1
|
Xiao D, Xiong M, Wang X, Lyu M, Sun H, Cui Y, Chen C, Jiang Z, Sun F. Regulation of the Function and Expression of EpCAM. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1129. [PMID: 38791091 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a single transmembrane protein on the cell surface. Given its strong expression on epithelial cells and epithelial cell-derived tumors, EpCAM has been identified as a biomarker for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and exosomes and a target for cancer therapy. As a cell adhesion molecule, EpCAM has a crystal structure that indicates that it forms a cis-dimer first and then probably a trans-tetramer to mediate intercellular adhesion. Through regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP), EpCAM and its proteolytic fragments are also able to regulate multiple signaling pathways, Wnt signaling in particular. Although great progress has been made, increasingly more findings have revealed the context-specific expression and function patterns of EpCAM and their regulation processes, which necessitates further studies to determine the structure, function, and expression of EpCAM under both physiological and pathological conditions, broadening its application in basic and translational cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Xiao
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Mingrui Xiong
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Xin Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Mengqing Lyu
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Hanxiang Sun
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Yeting Cui
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ziyu Jiang
- Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Fan Sun
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Matoušková Z, Orsághová K, Srb P, Pytelková J, Kukačka Z, Buša M, Hajdušek O, Šíma R, Fábry M, Novák P, Horn M, Kopáček P, Mareš M. An Unusual Two-Domain Thyropin from Tick Saliva: NMR Solution Structure and Highly Selective Inhibition of Cysteine Cathepsins Modulated by Glycosaminoglycans. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2240. [PMID: 38396918 PMCID: PMC10889554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The structure and biochemical properties of protease inhibitors from the thyropin family are poorly understood in parasites and pathogens. Here, we introduce a novel family member, Ir-thyropin (IrThy), which is secreted in the saliva of Ixodes ricinus ticks, vectors of Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. The IrThy molecule consists of two consecutive thyroglobulin type-1 (Tg1) domains with an unusual disulfide pattern. Recombinant IrThy was found to inhibit human host-derived cathepsin proteases with a high specificity for cathepsins V, K, and L among a wide range of screened cathepsins exhibiting diverse endo- and exopeptidase activities. Both Tg1 domains displayed inhibitory activities, but with distinct specificity profiles. We determined the spatial structure of one of the Tg1 domains by solution NMR spectroscopy and described its reactive center to elucidate the unique inhibitory specificity. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitory potency of IrThy was modulated in a complex manner by various glycosaminoglycans from host tissues. IrThy was additionally regulated by pH and proteolytic degradation. This study provides a comprehensive structure-function characterization of IrThy-the first investigated thyropin of parasite origin-and suggests its potential role in host-parasite interactions at the tick bite site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Matoušková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 12800 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Orsághová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Katerinska 32, 12108 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Srb
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Jana Pytelková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Zdeněk Kukačka
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Buša
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Biopticka Laborator, Mikulasske Namesti 4, 32600 Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Fábry
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Petr Novák
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, 16610 Praha, Czech Republic; (Z.M.); (K.O.); (M.B.); (M.F.); (M.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Houvast RD, Badr N, March T, de Muynck LDAN, Sier VQ, Schomann T, Bhairosingh S, Baart VM, Peeters JAHM, van Westen GJP, Plückthun A, Burggraaf J, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer AL, Sier CFM. Preclinical evaluation of EpCAM-binding designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) as targeting moieties for bimodal near-infrared fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging of cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023:10.1007/s00259-023-06407-w. [PMID: 37642704 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06407-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) can play a key role in improving radical resection rates by assisting surgeons to gain adequate visualization of malignant tissue intraoperatively. Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) possess optimal pharmacokinetic and other properties for in vivo imaging. This study aims to evaluate the preclinical potential of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-binding DARPins as targeting moieties for near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging of cancer. METHODS EpCAM-binding DARPins Ac2, Ec4.1, and non-binding control DARPin Off7 were conjugated to IRDye 800CW and their binding efficacy was evaluated on EpCAM-positive HT-29 and EpCAM-negative COLO-320 human colon cancer cell lines. Thereafter, NIRF and PA imaging of all three conjugates were performed in HT-29_luc2 tumor-bearing mice. At 24 h post-injection, tumors and organs were resected and tracer biodistributions were analyzed. RESULTS Ac2-800CW and Ec4.1-800CW specifically bound to HT-29 cells, but not to COLO-320 cells. Next, 6 nmol and 24 h were established as the optimal in vivo dose and imaging time point for both DARPin tracers. At 24 h post-injection, mean tumor-to-background ratios of 2.60 ± 0.3 and 3.1 ± 0.3 were observed for Ac2-800CW and Ec4.1-800CW, respectively, allowing clear tumor delineation using the clinical Artemis NIRF imager. Biodistribution analyses in non-neoplastic tissue solely showed high fluorescence signal in the liver and kidney, which reflects the clearance of the DARPin tracers. CONCLUSION Our encouraging results show that EpCAM-binding DARPins are a promising class of targeting moieties for pan-carcinoma targeting, providing clear tumor delineation at 24 h post-injection. The work described provides the preclinical foundation for DARPin-based bimodal NIRF/PA imaging of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben D Houvast
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Nada Badr
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Taryn March
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Vincent Q Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Timo Schomann
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shadhvi Bhairosingh
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Victor M Baart
