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Zhang W, Wang H, Chen S, Fan X, Liu Y, Shi S, Wang R. Reactivation of methylation-silenced PAX1 inhibits cervical cancer proliferation and migration via the WNT/TIMELESS pathway. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1349-1361. [PMID: 38712797 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23728] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Although aberrant methylation of PAX1 is closely associated with cervical cancer (CC), PAX1 methylation (PAX1m) and its role in CC remain to be elucidated. Here, we clarified the biological function of PAX1 in CC. First, PAX1m in ThinPrep cytologic test samples was measured via quantitative methylation-specific PCR. The results showed that PAX1 promoter methylation levels were significantly increased in CC patients (p < 0.001). We also found that PAX1 promoter methylation levels were positively correlated with tumor purity but negatively correlated with immune-infiltration via public databases. Then, CRISPR-based methylation perturbation tools (dCas9-Tet1) were constructed to further demonstrate that DNA methylation participates in the regulation of PAX1 expression directly. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were used to show that PAX1 overexpression restrained proliferation, migration and improved cisplatin sensitivity by interfering with the WNT/TIMELESS axis in CC cells. Additionally, Co-immunoprecipitation assays further confirmed the interaction between PAX1 and TCF7L2. Taken together, our results suggested that a tumor suppressor role of PAX1 in CC and that CRISPR-based PAX1 demethylation editing might be a promising therapeutic strategy for CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huixi Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueting Fan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shujuan Shi
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Yang Y, Sheng Y, Zheng J, Ma A, Chen S, Lin J, Yang X, Liang Y, Zhang Y, Zheng X. Upregulation of ESPL1 is associated with poor prognostic outcomes in endometrial cancer. Biomarkers 2024; 29:185-193. [PMID: 38568742 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2024.2339288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extra spindle pole bodies-like 1 (ESPL1) is known to play a crucial role in the segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis. Overexpression of ESPL1 is considered to have oncogenic effects in various human cancers. However, the specific biological function of ESPL1 in endometrial cancer (EC) remains unclear. METHODS The TCGA and GEO databases were utilized to assess the expression of ESPL1 in EC. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect separase expression in EC samples. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of ESPL1 in EC. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was employed to explore the potential signaling pathway of ESPL1 in EC. Cell proliferation and colony formation ability were analyzed using CCK-8 and colony formation assay. RESULTS Our analysis revealed that ESPL1 is significantly upregulated in EC, and its overexpression is associated with advanced clinical characteristics and unfavourable prognostic outcomes. Suppression of ESPL1 attenuated proliferation of EC cell line. CONCLUSION The upregulation of ESPL1 is associated with advanced disease and poor prognosis in EC patients. These findings suggest that ESPL1 has the potential to serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in EC, highlighting its significance in the management of EC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhong Yang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Ying Sheng
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jinhua Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Aiyu Ma
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Liuzhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaozhen Yang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuanna Liang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
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Chen Y, Han Z, Zhang L, Gao C, Wei J, Yang X, Han Y, Li Y, Zhang C, Wei Y, Dong J, Xun W, Sun W, Zhang T, Zhang H, Chen J, Yuan P. TIMELESS promotes reprogramming of glucose metabolism in oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:21. [PMID: 38178094 PMCID: PMC10768318 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04791-3] [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: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the predominant malignancy of the oral cavity, is characterized by high incidence and low survival rates. Emerging evidence suggests a link between circadian rhythm disruptions and cancer development. The circadian gene TIMELESS, known for its specific expression in various tumors, has not been extensively studied in the context of OSCC. This study aims to explore the influence of TIMELESS on OSCC, focusing on cell growth and metabolic alterations. METHODS We analyzed TIMELESS expression in OSCC using western blot, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE). The role of TIMELESS in OSCC was examined through clone formation, MTS, cell cycle, and EdU assays, alongside subcutaneous tumor growth experiments in nude mice. We also assessed the metabolic impact of TIMELESS by measuring glucose uptake, lactate production, oxygen consumption, and medium pH, and investigated its effect on key metabolic proteins including silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), recombinant lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1). RESULTS Elevated TIMELESS expression in OSCC tissues and cell lines was observed, correlating with reduced patient survival. TIMELESS overexpression enhanced OSCC cell proliferation, increased glycolytic activity (glucose uptake and lactate production), and suppressed oxidative phosphorylation (evidenced by reduced oxygen consumption and altered pH levels). Conversely, TIMELESS knockdown inhibited these cellular and metabolic processes, an effect mirrored by manipulating SIRT1 levels. Additionally, SIRT1 was positively associated with TIMELESS expression. The expression of SIRT1, HK2, PKM2, LDHA and GLUT1 increased with the overexpression of TIMELESS levels and decreased with the knockdown of TIMELESS. CONCLUSION TIMELESS exacerbates OSCC progression by modulating cellular proliferation and metabolic pathways, specifically by enhancing glycolysis and reducing oxidative phosphorylation, largely mediated through the SIRT1 pathway. This highlights TIMELESS as a potential target for OSCC therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafan Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhengyang Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442008, Hubei, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Caihong Gao
- Xi'an Physical Education University, Xi'an, 710068, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingyi Wei
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuyuan Yang
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yabing Han
- Medical College of Ankang University, Ankang, 725000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yunbo Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunmei Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yixin Wei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiaqi Dong
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenxing Xun
- Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weifu Sun
- Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Taotao Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Xi'an Children's Hospital, 69 West Park Lane, Xi'an, 710002, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jingtao Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Peng Yuan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
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Vipat S, Moiseeva TN. The TIMELESS Roles in Genome Stability and Beyond. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168206. [PMID: 37481157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
TIMELESS protein (TIM) protects replication forks from stalling at difficult-to-replicate regions and plays an important role in DNA damage response, including checkpoint signaling, protection of stalled replication forks and DNA repair. Loss of TIM causes severe replication stress, while its overexpression is common in various types of cancer, providing protection from DNA damage and resistance to chemotherapy. Although TIM has mostly been studied for its part in replication stress response, its additional roles in supporting genome stability and a wide variety of other cellular pathways are gradually coming to light. This review discusses the diverse functions of TIM and its orthologs in healthy and cancer cells, open questions, and potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameera Vipat
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Tatiana N Moiseeva
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 12618, Estonia.
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