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Gruber ES, Oberhuber G, Schlederer M, Birner P, Jomrich G, Schoppmann SF, Tse W, Kenner L. Screening for oncogenic AF1q expression predicts disease recurrence in gastric cancer patients. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15988. [PMID: 38987552 PMCID: PMC11238034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67058-x] [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: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
AF1q associates with tumor progression and metastases upon WNT signaling. The downstream WNT target CD44 has demonstrated prognostic significance in gastric cancer (GC). This study evaluates the impact of AF1q on tumor stage and survival in GC patients. Immunohistochemical marker expression was analyzed and data were processed to correlation and survival analysis. Out of 182 GC samples, 178 (97.8%) showed moderate to high AF1q expression (p < 0.001), these samples correlated with positive lymph node stage (p = 0.036). In a subgroup analysis of patients with nodal-positive GC (n = 129, 70.9%), enhanced tumoral AF1q expression resulted in impaired recurrence-free survival (RFS, p = 0.030). Enhanced tumoral CD44 expression resulted in impaired disease-specific survival (DSS) in the subgroup of patients with nodal-positive GC (p = 0.031) as well as in the overall GC group (p = 0.005). AF1q demonstrated as an independent prognostic marker for RFS (p = 0.035) and CD44 for DSS (p = 0.036). AF1q has shown potential for prognostication of RFS in GC patients and is predominantly expressed in nodal-positive GC. Testing AF1q provides a possibility of identifying patients with locoregional (and advanced) disease, particularly at risk for disease recurrence. Implementing AF1q into the diagnostic process may facilitate screening, prognosis estimation as well as consideration of preoperative multimodal treatment in patients qualifying for elective upfront surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth S Gruber
- Division of Visceral Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Georg Oberhuber
- Department of Experimental and Animal Pathology, Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- PIZ - patho im zentrum GmbH, St. Poelten, Lower Austria, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Department of Experimental and Animal Pathology, Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Birner
- Department of Experimental and Animal Pathology, Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerd Jomrich
- Division of Visceral Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian F Schoppmann
- Division of Visceral Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - William Tse
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Immune Oncology Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Department of Experimental and Animal Pathology, Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Applied Metabolomics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Styria, Austria.
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2
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Oskouian B, Lee JY, Asgharzadeh S, Khan R, Zhang M, Weisbrod JR, Choi YJ, Puri L, Aguilar AE, Zhao P, Saba JD. AF1q is a universal marker of neuroblastoma that sustains N-Myc expression and drives tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2024; 43:1203-1213. [PMID: 38413795 PMCID: PMC11014797 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant tumor of childhood, accounting for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Despite significant advances in our understanding of neuroblastoma biology, five-year survival rates for high-risk disease remain less than 50%, highlighting the importance of identifying novel therapeutic targets to combat the disease. MYCN amplification is the most frequent and predictive molecular aberration correlating with poor outcome in neuroblastoma. N-Myc is a short-lived protein primarily due to its rapid proteasomal degradation, a potentially exploitable vulnerability in neuroblastoma. AF1q is an oncoprotein with established roles in leukemia and solid tumor progression. It is normally expressed in brain and sympathetic neurons and has been postulated to play a part in neural differentiation. However, no role for AF1q in tumors of neural origin has been reported. In this study, we found AF1q to be a universal marker of neuroblastoma tumors. Silencing AF1q in neuroblastoma cells caused proteasomal degradation of N-Myc through Ras/ERK and AKT/GSK3β pathways, activated p53 and blocked cell cycle progression, culminating in cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Moreover, silencing AF1q attenuated neuroblastoma tumorigenicity in vivo signifying AF1q's importance in neuroblastoma oncogenesis. Our findings reveal AF1q to be a novel regulator of N-Myc and potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Oskouian
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanna Y Lee
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ranjha Khan
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia R Weisbrod
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Youn-Jeong Choi
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Latika Puri
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Ana E Aguilar
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Piming Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julie D Saba
- Department of Pediatrics and the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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3
