/CXCL10/CXCL13 tumor expression were linked to tumor infiltration by a diverse array of proinflammatory immune cell types.

Conclusion

Serum protein and tumor transcript levels of APRIL/TNFSF13 are associated with improved survival outcomes. Patients exhibiting high coordinate expression of APRIL/CXCL10/CXCL13 transcripts in their tumors displayed superior OS. Further investigation of TLS-kine expression profiles related to clinical outcomes in larger cohort studies is warranted.

Regulatory network and targeted interventions for CCDC family in tumor pathogenesis

CCDC (coiled-coil domain-containing) is a coiled helix domain that exists in natural proteins. There are about 180 CCDC family genes, encoding proteins that are involved in intercellular transmembrane signal transduction and genetic signal transcription, among other functions. Alterations in expression, mutation, and DNA promoter methylation of CCDC family genes have been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases, including primary ciliary dyskinesia, infertility, and tumors. In recent studies, CCDC family genes have been found to be involved in regulation of growth, invasion, metastasis, chemosensitivity, and other biological behaviors of malignant tumor cells in various cancer types, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and thyroid cancer. In this review, we summarize the involvement of CCDC family genes in tumor pathogenesis and the relevant upstream and downstream molecular mechanisms. In addition, we summarize the potential of CCDC family genes as tumor therapy targets. The findings discussed here help us to further understand the role and the therapeutic applications of CCDC family genes in tumors.

FOXK1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and radiation sensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common head and neck tumor in China. Forkhead box (FOX) proteins have 19 subfamilies, which can maintain cell metabolism, regulate cell cycle and cell growth, etc. FOXK1 is a member of the FOX family, and studies have found that FOXK1 is closely related to tumors.

OBJECTIVE

This experiment aims to study the effects of FOXK1 interference on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and radiosensitivity, by regulating the Janus kinas/signal translator and activator of the transfer 3 (JAK/STAT3) pathway.

METHODS

The expression of FOXK1 was detected via immunohistochemistry using clinical nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues. The relationship between FOXK1 expression and tumor stage was subsequently evaluated. The colony formation rate was calculated through the colony formation experiment. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were detected using flow cytometry, while cell invasion was detected using the Transwell method. The number of cells in the nucleus of each group after 30 min, 4 h, and 24 h of radiotherapy with the 2 Gy dose was counted using immunofluorescence under γ-H2AX focal points of a laser confocal microscope.

RESULTS

FOXK1 is clearly expressed in the patients' cancer tissues. The expression of FOXK1 was significantly correlated with the patient's sex. FOXK1 interference or Peficitinib can upregulate the apoptosis rate of 5-8 F and CNE-2 cells; increase the G2 phase of cells; and inhibit the invasion, migration, and EMT of cells. At the same time, FOXK1 interference can downregulate the protein expression of p-JAK1, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in cells. Interference from FOXK1 or Peficitinib alone can reduce the rate of cell colony formation under different radiation doses, and enhance the green fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in the nucleus after 4 and 24 h of the 2 Gy dose of radiotherapy. These results are optimal when FOXK1 interference and Peficitinib are used together.

CONCLUSION

FOXK1 interference in NPC cells can regulate EMT through the JAK/STAT3 signal pathway, enhance the radiosensitivity of cells, and thus inhibit tumor cell progression.

MiRNA expression profiling in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung carcinoma reveals both common and specific deregulated microRNAs

