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Yang J, Tang J, He X, Di R, Zhang X, Zhang J, Guo X, Hu W, Chu M. Key mRNAs and lncRNAs of pituitary that affect the reproduction of FecB + + small tail han sheep. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:392. [PMID: 38649819 PMCID: PMC11034058 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10191-8] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pituitary directly regulates the reproductive process through follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Transcriptomic research on the pituitaries of ewes with different FecB (fecundity Booroola) genotypes has shown that some key genes and lncRNAs play an important role in pituitary function and sheep fecundity. Our previous study found that ewes with FecB + + genotypes (without FecB mutation) still had individuals with more than one offspring per birth. It is hoped to analyze this phenomenon from the perspective of the pituitary transcriptome. RESULTS The 12 Small Tail Han Sheep were equally divided into polytocous sheep in the follicular phase (PF), polytocous sheep in the luteal phase (PL), monotocous sheep in the follicular phase (MF), and monotocous sheep in the luteal phase (ML). Pituitary tissues were collected after estrus synchronous treatment for transcriptomic analysis. A total of 384 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (182 in PF vs. MF and 202 in PL vs. ML) and 844 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) (427 in PF vs. MF and 417 in PL vs. ML) were obtained from the polytocous-monotocous comparison groups in the two phases. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs in the two phases were enriched in signaling pathways known to play an important role in sheep fecundity, such as calcium ion binding and cAMP signaling pathways. A total of 1322 target relationship pairs (551 pairs in PF vs. MF and 771 pairs in PL vs. ML) were obtained for the target genes prediction of DELs, of which 29 DEL-DEG target relationship pairs (nine pairs in PF vs. MF and twenty pairs in PL vs. ML). In addition, the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks were constructed to explore the regulatory relationships of DEGs, and some important regulatory relationship pairs were obtained. CONCLUSION According to the analysis results, we hypothesized that the pituitary first receives steroid hormone signals from the ovary and uterus and that VAV3 (Vav Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 3), GABRG1 (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor, Gamma 1), and FNDC1 (Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 1) played an important role in this process. Subsequently, the reproductive process was regulated by gonadotropins, and IGFBP1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1) was directly involved in this process, ultimately affecting litter size. In addition, TGIF1 (Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-Induced Factor 1) and TMEFF2 (Transmembrane Protein With EGF Like And Two Follistatin Like Domains 2) compensated for the effect of the FecB mutation and function by acting on TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway, an important pathway for sheep reproduction. These results provided a reference for understanding the mechanism of multiple births in Small Tail Han Sheep without FecB mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Jishun Tang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 230031, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Di
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosheng Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology, Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Animal Healthy Farming, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 300381, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinlong Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology, Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Animal Healthy Farming, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 300381, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaofei Guo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology, Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Animal Healthy Farming, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 300381, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), 100193, Beijing, China.
| | - Mingxing Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), 100193, Beijing, China.
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2
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Wu D, Bi X, Chow KHM. Identification of female-enriched and disease-associated microglia (FDAMic) contributes to sexual dimorphism in late-onset Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:1. [PMID: 38178204 PMCID: PMC10765928 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02987-4] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is the most common form of dementia; it disproportionally affects women in terms of both incidence rates and severity of progression. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this clinical phenomenon remain elusive and ill-defined. METHODS In-depth analyses were performed with multiple human LOAD single-nucleus transcriptome datasets to thoroughly characterize cell populations in the cerebral cortex. ROSMAP bulk human brain tissue transcriptome and DNA methylome datasets were also included for validation. Detailed assessments of microglial cell subpopulations and their relevance to sex-biased changes at the tissue level were performed. Clinical trait associations, cell evolutionary trajectories, and transcription regulon analyses were conducted. RESULTS The relative numbers of functionally defective microglia were aberrantly increased uniquely among affected females. Substratification of the microglia into different subtypes according to their transcriptomic signatures identified a group of female-enriched and disease-associated microglia (FDAMic), the numbers of which were positively associated with disease severity. Phenotypically, these cells exhibit transcriptomic signatures that support active proliferation, MHC class II autoantigen presentation and amyloid-β binding, but they are also likely defective in phagocytosis. FDAMic are likely evolved from female activated response microglia (ARMic) with an APOE4 background and compromised estrogen receptor (ER) signaling that is deemed to be active among most subtypes of microglia. CONCLUSION This study offered important insights at both the cellular and molecular levels into how ER signaling affects microglial heterogeneity and function. FDAMic are associated with more advanced pathologies and severe trends of cognitive decline. Their emergence could, at least in part, explain the phenomenon of greater penetrance of the APOE4 genotype found in females. The biases of FDAMic emergence toward female sex and APOE4 status may also explain why hormone replacement therapy is more effective in APOE4 carriers. The pathologic nature of FDAMic suggests that selective modulations of these cells may help to regain brain neuroimmune homeostasis, serving as a new target for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deng Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Xiaoman Bi
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Kim Hei-Man Chow
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
- Nexus of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
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3
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Drula R, Pardini B, Fu X, De los Santos MC, Jurj A, Pang L, El-Daly SM, Fabris L, Knutsen E, Dragomir MP, Bayraktar R, Li Y, Chen M, Del Vecchio F, Berland L, Dae J, Fan D, Shimizu M, Tran AM, Barzi M, Pioppini C, Gutierrez AM, Ivan C, Meas S, Hall CS, Alahari SK, Berindan-Neagoe I, Fabbri M, Lucci A, Arun B, Anfossi S, Calin GA. 17β-estradiol promotes extracellular vesicle release and selective miRNA loading in ERα-positive breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2122053120. [PMID: 37252969 PMCID: PMC10266002 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122053120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The causes and consequences of abnormal biogenesis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are not yet well understood in malignancies, including in breast cancers (BCs). Given the hormonal signaling dependence of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC, we hypothesized that 17β-estradiol (estrogen) might influence EV production and microRNA (miRNA) loading. We report that physiological doses of 17β-estradiol promote EV secretion specifically from ER+ BC cells via inhibition of miR-149-5p, hindering its regulatory activity on SP1, a transcription factor that regulates the EV biogenesis factor nSMase2. Additionally, miR-149-5p downregulation promotes hnRNPA1 expression, responsible for the loading of let-7's miRNAs into EVs. In multiple patient cohorts, we observed increased levels of let-7a-5p and let-7d-5p in EVs derived from the blood of premenopausal ER+ BC patients, and elevated EV levels in patients with high BMI, both conditions associated with higher levels of 17β-estradiol. In brief, we identified a unique estrogen-driven mechanism by which ER+ BC cells eliminate tumor suppressor miRNAs in EVs, with effects on modulating tumor-associated macrophages in the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rares Drula
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- The Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Barbara Pardini
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o FPO-IRCCS Candiolo, 10060Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060Candiolo, Italy
| | - Xiao Fu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi, China
| | - Mireia Cruz De los Santos
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, 17164Solna, Sweden
| | - Ancuta Jurj
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- The Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Lan Pang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Sherien M. El-Daly
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo12622, Egypt
| | - Linda Fabris
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Erik Knutsen
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Artic University of Norway, N-9037Tromso, Norway
- Centre for Clinical Research and Education, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9037Tromso, Norway
| | - Mihnea P. Dragomir
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10178Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120Heidelberg, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, 10178Berlin, Germany
| | - Recep Bayraktar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Yongfeng Li
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, 310022 Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Meng Chen
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Filippo Del Vecchio
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Cancer Biology Program, Honolulu, HI96813
| | - Léa Berland
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Research Imaging, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA02215
| | - Jessica Dae
