Potential Prospective Biomarkers for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Mini-Chromosome Maintenance Proteins

The oncogenic role and regulatory mechanism of PGK1 in human non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) is a metabolic enzyme that participates in various biological and pathological processes. Dysregulated PGK1 has been observed in numerous malignancies. However, whether and how PGK1 affects non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not yet fully elucidated.

METHODS

Herein, the non-metabolic function of PGK1 in NSCLC was explored by integrating bioinformatics analyses, cellular experiments, and nude mouse xenograft models. The upstream regulators and downstream targets of PGK1 were examined using multiple techniques such as RNA sequencing, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, Co-immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

We confirmed that PGK1 was upregulated in NSCLC and this upregulation was associated with poor prognosis. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the promoting effects of PGK1 on NSCLC cell growth and metastasis. Additionally, we discovered that PGK1 interacted with and could be O-GlcNAcylated by OGT. The inhibition of PGK1 O-GlcNAcylation through OGT silencing or mutation at the T255 O-GlcNAcylation site could weaken PGK1-mediated NSCLC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. We also found that a low miR-24-3p level led to an increase in OGT expression. Additionally, PGK1 exerted its oncogenic properties by augmenting ERK phosphorylation and MCM4 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

PGK1 acted as a crucial mediator in controlling NSCLC progression. The miR-24-3p/OGT axis was responsible for PGK1 O-GlcNAcylation, and ERK/MCM4 were the downstream effectors of PGK1. It appears that PGK1 might be an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.

A novel nomogram based on cell cycle-related genes for predicting overall survival in early-onset colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Although the incidence of late-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC) has decreased, the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is still rising dramatically. Heterogeneity in the genomic, biological, and clinicopathological characteristics between EOCRC and LOCRC has been revealed. Therefore, the previous prognostic models based on the total CRC patient population might not be suitable for EOCRC patients. Here, we constructed a prognostic classifier to enhance the precision of individualized treatment and management of EOCRC patients.

METHODS

EOCRC expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The regulatory pathways were explored by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The prognostic model was developed by univariate Cox-LASSO-multivariate Cox regression analyses of GEO samples. TCGA samples were used to verify the model. The expression and mutation profiles and immune landscape of the high-risk and low-risk cohorts were analyzed and compared. Finally, the expression and prognostic value of the model genes were verified by immunohistochemistry and qRT‒PCR analysis.

RESULTS

The cell cycle was identified as the most significantly enriched oncological signature of EOCRC. Then, a 4-gene prognostic signature comprising MCM2, INHBA, CGREF1, and KLF9 was constructed. The risk score was an independent predictor of overall survival. The area under the curve values of the classifier for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival were 0.856, 0.893, and 0.826, respectively, in the training set and 0.749, 0.858, and 0.865, respectively, in the validation set. Impaired DNA damage repair capability (p < 0.05) and frequent PIK3CA mutations (p < 0.05) were found in the high-risk cohort. CD8 T cells (p < 0.05), activated memory CD4 T cells (p < 0.01), and activated dendritic cells (p < 0.05) were clustered in the low-risk group. Finally, we verified the expression of MCM2, INHBA, CGREF1, and KLF9. Their prognostic value was closely related to age.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a robust prognostic classifier for EOCRC was established and validated. The findings may provide a reference for individualized treatment and medical decision-making for patients with EOCRC.

Molecular functions of MCM8 and MCM9 and their associated pathologies

Minichromosome Maintenance 8 Homologous Recombination Repair Factor (MCM8) and Minichromosome Maintenance 9 Homologous Recombination Repair Factor (MCM9) are recently discovered minichromosome maintenance proteins and are implicated in multiple DNA-related processes and pathologies, including DNA replication (initiation), meiosis, homologous recombination and mismatch repair. Consistent with these molecular functions, variants of MCM8/MCM9 may predispose carriers to disorders such as infertility and cancer and should therefore be included in relevant diagnostic testing. In this overview of the (patho)physiological functions of MCM8 and MCM9 and the phenotype of MCM8/MCM9 variant carriers, we explore the potential clinical implications of MCM8/MCM9 variant carriership and highlight important future directions of MCM8 and MCM9 research. With this review, we hope to contribute to better MCM8/MCM9 variant carrier management and the potential utilization of MCM8 and MCM9 in other facets of scientific research and medical care.

Multi-Omics Immune Interaction Networks in Lung Cancer Tumorigenesis, Proliferation, and Survival

There are currently no effective biomarkers for prognosis and optimal treatment selection to improve non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survival outcomes. This study further validated a seven-gene panel for diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC using RNA sequencing and proteomic profiles of patient tumors. Within the seven-gene panel, ZNF71 expression combined with dendritic cell activities defined NSCLC patient subgroups (n = 966) with distinct survival outcomes (p = 0.04, Kaplan-Meier analysis). ZNF71 expression was significantly associated with the activities of natural killer cells (p = 0.014) and natural killer T cells (p = 0.003) in NSCLC patient tumors (n = 1016) using Chi-squared tests. Overexpression of ZNF71 resulted in decreased expression of multiple components of the intracellular intrinsic and innate immune systems, including dsRNA and dsDNA sensors. Multi-omics networks of ZNF71 and the intracellular intrinsic and innate immune systems were computed as relevant to NSCLC tumorigenesis, proliferation, and survival using patient clinical information and in-vitro CRISPR-Cas9/RNAi screening data. From these networks, pan-sensitive and pan-resistant genes to 21 NCCN-recommended drugs for treating NSCLC were selected. Based on the gene associations with patient survival and in-vitro CRISPR-Cas9, RNAi, and drug screening data, MEK1/2 inhibitors PD-198306 and U-0126, VEGFR inhibitor ZM-306416, and IGF-1R inhibitor PQ-401 were discovered as potential targeted therapy that may also induce an immune response for treating NSCLC.

MCM2 in human cancer: functions, mechanisms, and clinical significance

Background

Aberrant DNA replication is the main source of genomic instability that leads to tumorigenesis and progression. MCM2, a core subunit of eukaryotic helicase, plays a vital role in DNA replication. The dysfunction of MCM2 results in the occurrence and progression of multiple cancers through impairing DNA replication and cell proliferation.

Conclusions

MCM2 is a vital regulator in DNA replication. The overexpression of MCM2 was detected in multiple types of cancers, and the dysfunction of MCM2 was correlated with the progression and poor prognoses of malignant tumors. According to the altered expression of MCM2 and its correlation with clinicopathological features of cancer patients, MCM2 was thought to be a sensitive biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and chemotherapy response. The anti-tumor effect induced by MCM2 inhibition implies the potential of MCM2 to be a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Since DNA replication stress, which may stimulate anti-tumor immunity, frequently occurs in MCM2 deficient cells, it also proposes the possibility that MCM2 targeting improves the effect of tumor immunotherapy.