MiR137 is an androgen regulated repressor of an extended network of transcriptional coregulators

The emerging roles of lysine-specific demethylase 4A in cancer: Implications in tumorigenesis and therapeutic opportunities

Lysine-specific demethylase 4 A (KDM4A, also named JMJD2A, KIA0677, or JHDM3A) is a demethylase that can remove methyl groups from histones H3K9me2/3, H3K36me2/3, and H1.4K26me2/me3. Accumulating evidence suggests that KDM4A is not only involved in body homeostasis (such as cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, and tissue development) but also associated with multiple human diseases, especially cancers. Recently, an increasing number of studies have shown that pharmacological inhibition of KDM4A significantly attenuates tumor progression in vitro and in vivo in a range of solid tumors and acute myeloid leukemia. Although there are several reviews on the roles of the KDM4 subfamily in cancer development and therapy, all of them only briefly introduce the roles of KDM4A in cancer without systematically summarizing the specific mechanisms of KDM4A in various physiological and pathological processes, especially in tumorigenesis, which greatly limits advances in the understanding of the roles of KDM4A in a variety of cancers, discovering targeted selective KDM4A inhibitors, and exploring the adaptive profiles of KDM4A antagonists. Herein, we present the structure and functions of KDM4A, simply outline the functions of KDM4A in homeostasis and non-cancer diseases, summarize the role of KDM4A and its distinct target genes in the development of a variety of cancers, systematically classify KDM4A inhibitors, summarize the difficulties encountered in the research of KDM4A and the discovery of related drugs, and provide the corresponding solutions, which would contribute to understanding the recent research trends on KDM4A and advancing the progression of KDM4A as a drug target in cancer therapy.

ER Negative Breast Cancer and miRNA: There Is More to Decipher Than What the Pathologist Can See!

Breast cancer (BC), the most prevalent cancer in women, is a heterogenous disease. Despite advancements in BC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics, survival rates have drastically decreased in the metastatic setting. Therefore, BC still remains a medical challenge. The evolution of high-throughput technology has highlighted gaps in the classification system of BCs. Of particular interest is the notorious triple negative BC, which was recounted as being heterogenous itself and it overlaps with distinct subtypes, namely molecular apocrine (MA) and luminal androgen (LAR) BCs. These subtypes are, even today, still misdiagnosed and poorly treated. As such, researchers and clinicians have been looking for ways through which to refine BC classification in order to properly understand the initiation, development, progression, and the responses to the treatment of BCs. One tool is biomarkers and, specifically, microRNA (miRNA), which are highly reported as associated with BC carcinogenesis. In this review, the diverse roles of miRNA in estrogen receptor negative (ER-) and androgen receptor positive (AR+) BC are depicted. While highlighting their oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions in tumor progression, we will discuss their diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker potentials, as well as their drug sensitivity/resistance activity. The association of several miRNAs in the KEGG-reported pathways that are related to ER-BC carcinogenesis is presented. The identification and verification of accurate miRNA panels is a cornerstone for tackling BC classification setbacks, as is also the deciphering of the carcinogenesis regulators of ER - AR + BC.

Intratumoral Restoration of miR-137 Plus Cholesterol Favors Homeostasis of the miR-137/Coactivator p160/AR Axis and Negatively Modulates Tumor Progression in Advanced Prostate Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have gained a prominent role as biomarkers in prostate cancer (PCa). Our study aimed to evaluate the potential suppressive effect of miR-137 in a model of advanced PCa with and without diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. In vitro, PC-3 cells were treated with 50 pmol of mimic miR-137 for 24 h, and gene and protein expression levels of SRC-1, SRC-2, SRC-3, and AR were evaluated by qPCR and immunofluorescence. We also assessed migration rate, invasion, colony-forming ability, and flow cytometry assays (apoptosis and cell cycle) after 24 h of miRNA treatment. For in vivo experiments, 16 male NOD/SCID mice were used to evaluate the effect of restoring miR-137 expression together with cholesterol. The animals were fed a standard (SD) or hypercholesterolemic (HCOL) diet for 21 days. After this, we xenografted PC-3 LUC-MC6 cells into their subcutaneous tissue. Tumor volume and bioluminescence intensity were measured weekly. After the tumors reached 50 mm3, we started intratumor treatments with a miR-137 mimic, at a dose of 6 μg weekly for four weeks. Ultimately, the animals were killed, and the xenografts were resected and analyzed for gene and protein expression. The animals' serum was collected to evaluate the lipid profile. The in vitro results showed that miR-137 could inhibit the transcription and translation of the p160 family, SRC-1, SRC-2, and SRC-3, and indirectly reduce the expression of AR. After these analyses, it was determined that increased miR-137 inhibits cell migration and invasion and impacts reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis rates. The in vivo results demonstrated that tumor growth was arrested after the intratumoral restoration of miR-137, and proliferation levels were reduced in the SD and HCOL groups. Interestingly, the tumor growth retention response was more significant in the HCOL group. We conclude that miR-137 is a potential therapeutic miRNA that, in association with androgen precursors, can restore and reinstate the AR-mediated axis of transcription and transactivation of androgenic pathway homeostasis. Further studies involving the miR-137/coregulator/AR/cholesterol axis should be conducted to evaluate this miR in a clinical context.

NOX Dependent ROS Generation and Cell Metabolism

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent a group of high reactive molecules with dualistic natures since they can induce cytotoxicity or regulate cellular physiology. Among the ROS, the superoxide anion radical (O2·-) is a key redox signaling molecule prominently generated by the NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzyme family and by the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Notably, altered redox balance and deregulated redox signaling are recognized hallmarks of cancer and are involved in malignant progression and resistance to drugs treatment. Since oxidative stress and metabolism of cancer cells are strictly intertwined, in this review, we focus on the emerging roles of NOX enzymes as important modulators of metabolic reprogramming in cancer. The NOX family includes seven isoforms with different activation mechanisms, widely expressed in several tissues. In particular, we dissect the contribute of NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4 enzymes in the modulation of cellular metabolism and highlight their potential role as a new therapeutic target for tumor metabolism rewiring.