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Inchanalkar M, Srivatsa S, Ambatipudi S, Bhosale PG, Patil A, Schäffer AA, Beerenwinkel N, Mahimkar MB. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of HPV-negative leukoplakia and gingivobuccal complex cancers. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:93. [PMID: 37245006 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01510-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gingivobuccal complex oral squamous cell carcinoma (GBC-OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality often preceded by premalignant lesions, including leukoplakia. Previous studies have reported genomic drivers in OSCC, but much remains to be elucidated about DNA methylation patterns across different stages of oral carcinogenesis. RESULTS There is a serious lack of biomarkers and clinical application of biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of gingivobuccal complex cancers. Hence, in search of novel biomarkers, we measured genome-wide DNA methylation in 22 normal oral tissues, 22 leukoplakia, and 74 GBC-OSCC tissue samples. Both leukoplakia and GBC-OSCC had distinct methylation profiles as compared to normal oral tissue samples. Aberrant DNA methylation increases during the different stages of oral carcinogenesis, from premalignant lesions to carcinoma. We identified 846 and 5111 differentially methylated promoters in leukoplakia and GBC-OSCC, respectively, with a sizable fraction shared between the two sets. Further, we identified potential biomarkers from integrative analysis in gingivobuccal complex cancers and validated them in an independent cohort. Integration of genome, epigenome, and transcriptome data revealed candidate genes with gene expression synergistically regulated by copy number and DNA methylation changes. Regularised Cox regression identified 32 genes associated with patient survival. In an independent set of samples, we validated eight genes (FAT1, GLDC, HOXB13, CST7, CYB5A, MLLT11, GHR, LY75) from the integrative analysis and 30 genes from previously published reports. Bisulfite pyrosequencing validated GLDC (P = 0.036), HOXB13 (P < 0.0001) promoter hypermethylation, and FAT1 (P < 0.0001) hypomethylation in GBC-OSCC compared to normal controls. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identified methylation signatures associated with leukoplakia and gingivobuccal complex cancers. The integrative analysis in GBC-OSCC identified putative biomarkers that enhance existing knowledge of oral carcinogenesis and may potentially help in risk stratification and prognosis of GBC-OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri Inchanalkar
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Center, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
| | - Sumana Srivatsa
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Srikant Ambatipudi
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Center, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
- Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Priyanka G Bhosale
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Center, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, Tower Wing, London, UK
| | - Asawari Patil
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Alejandro A Schäffer
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, and National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Niko Beerenwinkel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manoj B Mahimkar
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Center, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India.
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Liao J, Chen H, Qi M, Wang J, Wang M. MLLT11-TRIL complex promotes the progression of endometrial cancer through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Cancer Biol Ther 2022; 23:211-224. [PMID: 35253622 PMCID: PMC8903758 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2022.2046450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a gynecological malignant tumor characterized by high incidence. EC occurrence and development are regulated by numerous molecules and signal pathways. There is a need to explore key regulatory molecules to identify potential therapeutic targets to reduce the incidence of EC. Treatment by targeting a single molecule is characterized by poor efficacy owing to the development of resistance and significant side effects. The current study explored potential candidates in EC by integrating bioinformatics analysis and in vivo and in vitro experimental validation to circumvent the limitation of low efficacy of currently used molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations provide details at the molecular level of intermolecular regulation. In the current study, MLLT11 and TRIL were identified as important regulatory molecules in EC. The two molecules formed a heteromultimer by binding to AKT protein, which induced its phosphorylation of threonine at position 308. Ultimately, the complex stimulates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, a pivotal pathway in tumors. The findings of the current study show a novel complex, MLLT11-TRIL, which can act as AKT protein agonist, thus inducing activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Targeting MLLT11 and TRIL simultaneously, or blocking the formation of the MLLT11-TRIL complex, can abrogate progression of EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingnan Liao
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mingming Qi
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Jinjin Wang
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Mingyuan Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Geratic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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5
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Duan N, Zhang W, Song T, Li Z, Chen X, Ma W. A naturally derived small molecule PSM0537 targets the AF1Q-TCF4 interaction to suppress COX2 expression and inhibit cell proliferation and metastasis in osteosarcoma. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2637-2653. [PMID: 34249419 PMCID: PMC8263654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
ALL1 fused gene from chromosome 1q (AF1Q) functions as an oncogene in several types of cancers, but it has not been observed in osteosarcoma. In this study, we revealed that AF1Q was overexpressed in multiple osteosarcoma cell lines, and its expression level increased with the severity of tumor malignancy in osteosarcoma biopsies. AF1Q was coupled with the transcription factor T cell factor 4 (TCF4) to assemble a complex to bind to the promoter of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and activate its expression. The individual knockdown of AF1Q, TCF4, or COX2 in osteosarcoma cell lines significantly decreased cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. The tumor xenograft model also indicated that the individual knockdown of AF1Q, TCF4, or COX2 could inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. On the basis of these promising results, we established an in vitro AlphaScreen method to identify the compounds that disrupted the AF1Q-TCF4 interaction in a naturally derived small molecule pool. We discovered a compound called PSM0537, which showed a strong ability to inhibit the AF1Q-TCF4 interaction at a low dose of half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) (210.3 ± 15.6 nM). The administration of PSM0537 in vitro and in vivo could dramatically inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Collectively, our findings reveal that the AF1Q-TCF4 transcriptional complex controls the expression of COX2 and that targeting the AF1Q-TCF4 interaction with PSM0537 could inhibit tumor cell growth and metastasis. Our results provide a new path for chemotherapy of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Duan
