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Liu R, Zhao Y, Su S, Kwabil A, Njoku PC, Yu H, Li X. Unveiling cancer dormancy: Intrinsic mechanisms and extrinsic forces. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216899. [PMID: 38649107 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216899] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Tumor cells disseminate in various distant organs at early stages of cancer progression. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) can stay dormant/quiescent without causing patient symptoms for years or decades. These dormant tumor cells survive despite curative treatments by entering growth arrest, escaping immune surveillance, and/or developing drug resistance. However, these dormant cells can reactivate to proliferate, causing metastatic progression and/or relapse, posing a threat to patients' survival. It's unclear how cancer cells maintain dormancy and what triggers their reactivation. What are better approaches to prevent metastatic progression and relapse through harnessing cancer dormancy? To answer these remaining questions, we reviewed the studies of tumor dormancy and reactivation in various types of cancer using different model systems, including the brief history of dormancy studies, the intrinsic characteristics of dormant cells, and the external cues at the cellular and molecular levels. Furthermore, we discussed future directions in the field and the strategies for manipulating dormancy to prevent metastatic progression and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihua Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010070, China; Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Yawei Zhao
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Shang Su
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Augustine Kwabil
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Prisca Chinonso Njoku
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Haiquan Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010070, China.
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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Ibrahim IH, Abd El-Aziz HG, Amer NNL, Abd El-Sameea HS. Mutational pattern of PIK3CA exon 20 in circulating DNA in breast cancer. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:2828-2835. [PMID: 35531214 PMCID: PMC9073026 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers with diverse mutations, etiology and causes. Mutational signature of the driver genes could allow for better understanding disease etiology and progression. This study aims to assess PIK3CA Exon 20 somatic mutational signature in relation to potential underlying etiology. Circulating DNA of 71 Egyptian BC patients was isolated, amplified for PIK3CA Exon 20, and sequenced. Mutational signature was determined according to COSMIC v2 signature. Public BC dataset was analysed to assess PIK3CA mutations effect on the transcriptomic profile. Somatic mutations of PIK3CA exon 20 were found in 66.2% of the study cohort. Nucleotide substitution patterns were similar to general nucleotide substitution patterns in BC. Signature 3 and 9 were the most common signatures in the studied BC patients. Signature of Aristolochic acid exposure was found in some cases. The most common nucleotide substitution was T > A transversion, but substitutions T > G and T > C were correlated to each other and to the total mutation number. PIK3CA mutations were found to disrupt several pathways including RAC1, PDGF, Wnt, and integrin signalling. PIK3CA exon 20 mutational signatures in Egyptian BC patients could suggest a disease etiology involving homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and polymerase eta (Pol η). Nucleotide substitution patterns could indicate the role of exposure to oxidative stress and some carcinogens such as 4-aminobiphenyl and Aristolochic acid.
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Li R, Lin S, Zhu M, Deng Y, Chen X, Wei K, Xu J, Li G, Bian L. Synthetic presentation of noncanonical Wnt5a motif promotes mechanosensing-dependent differentiation of stem cells and regeneration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw3896. [PMID: 31663014 PMCID: PMC6795506 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw3896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Noncanonical Wnt signaling in stem cells is essential to numerous developmental events. However, no prior studies have capitalized on the osteoinductive potential of noncanonical Wnt ligands to functionalize biomaterials in enhancing the osteogenesis and associated skeleton formation. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the functionalization of biomaterials with a synthetic Wnt5a mimetic ligand (Foxy5 peptide) to promote the mechanosensing and osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells by activating noncanonical Wnt signaling. Our findings showed that the immobilized Wnt5a mimetic ligand activated noncanonical Wnt signaling via the up-regulation of Disheveled 2 and downstream RhoA-ROCK signaling, leading to enhanced intracellular calcium level, F-actin stability, actomyosin contractility, and cell adhesion structure development. This enhanced mechanotransduction in stem cells promoted the in vitro osteogenic lineage commitment and the in vivo healing of rat calvarial defects. Our work provides valuable guidance for the developmentally inspired design of biomaterials for a wide array of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Sien Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Meiling Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Yingrui Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Kongchang Wei