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Daniel Fan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Masayoshi Shimizu
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Anh M. Tran
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Chemistry, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA01075
| | - Mercedes Barzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - Carlotta Pioppini
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelica M. Gutierrez
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Salyna Meas
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Carolyn S. Hall
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Suresh K. Alahari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Stanley S Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA70112
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- The Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Muller Fabbri
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Cancer Biology Program, Honolulu, HI96813
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Hospital, WashingtonDC20010
| | - Anthony Lucci
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Banu Arun
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - Simone Anfossi
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
| | - George A. Calin
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX77030
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Ramos DFV, Mancuso RI, Contieri B, Duarte A, Paiva L, de Melo Carrilho J, Saad STO, Lazarini M. Rac GTPases in acute myeloid leukemia cells: Expression profile and biological effects of pharmacological inhibition. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 442:115990. [PMID: 35331739 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.115990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematological neoplasm with low survival rates. Thus, the investigation of new therapeutic targets is essential. The Rac subfamily of GTPase proteins has been shown to participate in the physiopathology of hematological malignancies. However, their expression and function in AML remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated Rac1, Rac2 and Rac3 gene expressions in AML and their impact on clinical outcomes. We further investigated the effects of the in vitro treatment with a Rac inhibitor (EHT-1864) on AML cell lines. Rac3 expression was increased in AML derived from myelodysplastic syndromes compared to healthy donors. Rac2 expression did not differ between AML patients and healthy donors, but de novo AML patients with higher Rac2 presented lower overall survival. Oncogenic pathway gene-sets related to AKT/mTOR were identified as associated with Rac1, Rac2 and Rac3 expressions. EHT-1864 treatment reduced the viability of OCI-AML3, KG1 and Kasumi-1 cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. In OCI-AML3 cells, treatment with EHT-1864 induced apoptosis, autophagy, and led to the accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These changes were concomitant with alterations in p53 and cyclins. Dowregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was also observed. Interestingly, the combined treatment of EHT-1864 and low doses of daunorubicin enhanced OCI-AML3 cell apoptosis. In conclusion, Rac2 expression is a prognostic factor in AML and our preclinical results suggest that Rac inhibition may be an attractive mechanism to compose the antineoplastic strategy for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rubia Isler Mancuso
- Hematology and Bloood Transfusion Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna Contieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana Duarte
- Hematology and Bloood Transfusion Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Paiva
- Hematology and Bloood Transfusion Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Lazarini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil; Hematology and Bloood Transfusion Center, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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5
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Liang J, Oyang L, Rao S, Han Y, Luo X, Yi P, Lin J, Xia L, Hu J, Tan S, Tang L, Pan Q, Tang Y, Zhou Y, Liao Q. Rac1, A Potential Target for Tumor Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:674426. [PMID: 34079763 PMCID: PMC8165220 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.674426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac.1) is one of the important members of Rho GTPases. It is well known that Rac1 is a cytoskeleton regulation protein that regulates cell adhesion, morphology, and movement. Rac1 is highly expressed in different types of tumors, which is related to poor prognosis. Studies have shown that Rac1 not only participates in the tumor cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis, but also participates in the regulation of tumor stem cell, thus promoting the occurrence of tumors. Rac1 also plays a key role in anti-tumor therapy and participates in immune escape mediated by the tumor microenvironment. In addition, the good prospects of Rac1 inhibitors in cancer prevention and treatment are exciting. Therefore, Rac1 is considered as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of cancer. The necessity and importance of Rac1 are obvious, but it still needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Linda Oyang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shan Rao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaqian Han
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xia Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pin Yi
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinguan Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Longzheng Xia
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shiming Tan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Qing Pan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yanyan Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Wound Healing in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Wound Healing in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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Adeshakin FO, Adeshakin AO, Afolabi LO, Yan D, Zhang G, Wan X. Mechanisms for Modulating Anoikis Resistance in Cancer and the Relevance of Metabolic Reprogramming. Front Oncol 2021; 11:626577. [PMID: 33854965 PMCID: PMC8039382 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.626577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the hallmark of structure–function stability and well-being. ECM detachment in localized tumors precedes abnormal dissemination of tumor cells culminating in metastasis. Programmed cell death (PCD) is activated during tumorigenesis to clear off ECM-detached cells through “anoikis.” However, cancer cells develop several mechanisms for abrogating anoikis, thus promoting their invasiveness and metastasis. Specific factors, such as growth proteins, pH, transcriptional signaling pathways, and oxidative stress, have been reported as drivers of anoikis resistance, thus enhancing cancer proliferation and metastasis. Recent studies highlighted the key contributions of metabolic pathways, enabling the cells to bypass anoikis. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms driving anoikis resistance could help to counteract tumor progression and prevent metastasis. This review elucidates the dynamics employed by cancer cells to impede anoikis, thus promoting proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, the authors have discussed other metabolic intermediates (especially amino acids and nucleotides) that are less explored, which could be crucial for anoikis resistance and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funmilayo O Adeshakin
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Adeleye O Adeshakin
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lukman O Afolabi
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dehong Yan
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guizhong Zhang
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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7
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Targeting the cytoskeleton against metastatic dissemination. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:89-140. [PMID: 33471283 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09936-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a pathology characterized by a loss or a perturbation of a number of typical features of normal cell behaviour. Indeed, the acquisition of an inappropriate migratory and invasive phenotype has been reported to be one of the hallmarks of cancer. The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic network of highly ordered interlinking filaments playing a key role in the control of fundamental cellular processes, like cell shape maintenance, motility, division and intracellular transport. Moreover, deregulation of this complex machinery contributes to cancer progression and malignancy, enabling cells to acquire an invasive and metastatic phenotype. Metastasis accounts for 90% of death from patients affected by solid tumours, while an efficient prevention and suppression of metastatic disease still remains elusive. This results in the lack of effective therapeutic options currently available for patients with advanced disease. In this context, the cytoskeleton with its regulatory and structural proteins emerges as a novel and highly effective target to be exploited for a substantial therapeutic effort toward the development of specific anti-metastatic drugs. Here we provide an overview of the role of cytoskeleton components and interacting proteins in cancer metastasis with a special focus on small molecule compounds interfering with the actin cytoskeleton organization and function. The emerging involvement of microtubules and intermediate filaments in cancer metastasis is also reviewed.
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8
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RAC1 plays an essential role in estrogen receptor alpha function in breast cancer cells. Oncogene 2021; 40:5950-5962. [PMID: 34373577 PMCID: PMC8497275 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01985-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The activity of Rho family GTPase protein, RAC1, which plays important normal physiological functions, is dysregulated in multiple cancers. RAC1 is expressed in both estrogen receptor alpha (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer (BC) cells. However, ER-positive BC is more sensitive to RAC1 inhibition. We have determined that reducing RAC1 activity, using siRNA or EHT 1864 (a small molecule Rac inhibitor), leads to rapid ER protein degradation. RAC1 interacts with ER within the ER complex and RAC1 localizes to chromatin binding sites for ER upon estrogen treatment. RAC1 activity is important for RNA Pol II function at both promoters and enhancers of ER target genes and ER-regulated gene transcription is blocked by EHT 1864, in a dose-dependent manner. Having identified that RAC1 is an essential ER cofactor for ER protein stability and ER transcriptional activity, we report that RAC1 inhibition could be an effective therapeutic approach for ER-positive BC.