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wentao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xun Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710061, Shaanxi, China
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6
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Gruber ES, Oberhuber G, Birner P, Schlederer M, Kenn M, Schreiner W, Jomrich G, Schoppmann SF, Gnant M, Tse W, Kenner L. The Oncogene AF1Q is Associated with WNT and STAT Signaling and Offers a Novel Independent Prognostic Marker in Patients with Resectable Esophageal Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:E1357. [PMID: 31671695 PMCID: PMC6912824 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AF1q impairs survival in hematologic and solid malignancies. AF1q expression is associated with tumor progression, migration, and chemoresistance, and acts as a transcriptional co-activator in WNT and STAT signaling. This study evaluates the role of AF1q in patients with resectable esophageal cancer (EC). A total of 278 patients operated on for esophageal cancer were retrospectively included, and the expression of AF1q, CD44, and pYSTAT3 was analyzed following immunostaining. Quantified data were processed to correlational and survival analysis. In EC patients, an elevated expression of AF1q was associated with CD44 (p = 0.004), and pYSTAT3 (p = 0.0002). High AF1q expression in primary tumors showed high AF1q expression in the corresponding lymph nodes (p= 0.016). AF1q expression was higher after neoadjuvant therapy (p= 0.0002). Patients with AF1q-positive EC relapsed and died earlier compared to patients with AF1q-negative EC (disease-free survival (DFS), p= 0.0005; disease-specific survival (DSS), p= 0.003); in the multivariable Cox regression model, AF1q proved to be an independent prognostic marker (DFS, p= 0.01; DSS, p= 0.03). AF1q is associated with WNT and STAT signaling; it impairs and independently predicts DFS and DSS in patients with resectable EC. The testing of AF1q could facilitate prognosis estimation and provide a possibility of identifying the patients responsive to the therapeutic blockade of its oncogenic downstream targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth S Gruber
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Georg Oberhuber
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Experimental and Translational Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- PIZ - patho im zentrum GmbH, 3100 St. Poelten, Lower Austria, Austria.
| | - Peter Birner
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Experimental and Translational Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Experimental and Translational Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Kenn
- Section of Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wolfgang Schreiner
- Section of Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gerd Jomrich
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sebastian F Schoppmann
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Gnant
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - William Tse
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Experimental and Translational Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Applied Metabolomics (CDL-AM), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
- CBmed Core Lab 2, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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7
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Khan N, Park J, Dean WL, Gray RD, Tse W, Lee D, Sabo TM. Recombinant expression and purification of AF1q and its interaction with T-cell Factor 7. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 165:105499. [PMID: 31541685 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The protein ALL1 fused from chromosome 1q (AF1q) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and acts to activate several signaling pathways that lead to oncogenesis. For example, AF1q has been shown to interact with T-cell Factor 7 (TCF7; also known as TCF1) from the Wnt/β-catenin pathway resulting in the transcriptional activation of the CD44 and the enhancement of breast cancer metastasis. Despite the importance of AF1q in facilitating oncogenesis and metastasis, the structural and biophysical properties of AF1q remain largely unexplored due to the absence of a viable method for producing recombinant protein. Here, we report the overexpression of AF1q in E. coli as a fusion to a N-terminal His6-tag, which forms inclusion bodies (IBs) during expression. The AF1q protein was purified from IBs under denaturing conditions by immobilized metal affinity chromatography followed by a successful one-step dialysis refolding. Refolded AF1q was further purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography resulting in an overall yield of 35 mg/L culture. Our nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) measurements reveal AF1q interacts with TCF7, specifically with TCF7's high-mobility group (HMG) domain (residues 154-237), which is, to our knowledge, the first biophysical characterization of the AF1q and TCF7 interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazimuddin Khan
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Jino Park
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - William L Dean
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Robert D Gray
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - William Tse
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Donghan Lee
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
| | - T Michael Sabo
- Department of Medicine, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
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8