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Jianbin Xu
- Biomedical Research Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P. R. China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Liming Bian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories 999077, Hong Kong, P. R. China
- China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Center of Novel Biomaterials, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, New Territories, 999077 Hong Kong, P.R. China
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Wang L, Yao M, Fang M, Zheng WJ, Dong ZZ, Pan LH, Zhang HJ, Yao DF. Expression of hepatic Wnt5a and its clinicopathological features in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2018; 17:227-232. [PMID: 29709351 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a (Wnt5a) is involved in carcinogenesis. However, little data are available in Wnt5a signaling with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we investigated the expression of hepatic Wnt5a in HCC and the role of Wnt5a in HCC progression and outcome. METHODS Wnt5a expression and cellular distribution in HCCs and their matched paracancerous tissues from 87 patients were analyzed with tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry and compared with hepatic Wnt3a signaling. Wnt5a expression was categorized into low or high based on immunohistochemistry. Overall survival rate of HCC patients was estimated in correlation with the hepatic Wnt5a level using Kaplan-Meier method; the survival difference between patients with low and those with high Wnt5a was compared with log-rank test; and prognostic analysis was carried out with Cox regression. RESULTS Total incidence of Wnt5a expression in the HCC tissues was 70.1%, which was significantly lower (χ2 = 13.585, P < 0.001) than that in their paracancerous tissues (88.5%). Significant difference of Wnt5a intensity was found between HCC and their paracancerous tissues (Z = 8.463, P < 0.001). Wnt5a intensity was inversely correlated with Wnt3a signaling (r = -0.402, P < 0.001) in HCC tissues. A decrease of Wnt5a expression in relation to the clinical staging from stage I to IV and low or no staining at advanced HCC were observed. Wnt5a level was related to periportal embolus (χ2 = 11.069, P < 0.001), TNM staging (χ2 = 8.852, P < 0.05), 5-year survival (χ2 = 4.961, P < 0.05), and confirmed as an independent prognosis factor of HCC patients (hazard ratio: 1.957; 95% confidence interval: 1.109-3.456; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The decrease of hepatic Wnt5a signaling is associated with HCC progression and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Min Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Miao Fang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Zhi-Zhen Dong
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Liu-Hong Pan
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Hai-Jian Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China.
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Wei X, Gong J, Ma J, Zhang T, Li Y, Lan T, Guo P, Qi S. Targeting the Dvl-1/β-arrestin2/JNK3 interaction disrupts Wnt5a-JNK3 signaling and protects hippocampal CA1 neurons during cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:11-21. [PMID: 29510185 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that Wnt5a activation plays a pivotal role in brain injury and β-arrestin2 induces c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK3) activation is involved in neuronal cell death. Nonetheless, the relationship between Wnt5a and JNK3 remains unexplored during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Wnt5a-mediated JNK3 activation via the Wnt5a-Dvl-1-β-arrestin2-JNK3 signaling pathway was correlated with I/R brain injury. We found that cerebral I/R could enhance the assembly of the Dvl-1-β-arrestin2-JNK3 signaling module, Dvl-1 phosphorylation and JNK3 activation. Activated JNK3 could phosphorylate the transcription factor c-Jun, prompt caspase-3 activation and ultimately lead to neuronal cell death. To further explore specifically Wnt5a mediated JNK3 pathway activation in neuronal injury, we used Foxy-5 (a peptide that mimics the effects of Wnt5a) and Box5 (a Wnt5a antagonist) both in vitro and in vivo. AS-β-arrestin2 (an antisense oligonucleotide against β-arrestin2) and RRSLHL (a small peptide that competes with β-arrestin2 for binding to JNK3) were applied to confirm the positive signal transduction effect of the Dvl-1-β-arrestin2-JNK3 signaling module during cerebral I/R. Furthermore, Box5 and the RRSLHL peptide were found to play protective roles in neuronal death both in vivo global and focal cerebral I/R rat models and in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) neural cells. In summary, our results indicate that Wnt5a-mediated JNK3 activation participates in I/R brain injury by targeting the Dvl-1-β-arrestin2/JNK3 interaction. Our results also point to the possibility that disrupting Wnt5a-JNK3 signaling pathway may provide a new approach for stroke therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Wei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China
| | - JuanJuan Gong
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China
| | - Juyun Ma
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China
| | - Taiyu Zhang
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China
| | - Yihang Li
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China
| | - Ting Lan
- School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China
| | - Peng Guo
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China
| | - Suhua Qi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China; School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, PR China.