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9
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Wang J, Feng D, Gao B. An Overview of Potential Therapeutic Agents Targeting WNT/PCP Signaling. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 269:175-213. [PMID: 34463852 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the proto-oncogene Wnt1 (Int1) in 1982, WNT signaling has been identified as one of the most important pathways that regulates a wide range of fundamental developmental and physiological processes in multicellular organisms. The canonical WNT signaling pathway depends on the stabilization and translocation of β-catenin and plays important roles in development and homeostasis. The WNT/planar cell polarity (WNT/PCP) signaling, also known as one of the β-catenin-independent WNT pathways, conveys directional information to coordinate polarized cell behaviors. Similar to WNT/β-catenin signaling, disruption or aberrant activation of WNT/PCP signaling also underlies a variety of developmental defects and cancers. However, the pharmacological targeting of WNT/PCP signaling for therapeutic purposes remains largely unexplored. In this review, we briefly discuss WNT/PCP signaling in development and disease and summarize the known drugs/inhibitors targeting this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Di Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bo Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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10
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HACE1 blocks HIF1α accumulation under hypoxia in a RAC1 dependent manner. Oncogene 2021; 40:1988-2001. [PMID: 33603169 PMCID: PMC7979542 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01680-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Uncovering the mechanisms that underpin how tumor cells adapt to microenvironmental stress is essential to better understand cancer progression. The HACE1 (HECT domain and ankyrin repeat-containing E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase) gene is a tumor suppressor that inhibits the growth, invasive capacity, and metastasis of cancer cells. However, the direct regulatory pathways whereby HACE1 confers this tumor-suppressive effect remain to be fully elucidated. In this report, we establish a link between HACE1 and the major stress factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α). We find that HACE1 blocks the accumulation of HIF1α during cellular hypoxia through decreased protein stability. This property is dependent on HACE1 E3 ligase activity and loss of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1), an established target of HACE1 mediated ubiquitinylation and degradation. In vivo, genetic deletion of Rac1 reversed the increased HIF1α expression observed in Hace1-/- mice in murine KRasG12D-driven lung tumors. An inverse relationship was observed between HACE1 and HIF1α levels in tumors compared to patient-matched normal kidney tissues, highlighting the potential pathophysiological significance of our findings. Together, our data uncover a previously unrecognized function for the HACE1 tumor suppressor in blocking HIF1α accumulation under hypoxia in a RAC1-dependent manner.
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11
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Rac1 activation in human breast carcinoma as a prognostic factor associated with therapeutic resistance. Breast Cancer 2020; 27:919-928. [PMID: 32314182 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-020-01091-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RAS-related C3 botulinus toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is a molecular switch fluctuating between GDP-bound inactive form (Rac1-GDP) and GTP-bound active form (Rac1-GTP) and involved in diverse function in both normal and malignant cells such as breast carcinoma cells. Although several studies have demonstrated immunolocalization of Rac1 protein in human breast carcinoma tissues, activation status of Rac1 still remains to be elucidated. METHODS We immunolocalized active form of Rac1 (Rac1-GTP) as well as total Rac1 using antibody specific for them in 115 invasive breast carcinoma tissues and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Rac1-GTP was frequently immunolocalized in the cytoplasm or cell membrane of breast carcinoma cells and it was positively correlated with Ki-67 labeling index and total Rac1 while negatively correlated with progesterone receptor. On the other hand, immunohistochemical Rac1-GTP status was significantly correlated with increased risk of recurrence and breast cancer-specific mortality of breast cancer patients and multivariate analyses did demonstrate Rac1-GTP as an independent worse prognostic factor for both disease-free and breast cancer-specific survival. In addition, Rac1-GTP was still correlated with worse prognosis in the patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy. CONCLUSION These findings suggested Rac1 activation played pivotal roles in the progression and therapeutic resistance of breast cancers and Rac1 might be an important therapeutic target for improvement of the therapy for breast cancer patients.
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12
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Dunphy KA, Black AL, Roberts AL, Sharma A, Li Z, Suresh S, Browne EP, Arcaro KF, Ser-Dolansky J, Bigelow C, Troester MA, Schneider SS, Makari-Judson G, Crisi GM, Jerry DJ. Inter-Individual Variation in Response to Estrogen in Human Breast Explants. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2020; 25:51-68. [PMID: 32152951 PMCID: PMC7147970 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09446-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to estrogen is strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk. While all women are exposed to estrogen, only 12% are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime. These women may be more sensitive to estrogen, as rodent models have demonstrated variability in estrogen sensitivity. Our objective was to determine individual variation in expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and estrogen-induced responses in the normal human breast. Human breast tissue from female donors undergoing reduction mammoplasty surgery were collected for microarray analysis of ER expression. To examine estrogen-induced responses, breast tissue from 23 female donors were cultured ex- vivo in basal or 10 nM 17β-estradiol (E2) media for 4 days. Expression of ER genes (ESR1 and ESR2) increased significantly with age. E2 induced consistent increases in global gene transcription, but expression of target genes AREG, PGR, and TGFβ2 increased significantly only in explants from nulliparous women. E2-treatment did not induce consistent changes in proliferation or radiation induced apoptosis. Responses to estrogen are highly variable among women and not associated with levels of ER expression, suggesting differences in intracellular signaling among individuals. The differences in sensitivity to E2-stimulated responses may contribute to variation in risk of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Dunphy
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Amye L Black
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Amy L Roberts
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Aman Sharma
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Zida Li
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Sneha Suresh
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Eva P Browne
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen F Arcaro
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | | | - Carol Bigelow
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Melissa A Troester
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sallie S Schneider
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Grace Makari-Judson
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Massachusetts Medical School/Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Giovanna M Crisi
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School/Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - D Joseph Jerry
- The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA
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13
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Cuesta R, Gritsenko MA, Petyuk VA, Shukla AK, Tsai CF, Liu T, McDermott JE, Holz MK. Phosphoproteome Analysis Reveals Estrogen-ER Pathway as a Modulator of mTOR Activity Via DEPTOR. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:1607-1618. [PMID: 31189691 PMCID: PMC6683011 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra119.001506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ER-positive breast tumors represent ∼70% of all breast cancer cases. Although their treatment with endocrine therapies is effective in the adjuvant or recurrent settings, the development of resistance compromises their effectiveness. The binding of estrogen to ERα, a transcription factor, triggers the regulation of the target genes (genomic pathway). Additionally, a cytoplasmic fraction of estrogen-bound ERα activates oncogenic signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR (nongenomic pathway). The upregulation of the estrogenic and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways are frequently associated with a poor outcome. To better characterize the connection between these two pathways, we performed a phosphoproteome analysis of ER-positive MCF7 breast cancer cells treated with estrogen or estrogen and the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. Many proteins were identified as estrogen-regulated mTORC1 targets and among them, DEPTOR was selected for further characterization. DEPTOR binds to mTOR and inhibits the kinase activity of both mTOR complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2, but mitogen-activated mTOR promotes phosphorylation-mediated DEPTOR degradation. Although estrogen enhances the phosphorylation of DEPTOR by mTORC1, DEPTOR levels increase in estrogen-stimulated cells. We demonstrated that DEPTOR accumulation is the result of estrogen-ERα-mediated transcriptional upregulation of DEPTOR expression. Consequently, the elevated levels of DEPTOR partially counterbalance the estrogen-induced activation of mTORC1 and mTORC2. These results underscore the critical role of estrogen-ERα as a modulator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Additionally, these studies provide evidence supporting the use of dual PI3K/mTOR or dual mTORC1/2 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapies as a first-line treatment option for the patients with ER-positive advanced breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Cuesta
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla NY 10595
| | - Marina A Gritsenko
- §Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99352
| | - Vladislav A Petyuk
- §Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99352
| | - Anil K Shukla
- §Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99352
| | - Chia-Feng Tsai
- §Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99352
| | - Tao Liu
- §Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99352
| | - Jason E McDermott
- ¶Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland WA 99352
| | - Marina K Holz
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla NY 10595; ‖Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx NY 10461.