The current study investigated the expression signatures of miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell lung carcinoma (LUSC). miRNA profiling was performed using microarray in 12 LUAD and 12 LUSC samples and adjacent normal tissues. In LUAD, 107 miRNAs were significantly deregulated, whereas 235 miRNAs were deregulated in LUSC. Twenty-six miRNAs were common between the 2 cancer subtypes and 8 were prioritized for validation, in addition to 6 subtype-specific miRNAs. The RT-qPCR validation samples included 50 LUAD, 50 LUSC, and adjacent normal tissues. Eight miRNAs were validated in LUAD: 3 upregulated - miR-7-5p, miR-375-5p, miR-6785-3p, and 5 downregulated - miR-101-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-140-3p, miR-144-3p, miR-195-5p. Ten miRNAs were validated in the LUSC group: 3 upregulated - miR-7-5p, miR-21-3p, miR-650, and 7 downregulated - miR-95-5p, miR-140-3p, miR-144-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-375, miR-744-3p, and miR-4689-3p. Reactome pathway analysis revealed that the target genes of the deregulated miRNAs in LUAD were significantly enriched in cell cycle, membrane trafficking, gene expression processes, and EGFR signaling, while in LUSC, they were enriched in the immune system, transcriptional regulation by TP53, and FGFR signaling. This study identified distinct miRNA profiles in LUSC and LUAD, which are common and specific miRNAs that could be further investigated as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.

Stabilization of CCDC102B by Loss of RACK1 Through the CMA Pathway Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis via Activation of the NF-κB Pathway

Background

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among women, and the pathological status of axillary lymph nodes is an important predictor of prognosis. However, the mechanism involved in this early stage of metastasis remains largely unknown.

Methods

Microarray analysis was used to carry out differential genomics analyses between matched pairs of metastatic sentinel lymph node tissues and breast primary tumors. The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system was used for in vivo screening by transplanting a loss-of-function cell pool into immunocompromised mice. MAGeCK was used to analyze the screening results. Survival analysis was performed via the Kaplan–Meier method. Cell proliferation, wound healing, migration and invasion assays were performed to confirm the phenotype. A tail vein model and subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model were used for the in vivo study. The relationship between coiled-coil domain containing 102B (CCDC102B) and receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) was examined using coimmunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, nuclear protein extraction and immunofluorescence assays. The primary biological functions and pathways related to CCDC102B were enriched by RNA sequencing.

Results

We identified CCDC102B through screening and found that it was significantly upregulated in metastatic lesions in lymph nodes compared to matched primary tumors. Increased expression of CCDC102B promoted breast cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, high expression of CCDC102B was correlated with poor clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients. We further identified that CCDC102B was stabilized by the loss of RACK1, a protein negatively correlated with breast cancer metastasis. Mechanistically, we found that RACK1 promoted CCDC102B lysosomal degradation by mediating chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). The aggressive behavior of CCDC102B in breast cancer cells could be reversed by the expression of RACK1. Moreover, CCDC102B was correlated with the significant enrichment of NF-κB pathway components. Overexpressing CCDC102B led to less interaction between RACK1 and IKKa. Thus, CCDC102B positively regulates the NF−κB pathway by interacting with RACK1.

Conclusion

Taken together, our findings uncover a novel role of CCDC102B in breast cancer metastasis. CCDC102B serves as a potential metastasis promoter by regulating the activation of the NF-κB pathway and can be degraded by RACK1 via CMA.

