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Eigenfeld M, Lupp KFM, Schwaminger SP. Role of Natural Binding Proteins in Therapy and Diagnostics. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:630. [PMID: 38792650 PMCID: PMC11122601 DOI: 10.3390/life14050630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review systematically investigates the critical role of natural binding proteins (NBPs), encompassing DNA-, RNA-, carbohydrate-, fatty acid-, and chitin-binding proteins, in the realms of oncology and diagnostics. In an era where cancer continues to pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, the innovative exploration of NBPs offers a promising frontier for advancing both the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy of cancer management strategies. This manuscript provides an in-depth examination of the unique mechanisms by which NBPs interact with specific molecular targets, highlighting their potential to revolutionize cancer diagnostics and therapy. Furthermore, it discusses the burgeoning research on aptamers, demonstrating their utility as 'nucleic acid antibodies' for targeted therapy and precision diagnostics. Despite the promising applications of NBPs and aptamers in enhancing early cancer detection and developing personalized treatment protocols, this review identifies a critical knowledge gap: the need for comprehensive studies to understand the diverse functionalities and therapeutic potentials of NBPs across different cancer types and diagnostic scenarios. By bridging this gap, this manuscript underscores the importance of NBPs and aptamers in paving the way for next-generation diagnostics and targeted cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Eigenfeld
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Kilian F. M. Lupp
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sebastian P. Schwaminger
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Taha MS, Ahmadian MR. Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein Protein and Its Multifunctionality: From Cytosol to Nucleolus and Back. Biomolecules 2024; 14:399. [PMID: 38672417 PMCID: PMC11047961 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040399] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Silencing of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene and a consequent lack of FMR protein (FMRP) synthesis are associated with fragile X syndrome, one of the most common inherited intellectual disabilities. FMRP is a multifunctional protein that is involved in many cellular functions in almost all subcellular compartments under both normal and cellular stress conditions in neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. This is achieved through its trafficking signals, nuclear localization signal (NLS), nuclear export signal (NES), and nucleolar localization signal (NoLS), as well as its RNA and protein binding domains, and it is modulated by various post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and methylation. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding the interaction networks of FMRP with a special focus on FMRP stress-related functions, including stress granule formation, mitochondrion and endoplasmic reticulum plasticity, ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle control, and DNA damage response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S. Taha
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
- Research on Children with Special Needs Department, Institute of Medical Research and Clinical Studies, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
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Chen S, Zhang J, Zhao F. Screening Linear and Circular RNA Transcripts from Stress Granules. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:886-893. [PMID: 35085777 PMCID: PMC10787114 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein assemblies formed under stress conditions and are related to various biological processes and human diseases. Previous studies have reported the regulatory role of some proteins and linear RNAs in SG assembly. However, the relationship between circular RNAs (circRNAs) and SGs has not been discovered. Here, we screened both linear RNAs and circRNAs in SGs using improved total RNA sequencing of purified SG cores in mammalian cells and identified circular transcripts specifically localized in SGs. circRNAs with higher SG-related RNA-binding protein (RBP) binding abilities are more likely to be enriched in SGs. Furthermore, some SG-enriched circRNAs are differentially expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent tissues. These results suggest the regulatory role of circRNAs in SG formation and provide insights into the biological function of circRNAs and SGs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Chen
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinyang Zhang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fangqing Zhao
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China.