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14
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Liu Q, Wang W, Li F, Yu D, Xu C, Hu H. Triptolide Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Metastasis Through Inducing the Expression of miR-146a, a Negative Regulator of Rho GTPase. Oncol Res 2019; 27:1043-1050. [PMID: 31072418 PMCID: PMC7848294 DOI: 10.3727/096504019x15560124931900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Triptolide, an extract of Tripterygium wilfordii, has been shown to have a potent anticancer activity. In the present study, it was found that triptolide could effectively induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation and invasion in malignant MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The study focused on its effect on inhibiting invasion, which has not been extensively reported to date. We predicted that triptolide may change invasion activity via microRNAs (miRNAs), which have been recognized as important regulators of gene expression. miRNAome variation in MDA-MB-231 cells with or without triptolide treatment demonstrated that miR-146a was upregulated following treatment with triptolide. Our previous studies have shown that miR-146a can inhibit migration and invasion by targeting RhoA in breast cancer. This time, we found that miR-146a can target Rac1, another key member of the Rho GTPase family. Luciferase reporter containing Rac1 3′-UTR was constructed to prove this hypothesis. In addition, following treatment with triptolide, the expression of RhoA and Rac1 was found to be decreased. These results indicated that triptolide exerts its anti-invasion activity through a miRNA-mediated mechanism, which indirectly regulates the expression of Rho GTPase. Triptolide combined with miR-146a could improve the effect of triptolide treatment on breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Clinic Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Fangqiong Li
- Department of Clinic Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dongyang Yu
- Department of Clinic Laboratory, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Chunfen Xu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Hongbing Hu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
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15
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Prieto-Dominguez N, Parnell C, Teng Y. Drugging the Small GTPase Pathways in Cancer Treatment: Promises and Challenges. Cells 2019; 8:E255. [PMID: 30884855 PMCID: PMC6468615 DOI: 10.3390/cells8030255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases are a family of low molecular weight GTP-hydrolyzing enzymes that cycle between an inactive state when bound to GDP and an active state when associated to GTP. Small GTPases regulate key cellular processes (e.g., cell differentiation, proliferation, and motility) as well as subcellular events (e.g., vesicle trafficking), making them key participants in a great array of pathophysiological processes. Indeed, the dysfunction and deregulation of certain small GTPases, such as the members of the Ras and Arf subfamilies, have been related with the promotion and progression of cancer. Therefore, the development of inhibitors that target dysfunctional small GTPases could represent a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. This review covers the basic biochemical mechanisms and the diverse functions of small GTPases in cancer. We also discuss the strategies and challenges of inhibiting the activity of these enzymes and delve into new approaches that offer opportunities to target them in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor Prieto-Dominguez
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León 24010, Spain.
| | | | - Yong Teng
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
- Department of Medical laboratory, Imaging and Radiologic Sciences, College of Allied Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
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16
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The role of Rac in tumor susceptibility and disease progression: from biochemistry to the clinic. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:1003-1012. [PMID: 30065108 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The family of Rho GTPases are involved in the dynamic control of cytoskeleton reorganization and other fundamental cellular functions, including growth, motility, and survival. Rac1, one of the best characterized Rho GTPases, is an established effector of receptors and an important node in signaling networks crucial for tumorigenesis and metastasis. Rac1 hyperactivation is common in human cancer and could be the consequence of overexpression, abnormal upstream inputs, deregulated degradation, and/or anomalous intracellular localization. More recently, cancer-associated gain-of-function mutations in Rac1 have been identified which contribute to tumor phenotypes and confer resistance to targeted therapies. Deregulated expression/activity of Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors responsible for Rac activation has been largely associated with a metastatic phenotype and drug resistance. Translating our extensive knowledge in Rac pathway biochemistry into a clinical setting still remains a major challenge; nonetheless, remarkable opportunities for cancer therapeutics arise from promising lead compounds targeting Rac and its effectors.
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17
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Maldonado MDM, Dharmawardhane S. Targeting Rac and Cdc42 GTPases in Cancer. Cancer Res 2018; 78:3101-3111. [PMID: 29858187 PMCID: PMC6004249 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rac and Cdc42 are small GTPases that have been linked to multiple human cancers and are implicated in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, cell-cycle progression, migration/invasion, tumor growth, angiogenesis, and oncogenic transformation. With the exception of the P29S driver mutation in melanoma, Rac and Cdc42 are not generally mutated in cancer, but are overexpressed (gene amplification and mRNA upregulation) or hyperactivated. Rac and Cdc42 are hyperactivated via signaling through oncogenic cell surface receptors, such as growth factor receptors, which converge on the guanine nucleotide exchange factors that regulate their GDP/GTP exchange. Hence, targeting Rac and Cdc42 represents a promising strategy for precise cancer therapy, as well as for inhibition of bypass signaling that promotes resistance to cell surface receptor-targeted therapies. Therefore, an understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of these pivotal signaling intermediates is key for the development of effective inhibitors. In this review, we focus on the role of Rac and Cdc42 in cancer and summarize the regulatory mechanisms, inhibitory efficacy, and the anticancer potential of Rac- and Cdc42-targeting agents. Cancer Res; 78(12); 3101-11. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Del Mar Maldonado
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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18
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Guo Y, Xiong J, Wang J, Wen J, Zhi F. Inhibition of Rac family protein impairs colitis and colitis-associated cancer in mice. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:70-80. [PMID: 29416921 PMCID: PMC5794722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased worldwide and IBD has been demonstrated to promote the development of colorectal cancer. The Rac family of proteins are involved in key mitogenic pathways. However, to the best of our knowledge, no prior studies have investigated the expression and role of Rac on colitis and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). In the current study, Rac expression in patients with colitis was analyzed according to the expression value from NCBI GEO database (GDS3268). EHT-1864, the specific inhibitor of Rac, was intraperitoneally injected to treat mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis and mice with azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced CAC. Furthermore, immune cell infiltration and the expression of several inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were analyzed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and ELISAs. We demonstrated the upregulation of the Rac family of proteins in colitis. Inhibition of Rac by EHT-1864 treatment was found to have an efficient inhibitory effect on DSS-induced acute and chronic colitis and AOM/DSS-induced CAC development. We also observed that downregulation of Rac family protein expression markedly prevented macrophage and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration in colon tissues and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Our study established a foundation for understanding the role of Rac in colitis and CAC and to provide a novel strategy and target for colitis and CAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandong Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital/The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital/The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital/The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital/The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fachao Zhi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital/The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
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19