microRNA-16-5p suppresses cell proliferation and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer by negatively regulating forkhead box K1 to block the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have aroused increasing attention in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. This study is designed for a detailed analysis of the roles of miR-16-5p and forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) in cell angiogenesis and proliferation during CRC in addition to their underlying mechanisms. CRC tissues and colon cancer cell lines (SW620 and HCT8) were investigated. qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to evaluate miR-16-5p and FOXK1 expression. Following gain- and loss-of-function assays on miR-16-5p or FOXK1, the effects of miR-16-5p and FOXK1 were assessed on cell angiogenesis and proliferation in CRC cells. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to evaluate the binding relationship of miR-16-5p and FOXK1. Western blot was used to determine the effects of miR-16-5p and FOXK1 on key molecules of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Highly expressed FOXK1 and lowly expressed miR-16-5p were observed in CRC cells and tissues. miR-16-5p overexpression or FOXK1 knockdown reduced CRC cell proliferation and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells co-cultured with the supernatant of CRC cells, whereas miR-16-5p silencing or FOXK1 upregulation caused opposite trends. Additionally, miR-16-5p negatively modulated FOXK1 expression. The blockade of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was triggered by miR-16-5p overexpression or FOXK1 silencing. In conclusion, miR-16-5p hampers cell angiogenesis and proliferation during CRC by targeting FOXK1 to block the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Single-Cell Profiling Reveals Heterogeneity of Primary and Lymph Node Metastatic Tumors and Immune Cell Populations and Discovers Important Prognostic Significance of CCDC43 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Although substantial progress has been made in biological research and clinical treatment in recent years, the clinical prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still not satisfactory. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is a potential target, which plays an essential role in the response of anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy. In this study, we used scRNA-seq data, revealing the heterogeneity of TIME between metastatic and primary site. We found that in the metastatic site, the content of cytotoxic T cells and classical activated macrophages (M1 macrophages) increases significantly, while alternately activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) and inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs) decrease, which may be due to the increased immunogenicity of OSCC cells in the metastatic site and the changes in some signal pathways. We also found that iCAFs may recruit alternately activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) by secreting CXCL12. Then, we described a regulatory network for communication between various TIME cells centered on OSCC cells, which can help to clarify the possible mechanism of lymph node metastasis in OSCC cells. By performing pseudotime trajectory analysis, we found that the expression CCDC43 is upregulated in more advanced OSCC cells and is an independent prognostic factor for poor living conditions. Other than this, the high expression of CCDC43 may impair the antitumor immunity of the human body and promote the metastasis of OSCC cells. Our research provides a profound insight into the immunological study of OSCC and an essential resource for future drug discovery.

Role of coiled-coil domain containing proteins in development of gastric cancer

Coiled-coil domain containing proteins (CCDCs) are a class of oligomeric proteins consisting of two or more coiled-coil domains. About 40 coiled coil family genes are associated with disease, and they can act as both pro-oncogenes and anti-oncogenes in the pathogenesis of tumors, regulating tumor proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Therefore, they are closely related to tumor development. This paper reviews the recent progress in the understanding of the role of CCDCs in gastric cancer, and explores their different roles and functions in the development of this malignancy.

HMGA1 promotes gastric cancer growth and metastasis by transactivating SUZ12 and CCDC43 expression

HMGA1 protein is an architectural transcription factor that has been implicated in the progression of multiple malignant tumors. However, the role of HMGA1 in the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer (GC) has not yet been elucidated. Here, we show that HMGA1 is overexpressed in GC cells and the high expression of HMGA1 was correlated with worse survival in GC patients using a bioinformatics assay. Functionally, HMGA1 affected the EdU incorporation, colony formation, migration and invasion of GC cells by exogenously increasing or decreasing the expression of HMGA1. Mechanistically, HMGA1 directly bound to the SUZ12 and CCDC43 promoter and transactivated its expression in GC cells. Inhibition of SUZ12 and CCDC43 attenuated the proliferation, migration and invasiveness of HMGA1-overexpressing GC cells in vitro. Moreover, both HMGA1 and SUZ12/CCDC43 were highly expressed in cancer cells but not in normal gastric tissues, and their expressions were positively correlated. Finally, a tail vein metastatic assay showed that HMGA1 promoted SUZ12/CCDC43-mediated GC cell metastasis in vivo. Our findings suggest that HMGA1 promotes GC growth and metastasis by transactivating SUZ12 and CCDC43 expression, highlighting HMGA1 as a potential prognostic biomarker in the treatment of GC.