KDM7 Demethylases: Regulation, Function and Therapeutic Targeting

It was more than a decade ago that PHF8, KDM7A/JHDM1D and PHF2 were first proposed to be a histone demethylase family and were named as KDM7 (lysine demethylase) family. Since then, knowledge of their demethylation activities, roles as co-regulators of transcription and roles in development and diseases such as cancer has been steadily growing. The demethylation activities of PHF8 and KDM7A toward various methylated histones including H3K9me2/1, H3K27me2 and H4K20me1 have been identified and proven in various cell types. In contrast, PHF2, due to a mutation of a key residue in an iron-binding domain, demethylates H3K9me2 upon PKA-mediated phosphorylation. Interestingly, it was reported that PHF2 possesses an unusual H4K20me3 demethylation activity, which was not observed for PHF8 and KDM7A. PHF8 has been most extensively studied with respect to its roles in development and oncogenesis, revealing that it contributes to regulation of the cell cycle, cell viability and cell migration. Moreover, accumulating lines of evidence demonstrated that the KDM7 family members are subjected to post-transcriptional and post-translational regulations, leading to a higher horizon for evaluating their actual protein expression and functions in development and cancer. This chapter provides a general view of the current understanding of the regulation and functions of the KDM7 family and discusses their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer as well as perspectives for further studies.

The KDM5B and KDM1A lysine demethylases cooperate in regulating androgen receptor expression and signalling in prostate cancer

Histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation is key epigenetic mark associated with active transcription and is a substrate for the KDM1A/LSD1 and KDM5B/JARID1B lysine demethylases. Increased expression of KDM1A and KDM5B is implicated in many cancer types, including prostate cancer (PCa). Both KDM1A and KDM5B interact with AR and promote androgen regulated gene expression. For this reason, there is great interested in the development of new therapies targeting KDM1A and KDM5B, particularly in the context of castrate resistant PCa (CRPC), where conventional androgen deprivation therapies and androgen receptor signalling inhibitors are no longer effective. As there is no curative therapy for CRPC, new approaches are urgently required to suppress androgen signalling that prevent, delay or reverse progression to the castrate resistant state. While the contribution of KDM1A to PCa is well established, the exact contribution of KDM5B to PCa is less well understood. However, there is evidence that KDM5B is implicated in numerous pro-oncogenic mechanisms in many different types of cancer, including the hypoxic response, immune evasion and PI3/AKT signalling. Here we elucidate the individual and cooperative functions of KDM1A and KDM5B in PCa. We show that KDM5B mRNA and protein expression is elevated in localised and advanced PCa. We show that the KDM5 inhibitor, CPI-455, impairs androgen regulated transcription and alternative splicing. Consistent with the established role of KDM1A and KDM5B as AR coregulators, we found that individual pharmacologic inhibition of KDM1A and KDM5 by namoline and CPI-455 respectively, impairs androgen regulated transcription. Notably, combined inhibition of KDM1A and KDM5 downregulates AR expression in CRPC cells. Furthermore, combined KDM1A and KDM5 inhibition impairs PCa cell proliferation and invasion more than individual inhibition of KDM1A and KDM5B. Collectively our study has identified individual and cooperative mechanisms involving KDM1A and KDM5 in androgen signalling in PCa. Our findings support the further development of KDM1A and KDM5B inhibitors to treat advanced PCa. Further work is now required to confirm the therapeutic feasibility of combined inhibition of KDM1A and KDM5B as a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting AR positive CRPC.

MicroRNA-137-mediated lysine demethylase 4A regulates the recovery of spinal cord injury via the SFRP4-Wnt/β-Catenin axis

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes great harm to the normal life of patients. Histone demethylase is involved in many biological processes, including SCI. Hence, this study explored the role and mechanism of histone lysine demethylase 4A (KDM4A) in SCI.

METHODS

The acute SCI (ASCI) rat model was established after spinal compression and the SCI neuronal model was induced via treating PC12 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). KDM4A expression during SCI was detected. The microRNA (miRNA) targeting KDM4A was predicted and verified. The miRNA and KDM4A expression patterns were intervened in LPS-stimulated PC12 cells to evaluate their combined effects on neuronal cells in SCI. The downstream pathways of KDM4A were predicted, and SFRP4 and H3K9me3 expressions were determined. After the intervention of SFRP4 in LPS-treated cells, β-Catenin expression and the effect of SFRP4 on neuronal cells in SCI were detected. Finally, the effectiveness of the miR-137/KDM4A/SFRP4/Wnt/β-Catenin axis was verified in vivo.

RESULTS

KDM4A was abnormally elevated in SCI. miR-137 targeted KDM4A. miR-137 effectively inhibited the apoptosis of LPS-challenged PC12 cells, which could be reversed after overexpressing KDM4A. KDM4A promoted SFRP4 expression through demethylation of H3K9me3. Overexpression of SFRP4 blocked the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway and promoted apoptosis of LPS-stimulated cells. In vivo, miR-137 overexpression remarkably improved SCI symptoms, accompanied by obviously increased β-Catenin expression and notably decreased KDM4A and SFRP4 expressions, while overexpressed KDM4A treatment showed the opposite trend in the presence of miR-137.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that miR-137 targeted KDM4A and then downregulated SFRP4 to ameliorate SCI in a Wnt/β-Catenin-dependent manner.

The Role of Androgen Receptor and microRNA Interactions in Androgen-Dependent Diseases

The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the steroid hormone receptor family of nuclear transcription factors. It is present in the primary/secondary sexual organs, kidneys, skeletal muscles, adrenal glands, skin, nervous system, and breast. Abnormal AR functioning has been identified in numerous diseases, specifically in prostate cancer (PCa). Interestingly, recent studies have indicated a relationship between the AR and microRNA (miRNA) crosstalk and cancer progression. MiRNAs are small, endogenous, non-coding molecules that are involved in crucial cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, or differentiation. On the one hand, AR may be responsible for the downregulation or upregulation of specific miRNA, while on the other hand, AR is often a target of miRNAs due to their regulatory function on AR gene expression. A deeper understanding of the AR–miRNA interactions may contribute to the development of better diagnostic tools as well as to providing new therapeutic approaches. While most studies usually focus on the role of miRNAs and AR in PCa, in this review, we go beyond PCa and provide insight into the most recent discoveries about the interplay between AR and miRNAs, as well as about other AR-associated and AR-independent diseases.