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Wang B, Zheng L, Chou J, Li C, Zhang Y, Meng X, Xi T. CYP4Z1 3′UTR represses migration of human breast cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 478:900-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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7
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Pang B, Cheng S, Sun SP, An C, Liu ZY, Feng X, Liu GJ. Prognostic role of PIK3CA mutations and their association with hormone receptor expression in breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6255. [PMID: 25176561 PMCID: PMC4150110 DOI: 10.1038/srep06255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene is frequently mutated in breast cancer (BCa). Sex hormone receptors (HRs), including estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) play pivotal roles in BCa. In this study, we evaluated the association between PIK3CA mutations and ER/PR expression and the prognostic role of PIK3CA mutations in BCa patients, and in particular, HR-positive BCa. Thirty-two studies involving 5719 cases of BCa obtained from database searches were examined. PIK3CA gene mutations correlated significantly with ER/PR expression (p < 0.00001) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.98, p = 0.03) but not overall survival (OS) (HR 1.14, 95%CI 0.72-1.82, p = 0.57) in unsorted BCa patients. PIK3CA mutations were not associated with OS (HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.67-1.67, p = 0.81) or RFS (HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.53-1.40, p = 0.55) in HR-positive BCa patients. In conclusion, PIK3CA mutations were significantly related to ER/PR expression and RFS in unsorted BCa patients. However, the clinical implications of PIK3CA mutations may vary according to different mutant exons. And PIK3CA mutations alone may have limited prognostic value for HR-positive BCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pang
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Shi Cheng
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Shi-Peng Sun
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Cheng An
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Liu
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Gui-Jian Liu
- Clinical laboratory, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beixian Ge 5#, XiCheng District, Beijing 100053, China
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8
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Zimmerman ZF, Moon RT, Chien AJ. Targeting Wnt pathways in disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012; 4:cshperspect.a008086. [PMID: 23001988 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a008086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt-mediated signal transduction pathways have long been recognized for their roles in regulating embryonic development, and have more recently been linked to cancer, neurologic diseases, inflammatory diseases, and disorders of endocrine function and bone metabolism in adults. Although therapies targeting Wnt signaling are attractive in theory, in practice it has been difficult to obtain specific therapeutics because many components of Wnt signaling pathways are also involved in other cellular processes, thereby reducing the specificity of candidate therapeutics. New technologies, and advances in understanding the mechanisms of Wnt signaling, have improved our understanding of the nuances of Wnt signaling and are leading to promising new strategies to target Wnt signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary F Zimmerman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195, USA
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Serra R, Easter SL, Jiang W, Baxley SE. Wnt5a as an effector of TGFβ in mammary development and cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2011; 16:157-67. [PMID: 21416313 PMCID: PMC3107509 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-011-9205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a is a member of the Wingless-related/MMTV-integration family of secreted growth factors, which are involved in a wide range of cellular processes. Wnt signaling can be broadly divided into two categories the canonical, ß-catenin-dependent pathway and the non-canonical ß-catenin-independent pathway. Wnt5a is a non-canonical signaling member of the Wnt family. Loss of Wnt5a is associated with early relapse of invasive breast cancer, increased metastasis, and poor survival in humans. It has been shown that TGF-ß directly regulates expression of Wnt5a in mammary gland and that Wnt5a mediates the effects of TGF-ß on branching during mammary gland development. Here we review the evidence suggesting Wnt5a acts as an effector of TGF-ß actions in breast cancer. It is suggested that the tumor suppressive functions of TGF-ß involve Wnt5a-mediated antagonism of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and limiting the stem cell population. Interactions between TGF-ß and Wnt5a in metastasis appear to be more complex, and may depend on specific cues from the microenvironment as well as activation of specific intracellular signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Serra
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