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Przybyla T, Wesserling M, Sakowicz-Burkiewicz M, Maciejewska I, Pawelczyk T. The Level of TWIST1 expression determines the response of colon cancer cells to mitogen-activated protein kinases inhibitors. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:37-45. [PMID: 29451183 PMCID: PMC5848323 DOI: 10.4103/sjg.sjg_270_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Currently, it has been proposed that combination of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) with inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway might enhance the efficacy of 5FU-based chemotherapy in colon cancer. Our study aimed to investigate an impact of TWIST1 silencing on the sensitivity of cancer cells to 5FU and selected MAPK inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The suppression of TWIST1 expression in human colon cancer HT29 and HCT116 cell lines was achieved by transduction with lentiviral vector carrying the TWIST1 silencing sequence (pLL3.7-sh TWIST1). The statistical calculation was performed with analysis of variance or Dunnett's test for comparison to control group. Paired Student's t-test was performed when two groups were analyzed. RESULTS Suppression of TWIST1 reduced the proliferation rate of colon cancer cells and enhanced their sensitivity to 5FU and MAPKs inhibitors. The sensitivity of HT29 cells to examined compounds was more dependent on TWIST1 expression level compared to HCT116 cells. The most noticeable effect of TWIST1 suppression on sensitivity of both colon cancer cell lines to combined treatment of 5FU and the MAPKs inhibitors was observed for inhibitors of p38α/β and JNK1-3. We also noted that the suppression of TWIST1 significantly sensitized both cell lines to combined treatment of 5FU and Rac inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS Our observations point to TWIST1 expression level as a marker of colon cancer sensitivity to combined treatment of 5FU and MAPKs inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Przybyla
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland,Address for correspondence: Dr. Tomasz Przybyla, Department of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. E-mail:
| | - Martyna Wesserling
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Izabela Maciejewska
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Pawelczyk
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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20
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Melzer C, Hass R, von der Ohe J, Lehnert H, Ungefroren H. The role of TGF-β and its crosstalk with RAC1/RAC1b signaling in breast and pancreas carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2017; 15:19. [PMID: 28499439 PMCID: PMC5429551 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-017-0175-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This article focusses on the role of TGF-β and its signaling crosstalk with the RHO family GTPases RAC1 and RAC1b in the progression of breast and pancreatic carcinoma. The aggressive nature of these tumor types is mainly due to metastatic dissemination. Metastasis is facilitated by desmoplasia, a peculiar tumor microenvironment and the ability of the tumor cells to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to adopt a motile and invasive phenotype. These processes are controlled entirely or in part by TGF-β and the small RHO GTPase RAC1 with both proteins acting as tumor promoters in late-stage cancers. Data from our and other studies point to signaling crosstalk between TGF-β and RAC1 and the related isoform, RAC1b, in pancreatic and mammary carcinoma cells. Based on the exciting observation that RAC1b functions as an endogenous inhibitor of RAC1, we propose a model on how the relative abundance or activity of RAC1 and RAC1b in the tumor cells may determine their responses to TGF-β and, ultimately, the metastatic capacity of the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina Melzer
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Lab, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Lab, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Juliane von der Ohe
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Lab, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hendrik Lehnert
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany.,First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany. .,First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany. .,Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
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Cheng F, Zhao J, Hanker AB, Brewer MR, Arteaga CL, Zhao Z. Transcriptome- and proteome-oriented identification of dysregulated eIF4G, STAT3, and Hippo pathways altered by PIK3CA H1047R in HER2/ER-positive breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2016; 160:457-474. [PMID: 27771839 PMCID: PMC10183099 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-016-4011-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway aberrations are common in human breast cancer. Furthermore, PIK3CA mutations are commonly associated with resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) or anti-estrogen receptor (ER) agents in HER2 or ER positive (HER2+/ER+) breast cancer. Hence, deciphering the underlying mechanisms of PIK3CA mutations in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer would provide novel insights into elucidating resistance to anti-HER2/ER therapies. METHODS In this study, we systematically investigated the biological consequences of PIK3CA H1047R in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer by uniquely incorporating mRNA transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and proteomic data from reverse-phase protein arrays. RESULTS Our integrative bioinformatics analyses revealed that several important pathways such as STAT3 and VEGF/hypoxia were selectively altered by PIK3CA H1047R in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer. Protein differential expression analysis indicated that an elevated eIF4G might promote tumor angiogenesis and growth via regulation of the hypoxia-activated switch in HER2+ PIK3CA H1047R breast cancer. We observed hypo-phosphorylation of EGFR in HER2+ PIK3CA H1047R breast cancer versus HER2+PIK3CAwild-type (PIK3CA WT). In addition, ER and PIK3CA H1047R might cooperate to activate STAT3, MAPK, AKT, and Hippo pathways in ER+ PIK3CA H1047R breast cancer. A higher YAPpS127 level was observed in ER+ PIK3CA H1047R patients than that in an ER+ PIK3CA WT subgroup. By examining breast cancer cell lines having both microarray gene expression and drug treatment data from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer and the Stand Up to Cancer datasets, we found that the elevated YAP1 mRNA expression was associated with the resistance of BCL-2 family inhibitors, but with the sensitivity to MEK/MAPK inhibitors in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these findings shed light on the functional consequences of PIK3CA H1047R-driven breast tumorigenesis and resistance to the existing therapeutic agents in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feixiong Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.,Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Center for Complex Networks Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Junfei Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.,Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ariella B Hanker
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Monica Red Brewer
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Carlos L Arteaga
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA. .,Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Quantitative proteomic analyses of mammary organoids reveals distinct signatures after exposure to environmental chemicals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E1343-51. [PMID: 26903627 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1600645113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Common environmental contaminants such as bisphenols and phthalates and persistent contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls are thought to influence tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis by acting as disrupters of endocrine function. In this study we investigated the direct effects of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), mono-n-butyl phthalate (Pht), and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153) on the proteome of primary organotypic cultures of the mouse mammary gland. At low-nanomolar doses each of these agents induced distinct effects on the proteomes of these cultures. Although BPA treatment produced effects that were similar to those induced by estradiol, there were some notable differences, including a reduction in the abundance of retinoblastoma-associated protein and increases in the Rho GTPases Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and cell division cycle protein CDC42. Both Pht and PCB153 induced changes that were distinct from those induced by estrogen, including decreased levels of the transcriptional corepressor C-terminal binding protein 1. Interestingly, the three chemicals appeared to alter the abundance of distinct splice forms of many proteins as well as the abundance of several proteins that regulate RNA splicing. Our combined results indicate that the three classes of chemical have distinct effects on the proteome of normal mouse mammary cultures, some estrogen-like but most estrogen independent, that influence diverse biological processes including apoptosis, cell adhesion, and proliferation.
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23
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Tumor cell expression of MMP3 as a prognostic factor for poor survival in pancreatic, pulmonary, and mammary carcinoma. Genes Cancer 2016; 6:480-9. [PMID: 26807201 PMCID: PMC4701227 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers collectively represent one third of all diagnosed tumors and are responsible for almost 40% of overall cancer mortality. Despite improvements in current treatments, efforts to develop more specific therapeutic options are warranted. Here we identify matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) as a potential target within all three of these tumor types. MMP3 has previously been shown to induce expression of Rac1b, a tumorigenic splice isoform of Rac1. In this study we find that MMP3 and Rac1b proteins are both strongly expressed by the tumor cells of all three tumor types and that expression of MMP3 protein is prognostic of poor survival in pancreatic cancer patients. We also find that MMP3 gene expression can serve as a prognostic marker for patient survival in breast and lung cancer. These results suggest an oncogenic MMP3-Rac1b signaling axis as a driver of tumor progression in three common poor prognosis tumor types, further suggesting that new therapies to target these pathways could have substantial therapeutic benefit.