Mitochondrial Ndufa4l2 Enhances Deposition of Lipids and Expression of Ca9 in the TRACK Model of Early Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Mitochondrial dysfunction and aberrant glycolysis are hallmarks of human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Whereas glycolysis is thoroughly studied, little is known about the mitochondrial contribution to the pathology of ccRCC. Mitochondrial Ndufa4l2 is predictive of poor survival of ccRCC patients, and in kidney cancer cell lines the protein supports proliferation and colony formation. Its role in ccRCC, however, remains enigmatic. We utilized our established ccRCC model, termed Transgenic Cancer of the Kidney (TRACK), to generate a novel genetically engineered mouse model in which dox-regulated expression of an shRNA decreases Ndufa4l2 levels specifically in the renal proximal tubules (PT). This targeted knockdown of Ndufa4l2 reduced the accumulation of neutral renal lipid and was associated with decreased levels of the ccRCC markers carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) and Enolase 1 (ENO1). These findings suggest a link between mitochondrial dysregulation (i.e. high levels of Ndufa4l2), lipid accumulation, and the expression of ccRCC markers ENO1 and CA9, and demonstrate that lipid accumulation and ccRCC development can potentially be attenuated by inhibiting Ndufa4l2.

Exploring anti-androgen therapies in hormone dependent prostate cancer and new therapeutic routes for castration resistant prostate cancer

Androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) are important treatments which inhibit androgen-induced prostate cancer (PCa) progression by either preventing androgen biosynthesis (e.g. abiraterone) or by antagonizing androgen receptor (AR) function (e.g. bicalutamide, enzalutamide, darolutamide). A major limitation of current ADTs is they often remain effective for limited durations after which patients commonly progress to a lethal and incurable form of PCa, called castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) where the AR continues to orchestrate pro-oncogenic signalling. Indeed, the increasing numbers of ADT-related treatment-emergent neuroendocrine-like prostate cancers (NePC), which lack AR and are thus insensitive to ADT, represents a major therapeutic challenge. There is therefore an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms of AR action in hormone dependent disease and the progression to CRPC, to enable the development of new approaches to prevent, reverse or delay ADT-resistance. Interestingly the AR regulates distinct transcriptional networks in hormone dependent and CRPC, and this appears to be related to the aberrant function of key AR-epigenetic coregulator enzymes including the lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A). In this review we summarize the current best status of anti-androgen clinical trials, the potential for novel combination therapies and we explore recent advances in the development of novel epigenetic targeted therapies that may be relevant to prevent or reverse disease progression in patients with advanced CRPC.

Interaction between Non-Coding RNAs and Androgen Receptor with an Especial Focus on Prostate Cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and has three functional domains, namely the N-terminal, DNA binding, and C-terminal domain. The N-terminal domain harbors potent transactivation functions, whereas the C-terminal domain binds to androgens and antiandrogens used to treat prostate cancer. AR has genomic activity being DNA binding-dependent or through interaction with other DNA-bound transcription factors, as well as a number of non-genomic, non-canonical functions, such as the activation of the ERK, AKT, and MAPK pathways. A bulk of evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs have functional interactions with AR. This type of interaction is implicated in the pathogenesis of human malignancies, particularly prostate cancer. In the current review, we summarize the available data on the role of microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs on the expression of AR and modulation of AR signaling, as well as the effects of AR on their expression. Recognition of the complicated interaction between non-coding RNAs and AR has practical importance in the design of novel treatment options, as well as modulation of response to conventional therapeutics.

KDM1A Promotes Immunosuppression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating PD-L1 through Demethylating MEF2D

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy targeting antiprogrammed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) or its ligand (anti-PD-L1) is effective in the treatment of some hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Hence, further identification of biological targets related to PD-L1 regulation in HCC is beneficial to improve the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy. Some HCC cells express lysine-specific demethylase 1A (KDM1A), which is implicated in the reduced survival time of patients. Here, we studied whether the level of PD-L1 and the immunosuppression are regulated by KDM1A and its miRNA in HCC cells.

Methods

In the present study, we studied clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We performed qPCR and western blotting assays to measure the expression level of genes of interest. PD-L1 expression was also analyzed by FACS. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 was used to generate gene knockout cells to investigate the relationships of genes of interest. We also developed a reporter gene assay (RGA) to explore the changes in T cell-induced antitumor immunity relative to PD-L1 expression in HCC cells. The binding between proteins and promoters or miRNAs and their target genes was explored by luciferase reporter assays.

Results

The results showed that PD-L1 and KDM1A were increased in HCC patients and cells, and KDM1A promoted the expression of PD-L1 in HCC cells. Our findings showed that the enhancement of PD-L1 expression was not attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction caused by increases in KDM1A in HCC cells. Furthermore, we observed a lower level of MEF2D methylation in HCC cells than in normal human liver cells. Demethylated MEF2D could bind to the promoter of PD-L1 and activate its expression, while KDM1A interacted with MEF2D and acted as a demethylase to reduce its methylation. Moreover, a new miRNA, miR-329-3p, targeting KDM1A was found to regulate the PD-L1 expression profile in HCC cells. In the xenograft model, the tumors treated with miR-329-3p showed growth inhibition.

Conclusions

Mechanistically, miR-329-3p inhibits tumor cellular immunosuppression and reinforces the response of tumor cells to T cell-induced cytotoxic effect by targeting KDM1A mRNA and downregulating its expression, which contributed to MEF2D demethylation and activation of PD-L1 expression.

Regulation of breast cancer metastasis signaling by miRNAs

Despite the decline in death rate from breast cancer and recent advances in targeted therapies and combinations for the treatment of metastatic disease, metastatic breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in U.S. women. The invasion-metastasis cascade involves a number of steps and multitudes of proteins and signaling molecules. The pathways include invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, infiltration into a distant site to form a metastatic niche, and micrometastasis formation in a new environment. Each of these processes is regulated by changes in gene expression. Noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis by post-transcriptional regulation of target gene expression. miRNAs can stimulate oncogenesis (oncomiRs), inhibit tumor growth (tumor suppressors or miRsupps), and regulate gene targets in metastasis (metastamiRs). The goal of this review is to summarize some of the key miRNAs that regulate genes and pathways involved in metastatic breast cancer with an emphasis on estrogen receptor α (ERα+) breast cancer. We reviewed the identity, regulation, human breast tumor expression, and reported prognostic significance of miRNAs that have been documented to directly target key genes in pathways, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributing to the metastatic cascade. We critically evaluated the evidence for metastamiRs and their targets and miRNA regulation of metastasis suppressor genes in breast cancer progression and metastasis. It is clear that our understanding of miRNA regulation of targets in metastasis is incomplete.