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Judith A H M Peeters
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard J P van Westen
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacobus Burggraaf
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Cornelis F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lv Y, Wang W, Liu Y, Yi B, Chu T, Feng Z, Liu J, Wan X, Wang Y. Platycodin D represses β-catenin to suppress metastasis of cetuximab-treated KRAS wild-type colorectal cancer cells. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023:10.1007/s10585-023-10218-6. [PMID: 37326719 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10218-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, is extensively used for clinical therapy in KRAS wild-type colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, some patients still cannot get benefit from the therapy, because metastasis and resistance occur frequently after cetuximab treatment. New adjunctive therapy is urgently needed to suppress metastasis of cetuximab-treated CRC cells. In this study, we used two KRAS wild-type CRC cells, HT29 and CaCo2, to investigate whether platycodin D, a triterpenoid saponin isolated from Chinese medicinal herb Platycodon grandifloras, is able to suppress the metastasis of cetuximab-treated CRC. Label-free quantitative proteomics analyses showed that platycodin D but not cetuximab significantly inhibited expression of β-catenin in both CRC cells, and suggested that platycodin D counteracted the inhibition effect of cetuximab on cell adherence and functioned in repressing cell migration and invasion. Western blot results showed that single platycodin D treatment or combined platycodin D and cetuximab enhanced inhibition effects on expressions of key genes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including β-catenin, c-Myc, Cyclin D1 and MMP-7, compared to single cetuximab treatment. Scratch wound-healing and transwell assays showed that platycodin D combined with cetuximab suppressed migration and invasion of CRC cells, respectively. Pulmonary metastasis model of HT29 and CaCo2 in nu/nu nude mice consistently showed that combined treatment using platycodin D and cetuximab inhibited metastasis significantly in vivo. Our findings provide a potential strategy to inhibit CRC metastasis during cetuximab therapy by addition of platycodin D.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Lv
- Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenhong Wang
- Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanfei Liu
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ben Yi
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianhao Chu
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiqiang Feng
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Liu
- The Fourth Central Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuehua Wan
- TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yijia Wang
- Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Omar FA, Brown TC, Gillanders WE, Fleming TP, Smith MA, Bremner RM, Sankpal NV. Cytosolic EpCAM cooperates with H-Ras to regulate epithelial to mesenchymal transition through ZEB1. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285707. [PMID: 37192201 PMCID: PMC10187930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing of human cancer mutations has identified novel therapeutic targets. Activating Ras oncogene mutations play a central role in oncogenesis, and Ras-driven tumorigenesis upregulates an array of genes and signaling cascades that can transform normal cells into tumor cells. In this study, we investigated the role of altered localization of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in Ras-expressing cells. Analysis of microarray data demonstrated that Ras expression induced EpCAM expression in normal breast epithelial cells. Fluorescent and confocal microscopy showed that H-Ras mediated transformation also promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) together with EpCAM. To consistently localize EpCAM in the cytosol, we generated a cancer-associated EpCAM mutant (EpCAM-L240A) that is retained in the cytosol compartment. Normal MCF-10A cells were transduced with H-Ras together with EpCAM wild-type (WT) or EpCAM-L240A. WT-EpCAM marginally effected invasion, proliferation, and soft agar growth. EpCAM-L240A, however, markedly altered cells and transformed to mesenchymal phenotype. Ras-EpCAM-L240A expression also promoted expression of EMT factors FRA1, ZEB1 with inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and IL1. This altered morphology was reversed using MEK-specific inhibitors and to some extent JNK inhibition. Furthermore, these transformed cells were sensitized to apoptosis using paclitaxel and quercetin, but not other therapies. For the first time, we have demonstrated that EpCAM mutations can cooperate with H-Ras and promote EMT. Collectively, our results highlight future therapeutic opportunities in EpCAM and Ras mutated cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma A. Omar
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Taylor C. Brown
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - William E. Gillanders
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Timothy P. Fleming
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Smith
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Ross M. Bremner
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Narendra V. Sankpal
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Brown TC, Sankpal NV, Gillanders WE. Functional Implications of the Dynamic Regulation of EpCAM during Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Biomolecules 2021; 11:956. [PMID: 34209658 DOI: 10.3390/biom11070956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in epithelial tissues. EpCAM forms intercellular, homophilic adhesions, modulates epithelial junctional protein complex formation, and promotes epithelial tissue homeostasis. EpCAM is a target of molecular therapies and plays a prominent role in tumor biology. In this review, we focus on the dynamic regulation of EpCAM expression during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the functional implications of EpCAM expression on the regulation of EMT. EpCAM is frequently and highly expressed in epithelial cancers, while silenced in mesenchymal cancers. During EMT, EpCAM expression is downregulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and EMT transcription factors, as well as by regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP). The functional impact of EpCAM expression on tumor biology is frequently dependent on the cancer type and predominant oncogenic signaling pathways, suggesting that the role of EpCAM in tumor biology and EMT is multifunctional. Membrane EpCAM is cleaved in cancers and its intracellular domain (EpICD) is transported into the nucleus and binds β-catenin, FHL2, and LEF1. This stimulates gene transcription that promotes growth, cancer stem cell properties, and EMT. EpCAM is also regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and the EpCAM ectoderm (EpEX) is an EGFR ligand that affects EMT. EpCAM is expressed on circulating tumor and cancer stem cells undergoing EMT and modulates metastases and cancer treatment responses. Future research exploring EpCAM’s role in EMT may reveal additional therapeutic opportunities.
Collapse
|