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Kadletz LC, Brkic FF, Jank BJ, Schneider S, Cede J, Seemann R, Gruber ES, Gurnhofer E, Heiduschka G, Kenner L. AF1q Expression Associates with CD44 and STAT3 and Impairs Overall Survival in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Pathol Oncol Res 2019; 26:1287-1292. [PMID: 31273546 PMCID: PMC7242261 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-019-00696-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Salivary gland malignancies of the head and neck form a heterogeneous group. Adenoid cystic carcinomas are an aggressive entity of salivary gland malignancies characterized by frequent distant metastases and poor response to radio- and chemotherapy. AF1Q is a MLL fusion partner, which can activate Wnt and STAT3 signaling. Recently, overexpression of AF1q has been identified as a poor prognosticator in patients of different malignancies. A total of 46 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma were immunohistochemically evaluated for expression of AF1q and clinical outcome was analyzed in this context. Additionally, STAT3 and the Wnt downstream target CD44 were investigated and correlated with AF1q. AF1q was overexpressed in 52.2%. Overexpression of AF1q was associated with poorer overall survival (p = 0.03). Additionally, lymph node metastases and solid tumor parts were more frequently observed in AF1qhigh patients (p = 0.07 and 0.05, respectively). AF1q did not influence the occurrence of distant metastases. Expression of AF1q was associated with higher levels of STAT3 and CD44 (p = 0.003 and 0.006, respectively). AF1q is a novel prognostic marker for poor overall survival in adenoid cystic carcinoma patients. The deleterious effects on survival may be a result of promotion of the STAT3 and Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz C Kadletz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Faris F Brkic
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard J Jank
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sven Schneider
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Cede
- Department of Craniomaxillo and Facial Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Seemann
- Department of Craniomaxillo and Facial Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth S Gruber
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Gurnhofer
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Animal Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Heiduschka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Animal Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Cheng B, Rong A, Zhou Q, Li W. CLDN8 promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by activating MAPK/ERK signaling. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:3741-3751. [PMID: 31118793 PMCID: PMC6498432 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s189558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Claudin 8 (CLDN8), an integral membrane protein that constitutes tight junctions in cell membranes, was recently implicated in tumor progression. However, its roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and metastasis remain unknown. Methods In this study, we examined the effect of CLDN8 on the progression of CRC, including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and determines its underlying molecular mechanism using in vitro CRC cell lines and in vivo mouse xenograft models. Results We found that CLDN8 expression in human CRC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. The knockdown of CLDN8 markedly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SW480 and HT-29 CRC cells, whereas the overexpression of CLDN8 notably promoted tumor progression in SW480 and HT-29 CRC cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that CLDN8 upregulated p-ERK (p-PKB/AKT) and MMP9 in CRC cells. Notably, the MAPK/ERK inhibitor PD98095 dramatically attenuated the effects of CLDN8 on p-ERK and MMP9. Moreover, PD98095 remarkably blocked the tumor-promoting activity of CLDN8. The knockdown of CLDN8 also inhibited the in vivo tumor growth in a nude mouse xenograft model. Collectively, CLDN8 promoted CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, at least in part, by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Conclusion These findings suggest that CLDN8 exhibits an oncogenic effect in human CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cheng
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
| | - Aimei Rong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
| | - Quanbo Zhou
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China
| | - Wenlu Li
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China,
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Li X, Liu H, Wang J, Qin J, Bai Z, Chi B, Yan W, Chen X. Curcumol induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2 cells. Phytother Res 2018; 32:2214-2225. [PMID: 30069933 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Curcumol has been proved to possess antitumor effects in vivo and in vitro in several cancers. Previously, we have found that curcumol induced apoptosis in CNE-2 cells, but its underlying mechanism has not yet been studied well. Recently, our team clarified that curcumol inhibited colorectal cancer cells' growth partially through insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) pathway. Given the key importance of IGF-1R pathway in tumorigenesis, we want to explore whether curcumol effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells relates to IGF-1R and its downstream pathway inactivation. In this study, we found that curcumol inhibited IGF-1R and p-Akt expression in a dose- and time-dependent way. In addition, it also regulated their downstream GSK-3β's activity in CNE-2 cells, which further triggering alterations in the expression of cycle- and apoptosis-related molecules, and then leading to G0/G1-phase arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, curcumol's effect on CNE-2 cells was partly eliminated by IGF-1R's agonist IGF-1. In conclusion, our findings indicated that the inhibitory effect of curcumol on proliferation of NPC cells is related to the inhibition of IGF-1R and its downstream PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xumei Li
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Haowei Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.,Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianli Qin
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Zhun Bai
- Intensive Care Unit, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Bixia Chi
- Digestive System Department, The Frist People's Hospital of Yueyang, Yueyang, China
| | - Wei Yan
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xu Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
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