Epigenetic dynamics in cancer stem cell dormancy

Cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases despite significant advances of early diagnosis and therapeutic treatments. Cancerous tumors are composed of various cell types including cancer stem cells capable of self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and invasion of distal tumor sites. Most notably, these cells can enter a dormant cellular state that is resistant to conventional therapies. Thereby, cancer stem cells have the intrinsic potential for tumor initiation, tumor growth, metastasis, and tumor relapse after therapy. Both genetic and epigenetic alterations are attributed to the formation of multiple tumor types. This review is focused on how epigenetic dynamics involving DNA methylation and DNA oxidations are implicated in breast cancer and glioblastoma multiforme. The emergence and progression of these cancer types rely on cancer stem cells with the capacity to enter quiescence also known as a dormant cellular state, which dictates the distinct tumorigenic aggressiveness between breast cancer and glioblastomas.

Molecular tracing of prostate cancer lethality

Prostate cancer is diagnosed mostly in men over the age of 50 years, and has favorable 5-year survival rates due to early cancer detection and availability of curative surgical management. However, progression to metastasis and emergence of therapeutic resistance are responsible for the majority of prostate cancer mortalities. Recent advancement in sequencing technologies and computational capabilities have improved the ability to organize and analyze large data, thus enabling the identification of novel biomarkers for survival, metastatic progression and patient prognosis. Large-scale sequencing studies have also uncovered genetic and epigenetic signatures associated with prostate cancer molecular subtypes, supporting the development of personalized targeted-therapies. However, the current state of mainstream prostate cancer management does not take full advantage of the personalized diagnostic and treatment modalities available. This review focuses on interrogating biomarkers of prostate cancer progression, including gene signatures that correspond to the acquisition of tumor lethality and those of predictive and prognostic value in progression to advanced disease, and suggest how we can use our knowledge of biomarkers and molecular subtypes to improve patient treatment and survival outcomes.

Molecular Characterisation of Canine Osteosarcoma in High Risk Breeds

Dogs develop osteosarcoma (OSA) and the disease process closely resembles that of human OSA. OSA has a poor prognosis in both species and disease-free intervals and cure rates have not improved in recent years. Gene expression in canine OSAs was compared with non-tumor tissue utilising RNA sequencing, validated by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (n = 16). Polymorphic polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts in the androgen receptor (AR/NR3C4) and nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCOA3) genes were investigated in control and OSA patients using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis (n = 1019 Rottweilers, 379 Irish Wolfhounds). Our analysis identified 1281 significantly differentially expressed genes (>2 fold change, p < 0.05), specifically 839 lower and 442 elevated gene expression in osteosarcoma (n = 3) samples relative to non-malignant (n = 4) bone. Enriched pathways and gene ontologies were identified, which provide insight into the molecular pathways implicated in canine OSA. Expression of a subset of these genes (SLC2A1, DKK3, MMP3, POSTN, RBP4, ASPN) was validated by qRTPCR and immunohistochemistry (MMP3, DKK3, SLC2A1) respectively. While little variation was found in the NCOA3 polyQ tract, greater variation was present in both polyQ tracts in the AR, but no significant associations in length were made with OSA. The data provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of OSA in high risk breeds. This knowledge may inform development of new prevention strategies and treatments for OSA in dogs and supports utilising spontaneous OSA in dogs to improve understanding of the disease in people.

miR-137-3p Modulates the Progression of Prostate Cancer by Regulating the JNK3/EZH2 Axis

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. Early detection of prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening still has limitations. The discovery of new candidates is urgent and can provide insights into the mechanism involved in prostate cancer tumorigenesis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving prostate cancer cell lines and clinical samples. qPCR and IHC were used to evaluate the expression of miR-137-3p/JNK3/EZH2. Furthermore, cell growth, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed to describe the function of this axis. Moreover, xenograft models, pathology platforms and TCGA data were generated to confirm the role of the miR-137-3p/JNK3/EZH2 axis.

Results

In this study, we determined that miR-137-3p was significantly reduced in prostate cancer, and low expression of miR-137-3p was correlated with tumor stage . The overexpression of miR-137-3p suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in prostate cancer by enhancing cell apoptosis. We also validated JNK3 (MAPK10) as a direct target gene of miR-137-3p. Down-regulation of JNK3 in prostate cancer also inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, JNK3 expression was up-regulated and negatively correlated with miR-137-3p in prostate cancer tissues. Furthermore, JNK3 modulated EZH2 expression, which is a key oncogene in prostate cancer. Survival data indicated that patients with high levels of JNK3 and EZH2 had a worse prognosis.

Conclusion

Collectively, the identification of miR-137-3p and the JNK3/EZH2 pathway might facilitate the development of biomarkers and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer.

Histone Demethylase KDM5B as a Therapeutic Target for Cancer Therapy

Lysine-specific demethylase 5B (KDM5B/PLU1/JARID1B) is found to be overexpressed in numerous malignancies, including breast, lung, skin, liver, and prostate cancer. Identification of molecules targeting the KDM5B enzyme could be a potential lead in cancer research. Although many KDM5B inhibitors with promising outcomes have been developed so far, its further application in clinical practice is limited due to toxicity and lack of target specificity. Here, we summarize the significance of targeting KDM5B in anticancer therapy and report the molecular docking studies of some known anti-viral agents, decitabine, entecavir, abacavir, penciclovir, and 3-deazaneplanocin A in the catalytic domain JmjC of KDM5B. These studies show the repurposing potential of identified anti-viral agents in cancer therapy.

miRNAs, oxidative stress, and cancer: A comprehensive and updated review

Oxidative stress refers to elevated levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS homeostasis functions as a signaling pathway for normal cell survival and appropriate cell signaling. Chronic inflammation induced by imbalanced levels of ROS contributes to many diseases and different types of cancer. ROS can alter the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes through epigenetic modifications, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play a key role in most biological pathways. Each miRNA regulates hundreds of target genes by inhibiting protein translation and/or promoting messenger RNA degradation. In normal conditions, miRNAs play a physiological role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, different factors that can dysregulate cell signaling and cellular homeostasis can also affect miRNA expression. The alteration of miRNA expression can work against disturbing factors or mediate their effects. Oxidative stress is one of these factors. Considering the complex interplay between ROS level and miRNA regulation and both of these with cancer development, we review the role of miRNAs in cancer, focusing on their function in oxidative stress.

