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Chan T, Cheng L, Hsu C, Yang P, Liao T, Hsieh H, Lin P, HuangFu W, Chuu C, Tsai KK. ASPM stabilizes the NOTCH intracellular domain 1 and promotes oncogenesis by blocking FBXW7 binding in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:562-579. [PMID: 38279565 PMCID: PMC10920086 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13589] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is aberrantly activated in approximately 30% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), significantly contributing to tumorigenesis and disease progression. Expression of the major Notch receptor, NOTCH1, is upregulated in HCC cells and correlates with advanced disease stages, although the molecular mechanisms underlying its overexpression remain unclear. Here, we report that expression of the intracellular domain of NOTCH1 (NICD1) is upregulated in HCC cells due to antagonism between the E3-ubiquitin ligase F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7 (FBXW7) and the large scaffold protein abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM) isoform 1 (ASPM-i1). Mechanistically, FBXW7-mediated polyubiquitination and the subsequent proteasomal degradation of NICD1 are hampered by the interaction of NICD1 with ASPM-i1, thereby stabilizing NICD1 and rendering HCC cells responsive to stimulation by Notch ligands. Consistently, downregulating ASPM-i1 expression reduced the protein abundance of NICD1 but not its FBXW7-binding-deficient mutant. Reinforcing the oncogenic function of this regulatory module, the forced expression of NICD1 significantly restored the tumorigenic potential of ASPM-i1-deficient HCC cells. Echoing these findings, NICD1 was found to be strongly co-expressed with ASPM-i1 in cancer cells in human HCC tissues (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our study identifies a novel Notch signaling regulatory mechanism mediated by protein-protein interaction between NICD1, FBXW7, and ASPM-i1 in HCC cells, representing a targetable vulnerability in human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tze‐Sian Chan
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang HospitalTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- School of Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Pancreatic Cancer Group, Taipei Cancer CenterTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Li‐Hsin Cheng
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Core Laboratory of Organoids Technology, Office of R&DTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Chung‐Chi Hsu
- School of Medicine, College of MedicineI‐Shou UniversityKaohsiung CityTaiwan
| | - Pei‐Ming Yang
- Master Program in Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug DiscoveryTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Tai‐Yan Liao
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Hsiao‐Yen Hsieh
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Pei‐Chun Lin
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Wei‐Chun HuangFu
- Master Program in Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug DiscoveryTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Pin Chuu
- Institute of Cellular and System MedicineNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Kelvin K. Tsai
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang HospitalTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Pancreatic Cancer Group, Taipei Cancer CenterTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Core Laboratory of Organoids Technology, Office of R&DTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaiwan
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Dunuweera AN, Dunuweera SP, Ranganathan K. A Comprehensive Exploration of Bioluminescence Systems, Mechanisms, and Advanced Assays for Versatile Applications. Biochem Res Int 2024; 2024:8273237. [PMID: 38347947 PMCID: PMC10861286 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8273237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence has been a fascinating natural phenomenon of light emission from living creatures. It happens when the enzyme luciferase facilitates the oxidation of luciferin, resulting in the creation of an excited-state species that emits light. Although there are many bioluminescent systems, few have been identified. D-luciferin-dependent systems, coelenterazine-dependent systems, Cypridina luciferin-based systems, tetrapyrrole-based luciferins, bacterial bioluminescent systems, and fungal bioluminescent systems are natural bioluminescent systems. Since different bioluminescence systems, such as various combinations of luciferin-luciferase pair reactions, have different light emission wavelengths, they benefit industrial applications such as drug discovery, protein-protein interactions, in vivo imaging in small animals, and controlling neurons. Due to the expression of luciferase and easy permeation of luciferin into most cells and tissues, bioluminescence assays are applied nowadays with modern technologies in most cell and tissue types. It is a versatile technique in a variety of biomedical research. Furthermore, there are some investigated blue-sky research projects, such as bioluminescent plants and lamps. This review article is mainly based on the theory of diverse bioluminescence systems and their past, present, and future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - K. Ranganathan
- Department of Botany, University of Jaffna, Jaffna 40000, Sri Lanka
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Cheng LH, Hsu CC, Tsai HW, Liao WY, Yang PM, Liao TY, Hsieh HY, Chan TS, Tsai KK. ASPM Activates Hedgehog and Wnt Signaling to Promote Small Cell Lung Cancer Stemness and Progression. Cancer Res 2023; 83:830-844. [PMID: 36638332 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is among the most aggressive and lethal human malignancies. Most patients with SCLC who initially respond to chemotherapy develop disease relapse. Therefore, there is a pressing need to identify novel driver mechanisms of SCLC progression to unlock treatment strategies to improve patient prognosis. SCLC cells comprise subsets of cells possessing progenitor or stem cell properties, while the underlying regulatory pathways remain elusive. Here, we identified the isoform 1 of the neurogenesis-associated protein ASPM (ASPM-I1) as a prominently upregulated stemness-associated gene during the self-renewal of SCLC cells. The expression of ASPM-I1 was found to be upregulated in SCLC cells and tissues, correlated with poor patient prognosis, and indispensable for SCLC stemness and tumorigenesis. A reporter array screening identified multiple developmental signaling pathways, including Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt pathways, whose activity in SCLC cells depended upon ASPM-I1 expression. Mechanistically, ASPM-I1 stabilized the Hh transcriptional factor GLI1 at the protein level through a unique exon-18-encoded region by competing with the E3 ligases β-TrCP and CUL3. In parallel, ASPM-I1 sustains the transcription of the Hh pathway transmembrane regulator SMO through the Wnt-DVL3-β-catenin signaling axis. Functional studies verified that the ASPM-I1-regulated Hh and Wnt activities significantly contributed to SCLC aggressiveness in vivo. Consistently, the expression of ASPM-I1 positively correlated with GLI1 and stemness markers in SCLC tissues. This study illuminates an ASPM-I1-mediated regulatory module that drives tumor stemness and progression in SCLC, providing an exploitable diagnostic and therapeutic target. SIGNIFICANCE ASPM promotes SCLC stemness and aggressiveness by stabilizing the expression of GLI1, DVL3, and SMO, representing a novel regulatory hub of Hh and Wnt signaling and targetable vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hsin Cheng