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Murphy JJ, Surendranath K, Kanagaraj R. RNA-Binding Proteins and Their Emerging Roles in Cancer: Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119612. [PMID: 37298567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) represent a large family of proteins with an extensive array of roles that contribute to coordinating and directing multiple functions in RNA metabolism and transcription [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Murphy
- Genome Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Kalpana Surendranath
- Genome Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Radhakrishnan Kanagaraj
- Genome Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600119, India
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Zhou H, Luo J, Mou K, Peng L, Li X, Lei Y, Wang J, Lin S, Luo Y, Xiang L. Stress granules: functions and mechanisms in cancer. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:86. [PMID: 37179344 PMCID: PMC10182661 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01030-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are non-enveloped structures formed primarily via protein and RNA aggregation under various stress conditions, including hypoxia and viral infection, as well as oxidative, osmotic, and heat-shock stress. SGs assembly is a highly conserved cellular strategy to reduce stress-related damage and promote cell survival. At present, the composition and dynamics of SGs are well understood; however, data on the functions and related mechanisms of SGs are limited. In recent years, SGs have continued to attract attention as emerging players in cancer research. Intriguingly, SGs regulate the biological behavior of tumors by participating in various tumor-associated signaling pathways, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, radiotherapy resistance, and immune escape. This review discusses the roles and mechanisms of SGs in tumors and suggests novel directions for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Kelin Mou
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lin Peng
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyue Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yulin Lei
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianmei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China.
| | - Li Xiang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China.
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STRESS granule-associated RNA-binding protein CAPRIN1 drives cancer progression and regulates treatment response in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Med Oncol 2023; 40:47. [PMID: 36515758 PMCID: PMC9750908 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01910-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy of the head and neck that is mainly diagnosed in southern China and Southeast Asia, with a strong etiological link to Epstein‒Barr virus infection. Those with advanced-stage disease have a significantly worse prognosis. There is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets for the recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. With a particular focus on Cell Cycle Associated Protein 1 (CAPRIN1), one of the important RNA-binding proteints associated with stress granule formation, we used RT‒qPCR and immunohistochemistry to validate CAPRIN1 expression in NPC tissues and cell lines. Further, CAPRIN1 expression was knocked down using siRNA, and the effect on cell proliferation and migration was systematically assessed by in vitro assays. As a result, we demonstrated that CAPRIN1 was elevated in NPC compared to adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of CAPRIN1 in NPC cells inhibited proliferation and migration, involving the regulation of cell cycle protein CCND2 and EMT signaling, respectively. Notably, we found that CAPRIN1 knockdown promoted cell apoptosis by regulation of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved-PARP and cleaved-Caspase3. Knockdown of CAPRIN1 increased NPC cell sensitivity to rapamycin, and increased NPC cell sensitivity to cisplatin and to X-rays. In conclusion, CAPRIN1 might drive NPC proliferation, regulate cell cycle and apoptosis, and affect tumor cell response to anti-cancer agents and X-ray irradiation. CAPRIN1 might serve as a potential target for NPC.
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Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms, Drug Targets and Approaches to Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071826. [PMID: 35406596 PMCID: PMC8998032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent decades, scientific discoveries brought up several new treatments and improvements for patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, increasing resistance to current therapies, such as sorafenib, worsen the outcome of HCC patients, leading to a search for alternative therapeutic strategies. The term ferroptosis describes a novel form of regulated cell death, which is different from apoptosis and necroptosis in a mechanistical and morphological manner. The main mechanism, which leads to cell death, is lipid peroxidation, caused by iron overload and the accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Recent studies demonstrate that ferroptosis can hamper the carcinogenesis in several tumor entities and in HCC. Therefore, a better understanding and a deeper insight in the processes of ferroptosis in HCC and the possible application of it in the clinical practice are of extreme importance. Abstract Ferroptosis, an iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent non-apoptotic type of regulated cell death, is characterized by a massive iron overload and peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which finally results in cell death. Recent studies suggest that ferroptosis can influence carcinogenesis negatively and therefore may be used as a novel anti-cancer strategy. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with poor chances of survival and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Diagnosis at an already late stage and general resistance to current therapies may be responsible for the dismal outcome. As the liver acts as a key factor in iron metabolism, ferroptosis is shown to play an important role in HCC carcinogenesis and, more importantly, may hold the potential to eradicate HCC. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge we have of the role of ferroptosis in HCC and the application of ferroptosis as a therapy option and provide an overview of the potential translation of ferroptosis in the clinical practice of HCC.
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