microRNA Expression Profiling in Young Prostate Cancer Patients

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules with multiple roles in many biological processes. Few studies have shown the molecular characteristics in younger prostate cancer (PCa) patients. In this study, we performed miRNA profiling in young PCa (EO-PCa) cases compared with PCa arising in older men (LO-PCa). Experimental Design: Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue was used. miRNA was extracted for PCR array and NanoString methods. Relative miRNAs expression levels were obtained by comparing young vs older men, and young PCa tumor samples vs normal epithelium. Results: miRNA profiling showed a different expression pattern in PCa arising in younger men, and young PCa tumoral and its normal counterpart. Nine miRNAs (hsa-miR-140-5p, hsa-miR-146a, hsa-miR-29b, hsa-miR-9, hsa-miR-124-3p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-184, hsa-miR-373, hsa-miR-146b-5p) showed differences in the expression compared to LO-PCa. Fourteen miRNAs were significantly up-regulated (miR-1973, miR-663a, miR-575, miR-93-5p, miR-630, miR-600, miR-494, miR-150-5p, miR-137, miR-25-3p, miR-375, miR-489, miR-888-5p, miR-142-3p), while 9 were found down-regulated (miR-21-5p, miR-363-3p, miR-205-5p, miR-548ai, miR-3195, 145-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-222-3p, miR-221-3p) comparing young PCa tumoral tissue compared to normal counterpart. The higher expression of miR-600 and miR-137 were associated with high Gleason score, extraprostatic extension and lymphatic invasion. Conclusion: These results suggest that PCa in younger patients has a different expression profile compared to normal tissue and PCa arising in older man. Differentially expressed miRNAs provide insights of molecular mechanisms involve in this PCa subtype.

MiRNA-Based Inspired Approach in Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most encountered cancer diseases in men worldwide and in consequence it requires the improvement of therapeutic strategies. For the clinical diagnosis, the standard approach is represented by solid biopsy. From a surgical point of view, this technique represents an invasive procedure that may imply several postoperative complications. To overcome these impediments, many trends are focusing on developing liquid biopsy assays and on implementing them in clinical practice. Liquid samples (blood, urine) are rich in analytes, especially in transcriptomic information provided by genetic markers. Additionally, molecular characterization regarding microRNAs content reveals outstanding prospects in understanding cancer progression mechanisms. Moreover, these analytes have great potential for prostate cancer early detection, more accurate prostate cancer staging and also for decision making respecting therapy schemes. However, there are still questionable topics and more research is needed to standardize liquid biopsy-based techniques.

Advances in histone demethylase KDM4 as cancer therapeutic targets

The KDM4 subfamily H3K9 histone demethylases are epigenetic regulators that control chromatin structure and gene expression by demethylating histone H3K9, H3K36, and H1.4K26. The KDM4 subfamily mainly consists of four proteins (KDM4A-D), all harboring the Jumonji C domain (JmjC) but with differential substrate specificities. KDM4A-C proteins also possess the double PHD and Tudor domains, whereas KDM4D lacks these domains. KDM4 proteins are overexpressed or deregulated in multiple cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and mental retardation and are thus potential therapeutic targets. Despite extensive efforts, however, there are very few KDM4-selective inhibitors. Defining the exact physiological and oncogenic functions of KDM4 demethylase will provide the foundation for the discovery of novel potent inhibitors. In this review, we focus on recent studies highlighting the oncogenic functions of KDM4s and the interplay between KDM4-mediated epigenetic and metabolic pathways in cancer. We also review currently available KDM4 inhibitors and discuss their potential as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

Androgen-Regulated microRNAs (AndroMiRs) as Novel Players in Adipogenesis

The development, homeostasis, or increase of the adipose tissue is driven by the induction of the adipogenic differentiation (adipogenesis) of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Adipogenesis can be inhibited by androgen stimulation of these MSCs resulting in the transcription initiation or repression of androgen receptor (AR) regulated genes. AR not only regulates the transcription of protein-coding genes but also the transcription of several non-coding microRNAs involved in the posttranscriptional gene regulation (herein designated as AndroMiRs). As microRNAs are largely involved in differentiation processes such as adipogenesis, the involvement of AndroMiRs in the androgen-mediated inhibition of adipogenesis is likely, however, not yet intensively studied. In this review, existing knowledge about adipogenesis-related microRNAs and AndroMiRs is summarized, and putative cross-links are drawn, which are still prone to experimental validation.

Region-specific microRNA signatures in the human epididymis

The epithelium of the human epididymis maintains an appropriate luminal environment for sperm maturation that is essential for male fertility. Regional expression of small noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs contributes to segment-specific gene expression and differentiated functions. MicroRNA profiles were reported in human epididymal tissues but not specifically in the epithelial cells derived from those regions. Here, we reveal miRNA signatures of primary cultures of caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis epithelial cells and of the tissues from which they were derived. We identify 324 epithelial cell-derived microRNAs and 259 tissue-derived microRNAs in the epididymis, some of which displayed regionalized expression patterns in cells and/or tissues. Caput cell-enriched miRNAs included miR-573 and miR-155. Cauda cell-enriched miRNAs included miR-1204 and miR-770. Next, we determined the gene ontology pathways associated with in silico predicted target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs. The effect of androgen receptor stimulation on miRNA expression was also investigated. These data show novel epithelial cell-derived miRNAs that may regulate the expression of important gene networks that are responsible for the regionalized gene expression and function of the epididymis.

Single-cell cloning of human T-cell lines reveals clonal variation in cell death responses to chemotherapeutics

Genetic modification of human leukemic cell lines using CRISPR-Cas9 has become a staple of gene-function studies. Single-cell cloning of modified cells is frequently used to facilitate studies of gene function. Inherent in this approach is an assumption that the genetic drift, amplified in some cell lines by mutations in DNA replication and repair machinery, as well as non-genetic factors will not introduce significant levels of experimental cellular heterogeneity in clones derived from parental populations. In this study, we characterize the variation in cell death of fifty clonal cell lines generated from human Jurkat and MOLT-4 T-cells edited by CRISPR-Cas9. We demonstrate a wide distribution of sensitivity to chemotherapeutics between non-edited clonal human leukemia T-cell lines, and also following CRISPR-Cas9 editing at the NLRP1 locus, or following transfection with non-targeting sgRNA controls. The cell death sensitivity profile of clonal cell lines was consistent across experiments and failed to revert to the non-clonal parental phenotype. Whole genome sequencing of two clonal cell lines edited by CRISPR-Cas9 revealed unique and shared genetic variants, which had minimal read support in the non-clonal parental population and were not suspected CRISPR-Cas9 off-target effects. These variants included genes related to cell death and drug metabolism. The variation in cell death phenotype of clonal populations of human T-cell lines may be a consequence of T-cell line genetic instability, and to a lesser extent clonal heterogeneity in the parental population or CRISPR-Cas9 off-target effects not predicted by current models. This work highlights the importance of genetic variation between clonal T-cell lines in the design, conduct, and analysis of experiments to investigate gene function after single-cell cloning.