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24
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Pajic M, Herrmann D, Vennin C, Conway JR, Chin VT, Johnsson AKE, Welch HC, Timpson P. The dynamics of Rho GTPase signaling and implications for targeting cancer and the tumor microenvironment. Small GTPases 2015; 6:123-33. [PMID: 26103062 PMCID: PMC4601362 DOI: 10.4161/21541248.2014.973749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous large scale genomics studies have demonstrated that cancer is a molecularly heterogeneous disease, characterized by acquired changes in the structure and DNA sequence of tumor genomes. More recently, the role of the equally complex tumor microenvironment in driving the aggressiveness of this disease is increasingly being realized. Tumor cells are surrounded by activated stroma, creating a dynamic environment that promotes cancer development, metastasis and chemoresistance. The Rho family of small GTPases plays an essential role in the regulation of cell shape, cytokinesis, cell adhesion, and cell motility. Importantly, these processes need to be considered in the context of a complex 3-dimensional (3D) environment, with reciprocal feedback and cross-talk taking place between the tumor cells and host environment. Here we discuss the role of molecular networks involving Rho GTPases in cancer, and the therapeutic implications of inhibiting Rho signaling in both cancer cells and the emerging concept of targeting the surrounding stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pajic
- a The Kinghorn Cancer Center; Cancer Division; Garvan Institute of Medical Research ; Sydney , Australia
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25
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Palomba G, Loi A, Porcu E, Cossu A, Zara I, Budroni M, Dei M, Lai S, Mulas A, Olmeo N, Ionta MT, Atzori F, Cuccuru G, Pitzalis M, Zoledziewska M, Olla N, Lovicu M, Pisano M, Abecasis GR, Uda M, Tanda F, Michailidou K, Easton DF, Chanock SJ, Hoover RN, Hunter DJ, Schlessinger D, Sanna S, Crisponi L, Palmieri G. Genome-wide association study of susceptibility loci for breast cancer in Sardinian population. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:383. [PMID: 25956309 PMCID: PMC4434540 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1392-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite progress in identifying genes associated with breast cancer, many more risk loci exist. Genome-wide association analyses in genetically-homogeneous populations, such as that of Sardinia (Italy), could represent an additional approach to detect low penetrance alleles. METHODS We performed a genome-wide association study comparing 1431 Sardinian patients with non-familial, BRCA1/2-mutation-negative breast cancer to 2171 healthy Sardinian blood donors. DNA was genotyped using GeneChip Human Mapping 500 K Arrays or Genome-Wide Human SNP Arrays 6.0. To increase genomic coverage, genotypes of additional SNPs were imputed using data from HapMap Phase II. After quality control filtering of genotype data, 1367 cases (9 men) and 1658 controls (1156 men) were analyzed on a total of 2,067,645 SNPs. RESULTS Overall, 33 genomic regions (67 candidate SNPs) were associated with breast cancer risk at the p < 0(-6) level. Twenty of these regions contained defined genes, including one already associated with breast cancer risk: TOX3. With a lower threshold for preliminary significance to p < 10(-5), we identified 11 additional SNPs in FGFR2, a well-established breast cancer-associated gene. Ten candidate SNPs were selected, excluding those already associated with breast cancer, for technical validation as well as replication in 1668 samples from the same population. Only SNP rs345299, located in intron 1 of VAV3, remained suggestively associated (p-value, 1.16 x 10(-5)), but it did not associate with breast cancer risk in pooled data from two large, mixed-population cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This study indicated the role of TOX3 and FGFR2 as breast cancer susceptibility genes in BRCA1/2-wild-type breast cancer patients from Sardinian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Palomba
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Traversa La Crucca 3, Baldinca Li Punti, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Angela Loi
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Porcu
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Antonio Cossu
- Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Ilenia Zara
- Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardina (CRS4), Pula, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Mario Budroni
- Servizio di Epidemiologia, Azienda Sanitaria Locale n. 1, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Mariano Dei
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Sandra Lai
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Antonella Mulas
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Nina Olmeo
- Servizio di Oncologia Medica, Azienda Sanitaria Locale n. 1, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Ionta
- Dipartimento di Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Atzori
- Dipartimento di Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Gianmauro Cuccuru
- Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardina (CRS4), Pula, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Maristella Pitzalis
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Magdalena Zoledziewska
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Nazario Olla
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Mario Lovicu
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Marina Pisano
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Traversa La Crucca 3, Baldinca Li Punti, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Gonçalo R Abecasis
- Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Manuela Uda
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Tanda
- Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Kyriaki Michailidou
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Douglas F Easton
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Oncology, Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Stephen J Chanock
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Robert N Hoover
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | | | - David Schlessinger
- Laboratory of Genetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Serena Sanna
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Laura Crisponi
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Monserrato, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Traversa La Crucca 3, Baldinca Li Punti, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Traversa La Crucca 3, Baldinca Li Punti, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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Chen X, Chen SI, Liu XA, Zhou WB, Ma RR, Chen L. Vav3 oncogene is upregulated and a poor prognostic factor in breast cancer patients. Oncol Lett 2015; 9:2143-2148. [PMID: 26137028 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The Vav3 oncogene is overexpressed and has a significant role in the tumorigenesis of prostate cancer and glioblastoma. In the present study, the expression status and prognostic value of Vav3 expression was investigated in breast cancer. Vav3 protein levels were analyzed by immunoblotting in human breast cancer and epithelial cell lines. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Vav3 in a tissue microarray of 173 breast cancers and 19 benign breast lesions. Statistical analysis was performed to reveal the association between Vav3 expression and clinicopathological parameters. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox regression model. The Vav3 protein level was higher in the breast cancer cell lines than in the normal human breast cells. Vav3 was expressed in 86.1% of breast cancer patients, but in only 15.6% patients with benign breast disease. Patients with negative estrogen receptor expression, axillary lymph node involvement and a high tumor-node-metastasis stage demonstrated a higher positive rate of Vav3 expression. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with higher Vav3 expression exhibited shorter DFS and OS times. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that Vav3 was a prognostic factor of survival. Overall, Vav3 was overexpressed in human breast cancer cells and this correlated with a shorter survival time, indicating that Vav3 is a biomarker of a poor prognosis for breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - S I Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-An Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Bin Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Rui-Rui Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Songjiang Central Hospital, Shanghai 201699, P.R. China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
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Cichon MA, Nelson CM, Radisky DC. Regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells by cell contact and adhesion. Cancer Inform 2015; 14:1-13. [PMID: 25698877 PMCID: PMC4325704 DOI: 10.4137/cin.s18965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological program that is activated during cancer cell invasion and metastasis. We show here that EMT-related processes are linked to a broad and conserved program of transcriptional alterations that are influenced by cell contact and adhesion. Using cultured human breast cancer and mouse mammary epithelial cells, we find that reduced cell density, conditions under which cell contact is reduced, leads to reduced expression of genes associated with mammary epithelial cell differentiation and increased expression of genes associated with breast cancer. We further find that treatment of cells with matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), an inducer of EMT, interrupts a defined subset of cell contact-regulated genes, including genes encoding a variety of RNA splicing proteins known to regulate the expression of Rac1b, an activated splice isoform of Rac1 known to be a key mediator of MMP-3-induced EMT in breast, lung, and pancreas. These results provide new insights into how MMPs act in cancer progression and how loss of cell-cell interactions is a key step in the earliest stages of cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena A Cichon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL USA
| | - Celeste M Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Derek C Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL USA
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Prudnikova TY, Rawat SJ, Chernoff J. Molecular pathways: targeting the kinase effectors of RHO-family GTPases. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 21:24-9. [PMID: 25336694 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-0827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
RHO GTPases, members of the RAS superfamily of small GTPases, are adhesion and growth factor-activated molecular switches that play important roles in tumor development and progression. When activated, RHO-family GTPases such as RAC1, CDC42, and RHOA, transmit signals by recruiting a variety of effector proteins, including the protein kinases PAK, ACK, MLK, MRCK, and ROCK. Genetically induced loss of RHO function impedes transformation by a number of oncogenic stimuli, leading to an interest in developing small-molecule inhibitors that either target RHO GTPases directly, or that target their downstream protein kinase effectors. Although inhibitors of RHO GTPases and their downstream signaling kinases have not yet been widely adopted for clinical use, their potential value as cancer therapeutics continues to facilitate pharmaceutical research and development and is a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonali J Rawat
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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29
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Aguilar H, Urruticoechea A, Halonen P, Kiyotani K, Mushiroda T, Barril X, Serra-Musach J, Islam A, Caizzi L, Di Croce L, Nevedomskaya E, Zwart W, Bostner J, Karlsson E, Pérez Tenorio G, Fornander T, Sgroi DC, Garcia-Mata R, Jansen MPHM, García N, Bonifaci N, Climent F, Soler MT, Rodríguez-Vida A, Gil M, Brunet J, Martrat G, Gómez-Baldó L, Extremera AI, Figueras A, Balart J, Clarke R, Burnstein KL, Carlson KE, Katzenellenbogen JA, Vizoso M, Esteller M, Villanueva A, Rodríguez-Peña AB, Bustelo XR, Nakamura Y, Zembutsu H, Stål O, Beijersbergen RL, Pujana MA. VAV3 mediates resistance to breast cancer endocrine therapy. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:R53. [PMID: 24886537 PMCID: PMC4076632 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Endocrine therapies targeting cell proliferation and survival mediated by estrogen receptor α (ERα) are among the most effective systemic treatments for ERα-positive breast cancer. However, most tumors initially responsive to these therapies acquire resistance through mechanisms that involve ERα transcriptional regulatory plasticity. Herein we identify VAV3 as a critical component in this process. Methods A cell-based chemical compound screen was carried out to identify therapeutic strategies against resistance to endocrine therapy. Binding to ERα was evaluated by molecular docking analyses, an agonist fluoligand assay and short hairpin (sh)RNA–mediated protein depletion. Microarray analyses were performed to identify altered gene expression. Western blot analysis of signaling and proliferation markers, and shRNA-mediated protein depletion in viability and clonogenic assays, were performed to delineate the role of VAV3. Genetic variation in VAV3 was assessed for association with the response to tamoxifen. Immunohistochemical analyses of VAV3 were carried out to determine its association with therapeutic response and different tumor markers. An analysis of gene expression association with drug sensitivity was carried out to identify a potential therapeutic approach based on differential VAV3 expression. Results The compound YC-1 was found to comparatively reduce the viability of cell models of acquired resistance. This effect was probably not due to activation of its canonical target (soluble guanylyl cyclase), but instead was likely a result of binding to ERα. VAV3 was selectively reduced upon exposure to YC-1 or ERα depletion, and, accordingly, VAV3 depletion comparatively reduced the viability of cell models of acquired resistance. In the clinical scenario, germline variation in VAV3 was associated with the response to tamoxifen in Japanese breast cancer patients (rs10494071 combined P value = 8.4 × 10−4). The allele association combined with gene expression analyses indicated that low VAV3 expression predicts better clinical outcome. Conversely, high nuclear VAV3 expression in tumor cells was associated with poorer endocrine therapy response. Based on VAV3 expression levels and the response to erlotinib in cancer cell lines, targeting EGFR signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy. Conclusions This study proposes VAV3 as a biomarker and a rationale for its use as a signaling target to prevent and/or overcome resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer.