From Proteomic Mapping to Invasion-Metastasis-Cascade Systemic Biomarkering and Targeted Drugging of Mutant BRAF-Dependent Human Cutaneous Melanomagenesis

Simple Summary

Despite the recent advances in human malignancy therapy, metastasis and chemoresistance remain the principal causes of cancer-derived deaths. Given the fatal forms of cutaneous metastatic melanoma, we herein employed primary (WM115) and metastatic (WM266-4) melanoma cells, both obtained from the same patient, to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Through state-of-the-art technologies including deep proteome landscaping, immunofluorescence phenotyping, and drug toxicity screening, we were able to describe new molecular programs, oncogenic drivers, and drug regimens, controlling the invasion-metastasis cascade during BRAF^V600D-dependent melanomagenesis. It proved that proteomic navigation could foster the development of systemic biomarkering and targeted drugging for successful treatment of advanced disease.

Abstract

Melanoma is classified among the most notoriously aggressive human cancers. Despite the recent progress, due to its propensity for metastasis and resistance to therapy, novel biomarkers and oncogenic molecular drivers need to be promptly identified for metastatic melanoma. Hence, by employing nano liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry deep proteomics technology, advanced bioinformatics algorithms, immunofluorescence, western blotting, wound healing protocols, molecular modeling programs, and MTT assays, we comparatively examined the respective proteomic contents of WM115 primary (n = 3955 proteins) and WM266-4 metastatic (n = 6681 proteins) melanoma cells. It proved that WM115 and WM266-4 cells have engaged hybrid epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition states, with TGF-β controlling their motility in vitro. They are characterized by different signatures of SOX-dependent neural crest-like stemness and distinct architectures of the cytoskeleton network. Multiple signaling pathways have already been activated from the primary melanoma stage, whereas HIF1α, the major hypoxia-inducible factor, can be exclusively observed in metastatic melanoma cells. Invasion-metastasis cascade-specific sub-routines of activated Caspase-3-triggered apoptosis and LC3B-II-dependent constitutive autophagy were also unveiled. Importantly, WM115 and WM266-4 cells exhibited diverse drug response profiles, with epirubicin holding considerable promise as a beneficial drug for metastatic melanoma clinical management. It is the proteome navigation that enables systemic biomarkering and targeted drugging to open new therapeutic windows for advanced disease.

Transcription factor forkhead box K1 regulates miR-32 expression and enhances cell proliferation in colorectal cancer

Increased microRNA (miR)-32 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues enhances CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and attenuates CRC cell apoptosis by repressing the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) was identified as a potential interacting transcription factor using DNA pull-down assays and mass spectrometry. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of FOXK1 in regulating miR-32 expression in CRC. The expressions of FOXK1, miR-32, transmembrane protein 245 gene (TMEM245) and PTEN were compared between CRC and normal colonic tissues. Levels of miR-32, TMEM245, PTEN and the proliferation and apoptosis of CRC cells were studied using FOXK1-overexpression or knockdown, or by simultaneously interfering with FOXK1 and miR-32 expression. Direct FOXK1 binding to the miR-32 promoter was verified using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The results showed elevated FOXK1, miR-32 and TMEM245 expression, and significantly decreased PTEN expression in CRC, compared with normal colonic tissues. Correlations between the expressions of TMEM245 and miR-32, FOXK1 and miR-32, and FOXK1 and TMEM245 were positive and significant. FOXK1-knockdown led to decreased miR-32 and TMEM245 expression and increased PTEN expression, whereas FOXK1-overexpression had the opposite effect. Overexpressed FOXK1 promoted the malignancy of CRC cells in vitro by stimulating proliferation and reducing apoptosis; whereas FOXK1-depletion suppressed such malignancy and a miR-32 inhibitor partially reversed the effects of FOXK1. The results of ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that FOXK1 directly binds to the promoter of TMEM245/miR-32. Thus, the FOXK1-miR-32-PTEN signaling axis may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of CRC.