Interplay between the androgen receptor signaling axis and microRNAs in prostate cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that drives prostate cancer. Since therapies that target the AR are the mainstay treatment for men with metastatic disease, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying oncogenic AR signaling in the prostate. miRNAs are small, non-coding regulators of gene expression that play a key role in prostate cancer and are increasingly recognized as targets or modulators of the AR signaling axis. In this review, we examine the regulation of AR signaling by miRNAs and vice versa and discuss how this interplay influences prostate cancer growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Finally, we explore the potential clinical applications of miRNAs implicated in the regulation of AR signaling in this prevalent hormone-driven disease.

Downregulated NOX4 underlies a novel inhibitory role of microRNA-137 in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second highest caused by cancer-related death among males. microRNAs (miRs) have been reported to participate in carcinogenesis, yet their roles in prostate cancer are rarely studied or investigated. Therefore, the present study attempted to explore the effect of miR-137 in prostate cancer via regulating NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). Initially, microarray analysis was performed to obtain prostate cancer-related differentially expressed genes and miRs that regulated NOX4, followed by detecting the expression of miR-137 and NOX4 and its target relationship. Moreover, PC-3 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siNOX4) and miR-137 mimic for exploring the effect of miR-137 on glycolysis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis in prostate cancer by evaluating lactate production, glucose uptake, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, viability rate, and expression of cleaved caspases 3, 8, and 9, cytochrome c, cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), Bax, and Bcl-2. miR-137 was vital to prostate cancer progression via regulating NOX4. Besides, miR-137 expressed poorly while NOX4 expressed highly in prostate cancer. NOX4 was the target gene of miR-137. Additionally, overexpression of miR-137 and silencing of NOX4 were observed to decrease NOX4 and Bcl-2 protein expression, but increase cleaved caspases 3, 8, and 9, cytochrome c, cleaved-PARP, and Bax protein expression. Furthermore, miR-137 overexpression and NOX4 silencing contributed to decreased lactate production, glucose uptake, ATP production, and cell proliferation, but increased apoptosis rate. Collectively, the present study showed that miR-137 repressed glycolysis in prostate cancer through knockdown of NOX4, which might be a potential theoretical target for prostate cancer treatment.

Androgen receptor (AR)-CAG trinucleotide repeat length and idiopathic male infertility: a case-control trial and a meta-analysis

CAG trinucleotide repeats in androgen receptor (AR) gene encode a polyglutamine tract in AR N-terminal transactivation domain. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of CAG repeat length on male infertility, which have yielded contradictory results. This study aimed to explore the number of AR-CAG repeats in 150 fertile controls and 150 idiopathic infertile men, divided into four azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia subgroups. In addition, a meta-analysis was conducted based on previous studies to assess the association of the mentioned variation with male infertility in recent years. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting followed by an electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel was used for AR-CAG genotype detecting. Moreover, a systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases to collect eligible studies for meta-analysis purpose. According to the results, a significant association was observed between increased length of AR-CAG polymorphism and male infertility (p< 0.0001). Furthermore, there were similar significant associations in the azoospermia (p= 0.048), asthenozoospermia (p= 0.013) and teratozoospermia (p= 0.002) subgroups. In addition, meta-analysis on forty studies showed a significant association between AR-CAG polymorphism in the overall analysis (SMD= 0.199, 95 % CI= 0.112-0.287, p<0.001) and the Caucasian subgroup (SMD= 0.151, 95 % CI= 0.040-0.263, p= 0.008). Our results elucidated that long stretches of CAG repeat might lead to AR dysfunction, contributing to male infertility especially in the Caucasian population.

AKT Inhibition Modulates H3K4 Demethylase Levels in PTEN-Null Prostate Cancer

Hyperactivated AKT kinase due to loss of its negative regulator PTEN influences many aspects of cancer biology, including chromatin. AKT primarily regulates acetyl-CoA production and phosphorylates many histone-modulating enzymes, resulting in their activation or inhibition. Therefore, understanding the therapeutic impact of AKT inhibition on chromatin-related events is essential. Here, we report that AKT inhibition in prostate-specific PTEN knockout mice significantly induces di- and trimethylation of H3K4 with concomitant reduction in H3K9 acetylation. Mechanistically, we observed that AKT inhibition reduces expression of the H3K4 methylation-specific histone demethylases KDM5 family, especially KDM5B expression at transcriptional levels. Furthermore, we observed that AKT negatively regulates miR-137 levels, which transcriptionally represses KDM5B expression. Overexpression of miR-137 significantly reduced KDM5B and increased H3K4 methylation levels but failed to change AKT phosphorylation. Overall, we observed that AKT transcriptionally regulates KDM5B mainly via repression of miR-137. Our data identify a mechanism by which AKT kinase modulates the prostate cancer epigenome through regulating H3K4 methylation. Additional studies on AKT inhibition-mediated induction of H3K4 methylation will help in designing strategies to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of PI3K/AKT inhibitors.

The histone demethylase PHF8 promotes adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia through interaction with the MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disorder of lymphoid progenitor cells that is associated with a high risk of relapse and poor prognosis. Thus, novel pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Histone methylation is one of the most significant chromatin post-translational modifications. Here, we show that the histone demethylase PHF8 is highly expressed in a large number of ALL clinical specimens and that PHF8 expression is associated with ALL progression. PHF8 knockdown inhibits proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of ALL cells in vitro as well as attenuates tumor growth in vivo. PHF8 transcriptionally upregulates MEK1, a key molecule in the MEK/ERK pathway, at least partially by directly binding to its promoter, thereby activating the MEK/ERK pathway. In addition, we found that an inhibitor of the MEK/ERK pathway, PD184352, subsequently suppresses PHF8 expression. Thus, PHF8 forms a positive feedback loop with the MEK/ERK pathway, and PHF8 knockdown enhances the lethality of PD184352 in ALL cells. In conclusion, this study identifies oncogenic functions of PHF8 in adult ALL and suggests a novel epigenetic strategy for disease intervention.

