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Sola IM, Karin-Kujundzic V, Paic F, Lijovic L, Glibo M, Serman N, Duic T, Skrtic A, Kuna K, Vranic S, Serman L. WNT5A, β‑catenin and SUFU expression patterns, and the significance of microRNA deregulation in placentas with intrauterine growth restriction. Mol Med Rep 2022; 27:28. [PMID: 36524356 PMCID: PMC9813565 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental insufficiency is a common cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). It affects ~10% of pregnancies and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although Wnt and Hh pathways are crucial for embryonic development and placentation, their role in the pathology of IUGR is still not sufficiently explored. The present study analyzed the expression of positive regulators of the Wnt pathway, WNT5A and β‑catenin, and the expression of the Hh pathway negative regulator suppressor of fused (SUFU). Immunohistochemical and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) assays were performed on 34 IUGR and 18 placental tissue samples from physiologic singleton‑term pregnancies. Epigenetic mechanisms of SUFU gene regulation were also investigated by methylation‑specific PCR analysis of its promoter and RT‑qPCR analysis of miR‑214‑3p and miR‑378a‑5p expression. WNT5A protein expression was higher in endothelial cells of placental villi from IUGR compared with control tissues. That was also the case for β‑catenin protein expression in trophoblasts and endothelial cells and SUFU protein expression in trophoblasts from IUGR placentas. The SUFU gene promoter remained unmethylated in all tissue samples, while miR‑214‑3p and miR‑378a‑5p were downregulated in IUGR. The present results suggested altered Wnt and Hh signaling in IUGR. DNA methylation did not appear to be a mechanism of SUFU regulation in the pathogenesis of IUGR, but its expression could be regulated by miRNA targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Marija Sola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Valentina Karin-Kujundzic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Correspondence to: Dr Valentina Karin-Kujundzic, Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, E-mail:
| | - Frane Paic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lada Lijovic
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, General Hospital Fra Mihovil Sučić, 80101 Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mislav Glibo
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Serman
- Zagreb Emergency Medicine Service, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tihana Duic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Department of Pathology, University Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Krunoslav Kuna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, 2713 Doha, Qatar
| | - Ljiljana Serman
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Šerman N, Vranić S, Glibo M, Šerman L, Mokos ZB. Genetic risk factors in melanoma etiopathogenesis and the role of genetic counseling: A concise review. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2022; 22:673-682. [PMID: 35465855 PMCID: PMC9519167 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2021.7378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer originating from melanocytes. Its etiopathogenesis is strongly related to genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Melanomas encountered in clinical practice are predominantly sporadic, whereas hereditary melanomas account for approximately 10% of the cases. Hereditary melanomas mainly develop due to mutations in the CDKN2A gene, which encodes two tumor suppressor proteins involved in the cell cycle regulation. CDKN2A, along with CDK4, TERT, and POT1 genes, is a high-risk gene for melanoma. Among the genes that carry a moderate risk are MC1R and MITF, whose protein products are involved in melanin synthesis. The environment also contributes to the development of melanoma. Patients at risk of melanoma should be offered genetic counseling to discuss genetic testing options and the importance of skin UV protection, avoidance of sun exposure, and regular preventive dermatological examinations. Although cancer screening cannot prevent the development of the disease, it allows for early diagnosis when the survival rate is the highest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Semir Vranić
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mislav Glibo
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljiljana Šerman
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Bukvić Mokos
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Glibo M, Serman A, Karin-Kujundzic V, Bekavac Vlatkovic I, Miskovic B, Vranic S, Serman L. The role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in cancer with emphasis on ovarian cancer development and progression: A comprehensive review. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2021; 21:5-18. [PMID: 32767962 PMCID: PMC7861620 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.5036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a monomeric serine-threonine kinase discovered in 1980 in a rat skeletal muscle. It has been involved in various cellular processes including embryogenesis, immune response, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, wound healing, neurodegeneration, and carcinogenesis. GSK3 exists in two different isoforms, GSK3α and GSK3β, both containing seven antiparallel beta-plates, a short linking part and an alpha helix, but coded by different genes and variously expressed in human tissues. In the current review, we comprehensively appraise the current literature on the role of GSK3 in various cancers with emphasis on ovarian carcinoma. Our findings indicate that the role of GSK3 in ovarian cancer development cannot be decisively determined as the currently available data support both prooncogenic and tumor-suppressive effects. Likewise, the clinical impact of GSK3 expression on ovarian cancer patients and its potential therapeutic implications are also limited. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the pathophysiological and clinical implications of GSK3 activity in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mislav Glibo
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alan Serman
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Valentina Karin-Kujundzic
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivanka Bekavac Vlatkovic
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Berivoj Miskovic
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ljiljana Serman
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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