SNHG1 knockdown upregulates miR-376a and downregulates FOXK1/Snail axis to prevent tumor growth and metastasis in HCC

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), and genes are emerging players in cancer progression. In the present study, we explored the roles and interactions of oncogenic lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1), miR-376, forkhead box protein K1 (FOXK1), and Snail in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression of SNHG1, miR-376, and FOXK1 in HCC was characterized in clinical HCC tissues of 75 patients with HCC. The interactions between SNHG1 and miR-376 and between miR-376 and FOXK1 were predicted and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed in HCC cells to examine the effects of the SNHG1/miR-376/FOXK1/Snail axis on viability, apoptosis, invasiveness, and migrating abilities. Their effects on tumor growth and metastasis were validated in nude mouse models. SNHG1 and FOXK1 were upregulated, and miR-376a was downregulated in HCC. SNHG1 knockdown contributed to suppression of HCC cell viability, invasion, and migration properties and promotion of apoptosis. SNHG1 could competitively bind to miR-376a to upregulate its target gene FOXK1, which upregulated Snail. SNHG1 knockdown delayed cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo by upregulating miR-376a and downregulating FOXK1 and Snail. SNHG1 knockdown exerts anti-tumor activity in HCC, suggesting a therapeutic target.

FOXK1 plays an oncogenic role in the progression of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) has a poor outcome in terms of survival. Forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) dysregulation is critical in solid tumors, which serves a pivotal role in the biological characteristics, such as invasion and migration, but its expression and functions in HC are unclear. The present study investigated the clinical significance and biological functions of FOXK1 in HC. Tumor microarrays and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate FOXK1 in HC and its expression was modulated to determine its effects on chemoresistance and tumorigenesis. FOXK1 was highly expressed in HC and cell lines, which was associated with tumor invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, tumor recurrence and poor prognosis. Silencing FOXK1 in HC cells inhibited invasion and migration, upregulated E-cadherin, and downregulated vimentin, matrix metallopeptidase 9 and Twist in HC cells. Sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin was increased, and glutathione S-transferase π, multidrug resistance mutation 1 and P-glycoprotein expression levels were downregulated in RBE cells in vitro following FOXK1 knockdown. These results indicated that FOXK1 plays an oncogenic role in HC progression and can serve as a novel therapeutic target for HC.

LncRNA TMPO-AS1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion through sponging miR-329-3p to stimulate FOXK1-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death worldwide. Numerous analyses have revealed the abnormal expression of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HCC cells. This study aims to explore biological functions of lncRNA TMPO‐AS1 (TMPO antisense RNA 1) in HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration.

Methods

The gene expression in HCC tissues and cell lines were measured by qRT‐PCR. The role of TMPO‐AS1 in HCC was confirmed by CCK‐8, colony formation, TUNEL, transwell and western blot as well as by in vivo experiments. RNA pull down and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to prove the binding relationship between TMPO‐AS1/FOXK1 (forkhead box K1) andmiR‐329‐3p. Rescue assays elucidated the regulatory effects of TMPO‐AS1/miR‐329‐3p/FOXK1/AKT/mTOR pathway on cellular activities in HCC.

Results

TMPO‐AS1was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells and its depletion inhibits HCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT process as well as tumor growth. Furthermore, TMPO‐AS1 could bind with miR‐329‐3p, which suppressed HCC cell proliferation. FOXK1 served as the target gene of miR‐329‐3p and TMPO‐AS1 upregulated FOXK1 by sponging miR‐329‐3p in HCC cells. Additionally, FOXK1 overexpression or miR‐329‐3p inhibitor neutralized the repressing effects of TMPO‐AS1 knockdown on HCC development. Finally, it verified that TMPO‐AS1 could regulate AKT/mTOR pathway via FOXK1 to promote HCC.

Conclusion

TMPO‐AS1 contributes to HCC progression by sponging miR‐329‐3p to activate FOXK1‐mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Inhibiting Forkhead box K1 induces autophagy to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in gastric cancer by regulating Myc-associated zinc finger protein in an acidic microenvironment

Background: Forkhead box K1 (FOXK1) is a transcription factor belonging to the Forkhead box (FOX) family and is closely related to the development of various cancers, but the functional mechanism through which FOXK1 regulates autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the acidic microenvironment of gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear.