Curcumin Derivative Epigenetically Reactivates Nrf2 Antioxidative Stress Signaling in Mouse Prostate Cancer TRAMP C1 Cells

The carcinogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa) in TRAMP model is highly correlated with hypermethylation in the promoter region of Nrf2 and the accompanying reduced transcription of Nrf2 and its regulated detoxifying genes. We aimed to investigate the effects of (3E,5E)-3,5-bis-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-tetrahydro-thiopyran-4-one (F10) and (3E,5E)-3,5-bis-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzylidene)-tetrahydropyran-4-one (E10), two synthetic curcumin derivatives, on restoring Nrf2 activity in TRAMP C1 cells. HepG2-C8 cells transfected with an antioxidant-response element (ARE)-luciferase vector were treated with F10, E10, curcumin, and sulforaphane (SFN) to compare their effects on Nrf2-ARE pathways. We performed real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting to investigate the effects of F10 and E10 on Nrf2, correlated phase II detoxification genes. We also measured expression and activity of DNMTand HDAC enzymes. Enrichment of H3K27me3 on the promoter region of Nrf2 was explored with a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Methylation of the CpG region in Nrf2 promoter was doubly examined by bisulfite genomic sequencing (BGS) and methylation DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP). Compared with curcumin and SFN, F10 is more potent in activating Nrf2-ARE pathways. Both F10 and E10 enhanced level of Nrf2 and the correlated phase II detoxifying genes. BGS and MeDIP assays indicated that F10 but not E10 hypomethylated the Nrf2 promoter. F10 also downregulated the protein level of DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, HDAC1, HDAC4, and HDAC7 and the activity of DNMTs and HDACs. F10 but not E10 effectively reduced the accumulation of H3k27me3 on the promoter of Nrf2. F10 and E10 can activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway and increase the level of Nrf2 and correlated phase II detoxification genes. The reactivation effect on Nrf2 by F10 in TRAMP C1 may come from demethylation, decrease of HDACs, and inhibition of H3k27me3 accumulation.

Coregulator profiling of the glucocorticoid receptor in lymphoid malignancies

Coregulators cooperate with nuclear receptors, such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), to enhance or repress transcription. These regulatory proteins are implicated in cancer, yet, their role in lymphoid malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is largely unknown. Here, we report the use and extension of the microarray assay for real-time nuclear receptor coregulator interactions (MARCoNI) technology to detect coregulator associations with endogenous GR in cell lysates. We use MARCoNI to determine the GR coregulator profile of glucocorticoid-sensitive (MM and ALL) and glucocorticoid-resistant (ALL) cells, and identify common and unique coregulators for different cell line comparisons. Overall, we identify SRC-1/2/3, PGC-1α, RIP140 and DAX-1 as the strongest interacting coregulators of GR in MM and ALL cells and show that the interaction strength does not correlate with GR protein levels. Lastly, as a step towards patient samples, we determine the GR coregulator profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We profile the interactions between GR and coregulators in MM and ALL cells and suggest to further explore the GR coregulator profile in hematological patient samples.

Clinical significance of miRNA host gene promoter methylation in prostate cancer

Only a part of prostate cancer (PCa) patients has aggressive malignancy requiring adjuvant treatment after radical prostatectomy (RP). Biomarkers capable to predict biochemical PCa recurrence (BCR) after RP would significantly improve preoperative risk stratification and treatment decisions. MicroRNA (miRNA) deregulation has recently emerged as an important phenomenon in tumor development and progression, however, the mechanisms remain largely unstudied. In the present study, based on microarray profiling of DNA methylation in 9 pairs of PCa and noncancerous prostate tissues (NPT), host genes of miR-155-5p, miR-152-3p, miR-137, miR-31-5p, and miR-642a, -b were analyzed for promoter methylation in 129 PCa, 35 NPT, and 17 benign prostatic hyperplasia samples (BPH) and compared to the expression of mature miRNAs and their selected targets (DNMT1, KDM1A, and KDM5B). The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset was utilized for validation. Methylation of mir-155, mir-152, and mir-137 host genes was PCa-specific, and downregulation of miR-155-5p significantly correlated with promoter methylation. Higher KDM5B expression was observed in samples with methylated mir-155 or mir-137 promoters, whereas upregulation of KDM1A and DNMT1 was associated with mir-155 and mir-152 methylation status, respectively. Promoter methylation of mir-155, mir-152, and mir-31 was predictive of BCR-free survival in various Cox models and increased the prognostic value of clinicopathologic factors. In conclusion, methylated mir-155, mir-152, mir-137, and mir-31 host genes are promising diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers of PCa. Methylation status of particular miRNA host genes as independent variables or in combinations might assist physicians in identifying poor prognosis PCa patients preoperatively.

Meta-analysis of miRNA expression profiles for prostate cancer recurrence following radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading reason of death in men and the most diagnosed malignancies in the western countries at the present time. After radical prostatectomy (RP), nearly 30% of men develop clinical recurrence with high serum prostate-specific antigen levels. An important challenge in PCa research is to identify effective predictors of tumor recurrence. The molecular alterations in microRNAs are associated with PCa initiation and progression. Several miRNA microarray studies have been conducted in recurrence PCa, but the results vary among different studies.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of 6 available miRNA expression datasets to identify a panel of co-deregulated miRNA genes and overlapping biological processes. The meta-analysis was performed using the 'MetaDE' package, based on combined P-value approaches (adaptive weight and Fisher's methods), in R version 3.3.1.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of six miRNA datasets revealed miR-125A, miR-199A-3P, miR-28-5P, miR-301B, miR-324-5P, miR-361-5P, miR-363*, miR-449A, miR-484, miR-498, miR-579, miR-637, miR-720, miR-874 and miR-98 are commonly upregulated miRNA genes, while miR-1, miR-133A, miR-133B, miR-137, miR-221, miR-340, miR-370, miR-449B, miR-489, miR-492, miR-496, miR-541, miR-572, miR-583, miR-606, miR-624, miR-636, miR-639, miR-661, miR-760, miR-890, and miR-939 are commonly downregulated miRNA genes in recurrent PCa samples in comparison to non-recurrent PCa samples. The network-based analysis showed that some of these miRNAs have an established prognostic significance in other cancers and can be actively involved in tumor growth. Gene ontology enrichment revealed many target genes of co-deregulated miRNAs are involved in "regulation of epithelial cell proliferation" and "tissue morphogenesis". Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that these miRNAs regulate cancer pathways. The PPI hub proteins analysis identified CTNNB1 as the most highly ranked hub protein. Besides, common pathway analysis showed that TCF3, MAX, MYC, CYP26A1, and SREBF1 significantly interact with those DE miRNA genes. The identified genes have been known as tumor suppressors and biomarkers which are closely related to several cancer types, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, PCa, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinomas. Additionally, it was shown that the combination of DE miRNAs can assist in the more specific detection of the PCa and prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR).