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Schulte G. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXX. The class Frizzled receptors. Pharmacol Rev 2011; 62:632-67. [PMID: 21079039 DOI: 10.1124/pr.110.002931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor class Frizzled, which has recently been categorized as a separate group of G protein-coupled receptors by the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, consists of 10 Frizzleds (FZD(1-10)) and Smoothened (SMO). The FZDs are activated by secreted lipoglycoproteins of the Wingless/Int-1 (WNT) family, whereas SMO is indirectly activated by the Hedgehog (HH) family of proteins acting on the transmembrane protein Patched (PTCH). Recent years have seen major advances in our knowledge about these seven-transmembrane-spanning proteins, including: receptor function, molecular mechanisms of signal transduction, and the receptor's role in embryonic patterning, physiology, cancer, and other diseases. Despite intense efforts, many question marks and challenges remain in mapping receptor-ligand interaction, signaling routes, mechanisms of specificity and how these molecular details underlie disease and also the receptor's important role in physiology. This review therefore focuses on the molecular aspects of WNT/FZD and HH/SMO signaling discussing receptor structure, mechanisms of signal transduction, accessory proteins, receptor dynamics, and the possibility of targeting these signaling pathways pharmacologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Schulte
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Dept. of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Cizkova M, Cizeron-Clairac G, Vacher S, Susini A, Andrieu C, Lidereau R, Bièche I. Gene expression profiling reveals new aspects of PIK3CA mutation in ERalpha-positive breast cancer: major implication of the Wnt signaling pathway. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15647. [PMID: 21209903 PMCID: PMC3012715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The PI3K/AKT pathway plays a pivotal role in breast cancer development and maintenance. PIK3CA, encoding the PI3K catalytic subunit, is the oncogene exhibiting a high frequency of gain-of-function mutations leading to PI3K/AKT pathway activation in breast cancer. PIK3CA mutations have been observed in 30% to 40% of ERα-positive breast tumors. However the physiopathological role of PIK3CA mutations in breast tumorigenesis remains largely unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings To identify relevant downstream target genes and signaling activated by aberrant PI3K/AKT pathway in breast tumors, we first analyzed gene expression with a pangenomic oligonucleotide microarray in a series of 43 ERα-positive tumors with and without PIK3CA mutations. Genes of interest were then investigated in 249 ERα-positive breast tumors by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. A robust collection of 19 genes was found to be differently expressed in PIK3CA-mutated tumors. PIK3CA mutations were associated with over-expression of several genes involved in the Wnt signaling pathway (WNT5A, TCF7L2, MSX2, TNFRSF11B), regulation of gene transcription (SEC14L2, MSX2, TFAP2B, NRIP3) and metal ion binding (CYP4Z1, CYP4Z2P, SLC40A1, LTF, LIMCH1). Conclusion/Significance This new gene set should help to understand the behavior of PIK3CA-mutated cancers and detailed knowledge of Wnt signaling activation could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Cizkova
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University and University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Géraldine Cizeron-Clairac
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
| | - Sophie Vacher
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
| | - Aurélie Susini
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
| | - Catherine Andrieu
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
| | - Rosette Lidereau
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
| | - Ivan Bièche
- Laboratoire d'Oncogénétique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche, U745, Institut Curie/Hôpital René Huguenin, St-Cloud, France
- * E-mail:
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Hansson O, Zhou Y, Renström E, Osmark P. Molecular function of TCF7L2: Consequences of TCF7L2 splicing for molecular function and risk for type 2 diabetes. Curr Diab Rep 2010; 10:444-51. [PMID: 20878273 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-010-0149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
TCF7L2 harbors the variant with the strongest effect on type 2 diabetes (T2D) identified to date, yet the molecular mechanism as to how variation in the gene increases the risk for developing T2D remains elusive. The phenotypic changes associated with the risk genotype suggest that T2D arises as a consequence of reduced islet mass and/or impaired function, and it has become clear that TCF7L2 plays an important role for several vital functions in the pancreatic islet. TCF7L2 comprises 17 exons, five of which are alternative (ie, exons 4 and 13-16). In pancreatic islets four splice variants of TCF7L2 are predominantly expressed. The regulation of these variants and the functional consequences at the protein level are still poorly understood. A clear picture of the molecular mechanism will be necessary to understand how an intronic variation in TCF7L2 can influence islet function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Hansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, CRC, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
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13
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O'Connell MP, Weeraratna AT. Hear the Wnt Ror: how melanoma cells adjust to changes in Wnt. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2009; 22:724-39. [PMID: 19708915 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2009.00627.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways in development and tumorigenesis is tightly regulated. In this review we will describe the yin and the yang of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways during melanocyte development, and melanoma genesis. Canonical Wnt signaling, represented by Wnts such as Wnt1 and Wnt3A, signals via beta-catenin to promote melanocyte differentiation and tumor development. Non-canonical Wnt signaling, specifically Wnt5A, regulates canonical pathways, and signals to induce melanoma metastasis. This review will focus on the role of Wnt5A during melanoma progression, and its relationship to canonical Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P O'Connell
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore MD, USA
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