Results: Our results indicated that the inhibition of FOXK1 induced autophagy and thus exerted antimetastatic effects in an acidic microenvironment. The dual inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and FOXK1 enhanced autophagy and reversed EMT of acidic GC cells. In addition, FOXK1 activated transcription in conjunction with the MAZ promoter.

Conclusion: Together, our results suggest that FOXK1 can be used as an independent prognostic indicator for GC patients. We also revealed a new strategy involving the cotargeting of FOXK1 and autophagy to reverse the effects of EMT. MAZ is involved in the development and progression of GC as a downstream target of FOXK1.

Methods: Here, the cellular responses to the inhibition of FOXK1 in GC were studied in vivo and in vitro through wound healing assays, transwell assays, Western blotting, laser confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The molecular mechanisms of FOXK1 and Myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) were studied via chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), bioinformatics, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR).

The CCDC43-ADRM1 axis regulated by YY1, promotes proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer

Previous studies have shown an association between coiled-coil domain-containing (CCDC) genes and different cancers. Our previous studies revealed that CCDC43 is highly expressed in colorectal cancer, but the expression and molecular mechanisms of CCDC43 in gastric cancer (GC) are yet to be determined. Here, we show that CCDC43 is overexpressed in gastric tissues. CCDC43 expression is closely related to tumor differentiation, lymph-node-metastasis, and prognosis of gastric cancer. Overexpression of CCDC43 promotes the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of GC cells. CCDC43 may upregulate and stabilize ADRM1, resulting in the construction of the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome. In contrast, inhibition of ADRM1 could reverse the function of CCDC43 in GC both in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrate that transcription factor YY1 directly binds to CCDC43 and ADRM1 gene promoters, leading to over-expression of CCDC43 and ADRM1. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrate that knock down of CCDC43 or ADRM1 attenuates the YY1-mediated malignant phenotypes. Finally, the association among YY1, CCDC43 and ADRM1 is validated in clinical samples. Our findings suggest that the CCDC43-ADRM1 axis regulated by YY1, promotes proliferation and metastasis of GC, and the axis may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Genome-wide DNA methylation differences according to oestrogen receptor beta status in colorectal cancer

Involvement of sex hormones in colorectal cancer (CRC) development has been linked to oestrogen receptor β (ERβ). Expression of ERβ is found reduced in tumour tissue and inversely related to mortality. However, mechanisms are not well understood. Our study aimed to detect differentially methylated genes associated with ERβ expression, which could point to mechanisms by which ERβ could influence risk and prognosis of CRC. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation profiling was performed using Illumina HumanMethylation450k BeadChip arrays in two independent tumour sample sets of CRC patients recruited in 2003-2010 by the German DACHS study (discovery cohort n = 917, replication cohort n = 907). ERβ expression was measured using immunohistochemistry and scored as negative, moderate and high. Differentially methylated CpG sites and genomic regions were determined using limma in the R-package RnBeads. For the comparison of tumours with moderate/high ERβ versus negative expression, differentially methylated CpG sites were identified but not confirmed by replication. Comparing tumours of high with tumours of negative ERβ expression revealed 2,904 differentially methylated CpG sites of which 403 were replicated (FDR adjusted p-value<0.05). Replicated CpGs were annotated to genes such as CD36, HK1 or LRP5. A survival analysis indicates that 30 of the replicated CpGs are also associated with overall survival (FDR-adjusted p-value<0.05). The regional analysis identified 60 differentially methylated promotor regions. The epigenome-wide analysis identified both novel genes as well as genes already implicated in CRC. Follow-up mechanistic studies to better understand the regulatory role of ERβ could inform potential targets for improving treatment or prevention of CRC.