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chi Hsu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wen Tsai
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ying Liao
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ming Yang
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Yan Liao
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Yen Hsieh
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Tze-Sian Chan
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kelvin K Tsai
- Laboratory of Advanced Molecular Therapeutics, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Sahayasheela VJ, Yu Z, Hirose Y, Pandian GN, Bando T, Sugiyama H. Inhibition of GLI-mediated Transcription by Cyclic Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide in Cancer Stem Cells. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20210453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vinodh J Sahayasheela
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Zutao Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yuki Hirose
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ganesh N. Pandian
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Bando
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Billerhart M, Schönhofer M, Schueffl H, Polzer W, Pichler J, Decker S, Taschauer A, Maier J, Anton M, Eckmann S, Blaschek M, Heffeter P, Sami H, Ogris M. CD47-targeted cancer immunogene therapy: Secreted SIRPα-Fc fusion protein eradicates tumors by macrophage and NK cell activation. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 23:192-204. [PMID: 34729396 PMCID: PMC8526499 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
CD47 protects healthy cells from macrophage attack by binding to signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), while its upregulation in cancer prevents immune clearance. Systemic treatment with CD47 antibodies requires a weakened Fc-mediated effector function or lower CD47-binding affinity to prevent side effects. Our approach combines “the best of both worlds,” i.e., maximized CD47 binding and full Fc-mediated immune activity, by exploiting gene therapy for paracrine release. We developed a plasmid vector encoding for the secreted fusion protein sCV1-hIgG1, comprising highly efficient CD47-blocking moiety CV1 and Fc domain of human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) with maximized immune activation. sCV1-hIgG1 exhibited a potent bystander effect, blocking CD47 on all cells via fusion protein secreted from only a fraction of cells or when transferring transfection supernatant to untransfected cells. The CpG-free plasmid ensured sustained secretion of sCV1-hIgG1. In orthotopic human triple-negative breast cancer in CB17-severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, ex vivo transfection significantly delayed tumor growth and eradicated one-third of tumors. In intratumoral transfection experiments, CD47 blockage and increased migration of macrophages into the tumor were observed within 17 h of a single injection. Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis of sCV1-hIgG1-expressing cells was demonstrated in vitro. Taken together, this approach also opens the opportunity to block, in principle, any immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Billerhart
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Schönhofer
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hemma Schueffl
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfram Polzer
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Pichler
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Decker
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Taschauer
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Maier
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Anton
- Institutes of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Eckmann
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuel Blaschek
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Haider Sami
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Ogris
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Wnt Inhibitory Factor 1 Binds to and Inhibits the Activity of Sonic Hedgehog. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123496. [PMID: 34944004 PMCID: PMC8699845 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt pathways, crucial for the embryonic development and stem cell proliferation of Metazoa, have long been known to have similarities that argue for their common evolutionary origin. A surprising additional similarity of the two pathways came with the discovery that WIF1 proteins are involved in the regulation of both the Wnt and Hh pathways. Originally, WIF1 (Wnt Inhibitory Factor 1) was identified as a Wnt antagonist of vertebrates, but subsequent studies have shown that in Drosophila, the WIF1 ortholog serves primarily to control the distribution of Hh. In the present, work we have characterized the interaction of the human WIF1 protein with human sonic hedgehog (Shh) using Surface Plasmon Resonance spectroscopy and reporter assays monitoring the signaling activity of human Shh. Our studies have shown that human WIF1 protein binds human Shh with high affinity and inhibits its signaling activity efficiently. Our observation that the human WIF1 protein is a potent antagonist of human Shh suggests that the known tumor suppressor activity of WIF1 may not be ascribed only to its role as a Wnt inhibitor.
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Moldovan GE, Miele L, Fazleabas AT. Notch signaling in reproduction. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:1044-1057. [PMID: 34479767 PMCID: PMC8585702 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway is conserved among mammalian species and controls proliferation, differentiation, and cell death in many organs throughout the body including the reproductive tract. Notch signaling plays critical roles in the development and function of both the male and female reproductive systems. Specifically, within the female reproductive tract, Notch signaling is hormone regulated and mediates key reproductive events important for ovarian and uterine function. In this review, we highlight the tissues that express Notch receptors, ligands, and downstream effectors and distinguish how these molecules regulate reproductive function in male and female mice, non-human primates, and humans. Finally, we describe some of the aberrations in Notch signaling in female reproductive pathologies and identify opportunities for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genna E Moldovan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Asgerally T Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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