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30
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Bid HK, Roberts RD, Manchanda PK, Houghton PJ. RAC1: an emerging therapeutic option for targeting cancer angiogenesis and metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:1925-34. [PMID: 24072884 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis and metastasis are well recognized as processes fundamental to the development of malignancy. Both processes involve the coordination of multiple cellular and chemical activities through myriad signaling networks, providing a mass of potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This review will focus on one master regulator of cell motility, RAC1, and the existing data with regard to its role in cell motility, including particular roles for tumor angiogenesis and invasion/metastasis. We also emphasize the preclinical investigations carried out with RAC1 inhibitors to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this target. Herein, we explore potential future directions as well as the challenges of targeting RAC1 in the treatment of cancer. Recent insights at the molecular and cellular levels are paving the way for a more directed and detailed approach to target mechanisms of RAC1 regulating angiogenesis and metastasis. Understanding these mechanisms may provide insight into RAC1 signaling components as alternative therapeutic targets for tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant K Bid
- Corresponding Author: Peter J. Houghton, Center for Childhood Cancer, The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205.
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Abstract
The Rac inhibitor EHop-016 was developed as a compound with the potential to inhibit cancer metastasis. Inhibition of the first step of metastasis, migration, is an important strategy for metastasis prevention. The small GTPase Rac acts as a pivotal binary switch that is turned "on" by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) via a myriad of cell surface receptors, to regulate cancer cell migration, survival, and proliferation. Unlike the related GTPase Ras, Racs are not usually mutated, but overexpressed or overactivated in cancer. Therefore, a rational Rac inhibitor should block the activation of Rac by its upstream effectors, GEFs, and the Rac inhibitor NSC23766 was developed using this rationale. However, this compound is ineffective at inhibiting the elevated Rac activity of metastatic breast cancer cells. Therefore, a panel of small molecule compounds were derived from NSC23766 and screened for Rac activity inhibition in metastatic cancer cells. EHop-016 was identified as a compound that blocks the interaction of Rac with the GEF Vav in metastatic human breast cancer cells with an IC50 of ~1μM. At higher concentrations (10μM), EHop-016 inhibits the related Rho GTPase Cdc42, but not Rho, and also reduces cell viability. Moreover, EHop-016 inhibits the activation of the Rac downstream effector p21-activated kinase, extension of motile actin-based structures, and cell migration. Future goals are to develop EHop-016 as a therapeutic to inhibit cancer metastasis, either individually or in combination with current anticancer compounds. The next generation of EHop-016-based Rac inhibitors is also being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.
| | - Eliud Hernandez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Cornelis Vlaar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
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Katz E, Sims AH, Sproul D, Caldwell H, Dixon MJ, Meehan RR, Harrison DJ. Targeting of Rac GTPases blocks the spread of intact human breast cancer. Oncotarget 2013; 3:608-19. [PMID: 22689141 PMCID: PMC3442288 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High expression of Rac small GTPases in invasive breast ductal carcinoma is associated with poor prognosis, but its therapeutic value in human cancers is not clear. The aim of the current study was to determine the response of human primary breast cancers to Rac-based drug treatments ex vivo. Three-dimensional organotypic cultures were used to assess candidate therapeutic avenues in invasive breast cancers. Uniquely, in these primary cultures, the tumour is not disaggregated, with both epithelial and mesenchymal components maintained within a three-dimensional matrix of type I collagen. EHT 1864, a small molecule inhibitor of Rac GTPases, prevents spread of breast cancers in this setting, and also reduces proliferation at the invading edge. Rac1+ epithelial cells in breast tumours also contain high levels of the phosphorylated form of the transcription factor STAT3. The small molecule Stattic inhibits activation of STAT3 and induces effects similar to those seen with EHT 1864. Pan-Rac inhibition of proliferation precedes down-regulation of STAT3 activity, defining it as the last step in Rac activation during human breast cancer invasion. Our data highlights the potential use of Rac and STAT3 inhibition in treatment of invasive human breast cancer and the benefit of studying novel cancer treatments using three-dimensional primary tumour tissue explant cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Katz
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Wu F, Peacock SO, Rao S, Lemmon SK, Burnstein KL. Novel interaction between the co-chaperone Cdc37 and Rho GTPase exchange factor Vav3 promotes androgen receptor activity and prostate cancer growth. J Biol Chem 2012; 288:5463-74. [PMID: 23281476 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.390963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated androgen receptor (AR) activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer may occur through increased levels of AR co-activator proteins. Vav3, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is up-regulated following progression to castration resistance in preclinical models and is overexpressed in a significant number of human prostate cancers. Vav3 is a novel co-activator of the AR. We sought to identify Vav3 binding partners in an effort to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying Vav3 enhancement of AR activity and to identify new therapeutic targets. The cell division cycle 37 homolog (Cdc37), a protein kinase-specific co-chaperone for Hsp90, was identified as a Vav3 interacting protein by yeast two-hybrid screening. Vav3-Cdc37 interaction was confirmed by GST pulldown and, for native proteins, by co-immunoprecipitation experiments in prostate cancer cells. Cdc37 potentiated Vav3 co-activation of AR transcriptional activity and Vav3 enhancement of AR N-terminal-C-terminal interaction, which is essential for optimal receptor transcriptional activity. Cdc37 increased prostate cancer cell proliferation selectively in Vav3-expressing cells. Cdc37 did not affect Vav3 nucleotide exchange activity, Vav3 protein levels, or subcellular localization. Disruption of Vav3-Cdc37 interaction inhibited Vav3 enhancement of AR transcriptional activity and AR N-C interaction. Diminished Vav3-Cdc37 interaction also caused decreased prostate cancer cell proliferation selectively in Vav3-expressing cells. Taken together, we identified a novel Vav3 interacting protein that enhances Vav3 co-activation of AR and prostate cancer cell proliferation. Vav3-Cdc37 interaction may provide a new therapeutic target in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayi Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
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Catanuto P, Fornoni A, Pereira-Simon S, Wu F, Burnstein KL, Xia X, Conti F, Lenzi A, Elliot S. In vivo 17β-estradiol treatment contributes to podocyte actin stabilization in female db/db mice. Endocrinology 2012; 153:5888-95. [PMID: 23070549 PMCID: PMC3512061 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We recently showed that 17β-estradiol (E(2)) treatment ameliorated type 2 diabetic glomerulosclerosis in mice in part by protecting podocyte structure and function. Progressive podocyte damage is characterized by foot process effacement, vacuolization, detachment of podocytes from the glomerular basement membrane, and apoptosis. In addition, podocytes are highly dependent on the preservation of their actin cytoskeleton to ensure proper function and survival. Because E(2) administration prevented podocyte damage in our study on diabetic db/db mice and has been shown to regulate both actin cytoskeleton and apoptosis in other cell types and tissues, we investigated whether actin remodeling and apoptosis were prevented in podocytes isolated from E(2)-treated diabetic db/db mice. We performed G-actin/F-actin assays, Western analysis for Hsp25 expression, Ras-related C(3) botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) activity, and apoptosis assays on previously characterized podocytes isolated from both in vivo-treated placebo and E(2) female db/db mice. We found that in vivo E(2) protects against a phenotype change in the cultured podocytes characterized by a percent increase of F-actin vs. G-actin, suppression of Hsp25 expression and transcriptional activation, increase of Rac1 activity, and decreased apoptotic intermediates. We conclude from these studies that E(2) treatment protects against podocyte damage and may prevent/reduce diabetes-induced kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Catanuto