CONCLUSION

We found that the identified miRNAs through meta-analysis are candidate predictive markers for recurrent PCa after radical prostatectomy.

Androgen dependent mechanisms of pro-angiogenic networks in placental and tumor development

The placenta and tumors share important characteristics, including a requirement to establish effective angiogenesis. In the case of the placenta, optimal angiogenesis is required to sustain the blood flow required to maintain a successful pregnancy, whereas in tumors establishing new blood supplies is considered a key step in supporting metastases. Therefore the development of novel angiogenesis inhibitors has been an area of active research in oncology. A subset of the molecular processes regulating angiogenesis are well understood in the context of both early placentation and tumorigenesis. In this review we focus on the well-established role of androgen regulation of angiogenesis in cancer and relate these mechanisms to placental angiogenesis. The physiological actions of androgens are mediated by the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand dependent transcription factor. Androgens and the AR are essential for normal male embryonic development, puberty and lifelong health. Defects in androgen signalling are associated with a diverse range of clinical disorders in men and women including disorders of sex development (DSD), polycystic ovary syndrome in women and many cancers. We summarize the diverse molecular mechanisms of androgen regulation of angiogenesis and infer the potential significance of these pathways to normal and pathogenic placental function. Finally, we offer potential research applications of androgen-targeting molecules developed to treat cancer as investigative tools to help further delineate the role of androgen signalling in placental function and maternal and offspring health in animal models.

Proteasome-associated deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 14 regulates prostate cancer proliferation by deubiquitinating and stabilizing androgen receptor

Androgen receptor (AR) is frequently over-expressed and plays a critical role in the growth and progression of human prostate cancer. The therapy attempting to target AR signalling was established in decades ago but the treatment of prostate cancer is far from being satisfactory. The assignable cause is that our understanding of the mechanism of AR regulation and re-activation remains incomplete. Increasing evidence suggests that deubiquitinases are involved in the regulation of cancer development and progression but the specific underlying mechanism often is not elucidated. In the current study, we have identified ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) as a novel regulator of AR, inhibiting the degradation of AR via deubiquitinating this oncoprotein in the androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells. We found that (i) USP14 could bind to AR, and additionally, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of USP14 accelerated the ubiquitination and degradation of AR; (ii) downregulation or inhibition of USP14 suppressed cell proliferation and colony formation of LNcap cells and, conversely, overexpression of USP14 promoted the proliferation; and (iii) reduction or inhibition of USP14 induced G0/G1 phase arrest in LNcap prostate cancer cells. Hence, we conclude that USP14 promotes prostate cancer progression likely through stabilization of AR, suggesting that USP14 could be a promising therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

Impact of CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene on male infertility - a meta-analysis

CAG repeats are polymorphic nucleotide repeats present in the androgen receptor gene. Many studies have estimated the association between CAG repeat length and male infertility, but the conclusions are controversial. Previous meta-analyses have come to different conclusions; however, new studies have been published. An updated meta-analysis was conducted. PubMed, CBM, CNKI and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies published from 1 January 2000 to 1 October 2015. Case-control studies on the association between CAG repeat length and male infertility using appropriate methodology were included. Forty studies were selected, including 3858 cases and 3161 controls. Results showed statistically significantly longer CAG repeat length among cases compared with controls (SMD = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-0.26). Shorter repeat length was associated with a lower risk of male infertility compared with a longer repeat length in the overall analysis (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.95). Moreover, CAG repeat length was associated with male infertility in Caucasian populations, but not Asian or Egyptian populations. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in German populations, but CAG repeat length was associated with male infertility in China and the USA. There were no significant differences between cases and controls in azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.

Epigenetics Reactivation of Nrf2 in Prostate TRAMP C1 Cells by Curcumin Analogue FN1

It has previously been shown that curcumin can effectively inhibit prostate cancer proliferation and progression in TRAMP mice, potentially acting through the hypomethylation of the Nrf2 gene promoter and hence activation of the Nrf2 pathway to enhance cell antioxidative defense. FN1 is a synthetic curcumin analogue that shows stronger anticancer activity than curcumin in other reports. We aimed to explore the epigenetic modification of FN1 that restores Nrf2 expression in TRAMP-C1 cells. Stably transfected HepG2-C8 cells were used to investigate the effect of FN1 on the Nrf2- antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were applied to study the influence of FN1 on endogenous Nrf2 and its downstream genes. Bisulfite genomic sequencing (BGS) and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) were then performed to examine the methylation profile of the Nrf2 promoter. An anchorage-independent colony-formation analysis was conducted to examine the tumor inhibition activity of FN1. Epigenetic modification enzymes, including DNMTs and HDACs, were investigated by Western blotting. The luciferase reporter assay indicated that FN1 was more potent than curcumin in activating the Nrf2-ARE pathway. FN1 increased the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream detoxifying enzymes. FN1 significantly inhibited the colony formation of TRAMP-C1 cells. BGS and MeDIP assays revealed that FN1 treatment (250 nM for 3 days) reduced the percentage of CpG methylation of the Nrf2 promoter. FN1 also downregulated epigenetic modification enzymes. In conclusion, our results suggest that FN1 is a novel anticancer agent for prostate cancer. In the TRAMP-C1 cell line, FN1 can increase the level of Nrf2 and downstream genes via activating the Nrf2-ARE pathway and inhibit the colony formation potentially through the decreased expression of keap1 coupled with CpG demethylation of the Nrf2 promoter. This CpG demethylation effect may come from decreased epigenetic modification enzymes, such as DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, and HDAC4.