- Study Group and Laboratory on Sex and Gender Differences in Health and Disease, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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Rho GTPases in primary brain tumor malignancy and invasion. J Neurooncol 2012; 108:333-9. [PMID: 22528793 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-012-0866-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of malignant primary brain tumor in humans, accounting for 80 % of malignant cases. Expression and activity of Rho GTPases, which coordinate several cellular processes including cell-cycle progression and cell migration, are commonly altered in many types of primary brain tumor. Here we review the suggested effects of deregulated Rho GTPase signaling on brain tumor malignancy, highlighting the controversy in the field. For instance, whereas expression of RhoA and RhoB has been found to be significantly reduced in astrocytic tumors, other studies have reported Rho-dependent LPA-induced migration in glioma cells. Moreover, whereas the Rac1 expression level has been found to be reduced in astrocytic tumor, it was overexpressed and induced invasion in medulloblastoma tumors. In addition to the Rho GTPases themselves, several of their downstream effectors (including ROCK, mDia, and N-WASP) and upstream regulators (including GEFs, GAPs, PI3K, and PTEN) have also been implicated in primary brain tumors.
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Montalvo-Ortiz BL, Castillo-Pichardo L, Hernández E, Humphries-Bickley T, De la Mota-Peynado A, Cubano LA, Vlaar CP, Dharmawardhane S. Characterization of EHop-016, novel small molecule inhibitor of Rac GTPase. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:13228-38. [PMID: 22383527 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.334524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rho GTPase Rac regulates actin cytoskeleton reorganization to form cell surface extensions (lamellipodia) required for cell migration/invasion during cancer metastasis. Rac hyperactivation and overexpression are associated with aggressive cancers; thus, interference of the interaction of Rac with its direct upstream activators, guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), is a viable strategy for inhibiting Rac activity. We synthesized EHop-016, a novel inhibitor of Rac activity, based on the structure of the established Rac/Rac GEF inhibitor NSC23766. Herein, we demonstrate that EHop-016 inhibits Rac activity in the MDA-MB-435 metastatic cancer cells that overexpress Rac and exhibits high endogenous Rac activity. The IC(50) of 1.1 μM for Rac inhibition by EHop-016 is ∼100-fold lower than for NSC23766. EHop-016 is specific for Rac1 and Rac3 at concentrations of ≤5 μM. At higher concentrations, EHop-016 inhibits the close homolog Cdc42. In MDA-MB-435 cells that demonstrate high active levels of the Rac GEF Vav2, EHop-016 inhibits the association of Vav2 with a nucleotide-free Rac1(G15A), which has a high affinity for activated GEFs. EHop-016 also inhibits the Rac activity of MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cells and reduces Rac-directed lamellipodia formation in both cell lines. EHop-016 decreases Rac downstream effects of PAK1 (p21-activated kinase 1) activity and directed migration of metastatic cancer cells. Moreover, at effective concentrations (<5 μM), EHop-016 does not affect the viability of transformed mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) and reduces viability of MDA-MB-435 cells by only 20%. Therefore, EHop-016 holds promise as a targeted therapeutic agent for the treatment of metastatic cancers with high Rac activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda L Montalvo-Ortiz
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Wertheimer E, Gutierrez-Uzquiza A, Rosemblit C, Lopez-Haber C, Sosa MS, Kazanietz MG. Rac signaling in breast cancer: a tale of GEFs and GAPs. Cell Signal 2012; 24:353-362. [PMID: 21893191 PMCID: PMC3312797 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2011.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 08/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rac GTPases, small G-proteins widely implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis, transduce signals from tyrosine-kinase, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and integrins, and control a number of essential cellular functions including motility, adhesion, and proliferation. Deregulation of Rac signaling in cancer is generally a consequence of enhanced upstream inputs from tyrosine-kinase receptors, PI3K or Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs), or reduced Rac inactivation by GTPase Activating Proteins (GAPs). In breast cancer cells Rac1 is a downstream effector of ErbB receptors and mediates migratory responses by ErbB1/EGFR ligands such as EGF or TGFα and ErbB3 ligands such as heregulins. Recent advances in the field led to the identification of the Rac-GEF P-Rex1 as an essential mediator of Rac1 responses in breast cancer cells. P-Rex1 is activated by the PI3K product PIP3 and Gβγ subunits, and integrates signals from ErbB receptors and GPCRs. Most notably, P-Rex1 is highly overexpressed in human luminal breast tumors, particularly those expressing ErbB2 and estrogen receptor (ER). The P-Rex1/Rac signaling pathway may represent an attractive target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Wertheimer
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Alvaro Gutierrez-Uzquiza
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Cinthia Rosemblit
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Cynthia Lopez-Haber
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Maria Soledad Sosa
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Marcelo G Kazanietz
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA.
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Tervonen TA, Partanen JI, Saarikoski ST, Myllynen M, Marques E, Paasonen K, Moilanen A, Wohlfahrt G, Kovanen PE, Klefstrom J. Faulty epithelial polarity genes and cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2011; 111:97-161. [PMID: 21704831 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385524-4.00003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial architecture is formed in tissues and organs when groups of epithelial cells are organized into polarized structures. The epithelial function and integrity as well as signaling across the epithelial layer is orchestrated by apical junctional complexes (AJCs), which are landmarks for PAR/CRUMBS and lateral SCRIB polarity modules and by dynamic interactions of the cells with underlying basement membrane (BM). These highly organized epithelial architectures are demolished in cancer. In all advanced epithelial cancers, malignant cells have lost polarity and connections to the basement membrane and they have become proliferative, motile, and invasive. Clearly, loss of epithelial integrity associates with tumor progression but does it contribute to tumor development? Evidence from studies in Drosophila and recently also in vertebrate models have suggested that even the oncogene-driven enforced cell proliferation can be conditional, dependant on the influence of cell-cell or cell-microenvironment contacts. Therefore, loss of epithelial integrity may not only be an obligate consequence of unscheduled proliferation of malignant cells but instead, malignant epithelial cells may need to acquire capacity to break free from the constraints of integrity to freely and autonomously proliferate. We discuss how epithelial polarity complexes form and regulate epithelial integrity, highlighting the roles of enzymes Rho GTPases, aPKCs, PI3K, and type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs). We also discuss relevance of these pathways to cancer in light of genetic alterations found in human cancers and review molecular pathways and potential pharmacological strategies to revert or selectively eradicate disorganized tumor epithelium.
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